Masbate
Encyclopedia
Masbate is an island province
of the Philippines
located in the Bicol
Region
. Its capital is Masbate City
and consists of three major islands: Masbate
, Ticao
and Burias
.
. Chinese
traders visited Masbate and founded small settlements during the Shri-Vijayan and Madjapahit periods. Ruins of cave-like dwellings resembling "kiva" (possibly built by Indians who accompanied the Chinese traders), were found along the coasts of Aroroy, Palanas, and Masbate. Porcelain jars dating back to the 10th century were excavated at Kalanay (Aroroy) in the 1930s.
Historical accounts show that the Christianization of the Bicol Region
actually began in Masbate in 1569:
Father Alonso Jimenez was the first missionary to the islands of Masbate
, Burias, Leyte
and Samar
. Then he went to Ibalon (Bicol) in Camarines Province, where he resided many years, and made many religious incursions into Albay Province and Sorsogon Province. Fray Jimenez is considered the apostle of the island of Masbate
In December 1600 Dutch Commander Admiral Oliver van Noorth, sought refuge at San Jacinto Harbor after his fleet lost to the Spanish Armada
in Manila
. He was later engaged in a fierce clash with Limahong's fleet at Canlibas-Matabao passage.
At the height of the Galleon Trade, Mobo contributed first class lumber for the construction of galleons, making it the center of trade in the province and was the capital of the province in the early part of the Spanish
occupation
In 1864, Masbate was declared a separate province from Albay
. Guiom was made the capital while Ticao became a commandancia-politicio-militar. Shortly before the declaration of Philippine independence by President Emilio Aguinaldo
, the town of Masbate was established as the provincial capital.
The Americans
came to Masbate in 1900 to extend their pacification campaign. In December 1908, Masbate was annexed to theprovince of Sorsogon. A bill declaring Masbate as independent province was approved on February 1, 1922.
As early as 1906, the Masbate representative made the proposal to the United States Congress
to grant the Philippines
independence.
The first Japan
ese elements arrived in Masbate the dawn of January 7, 1942 from Legazpi. They landed in several places without facing opposition- the province was too stunned to mount any resistance.
The Japan
ese occupation reduced Masbate to total economic shambles. Economic activities were limited to fishing, buying/selling, or stealing. Food production ground to a halt. Camote, pakol, banana blossoms, pith, and even such obscure fruits like barobo were used as food substitutes. Lakad-bulan served as cigarette, tea or coffee. Barter transaction prevailed. For lack of nutrition and sanitation, many people succumbed to beri-beri or malaria. Lice and ticks infestations spared only a lucky few.
Dr. Mateo S. Pecson, who was governor of the province, having refused to cooperate with the Japanese, evacuated the provincial government to Guiom, a command post used by the guerrillas. Pecson was eventually arrested by the Japanese and incarcerated in Cavite. He managed to escape; he later joined the guerrilla movement in Central Luzon
.
In 1944, Provincial Board Member Atty. Jose L. Almario was conscripted by the Japanese to govern the province. During the Liberation, he was arrested by the guerrillias and charged with collaboration. He was exonerated and saved from set execution by a letter from General MacArthur.
Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa, the lone house representative of Masbate, fought against a congressional bill authorizing the conscription of Filipinos into the service of Imperial Japan
and for this he was detained in Fort Santiago.
When Masbate was formally liberated by joint Filipino
and American
soldiers on April 3, 1945, Pecson was sent to Masbate by President Osmeña
to organize the civil government, Pecson took the reins of government on May 11, 1945..
, south by the Visayan Sea
, and west by the Sibuyan Sea. Relative to mainland Bicol
, the province faces the southwestern coasts of Camarines Sur, Albay, and Sorsogon.
The general surface configuration of the province ranges from slightly undulating to rolling and from hilly to mountainous. In each island, the rugged topography is concentrated in the northeastern portion and gradually recedes to blunt hills and rolling areas in the south, southeast, and southwest.
