Bulan, Sorsogon
Bulan, officially the Municipality of Bulan (Waray Sorsogon: Bungto san Bulan; Waray: Bungto han Bulan; Tagalog: Bayan ng Bulan), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 105,190 people, making it the most populated town in the province.[3]
Bulan | |
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Municipality of Bulan | |
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Nickname(s): Fishing Capital of Bicol ; The Home of Padaraw Festival | |
Motto: "Unhan Bulan" | |
OpenStreetMap | |
Bulan Location within the Philippines | |
Coordinates: 12°40′11″N 123°52′33″E | |
Country | Philippines |
Region | Bicol Region |
Province | Sorsogon |
District | 2nd district |
Barangays | 63 (see Barangays) |
Government | |
• Type | Sangguniang Bayan |
• Mayor | Romeo A. Gordola |
• Vice Mayor | Chezka Mae B. Robles |
• Representative | Vacant |
• Municipal Council | Members |
• Electorate | 67,070 voters (2022) |
Area | |
• Total | 196.96 km2 (76.05 sq mi) |
Elevation | 8.0 m (26.2 ft) |
Highest elevation | 190 m (620 ft) |
Lowest elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
Population (2020 census)[3] | |
• Total | 105,190 |
• Density | 530/km2 (1,400/sq mi) |
• Households | 23,082 |
Economy | |
• Income class | 1st municipal income class |
• Poverty incidence | 29.49 |
• Revenue | ₱ 306.4 million (2020) |
• Assets | ₱ 836.5 million (2020) |
• Expenditure | ₱ 255.3 million (2020) |
Service provider | |
• Electricity | Sorsogon 1 Electric Cooperative (SORECO 1) |
Time zone | UTC+8 (PST) |
ZIP code | 4706 |
PSGC | |
IDD : area code | +63 (0)56 |
Native languages | Bisakol Tagalog |
Website | www |
Geography
The Municipality of Bulan is located at the south-westernmost tip of the Bicol Peninsula of the island of Luzon. It has an area of exactly 20,094 hectares and is the terminal and burgeoning center of trade and commerce of its neighboring towns. It comprises fifty-five (55) barangays and eight (8) zones and is populated by people of diversified origin.
This municipality is bounded on the north by the Municipality of Magallanes, on the east by the municipalities of Juban and Irosin, on the south by the Municipality of Matnog, and on the west by Ticao Pass. It has a distance of 667 kilometres (414 mi) from Manila, 63 kilometres (39 mi) from the province's capital Sorsogon City, 20 kilometres (12 mi) from the town of Irosin and 30 kilometres (19 mi) from the town of Matnog.
Barangays
Bulan is politically subdivided into 63 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
- A. Bonifacio (Tinurilan)
- Abad Santos (Kambal)
- Aguinaldo (Lipata Dako)
- Antipolo
- Aquino (Imelda)
- Bical
- Beguin
- Bonga
- Butag
- Cadandanan
- Calomagon
- Calpi
- Cocok-Cabitan
- Daganas
- Danao
- Dolos
- E. Quirino (Pinangomhan)
- Fabrica
- G. Del Pilar (Tanga)
- Gate
- Inararan
- J. Gerona (Biton)
- J.P. Laurel (Pon-od)
- Jamorawon
- Libertad (Calle Putol)
- Lajong
- Magsaysay (Bongog)
- Managa-naga
- Marinab
- Nasuje
- Montecalvario
- N. Roque (Calayugan)
- Namo
- Obrero
- Osmeña (Lipata Saday)
- Otavi
- Padre Diaz
- Palale
- Quezon (Cabarawan)[5]
- R. Gerona (Butag)
- Recto
- Roxas (Busay)
- Sagrada
- San Francisco (Polot)
- San Isidro (Cabugaan)
- San Juan Bag-o
- San Juan Daan
- San Rafael (Togbongon)
- San Ramon
- San Vicente
- Santa Remedios
- Santa Teresita (Trece)
- Sigad
- Somagongsong
- Tarhan
- Taromata
- Zone 1 (Ilawod)
- Zone 2 (Sabang)
- Zone 3 (Central)
- Zone 4 (Central Business District)
- Zone 5 (Canipaan)
- Zone 6 (Baybay)
- Zone 7 (Iraya)
- Zone 8 (Loyo)
Climate
Climate data for Bulan, Sorsogon | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Average high °C (°F) | 27 (81) |
28 (82) |
29 (84) |
31 (88) |
