Corcuera

For the surname, see Corcuera (surname).

Corcuera, officially the Municipality of Corcuera (Asi: Banwa it Corcuera, Filipino: Bayan ng Corcuera), is a municipality in the province of Romblon, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 10,112 people.^[4]

Corcuera
Municipality
Municipality of Corcuera
Corcuera, Romblon as seen from Banton, Romblon
Flag
Map of Romblon with Corcuera highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Corcuera Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 12°48′N 122°03′E
Country	Philippines
Region	Mimaropa
Province	Romblon
District	Lone district
Founded	1574
Named for	Sebastián Hurtado de Corcuera
Barangays	15 (see Barangays)
Government  [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor	Elmer M. Fruelda [2]
• Vice Mayor	Aubrey "Apple" F. Fondevilla
• Representative	Eleandro Jesus F. Madrona
• Councilors	Bobby Mazo (PDPLBN) Nenita Fajutag (LP) Leo Famorcan (NP) Onak Falogme (PDPLBN) Rose Fabriquel (NP) Meltzzi Vic Fojas (NP) Etat Fruelda (NP) Lowie Fetalvero (LAKAS)
• Electorate	6,505 voters (2022)
Area [3]
• Total	28.53 km2 (11.02 sq mi)
Elevation	8.0 m (26.2 ft)
Highest elevation	205 m (672 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (2020 census)[4]
• Total	10,112
• Density	350/km2 (920/sq mi)
• Households	2,511
Economy
• Income class	5th municipal income class
• Poverty incidence	10.09 % (2021)[5]
• Revenue	₱ 92.49 million (2022)
• Assets	₱ 303.6 million (2022)
• Expenditure	₱ 74.47 million (2022)
• Liabilities	₱ 22.34 million (2022)
Service provider
• Electricity	Romblon Electric Cooperative (ROMELCO)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	5514
PSGC	1705906000
IDD : area code	+63 (0)42
Native languages	Bantoanon Tagalog
Patron saint	Saint Joseph of Workers

Encompassing the entirety of Simara Island, the municipality is named after the Spanish governor-general Sebastián Hurtado de Corcuera who ruled the Philippines from 1635 to 1644 on behalf of King Philip IV of Spain.

History

Early history

The island's name, Simara, was derived from the local word sima, meaning "hook", which refers to how the island looks like.^[6] Corcuera was originally established as San Jose by the Spanish in 1574. In 1621, Augustinian Recollect missionaries arrived in the island and converted the locals into Christianity. By 1726, a stone church dedicated to Saint Joseph was built through the initiative of Fr. Agustin de San Pedro, also known as El Padre Capitan. He also ordered the construction of a watchtower in Tacasan, which would serve as a lookout and warning for the locals of impending Muslim raids that plagued the province at that time.^[7]

Modern history

Aerial view of Corcuera Point, Simara Island, 1935

The first Justice of Peace was Liborio Fabiala. He was appointed on 1 August 1901. The year American Civil Government started in the province and the whole country. In 1910, during the American colonization period, the town was visited by the American survey ship Fathomer which conducted hydrographic surveys and depth sounding in the waters around Simara Island. Its American crew also constructed a lighthouse which is still standing today. At that time, Corcuera was still administered as part of Banton municipality on nearby Banton Island. In January 1931, Corcuera was granted local autonomous government by virtue of Chief Executive Order No. 292, Series of 1930 initiated by then Governor Manuel T. Albero. Corcuera then became the third island municipality in the province. The inauguration of Corcuera as a maiden municipality was held on February 3, 1931.^[7]

During World War II, the Japanese established a garrison at Tanro-aw Hill in the island. On March 10, 1945, American and Filipino soldiers who were liberating the Philippines from Japanese occupation launched a task force from Mindoro to liberate the islands of Romblon and Simara. On March 12, elements from Companies B and C of the 19th Infantry, 24th Division of the US 8th Army landed in Simara led by 1st Lt. David B. Bernard. They were assisted by the USS Haas, skippered by Lt. Cmdr. A. M. White.^[8]

After four days of mortar and naval bombardment and heavy fighting, the Americans were able to subdue the Japanese in Tanro-aw and liberate the island. The fighting left 118 Japanese, 10 Americans, and one Filipino dead.^[8]

Geography

Corcuera has a total land area of 23.40 km². It is hemmed in by bodies of water from all sides: on the north and east by the Sibuyan Sea; on the south and east by Tablas Strait. It is a hilly, volcanic island with many hot springs, while stretches of flat land lie along its northern coast.

