Bantayan, Cebu
Bantayan, officially the Municipality of Bantayan (Cebuano: Lungsod sa Bantayan; Tagalog: Bayan ng Bantayan), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 86,247 people. [3]
Bantayan | |
|---|---|
| Municipality of Bantayan | |
Bantayan municipality from far end of quay | |
Flag Seal | |
Map of Cebu with Bantayan highlighted | |
Bantayan Location within the Philippines | |
| Coordinates: 11°12′N 123°44′E / 11.2°N 123.73°ECoordinates: 11°12′N 123°44′E / 11.2°N 123.73°E | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Region | Central Visayas |
| Province | Cebu |
| District | 4th district |
| Barangays | 25 (see Barangays) |
| Government | |
| • Type | Sangguniang Bayan |
| • Mayor | Arthur E. Despi |
| • Vice Mayor | Antonio Y. Montemar |
| • Representative | Janice Z. Salimbangon |
| • Municipal Council | Members |
| • Electorate | 49,413 voters (2022) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 81.68 km2 (31.54 sq mi) |
| includes outlying islands | |
| Elevation | 8.0 m (26.2 ft) |
| Population (2020 census) [3] | |
| • Total | 86,247 |
| • Density | 1,100/km2 (2,700/sq mi) |
| • Households | 19,493 |
| Economy | |
| • Income class | 1st municipal income class |
| • Poverty incidence | 23.50% (2018)[4] |
| • Revenue | ₱279,500,064.03 (2020) |
| • Assets | ₱582,683,877.74 (2020) |
| • Expenditure | ₱282,471,836.12 (2020) |
| • Liabilities | ₱168,588,869.99 (2020) |
| Service provider | |
| • Electricity | Bantayan Island Electric Cooperative (BANELCO) |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (PST) |
| ZIP code | 6052 |
| PSGC | 072209000 |
| IDD : area code | +63 (0)32 |
| Native languages | Bantayanon Cebuano Tagalog |
Geography
Bantayan is located on Bantayan Island,[5] 136 kilometres (85 miles) from Cebu City. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 86,247, making it the island's most populous town as well as the largest.
It is bordered to the north by the town of Madridejos, to the southwest is the Tañon Strait, to the east is the town of Medellin and to the south is the town of Santa Fe.
Barangays
Bantayan comprises 25 barangays:
| Map showing barangays and islands | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
GK Village
Gawad Kalinga[7] has a village in brgy Mojon.[8]
Climate
| Climate data for Bantayan, Cebu | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 29 (84) | 29 (84) | 31 (88) | 32 (90) | 32 (90) | 31 (88) | 30 (86) | 30 (86) | 30 (86) | 30 (86) | 29 (84) | 29 (84) | 30 (86) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 23 (73) | 22 (72) | 23 (73) | 23 (73) | 25 (77) | 25 (77) | 24 (75) | 25 (77) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 23 (73) | 24 (75) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 39 (1.5) | 34 (1.3) | 42 (1.7) | 36 (1.4) | 73 (2.9) | 109 (4.3) | 118 (4.6) | 108 (4.3) | 129 (5.1) | 136 (5.4) | 112 (4.4) | 89 (3.5) | 1,025 (40.4) |
| Average rainy days | 12.6 | 9.7 | 12.0 | 13.0 | 20.5 | 25.3 | 26.2 | 24.8 | 25.2 | 25.9 | 21.9 | 17.9 | 235 |
| Source: Meteoblue[9] | |||||||||||||
Demographics
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1903 | 13,324 | — |
| 1918 | 14,812 | +0.71% |
| 1939 | 18,805 | +1.14% |
| 1948 | 25,351 | +3.37% |
| 1960 | 30,623 | +1.59% |
| 1970 | 40,017 | +2.71% |
| 1975 | 43,899 | +1.87% |
| 1980 | 47,711 | +1.68% |
| 1990 | 60,000 | +2.32% |
| 1995 | 62,260 | +0.70% |
| 2000 | 68,125 | +1.95% |
| 2007 | 71,655 | +0.70% |
| 2010 | 74,785 | +1.57% |
| 2015 | 79,084 | +1.07% |
| 2020 | 86,247 | +1.72% |
| Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [10] [6] [11] | ||
Economy
Transportation
For short journeys within population centres, then trisikads are readily available. They can carry two or three adults plus goods, a total load in excess of 250 kg (550 lb). They are available only where land is flat and level.