31 (88) |
30 (86) |
29 (84) |
29 (84) |
29 (84) |
29 (84) |
29 (84) |
28 (82) |
29 (84) |
Average low °C (°F) | 22 (72) |
21 (70) |
22 (72) |
23 (73) |
24 (75) |
25 (77) |
25 (77) |
25 (77) |
25 (77) |
24 (75) |
23 (73) |
23 (73) |
24 (74) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 65 (2.6) |
44 (1.7) |
42 (1.7) |
39 (1.5) |
87 (3.4) |
150 (5.9) |
184 (7.2) |
153 (6.0) |
163 (6.4) |
154 (6.1) |
127 (5.0) |
100 (3.9) |
1,308 (51.4) |
Average rainy days | 13.9 | 9.2 | 11.0 | 12.5 | 19.6 | 24.3 | 26.5 | 25.0 | 25.5 | 24.4 | 19.4 | 15.1 | 226.4 |
Source: Meteoblue (modeled/calculated data, not measured locally)[6] |
Demographics
Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
---|---|---|
1903 | 13,431 | — |
1918 | 19,268 | +2.44% |
1939 | 29,414 | +2.03% |
1948 | 37,231 | +2.65% |
1960 | 46,520 | +1.87% |
1970 | 54,180 | +1.53% |
1975 | 56,013 | +0.67% |
1980 | 60,911 | +1.69% |
1990 | 66,450 | +0.87% |
1995 | 74,219 | +2.09% |
2000 | 82,688 | +2.34% |
2007 | 91,730 | +1.44% |
2010 | 93,943 | +0.87% |
2015 | 100,076 | +1.21% |
2020 | 105,190 | +0.98% |
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[7][8][9][10] |
Economy
One of Bicol's fastest growing economy and primed to be the next city of Sorsogon. Bulan now is being groomed to be the next city of the province given its being a first class municipality with an estimated population of 120k, 196 square kilometers land area and an annual regular income of not less than P200M Bulan almost had the status of being a city.
Residents of Bulan are now looking forward to its city hood because of its rapid-economic growth considering the fact that it is cited as the richest municipality in the province and 5th among the 1st class municipalities in Bicol Region with an average annual income of PHP 58.8M. If it happens, Bulan will be the second city in the province and will be the 8th in the region.
Major exports of this town are from its coastal waters, agricultural lands produce rice, copra, abaca fiber. Most of the revenues come from the fishing port of Bulan and businesses.
There are three commercial banks in Bulan, the PNB (with 2 ATMs), BDO Network Bank (The first commercial proper bank in the area with 2 storey and atm services.), and the Landbank of the Philippines, A rural bank Rural Bank of San Jacinto, Masbate, Rural Bank of Pilar, Sorsogon, Camalig Bank, and the Producer's Bank. A BDO Unibank Bulan branch is expected to be built soon. There are also lending institutions like Intertrade, GSAC, and PALFSI that are very popular to SMEs.
Development areas
Due to Bulan's rapidly growing economy and revenue, alongside its large population growth, the old and unfinished Bulan airport will start construction soon and will serve as the gateway to the province of Sorsogon.
Bulan port also will undergo rehabilitation so locals would not have to go to Matnog to access the Visayas and Masbate Area.
Shopping centers
There are two main shopping centers in the town: the LCC Supermarket and Department Store and Jeanee's Supermarket and Department Store. The new LCC Market Savers has recently opened in the month of June 2023. This month of July, the outlet of LCC will soon rise in the downtown of Bulan. This will be the third LCC in the town.
The LCC is known as one of the pioneering retail establishments in Bicolandia, or the Bicol Region. It primarily operates supermarkets, department stores, malls, and food establishments.
Puregold has also initially identified planned locations in the town for future construction.
There are local and national retail chains that the town has drawn in addition to the numerous shops already present in the downtown area, including 7-Eleven and Mr. DIY.
