Before the island of Siquijor became a province, it was the oldest sub-province in the Philippines with canoan as "Cabeza"

In 1906 Canoan was changed to Larena. the changed was made in honor of the late Governor Demetrio Larena who was the first Filipino Civil Governor of Negros Oriental.

There is not much economic, social, cultural and political advancement in Larena during Spanish regime. During the American tutorship, Larena attained a more accelerated pace in economic, social and political development.

The sub-province of Siquijor became full-pledged province in 1972. Before Siquijor became the district and independent province. Larena was the capital town. During the plebiscite and the local elections in 1971, Larena lost the capitaliship to Siquijor. Although the muncipality of Siquijor is the capital town, Larena's commeercial establishments boom and most of the national government agencies are in Larena.