Long time ago when the Province of Negros was Christianized by the Missionaries coming from Spain, the settlers lived in a settlement near the mouth of rivers. This settlement, like others elsewhere, was under occasional attack by Sea Pirates; properties were confiscated and others died defending it. These lead other settlers to fled and settled elsewhere.

 

            One prominent settlement was that at the mouth of the Sum-ag River. Against odds of attack of Sea Pirates, this settlement stands still. However, some had fled and settled not far from it along creeks and rivers. The reason why the settlers had their home near rivers and creeks was because of the clear water flowing on it, fishes and edible shells were plenty. The forested areas were dominated by Negritoes and responsible of clearing the area.

 

            Long before Bacolod was made into a City, the settlement at the mouth of the Sum-ag River flourished into a “Pueblo”, Spanish (word for “town”). Not far from it, the fleeing settlers begun to grow larger not far from shoreline. This was part of the Sum-ag settlement midway from Magsungay settlement. In this particular place, several creeks can be found such as Cabiguan, Pandan, Cabalagnan, Makatol creeks and a river called Pahanocoy River.

 

            How the name Pahanocoy did came to be known as such? The ancestors of the settler had a story that give the name to the place as Pahanocoy and it run this way. According to them, said river had thick foliage of trees and shrubs and bamboos. The waters were knee deep and at other places, several feet deep. It had also a beautiful water fall further east. The water was clear and cool and a temptation for children to take their bath.

 

            On several instances, children were found floating on the water with hematoma on the neck and some parts of the body. The old folks suspected that the children were victims of human-like creature that lives in caves underwater. They called the creatures as “OKOY”. Thereafter, the old folks organized a group among themselves called as “BANTAY BATA” to deprive the children away from the river. The old folks use their belt, whipped the children found roaming near the river and made them to understand of the danger to their life. Many weeks and months, no children were found taking their bath in the water.

 

            And then one day as the old folks gathered themselves underneath a coconut tree drinking tuba, the drowning of the children and the name for the place became their “sumsuman’ and a little while later, the boy, of one of them arrived and begun pulling the belt of his father. Irked by his boy, he said to him: “ay nga punieta ka nga bata, Karon pinahan taka kag idamog sa okoy, gusto mo na?” And a little while, the group dispersed. The following day, one of the tuba drinkers and carried some the tuba to his neighbor half kilometer away and they tackle on the issue once more. Thinking that everyone needs a name for their place, he confronted his neighbor.

 

            He told him he had thought of some name for the place. He explained that the “Bantay Bata” they have organized to drive away the children from going into the river and equipped with belt to whip them and the creature supposedly living underwater, why not joined the two words? “PAHA” as belt and “OKOY” for the creature and have been confined that was No Okoy then will be PAHA NO OKOY.

 

            At the time Bacolod became a city sometime in 1936, some moneyed transient had already bought landed properties prior to the declaration had already been bought by these transient. The earliest owner of the land was the late Lorenzo Araneta, landed properties from the Makatol Creek to the Pahanocoy had followed Araneta later.

 

            Sum-ag became the official Barrio of the City of Bacolod. At this time, its area coverage was so wide that it appointed Sitio Delagates to make its governance easy. At this point, MR. ARSENIO ABALAJON, a prominent figure of Sitio Pahanocoy was appointed delegate to B. Sum-ag. The position of a delegate was later improved to become a Teniente Del Barrio which MR. ABALAJON had enjoyed for quite several years. After the incapacity of Mr. Abalahoy, Mr. Sofronio Malayang was appointed Teniente Del Barron of Bo. Pahanocoy. Later, the position was elevated by the National Government to Capitan Del Barrio.

 

            At the time of the Presidency of President Marcos, the government past a law declaring that all officials of the Barrio or Barangay be elected by the people. And in 1968, Mr. Claro Barayoga became the first elected Barrio Captain. After his term had expired, Mr. Emilio Lizades became the Barrio Captain at it was in his term that Martial Law was declared. Mr. Lizades was followed after by Mr. Alfonso Libo-on, Mr. Silver Voluntate amd then Engr. Eleuterio A. Salabas.

 

            After the passing of 33 years that Barangay Pahanocoy became an official component of the City Bacolod, its Charter Day was celebrated and it was also after 33 years that it was able to have its own home courtesy of the RCDP grant to the City of Bacolod. The Community Facilities Buildings composed of four, was constructed by the DPWH headed by Engr. Rogelio Q. Tongson was turned over to the City of Bacolod through Mayor Alfredo L. Montelibano and later to Engr. Eleuterio A. Salabas, Punong Barangay last April of 1995 and was inaugurated last May 1, 1995.

 

            Brgy. Pahanocoy today has a Day Care Center located the Officer of the Barangay Council. It was also two (2) Public Schools: the Pahanocoy Baybay Elementary and M.G. Medalla Integrated School. The Barangay Health Center is now improving and it was covered into Lying-in Clinic. The National Housing Authority had purchase from the Medalla Family some 30 hectares of landed properties and develops into subdivision. At present several industrial companies had their edifices constructed sat the Brgy. Pahanocoy and they are the following: Robinhood Manufacturing producing various noodles. Candies and other seasonings; HJR International Bacolod, processes prawns for exports of Japan and other countries; RU foundry Shop, CEGASCO Industrial Corporation produces Oxygen & Acetelene and other chemical and medical supplies; The Venus Trucking Center to all Marine students, Aguilar Integrated Construction Supplies, Joeton Motors, CLG Commercial Inc., D’Twins Dressed Chicken, ZFA Lending Corporation. 

 

            Brgay. Pahanocoy has an Administrative Assistant, Clerk 1 & 2, a Barangay Records’ Keeper GAD Focal Point Officer, Barangay Human Rights Action Officer, 11 Barangay Health Workers, a Nutrition Scholar, Day Care worker, Summon Server Officer, Brgy. Electrician, 2 Brgy. Drivers, Market and Maintenace Utility, 14 Brgy. Tanods and Ex-Officers.

 

            More improvements are coming to Brgy. Pahanocoy. It is the dream of the present Barangay Council to make Brgy. Pahanocoy the industrial center of the City of Bacolod and its not far from realization.