Southern Leyte

Province in Eastern Visayas, Philippines

Southern Leyte

Habagatang Leyte (Cebuano)
Salatan nga Leyte (Waray)
Timog Leyte (Filipino)

Province

(from top: left to right) Agas-Agas Bridge, Southern Leyte Provincial Capitol, Maasin downtown, Maasin Cathedral, and Sogod town proper

Flag

Seal

Location in the Philippines

OpenStreetMap

Coordinates: 10°20′N 125°05′E﻿ / ﻿10.33°N 125.08°E﻿ / 10.33; 125.08
Country| Philippines
Region| Eastern Visayas
Founded| May 22, 1959
Capital
and largest city| Maasin
Government

• Type| Sangguniang Panlalawigan
• Governor| Damian G. Mercado (Lakas-CMD)
• Vice Governor| Rosa Emilia G. Mercado (Lakas-CMD)
• Legislature| Southern Leyte Provincial Board

Members

* 1st ProvDist

* Jonathan Lee P. Maraon
* Alan Jose K. Aroy
* Teopisto C. Rojas Jr.
* Rolito D. Manalo
* 2nd ProvDist

* Napoleon P. Regis
* Rolando Q. Bacoy
* Roque Damian A. Dator
* Jason C. Calva

Area

[1]

• Total

| 1,798.61 km2 (694.45 sq mi)
• Rank| 65th out of 81
Highest elevation

(Mount Bitanjuan)

| 965 m (3,166 ft)
Population

(2024 census)[2]

• Total

| 434,372
• Rank| 63rd out of 81
• Density| 240/km2 (630/sq mi)
• Rank| 40th out of 81
Divisions

• Independent cities| 0
• Component cities|

* Maasin

• 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

• Barangays| 500
• Districts| Legislative Districts of Southern Leyte
Time zone| UTC+8 (PHT)
IDD : area code | +63 (0)53
ISO 3166 code| PH-SLE
Spoken languages|

* Cebuano
* Waray
* Baybayanon
* Kinabalian
* Tagalog
* English

Website| www.southernleyte.gov.ph

Southern Leyte (Cebuano: Habagatang Leyte; Kabalian: Habagatan nga Leyte; Waray: Salatan nga Leyte; Tagalog: Timog Leyte[3]), officially the Province of Southern Leyte, is a province in the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital and largest city is Maasin. Southern Leyte comprised the third congressional district Leyte until it was made into an independent province in 1959. Southern Leyte includes Limasawa, an island to the south where the first Mass in Philippine soil is believed to have taken place and thus considered to be the birthplace of Christianity in the Philippines.[4]

The province ranks as the second least populated in the region, after the province of Biliran. According to the 2020 census, the province has a population of 429,573.[5]

Southern Leyte's geological features created several issues in the province after the flooding of the Subangdaku River and the 2006 mudslide in Guinsaugon. Organizations warned the province it was susceptible to natural occurrences like landslides and floods.[6][failed verification]

Southern Leyte forms an important part of the inter-island transportation system of the country, with ferries transporting people and goods between Liloan and Surigao del Norte in Mindanao. The province is well known for its quality abaca products and is the country's major producer of abaca fiber.

In September 2017, Representative Roger Mercado authored House Bill 6408, proposing to change the name of the province to Leyte del Sur.[7]

## History

[edit]

Historical affiliations

> Spain 1521–1898
>  United States of America 1898–1942
>  Japan 1942–1945
>  Philippines 1946–present

### Early history

[edit]

This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (December 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

The province, being part of Leyte island, is believed to be influenced by Datu Ete, ruler of the historic community of Mairete, meaning Land of Ete, which was centered in Tacloban. The area which is to be Southern Leyte is believed to have been occupied by animist Visayan ethnic groups from Bohol. There is no proof that the indigenous animist Warays of Samar, who at the time occupied northeast Leyte, ever occupied Southern Leyte.

### Spanish colonial era

[edit]

As early as 1898 during the Spanish and American periods, there existed a "sub-province" consisting of the municipalities from Palompon to Hinunangan, with Maasin as the center. Some government offices had already been established in Maasin on the southwestern part of Leyte to govern the area.[8]

Historically, the governing city was the depository of cedula tax collections from Palompon to Hinunangan. This was administered by the office of the Administrado de Hacienda, equivalent to the Provincial Treasurer, a position under the Secretario de Hacienda.

There was also established in Maasin a Court of First Instance, then known as the Promoter Fiscal, where all minor administrative and other cases from Palompon to Hinunangan were heard.[9]

During the Spanish colonization, the province was sparsely populated. The continued raiding of Moro slaves discouraged the province from growing and developing. However, in the 19th century immigrants from adjacent provinces like Bohol and Cebu populated the area.[citation needed]

### Japanese occupation

[edit]

In 1942, Ruperto Kangleon held a conference in the town of Sogod, when the first meeting attempt in Malitbog, a town to the east, failed due to many leaders staying away. He was trying to unify all guerrillas helping the Philippine Commonwealth troops during World War II.[10]

From 1944 to 1945, the Allied Philippine Commonwealth Army soldiers and Filipino guerrillas attacked the Japanese Imperial forces in an effort to liberate Southern Leyte, and American troops landed on Leyte on October 20, 1944.

### Philippine independence

[edit]

#### Independent province

[edit]

Due to a change of sovereign powers, all the offices in Maasin except the Fiscal's Office were abolished and reverted to Tacloban, the capital of Leyte. This created a major problem because of the dearth of transportation, the difficulty in managing the affairs of government in Tacloban and the language barrier between the Cebuano-speaking South-westerners and the Waray-speaking North-easterners. The difficulty of managing the entire island from the main city suggested a need to separate the island into two provinces.

