Zumarraga, Samar

Municipality of Zumarraga Bungto han Zumarraga Buad, Rawis, Kawayan
Municipality
St. Anthony of Padua, Zumarraga's Patron Saint.
Map of Samar with Zumarraga highlighted
Municipality of Zumarraga Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 11°38′N 124°51′E / 11.633°N 124.850°E / 11.633; 124.850Coordinates: 11°38′N 124°51′E / 11.633°N 124.850°E / 11.633; 124.850
Country	Philippines
Region	Eastern Visayas (Region VIII)
Province	Samar
Congr. district	2nd district of Samar
Barangays	25
Government[1]
• Mayor	Myrna O. Tan
Area[2]
• Total	38.55 km2 (14.88 sq mi)
Population (2010)[3]
• Total	16,936
• Density	440/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	6725
Dialing code	55

Zumarraga is a fifth class municipality in the province of Samar, Philippines. According to the 2010 Philippine census, it has a population of 16,936 people.^[3]

Barangays

Zumarraga is divided into 25 barangays.^[2]

HIstory

The town of Zumaraga has been known for quite a number year before some other towns in Samar were recognized. This was because of flourishing, fishing industry in the town.

This started with a small settlement of a few villagers who came they were their families form Leyte. They discovered the place while they were on their fishing trips and were overtaken by storm that they anchored took refuge on the place now known as “Rawes”. To their amazement they found the place good for settlement, naturally pleasing due to the presence of bamboos. So when they returned to settle they named the place “Kawayan”.

These villagers became prosperous because of the abundance of fishes on the waters which surrounded the islands. It as for this reason that may people from neighboring places flocked for some fishing business. The first to come were the Ferreras form Leyte.

The news of this rich fishing village reached the ears of the Moro pirates so they extended their piracy to Visayan waters. To keep them safe, the natives built strong stone fortifications on the top of the hill overlooking the whole town. Today, these fortifications still remain to be viewed by the generation, a symbol of unity of our forefathers, for without their unity these would not have been built.

Nobody could tell the exact date of the coming of the Spaniards to the islands, but in 1848 a Spanish friars was sent to the place. It was said that with their coming, they already found the natives to obey and follow the laws of their local self-governing body which ruled the village. The name of the place was already “Buad” derived from the local dialect “Binuwaaran” a term for the digging made by wild pigs. Later on the birth peace known the first municipal primary of the birth place of the first Spanish priest, Rev. Fr. Martin Yepes who was born in Zumaraga, a town in Spain.

On Mrch 13, 1863, the town became an independent parish by virtue of a decree of the King of Spain. 1869, issued on Oct. 12, 1865, confirming the town as a parish under a certain diocese. The parahish priest then had its jurisdiction over the islands of Buad and daram including Paranas.

With the coming of the Spanish friars, came educational, spiritual and moral upliftment on the part of the natives. As such, these attracted the people from the neighboring towns and provinces. Foremost of the immigrants were the Zetas from Palo, Leyt, the Astorgas from Barugo, Leyte, the villalors from Cariga, Leyte, The Dazas, the Magas and Narios from Catbalogan, Samar, the Carcellars, Zosas, Versosas and Castillos.

A well organized local government as established with the executive known as “Capitan”. The early capitanes in the order of succession were: Tenorio RFerrer (Capitan Toyang), Nepomuceno Zeta (capitan Sinoy), Nicolas Custodio (Capitan Colas), Salvador Zeta (Captain Badoy), Brigido Heal (Capitan Bido), Tomas Bello, Hilario Villaflor and Agustin Astorga. These town officials were appointed by the Gobernadorcillo upon the recommendation of the parish priest who also served as the local “Inspector”. Much had happened during the Spanish era but no record exists showing some evidence. However, tales and riddles of our great grandfathers are told and retold from generations to generation.

Americans came. Changes were made from the national to local levels. Free election was introduced. The local town executive became known as “Presidente”. The presidents in the order of their tenure of office were: Mario Maga, 1910; luis Villaflor, 1911; Lucio Mijares, 1913; Leodergario Carcellar, 1914; Enrique Nario, 1916; Benito Astorga, 1920; Enrique Nario, 1926; and Rodrigo Daza, 1931.

Growth of population increased chiefly by the immigrants from neighboring places. With the increased of population followed an increased in industry and business particularly in fishing. It was during this rapid development that the wharf and a part of the break water “Sea wall” was constructed. The most illustrious son of Zumaraga, the late Hon. Pedro R. Arteche, represented his people in the constitutional convention in 1936, who subsequently occupied the gubernatorial seat of the provinces of Samar. During this period the elected town executive were known as “Mayor”. The elected town mayors up to the outbreak of the second World War were: 1936-1938 Maayor: Emilio Zeta; Vice-mayor: Leodegario Carcellar; 1939-Mayor: Francisco Zosa; Vice-mayor: Francisco Castillo.

Naturally after the war, destructions were evident but the local government tried its very best to reconstruct all that were damaged. Efforts were made by the local town officials to make the better Zumaraga before the war, the best. Significant public works improvements were made. Worthy of mention were the commenting of streets the establishment of the Puericculture Center, putting up an electric light, a Public market, and the construction of additional pre-fab, Marcos type and the Bagong Lipunan buildings. A private Catholic High School was established by few civic-spirited citizens, duly recognized by the government and is presently solving the needs of the youth of the town and its vicinity, for secondary education. The edifice of the Roman Catholic Church which is the material symbol of undying filial live, faith and devotion towards Christianity and to its most honored Patron St. Anthony of Padua, had been built centuries ago, is now being re-constructed. Such project has been attributed to different priest assigned, the Parish Council and the generosity of the Zumaraganhons now residing in Manila, Cebu, Iligan, Tacloban City, and Catbalogan who have prospered in their own lines of profession and industry and through the collective efforts of all Zumaraganhons.

The present municipal administration under the energetic leadership of Mayor Bibiano Z. Letaba has done tangible progress as regards cleanliness and peace and order. The municipality is also at present the recipient of several National projects in conformity with the goals and objectives of the New Society. Especially to improve and better the life of the common man.

Demographics

References

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Local Governance Performance Management System

		Catbalogan Maqueda Bay
	Daram / Zumarraga Channel		Villareal Bay / Calbiga
	Zumarraga
		Buad Channel Villareal	Villareal Bay / Pinabacdao

Province of Samar Catbalogan (capital) Municipalities Almagro Basey Calbiga Daram Gandara Hinabangan Jiabong Marabut Matuguinao Motiong Pagsanghan Paranas Pinabacdao San Jorge San Jose de Buan San Sebastian Santa Margarita Santa Rita Santo Niño Tagapul-an Talalora Tarangnan Villareal Zumarraga Component cities Catbalogan Calbayog