Cawayan, Masbate

Cawayan
Municipality
Map of Masbate with Cawayan highlighted
Cawayan Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 12°02′N 123°41′E / 12.033°N 123.683°E / 12.033; 123.683Coordinates: 12°02′N 123°41′E / 12.033°N 123.683°E / 12.033; 123.683
Country	Philippines
Region	Bicol (Region V)
Province	Masbate
District	3rd district
Barangays	37
Government[1]
• Mayor	Edgar S. Condor
Area[2]
• Total	260.19 km2 (100.46 sq mi)
Population (2010)[3]
• Total	63,115
• Density	240/km2 (630/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
Zip Code	5409
Dialing code	56

Cawayan is a second class municipality in the province of Masbate, Philippines.^[2][4] According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 63,115 people.^[3] Cawayan has an approximate income of Php 90,785,714.09 in 2012.^[5]

Barangays

Cawayan is politically subdivided into 37 barangays.^[2]

Demographics

Economy

View of Mount Begia from Mahayahay

Agriculture

The locals of Cawayan still largely depend on subsistence farming despite its topographic advantage to adapt commercial farming. The lack of funding for agriculture and infrastructure and its political insecurity due to the presence and activities of armed groups kept by political families^[7] and other subversive elements hinder the town's progress in spite of its geographical benefits.

Being primarily plain and flat, Cawayan is conducive to cattle farming. Grasslands are abundant in the plains and in the gentle slopes of the valleys and hills. However, land grabbing^[8] issues still prevail as evidenced by hectares of private enclosures locally known as "ranchos" that run miles after miles. Herds of cattle inside the fence barrier are visible from the national road as one travels into the interior making Cawayan a major player in the cattle industry of the province.

Cawayan has several outlying islands crucial to its local fishing industries. These islands provide most of the marine resources to cater to the needs in the mainland. Barter trade is still practiced on Sundays, the town's busiest day.

Copra farming is also popular in Cawayan.

Infrastructure

Cawayan Port Improvement Project

The P42.95-million Cawayan Port Improvement Project in Barangay Mahayahay included the construction of rock causeway, back-up area, RC platform, RoRo ramp and breasting dolphin, as well as port lighting system, and mooring and fendering system. The project was completed on January 26, 2009.^[9]

The construction of this facility has drawn various forms of criticism. Nothing since the road construction project years way back that paved the national highway for a smooth access to other places had the townsfolk witnessed the unveiling of this multi-million project with such warm welcome. However, it was also evident that the materials used were substandard due to its massive damage when a typhoon struck the area months after its completion. Nevertheless, there was no denying of its economic contribution that further flourished open trade in the Visayan nautical radius.

RoRo Project

Other than the local outrigger boat operators, a shipping company provides services to cater to the town's need of reliable vessel to transfer commodities to and from Cawayan for trade. It departs daily from Cawayan usually at 12:00 noon for a six-hour trip and docks at Pulambato Port in Bogo City, Cebu. And at around 12:00 midnight it sails back to Cawayan Port.

For about two years, the RoRo vessel stopped operating in Cawayan,^[10] but on October 10, 2012, RoRo service was restarted.

Station of the Cross

Marine Sanctuary in Recodo^[11]

Industry

A local crab meat processing industry operates in Peña Island owned by Arturo Marcaida Jr.^[12] He is considered as the most successful fisherman who made it big in fish culture and fish processing business not only in Masbate but in the entire Bicol Region which earned for him the title “Crab King".^[13]

Another booming industry of the town is the dried fish industry.

Tourism

Cawayan is naturally blessed with beautiful places. Famous hang-outs and tourist spots include the Station of the Cross atop Mount Begia; tropical islets of Naro and Peña; a marine sanctuary across Recodo Bay; and a wide stretch of beaches among others.

Tourists can also enjoy visiting downtown during Sundays at Barangay Divisoria which has one of the largest open markets in the Philippines.^[14]

Education

Secondary schools:

• Western Masbate Roosevelt High School
• Naro National High School
• Villahermosa National High School
• Malbug High School
• Madbad National High School

Tertiary schools:

• Atty. Manuel B. Abinuman Memorial Colleges, Inc.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cawayan, Masbate.

• LGU Cawayan Masbate Website
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Local Governance Performance Management System

	Milagros	Uson / Dimasalang	Palanas
	Asid Gulf
		Cawayan
		Visayan Sea	Placer

Province of Masbate Masbate City (capital) Municipalities Aroroy Baleno Balud Batuan Cataingan Cawayan Claveria Dimasalang Esperanza Mandaon Milagros Mobo Monreal Palanas Pio V. Corpuz Placer San Fernando San Jacinto San Pascual Uson Component city Masbate City