Ubay, Bohol

Municipality of Ubay
Bayan ng Ubay
Lungsod sa Ubay
—  Municipality  —

Seal
Nickname(s): The Friendliest Town of Bohol
Town of Warmest Friendship
Map of Bohol showing the location of Ubay
Municipality of Ubay
Map of the Philippines showing the location of Ubay
Coordinates:
Country Philippines
Island Bohol Island
Region Central Visayas (Region)
Province Bohol
District 2nd District of Bohol
Barangays 44
Language Cebuano, Filipino, English, Spanish
Founded January 15, 1844
Town Established October 5, 1877
Government
 • Type Sangguniang Bayan
 • Mayor Dr. Eutiquio M. Bernales Sr. (Lakas Kampi CMD)
 • Vice Mayor Hon. Constantino Reyes (Lakas Kampi CMD)
 • Town Council Nelson Uy
Constancio Atuel
Roselima Abapo
Victor Bonghanoy
Isidore Besas
Allan Abad
Marilyn Ranara
Sabiniano Atupan
 • ABC President Efren Tanjay
 • SK Federation President Roniel Boyonas
Area
 • Total 335.06 km2 (129.4 sq mi)
Population (2007)
 • Total 65,900
 • Density 196.7/km2 (509.4/sq mi)
 • Demonym Ubayanon, Ubayano
Time zone PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code 6315
Area code(s) 038
Philippine Standard Geographic Code 071246000
Income class 1st Class
Classification Partially Urban
Website 1

Ubay is a 1st class municipality in the province of Bohol, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 65,900 people and has a land area of approximately 335.06 square kilometers (129.37 sq mi), as the largest and most populated municipality in Bohol.[1] It is situated 124 kilometers northeast from the provincial capital, Tagbilaran City.

Ubay is becoming the granary and trade hub in the northeastern part the province. It boasts of a large area devoted to rice and a growing mango enterprise. It is also a major fishing area. Small and commercial fishery enterprises abound in the coastal settlements. The business sector had also picked up with the improved infrastructure and the growing traffic in goods and passengers from Cebu and Leyte. It is also the home of major research stations of the Department of Agriculture. Major infrastructures were put up in the area such as the two small and large irrigation systems and the power installations that cross the sea via undersea cables from Leyte.

The term 'ubay-ubay' or 'alongside' became the byword of inhabitants or traders who used to travel along the shorelines of Ubay to avoid the strong current of the famous Cunigao Channel.

In the hinterlands there was a single trail to follow by native folks in going to the center to trade. This trail was located alongside (ubay) the sandy beach. Later on the term Ubay became the original name of the community.

Before the Spanish regime, Ubay was a part of Talibon. Berudja Reyes became the renowned leader of the community and was very much respected by the Ubayanons. On January 15, 1844, it separated from Talibon to become an independent municipality. The first town executive was Toribio Reyes, the son of Berudja Reyes.

Ubay celebrates its town fiesta every 29 January in honor of the patron saint.

Contents

Etymology of Ubay

Early ancestors usually named their places after the names of the trees where it was abundant. But during the Spanish colonization and the advent of the Christianity in the country derived their names from Saints and religious or legendary person.

The name of the town is Ubay, Bohol. The town got its name Ubay which is a contraction of the word Ubay-ubay a vernacular word which is came from its geographical, population, economics, legend and beliefs. According to the Diccionario Español-Bisaya, 1885 by Fr. Juan Feliz dela Encarnacion, the Bisayan word "ubay" means, a.) To accompany other in bed or along the side, be they persons or animals. b.) The running, flow or rivers, streams, etc. from one place to another. c.) A little bit much or somewhat plenty as when someone inquires about the bounties of a harvest or fish catch.