Masbate island is considered as the center of the Philippines.
, Masbateño (or Minasbate, the dialect unique to the province), some Visayan languages
with a unique mixture of Tagalog
and some shades of Hiligaynon
(sometimes also known as Ilonggo). According to the 2000 Philippines Population Census, 27% of the population of Masbate province speak Cebuano. In Burias Island
, they speak Bicol similarly as the people of Camarines Sur
, due to the island’s proximity to the Bicol mainland. The people generally speak fluent English
and Filipino
.
. It comprises then, and now, the civil province of Masbate with its 121 islands including the two larger ones Burias and Ticao. It is now a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Caceres. Its titular patron is St. Anthony of Padua.
Masbate's land area of 7000 square kilometers holds a population of 598,813 of which 85 per cent are Catholics. Devotional practices such as the rosary, novenas to saints, and other religious manifestations as processions, the misa de gallo and Holy Week traditional activities are still very much part of the way of life of most parishioners.
The Diocese of Masbate cannot truly boast, at this point, of great achievements in terms of programs and projects. But it has started to initiate various church programs spearheaded by the Diocesan Commissions on Religious Formation, Social Action and Liturgy, to start on its mission to steer its parishioners towards maturity in the Christian faith. This is done through catechesis, spiritual retreats, seminars, youth encounters, and the like.
There are a total 22 parishes in the Diocese of Masbate, ministered to by 43 priests and 11 religious sisters. It has 1 minor seminary, 4 pastoral centers, 3 elementary schools, 6 high schools, 1 college and 7 kindergarten schools. And among its faith communities are 20 BEC's 46 neo-catechumenal communities. 11 mandated organizations and 3 charismatic groups.
To meet the needs of growth and expansion of the industries, the infrastructure in most part of the province is continually being upgraded. These include the road and its network, transportation, communication facilities, seaports, airport and other support services.
The road and road network, particularly in Mainland Masbate, has kept on improving annually. Road structure is mostly cemented and/or asphalted and timber bridges have been concreted.
As a result, transportation sector has been a growing industry. Aircon minibuses and jeepneys are regularly plying in the two road sections of Mainland Masbate, which made transportation available round-the-clock for the need of the people and industries.
Masbate is endowed with rich natural resources. In line with its agriculture are other industries such as large farming, livestock and poultry raising. Along its coastal areas, fishing industry predominates. Agricultural lands are planted with rice, corn, rootcrops and coconut.
Masbate ranks second only to Bukidnon in raising cattle. Abouth 70% of these are sold to Metro Manila and other provinces in Luzon.Farming is the main source of livelihood. Copra is the leading product, followed by corn
, rice
and rootcrops. Fishing is a major industry along the coast.
The province is one of the richest in the country in terms of mineral resources that include gold, copper, silver, iron, manganese and chromite. A foreign-owned company, CGA mining limited, is operating a gold mine in Aroroy, Masbate. At least 4 million tons of ore per year are being processed by CGA. The mine has provided tax and fees to both local and national governments. With the millions of ore/rock being processed, after extracting the about 1% gold in the ore, millions of tons of tailings in the form of ground rocks or sediments and water plus some contaminants, are directed by the mine to her engineered tailings storage facility closed to mangrove and populated areas.
In case a strong earthquake of magnitude say 7.8 occur, there is no 100% assurance that the tailings storage facility embankment/dam of this mine in Aroroy can hold the millions tons of contaminated slurry . According to the designer, the embankment may suffer deformation during earthquake and it is not specified the extent of deformation. Deformation may result to escape of millions tons of contaminated sediments from this Dam.
Manufacturing firms are in the copra industry, handicrafts, furnituremaking and fish processing.
The province is surrounded with rich fishing areas where all kinds of commercial species of fish teemed in great abundance.
Rich minerals are found in the province. Masbate is described by geologists as a province sitting on a "pot of gold". Other minerals found in the area are manganese, copper
, silver
, iron
, chromite
, limestone
, guano
, and carbon
.
