# Samal, Bataan

Samal, officially the Municipality of Samal (Tagalog: Bayan ng Samal), is a municipality in the province of Bataan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 38,302 people.

## Etymology

Samal originated from samel, a covering attached to a banca to protect the passengers from the sun and rain, made of nipa leaves and woven together.

## History

Saint Catherine of Sienna became the patron of Samal, which was founded as a municipality on April 20, 1641.
"Sea gypsies" of Mindanao settlers ("Badjaos" who resided for many years in Maubac, Lambayung, Tanjung, Pata, Tapul, Lugus, Bangos, Pagasinan, Parang, Maimbung, Karugdung and Talipaw, Mindanao) migrated to Luzon in the early 14th century and settled in Bataan. In Samal, they propagated the pearl and capiz culture.
Samal was the second town founded by the Dominican friars in Bataan and is composed of four barrios: Calaguiman, Santa Lucia, Poblacion and Lalawigan.

## Geography

Samal is located in the eastern part of Bataan Peninsula, bordering Abucay to the south, Orani to the north and northwest, Morong to the west, and Manila Bay to the east. It is 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) from Balanga and 113 kilometres (70 mi) from Manila.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 56.30 square kilometres (21.74 sq mi)  constituting 4.10% of the 1,372.98-square-kilometre- (530.11 sq mi) total area of Bataan.

### Climate

Climate data for Samal, Bataan :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 31 (88) | 32 (90) | 34 (93) | 35 (95) | 33 (91) | 31 (88) | 29 (84) | 29 (84) | 29 (84) | 29 (84) | 30 (86) | 31 (88) | 31 (88) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 19 (66) | 19 (66) | 20 (68) | 23 (73) | 25 (77) | 25 (77) | 24 (75) | 25 (77) | 25 (77) | 24 (75) | 23 (73) | 20 (68) | 23 (73) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 7 (0.3) | 8 (0.3) | 14 (0.6) | 26 (1.0) | 127 (5.0) | 210 (8.3) | 263 (10.4) | 272 (10.7) | 218 (8.6) | 114 (4.5) | 46 (1.8) | 21 (0.8) | 1,326 (52.3) |
| Average rainy days | 4.0 | 4.0 | 6.9 | 11.2 | 21.0 | 24.5 | 27.4 | 26.9 | 25.9 | 21.9 | 13.4 | 6.3 | 193.4 |
| Source: Meteoblue (modeled/calculated data, not measured locally) ||||||||||||||

### Barangays

Samal is politically subdivided into 14 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
| PSGC | Barangay | Population | Population | Population | ±% p.a. | ±% p.a. |
| | | 2020 | 2020 | 2010 | | |
| 030812001 | East Calaguiman (Poblacion) | 6.7% | 2,573 | 2,744 | ▾ | −0.64% |
| 030812002 | East Daang Bago (Poblacion) | 3.1% | 1,169 | 1,195 | ▾ | −0.22% |
| 030812013 | Gugo | 9.8% | 3,756 | 2,965 | ▴ | 2.39% |
| 030812003 | Ibaba (Poblacion) | 8.4% | 3,210 | 3,153 | ▴ | 0.18% |
| 030812004 | Imelda | 7.0% | 2,665 | 2,324 | ▴ | 1.38% |
| 030812005 | Lalawigan | 10.3% | 3,926 | 3,799 | ▴ | 0.33% |
| 030812006 | Palili | 5.5% | 2,092 | 1,865 | ▴ | 1.16% |
| 030812008 | San Juan (Poblacion) | 11.0% | 4,230 | 4,089 | ▴ | 0.34% |
| 030812009 | San Roque (Poblacion) | 3.0% | 1,159 | 1,154 | ▴ | 0.04% |
| 030812010 | Santa Lucia | 6.5% | 2,480 | 2,459 | ▴ | 0.09% |
| 030812011 | Sapa | 9.6% | 3,682 | 3,407 | ▴ | 0.78% |
| 030812012 | Tabing Ilog | 5.7% | 2,184 | 2,121 | ▴ | 0.29% |
| 030812014 | West Calaguiman (Poblacion) | 3.7% | 1,419 | 1,449 | ▾ | −0.21% |
| 030812015 | West Daang Bago (Poblacion) | 2.0% | 753 | 854 | ▾ | −1.25% |
| | Total | Total | 38,302 | 33,578 | ▴ | 1.32% |

