Pilar, Sorsogon

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Pilar
Municipality
Municipality of Pilar
Mayon Volcano - panoramio (7).jpg
Mayon Volcano as seen from Pilar
Flag of Pilar, Sorsogon.png
Flag
Seal of Pilar, Sorsogon.jpg
Seal
Ph locator sorsogon pilar.png
Map of Sorsogon with Pilar highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Pilar, Sorsogon
Philippines location map (square).svg
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Pilar
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 12°55′28″N123°40′32″E / 12.9244°N 123.6756°E / 12.9244; 123.6756
Country Philippines
Region Bicol Region
Province Sorsogon
District 1st district
Founded August 6, 1861 [1]
Barangays 49 (see Barangays)
Government
  [2]
 • Type Sangguniang Bayan
 •  Mayor Carolyn C. Sy-Reyes
 •  Vice Mayor Luis C. Leosala Jr.
 •  Representative Dette G. Escudero
 •  Municipal Council
Members
  • Rafael P. Siao
  • Eugene P. Mananes
  • Liezl A. Millano
  • Sergio B. Reyes Jr.
  • Emmanuel H. Sia
  • Ramon L. Tee
  • George E. Loseriaga
  • Lilibeth L. Lao
 •  Electorate 47,491 voters (2025)
Area
[3]
 • Total
248.00 km2 (95.75 sq mi)
Elevation
17 m (56 ft)
Highest elevation
82 m (269 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2024 census) [4]
 • Total
76,908
 • Density310.11/km2 (803.19/sq mi)
 •  Households
16,669
Demonym Pilareño
Economy
 •  Income class 1st municipal income class
 •  Poverty incidence
32.47
% (2021) [5]
 •  Revenue ₱ 415.5 million (2022)
 •  Assets ₱ 978.6 million (2022)
 •  Expenditure ₱ 258.4 million (2022)
 •  Liabilities ₱ 133.4 million (2022)
Service provider
 • ElectricitySorsogon 2 Electric Cooperative (SORECO 2)
Time zone UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP CODE
4714
PSGC
0506213000
IDD  :  area code  +63 (0)56
Native languages Central Bikol
Sorsogon language
Tagalog
Website pilarsorsogon.gov.ph

Pilar, officially the Municipality of Pilar, is a municipality in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 76,908 people. [6]

Contents

It is known for its supply of fresh prawns and mud crabs. These seafood products are available throughout the year and form a key part of the town’s local food industry. [7]

Etymology

The town got its name in honor of a newborn Spanish princess named Pilar, the daughter of King Philip and Queen Isabela. [1]

Geography

Pilar is 55 kilometres (34 mi) from Sorsogon City and 560 kilometres (350 mi) from Manila.

Barangays

Former flag of Pilar (used until June 12, 2020) Flag of Pilar, Sorsogon (before 2020).png
Former flag of Pilar (used until June 12, 2020)
Former seal of Pilar (used until June 12, 2020) Pilar Sorsogon.png
Former seal of Pilar (used until June 12, 2020)

Pilar is politically subdivided into 49 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

In 1957 the sitios of Naspi and Calaguitan were separated from the barrio of Putiao and converted into the barrio of Naspi. [8]

  • Abas
  • Abucay
  • Bantayan
  • Banuyo (Poblacion)
  • Bayasong
  • Bayawas
  • Binanuahan (Poblacion)
  • Cabiguan
  • Cagdongon
  • Calongay
  • Calpi
  • Catamlangan
  • Comapo-capo
  • Danlog
  • Dao (Poblacion)
  • Dapdap
  • Del Rosario (Bual [9] )
  • Esmerada
  • Esperanza
  • Guiron
  • Ginablan
  • Inang
  • Inapugan
  • Leona
  • Lipason
  • Lourdes
  • Lubiano
  • Lumbang
  • Lungib
  • Mabanate
  • Malbog
  • Marifosque (Poblacion)
  • Mercedes
  • Migabod
  • Naspi
  • Palanas
  • Pangpang
  • Pinagsalog
  • Pineda
  • Poctol
  • Pudo
  • Putiao
  • Sacnangan
  • Salvacion
  • San Antonio (Millabas)
  • San Antonio (Sapa)
  • San Jose
  • San Rafael
  • Santa Fe

Climate

Climate data for Pilar, Sorsogon
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)27
(81)		28
(82)		29
(84)		31
(88)		31
(88)		30
(86)		29
(84)		29
(84)		29
(84)		29
(84)		29
(84)		28
(82)		29
(84)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)22
(72)		21
(70)		22
(72)		23
(73)		24
(75)		25
(77)		25
(77)		25
(77)		25
(77)		24
(75)		23
(73)		23
(73)		24
(74)
Average precipitation mm (inches)65
(2.6)		44
(1.7)		42
(1.7)		39
(1.5)		87
(3.4)		150
(5.9)		184
(7.2)		153
(6.0)		163
(6.4)		154
(6.1)		127
(5.0)		100
(3.9)		1,308
(51.4)
Average rainy days13.99.211.012.519.624.326.525.025.524.419.415.1226.4
Source: Meteoblue [10]

