Provincial Government of Eastern Samar

Provincial Government of Eastern Samar

Lawaan

Lawaan is a fifth class municipality in the province of Eastern Samar, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 12,742 people.

Geography

The town is strategically located in the central part of southern Samar Island. It is sandwiched between the town of Balangiga in the east and Marabut, Samar in the west. Barangay Bolusao, the town’s largest settlement located right at the east-west Samar boundary, serves as the premier barangay of Eastern Samar for those people coming from Tacloban City or Province of Samar traversing Samar Circumferencial Road. Hence, being dubbed as ‘The Gateway to Eastern Samar’.

Barangays

Lawaan is politically subdivided into 16 barangays.

Betaog, Bolusao (largest by population and area), Guinob-an, Maslog, Barangay Poblacion 1, Barangay Poblacion 2, Barangay Poblacion 3, Barangay Poblacion 4, Barangay Poblacion 5, Barangay Poblacion 6, Barangay Poblacion 7, Barangay Poblacion 8, Barangay Poblacion 9, Barangay Poblacion 10, San Isidro, Taguite

Demographics

Population census of Lawaan

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

The population of Lawaan in the 2015 census was 12,742 people, with a density of 78 inhabitants per square kilometre or 200 inhabitants per square mile.

Economy

Lawaan’s main product is copra. Many families rely on coastal and deep-sea fishing as well as lowland and upland farming as means of livelihood. Others have spouses, children, parents or other relatives working in Tacloban City, Metro Manila or in other places within the Philippines or abroad either as professionals, contract workers or domestic helpers who regularly remit part of their earnings to their families back home. The single biggest employer of its local populace is the government.

Tourism

Lawaan is known for its spectacular waterfalls and thriving wildlife. Being a coastal town, it features an unobstructed amazing view of Leyte Gulf in its southern shores.

There are four waterfalls in the Bolusao watershed which lies within the SINP Buffer Zone. These falls are Amandaraga, Pange, Amanjuray, and Ban-Awan Falls. Amandaraga and Ban-awan Falls are the main source of the municipality’s water system. Meanwhile, Amanjuray Falls is the alternate hydro-electric power source of Lawaan wherein a mini-hydro power plant is existent nearby.

Notable Lawaaños

Freddie Abuda – retired professional basketball player, currently serving as an assistant coach to the San Beda Red Lions (NCAA).

Local Officials

Mayor: Florencio A. Almeda, Jr.
Vice-Mayor: Athene L. Mendros

References

  • “Municipalities”. Quezon City, Philippines: Department of the Interior and Local Government. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  • “Province: Eastern Samar”. PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  • Census of Population (2015). “Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)”. Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. PSA. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
    “An act to create the municipality of Can-avid in the province of Samar”. LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-08.
  • Census of Population and Housing (2010). “Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)”. Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. NSO. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  • Census of Population (1995, 2000 and 2007). “Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)”. Total Population by Province, City and Municipality. NSO. Archived from the original on 24 June 2011.
  • “Province of Eastern Samar”. Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.