Pola, officially the Municipality of Pola (), is a municipality in the province of Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. According to the , it has a population of people. It is from Calapan.

It is known as the heritage town of Oriental Mindoro for its vast ancestral homes and heritage houses which were built during the Spanish era.

Etymology

Its name was derived from the color of the soil in the locality, which is reddish clay. In Tagalog, this is called "pula". This name persisted until the Spaniards arrived and embraced it as the name of the town. The Poblacion is located at the estuary of the Casiligan River, surrounded by abundant green mountain ranges and rocky hills to the west, Hence, the people are given a conducive refuge for agriculture, fishing, and nipa weaving.

History

Oil spill

The town recently gained national attention because of an oil spill that occurred on February 28, 2023, after the MT Princess Empress sank off the coast of neighboring town Naujan; Pola is one of the worst affected municipalities by the oil spill.

Geography

Barangays

Pola is politically subdivided into 23 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

  • Bacauan
  • Bacungan
  • Batuhan
  • Bayanan
  • Biga
  • Buhay na Tubig
  • Calubasanhon
  • Calima
  • Casiligan
  • Malibago
  • Maluanluan
  • Matulatula
  • Pahilahan
  • Panikihan
  • Zone I (Poblacion)
  • Zone II (Poblacion)
  • Pula
  • Puting Cacao
  • Tagbakin
  • Tagumpay
  • Tiguihan
  • Campamento
  • Misong

Climate

Demographics

Economy

Education

The Pola 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

  • Bacawan Elementary School
  • Bacungan Elementary School
  • Bakyaan Elementary School
  • Bayanan Primary School
  • Biga Elementary School
  • Buhay Na Tubig Elementary School
  • Calatagan Elementary School
  • Calima Elementary School
  • Calubasanhon Elementary School
  • Casiligan Elementary School
  • Malibago Elementary School
  • Maluanluan Elementary School
  • Matulatula Elementary School
  • Misong Elementary School
  • Pahilahan Elementary School
  • Panikihan Elementary School
  • Pola Central School
  • Pula Elementary School
  • Puting Cacao Elementary School
  • Tagbakin Elementary School
  • Tagumpay Elementary School
  • Tiguihan Elementary School

Secondary schools

  • Araceli B. Pantilanan - Bacawan High School
  • Domingo Yu Chu National High School
  • Guillermo Raymundo - Calima High School
  • Leandro Panganiban Sr. - Tagumpay High School
  • Matulatula High School
  • Pola Catholic School

Notable people

  • Noli De Castro – journalist, news anchor, 12th Vice-President of the Philippines (2004-2010)
  • Ejay Falcon – Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition Plus big winner, actor, and former Oriental Mindoro vice-governor

References

  • Pola Profile at PhilAtlas.com
  • [ Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
  • Philippine Census Information
  • Local Governance Performance Management System