MUN. OF LAMBUNAO

BRIEF HISTORY

One widely accepted legend of its origins dates back to the Spanish time when Lambunao and Laglag (Dueñas) belonged to one big barangay called "Dalayawon".  It was peacefully and harmoniously ruled by two (2) friendly datus "Tomong and Lipukan." The generation that followed was the reverse. Tumangas, the son of Tomong, and Kaputi, the son of Hipukan had a tribal conflict thereby leading to the division of the barangay into two. 

Tumangas and his tribe moved westward to establish an independent settlement in Balikatkaton (present site of Barangay Da-anbanwa) which was then separated from the Ulian River by a lake. Kaputi and his tribe get the eastern side, which was known later as Dueñas. For so many years the place was governed by the natives and they lived in prosperity and contentment. 

It was believed one sunny day in the year 1569, that a group of Spaniards who had just occupied and settled in Aklan made it a policy to penetrate the hinterlands to gather foods, wealth and to know places. At about the middle of the 18th century they reached Balikatkaton. The natives fled upon seeing the white men except one who was unaware that was fishing in the lake. A Spaniards soldier approached the man and through a Malay interpreter inquired what the name of the place was. The man believing that he was fishing in the lake by means of the line and hook. The Spaniards thought it was correct answer to his question, but because it was rather long, he shortened it by calling "LAMBUNAO", and forthwith the place by this time.

LOCATION AND ACCESSIBILITY

Located in Central Iloilo, 48 kilometers from the City is Lambunao, the "Baguio of Iloilo Province", and approximately 576 feet above sea level, known to be the highest so far in the province. It lies within 122 degrees 18' 00" and 12 degrees 34'00" East longitude and within 11 degrees 09'00" and 11 degrees 09' 00" North latitude. It is bounded on the North by the Municipality of Calinog, on the East by the Municipality of Dueñas and Pototan, on the South by the Municipality of Janiuay and Badiangan, on the West by a portion of the Municipality of Janiuay, Iloilo and Valderama, Antique.

POLITICAL SUBDIVISION

Administratively, the Municipality of  Lambunao is comprised of  73 barangays, including the two (2) barangays situated in the Poblacion, created by the local legislative body. These barangays possesses corporate powers and all corresponding names and numerical designated until changed or abolished by law or ordinance.

RESOURCE PROFILE

Land Area
It has a land area of 40,709.00 hectares or 246.90 sq. km.,ranks second among the 43 municipalities of the province, endowed with vast resources, cool climate, rich cultural heritage and inhabited by peace loving and progress oriented populace.

Climate
There is only one common distinct climate in this municipality, which is ideal for planting of multiple crops. It has a type "C" (moist) rain sufficiency distributed with almost 4 1/2 dry months or first-type climate with two distinct seasons of six months; wet from June to January and four months dry from February to April which favor harvesting of late varieties of rice. Heavy rains, which are in to fall about Mid-May enable, rice farmers to prepare rice beds and plant upland rice. 

Its average annual rainfall is 4.511 for 1996 occasionally, a very pronounced drought occurs, like the one which started in November 1994 and lasted up to the month of June 1985, which hamper crop production of Lambunao. The average temperature is 27.90C and the average humidity is 77.8%.  This municipality is not within the country's typhoon belt although tropical storms and occasional typhoons pass through this municipality. The worst typhoon to hit Lambunao in this century was on November 13,1990. This suspertyphoon "Ruping" brought about destructions, which the residents have never experienced in their whole life. Hoses, public buildings, trees, electric lines and crops were devastated. Thousands were rendered home less. 

Cyclones and Tornadoes are also occasional happenings. Earthquakes are rare occurrences. The latest earthquake occurs last June 21, 1990. It has an intensity of 6 in the Richter Scale. Its epicenter was plotted near Kalibo, Aklan. No damage was reported in the municipality.

Mineral Resources

Sand and Gravel are the only mineral resources of the municipality. These are found in the river beds of Ulian and Tacbakan Rivers, which crosses their way towards the adjacent town, or municipality of Dueñas. Sand and Gravel are utilized by this town as a construction material in constructing various projects of the municipality as well as the seventy three (73) barangays comprising the municipality of Lambunao. Sand and Gravel are the most important material needed by the municipality in maintaining barangay roads, as well as in the improvement of buildings and various infrastructure projects.

DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE

As of September 1995 Census the total population of  Lambunao is 58,792

INFRASTRUCTURE AND UTILITIES

Schools

Primary and Elementary

There are a total of 19 schools in the District of Lambunao East and 26 schools in the District of Lambunao West with or total of 45 schools under the Department of Education Culture and Sports (DECS), of this total, 41 are elementary schools and 4 are in the primary level. One of these elementary schools is located in the poblacion - the Don Eugenio Ladrido Memorial Elementary Schools. The rest of the schools, the primary and elementary, are located in strategically situated barangays.

Secondary Education 

Secondary education is available at the Lambunao Institute of Science and Technology and Lambunao National High School in the poblacion and at one (1) National High Schools located at Barangay Binaba-an Labayno, and the WVSU-CAF at Barangay Jayubo, Lambunao, Iloilo.