Catbalogan

Catbalogan
Component City
City of Catbalogan
Syudad han Catbalogan
Lungsod ng Catbalogan

Rickshaws along a street in Catbalogan

Seal

Map of Samar showing the location of Catbalogan
Catbalogan

Location within the Philippines

Coordinates: 11°47′N 124°53′E / 11.783°N 124.883°ECoordinates: 11°47′N 124°53′E / 11.783°N 124.883°E
Country Philippines
Region Eastern Visayas (Region VIII)
Province Samar
Congr. district 2nd district of Samar
Cityhood 2007
Barangays 57
Government[1]
 • Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan
Area[2]
 • Total 274.22 km2 (105.88 sq mi)
Population (2010)[3]
 • Total 94,317
 • Density 340/km2 (890/sq mi)
Demonym Catbaloganons
Time zone PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code 6700
Dialing code 55
Website www.catbalogan.gov.ph

Catbalogan, officially the City of Catbalogan or Catbalogan City, is the capital of Samar province, Philippines, with a population of 94,317 (2010 Census).[3] It is Samar's main commercial, trading, educational, political and financial center. It is also an important and major seaport serving inter-island vessels. Catbalogan City's central geographical location in Eastern Visayas makes it ideal as the gateway to the region's three Samar provinces. The city is often referred to as "The Gateway to Samar Region."

Each region of the country has its own patron saint, and their feast days are celebrated with gusto. Catbalogan City's Patron Saint is St. Bartholomew, the Apostle, and celebrates its city fiesta on August 24. Known in the Scriptures as Nathaniel, St. Bartholomew was one of the twelve apostles of Christ and a martyr of the Christian faith. He also witnessed the Ascension of Jesus. Together with St. Jude, he introduced Christianity to Armenia during the first century. He preached in India, Mesopotamia, Iran and Egypt and was able to convert thousands to Christianity.

The Philippine Army's 8th Infantry Division (Stormtroopers) is based at Camp General Vicente Lukban, Barangay Maulong, Catbalogan City. The camp is named in honor of Vicente Lukbán, a Filipino officer in Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo's staff during the Philippine Revolution and the politico-military chief of Samar and Leyte during the Philippine-American War. Eastern Visayas' (Region VIII) Philippine National Police (PNP) Headquarters is also based inside the camp.

History

Catbalogan City was founded or settled sometime in October 1596, by the priests of the Jesuit Order (Society of Jesus). Friar Francisco de Otazo, S.J., who arrived in the Philippines in 1596, founded the Catbalogan Mission and was thus the first missionary to bring the Catholic faith to the people of Catbalogan. In 1627, Catbalogan was raised to the status of residencia (residence or central house) and among its dependencies was Paranas where in 1629 Father Pedro Estrada actively evangelized the area. On October 17, 1768, Catbalogan was ceded to the Franciscans who took over from the Jesuits. The first Franciscan parish priest was Fray Jose Fayo, OFM.

The original name of Catbalogan City was Katbalaugan or Kabalaugan. The two syllables of the name are compounds of the prefix kat- or ka- and the substantive noun balaug of the Samar-Leyte Visayan (Waray) language. "Balaug" was a shrub that thrived along Catbalogan's seashore and sandy banks of the Antiao River. "Katbalaugan" or "Kabalaugan" means "a place where seafarers, fishermen or sailors take shelter or protection." The old fishing village of Katbalaugan or Kabalaugan was the refuge of people riding in small boats and sailboats when the northwest and southwest monsoons blew during the months of July, August, and September.

During the early days of Spanish colonization of the Philippines in the 16th century, Samar was under the jurisdiction of Cebu but later was declared a separate province. In 1735, Samar and Leyte were united into one province with Carigara, in Leyte, as the capital. The union, however, did not prove satisfactory. In 1768, Catbalogan City became the provincial capital when Samar separated from Leyte and became an independent province.

On January 27, 1900, the Americans captured Catbalogan City during the Philippine-American War (1899–1902). On June 17, 1902, a provincial civil government was established on Samar Island by an act of the Philippine Commission with Julio Llorente of Cebu as the first governor of Samar.

On May 24, 1942, during World War II, Japanese forces landed in Barrio Pangdan and occupied the capital. On December 18, 1945, American and Filipino forces liberated Catbalogan City from the Japanese.

In 1948, the barrios of Jiabong, Jiaan, Malino, San Fernando, Casapa, Camoroboan, Lologayan, Magcabitas Paglayogan, Dogongan, Bayog, and Malobago, were separated to form the municipality of Jiabong.[4]

On June 19, 1965, the Philippine Congress along with the District's Congressman, Felipe Abrigo, approved Republic Act No. 4221 dividing Samar into Western Samar, Eastern Samar and Northern Samar, respectively. Catbalogan City thus ceased to be the capital of the whole island-province after enjoying the prestige of being the premier town of Samar for 197 years since 1768. On June 21, 1969, under Republic Act No. 5650, Western Samar was renamed Samar with Catbalogan City still as the capital.

