Calape


Calape, officially the Municipality of Calape, is a municipality in the province of Bohol, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 33,022 people.

Etymology

Its name is historically linked to kalapi, a type of rattan once abundant in the area, or is believed to signify a traditional gathering place for traders and fishermen.

History

By the time Spaniards arrived, there was already a native settlement in Calape. In 1802, the Spanish governor of Cebu established it as an independent municipality.
In 1957, the barangay of Abucayan Norte was created from the sitios of Cabulihan and Cabinong, and the barangay of Abucayan Sur from the sitios of Rama and Bino. The sitios of Binogawan, Masonoy, Bentig, Cahayag, and Lawis were also constituted into barrios.

Geography

Calape is bounded by Loon in the west and Tubigon in the east. To the north, the town center faces the Cebu Strait on the western side of Bohol Island, from Tagbilaran. The jurisdiction of Calape includes the islands of Pangangan and Mantatao, as well as two uninhabited islets, Poom Island and Basihan Island.
There are four rivers that flow through the territory: Tultugan and Liboron Rivers that drain into Calape Bay, and Calunasan and Abucayan Norte Rivers that drain into Tipcan Bay.
Most of the coastal area is a fairly level plain that gradually rises into rolling hills of coralline limestone. The highest point in Calape is Mount Candungao in the eastern portion of the town, with an elevation of above sea level.

Barangays

Calape is politically subdivided into 33 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
There are 18 barangays which form part of coastal area.

Demographics

Religion

92% of Calape's population is Roman Catholic. The remaining 8% is divided among other religious groups.

Education

Calape boasts a high literacy rate, with 93.09% of its population being literate as of a 2007 survey.

Public Schools

Elementary Education

  • Banlasan Elementary School
  • Bentig-Calunasan Elementary School
  • Bonbon-Catmonan Elementary School
  • Cabayugan Elementary School
  • Cabudburan Elementary School
  • Calape Central Elementary School
  • Camias Elementary School
  • Canguha Elementary School
  • Kinabag-an Elementary School
  • Labuon Elementary School
  • Mandaug Elementary School
  • Mandaug-Gamay Elementary School
  • Mantatao Elementary School
  • Pangangan Elementary School
  • Sampoangon Elementary School
  • San Isidro Elementary School
  • Tinibgan Elementary School
  • Tultugan Elementary School
  • Ulbujan Elementary School

Secondary Education

  • Calape National High School
  • Fermin Tayabas National High School
  • Mayor Anunciacion R. Tuazon National School of Fisheries
  • Pangangan National High School

Higher Education

Private Schools

  • Calape Baptist Mission School, Inc.
  • St. Teresa's School of Valladolid, Inc.

Government

During the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines, the chief executive of a town was known as the Capitan Municipal. This title later evolved into Presidente Municipal during the early American regime. Eventually, the title Municipal Mayor became standard, especially during the Commonwealth period and onward. During wartime or transitional governments, such as under Japanese occupation or post-liberation, the term Mayor was commonly used for town chief executives, sometimes appointed by military or provisional authorities.
In earlier times, the selection of town leaders sometimes involved a drawing of lots among prominent individuals from the principalia class—those with significant landholdings, formal education, and Spanish literacy. However, the exact sequence of tenure for these early town executives is often undocumented or difficult to reconstruct due to limited archival records.
Regular elections for this position were introduced under the American colonial administration through the Municipal Code, with elections initially held every three years. This three-year term remains in effect for municipal mayors under the Local Government Code of 1991.
Following the EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986, elected local officials were removed from office and replaced by Officers-in-Charge appointed by the new government. This transitional arrangement remained in place until regular local elections resumed in 1988.

List of chief executives

  • Mauricio T. Cuario
  • Benigno Palacio
  • Felomeno Ruiz
  • Gaudencio Sepe
  • Pedro Dumadag
  • Ramon E. Nazareno
  • Alberto Carlon
  • Arsenio G. Damalerio
  • Isidro R. Redulla
  • Anunciacion R. Tuazon
  • Gabriel P. de la Peña
  • Gerardo T. Yu
  • Julius Caesar Herrera
  • Ernesto Cuico Herrera II
  • Nelson Nesia Yu
  • Julius Caesar Herrera
  • Sulpicio Nesia Yu

Notable personalities