At first there was a general movement for a Western Leyte and soon after, many prominent men and leaders rallied behind the movement. Six attempts to pass a law for the division of Leyte were made. On the sixth attempt, then Congressman Nicanor Yñiguez introduced into the House a division law similar in substance to that of the Kangleon Bill, but recognizing the impossibility of creating an East-West Division, he instead opted to make his own district a province.

Abandoning the first bill, Congressman Nicanor Yñiguez presented House Bill No. 1318 proposing a new province of Southern Leyte comprising Third Congressional District of Leyte to include sixteen municipalities, from Maasin to Silago in the mainland, and in the Panaon Island.

The bill became Republic Act 2227 otherwise known as an "Act Creating the Province of Southern Leyte" and was signed into Law by President Carlos P. Garcia on May 22, 1959.[11] On July 1, 1960, Southern Leyte was inaugurated as a province with sixteen municipalities and Maasin as the capital town. Thus, the third District of Leyte became the Province of Southern Leyte and the Lone District of Southern Leyte.[8][9]

### Contemporary

[edit]

#### Mudslides

[edit]

In December 2003, a landslide in San Francisco, Southern Leyte destroyed most of the town, killing 200 people.[12][13]

2006 Southern Leyte mudslide

Main article: 2006 Southern Leyte mudslide

On February 17, 2006, several mudslides caused by heavy rains, amounting over 200 cm (79 in), and a minor earthquake destroyed at least one town and many commercial and residential infrastructures, leaving hundreds dead. The municipality of Saint Bernard was one of the worst hit areas with 23 confirmed deaths, up to 200 estimated deaths and another 1,500 missing. Barangay Guinsaugon, a mountain village on the said municipality with 2,500 people, was almost completely destroyed, killing 1,800 of its 1,857 residents. Many rescuers from national and international responded to the incident. However, rescue efforts were greatly hampered by poor road conditions and lack of heavy equipment. Survivors also reported lack of coordination of rescue efforts. The few handful of Guinsaugon citizens which escaped the mudslide were put up in emergency shelters without adequate nutrition and care despite the National Government collecting millions of dollars worth of donations.[citation needed]

## Geography

[edit]

Southern Leyte occupies the southern quarter of the island of Leyte. It is bounded by the province of Leyte to the north, by Surigao Strait to the east, Bohol Sea to the south, and Canigao Channel, across from Bohol, to the west. Its total land area is 1,798.61 square kilometres (694.45 sq mi).[14] The central portion of the province is dominated by the Sogod Bay, a long bay that cuts deep into the island.

### Topography

[edit]

A view of Sogod Bay and the town of Sogod

Southern Leyte is characterized by rugged mountains towards the interior, but relatively flat lands along the coastal areas where population centers lie.

The province has inland water features. Based on national data, the province has altogether 93 rivers, including 18 major ones, namely the Amparo River in Macrohon, the Canturing River in Maasin, the Das-ay and Pondol Rivers in Hinunangan, the Divisoria River in Bontoc, the Hitungao and Lawigan Rivers in Saint Bernard, the Maag River in Silago, and the Subangdaku River in Sogod which is the biggest of all.[15] The province has an inland lake called Lake Danao located in the mountains of San Juan and Anahawan, towns in the eastern region.

Green grass covering mountains in Maasin

Subangdaku, the province's largest river, created an issue over the area. It can be considered a braided river composed of several channels from near areas that divide and reunite forming an alluvial fan with a very wide floodplain. As such, the river usually became hazardous during typhoons after heavy rains.[16] The river has overflowed, spilling its waters on the low-lying towns of Liloan and San Vicente and destroyed an ongoing flood control project worth millions of pesos.[17] The river meanders along its course, ever changing its way over time.[18] During the time it floods, it destroys every side of its course. In 2001, portions of the road and banks in Barangay San Miguel along the river were destroyed,[16] including part of the Philippine National Road. Local officials blamed the rechannelization and uncontrolled quarrying of gravel and sand at the side of the river as the cause of the flood.[19] At a meeting on March 18, 2002, one of the representatives of a government agency alleged that the reason of the incidents of flood and other environmental problems in the river was due to the "Philippine Fault" which caused rocks to rumble down. However, the reason was contended because the fault is a geological feature and environmental problems in the province just occurred that time.[16]

Along with other mountain forms in the province, Mount Nacolod in Hinunangan town has the highest peak with an elevation of 948 metres (3,110 ft) above sea level. Young volcanic rocks are discovered in the terrain areas, which cover the top of the southern mountain ranges of Mount Cabalian in the Pacific Area and Mount Nelangcapan in Panaon Area.[9]

The province lies within the Philippine Fault System. The major fault lines traverse the municipalities of Sogod, Libagon, Saint Bernard and San Juan to Panaon Island. Based on Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region 8 data, these areas had experienced strong earthquakes in 1907 and 1948 with a magnitude of 6.9 and on July 5, 1984, with a 6.4 scale.[9] The Mines and Geosciences Bureau warned that Southern Leyte's natural and geological features make it susceptible to landslides and floodings.[20] The affiliated group stated that there are four contributory reasons: unusually heavy rains; numerous faults and badly broken rocks; steep slopes; and absence of effective vegetative cover.[6]

The province has numerous types of soil. Soil types within the Maasin Clay, Guimbalaon Clay, Himay-angan Clay, Bolinao Clay, Quingua Clay and Malitbog Clay series serve as raw materials for ceramics and pottery made by local residents.[citation needed]

### Climate

[edit]

Southern Leyte has two types of climate according to the Coronas Classification. These are Type II and Type IV.

Type II is characterized by the absence of dry season with a very pronounced maximum rain period occurring from November to January. This type prevails in the eastern half of the province that includes the municipality of Sogod, Libagon, Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuyan, San Ricardo, Saint Bernard, San Juan, Anahawan, Hinundayan, Hinunangan and Silago. On the other hand, Type IV has a rainfall that is more or less evenly distributed throughout the year. This type prevails in the western part of the province that includes the City of Maasin and the municipalities of Macrohon, Padre Burgos, Limasawa, Malitbog, Tomas Oppus, Bontoc and little part of Sogod.

