Naval, Biliran

Naval, officially the Municipality of Naval, is a municipality and capital of the province of Biliran, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 58,187 people making it the most populous in the province.

History

The town of Naval was once named Bagazumbol, which was perceived by natives as being too warlike a description. The aboriginal name was later modified in 1859 to a more peaceful name—the presently known Naval.
On May 26, 1860, Naval was separated from Biliran, but it became an independent parish only in September later that year. The following year, on July 31, 1861, Romualdo Ximeno, Bishop of Cebu, officially declared Naval an independent parish. In August 1861, Father Santos de Santa Juana took up formal residence as the first parish priest of Naval and served the town for twenty-one years until 1882.
On September 26, 1869, Naval was officially established and recognized as an independent pueblo.
In 1957, the barrio of Higatangan was abolished, and its sitios of Libertad and Mabini were converted into barrios.

Geography

Higatangan Island is under jurisdiction of Naval Municipality.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of constituting of the total area of Biliran, making it the largest municipality in the province.

Barangays

Naval is politically subdivided into 26 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
Barangays Libertad and Mabini are located in Higatangan Island.

Demographics

In the 2024 census, Naval had a population of 59,236 people. The population density was.

Government

The mayors of Naval were Absalon Sablada who served from 1952 to 1955; Brigido Caneja Sr. from 1956 to 1971; Arturo Velasquez from 1972 to 1979; Niceto Limpiado from 1980 to 1986; Fortunato Casas from 1986 to 1987; Gorgonio Contredas and Francisca Bangcuyo in 1987; and Simeon Pitao from 1988 to 1997. Gerardo J. Espina Jr. from 1998 to 2004, and Gerardo S. Espina Sr. from 2004 to 2006. Presently, the town is headed by Gerard Roger Espina.

Transportation

By land: Buses and vans travel to Tacloban ; jeepneys go to other towns in Biliran; tricycles or habal-habals are the mode of transport within Naval.

By air: The town is served by Biliran Airport. Biliran Airport has a runway length of.By sea: Pump boats can be taken or chartered for going to Leyte, Higatangan Island, Naval and Mariripi.

Healthcare

Naval has the following health facilities:

Naval Municipal Health Center
Biliran Provincial Hospital
Naval Doctors' Healthcare Services
FCE Polyclinic and Diagnostic
Mother and Child Clinic

Education

The main campus of Biliran Province State University is located in Naval.
Public secondary schools:

Biliran Province State University-Laboratory High School
Naval School of Fisheries
Naval National High School
Lucsoon National High School
Higatangan National High School

Private secondary schools:

Cathedral School of La Naval
Limpiado Memorial Foundation, Inc.

Public elementary schools:

Naval Central School
Naval SpEd Center
Caraycaray Central School
Agpangi Elementary School
Anislagan Elementary School
Atipolo Elementary School
Borac Elementary School
Cabungaan Elementary School
Calumpang Elementary School
Capinahan Elementary School
Catmon Elementary School
Haguikhikan Elementary School
Higatangan Elementary School
Imelda Elementary School
Larazabal Elementary School
Libtong Elementary School
Lico Elementary School
Lucsoon Elementary School
P.S. Eamiguel Elementary School
San Pablo Elementary School
Sabang Elementary School
Talustusan Elementary School
Villa Caneja Elementary School
Villa Consuelo Elementary School

Private elementary schools:

Cathedral School of La Naval
Limpiado Memorial Foundation, Inc.