Rapu-Rapu, officially the Municipality of Rapu-Rapu (Central Bikol: Banwaan kan Rapu-Rapu; Tagalog: Bayan ng Rapu-Rapu), is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Albay in the Bicol Region of the Philippines. The population was 36,151 at the 2020 census.[3]

Rapu-Rapu
Santa Florentina
Municipality of Rapu-Rapu
Flag of Rapu-Rapu
Official seal of Rapu-Rapu
Nickname: 
The Hidden Gem of Albay
Map of Albay with Rapu-Rapu highlighted
Map of Albay with Rapu-Rapu highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Map
Rapu-Rapu is located in Philippines
Rapu-Rapu
Rapu-Rapu
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 13°11′N 124°08′E / 13.18°N 124.13°E / 13.18; 124.13
CountryPhilippines
RegionBicol Region
ProvinceAlbay
District 2nd district
Founded1902
Barangays34 (see Barangays)
Government
[1]
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • MayorRonald A. Galicia
 • Vice MayorNora G. Oñate
 • RepresentativeJose Ma. Clemente "Joey" S. Salceda
 • Municipal Council
Members
 • Electorate22,940 voters (2022)
Area
 • Total
155.30 km2 (59.96 sq mi)
Elevation
27 m (89 ft)
Highest elevation
1,065 m (3,494 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2020 census)[3]
 • Total
36,151
 • Density230/km2 (600/sq mi)
 • Households
7,929
Economy
 • Income class3rd municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence
38.81
% (2021)[4]
 • Revenue₱ 140.7 million (2020), 135.6 million (2012), 157.6 million (2013), 103.2 million (2014), 100.4 million (2015), 108.7 million (2016), 117.6 million (2017), 132.5 million (2018), 126.1 million (2019), 156.5 million (2021), 198.2 million (2022)
 • Assets₱ 489.7 million (2020), 216.4 million (2012), 238.8 million (2013), 251.1 million (2014), 281.2 million (2015), 317 million (2016), 341.8 million (2017), 372.8 million (2018), 441.2 million (2019), 534.3 million (2021), 581.6 million (2022)
 • Expenditure₱ 102.2 million (2020), 70.02 million (2012), 76.44 million (2013), 75.93 million (2014), 65.9 million (2015), 78.41 million (2016), 82.23 million (2017), 97.32 million (2018), 96.12 million (2019), 103.7 million (2021), 132.5 million (2022)
 • Liabilities₱ 52.35 million (2020), 24.4 million (2012), 24.81 million (2013), 28.63 million (2014), 41.28 million (2015), 45.63 million (2016), 53.66 million (2017), 38.07 million (2018), 45.54 million (2019), 63.02 million (2021), 53.54 million (2022)
Service provider
 • ElectricityAlbay Power and Energy Corporation (APEC)
Time zoneUTC+08:00 (PST)
ZIP code
4517
PSGC
IDD:area code+63 (0)52
Native languagesCentral Bikol
Tagalog
Websitewww.rapu-rapu.gov.ph

The municipality comprises three islands: Rapu-rapu Island, Batan Island, and Guinanayan Island.

History

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Rapu-Rapu and Batan Islands were historically part of Prieto Diaz in Sorsogon. Before it became a municipality on 1901, it was a bario of Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon. The Visita (Chapel) here and the spiritual and pastoral needs of the people were taken care of by the Parish Priest of Prieto Diaz. Records show that Rev. Fr. Santiago Nepomuceno was in charge here in the early part of 1891, then Rev. Fr. Juan Brusola took over. It was during his term that the Parish of Sta. Florentina was founded.

Sometime after the year 1891, Rapu-Rapu and Batan Islands became part of the municipality of Bacon, Sorsogon mainly due to their geographical location, nearer to Bacon than to Prieto Diaz. This move was more favorable to the people transportation - wise and business - wise. Because of the growing population in both islands, Governor Arlington Betts, Civil Governor for the Province of Albay, created the municipality of Rapu - Rapu in 1901. A plebiscite was held. The people were made to choose, if they would want to belong to the province of Sorsogon or to the province of Albay. Majority of the people chose Albay for their province and their will pass respected.[5]

Geography

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Rapu-Rapu is located at 13°11′N 124°08′E / 13.18°N 124.13°E / 13.18; 124.13.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 155.30 square kilometres (59.96 sq mi)[6] constituting 6.03% of the 2,575.77-square-kilometre- (994.51 sq mi) total area of Albay.

