Guinobatan, Albay

Guinobatan
Municipality
Seal
Location within Albay province
Guinobatan Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 13°11′N 123°36′E / 13.18°N 123.6°ECoordinates: 13°11′N 123°36′E / 13.18°N 123.6°E
Country	Philippines
Region	Bicol Region (Region V)
Province	Albay
District	3rd district
Barangays	44 (see Barangays)
Government [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor	Ann "Gemma" Y. Ongjoco
Area[2]
• Total	244.43 km^2 (94.37 sq mi)
Population (2015 census)[3]
• Total	82,361
• Density	340/km^2 (870/sq mi)
• Voter (2016)[4]	48,595
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	4503
IDD : area code	+63 (0)52
Income class	1st class
PSGC	050504000
Website	www.guinobatan.gov.ph

Guinobatan, officially the Municipality of Guinobatan (Filipino: Bayan ng Guinobatan; East Miraya: Banwaan ning Guinobatan), is a municipality in the province of Albay in the Bicol Region (Region V) of the Philippines. The population was 82,361 at the 2015 census.^[3] In the 2016 election, it had 48,595 registered voters.^[4]

The town is the birthplace of General Simeón Ola, the last Filipino general to surrender to the Americans after the Philippine-American War.

History

Legend

In the research work "Guinobatan Through the Times," the following version of the legend is stated:

• In a region on Mayon’s slopes lay a village. It was dotted with huts whose roofs were made of nipa, as well as with a number of stone houses. In the village was a church, and inside the belfry was a Golden Bell. So great was the bell thatwhen rung, the sound could be heard from miles away. The sound could even reach the land of the Moros. The Moros, made curious by the sound of the bell, sentspies so that they would know what kind of bell was producing so loud and peculiar a sound. The spies were amazed and surprised to find out that the townspeople rang was made of pure gold. They went back to the land of the Moros eager to report their findings to their superiors.Motivated by greed,the Moros assembled a squad to plunder the bell. When they arrived at the village, they pillaged the community and torched houses. They attempted to force the people to tell them where the Golden Bell was. Their attempts failed.Many were still ableto flee. The fleeing townsfolk knew where the bell was, and they hid the bell underneath the roots of trees. However, an old man was left in the village. Ashe was the only person left in the town, Moros tortured him so that he would tell the raiders where the Golden Bell was. The old man, however, did not know.Finding no use for the old man, the Moros killed him. They tried to pursue the townspeople, but they were too far away to be captured. Instead, they went to the woods in search of the Golden Bell. They uprooted every tree underneath which they believed the Golden Bell was hidden. Their efforts proved futile. Hence, with empty hands the Moros went back to their land, while the townspeople went back to the village to rebuild their lives, which had always been under threat from Moro pillagers and natural calamities; from bad harvests and oppressive encomienderos. The townspeople also kept the valued Golden Bell safe from anyone who tried to steal it. Seeing the uprooted trees, the townsfolk named their area “Guinobatan” meaning “a place where trees were uprooted.” So ends the legend.^[5]

Some versions also state that the town's name is derived from Ginabutan, meaning "a place where trees or plants were uprooted."^[6]

History under foreign rule

Luis Nee, a botanist, reached Bikol in January 1792, accompanying the expedition of Capt. Alejandro Malaspina. Nee explored towns near Mayon and including the area now known as Guinobatan. He noted that "trees grew in exuberance making the foothills impenetrable in many parts."^[7]

Dr. Leonilo Palacio of Guinobatan’s Republic Colleges mentioned in an essay entitled "Guinobatan and its Church" that "in 1672, the Parish of Guinobatan was already mentioned in books as a visita of the Municipality of Camalig."^[8]

In 1890, the title of the gobernadorcillo was changed to Capitan Municipal. The Municipal Law of 1894 guaranteed that the term of the local executive would be extended from two years to four years. Also among the salient provisions of the law was the election of 12 vocales, equivalent to today’s councillors. In 1895, the Colegio de San Buenaventura was also built, making Guinobatan the centre for higher education in Albay.^[5]

Cabezas and principales elected the gobernadorcillo until 1863. Until 1847, Guinobatan belonged to Camarines. During the said year,the towns of Quipia, Camalig and Donsol (now in Sorsogon) were ceded to Albay, in exchange for the towns of the Partido de Lagonoy. From 1730-1818, the town transferred from one place to another. In 1730, it was on a site now called Binanuahan. From there, it was the relocated to Bubulusan. During the eruption of 1814, citizens opted to evacuate to higher ground, in Mauraro.

