Bobon, officially the Municipality of Bobon (; ), is a municipality in the province of Northern Samar, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 27,266 people.

Etymology

The name of the municipality stems from two main local narratives centered around its unique geography and abundant freshwater:

  • Bonbon meaning fine sand or coral, which reflects the town's low-lying coastal geography, where digging deep revealed a thick layer of coral reef and white sand that naturally filters the ground into a potable water.
  • Bobon, Bicolano word for "well," named by Bicolano fishermen and Spanish conquistadors who took refuge during a storm, discovered a massive natural well of fresh drinking water, and permanently settled around it.

History

On July 25, 1949, barrios Aguadahan, Bag-ong Saban, Buenavista, Carangian, Giratag, Jamoog, Rosario, Salhag, and Tubigdanao were excised from Bobon to form the new independent municipality of San Jose, by virtue of Executive Order No. 248. Initially part of the undivided province of Samar, the municipality later became part of the new province of Northern Samar, following the 1965 Samar division plebiscite in November.

On June 21, 1969, several northern island barrios of Bobon were excised to form the independent municipality of Biri.

Geography

The town borders with Catarman in the east, San Jose and Victoria in the west, Lope de Vega to the southeast, and Calbayog in Samar in the south.

Barangays

Bobon is politically subdivided into 18 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

  • Acerida
  • Arellano
  • Balat-balud
  • Dancalan
  • E. Duran (Himaraganan)
  • Gen. Lucban (Poblacion)
  • Jose Abad Santos
  • Jose P. Laurel (Casulgan)
  • Magsaysay (Doce)
  • Calantiao (Pangobi-an)
  • Quezon (Panicayan)
  • Salvacion
  • San Isidro
  • San Juan (Poblacion)
  • Santa Clara (Poblacion)
  • Santander
  • Somoroy
  • Trojello

Climate

Demographics

Economy

The annual regular revenue of Bobon for the fiscal year of 2016 was <abbr>₱</abbr>71,646,727.00.

Education

  • Balat Balud Elementary School
  • ETBMSF- Eladio T. Balite Memorial School of Fisheries
  • CRAFTSMEN- Bobon School For Philippine Craftsmen
  • PCU- Philippine Christian University (Asia College)
  • BCES- Bobon Central Elementary School
  • SES- Salvation Elementary School
  • MES- Magsaysay Elementary School
  • DES- Dancalan Elementary School
  • AES- Acereda Elementary School
  • JPLES- Jose P. Laurel Elementary School
  • TES- Trujillo Elementary School
  • Seno Memorial Institute (formerly Bobon Catholic Institute) – not in operation anymore as of 14 October 2008
  • Quezon Elementary School
  • Santander Elementary School
  • E.duran Elementary School
  • San Isidro Elementary School
  • Somoroy Elementary School
  • Calantiao Elementary School
  • Arellano Elementary School

References

  • [ Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
  • Philippine Census Information
  • Local Governance Performance Management System