The flow of seawater between the mainland and the Island of Lapinig Grande (now Pres. C.P. Garcia town) could justify the second definition of Ubay. It is a situation that is permanent and the constant reference to the flow of water can make the term ubay be attached as the name of the place. Therefore the name of Ubay is a cachetonym or a name taken from a prominent feature of the place.[2]

Ning Ubay sa baybayon, various records showed credible historical weight for the brief British interventions of the Spanish Colonization of the Philippines. The small arms produced by the Dagohoy forces made possible the ambuscade of the Spanish boat along Ipil River. This lead to the frenzied military activities by Captain Manuel Sanz at his headquarters at Talibon, Bohol where plans include the critical surveys of all mangrove river and rivulets to transport military logistics during the month of June and or December solstices high tide. The Biabas and some rivulets were considered as creek while Son-oc was even considered a creek while but merely a water flow retainers from the rice paddies and canal creeks along cultivated rice lands just include plains and mangroves which incidentally in parallel to the seashore.

It therefore was noted as “along" or Ning Ubay without outlet seawards just a common by word, although the authorities knew that the mangroves and swamps were full of sea foods much more abundant than these Ipil and Talibong.

The story goes that during the Moro raids who were seeking captives to be sold as slaves at the early part of the Spanish regime the pirates would hear the crowning of the cocks seemingly from below the sea loosing among themselves the direction, so that they will be just coasting along the shore (ubay-ubay) unable to land on the village until when the dawning light force them to withdraw from the town. The inhabitants attributed this supposedly a miracle from their Patron Saint Senor Santo Nino who depended the inhabitants from the infidels of the Barbarians. Alone the term ”Ubay sa Baybayon” was known to the travelers on sailboats and barotos who used to find the settlements among the island and avoid the strong current at the channel;

Another version that the Spanish soldier inquires a housewife inside the nipa house about the name of the place, the housewife inside the nipa house thought that her unexpected visitors inquiring what was she was doing, “she replied,” ubay-ubay sa bata Señor”. And also the term that when the Spanish soldier inquire a person about his fish he caught or the bounty harvest a person simply answer “ubay-ubay”.

During the final attacked by the entire forces of the Filipino- Spanish soldiers against the Dagohoy Independent Government the Spanish forces utilizes only the Ipil river which appeared in the National Archives as Rio Fragata to transport their armaments from Talibon, Bohol to Hinlayagan taking the opportunity of the solstice to carry and drag the cannons by boats near towards the mouth of the cave and mountain stronghold for the conquest of the Dagohoy government. Other rivulets were not utilized because they were too short for the transportation. Spanish Navy were just coasting parallel along the shoreline or Ubay-ubay sa baybayon. The way of telling the origin of the name of a place retold over and over makes people readily believe and accept stories.[3]

Foundation as a town

The religious aspect of the town was established much later than the civil aspect of the town. The decree of the Spanish Governor General creating Ubay as a town in the religious aspect is dated October 22, 1877. However, Royal Order No. 695 issued by the King of Spain has the date October 5, 1877.

The civil aspect of the town is obtained from through inference from the records. At the National Archives, there is a yearly publication known as Guia de Forasteros (Guide to Foreigners). The listing from the year 1834 to 1865 is available. The first time that Ubay was listed as town was on year 1844 and listed every year thereafter.

Therefore, Ubay became a town in the civil aspect in 1844.[4]

Population

Population Census of Municipality of Ubay
Census Pop. Rate
1903 7,355
1918 8,255 0.8%
1939 21,213 4.6%
1948 29,961 3.9%
1960 34,090 1.1%
1970 32,717 -0.4%
1975 34,195 0.9%
1980 38,289 2.3%
1990 48,902 2.5%
1995 50,745 0.7%
2000 59,827 3.60%
2007 65,900 1.34%

The population of the Municipality of Ubay during the first censal year in 1903 was 7,355. It grew to 21,213 in 1939 growing at a rate of 4.6 percent. The population continued to grow but decreased from 34,090 in 1960 to 32,717 in 1970 due to the creation of the island Municipality of Pitogo, now Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, a former barangay of Ubay. After 1970 the population constantly grew and from 1995 to 2000 its growth rate was relatively high at 3.35 percent, higher by 1.13 percent than the provincial growth rate at 2.22 percent. Ubay’s population was 5.26 percent of the total population of the province of Bohol, 1.05 percent of the total population of Central Visayas (Region 7); and 0.08 percent of the total population of the Philippines. By 2012, the population is expected to reach 88,819.