In 2004, the province recorded a maximum temperature of 30.95 °C (87.71 °F) and a minimum temperature of 24.09 °C (75.36 °F). In addition, mean minimum temperature was 25.24 °C (77.43 °F). The province has 163 rainy days per year and total rainfall of 1,729.20 millimetres (68.079 in).

### Vegetation and biodiversity

[edit]

A bluespotted stingray seen in the coasts of the province

Inhabitants of the province plant rice, white corn, bananas, root crops, sugar cane, coconut and abacá.[21] They also plant various types of vegetables.[22]

A three-year project was established in Sogod Bay conducted by the Southern Leyte Coral Reef Conservation Project (SLCRCP) to surveyed coral reefs in the area. The undertaking was to provide local residents educational opportunities to have knowledge on protecting the province's biodiversity as well as to have a long-term sustainability.[23]

### Administrative divisions

[edit]

Southern Leyte is subdivided into 18 municipalities and 1 city, all encompassed by a double legislative districts and further subdivided into 500 barangays.[14]

The province originally comprised 16 municipalities and 349 barangays, with four islands: Panaon Island, Limasawa Island, San Pedro Island and San Pablo Island.[9] After the inauguration of the province, three more municipalities were subsequently created: San Ricardo from Pintuyan, Tomas Oppus from Malitbog and Limasawa from Padre Burgos.

In 2000, Maasin was converted into a city as capital of Southern Leyte.[24] The remaining component municipality classes ranges from 2nd to 5th level in the province. From 2nd class belongs Sogod municipality which is the center of trade, commerce and industry among municipalities within the Sogod Bay. Hinunangan, which holds the distinction as the "Rice Granary of the Province" for its vast plain land that is entirely planted with rice, Liloan, Malitbog, Saint Bernard, and Macrohon, are in the 4th level. The remaining municipalities—Anahawan, Hinundayan, Libagon, Padre Burgos, Pintuyan, San Francisco, San Juan (formerly Cabalian), San Ricardo, Silago, Tomas Oppus and Limasawa, a component island to the south—are under 5th level.

Political divisions

|  | City or municipality [i][ii] | Population  | ±% p.a. | Area[14] | Density (2020) | Barangay

|
|
|
|
|
|

| (2020)[2] | (2015)[5] |  | km2 | sq mi | /km2 | /sq mi |
10°16′26″N 125°15′28″E﻿ / ﻿10.2740°N 125.2578°E﻿ / 10.2740; 125.2578﻿ (Anahawan) | Anahawan | 2.0% | 8,429  | 8,211  | +0.50% | 58.09  | 22.43  | 150  | 390  | 14
10°21′21″N 124°58′09″E﻿ / ﻿10.3559°N 124.9693°E﻿ / 10.3559; 124.9693﻿ (Bontoc) | Bontoc | 6.9% | 29,799  | 28,905  | +0.58% | 102.10  | 39.42  | 290  | 750  | 40
10°23′41″N 125°11′55″E﻿ / ﻿10.3946°N 125.1985°E﻿ / 10.3946; 125.1985﻿ (Hinunangan) | Hinunangan | 6.8% | 29,149  | 29,976  | −0.53% | 170.58  | 65.86  | 170  | 440  | 40
10°21′04″N 125°15′04″E﻿ / ﻿10.3511°N 125.2510°E﻿ / 10.3511; 125.2510﻿ (Hinundayan) | Hinundayan | 2.9% | 12,398  | 12,285  | +0.17% | 59.90  | 23.13  | 210  | 540  | 17
10°17′48″N 125°03′02″E﻿ / ﻿10.2968°N 125.0505°E﻿ / 10.2968; 125.0505﻿ (Libagon) | Libagon | 3.5% | 15,244  | 15,169  | +0.09% | 98.62  | 38.08  | 150  | 390  | 14
10°09′29″N 125°07′31″E﻿ / ﻿10.1581°N 125.1253°E﻿ / 10.1581; 125.1253﻿ (Liloan) | Liloan | 5.8% | 24,800  | 23,981  | +0.64% | 50.30  | 19.42  | 490  | 1,300  | 24
9°55′27″N 125°04′28″E﻿ / ﻿9.9243°N 125.0744°E﻿ / 9.9243; 125.0744﻿ (Limasawa) | Limasawa | 1.4% | 6,191  | 6,061  | +0.40% | 6.98  | 2.69  | 890  | 2,300  | 6
10°08′01″N 124°50′46″E﻿ / ﻿10.1335°N 124.8460°E﻿ / 10.1335; 124.8460﻿ (Maasin) | Maasin City | †  | 20.4% | 87,446  | 85,560  | +0.42% | 211.71  | 81.74  | 410  | 1,100  | 70
10°04′36″N 124°56′24″E﻿ / ﻿10.0766°N 124.9401°E﻿ / 10.0766; 124.9401﻿ (Macrohon) | Macrohon | 6.2% | 26,580  | 26,244  | +0.24% | 126.39  | 48.80  | 210  | 540  | 30
10°09′29″N 125°00′04″E﻿ / ﻿10.1581°N 125.0012°E﻿ / 10.1581; 125.0012﻿ (Malitbog) | Malitbog | 5.4% | 23,256  | 22,923  | +0.27% | 74.97  | 28.95  | 310  | 800  | 37
10°01′47″N 125°01′01″E﻿ / ﻿10.0296°N 125.0170°E﻿ / 10.0296; 125.0170﻿ (Padre Burgos) | Padre Burgos | 2.6% | 11,159  | 11,091  | +0.12% | 25.65  | 9.90  | 440  | 1,100  | 11
9°56′41″N 125°14′57″E﻿ / ﻿9.9446°N 125.2492°E﻿ / 9.9446; 125.2492﻿ (Pintuyan) | Pintuyan | 2.4% | 10,202  | 9,826  | +0.72% | 36.98  | 14.28  | 280  | 730  | 23
10°16′48″N 125°08′18″E﻿ / ﻿10.2801°N 125.1383°E﻿ / 10.2801; 125.1383﻿ (Saint Bernard) | Saint Bernard | 6.6% | 28,414  | 28,395  | +0.01% | 100.20  | 38.69  | 280  | 730  | 30
10°03′27″N 125°09′27″E﻿ / ﻿10.0575°N 125.1576°E﻿ / 10.0575; 125.1576﻿ (San Francisco) | San Francisco | 3.1% | 13,436  | 13,402  | +0.05% | 68.60  | 26.49  | 200  | 520  | 22
10°15′51″N 125°10′25″E﻿ / ﻿10.2641°N 125.1735°E﻿ / 10.2641; 125.1735﻿ (San Juan) | San Juan (Cabalian) | 3.5% | 14,912  | 14,858  | +0.07% | 96.12  | 37.11  | 160  | 410  | 18
9°54′47″N 125°16′35″E﻿ / ﻿9.9130°N 125.2763°E﻿ / 9.9130; 125.2763﻿ (San Ricardo) | San Ricardo | 2.4% | 10,500  | 10,494  | +0.01% | 47.56  | 18.36  | 220  | 570  | 15
10°31′42″N 125°09′46″E﻿ / ﻿10.5284°N 125.1627°E﻿ / 10.5284; 125.1627﻿ (Silago) | Silago | 3.1% | 13,116  | 12,775  | +0.50% | 215.05  | 83.03  | 61  | 160  | 15
10°23′08″N 124°58′50″E﻿ / ﻿10.3856°N 124.9806°E﻿ / 10.3856; 124.9806﻿ (Sogod) | Sogod | 11.1% | 47,552  | 44,986  | +1.06% | 192.70  | 74.40  | 250  | 650  | 45
10°15′17″N 124°59′08″E﻿ / ﻿10.2548°N 124.9856°E﻿ / 10.2548; 124.9856﻿ (Tomas Oppus) | Tomas Oppus | 4.0% | 16,990  | 16,608  | +0.43% | 56.11  | 21.66  | 300  | 780  | 29
| Total  | 429,573  | 421,750  | +0.35% | 1,798.61  | 694.45  | 240  | 620  | 500
|  †  Provincial capital and component city  |   Municipality

