Laua-an, Antique

Laua-an
Municipality
Location within Antique province
Laua-an Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 11°09′N 122°03′E / 11.15°N 122.05°ECoordinates: 11°09′N 122°03′E / 11.15°N 122.05°E
Country	Philippines
Region	Western Visayas (Region VI)
Province	Antique
District	Lone district
Founded	January 1, 1915
Barangays	40 (see Barangays)
Government [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor	Francisco G. Baladjay Jr.
Area[2]
• Total	100.72 km^2 (38.89 sq mi)
Population (2015 census)[3]
• Total	26,072
• Density	260/km^2 (670/sq mi)
• Voter (2016)[4]	16,835
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	5705
IDD : area code	+63 (0)36
Income class	4th class
PSGC	060609000
Website	elgu.ncc.gov.ph/ecommunity/lauaan-antique/

Laua-an, officially the Municipality of Laua-an (Karay-a: Banwa kang Laua-an; Hiligaynon: Banwa sang Laua-an; Filipino: Bayan ng Laua-an), is a municipality in the province of Antique in the Western Visayas (Region VI) of the Philippines. The population was 26,072 at the 2015 census.^[3] In the 2016 election, it had 16,835 registered voters.^[4]

Laua-an celebrates its Pahinis Festival every January.

Geography

Laua-an is located at 11°09′N 122°03′E / 11.15°N 122.05°E.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 100.72 square kilometres (38.89 sq mi)^[2] constituting 3.69% of the 2,729.17-square-kilometre- (1,053.74 sq mi) total area of Antique.

Barangays

Laua-an is politically subdivided into 40 barangays.^[5]

PSGC	Barangay	Population			±% p.a.
		2015[3]		2010[6]
060609043	Bagongbayan	2.7%	706	659	+1.32%
060609002	Banban	0.6%	147	129	+2.52%
060609003	Bongbongan	1.0%	250	265	−1.10%
060609004	Cabariwan	2.5%	660	620	+1.20%
060609005	Cadajug	4.4%	1,153	1,110	+0.73%
060609006	Canituan	2.2%	568	572	−0.13%
060609007	Capnayan	1.4%	365	319	+2.60%
060609008	Casit-an	4.6%	1,200	1,157	+0.70%
060609010	Guiamon	1.0%	249	239	+0.78%
060609009	Guinbanga-an	7.2%	1,879	1,864	+0.15%
060609011	Guisijan	9.2%	2,404	2,382	+0.18%
060609012	Igtadiao	1.1%	294	262	+2.22%
060609013	Intao	2.5%	660	672	−0.34%
060609014	Jaguikican	3.4%	874	896	−0.47%
060609015	Jinalinan	0.8%	202	220	−1.61%
060609016	Lactudan	0.9%	247	274	−1.96%
060609017	Latazon	1.8%	476	494	−0.70%
060609018	Laua-an	1.5%	379	349	+1.58%
060609020	Liberato	1.6%	411	463	−2.24%
060609021	Lindero	6.3%	1,649	1,560	+1.06%
060609022	Liya-liya	1.6%	422	395	+1.27%
060609019	Loon	2.8%	743	735	+0.21%
060609023	Lugta	2.8%	719	576	+4.31%
060609024	Lupa-an	2.1%	559	557	+0.07%
060609025	Magyapo	1.0%	257	242	+1.15%
060609026	Maria	5.0%	1,311	1,364	−0.75%
060609027	Mauno	2.0%	524	457	+2.64%
060609028	Maybunga	2.0%	525	343	+8.44%
060609029	Necesito (Paniatan)	1.2%	307	339	−1.87%
060609030	Oloc	4.5%	1,168	994	+3.12%
060609031	Omlot	1.0%	260	233	+2.11%
060609032	Pandanan	1.4%	359	346	+0.70%
060609034	Paningayan	1.5%	384	360	+1.24%
060609035	Pascuala	0.7%	194	202	−0.77%
060609036	Poblacion (Centro)	7.6%	1,975	1,933	+0.41%
060609038	San Ramon	0.6%	167	139	+3.56%
060609039	Santiago	2.6%	670	622	+1.43%
060609040	Tibacan	0.7%	177	230	−4.86%
060609041	Tigunhao	1.3%	343	375	−1.68%
060609042	Virginia	0.9%	235	263	−2.12%
	Total		26,072	25,211	+0.64%

Demographics

Population census of Laua-an
Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1990 19,865 —     1995 21,069 +1.11% 2000 23,258 +2.14%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 2007 23,808 +0.32% 2010 25,211 +2.11% 2015 26,072 +0.64%
Source: PSA[3][6][7]

In the 2015 census, Laua-an had a population of 26,072.^[3] The population density was 260 inhabitants per square kilometre (670/sq mi).

In the 2016 election, it had 16,835 registered voters.^[4]

Economy

Muscovado brown sugarcane sugar

The town is primarily agricultural with rice, sugarcane and corn as primary crops. Monggo beans, peanuts and vegetables are also grown in limited areas of the land. Laua-an has the most number of sugarcane mills in the whole province of Antique. Some sugarcane mills in town refines muscovado sugar through technology transfer from foreign aid such that residue-free muscovado sugar is now produced.

The deep sea waters of Sulu Sea is abundant with fish and marine life like sardines, tuna, squids, mackerel, crabs and other seafoods which is a source of living for most residents.

Tourism

Among the tourist attractions are Mount Igmatongtong in barangay Capnayan, Maybunga Water falls in barangay Maybunga, and Estaka Hill in barangay Poblacion. Estaca Hill in the Poblacion provides a strategic place to view the barangay Poblacion, the Sulu Sea and its environs.

Festivals

Cut sugarcane

Pre-Catholic pre-Spanish Indianized Srivijaya-era Pahinis Festival similar to Makar Sankranti, is celebrated annually to feature the muscovado sugar industry of the town, the technology of which dates back to the Spanish era. "Pahinis" means to clean and prepare the tools for sugarcane milling which corresponds to a celebration to thank God for a fine harvest of sugarcane.

The town celebrates its centennial foundation in January 2015. Weeklong celebration features Pahinis Festival Mardi Gras; LGU, professionals, senior citizens and barangay night; Bugal Kang Laua-an (Pride of Laua-an) Awards Night; and Search for Hara de Pahinis (Pahinis Queen) Beauty Pageant and Coronation Night. The winner of this pageant represents the municipality during the Search for Lin-ay kang Antique (Miss Antique) during the Binirayan Festival in the capital town of San Jose de Buenavista every last week of December. Other events include boat racing along the Sulu Sea, and Aring Beach Festival at the last night of the celebration in Barangay Cadajug.

References

1. "Municipality". Quezon City, Philippines: Department of the Interior and Local Government. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
2. "Province: Antique". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
3. "Region VI (WESTERN VISAYAS)". Census of Population (2015): Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay (Report). PSA. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
4. "2016 National and Local Elections Statistics". Commission on Elections. 2016.
5. "Municipal: Laua-an, Antique". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
6. "Region VI (WESTERN VISAYAS)". Census of Population and Housing (2010): Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay (Report). NSO. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
7. "Region VI (WESTERN VISAYAS)". Census of Population (1995, 2000 and 2007): Total Population by Province, City and Municipality (Report). NSO. Archived from the original on 24 June 2011.