Gasan, Marinduque

Gasan
Municipality
Municipality of Gasan
Skyline of Gasan from St. Joseph the Worker Parish
Flag Seal
Nicknames:  Cultural Nerve Center of Marinduque Crafts Capital of Marinduque
Map of Marinduque with Gasan highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Gasan Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 13°19′N 121°51′E
Country	Philippines
Region	Mimaropa
Province	Marinduque
District	Lone district
Founded	1609
Barangays	25 (see Barangays)
Government  [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor	Rolando O. Tolentino
• Vice Mayor	Lidany A. Baldo
• Representative	Lord Allan Jay Q. Velasco
• Municipal Council	Members Lidany Arevalo L. Baldo Dunne Melton S. Motol Petronila H. Quilendrino Ricardo F. Macunat Joy Raymond D. Isidro Baltazar C. Rey Jr. Noel M. Laurel Servillano M. Balitaan
• Electorate	24,102 voters (2022)
Area [2]
• Total	100.88 km^2 (38.95 sq mi)
Elevation [3]	9.2 m (30.2 ft)
Highest elevation	819 m (2,687 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (2020 census)[4]
• Total	36,197
• Density	360/km^2 (930/sq mi)
• Households	2,636
Demonym	Gaseños
Economy
• Income class	3rd municipal income class
• Poverty incidence	19.44 % (2021)[5]
• Revenue	₱ 185 million (2020)
• Assets	₱ 496.2 million (2020)
• Expenditure	₱ 143.4 million (2020)
• Liabilities	₱ 130.3 million (2020)
Service provider
• Electricity	Marinduque Electric Cooperative (MARELCO)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	4905
PSGC	174003000
IDD : area code	+63 (0)42
Native languages	Tagalog

Gasan, officially the Municipality of Gasan (Tagalog: Bayan ng Gasan), is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Marinduque, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 36,197 people.^[4]

The municipality is bounded by the provincial capital, Boac, to the north and east, by Buenavista to the southeast and by the Sibuyan Sea to the south and west. It is the second-oldest municipality in Marinduque, after Boac. Residents of Gasan are called Gaseños. Gasan is 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) from Boac.

The Tres Reyes Islands off the coast of Marinduque are under the jurisdiction of Gasan, part of the municipality's Barangay Pinggan.

Etymology

The origin of the name of Gasan came from the term Gasang or Gasang-Gasang, a type of coral once abundant around the town's shoreline. Legend has it that when the Spaniards discovered the town, they found an old woman near the banks of today's Matandang Gasan River. When asked in Spanish what was the name of the town, she interpreted it as if they were asking about what was the name of the corals growing around the area, with the Spaniards interpreting her answer as the name of the town. Over time, the term Gasang-Gasang was shortened to Gasang before being shortened further to Gasan.

History

In 1942, during World War II, the Japanese Imperial forces landed in Gasan, Marinduque.

In 1945, the combined United States and Allied Philippine Commonwealth forces landed in Gasan, Marinduque. The 5th Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army was participated in the battle to attacking Japanese forces, during which hundreds of Japanese troops were taken prisoner at the town of Gasan, Marinduque. This became known as the Battle of Marinduque.

In 1957, barrio Banto-anin was renamed as Bukal and barrio Hinubuan was renamed as Antipolo.^[6][7]

Geography

Barangays

Gasan is politically subdivided into 25 barangays. ^[8] Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

• Antipolo
• Bachao Ibaba
• Bachao Ilaya
• Bacong-Bacong
• Bahi
• Bangbang
• Banot
• Banuyo
• Bognuyan
• Cabugao
• Dawis
• Dili
• Libtangin
• Mahunig
• Mangiliol
• Masiga
• Matandang Gasan
• Pangi
• Pinggan
• Tabionan
• Tapuyan
• Tiguion
• Barangay I (Poblacion)
• Barangay II (Poblacion)
• Barangay III (Poblacion)

All barangays in Gasan are bounded in part by coastline, except the mountainous barangays of Bachao Ilaya, Cabugao, Dawis, Mangiliol, Matandang Gasan, Tabionan, Tapuyan, and Tiguion, though Barangay Dawis is claiming that the coastline of Bukana, which is now controlled by Pinggan, belongs to them as well as the place itself.

