Baclayon, Bohol

Baclayon
Municipality

Baclayon municipal building

Map of Bohol with Baclayon highlighted
Baclayon

Location within the Philippines

Coordinates: PH 9°38′N 123°54′E / 9.63°N 123.9°E / 9.63; 123.9Coordinates: PH 9°38′N 123°54′E / 9.63°N 123.9°E / 9.63; 123.9
Country Philippines
Region Central Visayas (Region VII)
Province Bohol
District 1st district of Bohol
Founded 1595
Barangay 17 (see § Barangays)
Government [1]
 • Type Sangguniang Bayan
 • Mayor Alvin Uy (NP)
 • Vice mayor Jodel Cabahug
 • Town Council
Area [2]  
 • Total 33.65 km2 (12.99 sq mi)
Population (2010 census)[3]
 • Total 18,630
 • Density 550/km2 (1,400/sq mi)
 • Voter  (2013) [4] 11,728
Time zone PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code 6301
IDD : area code  +63 (0)38
Income class 4th class
PSGC 071205000

Baclayon is a fourth income class municipality in the province of Bohol, Philippines.[2] According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 18,630.[3] In the 2013 election, it had 11,728 registered voters.[4]

The town is the home town of multi-award winning actor Cesar Montano,[5] and accomplished physicist Caesar Saloma.

Barangays

Baclayon comprises 17 barangays:

  • Payahan
  • Cambanac
  • Dasitam
  • Buenaventura
  • Guiwanon
  • Landican
  • Laya
  • Libertad
  • Montaña
  • Pamilacan
  • Poblacion
  • San Isidro
  • San Roque
  • San Vicente
  • Santa Cruz
  • Taguihon
  • Tanday

History

Baclayon was the first municipality to be established in Bohol by the Spaniards and included originally the areas now made up by the municipalities of Alburquerque, Balilihan, Corella, and Sikatuna. Its original name was Bacayan, from the root word bacay, meaning "detour" in reference to the fact that travellers used to make a detour there around a rocky cliff.[6]

In 1595, two Jesuit priests, Juan de Torres and Gabriel Sanchez, arrived in Bohol to convert the local populace to Catholicism. With native help, they built a stone church which is considered as one of the oldest stone churches in the Philippines, and marked the beginning of the town. In 1600, Moros raided the fledgling settlement, which prompted the Jesuits to relocate their residencia to Loboc.[7][8]

In 1717, Baclayon gained status of a parish. In 1742, Tagbilaran was separated from Baclayon, followed by Alburquerque in 1868, Balilihan in 1828, and Corella in 1884.[7]

Demographics

Population census of Baclayon
YearPop.±% p.a.
1990 11,986—    
1995 12,808+1.25%
2000 14,996+3.44%
2007 18,015+2.56%
2010 18,630+1.23%
Source: National Statistics Office[3][9]

In the 2013 election, it had 11,728 registered voters, meaning that 63% of the population are aged 18 and over.[4]

Altar inside Baclayon church

Tourism

Baclayon church

Baclayon is known for its historic Catholic church, declared a National Cultural Treasure in 1995 because it is considered the best preserved of its kind in the region. Its first structure was built in 1595, but the current building is from 1724 and is of Spanish Colonial architecture. The church includes a small museum, with relics dating back to the early 16th century, and adjoining 21-metre (69 ft) high bell tower. Nearby are centuries-old stone buildings like the hermita, and elementary school, as well as the historic public marketplace, a Spanish-era building with giant stone columns supporting the roof.[5][10] In 2013, the church and bell tower were severely damaged by a magnitude 7.2 earthquake.

There are over 67 Spanish colonial ancestral houses in the municipality, many of them along the main road. The houses, in various stages of preservation or neglect, show Spanish-Filipino wooden craftsmanship and styling, some of which were constructed as early as 1853. They are often utilized for cultural shows and tours, festivals and fiestas, as well as some having been turned into inns.[10]

The municipality also has jurisdiction over the dolphin- and whale-watching island of Pamilacan.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Municipality". Quezon City, Philippines: Department of the Interior and Local Government. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Municipal: Baclayon, Bohol". PSA. Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010" (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 "2013 National and Local Elections Statistics" (PDF). Commission on Elections. 2015.
  5. 1 2 "What to see and what to do in Bohol, Philippines". www.bohol.ph. 27 January 2011. Retrieved 2012-09-10.
  6. ↑ "Municipality of Baclayon". Province of Bohol. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  7. 1 2 "History of Baclayon". Talibon, Bohol, Philippines: A1 Online Communication and Advertising Services. Retrieved 2012-09-10.
  8. ↑ Jeroen Hellingman (29 March 2002). "A Short History of Bohol". www.bohol.ph. Retrieved 2012-09-10.
  9. ↑ "Population and Annual Growth Rates by Province, City and Municipality: Central Visayas: 1995, 2000 and 2007" (PDF). National Statistics Office. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 June 2011.
  10. 1 2 "Baclayon Tourist Attractions". Talibon, Bohol, Philippines: A1 Online Communication and Advertising Services. Retrieved 2012-09-10.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Baclayon.
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