Cottage industry is likewise another source of livelihood. They are: furniture and cabinet making, ceramics, garments, handicrafts and metalcrafts.
Note; the longest road in the philippines can only be found in San Pasual because in 50 years of constructing the road from San Pascual to claveria and the feather roads of barangays until now 20 percent only are finished.
Masbate also has national schools in Cataingan, Placer, San Jacinto, Mandaon, Mobo, etc. and Masbate city itself.
.
Masbate is also divided into 3 congressional districts, with the following representatives.
Provinces of the Philippines
The Provinces of the Philippines are the primary political and administrative divisions of the Philippines. There are 80 provinces at present, further subdivided into component cities and municipalities. The National Capital Region, as well as independent cities, are autonomous from any provincial...
of the Philippines
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...
located in the Bicol
Bicol Region
The Bicol Region or Bicolandia is one of the 17 regions of the Philippines. Its regional center is Legazpi City...
Region
Regions of the Philippines
In the Philippines, regions are administrative divisions that serve primarily to organize the provinces of the country for administrative convenience. Currently, the archipelagic republic of the Philippines is divided into 17 regions...
. Its capital is Masbate City
Masbate City
The City of Masbate is a 4th class city in the province of Masbate, Philippines. It is the capital city of Masbate province...
and consists of three major islands: Masbate
Masbate Island
Masbate is one of the three major islands of Masbate Province in the Philippines. The other two major Islands are Ticao Island and Burias Island. It is the world's 155th largest island according to area and the world's 59th largest island according to population.Masbate Related Website...
, Ticao
Ticao Island
Ticao Island is one of the three major islands of Masbate Province in the Philippines. The other two major Islands are Masbate Island and Burias Island ....
and Burias
Burias Island
Burias Island is one of the three major islands of Masbate Province in the Philippines. The other two major Islands are Ticao Island and Masbate Island. The Island has two municipalities, Claveria and San Pascual....
.
History
When Captain Luis Enriquez de Guzman anchored on the shores of Masbate in 1569, he found tiny settlements spread along the coasts engaged in flourishing trade with ChinaChina
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
traders visited Masbate and founded small settlements during the Shri-Vijayan and Madjapahit periods. Ruins of cave-like dwellings resembling "kiva" (possibly built by Indians who accompanied the Chinese traders), were found along the coasts of Aroroy, Palanas, and Masbate. Porcelain jars dating back to the 10th century were excavated at Kalanay (Aroroy) in the 1930s.
Historical accounts show that the Christianization of the Bicol Region
Bicol Region
The Bicol Region or Bicolandia is one of the 17 regions of the Philippines. Its regional center is Legazpi City...
actually began in Masbate in 1569:
Father Alonso Jimenez was the first missionary to the islands of Masbate
Masbate Island
Masbate is one of the three major islands of Masbate Province in the Philippines. The other two major Islands are Ticao Island and Burias Island. It is the world's 155th largest island according to area and the world's 59th largest island according to population.Masbate Related Website...
, Burias, Leyte
Leyte Island
Leyte is an island in the Visayas group of the Philippines.The island measures about 180 km north-south and about 65 km at its widest point. In the north it nearly joins Samar, separated by the San Juanico Strait, which becomes as narrow as 2 km in some places...
and Samar
Samar Island
Samar is an island in the Visayas, within the central Philippines. The island is divided into three provinces: Samar province, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar. These three provinces, along with the provinces on the nearby islands of Leyte and Biliran are part of the Eastern Visayas region...
. Then he went to Ibalon (Bicol) in Camarines Province, where he resided many years, and made many religious incursions into Albay Province and Sorsogon Province. Fray Jimenez is considered the apostle of the island of Masbate
In December 1600 Dutch Commander Admiral Oliver van Noorth, sought refuge at San Jacinto Harbor after his fleet lost to the Spanish Armada
Spanish Armada
This article refers to the Battle of Gravelines, for the modern navy of Spain, see Spanish NavyThe Spanish Armada was the Spanish fleet that sailed against England under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia in 1588, with the intention of overthrowing Elizabeth I of England to stop English...
in Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
. He was later engaged in a fierce clash with Limahong's fleet at Canlibas-Matabao passage.