The greatest calamities to occur in Catbalogan City were big fires. The April 1, 1957 conflagration, considered as the most destructive one, caused damage to properties in the amount of thirty million pesos. The next was on May 19, 1969, where damage was estimated at twenty million pesos and the more than century-old Saint Bartholomew Roman Catholic Church was razed to the ground. Paradoxically, like the proverbial Phoenix, each time Catbalogan City suffered under the throes of these calamities, better buildings and infrastructures emerged from the ashes.

As early as 1960, Catbalogan already agitated to become a city. In 1969, Rep. Fernando P. Veloso sponsored House Bill No. 1867 creating Catbalogan into a city. The bill was being deliberated in the Philippine Senate, but the blaze of 1969 unfortunately caused it to be shelved. Subsequent efforts were made by Catbalogan's political leaders, such as Mayor Jesus B. Redaja, Vice Mayor Gerardo C. Teves, Councilor Art Sherwin Gabon, Mayor Coefredo Tekwa Uy and Vice-Mayor Manuel Van A. Torrevillas and Representatives Antonio Eduardo B. Nachura and Catalino V. Figueroa, respectively, to make Catbalogan's cityhood dream a reality despite strong and rabid opposition by the League of Cities of the Philippines, particularly Catbalogan City's neighboring Calbayog under the administration of Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento.

On March 15, 2007, Catbalogan finally attained its cityhood. Under the sponsorship of Senator Alfredo S. Lim and by virtue of Republic Act No. 9391, Catbalogan was converted into a component city known as the CITY of CATBALOGAN following a unanimous vote by the Philippine Senate. Senator Manuel Villar, Jr. (President of the Senate), Congressman Jose De Venecia, Jr. (Speaker of the House of Representatives), Oscar G. Yabes (Secretary of the Senate), Roberto P. Nazareno (Secretary General, House of Representatives) and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (President of the Philippines) were among its signatories. The residents of Catbalogan overwhelmingly ratified this change through a Comelec plebiscite on June 16, 2007 with over 92% "Yes" votes for cityhood.

However, Catbalogan temporarily lost its cityhood, along with 15 other cities, after the Supreme Court of the Philippines in a very close 6-5 vote granted a petition filed by the League of Cities of the Philippines, and declared the cityhood law (RA 9391) which allowed the town to acquire its city status, unconstitutional.[5]

On December 10, 2008, Catbalogan and the other 15 cities affected filed a motion for reconsideration with the Supreme Court. More than a year later, on December 22, 2009, acting on said appeal, the Court reversed its earlier ruling as it ruled that "at the end of the day, the passage of the amendatory law (regarding the criteria for cityhood as set by Congress) is no different from the enactment of a law, i.e., the cityhood laws specifically exempting a particular political subdivision from the criteria earlier mentioned. Congress, in enacting the exempting law/s, effectively decreased the already codified indicators."[6] As such, the cityhood status of Catbalogan was effectively restored.

Geography

Catbalogan City is strategically located on the western coast of the province of Samar, in the Eastern Visayas region (Region VIII). It is bounded to the north by the municipalities of Tarangnan and San Jorge, to the east by the municipality of Jiabong, and to the west by the Maqueda Bay with its beautiful sunsets. The Pan-Philippine Highway (Maharlika Highway) traverses Catbalogan City from Barangay San Vicente in the north through the poblacion to Barangay Lagundi in the south. Catbalogan City is about 800 kilometres (500 mi) southeast of Manila, the capital of the Philippines.

The total land area of Catbalogan City is 274.22 square kilometres (105.88 sq mi). Its urban land area is 30.71 square kilometres (11.86 sq mi) and its rural land area is 244.25 square kilometres (94.31 sq mi). Its poblacion covers an area of 1.30 square kilometres (0.50 sq mi).

Topography

The topography of Catbalogan City is rough and its mountains are relatively high. Approximately 2% of the land area are plain and mostly found along the seacoast while 43% are rolling hills and 55% are mountainous.

The coastline of Catbalogan City is irregular with bays bordering the poblacion and other barangays. Its coastline has a total length of about ten miles.

River

The Antiao River traverses Catbalogan City and exits to the Maqueda Bay through its coastal section. It has a length of 2,140 meters with an average width of 37.55 meters and depth of 1.25 meters. This river serves as the primary outlet or artery for freshwater, transport network for some lowland and upland barangays of the city and mooring area for small and medium-sized sea craft during inclement weather.

Climate

Catbalogan City has a tropical climate and it is classified as mild where rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year.

In Catbalogan City there is hardly a month without rainfall. Generally, there is no distinct dry season but the months of February, March, April and May comprise the short dry season. Rainfall is uniform throughout the year and heaviest during the months of November and December.

PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) maintains a Port Station in Catbalogan City.[7]

Soil Types

The soils of Catbalogan City are of two types, namely, the Catbalogan clay loam and faraon clay. The clay loam, the predominant one, is developed from shales and sandstones. It is particularly suited for agriculture especially root crops. The faraon clay, on the other hand, is a residual from coralline limestone and is fair with organic matter contents. Limestone rocks are sometimes found on the surface.

Barangays (Villages)

Catbalogan City is politically subdivided into 57 barangays,[2] twenty-one of which are situated in the poblacion. Another twenty-one barangays are located in the coastal areas and fifteen are in the interior or upland areas.

  • Albalate
  • Bagongon
  • Bangon
  • Basiao
  • Buluan
  • Bunuanan
  • Cabugawan
  • Cagudalo
  • Cagusipan
  • Cagutian
  • Cagutsan
  • Canhawan Guti
  • Canlapwas (Poblacion)
  • Cawayan
  • Cinco
  • Darahuway Daco
  • Darahuway Guti
  • Estaka
  • Guindaponan
  • Guinsorongan
  • Ibol
  • Iguid
  • Lagundi
  • Libas
  • Lobo
  • Manguehay
  • Maulong
  • Mercedes
  • Mombon
  • New Mahayag
  • Old Mahayag
  • Palanyogon
  • Pangdan
  • Payao
  • Poblacion 1 (Barangay 1)
  • Poblacion 2 (Barangay 2)
  • Poblacion 3 (Barangay 3)
  • Poblacion 4 (Barangay 4)
  • Poblacion 5 (Barangay 5)
  • Poblacion 6 (Barangay 6)
  • Poblacion 7 (Barangay 7)
  • Poblacion 8 (Barangay 8)
  • Poblacion 9 (Barangay 9)
  • Poblacion 10 (Barangay 10)
  • Poblacion 11 (Barangay 11)
  • Poblacion 12 (Barangay 12)
  • Poblacion 13 (Barangay 13)
  • Muñoz (Poblacion 14)
  • Pupua
  • Rama
  • San Andres
  • San Pablo
  • San Roque
  • San Vicente
  • Silanga
  • Socorro
  • Totoringon

[8]

Demographics

Population census of Catbalogan
YearPop.±% p.a.
1990 70,470—    
1995 76,324+1.51%
2000 84,180+2.12%
2007 92,454+1.30%
2010 94,317+0.73%
Source: National Statistics Office[3][9]

Transportation

Catbalogan City can be reached from Manila or Tacloban City by land, air or sea.

Air

Currently, no commercial flights to Catbalogan City are available. However, the Catbalogan City Airport on Buri Island is accessible to private and charter jets from Manila, Cebu and other destinations. Catbalogan City Airport is a feeder airport with a 1,200-meter (3,937 ft) long and 30-meter wide runway that can accommodate aircraft for general aviation.

Sea

The Port of Catbalogan City (Piers I and II) is classified as a national port and managed by the Catbalogan Port Authority. It is a major seaport that can handle passengers and cargoes to and from Manila, Cebu and other major cities. Roble Shipping has twice a week overnight ferry trips from Catbalogan City to Cebu City and vice versa.

Land

Bus transit is the dominant public land transport to Catbalogan City from Manila or Tacloban City passing through the Pan-Philippine Highway (Maharlika Highway). The public mode of transportation within Catbalogan City is by tricycles or pedicabs and passenger jeeps.

VSGRANDTours - Catbalogan City-based company providing transportation services to and from major cities and towns in Samar and Leyte provinces. With fixed routes: Catbalogan to Tacloban, Catbalogan to Calbayog, Tacloban to Ormoc, etc.

Bus companies that ply the 24-hour Manila-Catbalogan City route including the 2-hour ferry from Matnog, Sorsogon to Allen, Northern Samar are the following:

Education

Catbalogan City Schools belong to the DepEd City Division of Catbalogan.

Elementary Schools/Pre-Schools:

Secondary Schools:

University/Colleges:

Banks

Fresh Oysters locally harvested

Notable Attractions / Landmarks

Festivals

Catbaloganons have a zest for life, and this is reflected in their festivals. The people you meet in Catbalogan City will be friendly, helpful and hospitable.

Local Government

Elected Officials in the election on May 13, 2013:

Notable Catbaloganons

References

  1. ↑ "Municipalities". Quezon City, Philippines: Department of the Interior and Local Government. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Province: Samar (Western Samar)". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010" (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  4. ↑ "An act creating the municipality of Jiabong, province of Samar". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-08.
  5. ↑ http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/news/courtnews%20flash/2008/11/11180803.php
  6. ↑ SC reverses self, upholds creation of 16 cities
  7. ↑ Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)
  8. ↑ cagutsan Sierra
  9. ↑ "Province of Western Samar". Municipality Population Data. LWUA Research Division. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
  10. ↑ GMA News Online post by J.I.E. Teodoro

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Catbalogan, Samar.
 Tarangnan San Jorge
Samar Sea Jiabong
   Catbalogan  
Maqueda Bay
Daram		 Maqueda Bay
Zumarraga