Many settlers followed the series of immigration    during   that time. There  came  the  Tuliaos,  Guzmans, Goyagoys  and  the Tudaos from Cataggaman; the Lagundis,  Cusipags   and   Narags   from Annafunan;  the Tabbaos,  de  la Cuestas and  Sorianos  from  Caggay;  and  the  Taguinods, Lasams, Carags, Pagalilauans and Pelagios from the Centro of Tuguegarao.

           

      Peñablanca was separated   from Tuguegarao by virtue of the Royal Order dated November 27, 1896. San Jose was the chosen patron saint.  

  

           

   

   In due time, Camasi was thickly populated, and the idea of making the place a pueblo or   town came up in their minds.  In   1897,   when   the  Spanish  ruled in  the  Philippines was  about to  end,  the  settler’s  wish  was  carried. Immediately, the bishop of Vigan designated Fray J. Florentino Fernandez, a dominican, the first Cura Parroco of the place on March 08, 1897.  Fray Fernandez suggested that the town be renamed “Peñablanca” after the whiterocks which crowned one of the mountains to the north and this to give it a more Spanish atmosphere.  His suggestion was carried out.  A chief executive or teniente absoluto was appointed in the person of Agustin Saquing.  He held office for two terms. Within this time, many improvements were made in the town. Through the donation of the kind Jacinto Turingan from Tuguegarao, a stone church was built; however, it was destroyed by a storm.

        

      Col.  Daniel Tirona   of the Aguinaldo revolutionary forces ordered the first elections which took place in September 1898. During those days, they held their election in a unique manner. If they wanted a man for a public position, they do not sign black forms with mysterious small prints, sign an affidavit or get themselves finger printed. Instead, they merely stood up to voice their choice. The practice has come down to them by the term “viva voce”.

          

      Don Tiburcio Soriano was elected this way and held three fruitful years of office. He was succeeded by Don Mariano Taguinod.  During this time, the title “Gobernadorcillo” became   “Presidente  Municipal”.  During his term,   he built    roads   and   named every street in town. It was also during his term when a private school  under Jacinto  Maggay was  established  with  “caton”,  “Grammatica Castellana”  and  “Doctrina  Cristiana” in its curriculum.

         

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