Rapu-Rapu is 374 km (232 mi) southeast of Manila and 36 km (22 mi) east of Legazpi City, the provincial capital. The small island of Rapu-Rapu and Batan lie to the east of Luzon and together with the islands of San Miguel and Cagraray, form the northern rim of Albay Gulf. These islands represents a low monoclinal continuation of the eastern structural arch into the waters of Lagonoy Gulf. Most of the land surface of Rapu-Rapu has exposed basement-complex rocks in its interior consisting mainly of serpentines. Rapu-Rapu have deposits of coal and copper.[7]

Barangays

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Rapu-Rapu is politically subdivided into 34 barangays.[8] Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.


PSGC Barangay Population ±% p.a.
2020[3] 2010[9]
050515003 Bagaobawan 2.1% 769 722 0.63%
050515004 Batan 3.0% 1,093 927 1.66%
050515005 Bilbao 3.5% 1,265 1,172 0.77%
050515006 Binosawan 2.1% 747 968 −2.56%
050515007 Bogtong 3.0% 1,072 1,040 0.30%
050515008 Buenavista 2.3% 820 791 0.36%
050515009 Buhatan 2.8% 1,016 941 0.77%
050515010 Calanaga 2.6% 927 708 2.73%
050515011 Caracaran 3.8% 1,387 1,538 −1.03%
050515012 Carogcog 1.2% 421 349 1.89%
050515013 Dap-Dap 2.8% 1,024 890 1.41%
050515014 Gaba 2.3% 836 973 −1.51%
050515015 Galicia 5.6% 2,020 2,117 −0.47%
050515016 Guadalupe 1.0% 346 323 0.69%
050515017 Hamorawon 3.1% 1,118 1,100 0.16%
050515018 Lagundi 1.9% 696 708 −0.17%
050515019 Liguan 2.6% 958 918 0.43%
050515020 Linao 1.3% 484 499 −0.30%
050515021 Malobago 2.4% 869 868 0.01%
050515022 Mananao 3.3% 1,178 1,129 0.43%
050515023 Mancao 3.2% 1,146 1,226 −0.67%
050515024 Manila 2.3% 840 740 1.28%
050515025 Masaga 1.4% 517 501 0.31%
050515026 Morocborocan 2.6% 929 987 −0.60%
050515027 Nagcalsot 2.5% 899 864 0.40%
050515028 Pagcolbon 0.7% 244 442 −5.77%
050515029 Poblacion 16.2% 5,840 5,495 0.61%
050515030 Sagrada 2.0% 723 629 1.40%
050515031 San Ramon 6.2% 2,230 1,976 1.22%
050515032 Santa Barbara 0.5% 198 159 2.22%
050515033 Tinocawan 2.1% 753 699 0.75%
050515034 Tinopan 2.0% 713 652 0.90%
050515035 Viga 1.5% 543 544 −0.02%
050515036 Villahermosa 6.4% 2,299 2,280 0.08%
Total 36,151 35,875 0.08%

Climate

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Climate data for Rapu-Rapu, Albay
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 27
(81)
27
(81)
28
(82)
30
(86)
31
(88)
30
(86)
29
(84)
29
(84)
29
(84)
29
(84)
28
(82)
27
(81)
29
(84)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 22
(72)
22
(72)
23
(73)
24
(75)
25
(77)
25
(77)
25
(77)
25
(77)
25
(77)
24
(75)
24
(75)
23
(73)
24
(75)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 138
(5.4)
83
(3.3)
74
(2.9)
50
(2.0)
108
(4.3)
165
(6.5)
202
(8.0)
165
(6.5)
190
(7.5)
186
(7.3)
188
(7.4)
183
(7.2)
1,732
(68.3)
Average rainy days 16.8 11.9 13.5 13.8 20.5 25.2 27.4 26.2 26.1 24.7 20.7 18.5 245.3
Source: Meteoblue[10]

Rapu-Rapu has a tropical climate. There is significant rainfall throughout the year in Rapu-Rapu. Even the driest month still has a lot of rainfall. According to Köppen and Geiger, the climate is classified as Af. The average annual temperature in Rapu-Rapu is 27.1 °C (80.8 °F). The average annual rainfall is 2,848 mm (112.1 in). The driest month is April with 132 mm (5.2 in). Most precipitation falls in December, with an average of 476 mm (18.7 in). The warmest month of the year is June with an average temperature of 28.3 °C (82.9 °F). In February, the average temperature is 25.7 °C (78.3 °F). It is the lowest average temperature of the whole year. The difference in precipitation between the driest month and the wettest month is 344 mm. The average temperatures vary during the year by 2.6 °C.[11]