Climate

Climate data for Gasan, Marinduque
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	26 (79)	27 (81)	29 (84)	31 (88)	30 (86)	30 (86)	29 (84)	29 (84)	29 (84)	29 (84)	28 (82)	26 (79)	29 (83)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	22 (72)	22 (72)	22 (72)	23 (73)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	23 (73)	23 (73)	23 (74)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	83 (3.3)	55 (2.2)	44 (1.7)	37 (1.5)	90 (3.5)	123 (4.8)	145 (5.7)	125 (4.9)	135 (5.3)	166 (6.5)	163 (6.4)	152 (6.0)	1,318 (51.8)
Average rainy days	15.1	10.8	11.9	11.4	19.9	23.7	26.3	23.9	23.9	22.1	20.2	18.6	227.8
Source: Meteoblue[9]

Demographics

Population census of Gasan

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1903	8,270	—
1918	10,771	+1.78%
1939	10,794	+0.01%
1948	10,052	−0.79%
1960	14,508	+3.10%
1970	19,827	+3.17%
1975	20,596	+0.77%
1980	23,185	+2.40%
1990	25,236	+0.85%
1995	26,944	+1.23%
2000	29,799	+2.18%
2007	33,772	+1.74%
2010	33,402	−0.40%
2015	34,828	+0.80%
2020	36,197	+0.76%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[10][11][12][13]

In the 2020 census, the population of Gasan, Marinduque, was 36,197 people,^[4] with a density of 360 inhabitants per square kilometre or 930 inhabitants per square mile.

Religion

• Catholic Church (Latin Rite)
• Philippine Independent Church
• Various Protestant groups

Economy

Poverty incidence of Gasan

10 20 30 40 2006 39.40 2009 30.70 2012 16.18 2015 14.88 2018 15.65 2021 19.44 Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]

Transportation

The Marinduque Ring Road passes through Gasan and is known as San Jose Street in downtown Gasan. Tricycles and jeepneys can be used to navigate the town, while jeepneys can also be used to go to other towns. Taxis are available to and from major transportation terminals. Buses also stop in downtown Gasan to go to Lucena City and further on to Metro Manila. Many roads are paved.

Marinduque Airport, the island's only airport, is located in Barangay Masiga. Zest Air (now AirAsia Zest) was the first airline to resume scheduled flights to Marinduque in 2008 after its closure for four consecutive years.

Tourism

Banca at the seashore, Gasan

Gasan is home to some of Marinduque's best-known tourist spots:

• Guingona Park: This park located in Barangay Uno is where Gasan's cenaculos are played during the Moriones Festival.
• Reyes Park: Reyes Park in Barangay Dos serves as the Gasan boardwalk. This park is about to demolish as the present administration under Victoria Lao Lim pursue her intention of building a Commercial Sports Complex that according to her may generate funds for GASUAF. Fairs are conducted in the park, and a wooden footbridge leading to nearby Barangay Dili can be seen (and crossed). The bridge is a landmark of Barangay Dili.
• Talao Cave: Talao Cave in Barangay Tiguion is a series of twelve caves accessible from three mountain trails that can only be crossed on foot. The caves are located in the midst of a rain forest.
• Tres Reyes Islands: The Tres Reyes Islands in Barangay Pinggan, named after the Three Kings of the Nativity, are a potential tourist destination. True to its name, the island chain consists of three islands named Gaspar, Melchor and Baltazar and are visible from any point of the Gasan coastline. Reaching the islands takes about 30–45 minutes by boat.