For longer journeys, such as from the municipal centre to outlying barangays, then motor tricycles are available. Smaller ones are motorcycle-sidecar combinations, and can carry about 4 passengers. Larger ones, known as multis, have some sort of saloon behind the driver, and are usually shared between as many as eight passengers, plus some goods stowage.
For the longest journeys, such as from Santa Fe ferry pier into downtown Bantayan and onwards, there are larger jeepneys, which can carry around 20 passengers with rooftop goods stowage.
There is no public bus service as such.
Heritage
There are a few historically notable buildings but they have generally not been well maintained, and the ravages of the climate hasten decay, together with several major fires, which consume the wooden structures. Preventive maintenance generally was not practised, so even the best preserved buildings date back only to the middle of the 19th century.
Parish church of Sts Peter and Paul
The main church stands on the principal plaza. Since the arrival of the Spanish there have been several buildings on its site: originally it was little more than a bamboo and nipa structure, which was burned down during one of the Moro raids. This was replaced by another wooden structure, which also burned down. Construction of the present building (the fifth on the site) started in 1839. The main driving force was the parish priest Padre Doroteo Andrade del Rosario and the maestro de obras (master of works) was his nephew Manuel Rubio y del Rosario (also known as Kapitan Tawi). Construction lasted about 24 years. The principal building material is coral, sawn to approximately parallelepiped shape and dressed like stone.
Since mid–2012 refurbishment work has been in progress: the belfry has been restored to its former glory, and as at February 2013[update] there are plans to open it for tourist access. The stairs are very steep and not very well guarded, however it does offer an elevated panoramic view of the waterfront.
The church also houses a small museum, visiting by appointment.
D.C. Abello theater
The D.C. Abello Theater was a Love Offering of Diego Abello and Candelaria Abello y Causing, parents of the Mayor Remedios Abello Escario. Construction of the theater started in 1948 and was completed in 1952. It took four years before the theater could be fully operation as they had to source out a suitable projector and a quality screen that showed images clearly. Diego and Candelaria Abello built this theater to provide entertainment to the people of Bantayan. The building's architectural style harks back to the American period. The D.C. Abello Theater used to show double films and was the favorite rendezvous site of many young romantic Bantayanons at the time. Bantayanons from the neighboring islets and island barangays would flock to this theater especially when a Fernando Poe Jr film was showing. The theater was closed in the early 1980s with the advent of Betamax and, later the DVD era.
— Heritage building sign
As at February 2013[update] it is some sort of warehouse for glass and windows.
The building was entirely demolished in early 2015 to make way for the island's first supermarket development.
Houses
Central plaza was the location of several well-built houses. Opposite the church Manuel del Rosario built two which used to be "the grandest homes on Bantayan island". Originally pre-dating the church, one was used as the Casa de Mamposteria (house of masons) during construction of the church. The main house was later inherited by the son of del Rosario and his second wife, while the house next door was their wedding gift to their daughter.
After subsequent bequests, ownership of both houses was shared by many scions of the Causing and Escario families. They were unable to decide on (or maybe fund) [19] any necessary preventive maintenance work. As at February 2013[update] both houses have more or less collapsed in ruins past repair. All that remains of Bantayan's former glory is a dangerous and unsightly collection of rotten beams, collapsed walls and broken tiles occupying a prime and valuable location. Typhoon Yolanda subsequently caused both ruins to collapse entirely.
Recreation
There are no longer any public entertainment centres such as cinemas. Apart from religious fiestas and processions, the main Bantayanon enjoyment comes from karaoke (known as videoke). Many households have their own equipment, but for special occasions they hire equipment with truly prodigious output, especially with low frequency sound. This is likely to be placed in the street, for the enjoyment of all the neighbourhood.
Beach
Much of the municipality coastline is unsuitable as a beach - there is no real sandy area, mostly rocks or mud, all along the southern coast of the municipality, and the western coast almost as far north as Baod and Patao. There are better beaches on the eastern coast, but access is difficult.
Sillon and Baigad is where good beaches can be found – wide expanses of sand, clean sea and few bathers. However these too have plenty of detritus and flotsam – for the most part seaweed and vegetation from the coconut palms which line the shore. The beaches are almost completely undeveloped, so no facilities, and there are several large private properties which are built close to the shore line.
Attractions
Private facilities which are open to the public include:
- Casa de Antiguedades[20] – This is a private house whose owner is happy to show visitors some of the artefacts and objects he has collected over the years. No entrance fee, but a contribution to upkeep is appreciated.
