Balabac, Palawan

Balabac
Municipality

Seal

Map of Palawan with Balabac highlighted
Balabac

Location within the Philippines

Coordinates: 07°59′N 117°03′E / 7.983°N 117.050°E / 7.983; 117.050Coordinates: 07°59′N 117°03′E / 7.983°N 117.050°E / 7.983; 117.050
Country Philippines
Region MIMAROPA (Region IV-B)
Province Palawan
Congr. district 2nd district
Founded 1957
Barangays 20
Government[1]
 • Mayor Shuaib J. Astami
Area[2]
 • Total 581.60 km2 (224.56 sq mi)
Highest elevation[3] 569 m (1,867 ft)
Population (2010)[4]
 • Total 35,758
 • Density 61/km2 (160/sq mi)
Time zone PST (UTC+8)
Zip Code 5307
Dialing code 48
Cape Melville Lighthouse on the southern point of Balabac Island, circa 1892.

Balabac is a second class municipality in the province of Palawan, Philippines, off the southern end of Palawan Island. The town is one of municipalities in the Philippines which are mainly composed of a group of islands. The municipality consists of some 32 islands,[5] the largest of which are Balabac (07°57′N 117°01′E / 7.950°N 117.017°E / 7.950; 117.017), Bugsuk (08°15′N 117°18′E / 8.250°N 117.300°E / 8.250; 117.300), Bancalan (08°15′N 117°06′E / 8.250°N 117.100°E / 8.250; 117.100), Mantangule (08°10′N 117°10′E / 8.167°N 117.167°E / 8.167; 117.167), Pandanan (08°17′N 117°13′E / 8.283°N 117.217°E / 8.283; 117.217), and Ramos (08°06′N 117°02′E / 8.100°N 117.033°E / 8.100; 117.033). The islands are notable for its uncommon indigenous plant and animal species, such as the nocturnal Philippine mouse-deer (or Pilandok).[3]

According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 35,758 people.[4]

History

Balabac was converted from a municipal district to a full-pledged municipality in 1957. Before that, it was a barrio of neighboring Bataraza.[6]

Barangays

Balabac is politically subdivided into 20 barangays:[2]

  • Agutayan
  • Bugsuk (New Cagayancillo)
  • Bancalaan
  • Indalawan
  • Catagupan
  • Malaking Ilog
  • Mangsee
  • Melville
  • Pandanan
  • Pasig
  • Rabor
  • Ramos
  • Salang
  • Sebaring
  • Poblacion I
  • Poblacion II
  • Poblacion III
  • Poblacion IV
  • Poblacion V
  • Poblacion VI

Islands

The municipality of Balabac is composed of 30 group of major and minor islands notable of which are the following:

Major islands

Minor islands

Demographics

Population census of Balabac
YearPop.±% p.a.
1990 20,056—    
1995 21,677+1.47%
2000 25,257+3.33%
2007 29,622+2.22%
2010 35,758+7.09%
Source: National Statistics Office[4][7]

Cape Melville Lighthouse

The Cape Melville Lighthouse, located in the island of Balabac, is one of the Philippines oldest lighthouses built in 1892[8] during the Spanish era and a major landmark of the town.

Transportation

Transportation link to the town of Balabac can be done through the town of Bataraza from the main capital Puerto Princesa. From Rio Tuba, in Bataraza, a three-hour boat ride takes a traveler to the main island of Balabac where the town proper is located. Travel to other barangays in the municipality is done through boat rides.

An old airstrip located in the island of Bugsuk does not operate commercial flights. Another private airstrip is located in the island of Ramos.

References

  1. ↑ "Municipalities". Quezon City, Philippines: Department of the Interior and Local Government. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  2. 1 2 "Province: PALAWAN". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Archived from the original on 14 November 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  3. 1 2 "Balabac" (PDF). Provincial Government of Palawan. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010" (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 November 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  5. ↑ http://www.mb.com.ph/at-the-tip-of-the-last-frontier/
  6. ↑ "R.A. No. 2022, An Act Converting the Municipal District of Balabac, Province of Palawan, into a Regular Municipality". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-13.
  7. ↑ "Province of Palawan". Municipality Population Data. LWUA Research Division. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
  8. ↑ https://anc.yahoo.com/news/palawan-lighthouse-needs-to-be--rescued-122234621.html

External links

 Bataraza
South China Sea Sulu Sea
   Balabac  
Balabac Strait
Kudat ( Malaysia)


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