Moalboal, Cebu

Moalboal
Municipality
Panagsama Beach, Basdiot
Map of Cebu with Moalboal highlighted
Moalboal Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: PH 9°57′N 123°24′E / 9.95°N 123.4°ECoordinates: PH 9°57′N 123°24′E / 9.95°N 123.4°E
Country	Philippines
Region	Central Visayas (Region VII)
Province	Cebu
District	2nd district of Cebu
Founded	6 February 1852
Barangay	15 (see § Barangays)
Government [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor	Inocentes Cabaron (1‑Cebu)
• Vice mayor	Nelson Abenido
• Town Council	Members Raymond Mendoza Marcelino Deniega Hamabar Mahinay Luisa Manayaga Albert Tabañag Jinky Hanika Yvonne Cabaron Pedro Abrenica Commission on Elections
Area [2]
• Total	124.86 km^2 (48.21 sq mi)
Population (2010 census)[3]
• Total	27,676
• Density	220/km^2 (570/sq mi)
• Voter  (2013) [4]	18,663
Demonym(s)	Moalboalanon
Time zone	PHT (UTC+8)
ZIP code	6032
IDD : area code	+63 (0)32
Income class	4th class
PSGC	072233000
Website	www.moalboal.gov.ph

Moalboal is a fourth income class municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines.^[2] According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 27,676.^[3] In the 2013 election, it had 18,663 registered voters.^[4]

Extending as a peninsula on the south-western tip of Cebu, Moalboal is bordered to the west by the Tañon Strait. From the western shoreline, Negros Island can be seen. Moalboal is located 89 kilometres (55 mi) from Cebu City, about 2½ hours by bus.

Moalboal is between the towns of Alcantara and Badian. From the bridge located in Moalboal town can be seen the popular tourist attraction, Pescador Island.

Barangays

Moalboal comprises 15 barangays:^[2]

• Agbalanga
• Bala
• Balabagon
• Basdiot
• Batadbatad
• Bugho
• Buguil
• Busay
• Lanao
• Poblacion East
• Poblacion West
• Saavedra
• Tomonoy
• Tuble
• Tunga

Demographics

Population census of Moalboal
Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1990	20,041	—
1995	22,021	+1.78%
2000	23,402	+1.31%
2007	27,398	+2.20%
2010	27,676	+0.37%
Source: National Statistics Office[3][5]

In the 2013 election, it had 18,663 registered voters, meaning that 67% of the population are aged 18 and over.^[4]

Though the majority of the people in Moalboal are Cebuanos, a few members of cultural minorities have found their way there. Bajaus who are similar to Muslim nomads, are often seen in the streets, especially during the holiday season, as some of them make their living by begging. There is no evidence though that the badjaos have taken up permanent residence in the town.

Economy

Industry and trade

Moalboal is a peninsula and therefore it is almost entirely surrounded by water. Majority of the people who live in the flat lands engage in fishing as their main mode of livelihood. Those who live in the mountain regions, like Agbalanga and Bala, live through farming.

The common mode of transportation is by motorcycles with side cars, known locally as pedicabs or, depending on the distance, tricycles with side cars, called trisikads.

Tourism

Since the 1970s, Moalboal has developed a tourism industry based on recreational diving and beaches. Panagsama Beach is where most resorts and restaurants are established. Further north on the peninsula, in brgy Saavedra, is White Beach (Bas Dako in Visayan), a 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) beach which still has sand. This beach used to be quieter and mostly frequented by locals, and has only recently developed a tourist trade.

In Moalboal most tourists stay at either Panagsama Beach (Basdiot) or White Beach (Basdako), known for its beautiful sandy beach both located 3–5 kilometres (1.9–3.1 mi) away from the bus stop in Moalboal. It is easy to find transportation from the bus stop to either beach.

There is plenty of accommodation near either beach, although Panagsama has the most bars, restaurants, people and dive shops. Since the resorts in the area cater mostly to divers, entertainment is laid back and more of a chilled out pub style at atmosphere.

Recreational diving is the main tourist activity in Moalboal, and is considered very good, even according to Philippine standards. The reefs along the west coast of the Copton Peninsula are home to a great variety of marine life. Pescador Island, about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) off the coast, is the most popular dive spot. The structure of the reef that follows the entire coast line has made the place ideal for scuba-diving, snorkeling and freediving. Divers can enjoy easy access to the reef since the drop off is shallow and close to shore but drops down to more than 40 metres (130 ft). Big turtles can sometimes be seen very close to the shore line.

Other popular tourist attractions such as waterfalls, caves and canyons are found within 20 kilometres (12 mi) of Moalboal.

Fiesta

The annual feast of Moalboal is held on the 15 and 16 of May. Moalboal is known also for its "Kagasangan Festival" (coral) in which they perform tribal dances and music.

Also barangays and subdivisions have certain fiestas:

• Agbalanga – 29 September
• Balabagon – 5 April
• Basdiot – 27 April
• Bugho – 28 January
• Poblacion East & West – 3 May
• Pook – 4 June
• Saavedra – 15 October
• Tomonoy – 8 December
• Tuble – 21 January
• Tunga – 17 September

Gallery

• 

  White Beach

• 

  Coral reef

• 

  Moalboal waterfront

• 

  Moalboal Church

References

1. "Municipality". Quezon City, Philippines: Department of the Interior and Local Government. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
2. "Municipal: Moalboal, Cebu". PSA. Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
3. "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010" (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
4. "2013 National and Local Elections Statistics" (PDF). Commission on Elections. 2015.
5. "Population and Annual Growth Rates by Province, City and Municipality: Central Visayas: 1995, 2000 and 2007" (PDF). National Statistics Office. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 June 2011.

External links

• Moalboal Travel Guide