Food chains
There are many local restaurants in the town including; Bentornato Restaurant, Dragon House Restaurant, Mama Vacion's Bar & Grill, Lola Feling Restobar, El Jardin Restobar, Ning's Restaurant, James Dean Restaurant, Christels Burger, Maskinano Kitchen & Bar, Sunray's 101 Fudhub, Saddle Ranch Sizzling and Steakhouse, Bird Box, Paborito Grill, Francis Burgers, Aroz Frito ni Tata Kanor, also the Samgyup sa Bulan, Inasal Pampanga's Bezt- Bulan branch and many more.
The town also has the home of the famous ChikenJoy— Jollibee Bulan branch, opened in 2007, located in the town proper, De Oro Barbeque King Bulan (BBQ King).
McDonald's, KFC and Seoul 199 have planned and will build in the future.
Growth
Although poverty is still high in Bulan, the government has improve people's lives. Bulan is ranked in the Top 10 richest municipalities out of 107 Municipalities in the Bicol Region, from 5th to 2nd fastest growing as of 2021 with an average annual income of 145.60M (41.91% increase) after Aroroy, Masbate.
Infrastracture
Telecommunications
Bulan has fixed landline phones and fiber internet from BTTI (Bicol Telephone and Telegraph, Inc.) and PLDT. Mobile or cellular networks are Globe, Smart and Dito Telecommunications Companies.
Education
Primary education
The primary education in Bulan is divided into two Districts, the Bulan North District comprising all the Barangays towards the north coastal Barangays, to the interior land locked northern Barangays. The Bulan South District comprises the southern Coastal Barangays.
Secondary education
Bulan has many secondary educational institutions. The largest public high school is Bulan National High School. Formerly, it was the Bulan High School/Bulan Vocational High School, before the former was converted into Sorsogon State College Bulan Campus. BNHS has satellite Campuses at Barangays Otavi, Beguin, J.P. Laurel, San Juan Bag-o. There is also a Secondary School in San Francisco, one of the biggest Barangay of Bulan. The San Francisco National High School. On the coastal area, Quezon National High School,[18] is one and only coastal high school in the area. Where students from nearby barangays (Osmeña, Aguinaldo, Sagrada and even Coron-Coron & Sua - part of Municipality of Matnog, use to send their students. The only school to represent major national events as headed by Mrs. Adelia O. Gregorio (Principal), Mr. Renato B. Gallenito and their co-teachers (by: HBF).
There are various private secondary schools. The St. Louise De Marillac School (Formerly Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion) a Catholic school run by the Daughters of Charity religious congregation, Immaculate Conception Academy of Bulan (Formerly Immaculate Conception Learning Center) a Catholic School, Saint Bonaventure Academy of Butag, the Southern Luzon Institute-Kenerino Ramirez Asuncion Memorial School (SLI-KRAMS) were the oldest school in Bulan, Solis Institute of Technology, and A.G. Villaroya Technological Foundation Institute.
Tertiary education
- Sorsogon State University - Bulan Campus
- R.G. De Castro Colleges (formerly Quezon Academy)
- SLI-KRAMS
- Solis Institute of Technology
- A.G. Villaroya (Post-Secondary courses only)
Alternative Learning System
Aside from the formal education system, a parallel alternative learning system program is incorporated in the education system to provide a viable alternative to the existing formal education structure. It encompasses both the non-formal and informal sources of knowledge and skills such as those acquired at home, the church, media, environment or even the life itself and span the pre-literacy to higher skills continuum.
There are two major existing programs implemented. 1) Basic Literacy Program 2)Accreditation and Equivalency (A & E). ALS implementers such as Mobile Teachers and District ALS Coordinators were the one administer the implementation of the programs. It is intended for Out-of-School Youth and Adults who are unschooled or school drop-out. For more inquiries look for Bulan South and Bulan North Districts ALS implementers.
References
- Municipality of Bulan | (DILG)
- "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
- Census of Population (2020). "Region V (Bicol Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
- "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/161120340733350/, http://ph.geoview.info/cabarawan,6906823p, https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1925324608817&set=t.1113197609&type=3&theater
- "Bulan, Sorsogon : Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
- Census of Population (2015). "Region V (Bicol Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
- Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region V (Bicol Region)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region V (Bicol Region)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
- "Province of Sorsogon". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
- "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 March 2009.
- "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012.
- "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.
- "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019.
- "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
- https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1652365681667577&set=pcb.479725778872803&type=3&theater, https://www.facebook.com/groups/161120340733350/