Lavezares

Lavezares, officially the Municipality of Lavezares (Waray: Bungto han Lavezares; Tagalog: Bayan ng Lavezares), is a 4th class municipality in the province of Northern Samar, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 29,390 people.[3]

Lavezares
Municipality of Lavezares
Flag of Lavezares
Map of Northern Samar with Lavezares highlighted
Map of Northern Samar with Lavezares highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Lavezares is located in Philippines
Lavezares
Lavezares
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 12°32′N 124°20′E
CountryPhilippines
RegionEastern Visayas
ProvinceNorthern Samar
District 1st district
Founded1875
Named forGuido de Lavezaris
Barangays26 (see Barangays)
Government
[1]
  TypeSangguniang Bayan
  MayorEdito B. Saludaga
  Vice MayorRicardo O. Chan
  RepresentativePaul R. Daza
  Councilors
List
  Electorate21,548 voters (2022)
Area
  Total119.50 km2 (46.14 sq mi)
Elevation
45 m (148 ft)
Highest elevation
222 m (728 ft)
Lowest elevation
−1 m (−3 ft)
Population
 (2020 census)[3]
  Total29,390
  Density250/km2 (640/sq mi)
  Households
6,784
Economy
  Income class4th municipal income class
  Poverty incidence
34.14
% (2018)[4]
  Revenue127.3 million (2020)
  Assets377.7 million (2020)
  Expenditure113.3 million (2020)
  Liabilities93.64 million (2020)
Service provider
  ElectricityNorthern Samar Electric Cooperative (NORSAMELCO)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
6404
PSGC
IDD:area code+63(0)55
Native languagesWaray
Tagalog

It is bounded on the west by the municipality of Allen, on the north-west by San Bernardino Strait, on the south and south-west by the municipality of Victoria, on the east by the municipality of Rosario and on the north by the municipality of Biri.

History

Lavezares was just a visita during the late 19th century. In this period of time, Barobaybay, Villa and MacArthur served as the oldest pueblos of the old municipality.

During the Spanish period, Lavezares was controlled by secular priests. It was named in honor of the Spanish Governor-General Guido de Lavezares who helped them become separated from the Municipality of Allen, and be an independent municipality. Sitios of Lavezares including Caburihan, Ocad, Caragas, Cataogan and Sabang-Tabok were converted into barangays though Republic Act 2370 (the Barrio Charter Act) and Republic Act 3590 (the Revised Barrio Charter Act). And shortly, the municipality was administered by the capitanes, presidentes and municipal mayors.

Geography

Lavezares has a land area of 11,950 hectares (29,500 acres), with a topography that is generally characterized by very rugged terrain with many steep and elevated areas classified as undulating to hilly. Technically, there are only two hills in the area, these are located in the southernmost part of Barangays Chansvilla and Toog. No mountain can be found in the area.

There are also no major plains but a few flat lands that not very extensive. The coastal areas of Lavezares are limited and have generally moderately terrain. Bacolods which serve as natural breakwater on different coasts of the municipality can be found along the coasts of Barangays Balicuatro, Villa, Bani and Magsaysay among others. They are protected as part of the Biri Larosa Protected Landscape and Seascape.

Land reclamation in different parts of the municipality particularly in island barangays of San Juan, San Isdro, Magsaysay and Bani is continuously being done. The coastal barangays along the mainland are similarly reclaiming lands which include the coasts of Barangays Libas, Cataogan, Sabang-Tabok, Urdaneta and Barobaybay.

Climate

Climate data for Lavezares, Northern Samar
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 27
(81)
28
(82)
29
(84)
30
(86)
31
(88)
30
(86)
29
(84)
29
(84)
29
(84)
29
(84)
29
(84)
28
(82)
29
(84)
Average low °C (°F) 22
(72)
22
(72)
22
(72)
22
(72)
24
(75)
24
(75)
24
(75)
24
(75)
24
(75)
24
(75)
23
(73)
23
(73)
23
(74)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 84
(3.3)
59
(2.3)
58
(2.3)
55
(2.2)
93
(3.7)
133
(5.2)
149
(5.9)
125
(4.9)
155
(6.1)
165
(6.5)
140
(5.5)
136
(5.4)
1,352
(53.3)
Average rainy days 18.1 13.6 15.8 16.1 21.7 25.5 26.6 25.1 24.8 25.8 22.7 20.1 255.9
Source: Meteoblue[5]

Barangays

Lavezares is politically subdivided into 26 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

12 of which are considered as inland barangays and 14 coastal barangays, which can be subclassified into 5 island barangays and 9 barangays situated along the coast of the mainland.