1. ^ Former names are italicized.
2. ^ The globe  icon marks the city/town center.

## Demographics

[edit]

A graphical presentation of Southern Leyte's 1903–2000 population depicting the negative growth rate in 1999‑2000 records Population census of Southern Leyte| Year| Pop.| ±% p.a.

|
|

1903 | 72,369| —
1918 | 121,871| +3.54%
1939 | 172,552| +1.67%
1948 | 187,581| +0.93%
1960 | 209,608| +0.93%
1970 | 251,425| +1.83%
| Year| Pop.| ±% p.a.

|
|

1975 | 276,418| +1.92%
1980 | 296,294| +1.40%
1990 | 321,940| +0.83%
1995 | 317,565| −0.26%
2000 | 360,160| +2.73%
2007 | 390,847| +1.13%
| Year| Pop.| ±% p.a.

|
|

2010 | 399,137| +0.77%
2015 | 421,750| +1.06%
2020 | 429,573| +0.39%
2024 | 434,372| +0.27%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[5][25][25]

The population of Southern Leyte in the 2020 census was 429,573 people,[2] with a density of 240 inhabitants per square kilometre or 620 inhabitants per square mile.

The 1980 national census recorded the province of Southern Leyte with a population of 296,294 from the historic record in 1903 of 72,369. In 1990, the population of the province increased to 321,940 which was caused by in-migration and increasing rate of birth over death. In 2000, population increased to 360,160 with a rate of 2.73 from the negative growth rate recorded in 1995 period with 317,565.[26] The sudden decrease of the 1995 records was due to the late census in the province. While regular censuses were done in May where most of the students were at their respective places of residence, in 1995 the census of the population was done in September where the students were out for schooling in nearby provinces. The decrease in population was also, theoretically, attributed to out-migration of the rural population to cities to seek better employment and livelihood opportunities. A corresponding increase on the number of households was also recorded at 72,894 households higher by 7,327 households over the 1995 figure. Southern Leyte ranked fifth in terms of population among the six provinces in Eastern Visayas with 9.98 percent of the 3.6 million persons of the region. On the contrary, it was the fastest-growing province in the region. At the national level, the province contributed 0.47 percent to the total population of the Philippines with 76.5 million.[26]

### Ethnicity

[edit]

Population by ethnicity (2000)[26]

Ethnicity |  |  | Number
Bisaya |

|  290,460 (80.74%)
Boholano |

|  45,458 (12.64%)
Cebuano |

|  18,543 (5.15%)
Waray |

|  711 (0.20%)
Tagalog |

|  536 (0.15%)

* * *

Others |

|  2,689 (0.75%)
Other foreign ethnicity |

|  76 (0.02%)
Not Reported |

|  1,265 (0.35%)

According to the 2000 census survey, of the total provincial population of 359,738, about 80.74% (290,460) were Bisaya, 12.64% (45,458) Boholano, 5.15% (18,543) Cebuano, 0.2% (711) Tagalogs, and 0.15% (536) Waray.[26]

In Panaon, an island situated in the southernmost part of the province, a certain aboriginal folk are found locally known as kongking or variously called mamanwa which means "mountain people".[27] They were believed to be migrants from Mindanao, inhabiting the portions of Agusan, after their migration from the island to evade militarization and the logging/mining corporations’ intrusion to their ancestral domains in the early 1980s.[28][29] They have a dark complexion and curly hair, and they are short in stature. Hunting and gathering, mat weaving and rattan craft are among the main economic activities of the Mamanwas, so they prefer to inhabit the forested areas in the newfound Southern Leyte mountains. However, they were again displaced by the recent landslides in the province.[28]

### Language

[edit]

The native language is a Boholano dialect variant of Cebuano. Waray is sometimes spoken (concentrated in some barrios near Waray speaking towns such as Abuyog and Mahaplag), while Tagalog and English are used as second languages. Kinabalian, a type of "rare, unique language", is spoken alongside Cebuano in the towns of San Juan and Anahawan.

