Barangay Himatagon, one of the most progressive barangays under the jurisdiction of Cabalian, Leyte ( now San Juan) was also considered as the biggest and most densely populated at the time. As the barrio progreeed economically, socially and politically, the inhabitants felt the need of self governance. The civic spirited citizens gatherd and discussed the creation of the barrio into an independent entity.

           Graciano H. Capili sent petitions to higher authorities appealing to them asking the conversion of the said barrio into a municipality. It took several years of continuous plea for recognition though his initiative, moving spirit and the untiring efforts of former Governor Bernardo Torres of Leyte, the late President Ramon Magsaysay enacted Executive Order No. 84 converting the barrio Himatagon into a Municipality of Saint Bernard. It came into existence on December 9, 1954.

Location and Environment

         The municipality of Saint Bernard is strategically situated in the Southern portion of the island of Leyte. It is a costal town along the Panaon, Hinunangan – Silago National Road which fall the jurisdiction of Eastern Visayas, Region VIII.

The place is considered as one of the salient municipalities in the formation of the province of Southern Leyte. The locality is bounded on the north by the town of Hinunangan, two big bodies of water Panaon Strait and Cabalian Bay are on the South, on the east by the municipality of San Juan and Anahawan and the municipality of Libagon on the west.

Specifically, it is between the coordinates of 10째 17��� 30��� north latitude and 125째7���30��� East longitude.

In general, the target is hilly and mountainous. It is composed of thirty (30) barangays including the Poblacion. In view of geographical location, Saint Bernard is conveniently accessible from any point in the region either by land or sea transportation.

Likewise, the town is conveniently accessible to and from any point in the country also because of the transportation facilities existing in the town.

WATER

       Water supply in the town has 4 sources: waterworks system (piped water), developed springs, pitcher pumps, and ground water (shallow wells). All 30 barangays have developed springs but the existing facilities need replace- ment of pipelines, extension of pipelines, improvement of intake tank and construction of reservoir.

A total of 2,860 households or 63.6% from the barangays including the Poblacion are using the 30 piped water connections. Statistics show also the 1,071 or 31.06% households are using pitcher pumps as their source of water consumption. These 22 pitcher pumps are systematically distri- buted throughout the municipality in order to serve better to the whole populace.

Aside from the two sources, 6 more shallow well and developed springs serve some 10.80% or 375 households for all purposes.