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Limasawa, officially the Municipality of Limasawa (Cebuano: Lungsod sa Limasawa; Filipino: Bayan ng Limasawa), is an island municipality in the province of Southern Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 6,191 people, making it the least populated town in the province.[3]

Quick Facts Mazaua, Country ...
Limasawa
Mazaua
Municipality of Limasawa
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Nickname: 
"The First Mass Site in the Philippines"
Motto: 
Ang hindi marunong magmahal sa sariling wika ay higit pa sa hayop at malansang isda.
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Map of Southern Leyte with Limasawa highlighted
OpenStreetMap
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Limasawa
Limasawa
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 9°54′28″N 125°04′30″E
CountryPhilippines
RegionEastern Visayas
ProvinceSouthern Leyte
District 1st district
FoundedJune 11, 1978
(Completely became official on August 27, 1989)
Barangays6 (see Barangays)
Government
  TypeSangguniang Bayan
  MayorMelchor P. Petracorta (Lakas)
  Vice MayorRitche L. Salomon (Lakas)
  RepresentativeLuz V. Mercado
  Municipal Council
Members
  Electorate4,407 voters (2022)
Area
  Total
6.98 km2 (2.69 sq mi)
Elevation
13 m (43 ft)
Highest elevation
848 m (2,782 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2020 census)[3]
  Total
7,118
  Density1,000/km2 (2,600/sq mi)
  Households
1,491
DemonymLimasawan
Economy
  Income class6th municipal income class
  Poverty incidence
27.02
% (2021)[4]
  Revenue57.98 million (2020)
  Assets214.1 million (2020)
  Expenditure59.73 million (2020)
  Liabilities58.3 million (2020)
Service provider
  ElectricitySouthern Leyte Electric Cooperative (SOLECO)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
6605
PSGC
IDD:area code+63(0)53
Native languagesBoholano dialect
Cebuano
Tagalog
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History

Limasawa was the second island (after Suluan) of the Philippines that the Magellan Expedition landed on. Antonio Pigafetta documented the island as "Mazaua". He described it as being inhabited with cultivated fields. In March 28, 1521 the Magellan Expedition met with two rulers, Rajah Colambu and Rahah Siaui, of the Rajahnate of Butuan and "Calagan" (Caraga), which Pigafetta misidentified as islands. The rulers were on a hunting expedition on Limasawa (which were under their domain) with two balangay ships. The rulers entertained Magellan's crew with feasting for a few days. Afterwards, Father Pedro de Valderrama performed the first mass in the Philippines on Easter Sunday (March 31, 1521). Magellan also climbed the highest elevation in Limasawa and erected a cross before leaving for "Zubu" (Cebu).[5]:136–145

At the request of the residents of the island of Limasawa, the six barangays that comprise that island were detached and separated from the municipality of Padre Burgos through Presidential Decree No. 1549, signed by then President Ferdinand Marcos on June 11, 1978, and constituted as the Municipality of Limasawa.[6] Limasawa completely became a municipality on August 27, 1989, after then President Corazon Aquino ordered the plebiscite which its residents voted in favor of the creation. The island, also known as Sarangani Island, is located south of Leyte, in the Mindanao or Bohol Sea. It is about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) long from north to south and is the smallest municipality in the province, in both area and population.

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Geography

Barangays

Limasawa is politically subdivided into 6 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

  • Cabulihan
  • Lugsongan
  • Magallanes (Poblacion)
  • San Agustin (Tawid)
  • San Bernardo (Tigib)
  • Trianas

Climate

More information Climate data for Limasawa, Southern Leyte, Month ...
Climate data for Limasawa, Southern Leyte
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 27
(81)
28
(82)
29
(84)
30
(86)
31
(88)
30
(86)
29
(84)
30
(86)
30
(86)
29
(84)
28
(82)
28
(82)
29
(84)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 22
(72)
22
(72)
22
(72)
23
(73)
24
(75)
24
(75)
23
(73)
23
(73)
23
(73)
23
(73)
23
(73)
23
(73)
23
(73)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 98
(3.9)
82
(3.2)
96
(3.8)
71
(2.8)
104
(4.1)
129
(5.1)
101
(4.0)
94
(3.7)
99
(3.9)
135
(5.3)
174
(6.9)
143
(5.6)
1,326
(52.3)
Average rainy days 18.0 14.1 17.1 16.8 23.7 25.7 25.8 23.3 24.4 25.9 24.0 20.6 259.4
Source: Meteoblue[7]
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Demographics

More information Year, Pop. ...
Population census of Limasawa
YearPop.±% p.a.
1990 4,519    
1995 4,927+1.63%
2000 5,157+0.98%
2007 5,831+1.71%
2010 5,835+0.02%
2015 6,061+0.73%
2020 6,191+0.42%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [8][9][10][11]
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Economy

Poverty incidence of Limasawa

10
20
30
40
50
2006
25.10
2009
37.32
2012
48.54
2015
38.29
2018
22.48
2021
27.02

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]

See also

References

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