Allen, Northern Samar
Encyclopedia
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 20,066 people in 4,145 households. The town borders the municipality of Victoria
Victoria, Northern Samar
Victoria is a 5th class municipality in the province of Northern Samar, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 11,632 people in 2,354 households...
in the south, Lavezares
Lavezares, Northern Samar
Lavezares is a 5th class municipality in the province of Northern Samar, Philippines. It is bounded on the west by the municipality of Allen, on the northwest by San Bernardino Strait, on the south and southwest by the municipality of Victoria, on the east by the municipality of Rosario and on the...
in the east and the San Bernardino Strait
San Bernardino Strait
The San Bernardino Strait is a strait in the Philippines. It separates the Bicol Peninsula of Luzon island from the island of Samar in the south.-Filipinos and San Bernardino Strait:...
in the northwest.
Allen is known for being an important port for inter-island transport, specifically between Samar and Luzon
Luzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
.
Name
The original name of the town was Manipa-a. During the Spanish era, the name of the town was changed to La Granja. The name Allen was given by the Americans in honor of General Robert AllenRobert Allen
Robert Allen may refer to:*Robert Allen , American Congressman from Tennessee*Robert Allen , American Congressman from Virginia*Robert Allen , American Civil War general...
, the military governor of the Visayas
Visayas
The Visayas or Visayan Islands and locally known as Kabisay-an gid, is one of the three principal geographical divisions of the Philippines, along with Mindanao and Luzon. It consists of several islands, primarily surrounding the Visayan Sea, although the Visayas are considered the northeast...
after the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
.
Barangays
Allen is politically subdivided into 20 barangayBarangay
A barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district or ward...
s.
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History
The area of present-day Allen was originally populated by natives of Malay stock from the western and central locations of the island. Migration from other islands was characterised by several waves. Malays from the neighbouring Bicol PeninsulaBicol Peninsula
Bicol is a peninsula of the Philippines. It is located on Luzon Island and is part of Bicol Region. The active Mayon Volcano is here....
crossed what is now the San Bernardino Strait using small sailing barges, trading with the locals before settling in. Simultaneously, Malays from the islands of Capul and San Antonio crossed the strait and settled in the area.
The first recorded persons to have their names officially entered into a Spanish census were that of Cosmenia Cajandab and Mariano Cabacang; both surnames originated from the island of Capul.
Transportation
Allen serves as an important transit point, connecting Samar and other islands with LuzonLuzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
. It is opposite the Luzon transit point in the municipality of Matnog, Sorsogon
Sorsogon
Sorsogon is a province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region; it is the southernmost province in Luzon and is subdivided into fourteen municipalities and one city. Its capital is Sorsogon City and borders the province of Albay to the north...
. The primary modes of transport are the inter-island bus route via the Maharlika Highway, and the ferry crossiung the San Bernardino Strait. Its location as a transit point, makes it a future 'transitropolitan' area in the country.
Ferry Service
Ferries cross the strait, transporting passengers and vehicles to and from Allen and Matnog. Travel time ranges between one hour to 2 hours depending on the speed of the ferry.Bus
Buses from the various provinces of the Visayas and Mindanao bound for destinations on Luzon pass through Allen, riding the ferry service to Matnog and vice-versa.The bus terminal servicing the municipality is located at the pier. Booking offices for buses that ply the route are at the terminal.
They are 3 buses includes FiveStar, GV Florida Transport and Viron Transit.