Places of interest

The Integrated Agricultural Research Center of Department of Agriculture in Central Visayas. It is a PhilRice's national lead agency for the planning, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of all rice research and development activities in the Philippines. It is stragetically located in barangay Gabi.

One of the largest dams in the province and located along the national highway in barangay Bay-ang. It is the major source of water supply of the town for home use and irrigation.

The first of its kind in the Visayan region was recently launched to boost the agriculture and tourism industries in the area. A 100-hectare land situated along the national highway in Lomangog. Ubay Agri-Park helps to promote agri-tourism or "farm tourism," is also a showcase of Bohol’s advancement in farm technology. Guests or visitors can interact with the park’s personnel on various aspects of farm technology, and they leave the park much richer in agricultural knowledge or production.

Socioeconomic Indicators

Commerce and Trade

Ubay had a number of business establishments mostly small-scale commercial trading firms engaged in retail and wholesale. A new public market building was completed recently. The regular market day was Monday and local traders from neighboring towns came to sell their merchandise consisting mostly of agricultural products and small consumer items like used clothes, household utensils and other products. Ubay also provided a market for the neighboring island municipality of Carlos P. Garcia. Local trade with Leyte and Cebu were facilitated by regular daily or twice-daily boat trips to and from Maasin City, Southern Leyte, and Bato, Leyte and Cebu City. Passenger and cargo traffic to these destinations had also noticeably increased over the years indicating an also increasing volume of trade between these points.

Transportation and Communication

The improvement of the Bohol circumferential road and the port facilities had helped Ubay to become the trading and transportation hub of northeastern Bohol connecting it to the neighboring island of Leyte and the rest of Bohol province. Land transportation was adequate with various short and long-distance buses, jeeps and vans connected Ubay to the rest of the towns in the province. Tagbilaran City could be reached from Ubay in two to three hours by bus or van. Bato, Leyte and Maasin City, Southern Leyte could be reached in 2–3 hours by boat. Cebu City was 6–8 hours away by boat. Water transportation was also available for neighboring island and coastal communities. An airport had been established in town but was not yet operational.

Various communication companies (4 phone companies) provided the public with access to local and international communication services. Messengerial, courier and postal services were also available in town. Internal transportation was relatively good because of the presence of good dirt roads crisscrossing the municipal landscape. The most common form of transportation was the tricycle for nearer barangays. For far barangays, the most common mode of transport was the motorcycle. Normally, motorcycle fare was very much higher than other forms but this was the only way to reach these barangays faster. All barangays were connected by roads and the only places where there were no roads were the steep slopes in the central mountains.

Energy and Water

Bohol was linked to the major source of geothermal power in Leyte through the underwater connection between Maasin City, Southern Leyte and Ubay. Presently, only three of the 44 barangays had no electricity, yet only 34.97 percent of the total households in the municipality had electricity compared to the province, which was 58.3 percent energized in 2000 .

The town proper and seven other barangays was served by the Ubay Water and Sanitation Cooperative. The cooperative planned to expand their service to eight other barangays in the near future. Due to consumer demand and the limited size of the supply, water service became difficult during dry months. Bohol province reported that 23.71 percent of its households had their own faucets from a community system while Ubay reported only 8.97 percent.

For the province, 21.68 percent of households had access to shared faucets while Ubay only had 8.86 percent. In Ubay, slightly more than half (51.83%) of the households had access to dug wells.

Health and Recreation

Several lodging houses provided accommodations for visitors from out of town. For health services, the town had two public health units staffed by doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists, medical technologists and sanitary inspectors. A small government hospital was established to provide outpatient services to local residents. A private 15-bed hospital also provided services for emergencies. A pediatric and OB-Gyne clinic complimented the health services available in town.

Barangay Health Workers (BHW) from each barangay provided direct health care assistance to barangay residents.

The town also had one cockpit and numerous basketball and tennis courts for recreational purposes.

Public Order and Safety

The local police force was composed of 37 policemen. Police-population ratio was computed at 1:1,616, lower than the standard ratio of 1:1,000. The police was augmented by 492 Barangay Tanod volunteers. It was reported that crime rate in Ubay was relatively low. The local Fire Department was staffed by eight fire fighters with two fire trucks. Incidence of fires was reportedly low in the municipality.

