Magarao, Camarines Sur

Magarao
Municipality
Magarao municipal hall Magarao municipal hall
Map of Camarines Sur showing the location of Magarao Map of Camarines Sur showing the location of Magarao
Magarao Location within the Philippines
Coordinates:
Country	Philippines
Region	Bicol (Region V)
Province	Camarines Sur
District	2nd district
Founded	1570
Barangays	15
Government
• Mayor	Salvador A. Senar Jr.
Area
• Total	44.97 km2 (17.36 sq mi)
Population (2010)
• Total	24,274
• Density	540/km2 (1,400/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	4403
Dialing code	54
Income class	4th class; partially urban

Magarao is a fourth class municipality in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 24,274 people.

History

Magarao derived its name from a species of thorny wild bush locally known as garao-garao, which abundantly grows in the area. This type of plant no longer exists today as it was believed that the inhabitants of Magarao hindered its growth and propagation because of its thorny appearance.

It was a group of missionaries from the Order of Friars Minor who founded the town in 1570, although missionary work continued only in the year 1690.

Barangays

Magarao is politically subdivided into 15 barangays.

2

Demographics

Population census of Magarao
Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1990	16,623	—
1995	18,264	+1.78%
2000	20,964	+3.00%
2007	22,515	+0.99%
2010	24,274	+2.78%
Source: National Statistics Office

Languages

Bicol is widely spoken in the town, while Tagalog, Hiligaynon (Bisaya) and Ilocano are used immigrants and by locals as lingua francas when communicating with non-Bicolanos.

Religion

Residents of Magarao are predominantly Roman Catholic.

Barangay Sta. Lucia holds an annual novena to its patron saint, Lucy of Syracuse, nine days before her feast on 13 December. Villagers bring the saint's image in procession every morning of the novena at the poblacion, a celebration that attracts devotees from other parts of the Bicol Region. Hymns to the saint, known as the Gozos, as well as the Spanish version of the Ave Maria, are chanted during the dawn procession, which is followed by a Mass.

Economy

At present, Magarao belongs to the fifth class municipality although there are improvements being made by the local government to hasten its developmental stage. The town, through the initiative of its local officials, allows its constituents to engage into worthwhile activities by providing for them training and seminar workshops on various livelihood projects like ceramics training, papermaking, handicrafts and other community-based industries.

This was made possible due to the combined efforts made by the local government of Magarao and the provincial government of Camarines Sur through the Provincial Livelihood Training, Research and Development Program. PLTRD is geared towards providing community-based industries, identifying projects for product development and skills training and also conducting seminar and workshops for the various livelihood projects.

The residents of Magarao has immersed themselves in opportunities which would not just serve benefits for them but would obviously boost their town's economic condition.

Transportation

Coastal barangays are served by bancas that ply from the wharf near Naga City to the barangays of Ponong, Barobaybay and Carigsa along the Bicol River and in the estuarine areas.

Utilities

Power and electricity is supplied by the Camarines Sur Electric Cooperative II (CASURECO II).

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Official Site of the Province of Camarines Sur