### Religion

[edit]

Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral in Maasin

Limasawa, an island municipality to the south, is believed to be the site of the first Christian mass in Philippine soil and the birthplace of Christianity in the Philippines, when Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese navigator and explorer landed on March 28, 1521. The first Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was held on March 31, 1521, led by Friar Pedro de Valderrama, the chaplain of Ferdinand Magellan during the expedition. The mass marked the start of Christian propagation.[30]

## Culture

[edit]

### Beliefs

[edit]

Although most people are Christians, a very few who live in remote villages of the province hold on to pre-Hispanic influences and make offerings and sacrifices before planting their crops. Farmers ritually sacrifice chickens and pigs to ensure that the spirits or elementals which they believe to be the cause of good harvest will grant them one.[21]

### Religious events

[edit]

Fiesta, a Spanish term meaning "festivity", is celebrated in the province with prayer, food, drinking, dance and music. Every barangay of every town in the province has its own celebration date. For instance, Hinunangan celebrates a town fiesta on the June 29 with the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Fluvial boat parade the day before.[31] The kuratsa – a courtship dance-drama – highlights every occasion.[32]

The province also holds its own festivals. "Sinulog sa malitbog" is an annual religious street pageant in Malitbog to pay homage to the Holy Child Jesus (Santo Niño), the town's patron saint. Similarly, the historic and religious coming of the Spaniards is commemorated every March 31 in Limasawa with a cultural presentation and anniversary program dubbed "Sinugdan", meaning "beginning."[33] Other festivals held in the province to highlight events are the Pagkamugna Festival and Pabulhon Festival in Maasin, Karomata Festival in Beunavista, Pintuyan, Tangka-tangka Festival in Tangkaan, Padre Burgos and Manha‑on Festival in Macrohon.

## Economy

[edit]

Poverty incidence of Southern Leyte

2000
24.62

2003
41.20

2006
33.72

2009
43.07

2012
43.28

2015
40.94

2018
23.70

2021
16.00

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41]

### Farming

[edit]

#### Coconut

[edit]

Most of the people in Southern Leyte go into coconut planting, a widely distributed industry, especially in mountainous and even plain regions. The GIZ of the German Development Cooperation has embarked on a value chain study on one of the most important products in Region 8 – the coconut, particularly in Leyte and Southern Leyte.[42]

In the year 2004, a beetle pest threatened the Philippine coconut industry including Visayas. Brontispa longissima causes great damage to seedlings and mature coconut trees and ornamental palms, killing the young spears and eventually the entire trees.[43]

#### Abaca

[edit]

People in Southern Leyte also go into abaca planting. The province is one of the major producer of abaca fiber in the country along with Catanduanes, Leyte, Davao Oriental, Northern Samar, Sorsogon, Sulu, Davao del Sur, and Surigao del Sur. The fibers from Leyte and the province are recognized as having the best quality.[44] On the year 1990 to 1999, Southern Leyte produced abaca with a rate of 17 percent.[45]

In 2003, Abaca bunchy top virus threatened the abaca industry in the province. Almost all of the abaca-producing municipalities in the area namely Maasin, Padre Burgos, Malitbog, Tomas Oppus, Bontoc, Sogod, St. Bernard, San Juan, Hinunangan and Silago were greatly affected by the deadly virus except from the municipalities at Panaon Island. Eighty percent of the province's abaca, particularly in Sogod town, was greatly affected while Maasin was estimated to suffer about 30 percent in damages.[46]

### Tourism

[edit]

Some 200,000 tourists visit Southern Leyte each year.[citation needed]

Domestic tourism is mostly those wishing to enjoy the sandy beaches, hotels and resorts along the coastline. Significant numbers also visit for religious festivals such as Sinulog and Limasawa.

Most international travelers visit Southern Leyte for reef diving and snorkeling, from just outside Maasin City, all the way around Sogod Bay via Padre Burgos. There are also an increasing number of non-divers who come to see the whale sharks between October and April.

In recent years[when?] there has been a drive to promote tourism in the region.[citation needed] There is a Zoo and Wildlife Park in Barangay Danao in Maasin. In Sogod, a zip line exists over the highest bridge in the Philippines.

With this increase in numbers, there is a selection of new[when?] hotels along the coast.[47]

### Industries

[edit]

Abaca fiber helps livelihood in the province. Women in the selected areas go into abaca-based handicrafts, which is widely known in the area as tagak or spooled abaca fiber. Natives usually called it as tinagak or continuous spooled abaca fiber. The half-finished product is then made into sinamay or hand woven clothe out of tinagak ready to be made into other sinamay‑based products.[48] Products are being exported by Leyte to Japan. Because of a wide distribution of an industry called tagak, provincial sectors taught farmers on how to cultivate a suitable variety locally called laylay.

In Bontoc, a project was successfully established with a mudcrab hatchery with eleven hatchery tanks at the RKKMAFTI Compound. Initially, 25 spawners are being worked-on by the project.[49]

Aside from abaca-based products, ceramics and handicraft items made from coconut and bamboo are also the province's industry. Among the province's economic activities are fishing, livestock and poultry raising.[50]

Generally, rice is the staple food of the province, and corn is also used. Mountain‑living folks, however, prefer root crops, which are abundant. Native delicacies of the province include tres marias, bocarillo, 'salvaro, bibingka, and starhoy. They also have their own kinilaw.

