Mabitac, Laguna

Mabitac
Municipality

Seal
Nickname(s): The Site of the Fabled Battle of Mabitac

Map of Laguna showing the location of Mabitac
Mabitac

Location within the Philippines

Coordinates: 14°26′N 121°25′E / 14.43°N 121.42°E / 14.43; 121.42Coordinates: 14°26′N 121°25′E / 14.43°N 121.42°E / 14.43; 121.42
Country Philippines
Region CALABARZON (Region IV-A)
Province Laguna
District 4th District of Laguna
Founded 1611
Barangays 15
Government[1]
  Mayor Ronald Ilano Sana
Area[2]
  Total 80.76 km2 (31.18 sq mi)
Population (2015 census)[3]
  Total 20,530
  Density 250/km2 (660/sq mi)
Time zone PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code 4020
IDD:area code +63(0)49
Income class 5th
Website www.mabitac.gov.ph

Mabitac is a fifth class municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 20,530 people.[3]

Mabitac was an excellent hunting ground for wild game three centuries ago. Native hunters used numerous cave-ins or trap-ins called "bitag" in the local dialect. Hence, the place was referred to as "Mabitag" meaning "a place with many traps".

Mabitac is situated on the eastern side of the province of Laguna, 88 kilometres (55 mi) from Manila using Rizal Province on a winding road, or 123 kilometres (76 mi) via the South Luzon Express, Calamba and Santa Cruz, Laguna.

Barangays

Mabitac is politically subdivided into 15 barangays:[2]

  • Amuyong
  • Lambac (Pob.)
  • Lucong (Poblacion)
  • Matalatala
  • Nanguma
  • Numero
  • Paagahan
  • Bayanihan (Pob.)
  • Libis ng Nayon (Pob.)
  • Maligaya (Pob.)
  • Masikap (Pob.)
  • Pag-Asa (Pob.)
  • Sinagtala (Pob.)
  • San Antonio
  • San Miguel

History

The first Spaniards who came to this place were the friars who established the first Spanish settlement in the area and began to Christianize the local population. The Spaniards, having difficulty in pronouncing the "G" consonant, called this place "Mabitac" whenever they mentioned this place. Eventually, the name found its way in the official records and maps of Laguna made by Spanish cartographers and mariners who chartered the coastal areas of Laguna de Bay.

This town was formerly a barrio of Siniloan, an immediate neighboring town. It became an independent municipality only in the year 1611, not by legislation, but by mutual agreement by and between the Spanish friars of both towns who were then the influential ruling class.

Mabitac was the site of a battle in the Philippine-American War, when on September 17, 1900, Filipinos under General Juan Cailles defeated an American force commanded by Colonel Benjamin F. Cheatham.

World War II

In 1942, Japanese soldiers entered and occupied Mabitac. In 1945, the Philippine Commonwealth Army troops of the 4th, 42nd and 43rd Infantry Division and 4th Constabulary Regiment of the Philippine Constabulary together with the recognized guerrillas defeated the Japanese Imperial forces during the Second Battle of Mabitac.

Demographics

Population census of Mabitac
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 1,052    
1918 760−2.14%
1939 1,973+4.65%
1948 2,700+3.55%
1960 4,316+3.99%
1970 6,377+3.98%
1975 7,415+3.07%
1980 8,543+2.87%
1990 11,444+2.97%
1995 13,309+2.87%
2000 15,097+2.74%
2007 17,608+2.14%
2010 18,618+2.05%
2015 20,530+1.88%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[3][4][5][6]

In the 2015 census, the population of Mabitac was 20,530 people,[3] with a density of 250 inhabitants per square kilometre or 650 inhabitants per square mile.

Images

See also

References

  1. "Official City/Municipal 2013 Election Results". Intramuros, Manila, Philippines: Commission on Elections (COMELEC). 11 September 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Province: Laguna". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Census of Population (2015). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. PSA. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  4. Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. NSO. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  5. Census of Population (1995, 2000 and 2007). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)". Total Population by Province, City and Municipality. NSO. Archived from the original on 24 June 2011.
  6. "Province of Laguna". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
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