Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte

Municipality in Southern Leyte, Philippines

Municipality in Eastern Visayas, Philippines

Saint Bernard

Municipality

Municipality of Saint Bernard

Flag

Map of Southern Leyte with Saint Bernard highlighted

OpenStreetMap

Saint Bernard

Location within the Philippines

Coordinates: 10°17′N 125°08′E﻿ / ﻿10.28°N 125.13°E﻿ / 10.28; 125.13
Country| Philippines
Region| Eastern Visayas
Province| Southern Leyte
District|  2nd district
Founded| December 9, 1954
Named after| Bernardo Torres
Barangays| 30 (see Barangays)
Government

[1]

• Type| Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor| Edito L. Mulig (PDR)
• Vice Mayor| Jocelyn L. Bungcaras (PDPLBN)
• Representative| Christopherson M. Yap
• Municipal Council|

Members

*   * Bernadito G. Añora
* Rito C. Cuaton
* Josephine Cinco-Gumapac
* Gypsie L. So
* Raydon Balasico
* Emily G. Acampado
* Saturnino V. Cinco
* Eralin D. Caday

• Electorate| 18,923 voters (2025)
Area

[2]

• Total

| 100.20 km2 (38.69 sq mi)
Elevation

| 129 m (423 ft)
Highest elevation

| 786 m (2,579 ft)
Lowest elevation

| 0 m (0 ft)
Population

(2024 census)[3]

• Total

| 28,131
• Density| 280/km2 (730/sq mi)
• Households

| 6,254
Economy

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

29.18

% (2021)[4]
• Revenue| ₱ 172.2 million (2022)
• Assets| ₱ 330.3 million (2022)
• Expenditure| ₱ 82.71 million (2022)
• Liabilities| ₱ 88.18 million (2022)
Service provider

• Electricity| Southern Leyte Electric Cooperative (SOLECO)
Time zone| UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code|

6613

PSGC|

0806412000

IDD : area code | +63 (0)53
Native languages| Kinabalian
Boholano dialect
Cebuano
Tagalog
Website| www.saintbernard.gov.ph

Saint Bernard, officially the Municipality of Saint Bernard (Kabalian: Lungsod san Saint Bernard; Cebuano: Lungsod sa Saint Bernard; Tagalog: Bayan ng Saint Bernard), is a municipality in the province of Southern Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 28,414 people.[5]

## Etymology

[edit]

Saint Bernard is named after Bernardo Torres, the former Governor of Leyte who played a significant role in the town's independence from Cabalian (now San Juan), then in the undivided province of Leyte. In gratitude to Torres, the local inhabitants unanimously chose to name the municipality in his honor. The honorific title "Saint" being a translation of the Spanish vernacular honorific "San" which is given to persons of virtue, wisdom, or generosity and the name Bernard being the English version of the name Bernardo.[6]

## History

[edit]

Landslide at Barangay Guinsaugon in 2006

Saint Bernard traces its roots to the largest barrio of Cabalian, then known as "Himatagon".

Governor Bernardo Torres of Leyte, which then encompassed Cabalian, facilitated the conversion of the area into an independent municipality due to the persistent demands of the local inhabitants for separation from Cabalian, later gaining the recommendation of the Leyte Provincial Board.[6] Finally, on December 9, 1954, President Ramon Magsaysay issued Executive Order No. 84, excising Himatagon and 18 other barrios from Cabalian to form the municipality of Saint Bernard.[7] On May 22, 1959, Saint Bernard became part of the newly established province of Southern Leyte, effective July 1, 1960.[8]

On February 17, 2006, a tragic series of mudslides killed over 1,100 residents in Barangay Guinsaugon, in the northern part of the town. Affected families received aid from the Philippine government and other non-government organizations from around the world. Guinsaugon got buried as the result of the mudslides and thus New Guinsaugon was built close from the original site.[9][10]

## Geography

[edit]

The town is situated on the Pacific coast, facing Cabalian Bay and the first town on Route 690 (from it towards Abuyog) from the eastern side of Sogod Bay.

### Barangays

[edit]

Saint Bernard is politically subdivided into 30 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Only 28 barangays are currently functioning, as Guinsaugon and Sug-angon were completely wiped out from a landslide during 2006. The survivors of the landslide were relocated to New Guinsaugon in Magbagacay.

Barangay  | Population (2020)[11]

|

Atuyan | 467
Ayahag | 417
Bantawon | 228
Bolodbolod | 1,275
Carnaga | 923
Catmon | 2,548
Guinsaugon | 47
Himatagon (Poblacion) | 1,748
Himbangan | 2,661
Himos-onan | 702
Hinabian | 99
Hindag-an | 1,605
Kauswagan | 28
Libas | 411
Lipanto | 1,276
Magatas | 88
Magbagacay | 2,441
Mahayag | 662
Mahayahay | 1,701
Malibago | 1,557
Malinao | 42
Maria Asuncion (Cabagawan) | 1,264
Nueva Esperanza (Cabac-an) | 107
Panian | 1,335
San Isidro | 1,953
Santa Cruz | 313
Sug-angon | 382
Tabon-tabon | 312
Tambis Uno | 882
Tambis Dos | 940

### Climate

[edit]