Barangays

Corcuera is politically subdivided into 15 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

• Alegria
• Ambulong
• Colongcolong
• Gobon
• Guintiguiban
• Ilijan
• Labnig
• Mabini
• Mahaba
• Mangansag
• Poblacion
• San Agustin
• San Roque
• San Vicente
• Tacasan

Climate

Climate data for Corcuera, Romblon
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	28 (82)	29 (84)	30 (86)	31 (88)	31 (88)	30 (86)	29 (84)	29 (84)	29 (84)	29 (84)	29 (84)	28 (82)	29 (85)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	21 (70)	21 (70)	22 (72)	23 (73)	25 (77)	25 (77)	25 (77)	25 (77)	25 (77)	24 (75)	23 (73)	22 (72)	23 (74)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	31 (1.2)	20 (0.8)	25 (1.0)	39 (1.5)	152 (6.0)	269 (10.6)	314 (12.4)	285 (11.2)	303 (11.9)	208 (8.2)	95 (3.7)	70 (2.8)	1,811 (71.3)
Average rainy days	9.5	7.1	9.0	11.3	21.0	25.7	28.1	26.5	27.3	24.6	16.5	12.1	218.7
Source: Meteoblue (modeled/calculated data, not measured locally) [9]

Demographics

Population census of Corcuera

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1903	1,892	—
1939	4,004	+2.10%
1948	5,158	+2.85%
1960	6,510	+1.96%
1970	7,805	+1.83%
1975	8,739	+2.29%
1980	9,479	+1.64%
1990	9,438	−0.04%
1995	9,658	+0.43%
2000	10,972	+2.77%
2007	10,883	−0.11%
2010	9,935	−3.26%
2015	10,283	+0.66%
2020	10,112	−0.33%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[10][11][12][13]

According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 10,283 people. Majority of this population speak the vernacular Asi language, which is also spoken in Banton, Concepcion, Calatrava, and Odiongan. The island's inhabitants are predominantly Roman Catholic, with a small number of Protestants, Iglesia ni Cristo, and Jehovah's Witnesses.

Economy

Poverty incidence of Corcuera

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 2000 60.56 2003 57.54 2006 60.40 2009 46.61 2012 47.42 2015 34.02 2018 19.90 2021 10.09 Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]

Corcuera has a primarily agricultural economy, with rice and copra farming, as well as fishing, as the main sources of livelihood. There is also an indigenous raffia palm handicraft industry. Other crops grown in the island are root crops (such as cassava, sweet potatoes), fruits and vegetables. The locals also engage in livestock raising for local consumption.

Government

Local government

Main article: Philippine municipality

As a municipality in the Province of Romblon, government officials in the provincial level are voted by the electorates of the town. The provincial government have political jurisdiction over local transactions of the municipal government.

Pursuant to Chapter II, Title II, Book III of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991,^[22] the municipal government is composed of a mayor (alkalde), a vice mayor (bise alkalde) and members (kagawad) of the legislative branch Sangguniang Bayan alongside a secretary to the said legislature, all of which are elected to a three-year term and are eligible to run for three consecutive terms.

Barangays are also headed by elected officials: Barangay Captain, Barangay Council, whose members are called Barangay Councilors. The barangays have SK federation which represents the barangay, headed by SK chairperson and whose members are called SK councilors. All officials are also elected every three years.

Elected officials

The mayor of Corcuera is the municipal executive of the town. The incumbent mayor and vice mayor as of 30 June 2019 are Elmer M. Fruelda and Aubrey "Apple" Fondevilla respectively, both from the Nacionalista Party.