American occupation

During the Philippine Revolution and the Philippine-American War (1898-1911), most of the schoolhouses built by the Spaniards were destroyed by constant artillery fire, most of which came from the Americans. As part of the "pacification" campaign of the Americans, engineers and architects were sent to the Philippines to oversee the construction of public works. Engr. Edward K. Bourne and famed urban planner Daniel Burnham, among other American architects and engineers, were instructed to go to Manila. In response, the Philippine Commission passed Act No. 268 which created the Bureau of Architecture and Construction of Public Buildings. Mr. Bourne was appointed as its head. In 1907, the Philippine Assembly was formed. Angel Roco of Mauraro, Guinobatan represented Albay in the Assembly. The same year,Assemblyman Isauro Gabaldon of Nueva Ecija authored an act which appropriated ₱ 1 million between 1907 and 1915 for "construction of schoolhouses of strong materials in barrios with guaranteed daily attendance of not less than sixty pupils…" Passing into law as Act No. 1801, the act became known as the "Gabaldon Act". Among the salient provisions was that no school could receive more than ₱ 4,000 unless the municipality to which the school belonged contributed at least 50% of the total amount granted to the school by the Gabaldon Act. The Gabaldon Act stipulated that only on land owned by the municipality could schools be constructed. Fifty-one "Gabaldons" were completed by 1911, and by 1916, four hundred five more were constructed. Among those completed between 1911 and 1916 was Guinobatan Central School blg. 1 or the Guinobatan East Central School's Gabaldon Building.

Geography

Guinobatan is located at 13°11′N 123°36′E / 13.18°N 123.6°E.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 244.43 square kilometres (94.37 sq mi)^[2] constituting 9.49% of the 2,575.77-square-kilometre- (994.51 sq mi) total area of Albay.

The territory of Guinobatan is bordered by a number of municipalities: Camalig on the east, Jovellar on the south, Pio Duran on the south-west, Ligao on the north-west. On the north-east, the town shares with Malilipot, Santo Domingo, Daraga, Tabaco and Legazpi, a common point in the crater of Mayon Volcano.^[5]

Barangays

Guinobatan is politically subdivided into 44 barangays.^[9]

