Jump to content

Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Saint Bernard
Himatagon
Municipality
Municipality of Saint Bernard
Flag of Saint Bernard
Flag
Map of Southern Leyte with Saint Bernard highlighted
Map of Southern Leyte with Saint Bernard highlighted
Map
Interactive map of Saint Bernard
Saint Bernard is located in Philippines
Saint Bernard
Saint Bernard
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 10°17′N 125°08′E / 10.28°N 125.13°E / 10.28; 125.13
CountryPhilippines
RegionEastern Visayas
ProvinceSouthern Leyte
District 2nd district
FoundedDecember 9, 1954
Named forBernardo Torres
Barangays30 (see Barangays)
Government
 [1]
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • MayorJocelyn L. Bungcaras (PDPLBN)
 • Vice MayorBernadito "Loloy" G.Añora
 • RepresentativeChristopherson M. Yap
 • Municipal Council
Members
  • Redan Balasico
  • Emily Acampado
  • Gypsi L.So
  • Eralin Caday
  • Arnold Cuaton
  • Jaenas Cuaton
  • Antonio Dalugdugan
  • Vacant
 • Electorate18,923 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
 • Density280.75/km2 (727.14/sq mi)
 • Households
6,254
Economy
 • Income class3rd municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence
23.16
% (2023)[4]
 • Revenue₱ 163.6 million (2024)
 • Assets₱ 520.7 million (2024)
 • Expenditure₱ 177.1 million (2024)
 • Liabilities₱ 168.7 million (2024)
Service provider
 • ElectricitySouthern Leyte Electric Cooperative (SOLECO)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
6616
PSGC
0806412000
IDD : area code +63 (0)53
Native languagesKinabalian
Boholano dialect
Cebuano
Tagalog
Websitewww.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 2024 census, it has a population of 28,131 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" (shortened form of santo) 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 in 2006. Survivors were relocated to Magbagacay and have their own barangays.

Barangay Population (2020)[11]
Atuyan467
Ayahag417
Bantawon228
Bolodbolod1,275
Carnaga923
Catmon2,548
Guinsaugon47
Himatagon (Poblacion)1,748
Himbangan2,661
Himos-onan702
Hinabian99
Hindag-an1,605
Kauswagan28
Libas411
Lipanto1,276
Magatas88
Magbagacay2,441
Mahayag662
Mahayahay1,701
Malibago1,557
Malinao42
Maria Asuncion (Cabagawan)1,264
Nueva Esperanza (Cabac-an)107
Panian1,335
San Isidro1,953
Santa Cruz313
Sug-angon382
Tabon-tabon312
Tambis 1882
Tambis 2940

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]

Economy

[edit]

Poverty incidence of Saint Bernard (%)

10
20
30
40
50
2000
41.40
2003
36.30
2006
34.00
2009
42.73
2012
39.49
2015
40.24
2018
25.48
2021
29.18
2023
23.16

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]

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.

A night market in Saint Bernard

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

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 entrepreneurs (SMSE).

Tourism - Accommodation Facilities

[edit]
  • Kissbone Cove Resort - Brgy, Magbagacay
  • Marabel Hotel - Brgy. Magbagacay
  • Demar Travelers Lodge - Brgy. Magbagacay
  • Zhykiah Lodge - Brgy Himatagon
  • Jessa's Lodging House - Brgy Himatagon
  • Emzelindy - Brgy Magbagacay (Cabin rooms and Family Room)
  • Eso Polo - Brgy Magbagacay
  • Forest Spring Resort - Brgy Himos-onan (Cabin and Family Rooms)

Tourism Destinations (Existing/Operational)

[edit]
  • Hindag-an Falls- Barangay Hindag-an
  • Lipanto Marine Sanctuary- Barangay Lipanto
  • Sangat Cave and Beach- Barangay Hindag-an
  • Saub Beach- Barangay Lipanto
  • Ground Zero Memorial Park & Lawigan River- Lawigan River, access at Brgy Tambis I
  • Atabay - Brgy. Himos-onan
  • Forest Spring Resort - Brgy. Himos-onan
  • Emzelindy Pool Park & Resort - Brgy. Magbagacay
  • Eso Polo - Brgy. Magbagacay
  • Tubod Mountain Resort - Brgy Panian
  • Municipal Disaster Management Office - LGU Compound, Municipal Building, Barangay Himatagon
  • Tinago Spring Falls - Brgy Ayahag

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. ↑ "881 Cities and Municipalities Recorded Poverty Incidence of 20 Percent or Lower in 2023". Philippine Statistics Authority. 6 February 2026. Archived from the original on 3 June 2026. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  5. ↑ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  6. 1 2 "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. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 February 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  19. ↑ "2003 Small Area Estimates of Poverty (Full Report)" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 11 March 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 May 2025. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  20. ↑ "2006 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012. Archived from the original on 21 May 2025. Retrieved 4 August 2012.
  21. ↑ "PSA Releases the 2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016. Archived from the original on 21 September 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  22. ↑ "PSA Releases the 2015 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019. Archived from the original on 24 February 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  23. ↑ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Archived from the original on 15 January 2022. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  24. ↑ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  25. ↑ "881 Cities and Municipalities Recorded Poverty Incidence of 20 Percent or Lower in 2023". Philippine Statistics Authority. 6 February 2026. Archived from the original on 3 June 2026. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Saint_Bernard,_Southern_Leyte&oldid=1378594365"