La Libertad, Negros Oriental

La Libertad, officially the Municipality of La Libertad (Cebuano: Lungsod sa La Libertad; Tagalog: Bayan ng La Libertad), is a municipality in the province of Negros Oriental, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 41,089 people.^[3]

La Libertad
Municipality
Municipality of La Libertad
Sunset view taken at a beach in La Libertad
Flag
Map of Negros Oriental with La Libertad highlighted
OpenStreetMap
La Libertad Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 10°02′N 123°13′E
Country	Philippines
Region	Negros Island Region
Province	Negros Oriental
District	1st district
Founded	January 10, 1919
Barangays	29 (see Barangays)
Government  [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor	Emmanuel L. Iway (LP)
• Vice Mayor	Lawrence D. Limkaichong (LP)
• Representative	Jocelyn Sy-Limkaichong
• Municipal Council	Members Leonardo M. Cabildo Rene D. Gargoles Redgil C. Medes Nancy T. Laturnas Ronie T. Facturan Jovito P. Sabanal Ritcho G. Absin Randy L. Dunque Jr.
• Electorate	27,347 voters (2025)
Area [2]
• Total	139.60 km2 (53.90 sq mi)
Elevation	50 m (160 ft)
Highest elevation	556 m (1,824 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (2020 census)[3]
• Total	41,089
• Density	290/km2 (760/sq mi)
• Households	10,285
Economy
• Income class	3rd municipal income class
• Poverty incidence	38.77 % (2021)[4]
• Revenue	₱ 210.9 million (2022)
• Assets	₱ 622.4 million (2022)
• Expenditure	₱ 211.1 million (2022)
• Liabilities	₱ 228.3 million (2022)
Service provider
• Electricity	Negros Oriental 1 Electric Cooperative (NORECO 1)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	6213
PSGC	074613000
IDD : area code	+63 (0)35
Native languages	Cebuano Tagalog
Website	www.lalibertad-negor.gov.ph

History

Before and during the Spanish Conquest of the Philippines, the Municipality of La Libertad was inhabited by indigenous tribes, mostly Negritos. Several families from neighboring villages and distant provinces began to settle, with one of the first pioneers being Pedro Absin.^{[citation needed]}

These people were the leading pioneer families of the "old" Hinoba-an. Many of them engaged in farming and fishing.^{[citation needed]}

The fertile valleys of Hinoba-an drew several families who immigrated there in the later part of the Spanish period. They were attracted by the richness and fertility of the soil of the Hinoba-an.^{[citation needed]}

La Libertad was severely affected during the 2012 Visayas earthquake, which caused landslides that killed dozens of people.^[5]

Geography

The Tañon Strait lies to the east of this municipality. La Libertad is located 105 kilometres (65 mi) north of Dumaguete, the capital city of Negros Oriental.

Administration (barangays)

La Libertad is politically subdivided into 29 barangays. Each barangay is further divided into puroks, and some also include sitios.

PSGC	Barangay	Population			±% p.a.
		2020[3]		2010[6]
074613001	Aniniaw	2.5%	1,015	1,106	▾	−0.85%
074613002	Aya	2.6%	1,052	953	▴	0.99%
074613003	Bagtic	3.6%	1,497	1,344	▴	1.08%
074613004	Biga-a	2.3%	927	1,101	▾	−1.71%
074613005	Busilak	3.3%	1,369	1,176	▴	1.53%
074613006	Cangabo	2.9%	1,182	1,245	▾	−0.52%
074613007	Cantupa	3.3%	1,348	1,048	▴	2.55%
074613029	Elecia (Talostos)	4.0%	1,657	1,561	▴	0.60%
074613008	Eli	4.0%	1,629	1,273	▴	2.50%
074613009	Guihob	4.5%	1,843	2,048	▾	−1.05%
074613010	Kansumandig	3.3%	1,350	1,242	▴	0.84%
074613011	Mambulod	1.6%	662	632	▴	0.46%
074613012	Mandapaton	3.9%	1,603	1,927	▾	−1.82%
074613013	Manghulyawon	3.8%	1,578	1,398	▴	1.22%
074613014	Manluminsag	2.0%	808	776	▴	0.40%
074613015	Mapalasan	1.6%	660	557	▴	1.71%
074613016	Maragondong	2.2%	891	930	▾	−0.43%
074613017	Martilo	5.2%	2,134	2,038	▴	0.46%
074613018	Nasungan	4.5%	1,868	1,558	▴	1.83%
074613019	Pacuan	6.8%	2,777	2,478	▴	1.15%
074613020	Pangca	1.2%	488	652	▾	−2.86%
074613021	Pisong	3.3%	1,341	1,325	▴	0.12%
074613022	Pitogo	3.5%	1,441	1,216	▴	1.71%
074613023	Poblacion North	6.1%	2,507	2,319	▴	0.78%
074613024	Poblacion South	3.3%	1,371	1,338	▴	0.24%
074613025	San Jose	4.1%	1,689	1,703	▾	−0.08%
074613026	Solonggon	6.2%	2,565	2,235	▴	1.39%
074613027	Tala-on	2.2%	907	806	▴	1.19%
074613028	Talayong	2.3%	930	919	▴	0.12%
	Total		41,089	38,904	▴	0.55%