## Infrastructure

[edit]

### Communication

[edit]

Postal communication is the main mode of communication in the province. There are five telephone exchange companies operating in the province and two radio stations. These two radio stations (Radyo Natin and DYSL) are located in Sogod.[citation needed]

### Transportation

[edit]

The road network of Southern Leyte consists of major arterial highways that link the province to Leyte, passing through two major outlets. On the western part is the Maasin-Mahaplag-Baybay and the central part by the Mahaplag‑Sogod road via the Maharlika Highway. On the eastern part of the province, the opening of the new[when?] Abuyog‑Silago Roads provides fast and convenient travel to the eastern towns of Southern Leyte. Maharlika road contributes to the development of the province.

There are six designated bus terminals in Southern Leyte: Maasin, Liloan, Sogod, San Juan, Hinunangan and Silago. However, these terminals are open spaces used by buses as parking areas and are therefore not equipped with buildings and other facilities.

Southern Leyte has a total of eleven seaports, two of which are declared as national ports, the Maasin and Liloan ports, and the 10 are municipal ports. Of these 10 ports, five are operational: Maasin, Liloan, Saint Bernard, San Juan and Sogod. By sea, travel to Cebu from Maasin port takes an average of six hours and a maximum of two hours. A ferryboat from Liloan to Surigao takes three hours.[15]

The province has one existing airport, Panan-awan Airport located in Maasin. The airport does not service any commercial flight. It has a lone passenger terminal and can only accommodate aircraft for general aviation weighing 12,000 pounds (5,400 kg) and below at daytime. It is considered a feeder airport with a total runway length of 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) and width of 30 metres (98 ft).[citation needed]

## Education

[edit]

This section is written like a directory. Please help rewrite it in a neutral, encyclopedic style, potentially as a list. If this is not possible, it will likely be merged, redirected, or deleted. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. (September 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

* College of Maasin – Maasin
* Maasin City College – Maasin (now Southern Leyte State University - Maasin City Campus)
* Saint James College – Padre Burgos
* Saint Joseph College – Maasin
* Saint Thomas Aquinas College – Sogod
* Southern Leyte Business College – Maasin
* Southern Leyte State University – Bontoc Campus
* Southern Leyte State University – Hinunangan Campus
* Southern Leyte State University – San Juan Campus
* Southern Leyte State University – Sogod (Main campus)
* Southern Leyte State University – Tomas Oppus Campus
* STI College – Maasin
* Maasin Christian Academy – Maasin

## Notable people

[edit]