Climate

Precipitation is throughout the year making agriculture favorable. Two climate conditions exist: Type D, which is characterized by rainfall more or less evenly distributed all year round and Type E, with no dry season and a very pronounced maximum rainfall from November to January.[5]

Type E affects the eastern part of Ubay and Type D affects the western part of Ubay.


Climate data for Ubay, Bohol, Philippines
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 29
(84)
30
(86)
31
(88)
32
(90)
33
(91)
32
(90)
31
(88)
31
(88)
31
(88)
31
(88)
31
(88)
30
(86)
33
(91)
Average low °C (°F) 23
(73)
23
(73)
23
(73)
24
(75)
25
(77)
25
(77)
24
(75)
24
(75)
24
(75)
24
(75)
24
(75)
23
(73)
23
(73)
Precipitation mm (inches) 415
(16.34)
261
(10.28)
233
(9.17)
68
(2.68)
131
(5.16)
170
(6.69)
132
(5.2)
234
(9.21)
301
(11.85)
185
(7.28)
259
(10.2)
242
(9.53)
2,631
(103.58)
Source: http://www.sunmap.eu/weather/asia/philippines/province-of-bohol/ubay

Click here to check Ubay's current weather

Physical and Agronomic Conditions

Topography and Slope

The general topography was rolling plain and roughly 90 percent of the area had slopes that were suitable for agriculture (below 18 percent ) and therefore, amenable to all types of cultivation. The soil conditions, generally sandy loam, were also suitable for various crops except in certain areas, which were generally sandy and high in salinity, namely those closer to the coast. Nevertheless, these were a small percentage of the total agricultural area. Flooding, drainage, and erosion were not significant problems.

Ubay’s topography was predominantly moderately rolling with occasional highly rugged and mountainous areas. The highest elevation was 428 meters above Mean lower low water (MLLW) level and the lowest elevation was 5 meters MLLW level. Dominant slope was 0-3 percent found in the northern, eastern and western portion occupying 38.79% of the total land area.

Slopes of 18-25 percent and 25-30 percent (very strongly to steeply sloping) were prevalent in the central portion. Slopes of 30-50percent and above can be found in the southern portion.

Mountain Ranges

There are only two sets of mountain ranges in Bohol. These are located between the municipalities of Alicia and Ubay on the northeastern side of the mainland which generally trend to the north and south directions. The first range attains a maximum elevation of 404 meters above sea level while the second range of elongated clusters of hills has a maximum elevation of about 120 meters above sea level. The northern end of the mountain range is drained by the Lomangog River while the southern end by the east-flowing San Pascual River which empties into Cogtong Bay.[6]

Soil Classification

Ubay has six known types of soil. The most dominant, Ubay sandy loam with 17,041.39 hectares or 59.90% and Ubay clay with 10,884.86 hectares or 36.34% cover almost the entire area. It is followed by Faraon Clay with 886.53 hectares or 2.96%, Hydrosol in 494.18 hectares or 1.65%, Rough Stone Land with 470.22 hectares or 1.57% and Beach Sand with only 1.73 hectares or 0.58% of the total land area.

Land Capability Classification

In general, most of Ubay had Class A land. This type of land was characterized as having “slight soil limitations and loamy profile. It can be cultivated safely requiring only simple but good farm management practices. It has level to nearly level slope, with no to slight soil erosion and no to slight flooding hazard and well drained”. It is located along coastal plains of Barangays Pangpang, Humay-humay, Tuboran, Camambugan, Achila, Tapon, Poblacion, Fatima, Tubog, Sentinila, Tres Reyes Island, Benliw, Cagting, Guintaboan, Juagdan, Cuya, and Tintinan and dominant in coastal barangays of Benliw, Sinandigan, Casate, Bay-ang, Pag-asa, and Camalian. Also present in some areas in Barangays Union Tipolo, Calanggaman, Bood, Katarungan, Imelda, Benliw, Biabas, and San Vicente. Most of these areas were suitable to both rice and corn cultivation.

