Tubigon

Tubigon, officially the Municipality of Tubigon (Cebuano: Munisipyo sa Tubigon; Tagalog: Bayan ng Tubigon), is a municipality in the province of Bohol, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 47,886 people.^[3]

Tubigon
Municipality
Municipality of Tubigon
Aerial view of Tubigon, Bohol
Flag
Map of Bohol with Tubigon highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Tubigon Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 9°57′N 123°58′E
Country	Philippines
Region	Central Visayas
Province	Bohol
District	1st district
Founded	1819
Barangays	34 (see Barangays)
Government  [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor	William R. Jao
• Vice Mayor	Renato C. Villaber
• Representative	Edgardo M. Chatto
• Municipal Council	Members Paciente D. Fuentes Delia F. Lasco Ernnest Paulo L. Mascariñas Everardeen A. Flores Aniceto U. Alipoyo Dionisio P. Sarpamones Oscar M. Labastilla Flaviano R. Adtoon
• Electorate	33,429 voters (2025)
Area [2]
• Total	81.87 km2 (31.61 sq mi)
Elevation	39 m (128 ft)
Highest elevation	360 m (1,180 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (2020 census)[3]
• Total	47,886
• Density	580/km2 (1,500/sq mi)
• Households	11,389
Economy
• Income class	1st municipal income class
• Poverty incidence	23.35 % (2021)[4]
• Revenue	₱ 299 million (2022)
• Assets	₱ 693.1 million (2022)
• Expenditure	₱ 277.6 million (2022)
• Liabilities	₱ 112.9 million (2022)
Service provider
• Electricity	Bohol 1 Electric Cooperative (BOHECO 1)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	6329
PSGC	071245000
IDD : area code	+63 (0)38
Native languages	Boholano dialect Cebuano Tagalog
Website	www.tubigon.gov.ph

Tubigon is well known for its "lambay" crabs.^[5]

The municipality of Tubigon, Bohol celebrates its feast on May 15, to honor the town patron San Isidro Labrador.^[6]

History

The first settlers in Tubigon settled along the shores of the river that flows through the community. Their exact origins are unknown but they are thought to be early Malays from southeast Asian countries, migrating to the Philippines in small bangkas. Seasonal overflowing of the river flooded the community and led the place to be called "Tubigan" (meaning "place having water" or "watery"), which later morphed into "Tubigon" (meaning "place abounding in water"). The first record of the town of Tubigon dates from the early part of the 17th century.^[7][8]

In 1816, the community organized itself under a recognized headman, Yguiz Hutora, who was succeeded by teniente Mijares and by teniente Matong in 1818. A chapel was built on an elevated site of the settlement but had no officiating priest. A coadjutor of the Spanish friars from the Calape parish would perform the religious ceremonies.^[7]

In 1819, by authority of the Spanish governor of Cebu, Tubigon was formally organized into an independent town by separating from the town of Calape, with Capitan Teniente Matong becoming the first gobernadorcillo.^[7]

Starting in 1852, the exact boundaries of the municipality were defined. On 8 March of that year, sitio Bacane was made the boundary between Tubigon and Inabanga. In 1856, the boundary with Calape was fixed at Mandaug. On 19 June 1865, the boundary between Tubigon and Catigbian was set at the Sampilangon River and on 14 September 1913, the boundary with Antequera (currently San Isidro) was fixed at sitio Tubod.^[7]

On 31 January 1919, Tubigon lost five barrios when Clarin was formed by virtue of proclamation by Governor Yeater.^[7][9]

Tubigon was badly affected by the 2013 Bohol earthquake, suffering 11 fatalities and damage to some 7,300 homes, as well as total destruction of its town hall and church.^[10]

Geography

Map of Tubigon showing barangays and islands

Tubigon is bounded by Calape in the west, Clarin in the east, by the Cebu Strait in the north, and San Isidro in the south. Located 54 kilometres (34 mi) from Tagbilaran, it is the nearest seaport in Bohol to Cebu City, providing many daily ferry round-trips to Cebu City. It has recently expanded its seaport to accommodate additional sea traffic.^[11]

Barangays

Tubigon is politically subdivided into 34 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

