Guinobatan

Guinobatan
Municipality
Municipality of Guinobatan
Our Lady of the Assumption Church of Guinobatan
Flag Seal
Nickname:  The Sparkling Gem of Bicol
Map of Albay with Guinobatan highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Guinobatan Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 13°11′N123°36′E / 13.18°N 123.6°E / 13.18; 123.6
Country	Philippines
Region	Bicol Region
Province	Albay
District	3rd district
Founded	1688
Founded by	Don Francisco Bagamasbad
Barangays	44 (see Barangays)
Government   [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
•  Mayor	Paul "Chino" N. Garcia
•  Vice Mayor	Ann "Gemma" Y. Ongjoco
•  Representative	Fernando T. Cabredo
•  Municipal Council	Members Kathleen Mae O. Padua Julio S. Tingzon IV Primo M. Pintor Mary Ann G. Amano Marelen G. Flores Robert M. Bañaga Ricky S. Matza Rolando P. Palabrica
•  Electorate	58,205 voters (2022)
Area [2]
• Total	244.43 km2 (94.37 sq mi)
Elevation	169 m (554 ft)
Highest elevation	474 m (1,555 ft)
Lowest elevation	59 m (194 ft)
Population  (2020 census) [3]
• Total	85,786
• Density	350/km2 (910/sq mi)
•  Households	20,327
Demonym	Guinobateño/ Guinobatanon
Economy
•  Income class	1st municipal income class
•  Poverty incidence	25.61 % (2018) [4]
•  Revenue	₱ 273.4 million (2020)
•  Assets	₱ 814.1 million (2020)
•  Expenditure	₱ 263.6 million (2020)
•  Liabilities	₱ 249.1 million (2020)
Service provider
• Electricity	Albay Power and Energy Corporation (APEC)
• Water	Guinobatan Water District
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	4503
PSGC	050504000
IDD  :  area code	+63 (0)52
Native languages	Tagalog, East Miraya
Feast date	August 15
Catholic diocese	Diocese of Legazpi
Patron saint	Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion
Website	www.guinobatan.gov.ph

Guinobatan, officially the Municipality of Guinobatan (Central Bikol : Banwaan kan Guinobatan; Tagalog : Bayan ng Guinobatan), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Albay, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 85,786 people. ^[3]

The town is the birthplace of General Simeón Ola, the last Filipino general to surrender to the Americans after the Philippine–American War.

History

Legend

In the research work "Guinobatan Through the Times," the following version of the legend is stated:

• In a region on Mayon's slopes lay a village. It was dotted with huts whose roofs were made of nipa, as well as with a number of stone houses. In the village was a church, and inside the belfry was a Golden Bell. So great was the bell that when rung, the sound could be heard from miles away. The sound could even reach the land of the Moros. The Moros, made curious by the sound of the bell, sent spies so that they would know what kind of bell was producing so loud and peculiar a sound. The spies were amazed and surprised to find out that the townspeople rang was made of pure gold. They went back to the land of the Moros eager to report their findings to their superiors. Motivated by greed, the Moros assembled a squad to plunder the bell. When they arrived at the village, they pillaged the community and torched houses. They attempted to force the people to tell them where the Golden Bell was. Their attempts failed. Many were still able to flee. The fleeing townsfolk knew where the bell was, and they hid the bell underneath the roots of trees. However, an old man was left in the village. As he was the only person left in the town; Moros tortured him so that he would tell the raiders where the Golden Bell was. The old man, however, did not know. Finding no use for the old man, the Moros killed him. They tried to pursue the townspeople, but they were too far away to be captured. Instead, they went to the woods in search of the Golden Bell. They uprooted every tree underneath which they believed the Golden Bell was hidden. Their efforts proved futile. Hence, with empty hands the Moros went back to their land, while the townspeople went back to the village to rebuild their lives, which had always been under threat from Moro pillagers and natural calamities; from bad harvests and oppressive encomienderos. The townspeople also kept the valued Golden Bell safe from anyone who tried to steal it. Seeing the uprooted trees, the townsfolk named their area “Guinobatan” meaning “a place where trees were uprooted.” So ends the legend. ^[5]

