Gamay, Northern Samar

Municipality in Northern Samar, Philippines

Municipality Town in Eastern Visayas, Philippines

Gamay

Bungto san Gamay

Municipality Town

Municipality of Gamay

Flag

Seal

Motto:

Asenso Gamay

Anthem: Gamay Hymn

Map of Northern Samar with Gamay highlighted

OpenStreetMap

Gamay

Location within the Philippines

Coordinates: 12°23′N 125°18′E﻿ / ﻿12.38°N 125.3°E﻿ / 12.38; 125.3
Country| Philippines
Region| Eastern Visayas
Province| Northern Samar
District|  2nd district
Barangays| 26 (see Barangays)
Government

[1]

• Type| Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor| Raquel T. Capoquian
• Vice Mayor| Clarita P. Gomba
• Representative| Harris Christopher M. Ongchuan
• Councilors| Cyril C. Costuna

Emma J. Longcop

Juan B. Clacito

Belarmino P. Albino

Banilo M. Castillo

Honorio E. Rebay

Orlando M. Nueva

Teresita T. Valles

Eddie D. Pelembergo, Jr.

Nimfo G. Jaldo
• Electorate| 16,689 voters (2025)
Area

[2]

• Total

| 115.10 km2 (44.44 sq mi)
Elevation

| 18 m (59 ft)
Highest elevation

| 172 m (564 ft)
Lowest elevation

| 0 m (0 ft)
Population

(2020 census)[3]

• Total

| 23,367
• Density| 200/km2 (530/sq mi)
• Households

| 5,696
Economy

• Income class| 4th municipal income class
• Poverty incidence|

26.34

% (2021)[4]
• Revenue| ₱ 154.5 million (2022)
• Assets| ₱ 515.7 million (2022)
• Expenditure| ₱ 132.2 million (2022)
• Liabilities| ₱ 121.5 million (2022)
Service provider

• Electricity| Northern Samar Electric Cooperative (NORSAMELCO)
Time zone| UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code|

6422

PSGC|

0804807000

IDD : area code | +63 (0)55
Native languages| Waray
Tagalog

Gamay, officially the Municipality of Gamay (Waray: Bungto san Gamay; Tagalog: Bayan ng Gamay), is a municipality in the province of Northern Samar, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 23,367 people.[3]

In the east, it is bounded by the Pacific Ocean, in the south by Lapinig, in the north-west by Mapanas and Catubig.

## History

[edit]

In the past, Gamay was once a barrio within Palapag, one of the oldest towns in Samar, known for its strong religious beliefs. Legends and stories recount how the town acquired its name. According to a prevalent tale among the locals, a visiting Spaniard inquired about the name of the place to a lady who was weaving on a loom. Misunderstanding the question, she thought he was asking about her activity and replied "Gamay," which in the local dialect means 'fine'. This term refers to the finest strands of abaca, distinguishing them from medium and thicker strands known as "Urubayon" and "Kadagkuan," respectively.

The settlement, now known as Binongto-an, was established in the 14th or 15th century by descendants of seafaring Malays who migrated to the Philippine Archipelago. It wasn't until the late 16th or 17th century, with the arrival of Christianity brought by the Spaniards, that the name Gamay became prominent.

Despite facing raids from Muslim groups, particularly in the area of Binayaan, the Christian settlers in Binongto-an remained steadfast in their faith, eventually relocating near the river mouth by the sea to escape the attacks.

Until 1949, Gamay remained a barrio of Palapag. Subsequently, during the American period, there was resistance from the locals, resulting in the surrender of over 400 revolutionary soldiers known as "Pulajanes."[5]

Over time, the municipality progressed, leading to its legal separation from Palapag. This separation was initiated by Rafael A. Gomba, a native of Gamay, who was then the Mayor of Palapag. Through the enactment of Republic Act No. 90 on February 26, 1947,[6] Gamay attained municipality status within the island province of Samar.

Initially, the incumbent barrio officials assumed roles as the new municipal officials. However, on November 9, 1965, following the division of Samar into three provinces (Western, Eastern, and Northern), Gamay became a municipality within Northern Samar.

## Government

[edit]

The Municipal Government also has its own executive, legislative and judicial bodies.

Executive

The seat of the executive branch of the local government of Gamay is at the Municipal Hall located at the municipal proper itself with the municipal mayor acting as the local chief executive.

Raquel T. Capoquian, the incumbent mayor of Gamay

Legislative

The legislative department is represented by the local Sangguniang Bayan composed of ten (8) elected Regular Members and two (2) Ex-officio Members headed by the Municipal Vice Mayor as the presiding officer thereof.

Judicial

Municipal Trial Court - located at the Municipal Ground, Barangay Central.

Constitutional Bodies

Commission on Elections

### Current Municipal Officials (since 2022)

[edit]

Mayor: RAQUEL T. CAPOQUIAN

Vice Mayor: CLARITA P. GOMBA

Sangguniang Bayan Members

Regular Members

* CYRIL C. COSTUNA
* EMMA J. LONGCOP
* JUAN B. CLACITO
* BELARMINO P. ALBINO
* BANILO M. CASTILLO
* HONORIO E. REBAY
* ORLANDO M. NUEVA
* TERESITA T. VALLES

Ex-officio Members

* EDDIE D. PELEMBERGO, JR. (SK Federation President)
* NIMFO G. JALDO (Liga ng mga Barangay Chapter President)

### Former Municipal Mayors

[edit]