PSGC	Barangay	Population			±% p.a.
		2020[3]		2010[12]
071245001	Bagongbanwa	2.2%	1,043	876	▴	1.76%
071245003	Banlasan	1.9%	891	893	▾	−0.02%
071245004	Batasan (Batasan Island)	1.8%	852	1,107	▾	−2.58%
071245005	Bilangbilangan	0.9%	444	567	▾	−2.42%
071245006	Bosongon	2.7%	1,295	1,070	▴	1.93%
071245007	Buenos Aires	2.3%	1,101	945	▴	1.54%
071245002	Bunacan	2.0%	959	980	▾	−0.22%
071245008	Cabulihan	5.2%	2,477	2,327	▴	0.63%
071245009	Cahayag	2.6%	1,243	1,213	▴	0.24%
071245010	Cawayanan	3.1%	1,507	1,455	▴	0.35%
071245011	Centro (Poblacion)	5.2%	2,471	2,821	▾	−1.32%
071245012	Genonocan	1.4%	688	506	▴	3.12%
071245013	Guiwanon	2.6%	1,261	1,210	▴	0.41%
071245014	Ilihan Norte	2.9%	1,384	1,498	▾	−0.79%
071245015	Ilihan Sur	1.4%	657	634	▴	0.36%
071245016	Libertad	2.5%	1,178	1,095	▴	0.73%
071245017	Macaas	5.0%	2,391	2,266	▴	0.54%
071245019	Matabao	2.3%	1,090	1,245	▾	−1.32%
071245018	Mocaboc Island	1.3%	624	606	▴	0.29%
071245020	Panadtaran	1.8%	864	927	▾	−0.70%
071245021	Panaytayon	4.7%	2,230	2,069	▴	0.75%
071245022	Pandan	2.5%	1,214	1,324	▾	−0.86%
071245023	Pangapasan (Pangapasan Island)	1.1%	514	596	▾	−1.47%
071245024	Pinayagan Norte	4.6%	2,212	2,082	▴	0.61%
071245025	Pinayagan Sur	4.6%	2,180	1,956	▴	1.09%
071245026	Pooc Occidental (Poblacion)	1.8%	851	1,131	▾	−2.80%
071245027	Pooc Oriental (Poblacion)	5.3%	2,533	2,644	▾	−0.43%
071245028	Potohan	4.5%	2,137	1,868	▴	1.35%
071245029	Talenceras	1.7%	821	798	▴	0.28%
071245030	Tan‑awan	1.4%	655	883	▾	−2.94%
071245031	Tinangnan	6.1%	2,909	2,714	▴	0.70%
071245032	Ubay Island	0.4%	196	241	▾	−2.05%
071245033	Ubojan	5.1%	2,441	1,869	▴	2.71%
071245034	Villanueva	1.2%	580	486	▴	1.78%
	Total		47,886	44,902	▴	0.65%

Islands

There about 17 minor islands in the municipal, some of whom are inhabited:

• Bagongbanwa
• Batasan
• Bilangbilangan
• Budlaan
• Cabgan
• Cancostino
• Danajon Reef (part)
• Hayaan
• Inanuran
• Maagpit
• Mocaboc
• Pangapasan
• Sib
• Silo
• Taboan Islet
• Tanga‑on
• Ubay Island and Reef

Climate

Climate data for Tubigon, Bohol
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	28 (82)	28 (82)	29 (84)	31 (88)	31 (88)	30 (86)	30 (86)	30 (86)	30 (86)	29 (84)	29 (84)	28 (82)	29 (85)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	23 (73)	23 (73)	23 (73)	23 (73)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	23 (73)	24 (74)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	98 (3.9)	82 (3.2)	96 (3.8)	71 (2.8)	104 (4.1)	129 (5.1)	101 (4.0)	94 (3.7)	99 (3.9)	135 (5.3)	174 (6.9)	143 (5.6)	1,326 (52.3)
Average rainy days	18.0	14.1	17.1	16.8	23.7	25.7	25.8	23.3	24.2	25.9	24.0	20.6	259.2
Source: Meteoblue (Use with caution: this is modeled/calculated data, not measured locally.)[13]

Demographics

Population census of Tubigon

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1903	15,168	—
1918	21,261	+2.28%
1939	21,766	+0.11%
1948	23,344	+0.78%
1960	24,040	+0.25%
1970	25,768	+0.70%
1975	28,275	+1.88%
1980	29,993	+1.19%
1990	34,302	+1.35%
1995	34,578	+0.15%
2000	40,385	+3.38%
2007	44,434	+1.33%
2010	44,902	+0.38%
2015	45,893	+0.42%
2020	47,886	+0.84%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[14][12][15][16]

Economy

Poverty incidence of Tubigon

10 20 30 40 50 2000 37.94 2003 21.21 2006 41.50 2009 37.36 2012 26.69 2015 21.48 2018 16.30 2021 23.35 Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]

Agriculture and fishing are the primary industries. 60% of the total land area of the municipality is used by agriculture and other related industries. The main agricultural produce includes rice, corn, coconut, bananas and different variety of vegetables.^[25]

Electric power is supplied by the Bohol Electric Cooperative I (BOHECO I). Its new administrative building is located in Tubigon along the National Road.

Tourism

Enchanted Ilijan Hill Volcanic Nature Park

On April 15, 2024, first placer, Tubigon was awarded P25 million by the Department of Tourism's Tourism Champions Challenge, for the five-year development of Poblacion's Enchanted Ilijan Hill Volcanic Nature Park. Ilijan Hill was certified by PHIVOLCS as a volcanic plug, the Philippines’ first. As a prime tourist attraction with biodiversity and nature conservation, it showcases along the Plug Heritage Zone, a visitor center, a view deck, the Ilijan Heritage Center, Tubigon Arts and Culture Village and garden trail.^[26]

Transportation

Road

The main National Road is paved and provides easy access to neighboring coastal communities, with travel time to Tagbilaran about one hour. There are inland roads to Catigbian and San Isidro.

Public utility buses are available daily on routes to any point within the province of Bohol. Trips to Tagbilaran are on a 30-minute interval. Cars and vans are available for rent or charter any time.

Boat and ferry

Tubigon's municipal port is the second largest and busiest port in the province of Bohol. It is served by 6 conventional vessels and 2 modern fastcraft with a total of 20 trips daily to Cebu City. A roll-on/roll-off ferry operated by Lite Shipping Corporation is also operational making two trips daily.^[25]

There is no scheduled ferry service to smaller outlying islands, but outrigger canoes may be chartered any time.

Gallery

• 
  Municipal hall (pre-earthquake)...
• 
  ...and after
• 
  Poblacion
• 
  Cultural Center
• 
  Market and Commercial Center

Notable personalities

• Amay Bisaya, actor and comedian^[27][28]
• Pauline Amelinckx, Miss Supranational 2023 first runner-up