* Rodrigo Duterte, 16th President of the Philippines (2016-2022) was born in Maasin.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "List of Provinces". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Archived from the original on January 17, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
2. ^ a b c Census of Population (2020). "Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
3. ^ "Mapa ng mga Wika (Rehiyon) – Rehiyon VIII" (in Filipino). Commission on the Filipino Language. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
4. ^ "Travel; Southern Leyte". GlobalPinoy. Archived from the original on April 10, 2005. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
5. ^ a b c Census of Population (2015). "Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
6. ^ a b Policy and Advocacy | Haribon
7. ^ "House Bill No. 6408" (PDF). Congress of the Philippines. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
8. ^ a b "Southern Leyte: Attractions". Archived from the original on October 24, 2003. Retrieved October 24, 2003.
9. ^ a b c d e "The Province of Southern Leyte". National Statistical Coordination Board – Regional Division VIII (Eastern Visayas). Archived from the original on January 27, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
10. ^ Villamor, Col. Jesus A. (1982). They Never Surrender. Quezon City, Philippines: Vera-Reyes Inc. p. 127.
11. ^ "Republic Act No. 2227; An Act Creating the Province of Southern Leyte". The LawPhil Project. May 22, 1959. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
12. ^ "Landslide tragedy stuns Philippines". BBC News. December 21, 2003. Retrieved April 18, 2016. "Up to 200 people may have died in landslides triggered by heavy rains in the central Philippines, officials say."
13. ^ "200 feared dead in Philippine landslides". The Guardian. December 22, 2003. Retrieved April 18, 2016. "Rescuers worked with their bare hands and crowbars to dig out victims after the mudslides began on Friday night. Officials fear at least 200 people are dead and many more are homeless."
14. ^ a b c "Province: Southern Leyte". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
15. ^ a b "Province of Southern Leyte". Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Unit VIII. 2002. Archived from the original on July 5, 2004. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
16. ^ a b c Regis, Emelina G. (March 21, 2002). "Stop Quarrying and Rechanneling Subang Daku of Sogod, Southern Leyte". Sogod Bay (Geocities). Archived from the original on October 26, 2009. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
17. ^ "Tornado destroys village 50 die in Southern Leyte". Samar News. Philippine News Service. December 21, 2003. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
18. ^ PIA Information Services – Philippine Information Agency Archived February 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
19. ^ Veridiano, Ben M. (December 21, 2003). "Landslides kill 200 in SLeyte". Manila Standard Today. AP, Reuters. Archived from the original on February 9, 2008. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
20. ^ "Geologists had warned on Leyte mudslide danger". Taipei Times. February 19, 2006. Archived from the original on June 27, 2006. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
21. ^ a b "The Provincial Profile of Southern Leyte". Philippine Provincial Profile (Geocities). Archived from the original on September 25, 2004. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
22. ^ Quilantang, Chichi K. "The potential of Southern Leyte's Vegetable Industry". Deutscher Entwicklungsdienst. Archived from the original on August 21, 2006. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
23. ^ "Southern Leyte Coral Reef Conservation Project: July 2006 update". Coral Cay Conservation. August 11, 2006. Archived from the original on May 16, 2008. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
24. ^ "Republic Act No. 8796 – An Act Converting the Municipality of Maasin into a Component City of the Province of Southern Leyte to be Known as the City of Maasin" (PDF). House of Representatives of the Philippines. July 11, 2000. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
25. ^ a b Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
26. ^ a b c d "Southern Leyte: from Negative to a Positive Growth Rate in the Late 90S". Philippine Statistics Authority. September 3, 2002. Archived from the original on February 7, 2012. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
27. ^ "Mamanwa". National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Archived from the original on March 21, 2008. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
28. ^ a b Arpon, Johann Hein B. "Victims of the Killer Landslide". Bulatlat. Archived from the original on February 10, 2008. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
29. ^ "Places of Interest". MaasinCity.com. Archived from the original on April 24, 2010. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
30. ^ "A short Philippine History before the 1898 Revolution". Society of St. Pius X in Asia. 2001. Archived from the original on July 5, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
31. ^ "Southern Leyte Philippines". Select Philippines. Archived from the original on October 5, 2006. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
32. ^ Dorado-Alegre, Joycie. "The Islands of Leyte and Samar". National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Archived from the original on February 10, 2008. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
33. ^ "Southern Leyte Is Famous For..." WOW Philippines. Archived from the original on February 12, 2008. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
34. ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
35. ^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. November 29, 2005.
36. ^ "2009 Official Poverty Statistics of the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. February 8, 2011.
37. ^ "Annual Per Capita Poverty Threshold, Poverty Incidence and Magnitude of Poor Population, by Region and Province: 1991, 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. August 27, 2016.
38. ^ "Annual Per Capita Poverty Threshold, Poverty Incidence and Magnitude of Poor Population, by Region and Province: 1991, 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. August 27, 2016.
39. ^ "Annual Per Capita Poverty Threshold, Poverty Incidence and Magnitude of Poor Population, by Region and Province: 1991, 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. August 27, 2016.
40. ^ "Updated Annual Per Capita Poverty Threshold, Poverty Incidence and Magnitude of Poor Population with Measures of Precision, by Region and Province: 2015 and 2018". Philippine Statistics Authority. June 4, 2020.
41. ^ "2021 Full Year Official Poverty Statistics of the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. August 15, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
42. ^ Martin, Bob (November 20, 2006). "German council embarks on Region 8 value chain study on coconut". Nov 20, 2006. Archived from the original on February 16, 2008. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
43. ^ Martin, Bob (August 17, 2007). "Beetle threatens survival of RP's coconut industry". Archived from the original on February 16, 2008. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
44. ^ Felix, Rocel C. (April 7, 2006). "Genetic Engineering Eyed to Solve Problems of Abaca Industry". NewsFlash.org. STAR. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
45. ^ "Abaca Industry Situationer Report". Department of Agriculture – Agribusiness and Marketing Assistant Service. Archived from the original on August 19, 2002. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
46. ^ Erna S. Gorne (October 30, 2006). "Bunchy top virus in Southern Leyte scales down abaca production". PIA Information Services – Philippine Information Agency. Archived from the original on May 5, 2007.
47. ^ "Tourism in Southern Leyte". SouthernLeyte.com. Archived from the original on September 25, 2011. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
48. ^ Subang, Jane (July 27, 2005). "Poverty-free zones in Southern Leyte". Philippine Ventures & Destinations (Blogspot). Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
49. ^ "2002 Annual Report; Highlights of Accomplishments". Department of Science and Technology- Regional Office No. 8. Archived from the original on February 10, 2008. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
50. ^ "Region VIII; Leyte—Northern Samar". Living in the Philippines. Archived from the original on May 4, 2003. Retrieved July 28, 2016.

## External links

[edit]

Map all coordinates using OpenStreetMap

Download coordinates as:

* KML
* GPX (all coordinates)
* GPX (primary coordinates)
* GPX (secondary coordinates)

* Southern Leyte travel guide from Wikivoyage
* Media related to Southern Leyte at Wikimedia Commons
* Geographic data related to Southern Leyte at OpenStreetMap

Places adjacent to Southern Leyte

|  | Leyte | Leyte Gulf

|
|

|  |
Bohol / Canigao Channel |

Southern Leyte

| Surigao Strait / Dinagat Islands
|  |
| Bohol Sea | Surigao Strait / Surigao del Norte

* 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

Articles related to Southern Leyte

* v
* t
* e

Eastern Visayas (Region VIII)

