Sapian

Not to be confused with Saipan.

Sapian, officially the Municipality of Sapian (Capiznon/Hiligaynon: Banwa sang Sapian; Aklanon: Banwa it Sapian; Tagalog: Bayan ng Sapian), and sometimes spelled Sapi-an, is a municipality in the province of Capiz, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 26,697 people, making it the least populated municipality in the province.^[3]

Sapian
Municipality
Municipality of Sapian
Flag
Map of Capiz with Sapian highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Sapian Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 11°29′38″N 122°36′17″E
Country	Philippines
Region	Western Visayas
Province	Capiz
District	2nd district
Barangays	10 (see Barangays)
Government  [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor	Arthur John H. Biñas
• Vice Mayor	Doni C. Oducado
• Representative	Fredenil H. Castro
• Municipal Council	Members Sahxil Garcia Sham Llyod Axille Garcia Rainer Don Oducado Gian Guanco Ramcis Montina Philip Maxeem Dorado Marben O. Cordero Niño Diaz
• Electorate	19,067 voters (2025)
Area [2]
• Total	105.24 km2 (40.63 sq mi)
Elevation	34 m (112 ft)
Highest elevation	390 m (1,280 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (2020 census)[3]
• Total	26,697
• Density	250/km2 (660/sq mi)
• Households	6,646
Economy
• Income class	3rd municipal income class
• Poverty incidence	24.45 % (2021)[4]
• Revenue	₱ 159.4 million (2022)
• Assets	₱ 494.3 million (2022)
• Expenditure	₱ 44.46 million (2022)
• Liabilities	₱ 113.1 million (2022)
Service provider
• Electricity	Capiz Electric Cooperative (CAPELCO)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	5806
PSGC	061915000
IDD : area code	+63 (0)36
Native languages	Capisnon Hiligaynon Tagalog
Website	www.sapian.gov.ph

Geography

Sapian is 27 kilometres (17 mi) from Roxas City, the provincial capital.

Sapian Bay which is situated in the northern part of the municipality is geographically joined with Capiz Bay. The 30 km² Sapian and Capiz shallow sea bays has extensive intertidal mudflats, sandy beaches, mangrove swamps, estuaries of several small rivers, and associated coastal lagoons and marshes. Sapian Bay which opens up to the Sibuyan Sea is a source of livelihood for many Sapianons. Marine produce from Sapian Bay include green mussels, oysters, lobsters, different species of fish, and clams. Many lands near seawater were developed into fishponds that produce milkfish, prawns, and crabs.

Another source of livelihood is agriculture. Carpets of rice fields, trees and flowers can be seen as one travels through Sapian along the national road which connect Roxas City to Iloilo and Aklan. The ricefield along the national road are slowly disappearing to give way to housing developments. Sapian's main agricultural produce are rice and coconuts.

Barangays

Sapian is politically subdivided into 10 barangays. ^[5] Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

• Agsilab
• Agtatacay Norte
• Agtatacay Sur
• Bilao
• Damayan
• Dapdapan
• Lonoy
• Majanlud
• Maninang
• Poblacion

Climate

Climate data for Sapian, Capiz
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	27 (81)	28 (82)	29 (84)	31 (88)	32 (90)	31 (88)	30 (86)	30 (86)	29 (84)	29 (84)	29 (84)	27 (81)	29 (85)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	23 (73)	23 (73)	23 (73)	24 (75)	25 (77)	25 (77)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	23 (73)	24 (75)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	61 (2.4)	39 (1.5)	46 (1.8)	48 (1.9)	90 (3.5)	144 (5.7)	152 (6.0)	145 (5.7)	163 (6.4)	160 (6.3)	120 (4.7)	90 (3.5)	1,258 (49.4)
Average rainy days	12.3	9.0	9.9	10.0	18.5	25.0	27.4	26.0	25.9	24.9	17.9	14.2	221
Source: Meteoblue[6]

Demographics

Population census of Sapian

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1903	3,185	—
1918	4,398	+2.17%
1939	7,391	+2.50%
1948	8,218	+1.19%
1960	11,638	+2.94%
1970	14,171	+1.99%
1975	17,395	+4.20%
1980	18,753	+1.51%
1990	22,011	+1.62%
1995	22,534	+0.44%
2000	22,912	+0.36%
2007	23,552	+0.38%
2010	24,779	+1.87%
2015	25,821	+0.79%
2020	26,697	+0.66%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[7][8][9][10]

In the 2020 census, the population of Sapian was 26,697 people,^[3] with a density of 250 inhabitants per square kilometre or 650 inhabitants per square mile.

Language

Capiznon and Hiligaynon are the main languages of Sapian, but Aklanon is also spoken and understood due to its proximity to Aklan.

The town center

In the center of town (or poblacion) is a well-maintained park known simply as the plaza. It is the venue of many celebrations especially during the town fiesta. The people of Sapian show lavish cultural and religious celebrations from July 22 to 26 each year in honour of their patron saint Santa Ana.

A few meters away from the plaza is the municipal hall which holds local government offices. Next to it is the barangay hall and health clinic. Nearby is Sapian Elementary School, two big churches, the Catholic Church and the Aglipayan Church, and the public market.

About one kilometre from the town center is Sapian National High School and Capiz State University (CAPSU) Sapian Campus.

Economy

Poverty incidence of Sapian

10 20 30 40 50 60 2000 50.15 2003 37.22 2006 40.10 2009 24.27 2012 29.73 2015 21.10 2018 8.96 2021 24.45 Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]