Loay, Bohol

Loay
Municipality
Harbour and mouth of the Loboc River
Loay Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 09°36′N 124°01′E / 9.600°N 124.017°E / 9.600; 124.017Coordinates: 09°36′N 124°01′E / 9.600°N 124.017°E / 9.600; 124.017
Country	Philippines
Region	Central Visayas (Region VII)
Province	Bohol
District	3rd district of Bohol
Established	1740
Barangays	24
Government[1]
• Mayor	Rosemarie L. Imboy
Area[1]
• Total	34.79 km2 (13.43 sq mi)
Population (2010)[2]
• Total	16,261
• Density	470/km2 (1,200/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	6303
Dialing code	38
Income class	5th class
Website	www.loay-bohol.lgu.ph

Loay is a fifth class municipality in the province of Bohol, Philippines, located at the mouth of the Loboc River. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 16,261 people.^[2]

The town can be divided into a lower and an upper part. The lower part used to be called Canipa-an because of the presence of nipa swamps in this part of the town, while the upper part is named Ibabao, being located on a plateau.^[1]

Recent historical research found that instead of Bool, Tagbilaran City, the actual site of the Blood Compact between Legazpi and Sikatuna may have taken place in Hinawanan, Loay, 17 kilometres (11 mi) east of the city.^[3] Loay is also known for the many antiques hidden on its soils, it has been an antique haven for the treasure hunters thus attesting to the fact of an earlier civilization way before the Spanish came to Bohol.

Barangays

Loay is politically subdivided into 24 barangays.

History

During the period 1751-1754, Loay was a small village called Santissima Trinidad located at the strip of the Loboc River, as mentioned in the accounts of Father Juan Delgado of the Society of Jesus.

As a visita, it formerly belonged to the Municipality of Loboc. It was separated from the Loboc mission in 1795, although some states 1815 as the foundation date and Redondo (1886) reflects that it became an independent parish in 1799.

Demographics

Politics

Loay has witnessed a series of political transformation over the centuries. Just like any other old towns in the Philippines, loay was once ruled by a few datu before the arrival of the Spanish colonizers.

During the Spanish colonial period, these kings who then became cabezas de barangay when the many independent barangays became tributary vassals of the Spanish crown. Upon the decree of King Phillip II, after whom the Philippines was named, they retained the honors and privileges they had before their conversion and subjection to the Spanish crown. With the new form of government introduced by Spain, several existing neighboring barangays were combined to form a municipality and the Cabezas de Barangay participated in the governance of the new towns, forming part of the elite ruling class called the Principalia.The true aristocracy and the true nobility of colonial Philippines. From among their ranks the head of the town, the Gobernadorcillo or Capitan Municipal, was elected. They held the title "Don" or "Dona". Furthermore, only the members of their class could elect the Gobernadorcillo. The Office of the Cabeza de Barangay was hereditary. The Cabezas, their wives, and first-born sons were exempt from the payment of tribute to the Spanish Crown.

The Gobernadorcillo, on the other hand, was a municipal judge or governor. In Loay, as a coastal town, the Gobernadorcillo also functioned as a Port Captain. This "Mayor" who was at the same time "Justice of the Peace", and "Port Captain" was directly responsible to the Governor of the province of Bohol.

In 1893, the passing of the Maura Law reorganized certain structures of town governments. Among them was the changing of the town head designation from Gobernadorcillo to Capitan Municipal, effective 1895.

When the Americans took over the rule of the Philippines, there was again a change of government. The Cabezas became elective. The former Cabezas de Barangay and the rest of the members of the Principalia and their descendants lost their royal privileges and powers. However, they remained as very influential elements in the political and economic life of a new democratic society. Another particular change is the title of the Mayor from Capitan Municipal to Municipal President.

The first Municipal President of Loay was Don Isidoro Apalisok (circa 1899), then called "Tan Orog or Tun Orog". He was a Cabeza de Barangay, Gobernadorcillo and Capitan Municipal.

Roman Catholic Church

Tourism

Loay is famous for the Loboc River Cruise.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Loay, Bohol.

• Municipality of Loay
• Loay
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information

		Loboc
	Alburquerque		Lila
	Loay
		Bohol Sea

v t e Province of Bohol Municipalities Alburquerque Alicia Anda Antequera Baclayon Balilihan Batuan Bien Unido Bilar Buenavista Calape Candijay Carmen Catigbian Clarin Corella Cortes Dagohoy Danao Dauis Dimiao Duero Garcia Hernandez Getafe Guindulman Inabanga Jagna Lila Loay Loboc Loon Mabini Maribojoc Panglao Pilar President Carlos P. Garcia Sagbayan San Isidro San Miguel Sevilla Sierra Bullones Sikatuna Talibon Trinidad Tubigon Ubay Valencia Component city Tagbilaran