Regional center|

* Tacloban

Provinces|

* Biliran
* Eastern Samar
* Leyte
* Northern Samar
* Samar
* Southern Leyte

Highly urbanized city|

* Tacloban

Independent component city|

* Ormoc

Component cities|

* Baybay
* Borongan
* Calbayog
* Catbalogan
* Maasin

Provincial capitals|

* Borongan
* Catarman
* Catbalogan
* Maasin
* Naval
* Tacloban

Municipalities|

* Abuyog
* Alangalang
* Albuera
* Allen
* Almagro
* Almeria
* Anahawan
* Arteche
* Babatngon
* Balangiga
* Balangkayan
* Barugo
* Basey
* Bato
* Biliran
* Biri
* Bobon
* Bontoc
* Burauen
* Cabucgayan
* Caibiran
* Calbiga
* Calubian
* Can-avid
* Capoocan
* Capul
* Carigara
* Catarman
* Catubig
* Culaba
* Dagami
* Daram
* Dolores
* Dulag
* Gamay
* Gandara
* General MacArthur
* Giporlos
* Guiuan
* Hernani
* Hilongos
* Hinabangan
* Hindang
* Hinunangan
* Hinundayan
* Inopacan
* Isabel
* Jaro
* Javier
* Jiabong
* Jipapad
* Julita
* Kananga
* Kawayan
* La Paz
* Laoang
* Lapinig
* Las Navas
* Lavezares
* Lawaan
* Leyte
* Libagon
* Liloan
* Limasawa
* Llorente
* Lope de Vega
* MacArthur
* Macrohon
* Mahaplag
* Malitbog
* Mapanas
* Marabut
* Maripipi
* Maslog
* Matag-ob
* Matalom
* Matuguinao
* Maydolong
* Mayorga
* Mercedes
* Merida
* Mondragon
* Motiong
* Naval
* Oras
* Padre Burgos
* Pagsanghan
* Palapag
* Palo
* Palompon
* Pambujan
* Paranas
* Pastrana
* Pinabacdao
* Pintuyan
* Quinapondan
* Rosario
* Saint Bernard
* Salcedo
* San Antonio
* San Francisco
* San Isidro (Leyte)
* San Isidro (Northern Samar)
* San Jorge
* San Jose
* San Jose de Buan
* San Juan
* San Julian
* San Miguel
* San Policarpo
* San Ricardo
* San Roque
* San Sebastian
* San Vicente
* Santa Fe
* Santa Margarita
* Santa Rita
* Santo Niño
* Silago
* Silvino Lobos
* Sogod
* Sulat
* Tabango
* Tabontabon
* Taft
* Tagapul-an
* Talalora
* Tanauan
* Tarangnan
* Tolosa
* Tomas Oppus
* Tunga
* Victoria
* Villaba
* Villareal
* Zumarraga

Visayas, Republic of the Philippines

* v
* t
* e

Provinces of the Philippines

* Abra
* Agusan del Norte
* Agusan del Sur
* Aklan
* Albay
* Antique
* Apayao
* Aurora
* Basilan
* Bataan
* Batanes
* Batangas
* Benguet
* Biliran
* Bohol
* Bukidnon
* Bulacan
* Cagayan
* Camarines Norte
* Camarines Sur
* Camiguin
* Capiz
* Catanduanes
* Cavite
* Cebu
* Cotabato
* Davao de Oro
* Davao del Norte
* Davao del Sur
* Davao Occidental
* Davao Oriental
* Dinagat Islands
* Eastern Samar
* Guimaras
* Ifugao
* Ilocos Norte
* Ilocos Sur
* Iloilo
* Isabela
* Kalinga
* La Union
* Laguna
* Lanao del Norte
* Lanao del Sur
* Leyte
* Maguindanao del Norte
* Maguindanao del Sur
* Marinduque
* Masbate
* Misamis Occidental
* Misamis Oriental
* Mountain Province
* Negros Occidental
* Negros Oriental
* Northern Samar
* Nueva Ecija
* Nueva Vizcaya
* Occidental Mindoro
* Oriental Mindoro
* Palawan
* Pampanga
* Pangasinan
* Quezon
* Quirino
* Rizal
* Romblon
* Samar
* Sarangani
* Siquijor
* Sorsogon
* South Cotabato
* Southern Leyte
* Sultan Kudarat
* Sulu
* Surigao del Norte
* Surigao del Sur
* Tarlac
* Tawi-Tawi
* Zambales
* Zamboanga del Norte
* Zamboanga del Sur
* Zamboanga Sibugay

* v
* t
* e

Philippines articles

History|

| Overviews|

* Archaeology
* Economy
* Military
* Political

|

Chronology|

* Prehistory
* Pre-colonial era
* Colonial era
* Spanish period
* American period
* Japanese occupation
* Postcolonial era
* Third Republic
* Marcos presidency
* Fifth Republic

Geography|

* Bays
* Biosphere reserves
* Borders
* Climate
* Climate change
* Typhoons
* Earthquakes
* Ecoregions
* Extreme points
* Island groups
* islands
* Lakes
* Mountains
* Protected areas
* National parks
* Ramsar sites
* Rivers
* Volcanoes
* Wildlife
* World Heritage Sites

Politics|

* Administrative divisions
* Constitution
* Elections
* Foreign relations
* Human rights
* LGBTQ
* Legal codes
* Political families
* Political parties

| Government|

* Executive
* Cabinet
* lists
* Executive departments
* Executive office
* Law enforcement
* President
* Legislative
* Senate
* House of Representatives
* Judicial
* Supreme Court
* Court of Appeals
* Regional Trial Court
* Armed Forces
* Air Force
* Army
* Navy
* Marine Corps
* Coast Guard

|

Economy|

* Agriculture
* Automotive
* Business process outsourcing
* Census
* Central bank
* Child labor
* Energy
* Fiscal policy
* National debt
* Labor
* Peso
* Science and technology
* Stock exchange
* Taxation
* Telecommunications
* Telephone numbers
* Tourism
* Tourist attractions
* Transportation
* Water and sanitation
* ZIP codes

Society|

* Abortion
* Censorship
* Corruption
* Crime
* Demographics
* Divorce
* Education
* Higher education
* Environmental issues
* Climate change
* Deforestation
* Ethnic groups
* Indigenous peoples
* Genetic and anthropology studies
* Health
* Human trafficking
* Sex trafficking
* Immigration
* Income inequality
* Kinship
* Languages
* Overseas workers
* Poverty
* Prostitution
* Refugees
* Religion
* Sexuality
* Squatting
* Women
* Pinoy

| Culture|

* Architecture
* Arts
* Cinema
* Cuisine
* Cultural properties
* Dance
* Fashion and clothing
* Historical markers
* Inventions
* Literature
* Media
* Music
* Mythology
* Name
* Public holidays
* Festivals
* Psychology
* Sports
* Traditional games
* Value system

|

Symbols|

* Anthem
* Bird
* Coat of arms
* Flag
* Flower
* Gem
* Great Seal
* Language
* Motto
* Sign language
* Sport and martial art
* Tree

* Outline
* Bibliography

* Philippines portal
* Category

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* United States
* Israel

Other|

* Yale LUX

*[±% 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.
*[Barangay]: Total number of barangays
*[Pop.]: Population
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template