At the height of the Galleon Trade, Mobo contributed first class lumber for the construction of galleons, making it the center of trade in the province and was the capital of the province in the early part of the Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
occupation
In 1864, Masbate was declared a separate province from Albay
Albay
Albay is a province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region in Luzon. Its capital is Legazpi City and the province borders Camarines Sur to the north and Sorsogon to the south. Also to the northeast is Lagonoy Gulf....
. Guiom was made the capital while Ticao became a commandancia-politicio-militar. Shortly before the declaration of Philippine independence by President Emilio Aguinaldo
Emilio Aguinaldo
Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy was a Filipino general, politician, and independence leader. He played an instrumental role during the Philippines' revolution against Spain, and the subsequent Philippine-American War or War of Philippine Independence that resisted American occupation...
, the town of Masbate was established as the provincial capital.
The Americans
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
came to Masbate in 1900 to extend their pacification campaign. In December 1908, Masbate was annexed to theprovince of Sorsogon. A bill declaring Masbate as independent province was approved on February 1, 1922.
As early as 1906, the Masbate representative made the proposal to the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
to grant the Philippines
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...
independence.
The first Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese elements arrived in Masbate the dawn of January 7, 1942 from Legazpi. They landed in several places without facing opposition- the province was too stunned to mount any resistance.
The Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese occupation reduced Masbate to total economic shambles. Economic activities were limited to fishing, buying/selling, or stealing. Food production ground to a halt. Camote, pakol, banana blossoms, pith, and even such obscure fruits like barobo were used as food substitutes. Lakad-bulan served as cigarette, tea or coffee. Barter transaction prevailed. For lack of nutrition and sanitation, many people succumbed to beri-beri or malaria. Lice and ticks infestations spared only a lucky few.
Dr. Mateo S. Pecson, who was governor of the province, having refused to cooperate with the Japanese, evacuated the provincial government to Guiom, a command post used by the guerrillas. Pecson was eventually arrested by the Japanese and incarcerated in Cavite. He managed to escape; he later joined the guerrilla movement in Central Luzon
Central Luzon
Central Luzon , also known as Region III , is an administrative division or region of the Republic of the Philippines, primarily serve to organize the 7 provinces of the vast central plain of the island of Luzon , for administrative convenience...
.
In 1944, Provincial Board Member Atty. Jose L. Almario was conscripted by the Japanese to govern the province. During the Liberation, he was arrested by the guerrillias and charged with collaboration. He was exonerated and saved from set execution by a letter from General MacArthur.
Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa, the lone house representative of Masbate, fought against a congressional bill authorizing the conscription of Filipinos into the service of Imperial Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and for this he was detained in Fort Santiago.
When Masbate was formally liberated by joint Filipino
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
and American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soldiers on April 3, 1945, Pecson was sent to Masbate by President Osmeña
Osmeña
Osmeña is a family name of the Philippines. It may refer to:* Sergio Osmeña , President* Sergio Osmeña, Jr. , Senator* John Henry Osmeña , Senator* Emilio Mario Osmeña , Governor of Cebu...
to organize the civil government, Pecson took the reins of government on May 11, 1945..
Geography
The island of Masbate lies at the center of the Philippine archipelago between latitudes 11o43’ north and 123o09’ east and 124o5’ east. It is bounded on the north by Burias and Ticao Pass, east by San Bernardino StraitSan 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:...
, south by the Visayan Sea
Visayan Sea
The Visayan Sea is a sea in the Philippines, surrounded by the islands of the Visayas, Eastern Visayas and Western Visayas located to the east and west, while the Central Visayas is located to the south...