PSGC	Barangay	Population			±% p.a.
		2015[3]		2010[10]
050504001	Agpay	0.6%	482	451	+1.27%
050504002	Balite	0.7%	585	524	+2.12%
050504003	Banao	1.3%	1,074	1,018	+1.02%
050504004	Batbat	1.7%	1,373	1,314	+0.84%
050504005	Binogsacan Lower	2.3%	1,889	1,716	+1.85%
050504049	Binogsacan Upper	1.4%	1,131	1,067	+1.12%
050504006	Bololo	1.8%	1,442	1,363	+1.08%
050504007	Bubulusan	1.7%	1,399	1,189	+3.15%
050504009	Calzada	3.4%	2,787	2,662	+0.88%
050504010	Catomag	1.0%	796	713	+2.12%
050504011	Doña Mercedes	1.7%	1,411	1,472	−0.80%
050504012	Doña Tomasa (Magatol)	1.6%	1,352	1,197	+2.35%
050504013	Ilawod	2.7%	2,209	2,101	+0.96%
050504015	Inamnan Grande	2.6%	2,177	1,986	+1.76%
050504014	Inamnan Pequeño	2.1%	1,756	1,636	+1.36%
050504016	Inascan	1.8%	1,481	1,359	+1.65%
050504017	Iraya	2.2%	1,771	2,006	−2.34%
050504018	Lomacao	2.5%	2,096	2,002	+0.88%
050504021	Maguiron	2.6%	2,118	2,110	+0.07%
050504022	Maipon	4.8%	3,944	2,214	+11.62%
050504023	Malabnig	1.4%	1,145	1,117	+0.47%
050504024	Malipo	2.1%	1,760	1,690	+0.78%
050504025	Malobago	2.3%	1,867	1,818	+0.51%
050504026	Maninila	1.8%	1,482	1,437	+0.59%
050504027	Mapaco	1.8%	1,460	1,463	−0.04%
050504008	Marcial O. Rañola (Cabaloaon)	0.7%	537	633	−3.08%
050504029	Masarawag	4.6%	3,760	3,553	+1.08%
050504030	Mauraro	7.3%	5,980	5,145	+2.90%
050504031	Minto	2.1%	1,726	1,707	+0.21%
050504032	Morera	3.2%	2,602	1,878	+6.41%
050504034	Muladbucad Grande	2.5%	2,079	2,010	+0.64%
050504033	Muladbucad Pequeño	2.5%	2,051	1,920	+1.26%
050504035	Ongo	1.1%	942	930	+0.24%
050504036	Palanas	0.5%	427	736	−9.85%
050504038	Poblacion	1.6%	1,336	1,352	−0.23%
050504040	Pood	0.7%	583	287	+14.45%
050504042	Quibongbongan	3.2%	2,595	2,286	+2.44%
050504041	Quitago	2.7%	2,236	1,760	+4.66%
050504043	San Francisco	4.0%	3,302	2,909	+2.44%
050504044	San Jose (Ogsong)	1.0%	853	721	+3.25%
050504045	San Rafael	4.7%	3,884	3,880	+0.02%
050504046	Sinungtan	1.6%	1,312	1,398	−1.20%
050504047	Tandarora	1.6%	1,291	1,399	−1.52%
050504048	Travesia	4.7%	3,878	3,838	+0.20%
	Total		82,361	75,967	+1.55%

Demographics

Population census of Guinobatan
Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1990 58,926 —     1995 65,512 +2.01% 2000 71,071 +1.76%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 2007 74,386 +0.63% 2010 75,967 +0.77% 2015 82,361 +1.55%
Source: PSA[3][10][11]

In the 2015 census, Guinobatan had a population of 82,361.^[3] The population density was 340 inhabitants per square kilometre (880/sq mi).

In the 2016 election, it had 48,595 registered voters.^[4]

Culture

Guinobatan hosts an annual festival in the celebration of Our Lady of Assumption, its patron saint. Until 2013, the town festival was called "Arandurugan Festival." In August, 2013, Guinobatan celebrated Longganisa Festival, named after the local product listed under the Department of Trade and Industry's "One Town, One Product" program.

References

1. "Municipality". Quezon City, Philippines: Department of the Interior and Local Government. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
2. "Province: Albay". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
3. "Region V (BICOL REGION)". Census of Population (2015): Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay (Report). PSA. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
4. "2016 National and Local Elections Statistics". Commission on Elections. 2016.
5. Dy and Tuson, 2012. Guinobatan Through the Times: Essays on Our Heritage. Marcial O. Rañola Memorial School
6. Municipality of Guinobatan. 1996.Arandurugan Festival Souvenir Program: Guinobatan, Albay
7. Mallari,Francisco, S.J. 1999. Vignettes of Bicol History. Quezon City: New DayPublishers
8. Dy and Tuson. 2012. Guinobatan Through the Times. Marcial O. Rañola Memorial School
9. "Municipal: Guinobatan, Albay". PSA. Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
10. "Region V (BICOL REGION)". Census of Population and Housing (2010): Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay (Report). NSO. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
11. "Region V (BICOL REGION)". Census of Population (1995, 2000 and 2007): Total Population by Province, City and Municipality (Report). NSO. Archived from the original on 24 June 2011.