Estancia is known as the Alaska of the Philippines.
Estancia began as a small barangay of fishermen from Capiz with in the pueblo of Carles during the Spanish time. Its first settlers were the families of Latinu Rodriguez and Juan Magbanua. In 1847, they were joined by several other families from Pilar (Capiz), Balasan and Sara.
It became a pueblo in 1847 and its name came from the Spanish word “estancia'” (ranch) because it was a part of the wide ranch of Don Felipe Aguilar.
In 1864, Lt. Governor Esteban Pavon of Concepcion sub-province established there a rancheria while Fray Ricardo Sanchez built a church.
During the Philippines Revolution, the people drove the Spaniards. When the Americans came, they made Estancia a mere barrio of Balasan.
Later, the inhabitants agitated for separation from Balasan thru their organization “paghiliusa” led by Venancio Cudilla and Antonio Somes. Because of this, Estancio became a town with the help of Governor Gregorio Yulo and Senator Jose Ma. Arroyo. Its first president was Antonio Somes.
Estancia is famous as “The Alaska of the Philippines”. Its rich fishing grounds can be found around the many offshore islets such as Islas de Gigante, Isla de Zapatos, Loguingot, Bayas, Manipulon, Sicogon and Magalumbi.
Many Tagalog and Waray fishermen and merchants settled at the town making it the melting pot of North Iloilo. It has a good port protected by the offshore islets having white and beaches suitable as
tourist spots.
Estancia is the site of the Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College and the transloading station of Lopez Sugar Corporation of Negros.