, and west by the Sibuyan Sea. Relative to mainland Bicol
Bicol Region
The Bicol Region or Bicolandia is one of the 17 regions of the Philippines. Its regional center is Legazpi City...
, the province faces the southwestern coasts of Camarines Sur, Albay, and Sorsogon.
The general surface configuration of the province ranges from slightly undulating to rolling and from hilly to mountainous. In each island, the rugged topography is concentrated in the northeastern portion and gradually recedes to blunt hills and rolling areas in the south, southeast, and southwest.
Masbate island is considered as the center of the Philippines.
Demography
The Province of Masbate has a population of 768,939 in the 2007 Census of Population with 397,524 registered voters (as of 2004). It consists of 20 municipalities, 1 component city and 550 barangays.Language
The people speak predominantly BikolBikol language
Central Bicolano , is one of the individual languages of the Bikol languages. It belongs to Coastal Bikol. It is spoken in Bicol Region of the Philippines .-Bikol-Naga:...
, Masbateño (or Minasbate, the dialect unique to the province), some Visayan languages
Visayan languages
The Visayan languages of the Philippines, along with Tagalog and Bikol, are part of the Central Philippine languages...
with a unique mixture of Tagalog
Tagalog language
Tagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a third of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by most of the rest. It is the first language of the Philippine region IV and of Metro Manila...
and some shades of Hiligaynon
Hiligaynon language
Hiligaynon, often referred to as Ilonggo, is an Austronesian language spoken in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines.Hiligaynon is concentrated in the provinces of Iloilo, Negros Occidental and Capiz but is also spoken in the other provinces of the Panay Island group, including Antique,...
(sometimes also known as Ilonggo). According to the 2000 Philippines Population Census, 27% of the population of Masbate province speak Cebuano. In Burias Island
Burias Island
Burias Island is one of the three major islands of Masbate Province in the Philippines. The other two major Islands are Ticao Island and Masbate Island. The Island has two municipalities, Claveria and San Pascual....
, they speak Bicol similarly as the people of Camarines Sur
Camarines Sur
Camarines Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region in Luzon. Its capital is Pili and the province borders Camarines Norte and Quezon to the north, and Albay to the south...
, due to the island’s proximity to the Bicol mainland. The people generally speak fluent English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and Filipino
Filipino language
This move has drawn much criticism from other regional groups.In 1987, a new constitution introduced many provisions for the language.Article XIV, Section 6, omits any mention of Tagalog as the basis for Filipino, and states that:...
.
Religion
The Diocese of Masbate was created on March 23, 1968, separating it from the Diocese of SorsogonSorsogon
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...
. It comprises then, and now, the civil province of Masbate with its 121 islands including the two larger ones Burias and Ticao. It is now a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Caceres. Its titular patron is St. Anthony of Padua.
Masbate's land area of 7000 square kilometers holds a population of 598,813 of which 85 per cent are Catholics. Devotional practices such as the rosary, novenas to saints, and other religious manifestations as processions, the misa de gallo and Holy Week traditional activities are still very much part of the way of life of most parishioners.
The Diocese of Masbate cannot truly boast, at this point, of great achievements in terms of programs and projects. But it has started to initiate various church programs spearheaded by the Diocesan Commissions on Religious Formation, Social Action and Liturgy, to start on its mission to steer its parishioners towards maturity in the Christian faith. This is done through catechesis, spiritual retreats, seminars, youth encounters, and the like.
There are a total 22 parishes in the Diocese of Masbate, ministered to by 43 priests and 11 religious sisters. It has 1 minor seminary, 4 pastoral centers, 3 elementary schools, 6 high schools, 1 college and 7 kindergarten schools. And among its faith communities are 20 BEC's 46 neo-catechumenal communities. 11 mandated organizations and 3 charismatic groups.