Some versions also state that the town's name is derived from Ginabutan, meaning "a place where trees or plants were uprooted." ^[6]

History under foreign rule

Luis Née, a botanist, reached Bicol in January 1792, accompanying the expedition of Capt. Alejandro Malaspina. Née explored towns near Mayon and including the area now known as Guinobatan. He noted that "trees grew in exuberance making the foothills impenetrable in many parts." ^[7]

Dr. Leonilo R. Palacio of Guinobatan's Republic Colleges mentioned in an essay entitled "Guinobatan and its Church" that "in 1672, the Parish of Guinobatan was already mentioned in books as a visita of the Municipality of Camalig." ^[8]

In 1890, the title of the gobernadorcillo was changed to Capitan Municipal. The Municipal Law of 1894 guaranteed that the term of the local executive would be extended from two years to four years. Also among the salient provisions of the law was the election of 12 vocales, equivalent to today's councilors. In 1895, the Colegio de San Buenaventura was also built, making Guinobatan the centre for higher education in Albay. ^[5]

Cabezas and principales elected the gobernadorcillo until 1863. Until 1847, Guinobatan belonged to Camarines. During the said year, the towns of Quipia, Camalig and Donsol (now in Sorsogon) were ceded to Albay, in exchange for the towns of the Partido de Lagonoy. From 1730 to 1818, the town transferred from one place to another. In 1730, it was on a site now called Binanuahan. From there, it was the relocated to Bubulusan. During the eruption of 1814, citizens opted to evacuate to higher ground, in Mauraro.

American colonization

During the Philippine Revolution and the Philippine–American War (1898-1911), most of the schoolhouses built by the Spaniards were destroyed by constant artillery fire, most of which came from the Americans. As part of the "pacification" campaign of the Americans, engineers and architects were sent to the Philippines to oversee the construction of public works. Engr. Edward K. Bourne and famed urban planner Daniel Burnham, among other American architects and engineers, were instructed to go to Manila. In response, the Philippine Commission passed Act No. 268 which created the Bureau of Architecture and Construction of Public Buildings. Mr. Bourne was appointed as its head. In 1907, the Philippine Assembly was formed. Angel Roco of Mauraro, Guinobatan represented Albay in the Assembly. The same year, Assemblyman Isauro Gabaldon of Nueva Ecija authored an act which appropriated ₱ 1 million between 1907 and 1915 for "construction of schoolhouses of strong materials in barrios with guaranteed daily attendance of not less than sixty pupils…" Passing into law as Act No. 1801, the act became known as the "Gabaldon Act". Among the salient provisions was that no school could receive more than ₱ 4,000 unless the municipality to which the school belonged contributed at least 50% of the total amount granted to the school by the Gabaldon Act. The Gabaldon Act stipulated that only on land owned by the municipality could schools be constructed. Fifty-one "Gabaldons" were completed by 1911, and by 1916, four hundred five more were constructed. Among those completed between 1911 and 1916 was Guinobatan Central School blg. 1 or the Guinobatan East Central School's Gabaldon Building.

Potenciano Gregorio's Bikol language musical composition "Sarung Banggi" premiered at the town fiesta in Guinobatan in August 1910. ^[9]

Geography

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 244.43 square kilometres (94.37 sq mi)  ^[10] constituting 9.49% of the 2,575.77-square-kilometre- (994.51 sq mi) total area of Albay.

The town of Guinobatan is located at 13°11′N123°36′E / 13.18°N 123.6°E / 13.18; 123.6 . The territory of Guinobatan is bordered by a number of municipalities: Camalig on the east, Jovellar on the south, Pio Duran on the south-west, Ligao on the north-west. On the north-east, the town shares with Malilipot, Santo Domingo, Daraga, Tabaco and Legazpi, a common point in the crater of Mayon Volcano. ^[5] Guinobatan is 17 kilometres (11 mi) from Legazpi City and 510 kilometres (320 mi) from Manila.

