Masbate
Masbate is a coastal province in the Bicol Region (Region V) in the Philippines. It covers about 4,138.56 square kilometers and is composed of 1 component city and 20 municipalities, subdivided into 550 barangays. The capital of the province is Masbate City, which also serves as the province’s main commercial center and chief seaport. The name 'Masbate' is believed to have come from the word 'Masibat,' referring to the rocky nature of its shores, reflecting the province’s rich history as an important trading post in the region.
HISTORY
Masbate has a long and rich history that dates back to pre-colonial times, inhabited by indigenous groups such as the Masbateños, who practiced fishing, farming, and trading with neighboring islands. Spanish explorers first arrived in the 16th century, integrating the province into the Spanish colonial government. Masbate became a separate province in 1864, after being part of the older provinces of Albay and Sorsogon. During the American period, Masbate saw the development of infrastructure and the introduction of formal education. Throughout its history, the province has been an important hub for trade, particularly for cattle and marine products, earning it the nickname 'The Cattle Capital of the Philippines.'
QUICK FACTS | |
| Population (Census 2024) | 910,813 |
| Land Area (2013) | 4,138.56 km² |
| No. of households | 206,351 |
| Average Household Size | 4.39 |
| Registered Voters | 619,174 |
| Major Landmarks | Masbate Cathedral |
| Coastal Access | yes |
| Estimated elevation above sea level | 700 meters |
Map
Masbate is located in the Bicol Region (Region V) in the central part of the Philippines. It is composed of three major islands—Masbate, Ticao, and Burias—and is bounded by Burias Pass, the San Bernardino Strait facing the Philippine Sea, the Visayan Sea near Leyte, and the Samar Sea across from Sorsogon.
MUNICIPALITIES POPULATION DATA
Masbate has 20 municipalities, 1 city and 550 barangays.
| name | type | barangay_count | population_2020 | population_2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aroroy | Municipality | 41 | 88351 | 89154 |
| Baleno | Municipality | 24 | 28855 | 28787 |
| Balud | Municipality | 32 | 40155 | 40236 |
| Batuan | Municipality | 14 | 14610 | 15614 |
| Cataingan | Municipality | 36 | 50623 | 51165 |
| Cawayan | Municipality | 37 | 69265 | 68510 |
| Claveria | Municipality | 22 | 42142 | 40733 |
| Dimasalang | Municipality | 20 | 24909 | 25054 |
| Esperanza | Municipality | 20 | 17534 | 18021 |
| Mandaon | Municipality | 26 | 44122 | 44177 |
| Masbate City | City(CC), Capital | 30 | 104522 | 104011 |
| Milagros | Municipality | 27 | 57538 | 57362 |
| Mobo | Municipality | 29 | 40823 | 41199 |
| Monreal | Municipality | 11 | 25164 | 25843 |
| Palanas | Municipality | 24 | 27322 | 28133 |
| Pio V. Corpus | Municipality | 18 | 23744 | 23641 |
| Placer | Municipality | 35 | 56340 | 56658 |
| San Fernando | Municipality | 26 | 21600 | 22006 |
| San Jacinto | Municipality | 21 | 29686 | 29458 |
| San Pascual | Municipality | 22 | 44449 | 44641 |
| Uson | Municipality | 35 | 57166 | 56410 |
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population by Age Group
Based on the 2020 Census, the largest age group is 10-14, with 115,274 individuals, followed closely by those aged 5-9 years (115,206) and Below 5 years (110,734). In contrast, the smallest population is found in the 80 years and above, with only 8,100 individuals.
| age | population_2020 |
|---|---|
| Below 5 | 110734 |
| 5-9 | 115206 |
| 10-14 | 115274 |
| 15-19 | 103341 |
| 20-24 | 75642 |
| 25-29 | 62166 |
| 30-34 | 53158 |
| 35-39 | 46688 |
| 40-44 | 43871 |
| 45-49 | 40181 |
| 50-54 | 36936 |
| 55-59 | 31230 |
| 60-64 | 26207 |
| 65-69 | 18936 |
| 70-74 | 12595 |
| 75-79 | 8655 |
| 80+ | 8100 |
Population by Gender
In 2020, the population was composed of approximately 50.74% males and 49.26% females, indicating a higher number of males than females.
ECONOMY
Agricultural Production Trends (2018–2023)
From 2018 to 2023, Masbate’s agricultural and fisheries production showed varying trends. Crop production increased from 6,000 metric tons in 2018 to a peak of 7,178 in 2022 before slightly declining to 6,860 in 2023. Livestock production steadily grew from 3,691 in 2018 to 5,328 in 2023, with notable increases in 2021 and 2022. Poultry production remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 231 and 347 over the years, ending at 304 in 2023. Fisheries production, however, declined overall from 5,368 in 2018 to 2,106 in 2023, despite minor increases in 2021. Overall, crops and livestock showed growth, poultry remained steady, and fisheries experienced a significant decrease.
| title | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Crops | 6608 | 7278 |
| Livestock | 2212 | 2534 |
| Poultry | 3359 | 3159 |
| Fisheries | 2582 | 2471 |