Baybay

Map of Leyte showing the location of Baybay

Baybay is a municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. Covering an area of 46,050 hectares, Baybay is composed of 92 barangays, 23 of which are in the poblacion. The remaining 69 are rural barangays. It is situated on the western coast of the province of Leyte. It has a Type 4 climate, which is generally wet. Its topography is generally mountainous in the eastern portion as it slopes down west towards the shore line. Generally an agricultural city, the common means of livelihood are farming and fishing. Some are engaged in hunting and in forestal activities. The most common crops grown are rice, corn, abaca, root crops, fruits, and vegetables. Industries operating include the Jollibee Food Chain Corporation, Specialty Products Manufacturing, Inc. and Visayan Oil Mill. Various cottage industries can also be found in the city such as bamboo and rattan craft, ceramics, dress-making, fiber craft, food preservation, mat weaving, metal craft, fine Philippine furniture manufacturing and other related activities. Baybay has great potential as a tourist destination, especially for tennis players. It is not only rich in biodiversity and history it also houses the campus of the Visayas State University (formerly the Leyte State University/Visayas State College of Agriculture) and the Jungle Valley Park. Likewise, it has river systems fit for river cruising, numerous caves for spelunking, forests, beaches, and marine treasures. This richness coupled with the friendly Baybayanos will be an element for a successful tourism program. Considering the role of tourism in development, Baybay intends to harness its tourism potential.

According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 95,630 people in 19,517 households.

Barangays

Baybay is politically subdivided into 92 barangays.

Altavista Ambacan Amguhan Ampihanon Balao Banahao Biasong Bidlinan Bitanhuan Bubon Buenavista Bunga Butigan Kabatuan Caridad Ga-as Gabas Gakat Guadalupe (Utod) Gubang Hibunawan Higuloan Hilapnitan Hipusngo

Igang Imelda Jaena Kabalasan Kabungaan Kagumay Kambonggan Candadam Kan-ipa Kansungka Kantagnos Kilim Lintaon Maganhan Mahayahay Mailhi Maitum Makinhas Mapgap Marcos (Kab-kab) Maslug Matam-is Maybog Maypatag

Monterico Palhi Pangasungan Pansagan Patag Plaridel Poblacion Zone 2 Poblacion Zone 3 Poblacion Zone 4 Poblacion Zone 5 Poblacion Zone 6 Poblacion Zone 7 Poblacion Zone 8 Poblacion Zone 9 Poblacion Zone 10 Poblacion Zone 11 Poblacion Zone 12 Poblacion Zone 13 Poblacion Zone 14 Poblacion Zone 15 Poblacion Zone 16 Poblacion Zone 17 Poblacion Zone 18 Poblacion Zone 19

Poblacion Zone 20 Poblacion Zone 21 Poblacion Zone 22 Poblacion Zone 23 Pomponan Punta Sabang San Agustin San Isidro San Juan Santa Cruz Santo Rosario Sapa Ciabo Villa Solidaridad Zacarito Poblacion Zone 1 Cogon Monte Verde Villa Mag-aso Visca

People

Population Based on the 2002 NCSO report, Baybay registered a total population of 99,689 showing an increase of over that of 1990 NSCO report which was established at 82,281. The city has ninety-two (92) barangays. Among the 92 barangays, the poblacion is composed of 23 zones which retained the highest number of 17,391 in population, and 82,289 for the 69 rural barangays.

Urban-Rural Population Distribution In the year 1990, the urban population of Baybay was 15,034 or 18.27% while the rural population was 67,247 of 81.73% of the total population. The 2000 NCSO population count revealed a population of 17,391 or 17.44% showing a difference of 2,357, which indicates that there is an increase in population. The rural population registered a total of 82,298 or 82.56% of the total population with an increment of 14,941 from that of the 1990 count.

Culture

Experience Baybay’s unique blend of culture reflected in its various traditions and its dialect. As a melting pot in the western part of Leyte, Baybay has developed an interesting mix of culture through the influence Cebuanos, Waray and the Surigaonons. And although most Baybayanos have adopted an urban lifestyle, they have retained their distinctive traits and traditions, which makes Baybay an interesting and pleasant place to visit. The Baybay Tennis Club, located on 30 Deciembre Street next to a public and private school is an outstanding place to visit, with its three coral/clay mix courts and two hard courts, 25 meter six lane Olympic style swimming pool that is five feet deep all around, a spacious veranda beside the courts with great and inexpensive food and drink. As a tennis destination, the club is unparalleled in the entire south of Leyte and could be considered any clay court tennis player's heaven.

Education

Colleges

• Visayas State University
• Franciscan College of Immaculate Conception
• Baybay Institute of Technology Foundation

Secondary

• Visayas State University Laboratory High school
• Franciscan College of Immaculate Conception
• Baybay National High school
• Bunga National High school
• Caridad National High school
• Pomponan National High school
• Plaridel National High school
• Bitanhuan National High school
• Makinhas National High school

Telecommunications

Baybay has landline telephone service from Bayan Telecommunications and is also served by three mobile communication company: Smart Communications, Globe Telecom and Sun Cellular.

Nullification of cityhood

Recently Baybay lost its cityhood, along with 15 other cities, after the Supreme Court of the Philippines granted a petition filed by the League of Cities of the Philippines, and declared the cityhood law (RA 9389) which allowed the town to acquire its city status, unconstitutional. The said cities, the court ruled, did not meet the requirements for cityhood.

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• 2000 Philippine Census Information
• Photos and Information for Baybay