Political Subdivision

Ubay is politically subdivided into 44 barangays. These barangays are further subdivided into eight districts. Below is the list of barangays, which also includes their respective population size, land area, population density, and date of their barrio fiesta

Barangay Population
(2007 census)
Population
Rank
Land Area
(km²) 2002 LGU[7]
Land Area
Rank
Pop. density
(per km²)
Pop. density
Rank
District Date of Barrio
Fiesta
Achila 1,246 24 3.84 29 324.48 17 District IV January 15
Bay-ang 1,626 18 6.32 16 257.28 25 District III May 21
Biabas 2,207 9 22 2 100.32 39 District VIII May 17
Benliw 2,006 10 5.89 19 340.58 15 District VII May 13
Bongbong 779 36 1.61 37 483.85 10 District II December 8
Bood 2,397 7 1.52 39 1,576.97 5 District V January 16
Buenavista 711 38 6.51 14 109.22 38 District I Last Saturday of April
Bulilis 1,705 17 7.40 11 230.41 27 District II December 8
Cagting 1,853 15 10.44 7 177.49 33 District VII January 24
Calanggaman 1,590 19 6.18 17 257.28 24 District III December 8
California 713 37 3.19 31 223.51 28 District II May 13
Camali-an 528 42 5.32 22 99.25 40 District III November 26
Camambugan 2,048 11 5.47 21 357.41 13 District IV May 15
Casate 2,710 4 4.60 26 589.13 9 District IV April 5
Cuya 469 43 0.66 42 710.61 8 District VIII February 6
Fatima 3,056 3 0.75 41 4,074.67 1 District V May 13
Gabi 1,303 22 16.46 4 79.16 42 District II December 9
Governor Boyles 784 35 8.24 9 95.15 41 District I May 15
Guintabo-an 625 39 0.66 42 946.97 6 District VII January 15
Hambabauran 962 30 5.21 23 184.64 32 District III January 15
Humayhumay 1,765 16 8.15 10 216.56 30 District IV February 14
Ilihan 843 34 16.83 3 50.09 43 District I May 15
Imelda 1,895 14 6.57 12 288.43 22 District VII May 8 & Nov. 27
Juagdan 1,106 27 1.31 40 844.27 7 District VIII May 23
Katarungan 1,294 23 4.09 28 316.38 21 District V May 30
Lomangog 2,033 12 6.42 15 316.67 20 District II January 15
Los Angeles 397 44 2.74 33 144.89 35 District II April 27
Pag-asa 1,081 28 3.78 30 285.98 23 District III December 8
Pangpang 1,038 29 4.50 27 230.67 26 District IV December 15
Poblacion 3,698 1 1.99 36 1,858.29 3 District V Last Friday of January
San Francisco 1,497 21 11.07 6 135.23 36 District I June 26
San Isidro 583 40 2.62 35 222.52 29 District VI May 21
San Pascual 3,088 2 9.73 8 317.36 18 District I Last Saturday of April
San Vicente 962 31 49.66 1 19.37 44 District VIII April 5
Sentinela 936 32 2.71 34 345.39 14 District VI May 29
Sinandigan 1,923 13 6.07 18 316.80 19 District VII December 8
Tapal 1,212 25 2.90 32 417.93 12 District VI May 3
Tapon 2,514 5 1.53 38 1,643.14 4 District V June 29
Tintinan 580 41 0.31 44 1,870.97 2 District VIII September 29
Tipolo 2,208 8 6.55 13 337.10 16 District VI April 5
Tubog 868 33 5.14 25 168.87 34 District III May 16
Tuboran 1,135 26 5.47 20 207.50 31 District IV January 15
Union 2,412 6 5.14 24 469.26 11 District VI January 15
Villa Teresita 1,514 20 12.62 5 119.97 37 District I November 28

Education

During the Spanish occupation, a Spanish school was held in the convent where the children and adults were taught and learned the “cartilla”, method of rudiments of reading, writing and prayers. The coming of the Americans the first school was conducted in a private house of late Jose Garces family in Poblacion. In 1915, Ubay Central Elementary School was established but it was destroyed during the 2nd World War. It was reconstructed after the war.