Barangays

Guinobatan is politically subdivided into 44 barangays. ^[11] Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

PSGC	Barangay	Population			±% p.a.
		2020 [3]		2010 [12]
050504001	Agpay	0.6%	482	451	▴	0.67%
050504002	Balite	0.7%	585	524	▴	1.11%
050504003	Banao	1.3%	1,074	1,018	▴	0.54%
050504004	Batbat	1.6%	1,373	1,314	▴	0.44%
050504005	Binogsacan Lower	2.2%	1,889	1,716	▴	0.96%
050504049	Binogsacan Upper	1.3%	1,131	1,067	▴	0.58%
050504006	Bololo	1.7%	1,442	1,363	▴	0.56%
050504007	Bubulusan	1.6%	1,399	1,189	▴	1.64%
050504009	Calzada	3.2%	2,787	2,662	▴	0.46%
050504010	Catomag	0.9%	796	713	▴	1.11%
050504011	Doña Mercedes	1.6%	1,411	1,472	▾	−0.42%
050504012	Doña Tomasa (Magatol)	1.6%	1,352	1,197	▴	1.22%
050504013	Ilawod	2.6%	2,209	2,101	▴	0.50%
050504015	Inamnan Grande	2.5%	2,177	1,986	▴	0.92%
050504014	Inamnan Pequeño	2.0%	1,756	1,636	▴	0.71%
050504016	Inascan	1.7%	1,481	1,359	▴	0.86%
050504017	Iraya	2.1%	1,771	2,006	▾	−1.24%
050504018	Lomacao	2.4%	2,096	2,002	▴	0.46%
050504021	Maguiron	2.5%	2,118	2,110	▴	0.04%
050504022	Maipon	4.6%	3,944	2,214	▴	5.94%
050504023	Malabnig	1.3%	1,145	1,117	▴	0.25%
050504024	Malipo	2.1%	1,760	1,690	▴	0.41%
050504025	Malobago	2.2%	1,867	1,818	▴	0.27%
050504026	Maninila	1.7%	1,482	1,437	▴	0.31%
050504027	Mapaco	1.7%	1,460	1,463	▾	−0.02%
050504008	Marcial O. Rañola (Cabaloaon)	0.6%	537	633	▾	−1.63%
050504029	Masarawag	4.4%	3,760	3,553	▴	0.57%
050504030	Mauraro	7.0%	5,980	5,145	▴	1.52%
050504031	Minto	2.0%	1,726	1,707	▴	0.11%
050504032	Morera	3.0%	2,602	1,878	▴	3.31%
050504034	Muladbucad Grande	2.4%	2,079	2,010	▴	0.34%
050504033	Muladbucad Pequeño	2.4%	2,051	1,920	▴	0.66%
050504035	Ongo	1.1%	942	930	▴	0.13%
050504036	Palanas	0.5%	427	736	▾	−5.30%
050504038	Poblacion	1.6%	1,336	1,352	▾	−0.12%
050504040	Pood	0.7%	583	287	▴	7.34%
050504042	Quibongbongan	3.0%	2,595	2,286	▴	1.28%
050504041	Quitago	2.6%	2,236	1,760	▴	2.42%
050504043	San Francisco	3.8%	3,302	2,909	▴	1.28%
050504044	San Jose (Ogsong)	1.0%	853	721	▴	1.70%
050504045	San Rafael	4.5%	3,884	3,880	▴	0.01%
050504046	Sinungtan	1.5%	1,312	1,398	▾	−0.63%
050504047	Tandarora	1.5%	1,291	1,399	▾	−0.80%
050504048	Travesia	4.5%	3,878	3,838	▴	0.10%
	Total		85,786	75,967	▴	1.22%