Barangay landmarks

In a recent tourist campaign known as "Parine na bayâ!", the municipal government promoted individual barangays' products and landmarks in a bid to showcase Gasan as a tourist destination. Some include the following:

• Antipolo: Fish products
• Bachao Ibaba and Bachao Ilaya: Wooden handicrafts
• Bacong-Bacong: Watermelons
• Bangbang: Wicker handicrafts
• Banot: Banot Beach Park
• Bognuyan: Fish
• Cabugao: Gemilina plantation
• Dili: Wooden footbridge
• Libtangin: Open-air tiangge
• Mahunig: Gasan Cemetery
• Mangiliol: Arrowroot
• Masiga: Patis
• Pangi: Butterfly farm
• Pinggan: Tres Reyes Islands
• Tabionan: Tabionan River
• Tapuyan: Nito
• Tiguion: Talao Cave
• Dawis: Pamaypay, Pastilyas

Culture

Festivals

There are three main festivals celebrated in Gasan, two of which are unique to the municipality:

• Araw ng Gasan: The Araw ng Gasan commemorates the town's founding nearly 400 years ago as a Spanish pueblo by Father Juan Rosado in honor of Saint Bernard of Marinduque.
• Gasang-Gasang Festival: The Gasang-Gasang Festival celebrates the origins of the name "Gasan". Sponsored by the Gasan Culture and Arts Foundation (GASCUAF)with a certain contributions from 25 Barangays coming from their Barangay Budget, and held after the Moriones Festival, the festival features a live dance competition where several barangays have competed in the competition held in downtown Gasan. In 2006, however, the festival was held instead at the open-air tiangge area of Barangay Libtangin due to objections from the mayor over the festival being held downtown.
• Moriones Festival: Like all other municipalities in Marinduque, Gasan celebrates the Moriones Festival during the Holy Week. A parade of "morions", or Roman soldiers, is conducted in downtown Gasan, as well as the Gasan cenaculo at Guingona Park on Good Friday.

Education

Tertiary

• Marinduque Midwest College
• ESTI
• St. Mary's College
• Marinduque State University - College of Fisheries

Secondary

• Bangbang National High School
• Bognuyan National High School
• Paciano A. Sena Memorial High School
• Tapuyan National High School
• Tiguion National High School
• Marinduque Christian Academy
• Marinduque Midwest College (High School Department)

Primary

• Antipolo Elementary School
• Bachao Elementary School
• Bacongbacong Elementary School
• Bahi Elementary School
• Bangbang Elementary School
• Banot-Mahunig Elementary School
• Banuyo Elementary School
• Bognuyan Elementary School
• Cabugao Elementary School
• Dawis Elementary School
• Gasan Central School
• Gaspar Elementary School
• Libtangin Public School
• Mangiliol Elementary School
• Masiga Elementary School
• Matandang Gasan Public School
• Pangi Elementary School
• Pinggan Elementary School
• Quatiz Elementary School
• Tabionan Elementary School
• Talao Elementary School
• Tapuyan Elementary School
• Tiguion Elementary School

References

1.  Municipality of Gasan | (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. https://www.philatlas.com/luzon/mimaropa/marinduque/gasan.html. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
4. Census of Population (2020). "Mimaropa". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
5. "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
6. "An Act to Change the Name of Barrio Hinubuan, Municipality of Gasan, Province of Marinduque, to Antipolo". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-12.
7. "An Act to Change the Name of Barrio Banto-anin, Municipality of Gasan, Province of Marinduque, to Barrio Bukal". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-12.
8. "Province: Marinduque". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
9. "Gasan: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
10. Census of Population (2015). "Region IV-B (Mimaropa)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
11. Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region IV-B (Mimaropa)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
12. Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region IV-B (Mimaropa)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
13. "Province of Marinduque". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
14. "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
15. "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
16. "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 March 2009.
17. "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012.
18. "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.
19. "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019.
20. "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
21. "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.

External links

• Gasan travel guide from Wikivoyage
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Local Governance Performance Management System Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine