Taft, Eastern Samar

Taft
Municipality

Map of Northern Samar with Taft highlighted
Taft

Location within the Philippines

Coordinates: 11°54′N 125°25′E / 11.900°N 125.417°ECoordinates: 11°54′N 125°25′E / 11.900°N 125.417°E
Country Philippines
Region Eastern Visayas (Region VIII)
Province Eastern Samar
Congr. district Lone district of E. Samar
Barangays 24
Government[1]
  Mayor Francisco C. Adalim
Area[2]
  Total 231.27 km2 (89.29 sq mi)
Population (2010)[3]
  Total 17,183
  Density 74/km2 (190/sq mi)
Time zone PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code 6816
Dialing code 55

Taft is a fourth class municipality in the province of Eastern Samar, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 17,183 people.[3] The town was named after United States President William Howard Taft. The Philippines was a former commonwealth territory of the United States.

It is bounded on the north by the town of Can-avid and on the south-southeast by the town of Sulat.

Barangays

Taft is politically subdivided into 24 barangays.[2]

  • Batiawan
  • Beto
  • Binaloan
  • Bongdo
  • Dacul
  • Danao
  • Del Remedios
  • Gayam
  • Lomatud (Burak)
  • Mabuhay
  • Malinao
  • Mantang
  • Nato
  • Pangabutan
  • Poblacion Barangay 1
  • Poblacion Barangay 2
  • Poblacion Barangay 3
  • Poblacion Barangay 4
  • Poblacion Barangay 5
  • Poblacion Barangay 6 (Bliss)
  • Polangi
  • San Luis
  • San Pablo
  • San Rafael

History

Taft is one of the ancient pueblos in Samar situated in the eastern coast which was called Tubabao or Tubabaw in early times. This town was originally named after the river called Malinaw, but since the river causes heavy floods during rainy season, people began calling the place Tubig, which means water in Waray-Waray.[4]

2004 election controversy

In the 2004 elections, Diego Lim, a civil engineer, defeated incumbent mayor Francisco "Atsing" Adalim. His running mate, Nestor Cebreros likewise defeated incumbent vice mayor Cornelio Adel.

Adalim and Adel filed election protests at the Regional Trial Court. Judge Elvie Lim decided in favor of Adalim and Adel, invalidating several hundred votes such that Adalim and Adel won by 456 and 802 votes respectively. Judge Lim based his decision on the findings that most of the ballots counted in favor of Lim were tampered with.

On March 8, the Comelec denied Lim's petition for injunction, paving the way for Adalim's recognition by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Consequently, during the 14 May 2007 Election for National and Local offices, COMELEC placed Taft on the election watch list to closely monitor conduct at the polls and ensure a free and fair election.

Demographics

Population census of Taft
YearPop.±% p.a.
1990 13,449    
1995 16,613+4.04%
2000 16,435−0.23%
2007 16,362−0.06%
2010 17,183+1.80%
Source: National Statistics Office[3][5]

References

  1. "Municipalities". Quezon City, Philippines: Department of the Interior and Local Government. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Province: Eastern Samar". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010". 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  4. Kobak, Cantius (2002). Historical Sketches of the Pueblos of Samar and Leyte: 1580-1900. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Unpublished. p. 724 - 760.
  5. "Province of Eastern Samar". Municipality Population Data. LWUA Research Division. Retrieved 14 August 2013.

External links