* Egildo T. Banawis
* Rafael A. Gomba
* Farbeciano N. Bello
* Nicolas D. Doxi
* Julina P. Doxi
* Enrique "Henry" C. Gomba
* Atty. Rodolfo "Odol" M. Capoquian
* Dr. Timoteo "Tim" T. Capoquian
* Clarita "Cayet" P. Gomba

## Education

[edit]

Elementary

* Anito Elementary School
* Bangon Elementary School
* Bato Elementary School
* Bonificio Elementary School
* Cagamutan Central Elementary School
* Cabarasan Elementary School
* Cadac-an Elementary School
* Cade-an Elementary School
* Dao Elementary School
* G.M Osias Elementary School
* Guibwangan Elementary School
* Gamay Central Elementary School
* Gamay East Elementary School
* Gamay West Elementary School
* Henogawe Elementary School
* Libertad Elementary School
* Lonoy Elementary School
* Luneta Elementary School
* Malidong Elementary School
* Rizal Elementary School
* San Antonio Elementary School

High School

* Anito National High School
* Bangon National High School
* Cagamutan National High School
* Gamay National High School
* Gala Vocational School

## Tourism

[edit]

This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (September 2024)

|

## Geography

[edit]

### Barangays

[edit]

Gamay is politically subdivided into 26 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

* Anito
* Bangon
* Bato
* Baybay (Poblacion)
* Bonifacio
* Burabod (Poblacion)
* Cabarasan
* Cadac-an (Calingnan)
* Cade-an
* Cagamutan del Norte
* Cagamutan del Sur
* Central (Poblacion)
* Dao
* G. M. Osias
* Guibuangan
* Henogawe
* Libertad (Poblacion)
* Lonoy
* Luneta
* Malidong
* Occidental I (Poblacion)
* Occidental II (Poblacion)
* Oriental I (Poblacion)
* Oriental II (Poblacion)
* Rizal
* San Antonio

### Climate

[edit]

Climate data for Gamay, Northern Samar

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)  | 27
(81)  | 27
(81)  | 28
(82)  | 29
(84)  | 30
(86)  | 30
(86)  | 30
(86)  | 30
(86)  | 29
(84)  | 29
(84)  | 28
(82)  | 27
(81)  | 29
(84)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)  | 23
(73)  | 22
(72)  | 22
(72)  | 23
(73)  | 24
(75)  | 24
(75)  | 24
(75)  | 24
(75)  | 24
(75)  | 24
(75)  | 24
(75)  | 23
(73)  | 23
(74)
Average precipitation mm (inches)  | 105
(4.1)  | 67
(2.6)  | 65
(2.6)  | 53
(2.1)  | 86
(3.4)  | 129
(5.1)  | 135
(5.3)  | 113
(4.4)  | 131
(5.2)  | 163
(6.4)  | 167
(6.6)  | 162
(6.4)  | 1,376
(54.2)
Average rainy days  | 17.6  | 13.2  | 15.5  | 14.9  | 19.6  | 24.3  | 26.6  | 25.4  | 24.9  | 25.4  | 22.9  | 20.9  | 251.2
Source: Meteoblue[7]

## Demographics

[edit]

Population census of GamayYear| Pop.| ±% p.a.

|
|

1948 | 14,962| —
1960 | 12,156| −1.72%
1970 | 12,297| +0.12%
1975 | 15,370| +4.58%
1980 | 17,247| +2.33%
1990 | 15,764| −0.90%
1995 | 19,457| +4.02%
2000 | 21,314| +1.97%
2007 | 21,537| +0.14%
2010 | 22,425| +1.48%
2015 | 23,511| +0.90%
2020 | 23,367| −0.12%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[8][9][10][11]

## Economy

[edit]

Poverty incidence of Gamay

2000
53.22

2003
43.14

2006
40.40

2009
48.72

2012
51.41

2015
44.25

2018
33.45

2021
26.34

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

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Municipality of Gamay |  (DILG)
2. ^ "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
3. ^ a b Census of Population (2020). "Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
4. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
5. ^ "my home "GAMAY, NORTHERN SAMAR"". larioque-myhomegamay.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
6. ^ "R.A. 90". lawphil.net. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
7. ^ "Gamay, Northern Samar : Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
8. ^ Census of Population (2015). "Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
9. ^ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
10. ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
11. ^ "Province of". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
12. ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
13. ^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
14. ^ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 March 2009.
15. ^ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012.
16. ^ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.
17. ^ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019.
18. ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
19. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* Philippine Standard Geographic Code
* Philippine Census Information
* Local Governance Performance Management System Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to Gamay, Northern Samar

|  | Mapanas |

|
|

|  |
Catubig |

Gamay

| Philippine Sea
|  |
Jipapad, Eastern Samar | Lapinig |

* v
* t
* e

Province of Northern Samar

Catarman (capital and largest municipality)

Municipalities|

* Allen
* Biri
* Bobon
* Capul
* Catarman
* Catubig
* Gamay
* Laoang
* Lapinig
* Las Navas
* Lavezares
* Lope de Vega
* Mapanas
* Mondragon
* Palapag
* Pambujan
* Rosario
* San Antonio
* San Isidro
* San Jose
* San Roque
* San Vicente
* Silvino Lobos
* Victoria

*[PSGC]: Philippine Standard Geographic Code
*[Pop.]: Population
*[±% p.a.]: Per annum growth rate. Executive Order 135 §6 states that for "census years" (years divisible by 10) the reference date would be May 1st, but for all other years, the reference date is to be the "middle of the year". This means that growth rates, although correct, are not necessarily simple year-on-year comparisons.
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template