- Obo‑ob Mangrove Garden – established by the residents of brgy Obo‑ob, the garden offers visitors a tour into the mangal forest along an elevated bamboo trail.
- St Helena Botanical Garden shows off a selection of exotic flowers and fruits.
- Bantayan Nature Park – this recently established[update] (2012) place does not (yet) live up to its name.
Cockfighting
As is common throughout the Philippines, 'sport' is synonymous with cock-fighting. There is a large sports centre (cockpit) on the road to Santa Fe, which attracts a large clientele in Sundays. In addition, puroks can have their own arena, usually just a piece of land set aside for the purpose.
Festivals and processions
The Holy Week observance attracts large numbers of local and foreign tourists to the foot processions on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, when life-sized images and icons are mounted on carrozas (floats) decorated in a carnival style that depict various tableaux of Christ's Passion and the Stations of the Cross.
Palawod is another festival held 29 June in honour of Sts. Peter & Paul . The street dancing and ritual showdown competitions which depict the fishing traditions of Bantayan have contributed to Palawod's being the 3-times Grand Champion of the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival of Festivals.
Sinulog takes place at the end of January, when there are ten or more days of noisy celebration.
Notable personalities
- Archbishop John F. Du – current archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Palo in Leyte
Gallery
Arched sign on municipal quay
Bantayan fire station
Bantayan municipal hall
Bantayan legislative building
75° panorama from SS Peter & Paul belfry looking SW
See also
References
- ^ Municipality of Bantayan | (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. (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
- ^ a b c Census of Population (2020). "Region VII (Central Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. PSA. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
- ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
- ^ Executive Order No. 110 (15 April 1955), Reclassifying all municipalities in the Philippines (s.1955), retrieved 9 December 2014
- ^ a b Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region VII (Central Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. NSO. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ Gawad Kalinga
- ^ GK Village I, Bantayan
- ^ "Bantayan: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
- ^ Census of Population (2015). "Region VII (Central Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. PSA. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
- ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region VII (Central Visayas)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. NSO.
- ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- ^ https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/NSCB_LocalPovertyPhilippines_0.pdf; publication date: 29 November 2005; publisher: Philippine Statistics Authority.
- ^ https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/2003%20SAE%20of%20poverty%20%28Full%20Report%29_1.pdf; publication date: 23 March 2009; publisher: Philippine Statistics Authority.
- ^ https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/2006%20and%202009%20City%20and%20Municipal%20Level%20Poverty%20Estimates_0_1.pdf; publication date: 3 August 2012; publisher: Philippine Statistics Authority.
- ^ https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/2012%20Municipal%20and%20City%20Level%20Poverty%20Estima7tes%20Publication%20%281%29.pdf; publication date: 31 May 2016; publisher: Philippine Statistics Authority.
- ^ https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/City%20and%20Municipal-level%20Small%20Area%20Poverty%20Estimates_%202009%2C%202012%20and%202015_0.xlsx; publication date: 10 July 2019; publisher: Philippine Statistics Authority.
- ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
- ^ Cebu Daily News 2007.
- ^ The Freeman 2010.
Sources
- Cebu Daily News, Joeber Bersales (13 September 2007). . Archived from the original (retrieved via Southeast Asian Archeology archive) on 2007-11-07.
- The Freeman, Reynan Villena (8 August 2010). "Casa de Antiguedades (House of Antiques)" (Cebu lifestyle). from the original on 2015-11-10.
- The Freeman, Kristine B. Quintas (6 May 2017). "Comelec declares Escario Bantayan mayor".
Further reading
- Hedman, Eva-Lotta & Sidel, John T (2001). Philippine Politics and Society in the Twentieth Century. Colonial Legacies, Post‑colonial Trajectories. London: Routledge – Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-0415147903.
Table of contents: 1 Introduction 2 Trasformismo and Philippine Democracy 3 Morbid Symptoms and Political Violence in the Philippines 4 'Forget it, Jake, it's Chinatown' 5 'The last hurrah' revisited 6 Mailing Manila: Images of a City, Fragments of a Century 7 From Pugad Lawin to Pugad Baboy: The Making of the 'New Native' 8 The Sulu Zone Revisited: The Philippines in Southeast Asia
External links
Media related to Bantayan, Cebu at Wikimedia Commons
- Philippine Standard Geographic Code