Literacy
The Province of Masbate's literacy rate is 95.90%. Its educational institutions consist of effective public and private schools like the Masbate National Comprehensive High School in Masbate City that has three campuses - (MNCHS-Bolo Campus, MNCHS-Main Campus, MNCHS-Annex Campus) and the state-supportedDr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology, Osmeña Colleges, Masbate Colleges, Holy Name Academy,a catholic institution run by the Augustinian Recollect Sisters in Palanas Masbate and Lucio Atabay Memorial Elementary School ( formerly, Nipa Elementary School ) in Nipa, Palanas, Masbate and many elementary, secondary schools and colleges.Infrastructure
Being an agricultural province, Masbate remains a net importer of consumer and industrial products. The supply of goods came from Metro Manila, Cebu, Panay and Bicol Provinces. Construction materials, particularly cement are sometimes sourced as a far as Iligan City in Mindanao.To meet the needs of growth and expansion of the industries, the infrastructure in most part of the province is continually being upgraded. These include the road and its network, transportation, communication facilities, seaports, airport and other support services.
The road and road network, particularly in Mainland Masbate, has kept on improving annually. Road structure is mostly cemented and/or asphalted and timber bridges have been concreted.
As a result, transportation sector has been a growing industry. Aircon minibuses and jeepneys are regularly plying in the two road sections of Mainland Masbate, which made transportation available round-the-clock for the need of the people and industries.
Economy and Mining
The Province of Masbate is classified as a first class province.Masbate is endowed with rich natural resources. In line with its agriculture are other industries such as large farming, livestock and poultry raising. Along its coastal areas, fishing industry predominates. Agricultural lands are planted with rice, corn, rootcrops and coconut.
Masbate ranks second only to Bukidnon in raising cattle. Abouth 70% of these are sold to Metro Manila and other provinces in Luzon.Farming is the main source of livelihood. Copra is the leading product, followed by corn
Maize
Maize known in many English-speaking countries as corn or mielie/mealie, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain seeds called kernels. Though technically a grain, maize kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable...
, rice
Rice
Rice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
and rootcrops. Fishing is a major industry along the coast.
The province is one of the richest in the country in terms of mineral resources that include gold, copper, silver, iron, manganese and chromite. A foreign-owned company, CGA mining limited, is operating a gold mine in Aroroy, Masbate. At least 4 million tons of ore per year are being processed by CGA. The mine has provided tax and fees to both local and national governments. With the millions of ore/rock being processed, after extracting the about 1% gold in the ore, millions of tons of tailings in the form of ground rocks or sediments and water plus some contaminants, are directed by the mine to her engineered tailings storage facility closed to mangrove and populated areas.
In case a strong earthquake of magnitude say 7.8 occur, there is no 100% assurance that the tailings storage facility embankment/dam of this mine in Aroroy can hold the millions tons of contaminated slurry . According to the designer, the embankment may suffer deformation during earthquake and it is not specified the extent of deformation. Deformation may result to escape of millions tons of contaminated sediments from this Dam.
Manufacturing firms are in the copra industry, handicrafts, furnituremaking and fish processing.
The province is surrounded with rich fishing areas where all kinds of commercial species of fish teemed in great abundance.
Rich minerals are found in the province. Masbate is described by geologists as a province sitting on a "pot of gold". Other minerals found in the area are manganese, copper
Copper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...
, silver
Silver
Silver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical symbol Ag and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal...
, iron
Iron
Iron is a chemical element with the symbol Fe and atomic number 26. It is a metal in the first transition series. It is the most common element forming the planet Earth as a whole, forming much of Earth's outer and inner core. It is the fourth most common element in the Earth's crust...
, chromite
Chromite
Chromite is an iron chromium oxide: FeCr2O4. It is an oxide mineral belonging to the spinel group. Magnesium can substitute for iron in variable amounts as it forms a solid solution with magnesiochromite ; substitution of aluminium occurs leading to hercynite .-Occurrence:Chromite is found in...
, limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
, guano
Guano
Guano is the excrement of seabirds, cave dwelling bats, and seals. Guano manure is an effective fertilizer due to its high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen and also its lack of odor. It was an important source of nitrates for gunpowder...
