Marabut, Samar

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Marabut
Municipality of Marabut
Marabut, Philippines, Limestone rocks in the sea.jpg
Limestone rock formations off the coast of Marabut
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Map of Samar with Marabut highlighted
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Marabut, Samar
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Marabut
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 11°06′25″N125°12′43″E / 11.107°N 125.212°E / 11.107; 125.212
Country Philippines
Region Eastern Visayas
Province Samar
District 2nd district
Founded July 22, 1949
Barangays 24 (see Barangays)
Government
[1]
  Type Sangguniang Bayan
   Mayor Percival A. Ortillo Jr.
   Vice Mayor Judith O. Marks
   Representative Reynolds Michael Tan
  Councilors
List
   Electorate 13,556 voters (2025)
Area
[2]
  Total
143.55 km2 (55.42 sq mi)
Elevation
36 m (118 ft)
Highest elevation
310 m (1,020 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2024 census) [3]
  Total
18,168
  Density130/km2 (330/sq mi)
   Households
4,425
Economy
   Income class 5th municipal income class
   Poverty incidence
31.26
% (2021) [4]
   Revenue 142.7 million (2022)
   Assets 493.3 million (2022)
   Expenditure 116.3 million (2022)
   Liabilities 32.24 million (2022)
Service provider
  ElectricitySamar 2 Electric Cooperative (SAMELCO 2)
Time zone UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
6721
PSGC
IDD : area code +63(0)55
Native languages Waray
Tagalog

Marabut, officially the Municipality of Marabut (Waray : Bungto han Marabut; Tagalog : Bayan ng Marabut), is a municipality in Samar, Philippines.

Contents

History

Before the construction of the Mabaysay Church (now Basey Church) in 1846, Marabut was inhabited by the Umhanan people, also referred to as the Tinawagan people. Among the first recorded inhabitants were the families of Agustin Grefiel, Logero Ferreras, and Catato Amantillo. [5] These families intermarried. In 1868, some settlers moved to the shoreline. Fearing forced labor by the Guardia Civil during the construction of the Mabaysay Church, others chose to settle in the hinterlands. Following the Balangiga massacre on September 28, 1901, some settlers from Balangiga relocated to the community due to fears of American retaliation, which gradually increased the local population. Singoy Amantillo had five children: Bicario, Mauricio Enrique, or "IKING", Jacobo Alyas, or "Ka Buta," and Lami. The family of Ysidro Mista Ferreras later settled in the area as well.

During Spanish rule, Ysidro encouraged Engracio Amantillo and Mauricio Amantillo to change the name from Umhanan to Tinawagan and then to Sitio Lipata, named after the abundance of Lipata trees in the area. According to local accounts, Bicario Amantillo played a leadership role in organizing residents for community protection during the revolutionary period. He organized the residents of Sitio Lipata to defend the community against bandits and other threats. Ysidro M. Ferreras succeeded him and continued developing the area.

The population of Sitio Lipata rapidly increased during American rule. Under the leadership of Ysidro, residents considered settling in a barrio called Hilaba instead of Sitio Lipata due to its larger land area and a hill suitable for church construction. However, most residents retracted the proposal, citing concerns about access to the shoreline at low tide, particularly for boats.

Ultimately, Ysidro transformed Sitio Lipata into the Barrio Santo Niño of Basey, Samar. Ysidro was elected Mayor of Basey, while Engracio was elected Municipal Vice Mayor; likewise, Mauricio was elected Cabeza del Barrio Santo Niño. When World War II broke out, elementary education in Barrio Santo Niño was suspended until the end of the war in Samar in 1944.

In early 1949, Ysidro submitted a proposal to President Elpidio Quirino for the conversion of Barrio Santo Niño into a municipality. On July 22, 1949, with the help of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lorenzo Perez, Executive Order No. 247 was issued and signed by the President, creating the Municipality of Marabut, Samar, named in honor of Congressman Serafin Marabut, a native of Basey, Samar. Ysidro M. Ferreras was elected the first municipal mayor, and Engracio Amantillo was elected the vice mayor. The municipality was then composed of 14 barangays: San Roque, Tag-Alag, Legaspi, Caluayan, Tinabanan, Osmena, Canyoyo, Binocyahan, Odoc, Pinana-an, and Sto. Nino (Poblacion), Lipata, Amambucale, and Pinamitinan.

