Balabac, Palawan

Balabac
Tagbariri
Municipality

Seal

Map of Palawan with Balabac highlighted
Balabac

Location within the Philippines

Coordinates: 7°59′N 117°03′E / 7.98°N 117.05°E / 7.98; 117.05Coordinates: 7°59′N 117°03′E / 7.98°N 117.05°E / 7.98; 117.05
Country Philippines
Region MIMAROPA (Region IV-B)
Province Palawan
District 2nd district
Founded 1957
Barangays 20
Government[1]
 • Mayor Shuaib J. Astami
Area [2]
 • Total 581.60 km2 (224.56 sq mi)
Highest elevation[3] 569 m (1,867 ft)
Population (2015 census)[4]
 • Total 40,142
 • Density 69/km2 (180/sq mi)
Time zone PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code 5307
IDD : area code  +63 (0)48

Balabac is a second class municipality in the province of Palawan, Philippines, off the southern end of Palawan Island. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 40,142 people.[4]

The municipality consists of some 36 islands,[5] including the eponymous Balabac Island. The islands are notable for its uncommon indigenous plant and animal species, such as the nocturnal Philippine mouse-deer (or Pilandok).[3]

History

Balabac was converted from a municipal district to a full-pledged municipality in 1957. Before that, it was a barrio of neighboring Bataraza.[6]

Geography

Not considering the disputed Spratly Islands, the municipality is the westernmost point in the Philippines. It is separated from Sabah, Malaysia, by the Balabac Strait.

Islands

The municipality of Balabac is composed of a group of 36 major and minor islands, notable of which are the following:

Major islands:

Minor islands:

Barangays

Balabac is politically subdivided into 20 barangays:

  • Agutayan
  • Bugsuk (New Cagayancillo)
  • Bancalaan
  • Indalawan
  • Catagupan
  • Malaking Ilog
  • Mangsee
  • Melville
  • Pandanan
  • Pasig
  • Rabor
  • Ramos
  • Salang
  • Sebaring
  • Poblacion I
  • Poblacion II
  • Poblacion III
  • Poblacion IV
  • Poblacion V
  • Poblacion VI

Demographics

Population census of Balabac
YearPop.±% p.a.
1918 2,109—    
1939 2,760+1.29%
1948 3,355+2.19%
1960 4,591+2.65%
1970 7,912+5.59%
1975 11,152+7.13%
1980 15,044+6.17%
YearPop.±% p.a.
1990 20,056+2.92%
1995 21,677+1.47%
2000 25,257+3.33%
2007 29,622+2.22%
2010 35,758+7.09%
2015 40,142+2.23%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[4][7][8][9]

In the 2015 census, the population of Balabac was 40,142 people,[4] with a density of 69 inhabitants per square kilometre or 180 inhabitants per square mile.

Cape Melville Lighthouse

Cape Melville Lighthouse on the southern point of Balabac Island, circa 1892.

The Cape Melville Lighthouse, located on the island of Balabac, is one of the Philippines oldest lighthouses built in 1892[10] during the Spanish era and a major landmark of the town.

Transportation

Transportation link to the town of Balabac can be done through the town of Bataraza from the main capital Puerto Princesa. From Rio Tuba, in Bataraza, a three-hour boat ride takes a traveler to the main island of Balabac where the town proper is located. Travel to other barangays in the municipality is done through boat rides.

An old airstrip located in the island of Bugsuk does not operate commercial flights. Another private airstrip is located in the island of Ramos.

References

  1. ↑ "Municipalities". Quezon City, Philippines: Department of the Interior and Local Government. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  2. ↑ "Province: Palawan". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Balabac" (PDF). Provincial Government of Palawan. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Census of Population (2015). "Region IV-B (Mimaropa)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. PSA. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  5. ↑ http://www.mb.com.ph/at-the-tip-of-the-last-frontier/
  6. ↑ "R.A. No. 2022, An Act Converting the Municipal District of Balabac, Province of Palawan, into a Regular Municipality". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-13.
  7. ↑ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region IV-B (Mimaropa)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. NSO. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  8. ↑ Census of Population (1995, 2000 and 2007). "Region IV-B (Mimaropa)". Total Population by Province, City and Municipality. NSO. Archived from the original on 24 June 2011.
  9. ↑ "Province of Palawan". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  10. ↑ https://anc.yahoo.com/news/palawan-lighthouse-needs-to-be--rescued-122234621.html
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Balabac, Palawan.
Adjacent places of Balabac, Palawan
 Bataraza
South China Sea Sulu Sea
   Balabac  
Balabac Strait
Kudat ( Malaysia)


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