## Demographics

| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
| 1903 | 4,680 | — |
| 1918 | 5,231 | +0.74% |
| 1939 | 7,404 | +1.67% |
| 1948 | 6,995 | −0.63% |
| 1960 | 9,708 | +2.77% |
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
| 1970 | 15,002 | +4.44% |
| 1975 | 16,731 | +2.21% |
| 1980 | 18,041 | +1.52% |
| 1990 | 21,991 | +2.00% |
| 1995 | 24,560 | +2.09% |
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
| 2000 | 27,410 | +2.38% |
| 2007 | 33,867 | +2.96% |
| 2010 | 33,578 | −0.31% |
| 2015 | 35,298 | +0.96% |
| 2020 | 38,302 | +1.62% |
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority :
In the 2020 census, Samal had a population of 38,302. The population density was 680 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,800/sq mi).

## Economy

Poverty incidence of Samal
* Lua error in Module:Chart at line 301: bad argument #7 to 'max' (number expected, got string).
* Source: Philippine Statistics Authority
Composed largely of uplands and hills with some lowlands and plains, Samal's main produce are palay, corn, vegetable, fruits, root crops, coffee and cut flowers, including livestock, poultry and aquatic resources such as shellfish, crabs, prawns, shrimps and different species of fish.
Joaquin Ma. Joson of Bataan established the first ice plant. Wooden shoe (bakya) making, and pulp mills (Bataan Pulp and Paper Mills, Inc. in the scenic slope of Mount Natib) are some of the industries of the natives. It also manufactures banana chips and arrow root flour through native processes, then made into cookies called araro as pasalubong. Samal is also rich is marine aquatic resources and highly productive farmlands.
Garments manufacturing in Samal is engaged in by five (5) firms already engaged in exports.
In the Town Hall of Samal and along the streets, Capiz shells are displayed to show that the town residents manufacture this commodity.

## Government
### Local government

Pursuant to the Local government in the Philippines", the political seat of the municipal government is located at the Municipal Hall. In the History of the Philippines (1521–1898), the Gobernadorcillo was the Chief Executive who held office in the Presidencia. During the American rule (1898–1946) (History of the Philippines (1898-1946)), the elected Mayor and local officials, including the appointed ones held office at the Municipal Hall. The legislative and executive departments perform their functions in the Sangguniang Bayan (Session Hall) and Municipal Trial Court, respectively, and are located in the Town Hall.

### Elected officials

Members of the Samal Municipal Council (2022-2025) :
| Position | Name of official |
| District Representative (1st Legislative District, Bataan) | Geraldine B. Roman |
| Municipal Mayor | Alexander Carpio Acuzar |
| Municipal Vice Mayor | Ronald Medina Ortiguerra |
| Municipal Councilors | Marjun Q. Bantay |
| Municipal Councilors | Lolito S. Llanda |
| Municipal Councilors | Erval V. Flores |
| Municipal Councilors | Kathrina A. Saldaña |
| Municipal Councilors | Dylan M. House |
| Municipal Councilors | Evangeline G. Buensuceso |
| Municipal Councilors | Edgardo I. De Leon |
| Municipal Councilors | Jaime M. Manguiat |
Samal's elected officials are - Mayor Alexander Carpio Acuzar (Liberal) and Vice Mayor Ronald Medina Ortiguerra (Liberal).
The Sangguniang Bayan Members are: Marjun Q. Bantay, Lolito S. Llanda, Erval V. Flores, Kathrina A. Saldaña, Dylan M. House, Evangeline G. Buensuceso, Edgardo I. De Leon and Jaime M. Manguiat. They hold office at the second floor of the Town Hall, particularly the Office of the Mayor and Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall, respectively.
The 2nd Municipal Circuit Trial Court of Orani-Samal MCTC Judge Ma. Cristina J. Mendoza-Pizzaro holds office in her sala located at the second floor of the MTC building at the back of the Orani Town hall.

## Tourism

Samal's attractions, events and historical landmarks include:
* Senakulo sa Calaguiman during Holy Week
* Town Hall of Samal and Samal Square
* Samel festival
* Pilis falls
* Samal Capiz shell industry
* Fishponds, mangrove, mussels and seafoods in Samal bay
* St. Catherine of Siena church

## Gallery

* Jose Rizal Samal Park and Plaza
* Post office, rear facade of Town hall
* Public market
* Capiz shells street lights surround downtown
* Banca transportation