A year later, during the term of Mayor Macario Ferreras, Poblacion Marabut was divided into four barangays: Amantillo, Sto. Nino, Catato, and Lipata, through a municipal ordinance. Barangay Pinamitinan was divided into three barangays: Sta. Rita and Malobago. Barangay Odoc was divided into two barangays, Barangay Ferreras. Barangay Binocyahan was divided into two barangays, Barangay Logero. Osmeña was divided into four barangays: Mabuhay, Rono, Panan-awan, and another one. Legaspi was divided into two brigades: Veloso. Marabut now has 24 barangays. [6]

Geography

Barangays

Barangays are the smallest administrative divisions in the Philippines. They function as local government units (LGUs), similar to neighborhoods, villages, or districts in other countries. The municipality of Marabut is politically subdivided into 24 barangays, each consisting of Puroks, with some also containing Sitios.

In 1957, the sitio of Pinana-an was converted into the barrio Pinalangga. [7]

  • Amambucale
  • Caluwayan
  • Canyoyo
  • Ferreras
  • Legaspi
  • Logero
  • Osmeña
  • Pinalanga
  • Pinamitinan
  • Catato (Poblacion)
  • San Roque (formerly sitio Cabugao [8] )
  • Santo Niño (Poblacion)
  • Tagalag
  • Tinabanan
  • Amantillo (Poblacion)
  • Binukyahan
  • Lipata (Poblacion)
  • Mabuhay
  • Malobago
  • Odoc
  • Panan-awan
  • Roño
  • Santa Rita
  • Veloso

Climate

Marabut has a tropical rainforest climate, meaning it experiences high humidity, warm temperatures, and significant rainfall year-round. The wettest months typically occur from October to December.

Climate data for Marabut, Samar
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)28
(82)
29
(84)
29
(84)
31
(88)
31
(88)
30
(86)
29
(84)
29
(84)
29
(84)
29
(84)
29
(84)
28
(82)
29
(85)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)21
(70)
21
(70)
21
(70)
22
(72)
24
(75)
24
(75)
24
(75)
25
(77)
24
(75)
24
(75)
23
(73)
22
(72)
23
(73)
Average precipitation mm (inches)72
(2.8)
52
(2.0)
65
(2.6)
62
(2.4)
87
(3.4)
129
(5.1)
153
(6.0)
124
(4.9)
147
(5.8)
157
(6.2)
139
(5.5)
117
(4.6)
1,304
(51.3)
Average rainy days17.413.416.818.022.025.326.224.224.926.023.320.8258.3
Source: Meteoblue [9]

Demographics

Population census of Marabut
YearPop.±% p.a.
1960 7,662    
1970 10,167+2.87%
1975 11,892+3.19%
1980 13,288+2.24%
1990 10,543−2.29%
1995 10,355−0.34%
2000 12,335+3.82%
2007 13,745+1.50%
2010 15,115+3.52%
2015 16,962+2.22%
2020 17,842+1.07%
2024 18,168+0.44%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [10] [11] [12] [13]

According to the 2020 census, the population of Marabut has grown steadily, with most residents engaged in farming or fishing as primary livelihoods.

Economy

Poverty incidence of Marabut

10
20
30
40
50
60
70
2000
50.15
2003
68.54
2006
35.00
2009
44.39
2012
37.17
2015
37.36
2018
27.43
2021
31.26

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21]

The economy of Marabut is primarily based on agriculture and fishing. In recent years, there has also been a gradual rise in local tourism due to its beaches and rock formations.

Tourism

Marabut is known for its limestone rock formations and scenic coastal views. It has become a minor ecotourism destination for local travelers, with activities like island hopping and cave exploration.

References

  1. Municipality of Marabut | (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. "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  4. "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  5. pafs23_Phoenix. "History of Marabut Samar, Philippines" . Retrieved 2025-02-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. Aranas, Jhian. "The Story of Marabut through its People". ICSC | Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
  7. "An Act Converting the Sitio of Pinana-an in the Municipality of Marabut, Province of Samar, into a Regular Barrio". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-12.
  8. "An Act Creating the Barrio of San Roque in the Municipality of Marabut, Province of Samar". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-12.
  9. "Marabut: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  10. Census of Population (2015). "Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  11. Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office . Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  12. Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
  13. "Province of". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  14. "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  15. "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
  16. "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 March 2009.
  17. "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012.
  18. "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.
  19. "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019.
  20. "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  21. "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.