Typhoons are an especially frequent and destructive menace in the Bicol region. The months of September, October and November experience the more destructive of these violent tropical storms. Forty percent of the storms carrying high-velocity winds in the Philippine pass through Southeastern Luzon where Rapu-Rapu is located.[7]

Demographics

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Population census of Rapu-Rapu
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 3,834—    
1918 6,302+3.37%
1939 12,011+3.12%
1948 14,912+2.43%
1960 16,799+1.00%
1970 19,786+1.65%
1975 21,848+2.01%
1980 25,176+2.88%
1990 26,362+0.46%
1995 28,797+1.67%
2000 29,176+0.28%
2007 32,646+1.56%
2010 35,875+3.49%
2015 36,920+0.55%
2020 36,151−0.41%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[12][9][13][14]

In the 2020 census, Rapu-Rapu had a population of 36,151.[3] The population density was 230 inhabitants per square kilometre (600/sq mi).

Government

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The following were the elected officials of Rapu-Rapu for the term 2013–2016.[15][better source needed]

Local executive officials and members of the city council
Mayor Ronald Galicia (NP)
Vice Mayor Nora Onate (NP)
Councilors
Florante Dela Cruz (NP)
Retchell Bajaro (NP)
Larry Batas (NP)
Jun Jun Berjuega (LP)
Napoleon Bello (LP)
Arturo Ebrada (NP)
Zenaida Guianan (LP)
Gad Galicia (NP)

Education

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Rapu-Rapu has 36 elementary schools and 7 secondary schools directly supervised by Department of Education-Division of Albay.[16]

Primary schools

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  • Acal Elementary School
  • Bagaobawan Elementary School
  • Batan Elementary School
  • Bilbao Elementary School
  • Binosawan Elementary School
  • Bogtong Elementary School
  • Buenavista Elementary School
  • Buhatan Elementary School
  • Calanaga Elementary School
  • Caracaran Elementary School
  • Carogcog Elementary School
  • Dapdap Elementary School
  • Gaba Elementary School
  • Galicia Elementary School
  • Guinanayan Elementary School
  • Hamorawon Elementary School
  • Lagundi Elementary School
  • Liguan Elementary School
  • Linao Elementary School
  • Malobago Elementary School
  • Mananao Elementary School
  • Mancao Elementary School
  • Manila Elementary School
  • Masaga Elementary School
  • Minso Elementary School
  • Morocborocan Elementary School
  • Nagcalsot Elementary School
  • Nstr. Sra De Guadalupe Elementary School
  • Pagcolbon Elementary School
  • Rapu-Rapu Elementary School
  • Sagrada Elementary School
  • San Ramon Elementary School
  • Tinocawan Elementary School
  • Tinopan Elementary School
  • Viga Elementary School
  • Villahermosa Elementary School

Secondary schools

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  • Batan National High School
  • Bilbao National High School
  • Bogtong National High School
  • Mancao National High School
  • Rapu-Rapu National High School
  • Tinopan National High School
  • Villahermosa National High School

References

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  1. ^ Municipality of Rapu-Rapu | (DILG)
  2. ^ "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d Census of Population (2020). "Region V (Bicol Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  4. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  5. ^ "Quick Facts on Rapu-Rapu". NSOBicol.com. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  6. ^ "Province: Albay". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  7. ^ a b The Philippine Island World: A Physical, Cultural, and Regional Geography, p. 411, at Google Books
  8. ^ "Municipal: Rapu-Rapu". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  9. ^ a b Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region V (Bicol Region)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  10. ^ "Rapu-Rapu, Albay : Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  11. ^ "Climate: Rapu-Rapu - Temperature, Climate graph, Climate table". Climate-Data.org. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  12. ^ Census of Population (2015). "Region V (Bicol Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  13. ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region V (Bicol Region)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
  14. ^ "Province of Albay". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  15. ^ "Rapu-Rapu, Albay, Philippines - Universal Stewardship". Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  16. ^ "Checklist". Department of Education - Division of Albay. DepEd Albay ICT Team. 2011. Archived from the original on 2 November 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
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