Inland barangays:

  • Caburihan (Poblacion)
  • Caragas (Poblacion)
  • Chansvilla
  • Datag
  • Enriqueta
  • Macarthur
  • Ocad (Poblacion)
  • Salvacion
  • San Jose
  • San Miguel
  • To-og
  • Villahermosa

Coastal barangays:

  • Balicuatro
  • Barobaybay
  • Cataogan (Poblacion)
  • Libas
  • Libertad
  • Sabang-Tabok (Poblacion)
  • San Agustin
  • Villa
  • Urdaneta
  • Bani (island barangay)
  • Magsaysay (island barangay)
  • Maravilla (island barangay)
  • San Isidro (island barangay)
  • San Juan (island barangay)

The smallest barangay is Cataogan, while the largest is Bani. According to the Provincial Physical Framework Plan of 2004–2013, the municipality is suitable for irrigated rice, fish ponds, trees and crops.

The mainland is attached entirely to the entire Samar Island. Maravilla Island, San Juan Island and Bani Island are the three major islands of the municipality.

Demographics

Population census of Lavezares
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 3,688    
1918 5,953+3.24%
1939 9,501+2.25%
1948 18,508+7.69%
1960 15,186−1.63%
1970 16,336+0.73%
1975 20,251+4.40%
1980 20,007−0.24%
1990 19,058−0.48%
1995 20,492+1.37%
2000 23,991+3.44%
2007 26,131+1.19%
2010 27,464+1.83%
2015 28,770+0.89%
2020 29,390+0.42%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[6][7][8][9]

Economy

Government

The political body of Lavezares was established in 1875 under the Spanish colonial power wherein the local executive was alluded as Capitanes. From 1903 to 1935, the persons who assumed the position were called Presidentes, and from 1936 until present where they were referred to as Municipal Mayors.

Position Name Term of Office
Capitan (appointed)
Silvino Flores
1875-1877
Justiniano Morillo
1877-1879
Victorio Alvanes
1879-1881
Evaristo Martires
1881-1883
Angeles de Leon
1883-1886
Patricio Ebron
1886-1888
Feliciano Adriatico
1888-1892
Lucio Flores
1892-1894
Anastacio Adriatico
1894-1898
Cepriano de Leon
1898-1903
Presidente (appointed)
Lasaro Cuyco
1903-1908
Martin Custan
1908-1912
Presidente (elected)
Gregorio Adriatico
1912-1916
Elias Bogtong
1916-1921
Melecio Cuyuco
1921-1927
Juan Ymata
1927-1931
Eugenio Tingkingco
1931-1935
Municipal Mayor (elected)
Antonio Martires
1936-1938
Pascualito Clutario
1938-1946
Julio Turla
1946-1955
Gabriel Querobines
1956-1959
Basilio Chan
1960-1978
Municipal Mayor
Rodrigo Chan
1978-1979 (appointed); 1980-1986 (elected)
Miguel Adriatico
1986-1987 (appointed)
Municipal Mayor (appointed)
Celedonio Saludaga, Jr
1987-1988
Municipal Mayor (elected)
Miguel Adriatico, Jr
1989-1991
Quintin Saludaga, Jr
1992-2001
Celedonio Saludaga, Jr
2001-2010

Transportation

Access to Lavezares has two options: from Manila, a fourteen to fifteen hours of bus ride with Roll-on/roll-off vessels from Matnog, Sorsogon, to the port of Allen, Northern Samar, or taking a plane to Catarman and a jeepney ride to Lavezares both serving as the main transport facility towards this portion.

Tourism

In this coastal province of Northern Samar, eco-tourism may just become an alternative income generator aside from coconuts and fishing.

True to mention are the white sand beaches abounding among its coastal and groups of island barangays that comprises the municipality though some parts have strong underwater current not suitable for a beach resort. Current white sand beach resorts are found at barangays Urdaneta and Barobaybay and waters between Bani Island and Barobaybay. The resorts offer huts along the beachfront and for overnight stays, tourist inns are available.

The coral reefs in Bancauan Island, Bani Island, Barangay Maravilla and Barangay San Juan are good for scuba diving.

The sunsets can be viewed at Lavezares Bay and Barangay Barobaybay, but Barangay Maravilla provides the most outstanding view because of the island's north to south orientation with just the vast sea on sight.

Education

  • Primary Schools - There are 26 barangay elementary school and one central school, Lavezares Central Elementary School.
  • Secondary Schools - Basilio B. Chan Memorial Agricultural and Industrial School is the only public high school in the whole municipality, which is situated at Barangay Sabang-Tabok. It is the venue where the government can provide the youth of Lavezares the needed knowledge and skills that would prepare them not only for their college life but also to the challenges of real world. Nevertheless, there are 3 private schools offering secondary courses where 2 of which are operated by religious orders: The Holy Family Center of Studies at Caburihan and Barobaybay Academy Mission School at Barobaybay. Colegio de San Juan, where located at Libertad, offers secondary and tertiary education and serves as an alternative for those who cannot afford to study outside the municipality.

References

  1. Municipality of Lavezares | (DILG)
  2. "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.
  3. Census of Population (2020). "Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  4. "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  5. "Lavezares, Northern Samar : Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  6. Census of Population (2015). "Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  7. Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  8. Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
  9. "Province of Northern Samar". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  10. "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  11. "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
  12. "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 March 2009.
  13. "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012.
  14. "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.
  15. "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019.
  16. "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
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