HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Gandara is one of the settlement in the Island of Samar named Bangahon before the Spanish regime and was created into pueblo or town seventeenth century. Eighteenth century ended with Bangahon at the height of abundant prosperity.

The town was burned on February 14, 1901, wherein the people decided to transfer to the present location in 1902 and change the name from Bangahon to Gandara in honor of the Spanish Gov. Gen. Jose de la Gandara y Navarro (who was Gov. Gen. of the Philippines in 1866 to 1869)

The barrio of Bangon, Buenas Aires, Calanyogan, Cambaye, Pagsanghan, Pangi and San Luis had been transferred to the Mun. of Tarangnan as defined in the territory of the Mun. of Gandara in Act No. 960 of the Philippine Commission dated Oct. 30, 1903.

The Matuguinao and San Jose de Buan were named as a municipal district of Gandara in 1948 to 1960 and were converted into a municipalities in 1965 and 1969 respectively. B.P. Blg. 11, dated Dec. 6, 1978, San Jorge was created into a new municipality, separating its set of government from Gandara except Brgy. Villaleona (Sinibaran) which is situated in the middle territory of San Jorge, hence it is still a part of the mother town.