CAPSULE HISTORY OF HAMTIC

Hamtic or Hamtik is the oldest town in Antique. It's the first Capital of the Province during the Spanish Regime. San Jose de Buenavista was made capital by the Spaniards in 1802. Hamtic was then relegated to a mere barrio, forming a part of San Jose.

It was in Malandog where Datu Sumakwel  with six other chieftains and followers from Borneo, made a permanent settlement. In Malandog (considered the first Malayan Settlement in the Philippines) progressed and continued to grow until it embraced three “sakops” namely: Hamtik, Aklan and Irong- irong. Datu Sumakwel was the chief Datu of Hamtik but soon became the recognized ruler of the whole island of Panay.

Hamtik was already a flourishing Malayan Settlement when the Spaniards came to Panay. However, the settlement was later renamed Antique and Hamtik was made first Capital of the Province. In 1762, the seat of the province was transferred to Bugasong, another progressing Spanish Settlement, but in 1802 it was moved to San Jose de Buenavista, the present capital of the Province of Antique.

The town of Hamtik was created separately from the Municipality of San Jose by virtue of Executive Order No. 3 of the President of the Philippines and was officially inaugurated on January 20, 1954. Since then, the Municipality is celebrating its birth anniversary.

The following are the names of Mayors who had served the Municipality and contributed to what it is at present:

1954 - 1955     - Hon. Pedro A. Javier – First Appointed Mayor
1956 - 1967     - Hon. Julian F. Pacificador – First Elected Mayor
1967 - 1971     - Hon. Pedro A. Javier – Elected
1971 - 1986     - Hon. Julius Ll. Pacificador – Elected
1986 - 1988     - Hon. Jose Rene Duldoco – Appointed
1988 - 1998     - Hon. Julius Ll. Pacificador – Elected
1998 - 2001     - Hon. Jose N. Javier – Elected
2001 - 2010    - Hon. Julius Ll. Pacificador – Elected
2010 - Present - Hon. Julius Ronald Pacificador - Elected