, and carbon
Carbon
Carbon is the chemical element with symbol C and atomic number 6. As a member of group 14 on the periodic table, it is nonmetallic and tetravalent—making four electrons available to form covalent chemical bonds...
.
Cottage industry is likewise another source of livelihood. They are: furniture and cabinet making, ceramics, garments, handicrafts and metalcrafts.
Note; the longest road in the philippines can only be found in San Pasual because in 50 years of constructing the road from San Pascual to claveria and the feather roads of barangays until now 20 percent only are finished.
Education
Major institutions of higher learning in the province include the Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology (DEBESMSCAT) in Mandaon and in Masbate City, Osmeña Colleges, Masbate Colleges, Liceo de Masbate and Southern Bicol College.Masbate also has national schools in Cataingan, Placer, San Jacinto, Mandaon, Mobo, etc. and Masbate city itself.
Political divisions
Masbate is subdivided into 20 municipalities and 1 cityCities of the Philippines
A city is a tier of local government in the Philippines. All Philippine cities are chartered cities, whose existence as corporate and administrative entities is governed by their own specific charters in addition to the Local Government Code of 1991, which specifies the administrative structure...
.
| City Cities of the Philippines A city is a tier of local government in the Philippines. All Philippine cities are chartered cities, whose existence as corporate and administrative entities is governed by their own specific charters in addition to the Local Government Code of 1991, which specifies the administrative structure... /Municipality Municipalities of the Philippines A municipality is a local government unit in the Philippines. Municipalities are also called towns . They are distinct from cities, which are a different category of local government unit... |
No. of Barangays |
Area (km²) |
Population (2007) |
Mayor (2007–2010) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aroroy Aroroy, Masbate Aroroy is a 1st class municipality in the province of Masbate, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 58,751 people in 10,736 households.- Barangays :Aroroy is politically subdivided into 41 barangays.- External links :* *... |
41 | 62,635 | Enrico Capinig | ||
| Baleno Baleno, Masbate Baleno is a 4th class municipality in the province of Masbate, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 19,897 people in 3,612 households.-Barangays:Baleno is politically subdivided into 24 barangays.-External links:***... |
24 | 21,639 | Gracia Mingoy-Llamado | ||
| Balud Balud, Masbate Balud is a 4th class municipality in the province of Masbate, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 30,068 people in 5,547 households.-Barangays:Balud is politically subdivided into 32 barangays.... |
32 | 31,484 | Clemente A. Arguelles, Jr | ||
| Batuan Batuan, Masbate Batuan is a 5th class municipality in the province of Masbate, Philippines. It is located in Ticao Island. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 12,038 people in 2,529 households.... |
14 | 12,585 | Charlie Yuson III | ||
| Cataingan Cataingan, Masbate Cataingan is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Masbate, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 46,593 people in 9,310 households. Cataingan is one of the municipalities and cities of Masbate where Cebuano is the indigenous language.In 1948, Placer, then a... |
36 | 48,827 | Wilton Kho | ||
| Cawayan Cawayan, Masbate Cawayan is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Masbate, Philippines. According to the August 2007 census, it has a population of 59,658 people.-Barangays:Cawayan is politically subdivided into 37 barangays.* Begia* Cabayugan* Cabungahan... |
37 | 59,658 | Ramon B. Abinuman | ||
| Claveria Claveria, Masbate Claveria is a 4th class municipality in the province of Masbate, Philippines. It is located in the island of Burias Island, southeast of the nation's capital of Manila. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 38,398 people in 7,730 households... |
22 | 40,336 | Eduardo M. Andueza | ||
| Dimasalang Dimasalang, Masbate Dimasalang is a 4th class municipality in the province of Masbate, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 21,550 people in 4,367 households.... |