Term	Mayor	Vice Mayor
1931 - 1935	Atanacio Faminiano y Fallar (as 1st mayor of Maghali municipality)
1935 - 1939	Fausto Fallaria
1939 - 1943	Sergio Fondevilla y Fabregas
1943 - 1947	Martin Fetalino
1947 - 1951	Anastacio Falejo y Falogme
1951 - 1955	Mateo Ferry
1955 - 1959	Vidal Fallaria y Fondevilla
1959 - 1963	Ernesto Falculan y Fallarme
1963 - 1970	Senen Fanlo y Fallaria
1970 - 1971	Nicolas Fajarillo y Fabito
1971 - 1980	Josefino Fajilago y Fondevilla
30 June 1980 - 30 June 1986	Senen Fanlo y Fallaria
30 June 1986 - 30 June 1989	Nicolas Fajarillo y Fabito
30 June 1989 - 30 June 1992
30 June 1992 - 30 June 1995
30 June 1995 - 30 June 1998	Bibiano Fanlo y Miñon
30 June 1998 - 30 June 2001
30 June 2001 - 30 June 2004
30 June 2004 - 30 June 2007	Marlon Fojas y Falculan	Ada Fronda y Manzala
30 June 2007 - 9 May 2009	Eddie Mazo y Fondevilla	Marlon Fojas y Falculan[a]
9 May 2009 - 30 June 2010		Dennis Fetalvero y Fajarillob
30 June 2010 - 30 June 2013	Rachel Bañares y Miñon[23][24][25]	Elmer Fruelda y Mallorca[23][24][25]
30 June 2013 - 30 June 2016
30 June 2016 - 30 June 2019
30 June 2019 - 30 June 2022[2]	Elmer Fruelda y Mallorca	Aubrey "Apple" Fondevilla
30 June 2022 - incumbent[26]

^a Died in office.
^b Served in acting capacity.
^c Resigned.

Tourism

Corcuera has a number of historical and cultural attractions. Tourist spots on the island include:

• Cotta Tower: This tower is what remains of a Spanish fort constructed between 1860 and 1865 by Fr. Agustin de San Pedro, also known as El Padre Capitan, to ward off Muslim pirates. It is situated on a hill overlooking Barangay Poblacion and is an easy 150-meter hike from the town plaza.
• Tanro-aw Hill: Located in Barangay Vicente, it is the site of a Japanese garrison during World War II.
• Panorama Point: A roadside lookout in Barangay Tacasan where passing inter-island shipping vessels can be viewed. The area also shelters boats during inclement weather.
• Immaculate Conception Grotto: Located at the summit of Mount Anradoon in Barangay Mangansag, this grotto of the Immaculate Conception offers devotees a place to go and pray during Lenten season.
• Payayasog: This testes-like structure that hangs along the bank of the sea in Barangay Mangansag was formed by geological and wave movement.
• Mangansag Beach: A white sand beach in Barangay Mangansag dotted with tall palm trees and volcanic boulders along pristine waters.
• Colong-Colong Beach: A sandy beach with pristine waters which is a picnic destination for local folks and returning residents.
• Mahaba Beach: This is a long stretch of white beaches along pristine waters north of the island.
• Guin-iwagan Cave: This cave in Barangay Mahaba features a dome-like structure that abounds in stalagmites and stalactites. There is a pool of cool water where one can swim.
• Lis-ong Cave: This cave in Barangay Colong-Colong has stalactite and stalagmite deposits.

Transportation

As seas surrounding Corcuera can be rough during the wet season, the best time to visit the island is from March to May during the dry (summer) season. This is also the typical time for Asi families living in Metro Manila or abroad to visit the island since it coincides with the Lenten season and barangay fiestas.

By sea

Corcuera is accessible via RORO vessels that ply the Manila-Odiongan, Batangas City-Odiongan, Lucena City-San Agustin, or the Roxas-Odiongan route. From Odiongan, Corcuera can be reached by jeepney and motorized boat via Calatrava, Romblon.^[27]

By air

The closest airport with active airline service is Tugdan Airport in Alcantara, Romblon. Fil-Asian Airways offers four weekly flights^[28] while SkyJet offers charter flights^[29] to Romblon from Manila. From Alcantara, Corcuera can be reached in 5–6 hours by jeepney and motorized boats from Calatrava.

Within the island, the main forms of transportation are passenger motorcycles (known elsewhere as habal-habal) and motorized boats. A circumferential road connects the 15 barangays of Corcuera to each other.