Many Ubayanos has dreamed to have a High School in Poblacion. It was opened in a 12 hectares on the lot donated by former Gov. Eutiquio Boyles during the administration of Mayor Lucio O. Cutanda. Ubay High School was materialized in 1946. But as time passing, Ubay High School encountered many problems caused by the interventions of the local politicians. Unfortunately, the school was closed in 1954.

The first college in town, the Abraham Lincoln College was established in 1948 under he administration Atty. Donato Galia. It offers most of 2 year courses, A.B and secondary vocational courses. It was a non-sectarian school but it does not lasted for long time because of financial problems resulted to quarrel of leaders. It ended up in 1953.

The closing of the Junior High School and the Abraham Lincoln College was supplemented by the establishment of the Holy Child Academy Academy in 1955 under Fr. Germiniano Cempron, the first director and Mr. Aquedo Maboloc as the first principal. The Holy Child Academy stability prevents the problems of political interventions.

Parents had to send their children just to finish college courses to different colleges in Bohol, Cebu and Manila until the Bohol Northeastern Colleges was established in 1996.

Tertiary Education

To meet the increasing demands of growing college, the Bohol Northeastern College was founded in 1996 and established by famous Ubayano great political leaders, Erico B. Aumentado and former governor David B. Tirol with their associates with noble and dedicated by providing the quality education to uplift and find the rightful place in the challenging world of the Ubayanos and the nearby municipalities. The name was later changed to Bohol Northern Star Colleges in January 2007.

Secondary and High Schools

Elementary Schools

Private Elementary Schools

Public Elementary Schools

  • Achila Elementary School
  • Bay-ang Elementary School
  • Benliw Elementary School
  • Biabas Elementary School
  • Bongbong Primary School
  • Bood Elementary School
  • Buenavista Elementary School
  • Bulilis Elementary School
  • Cagting Elementary School
  • Calanggaman Elementary School
  • California Primary School
  • Camalian Primary School
  • Camambugan Elementary School
  • Casate Elementary School
  • Cuya Primary School
  • Fatima Primary School
  • Gabi Elementary School
  • Governor Boyles Primary School
  • Guintaboan Elementary School
  • Hambabauran Elementary School
  • Humayhumay Elementary School
  • Ilihan Elementary School
  • Imelda Elementary School
  • Juagdan Elementary School
  • Katarungan Elementary School
  • Lomangog Elementary School
  • Los Angeles Elementary School
  • Luz Primary School
  • Pag-asa Elementary School
  • Pangpang Elementary School
  • San Francisco Elementary School
  • San Isidro Primary School
  • San Pascual Elementary School
  • San Vicente Elementary School
  • Sentinela Elementary School
  • Sinandigan Elementary School
  • Tapal Elementary School
  • Tapon Elementary School
  • Tintinan Elementary School
  • Tipolo Elementary School
  • Tres Reyes Primary School
  • Tubog Primary School
  • Tuboran Elementary School
  • Ubay Central Elementary School
  • Union Elementary School
  • Villa Teresita Primary School

Government

The incumbent Mayor Eutiquio M. Bernales Sr. was elected for his third term as town's chief executive since 2004 after Manuel Alesna who served from 1998-2004. Bernales also served as town mayor from 1992-1998.

Elected Officials - 2010-2013

Mayor: Eutiquio M. Bernales Sr.

Vice Mayor: Constantino Reyes

Municipal Councilors:

  1. Nelson Uy
  2. Constancio Atuel
  3. Roselima Abapo
  4. Victor Bonghanoy
  5. Isidore Besas
  6. Allan Abad
  7. Marilyn Ranara
  8. Sabiniano Atupan

Ex-officio Councilors:

  1. Efren Tanjay - ABC President
  2. Roniel Boyonas - SK President

Radio stations

Currently, Ubay has two radio stations in operation.

Banking Institutions

There is only one bank in Ubay. First Consolidated Bank was established in 1982 and located along the National Highway in Poblacion near the Ubay Central Elementary School. It is a private development bank that provides variety of services such as current accounts, saving deposits, and time deposits; foreign and domestic remittances; SSS collection; commercial, industrial and agricultural loans; motor vehicle loans; salary loans for public school teachers; and loans for SSS pensioners.

Notable Ubayanos

References

External links