Demographics

Population census of Pilar
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 8,018—    
1918 11,845+2.64%
1939 20,654+2.68%
1948 25,600+2.41%
1960 29,756+1.26%
1970 37,461+2.33%
1975 42,320+2.48%
1980 45,579+1.49%
1990 46,268+0.15%
1995 51,318+1.96%
2000 57,898+2.62%
2007 63,539+1.29%
2010 68,245+2.63%
2015 74,564+1.70%
2020 75,793+0.34%
2024 76,908+0.35%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [11] [12] [13] [14] [15]

Economy

Poverty incidence of Pilar

10
20
30
40
50
60
70
2000
61.86
2003
61.34
2006
54.80
2009
44.31
2012
42.52
2015
47.50
2018
37.10
2021
32.47

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23]

Pilar's economy is mainly agricultural. Despite efforts on multiplicity, this town is still dependent on the monoculture of coconut.

Tourism

Though whale sharks are more associated with the town of Donsol, whale sharks can also be seen in Pilar Bay near San Antonio. Interaction with the whale sharks is regulated by the local department office. With the help of WWF, strict guidelines were developed to protect the sharks. These include limiting the number of swimmers per boat, no scuba divers and staying further than three meters away from the sharks. In practice, this rule is almost never applied. As many as 14 boats at a time may 'mob' a shark, with up to 30 or 40 swimmers following the shark on the surface. In recent years the number of male sharks has out-numbered female sharks by 20:1. The females that are seen are generally large mature adults in the 7 m ~ 9 m range. Increasing numbers of sharks show propeller marks on their backs. Anecdotal evidence from local fishermen suggests that prop strikes are from fishing boats in the off-season, rather than from tourist boats in the main January–May tourist season.

Education

There are two schools district offices which govern all educational institutions within the municipality. They oversee the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools. [24] These are the:

Primary and elementary schools

  • Abas Elementary School
  • Abucay Elementary School
  • Bantayan Elementary School
  • Banuyo Elementary School
  • Bayasong Elementary School
  • Bayawas Elementary School
  • Binanuahan Elementary School
  • Bulabog Elementary School
  • Cabiguan Elementary School
  • Cagbacong Elementary School
  • Cagdongon Elementary School
  • Calongay Elementary School
  • Calpi Elementary School
  • Catamlangan Elementary School
  • Comapo-Capo Elementary School
  • Danlog Elementary School
  • Dapdap Elementary School
  • Del Rosario Elementary School
  • Dr. Proyecto M. Lumbao Memorial Institute
  • Esmerada Elementary School
  • Esperanza Elementary School
  • Ginablan Elementary School
  • Guiron Elementary School
  • Inang Elementary School
  • Inapugan Elementary School
  • Leona Elementary School
  • Lipason Elementary School
  • Lourdes Elementary School
  • Lumbang Elementary School
  • Lungib Elementary School
  • Mabanate Elementary School
  • Malbog Elementary School
  • Marifosque Elementary School
  • Mercedes Elementary School
  • Migabod Elementary School
  • Millabas Elementary School
  • Naspi Elementary School
  • Palanas Elementary School
  • Palaypay Elementary School
  • Pangpang Elementary School
  • Pilar I Central School
  • Pilar II Central School
  • Pinagsalog Elementary School
  • Pineda Elementary School
  • Poctol Elementary School
  • Provenir Elementary School
  • Pudo Elementary School
  • Sacnangan Elementary School
  • Salvacion Elementary School
  • San Antonio Elementary School
  • San Jose Elementary School
  • San Rafael Elementary School
  • Sta. Fe Elementary School
  • Tinago Elementary School
  • Tingco Elementary School

Secondary schools

  • Abucay National High School
  • Bantayan National High School
  • Bayasong National High School
  • Dominican School of Pilar
  • Holy Family Academy
  • Lungib National High School
  • Manuel T. Sia Memorial High School
  • Palanas National High School
  • Pilar National Comprehensive High School
  • Salvacion National High School
  • San Rafael High School
  • Tingco National High School

References

  1. 1 2 "History of Pilar". pilarsorsogon.gov.ph. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  2. ↑   Municipality of Pilar | (DILG)
  3. ↑ "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.
  4. ↑ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  5. ↑ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  6. ↑ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". psa.gov.ph. July 17, 2024. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Brief Profile". pilarsorsogon.gov.ph. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
  8. ↑ "An Act Creating the Barrio of Naspi in the Municipality of Pilar, Province of Sorsogon". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-12.
  9. ↑ "An Act Changing the Name of Barrio Bual in the Municipality of Pilar, Province of Sorsogon, to Del Rosario". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-12.
  10. ↑ "Pilar, Sorsogon : Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  11. ↑ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  12. ↑ Census of Population (2015). "Region V (Bicol Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  13. ↑ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region V (Bicol Region)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office . Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  14. ↑ 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.
  15. ↑ "Province of". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  16. ↑ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
  18. ↑ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 March 2009.
  19. ↑ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012.
  20. ↑ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.
  21. ↑ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019.
  22. ↑ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  23. ↑ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  24. ↑ "Masterlist of Schools" (PDF). Department of Education. January 15, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
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