Climate

Climate data for La Libertad, Negros Oriental
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	29 (84)	30 (86)	31 (88)	32 (90)	31 (88)	30 (86)	30 (86)	30 (86)	30 (86)	30 (86)	29 (84)	29 (84)	30 (86)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	23 (73)	22 (72)	23 (73)	24 (75)	25 (77)	25 (77)	25 (77)	25 (77)	25 (77)	24 (75)	24 (75)	23 (73)	24 (75)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	42 (1.7)	34 (1.3)	40 (1.6)	61 (2.4)	124 (4.9)	188 (7.4)	190 (7.5)	191 (7.5)	189 (7.4)	186 (7.3)	124 (4.9)	73 (2.9)	1,442 (56.8)
Average rainy days	10.0	8.5	9.5	12.8	22.3	26.8	28.4	27.9	27.3	27.6	20.5	13.1	234.7
Source: Meteoblue[7]

Economy

Poverty incidence of La Libertad

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 2000 66.85 2003 64.82 2006 55.90 2009 50.20 2012 50.97 2015 57.52 2018 31.40 2021 38.77 Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]

Demographics

Population census of La Libertad

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1903	3,732	—
1939	17,795	+4.43%
1948	18,770	+0.59%
1960	25,335	+2.53%
1970	29,693	+1.60%
1975	31,460	+1.17%
1980	30,730	−0.47%
1990	29,958	−0.25%
1995	32,456	+1.51%
2000	35,122	+1.71%
2007	37,007	+0.72%
2010	38,904	+1.84%
2015	38,602	−0.15%
2020	41,089	+1.24%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[16][6][17][18]

Tourism

The municipality is known for the white sand beach of Solangon. The nearby Mt. Panciao is often visited for hiking and exploration.

Education

The public schools in the town of La Libertad are administered by two school districts under the Schools Division of Negros Oriental.

Elementary schools:

• Agbobolo Elementary School — Sitio Agbobolo, Aya
• Aniniaw Elementary School — Aniniaw
• Aya Elementary School — Aya
• Bagtic Elementary School — Bagtic
• Biga-a Elementary School — Biga-a
• Busilac Elementary School — Busilak
• Cangabo Elementary School — Cangabo
• Eli Elementary School — Eli
• Guihob Elementary School — Guihob
• Kansumandig Elementary School — Kansumandig
• La Libertad Central Elementary School — South Poblacion
• La Libertad North Poblacion Primary School — North Poblacion
• Mambulod Elementary School — Mambulod
• Mandapaton Elementary School — Mandapaton
• Manghulyawon Elementary School — Manghulyawon
• Manluminsag Elementary School — Manluminsag
• Mapalasan Elementary School — Mapalasan
• Martilo Elementary School — Martilo
• Nasunggan Elementary School — Nasunggan
• Pacuan Elementary School — Pacuan
• Pangca Elementary School — Pangca
• Pisong Elementary School — Pisong
• Pitogo Elementary School — Pitogo
• San Jose Elementary School — San Jose
• Solonggon Elementary School — Solonggon
• Tala-on Elementary School — Tala-on
• Talostos Elementary School — Elecia

High schools:

• La Libertad Technical-Vocational School — South Poblacion
• La Libertad TVS - Manluminsag Extension — Manluminsag
• Pacuan National High School — Pacuan
• Pacuan NHS - Busilac Extension — Busilak
• Pacuan NHS - Nasunggan Extension — Nasunggan

Private schools:

• Saint Francis School — North Poblacion

Government

Elected municipal officials (2010–2013):

• Mayor: Emmanuel Iway
• Vice Mayor: Lawrence Limkaichong
• Councilors:
  • Nancy Temonio Laturnas
  • Ronald Opada
  • Ronie Bulabon
  • Emelia Luz Medes
  • Leonida Rios
  • Jellenito Cayetano
  • Bertoldo Burlasa
  • Jovito Sabanal
  • ABC President: Ronald Gallosa
  • SK Federation President: PJ Arriesgado

List of former elective officials

Date	Position	Name
1919–1922	President	Isaac Dionaldo
	Vice-president	Narciso Absin
	Secretary	Francisco Bautista
	Councilors	Pio Banogon
		Luciano Libo-on
		Ireneo Villaespin
		Felipe Absin
		Andres Absin
		Fabio Torres
		Leon Bonda-on
		Brigido Sabanal
1922–1924	President	Isaac Dionaldo
	Vice-president	Fabio Torres
	Secretary	Roberto Estoconing
	Councilors	Margarito Gallosa
		Pedro Timtim
		Isaias Emperado
		Antonio Torres
		Pastor Carinal
		Marcelo Libo-on
		Bregido Sabanal
		Benedicto Libo-on
1925	President	Isaac Dionaldo
	Vice-president	Fabio Torres
	Secretary	Roberto Estoconing
	Councilors	Antonio E. Torres
		Pedrom Timtim
		Pator Carinal
		Margarito Gallosa
		Marcelo Libo-on
		Brigido Sabanal
		Daniel Donaldo
		Benedicto Libo-on, Sr.
1926–1927	President	Fabio Torres
	Vice-president	Daniel Dionaldo
	Secretary	Roberto Estoconing
	Councilors	Brigido Sabanal
		Antonio E. Torres
		Leopoldo Dionaldo
		Aquilino Ricarte
		Pedro E. Torres
		Teodoro Absin
		Felix Camero