Climate data for Saint Bernard, 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)  | 28
(82)  | 29
(84)  | 29
(84)  | 29
(84)  | 28
(82)  | 28
(82)  | 28
(82)  | 28
(82)  | 28
(82)  | 28
(82)  | 28
(82)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)  | 21
(70)  | 21
(70)  | 21
(70)  | 22
(72)  | 24
(75)  | 24
(75)  | 24
(75)  | 24
(75)  | 24
(75)  | 23
(73)  | 23
(73)  | 22
(72)  | 23
(73)
Average precipitation mm (inches)  | 78
(3.1)  | 57
(2.2)  | 84
(3.3)  | 79
(3.1)  | 118
(4.6)  | 181
(7.1)  | 178
(7.0)  | 169
(6.7)  | 172
(6.8)  | 180
(7.1)  | 174
(6.9)  | 128
(5.0)  | 1,598
(62.9)
Average rainy days  | 16.7  | 13.8  | 17.3  | 18.5  | 23.2  | 26.5  | 27.1  | 26.0  | 26.4  | 27.5  | 24.6  | 21.0  | 268.6
Source: Meteoblue (modeled/calculated data, not measured locally)[12]

## Demographics

[edit]

Population census of Saint Bernard| Year| Pop.| ±% p.a.

|
|

1960 | 11,621| —
1970 | 17,296| +4.05%
1975 | 19,255| +2.18%
1980 | 19,153| −0.11%
1990 | 20,760| +0.81%
1995 | 21,363| +0.54%
| Year| Pop.| ±% p.a.

|
|

2000 | 23,089| +1.68%
2007 | 25,252| +1.24%
2010 | 25,169| −0.12%
2015 | 28,395| +2.32%
2020 | 28,414| +0.01%
2024 | 28,131| −0.24%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [13][14][15][16]

## Economy

[edit]

Poverty incidence of Saint Bernard

2000
41.40

2003
36.30

2006
34.00

2009
42.73

2012
39.49

2015
40.24

2018
25.48

2021
29.18

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]

Saint Bernard's economy are based in agriculture and marine culture. The majority of the people who live in the flat lands engage in fishing as their main mode of livelihood. Those who live in the mountain barangays, live through farming.

The municipality is considered among the fastest growing economy in the pacific area of Southern Leyte.

The common mode of transportation is by bicycles with side cars, known locally as "Potpot" (a type of pedicab), or tricycles with side cars, called "trisikads "or center cabs and "habal-habal", a motorcycle with a rudimentary roof.

The Port of Saint Bernard reopened on March 15, 2025. The only shipping company that operates in the Port of Saint Bernard is GT Express Shipping Corp. with its GT1/Star Asia vessels a new route between Saint Bernard and Lipata, Surigao operates on a daily schedule.

The LGU established the Saint Bernard Town Center for economic activities of small to medium sedium entrepreneurs (SMSE).

## Tourism

[edit]

* Hindag-an Falls- Barangay Hindag-an
* Tinago Beach- Barangay Magbagacay
* Tinago Spring Falls- Barangay Ayahag
* Lipanto Marine Sanctuary- Barangay Lipanto
* Himbangan Bird Sanctuary- Barangay Himbangan
* Sangat Cave and Beach- Barangay Hindag-an
* Saub Beach- Barangay Lipanto
* Ground Zero Memorial Park & Lawigan River- Lawigan River, access at Brgy Tambis I
* Libas River- Barangay Libas
* Kissbone Cove and Resort- Barangay Magbagacay
* Santo Nino Shrine - Sitio Cansi, Barangay Himatagon
* Municipal Disaster Management Office - LGU Compound, Municipal Building, Barangay Himatagon

## Education

[edit]

There are accessible elementary schools in every barangay in the municipality as of its 2019 census.

List of Secondary Schools in the Municipality of Saint Bernard:

* Tambis National High School-located in Brgy. Tambis 1, Saint Bernard Southern Leyte
* Himbangan National High School - located in Brgy. Himbangan, Saint Bernard Southern Leyte
* Cristo Rey Regional High School - the only diocesan and private school in Saint Bernard
* New Guinsaugon National High School - relocation area of New Guinsaugon, Brgy.Guinsaugon
* Catmon Integrated School - located in Brgy.Catmon Saint Bernard Southern Leyte

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Municipality of Saint Bernard |  (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. ^ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
4. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
5. ^ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
6. ^ a b "Historical Background". Municipality of Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte. Archived from the original on 26 May 2012. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
7. ^ Executive Order No. 84 (December 9, 1954), Creating the Municipality of Saint Bernard in the Province of Leyte, retrieved September 27, 2024
8. ^ Republic Act No. 2227 (May 22, 1959), "An Act Creating the Province of Southern Leyte", The LawPhil Project, retrieved January 10, 2016
9. ^ "Mud wipes out Philippines village". BBC News. 17 February 2006. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
10. ^ S. G. Evans; R. H. Guthrie; N. J. Roberts; N. F. Bishop (2007). "The disastrous 17 February 2006 rockslide-debris avalanche on Leyte Island, Philippines: a catastrophic landslide in tropical mountain terrain" (PDF). Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences. 7 (1). Retrieved 15 July 2013.
11. ^ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
12. ^ "Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
13. ^ Census of Population (2015). "Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
14. ^ 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.
15. ^ 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.
16. ^ "Province of". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
17. ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
18. ^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
19. ^ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 March 2009.
20. ^ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012.
21. ^ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.
22. ^ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019.
23. ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
24. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte.

* Official website
* Philippine Standard Geographic Code
* Local Governance Performance Management System Archived 2012-05-30 at the Wayback Machine

Places adjacent to Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte

|  | Hinunangan |

|
|

|  |
Libagon |

Saint Bernard

| Anahawan
San Juan
|  |
Liloan | Cabalian Bay |

* v
* t
* e

Province of Southern Leyte

Maasin (capital and largest city)

Municipalities|

* Anahawan
* Bontoc
* Hinunangan
* Hinundayan
* Libagon
* Liloan
* Limasawa
* Macrohon
* Malitbog
* Padre Burgos
* Pintuyan
* Saint Bernard
* San Francisco
* San Juan
* San Ricardo
* Silago
* Sogod
* Tomas Oppus

Component City|

* Maasin

*[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