20 | 22,723 | Demphna Du-Naga | ||
| Esperanza Esperanza, Masbate Esperanza is a municipality in the Philippines, with a population of 16,209 people in 3,389 households.-Barangays:Esperanza is politically subdivided into 20 bangrays.* Agoho* Almero* Baras* Domorog* Guadalupe* Iligan* Labangtaytay* Labrador... |
20 | 16,834 | Mac John C. Seachon | ||
| Mandaon Mandaon, Masbate Mandaon is a 4th class municipality in the province of Masbate, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 31,572 people in 6,119 households... |
26 | 34,401 | Emily Estipona Hao | ||
| Masbate City Masbate City The City of Masbate is a 4th class city in the province of Masbate, Philippines. It is the capital city of Masbate province... |
30 | 81,585 | Socrates M. Tuazon | ||
| Milagros Milagros, Masbate Milagros is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Masbate in the Philippines. According to the 2000 Philippine census, the municipality has a population of 44,575 people in 8,304 households. It is one of the most known municipalities in the province together with Masbate City, Mandaon and Pio V... |
27 | 48,185 | Dr. Natividad Magbalon | ||
| Mobo Mobo, Masbate Mobo is a 4th class municipality in the province of Masbate, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 28,233 people in 5,199 households.-Barangays:Mobo is politically subdivided into 29 barangays.* Baang* Bagacay* Balatucan... |
29 | 32,740 | Atty. Percival D. Castillo | ||
| Monreal Monreal, Masbate Monreal is a 5th class municipality in the province of Masbate, Philippines. It is located in Ticao Island. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 19,832 people in 3,791 households.-Barangays:... |
11 | 21,693 | Ben G. Espiloy | ||
| Palanas Palanas, Masbate Palanas is a 4th class municipality in the province of Masbate, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 24,666 people in 5,141 households.... |
24 | 24,830 | Silvestre L. Alvarez, Sr. | ||
| Pio V. Corpuz Pio V. Corpuz, Masbate Pio V. Corpuz is a 4th class municipality in the province of Masbate, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 21,519 people in 4,769 households.Pio V. Corpuz was formerly known as Limbuhan... |
18 | 22,102 | Diomedes C. Amaroto | ||
| Placer Placer, Masbate Placer is a 4th class municipality in the province of Masbate, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 44,418 people in 9,035 households.... |
35 | 48,469 | Joshur Judd S. Lanete II | ||
| San Fernando San Fernando, Masbate San Fernando is a municipality in the province of Masbate, Philippines. It is located in Ticao Island. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 19,179 people in 4,222 households. This place lies along the shoreline of Ticao Island... |
26 | 19,179 | Maria Vida Espinosa-Bravo | ||
| San Jacinto San Jacinto, Masbate San Jacinto is a 4th class municipality in the province of Masbate, Philippines. It is located in Ticao Island. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 24,780 people in 5,652 households.-Barangays:... |
21 | 26,508 | Hon. Leny Arcenas | ||
| San Pascual San Pascual, Masbate San Pascual is a 4th class municipality in the province of Masbate, Philippines. It is located in Burias Island. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 37,868 people in 7,353 households.-Barangays:... |
22 | 41,736 | Zacarina A. Lazaro | ||
| Uson Uson, Masbate -Location:Uson is a 4th class municipality in the province of Masbate, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 43,825 people in 8,436 households.... |
36 | 43,825 | Felepe U. Sanchez | ||
Masbate is also divided into 3 congressional districts, with the following representatives.
- 1st District - Narciso Bravo Jr. (KAMPIKampiKampi is a small village located in the Nicosia District of Cyprus, east of the town of Palaichori....
) - 2nd District - Antonio Kho (Lakas-NUCD)
- 3rd District - Scott Davies Lanete (NPCNationalist People's CoalitionThe Nationalist People's Coalition or NPC is a political party in the Philippines.-History:The Party was founded in 1991 after some members of the Nacionalista Party led by then Rizal Governor Isidro Rodriguez bolted from the Nacionalista Party after some disagreements with Nacionalista party...
)