The GOP-UNDP-EC Assistance Programme for the IDP Families and Communities in the ARMM Island Provinces

Barangay Profile: Barangay Lapa, Maimbung, Sulu

A. Historical Background 

            In 1932 Barangay Lapa was the beautiful community in the Municipality of Maimbung, because it is located in a costal area, many people are visit there and other different barangay to exchange there food to fish to the Sama tribe.

            After that day, there was a strong calamity came in the barangay which is the strong typhoon (wind) and destroyed the resource in this place.

            Mr. Hatib Subahani Allung was the historical owner and natural born citizen of this barangay which is the Grand Father of current Barangay Chairman Mr. Assim D. Maadil.

            After the strong typhoon (wind) Hatub Subahani ordered his people the clean the entire community affected by the said typhoon. Hence, Mr. Allung gave his community name called LAPA means CLEAN until it was finally recognized by the Municipal Local Government Unit.

            During Second World War, Mr. Allung is one of the great Guerillas Commander until he was appointed Vice Mayor of Maimbung Municipality.

            During the time of SIPADAN CRISIS as a result of all out war against the kidnappers, many IDP’s fled from the different barangays and came to Barangay LAPA and lived peacefully.

B. Physical Characteristics 

            Barangay Lapa is a coastal area; located in the Municipality of Maimbung it has a relative distance of 2 km rough road from the municipal town, and about 18 km from Jolo the provincial town of Sulu 8 km rough road. It has a total land area of 68 hectares with 3 sitios. Of this total land area, 84% are agricultural, 30% are residential and 22% reserved forest.

C. Socio-Demographic Data 

            C.1      Barangay Lapa has a total individual population of 1,112 and 318 IDP’s. 

            C.2      with the total household’s population of 240 in 3 sitios including IDP’s, 87 at Lapa proper, 43 at sitio Kimandil and 55 at sitio Tubig Asin. 

            C.3      The total number of IDP Household Families, 25 at Lapa proper, 11 at sitio Kimandil and 17 at sitio Tubig Asin. 

            C.4      The community residences 100% belong to TAOSUG Tribe. 

            C.5      Their religious affiliation is ISLAM.

D. Human Development Sector           

            Table 8: Manpower & Human Resource

            D. 1     Access to Information 

                        Barangay Lapa has no access to information like VHF handheld radio,

                        Television station, Telephone communication (Land line, Globe, Smart). 

            D. 2     Sanitary Facilities and Ownership 

                        There is no Public and Private Toilet, the community residences used to go to open pit area. 

            D. 3     Access to Water Supply 

                        The community residence fetching water from the deep wheel, but not enough for them that is why they forced to go to Palan River to fetch water about 3.5 km away from the main barangay.   

            D. 4     Common Occurring Illnesses 

                        LBM, Skin Daises, Fever, Cough and Malaria. 

            D. 5     Health Facilities & Health Workers 

                        Barangay Lapa lacked of Barangay Health Center and Health Facilities and no Barangay Health Worker.

E. Economic Development Sector 

            The major economic or livelihoods of the community residence are Cassava Plantation and Seaweeds Farming with the average income of 3,000 pesos per season. 

            E. 1      Types of Houses & Condition 

                        Majority of houses are made of bamboo, coconut leaves, local wood and nipa hut.

F. Infrastructure Facilities 

            Barangay Lapa has only one school building with five classrooms; its location is with in the barangay proper.  

            Means of transportation is Jeep as public utility vehicle with once a day trip and the duration of travel to jolo is 1 to 2 hours with 30.00 pesos regular pare. 

            No other Infrastructure Building aside from the School Building and the usage of the building and its facilities is for educational purposes only.

G. Organizational Development Sector 

            Barangay Lapa has People's Organization being organized except the Barangay Local Government Unit.