Climate

Climate data for Guinobatan, Albay
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	26 (79)	27 (81)	28 (82)	30 (86)	30 (86)	30 (86)	29 (84)	29 (84)	29 (84)	28 (82)	28 (82)	27 (81)	28 (83)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	22 (72)	22 (72)	22 (72)	23 (73)	24 (75)	25 (77)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	23 (73)	23 (73)	23 (74)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	138 (5.4)	83 (3.3)	74 (2.9)	50 (2.0)	108 (4.3)	165 (6.5)	202 (8.0)	165 (6.5)	190 (7.5)	186 (7.3)	188 (7.4)	183 (7.2)	1,732 (68.3)
Average rainy days	16.8	11.9	13.5	13.8	20.5	25.2	27.4	26.2	26.1	24.7	20.7	18.5	245.3
Source: Meteoblue [13]

Demographics

Population census of Guinobatan

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1903	20,027	—
1918	25,113	+1.52%
1939	26,419	+0.24%
1948	32,280	+2.25%
1960	48,157	+3.39%
1970	47,190	−0.20%
1975	49,724	+1.05%
1980	53,639	+1.53%
1990	59,187	+0.99%
1995	65,512	+1.92%
2000	71,071	+1.76%
2007	74,386	+0.63%
2010	75,967	+0.77%
2015	82,361	+1.55%
2020	85,786	+0.80%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [14] [12] [15] [16]

In the 2020 census, Guinobatan had a population of 85,786. ^[3] The population density was 350 inhabitants per square kilometre (910/sq mi).

Culture

Guinobatan Museum

Guinobatan hosts an annual festival in the celebration of Our Lady of Assumption, its patron saint. Until 2013, the town festival was called "Arandurugan Festival." In August 2013, Guinobatan celebrated Longganisa Festival, named after the local product which is listed under the Department of Trade and Industry's "One Town, One Product" program.

Notable Personalities

• Francis Tolentino, former MMDA Chairmanship
• Elizabeth Oropesa, an Actress
• Mura, an actor and Comedian
• Simeon Ola, considered as the Last General to Surrender
• Marcial O. Rañola, former representative of the 3rd District of Albay
• Pio S. Duran, former representative of the 3rd District of Albay
• Dr. Felipe Cevallos, founder of the Guinobatan Rural High School
• Ramon Paje, 19th DENR Secretary
• Arpie Patriarca, singer, comedian and founder of Feed Hungry Minds.

References

1.   Municipality of Guinobatan | (DILG)
2. "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN   0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
3. Census of Population (2020). "Region V (Bicol Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved July 8, 2021.
4. "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
5. Dy and Tuson, 2012. Guinobatan Through the Times: Essays on Our Heritage. Marcial O. Rañola Memorial School
6. Municipality of Guinobatan. 1996. Arandurugan Festival Souvenir Program: Guinobatan, Albay
7. Mallari, Francisco, S.J. 1999. Vignettes of Bicol History. Quezon City: New DayPublishers
8. Dy and Tuson. 2012. Guinobatan Through the Times. Marcial O. Rañola Memorial School
9. Tariman, Pablo (June 3, 2013). "Bicolandia's Sarung Banggi: From music to film". The Philippine Star. Philstar Global Corp. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
10. "Province: Albay". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved November 12, 2016.
11. "Municipal: Guinobatan". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved January 8, 2016.
12. Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region V (Bicol Region)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office . Retrieved June 29, 2016.
13. "Guinobatan, Albay : Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
14. Census of Population (2015). "Region V (Bicol Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved June 20, 2016.
15. Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region V (Bicol Region)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
16. "Province of Albay". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
17. "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
18. "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. November 29, 2005.
19. "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. March 23, 2009.
20. "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. August 3, 2012.
21. "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. May 31, 2016.
22. "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 10, 2019.
23. "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022.

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code