Barangay Kahayag is located on Pangangan Island, and belongs administratively to the town of Calape on the island province of Bohol, the Philippines.

History

Originally, Pangangan Island comprised four large barrios, namely Barangay Lomboy, Kinabag-an, Talisay and Madangog. But because of the island's large area, the government eventually decided to divide the island into eight barangay. The present eight barangay are Lawis, Lomboy, Madangog, Kinabag-an, Talisay, Looc, Magtongtong and Kahayag.

Barangay Kahayag was previously a part of barangay Lomboy. It was named Kahayag ("light") because it is the place where the rays of the sun strike first, bringing the dawn light.

Historically, several notable people have been community leaders. They include Eduardo Solis, a soldier and medical student who died on the "Death March" in Bataan during the Second World War, Celedonio Garay, a former vice-Mayor of Calape, and Severino Garay, who as barangay Captain, established the main barangay road. Severino Garay was only educated to the fourth grade before leaving school, but eventually became a public school teacher and a Municipal councilor.

Overview

Kahayag has a total land area of 22.77 hectares and a population of 460, comprising 99 households and 104 families. It is 7 km from its municipal center, the town of Calape. Sixty percent of the total land area is under cultivation, and planted with corn, cassava, camote, ubi, coconut trees, bananas, fruit trees, and other crops. The remaining forty per cent of the land area is comprised of residential lots.

Income

Shell craft, under the ownership of a single proprietor, has been a long-established cottage industry of the barangay. (Shell craft traditionally involves the making of ornaments, decorative items and so on from shells). There are also a number of sari-sari stores (small shops) where barangay residents can buy essential commodities. But fishing is the main source of livelihood in the barangay, and most barangayanons have their own fish traps and fish nets. Agriculture is only a secondary source of income.

Geography

The topography of Kahayag is predominantly flat with fertile soils. It is the only barangay on Pangangan Island in which wells can be found. Two of the wells are very old, and were the first to be constructed on the island. These wells are commonly called "Tabay Karaan". In earlier times, they were used to obtain drinking water, and provided water for the entire island population during the summer season. Water from these wells can still be used as cooking water, but nowadays every household in the barangay is connected to scheme water and has their own water supply.

Transport

Because it is 7 km away from the town, the main transportation to the island up until relatively recently was by boat. However, there is a now a road connecting Pangangan to Bohol, and transport is now by tricycle, volcan (larger tricycle) and motorcycle. The standard fare from Kahayag to Calape is P8.00 (about US 15 cents).

Fuel

Barangay residents use wood or gas for fuel, and some have electric cookers. Ninety-five percent of households use electricity for their lighting, and the remaining 5 percent use kerosene.

Religion

The people of the barangay are Roman Catholic.

Organizations

The barangay has a religious organization, the Virgin of the Barangay and Sr. Sto. Nino. There is also a Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) organization which undertakes useful environmental projects for the barangay.

Education

Whilst some of the barangay residents have not had the opportunity to obtain a full formal education due to their financial circumstances, most of the current residents have completed their secondary education and many have also undertaken tertiary studies at College.

Administration

Barangay Kahayag continues to develop through the good management of the Barangay Captain with the support of the barangay officials and the residents of Kahayag. The current Council members and officials are:

For further information about Barangay Kahayag, contact Asuncion Labrigas, Barangay Treasurer.

Links

Provincial Government of Bohol
Municpality of Calape

Disclaimer

This site is an unofficial website and information presented here, whilst intended to be as accurate as possible, does not constitute a formal document of the Council of Barangay Kahayag. All responsibility for content on this site is vested in the site author, Asuncion Labrigas.

This site maintained by Siony Labrigas
last updated 18/11/2003

© Asuncion Labrigas 2001