Mercedes, officially the Municipality of Mercedes (; ), is a municipality in the province of Camarines Norte, Philippines. According to the , it has a population of people.
The town's offshore islands are home to the easternmost population of the critically-endangered Irrawaddy dolphin.
Etymology
The town was originally named "Barra", and it was a barangay of Daet, the provincial capital. Its name was changed to Mercedes after Doña Mercedes, a rich woman who devoted her life of helping the community, especially the poor.
History
Mercedes was created from the barrios of Babatnon, Lanot, Lalawigan, Pinagdamhan, Hamoraon, Colasi, Tarum, Pambuhan, Masalong-salong, Hinipaan, Matoogtoog, Cayucyucan, Mambongalon, Manguisoc, Gaboc, Mercedes, Tanayagan, Tagontong, Catandonganon, Cariñgo Island, Quinapaquian Island, Apuao Island, all formerly part of Daet, Camarines Norte, by virtue of Republic Act No. 341, approved on July 26, 1948.
Geography
Barangays
Mercedes is politically subdivided into 26 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
- Apuao
- Barangay I (Poblacion)
- Barangay II (Poblacion)
- Barangay III (Poblacion)
- Barangay IV (Poblacion)
- Barangay V (Poblacion)
- Barangay VI (Poblacion)
- Barangay VII (Poblacion)
- Caringo
- Catandunganon
- Cayucyucan
- Colasi
- Del Rosario (Tagongtong)
- Gaboc
- Hamoraon
- Hinipaan
- Lalawigan
- Lanot
- Mambungalon
- Manguisoc
- Masalongsalong
- Matoogtoog
- Pambuhan
- Quinapaguian
- San Roque
- Tarum
Climate
Demographics
thumbnail|right|Municipal hall
In the 2024 census, the population of Mercedes was 53,702 people, with a density of .
Economy
Tourism
thumb|Apuao Island
thumbnail|right|Port of Mercedes
Waterfalls:
- Colasi Falls - barangay Colasi
- Malunay Falls - sitio Malunay
- Bahaw Falls - barangay Hamoraon
- Hinipaan Falls - barangay Hinipaan
Education
The Mercedes Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools.
Primary and elementary schools
- Cayucyucan Elementary School
- Claro Ibasco Elementary School
- Colasi Elementary School
- Gaboc Elementary School
- Hamoraon Elementary School
- Hinipaan Elementary School
- Lalawigan Elementary School
- Lanot Elementary School
- Lope Manlangit Elementary School
- Mambungalon Elementary School
- Manguisoc Elementary School
- Mansalongsalong Elementary School
- Matoogtoog Elementary School
- Mercedes Elementary School
- Quinapaguian Elementary School
- Pambuhan Elementary School
- San Roque Elementary School
- Tagongtong Elementary School
- Tarum Elementary School
Secondary schools
- Don Pablo S Villafuerte National High School
- Manguisoc National High School
- Mercedes High School
- San Roque National High School
Higher educational institution
- Camarines Norte State College - Mercedes Campus (formerly Mercedes School of Fisheries)
References
External links
- [ Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
- Philippine Census Information