# Villaba

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Municipality in Leyte, Philippines

Municipality in Eastern Visayas, Philippines

Villaba Municipality Municipality of Villaba The Mt. Buga-buga viewed from barangay Abijao, Villaba Flag Map of Leyte with Villaba highlighted Interactive map of Villaba Villaba Location within the Philippines Coordinates: 11°13′N 124°24′E / 11.22°N 124.4°E / 11.22; 124.4 Country Philippines Region Eastern Visayas Province Leyte District 3rd district Barangays 35 (see Barangays) Government [1] • Type Sangguniang Bayan • Mayor Carlos G. Veloso • Vice Mayor Edgar T. Veloso • Representative Anna Veloso-Tuazon • Councilors List • Mc Quirie P. Umpad • Violeta T. Sumapig • Joselita N. Enevoldsen • Kathleen V. Mape • Rogelio J. Baay • Felipe S. Casas • Niel Albert B. Inopiquez • Roque M. Compra DILG Masterlist of Officials • Electorate 30,282 voters (2025) Area [2] • Total 150.31 km2 (58.04 sq mi) Elevation 29 m (95 ft) Highest elevation 442 m (1,450 ft) Lowest elevation 0 m (0 ft) Population (2024 census)[3] • Total 42,981 • Density 285.95/km2 (740.60/sq mi) • Households 11,022 Economy • Income class 3rd municipal income class • Poverty incidence 32.75 % (2021)[4] • Revenue ₱ 242.6 million (2024) • Assets ₱ 475 million (2024) • Expenditure ₱ 237.1 million (2024) • Liabilities ₱ 96.67 million (2024) Service provider • Electricity Leyte 5 Electric Cooperative (LEYECO 5) Time zone UTC+8 (PST) ZIP code 6537 PSGC 0803751000 IDD : area code +63 (0)53 Native languages Cebuano

**Villaba** (IPA: [\[vɪ'ʎabɐ\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Tagalog)), officially the **Municipality of Villaba** ([Cebuano](/source/Cebuano_language): *Lungsod sa Villaba*; [Waray](/source/Waray_language): *Bungto han Villaba*; [Tagalog](/source/Tagalog_language): *Bayan ng Villaba*), is a [municipality](/source/Municipality_of_the_Philippines) in the [province](/source/Philippine_Province) of [Leyte](/source/Leyte_(province)), [Philippines](/source/Philippines). According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 42,981 people.[5]

Villaba is a coastal municipality in the province of Leyte. The municipality covers a land area of 150.31 square kilometers (58.04 square miles), accounting for 2.37% of Leyte's total area. According to the 2020 Census,[6] its population was 42,859, representing 2.41% of Leyte's total population and 0.94% of the entire Eastern Visayas region. This results in a population density of 285 inhabitants per square kilometer (738 inhabitants per square mile).

## Geography

### Barangays

The Mt. Buga-buga

Villaba is politically subdivided into 35 [barangays](/source/Barangay).

1. Abijao

1. Balite

1. Bangkal

1. Buga-buga

1. Cagnocot

1. Cabunga-an (A Tumamak)

1. Cabungahan

1. Cahigan

1. Calbugos

1. Campurog

1. Canquiason

1. Capinyahan

1. Casili-on

1. Catagbacan

1. Fatima ([Poblacion](/source/Poblacion))

1. Hibulangan

1. Hinabuyan

1. Iligay

1. Jalas

1. Jordan

1. Libagong

1. New Balanac

1. Payao

1. [Poblacion](/source/Poblacion) Norte

1. Poblacion Sur

1. Sambulawan

1. San Francisco

1. San Vicente

1. Santa Cruz

1. Silad

1. Suba

1. Sulpa

1. Tabunok

1. Tagbubunga

1. Tinghub

### Climate

Climate data for Villaba, Leyte Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 28 (82) 29 (84) 29 (84) 31 (88) 31 (88) 30 (86) 30 (86) 30 (86) 30 (86) 29 (84) 29 (84) 29 (84) 30 (85) Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 22 (72) 22 (72) 22 (72) 23 (73) 24 (75) 25 (77) 25 (77) 25 (77) 25 (77) 24 (75) 24 (75) 23 (73) 24 (75) Average precipitation mm (inches) 73 (2.9) 56 (2.2) 75 (3.0) 71 (2.8) 114 (4.5) 174 (6.9) 172 (6.8) 163 (6.4) 167 (6.6) 161 (6.3) 158 (6.2) 125 (4.9) 1,509 (59.5) Average rainy days 15.2 12.5 16.2 17.3 23.9 27.3 28.4 26.9 26.9 27.1 23.8 19.3 264.8 Source: Meteoblue[7]

## History

### Pre-Spanish history

The existence of the place now known as **Villaba** was discovered in about the last quarter of the sixteenth century by [Boholano](/source/Boholano_people) traders. These traders landed on the western coast and found fertile plains along the river and forest. The sea coast also proved to be good fishing ground. The settlers built their houses along the banks of the river and banded into groups to protect themselves from the *moro* pirates and wild animals. Along the banks of the river were "*[Hindang](/source/Ficus_callosa)*" trees which grew in abundance so they called the new settlement *Hamindangon* (full of *[hindang](/source/Ficus_callosa)* trees).

As the years passed, more settlers migrated from [Bohol](/source/Bohol) and [Cebu](/source/Cebu). These new inhabitants likewise settled on the plains along the *Hamindangon* River.

### Spanish period

During the expedition of the entire [Eastern Visayas](/source/Eastern_Visayas) by Spanish *[conquistador](/source/Conquistador)* in 1593, a group of Spaniards, led by the General-Governor's son, [Luis Pérez Dasmariñas](/source/Luis_P%C3%A9rez_Dasmari%C3%B1as) landed on the shores of *Hamindangon* and the named the place *Nueva Galicia* in honor of his father, the [Governor-General of the Philippines](/source/Governor-General_of_the_Philippines), [Gomez Perez Dasmariñas](/source/G%C3%B3mez_P%C3%A9rez_Dasmari%C3%B1as) who is from [Galicia](/source/Galicia_(Spain)), [Spain](/source/Spain).

The governor set sail from [Cavite](/source/Cavite) for [Pintado](/source/Pintados) province in October 1593, to join the part of the fleet under Luis Pérez who is already at the Visayas. Before he proceeded to [Moluccas](/source/Moluccas), Luis Pérez introduced the *[barrio](/source/Barrio)* of *Nueva Galicia* to the whole fleet. But the Governor-General renamed the place to [Vilalba](/source/Vilalba) (from the Spanish town in [Galicia](/source/Galicia_(Spain)) region) in order not to confused with other [Nueva Galicia](/source/Nueva_Galicia) town that is located in [Mexico](/source/Mexico).

Over the years, the natives of the *barrio* had problem of Spanish accented digraphs, mispronouncing Vilalba (Spanish pronunciation: [\[biˈʎalβa\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Spanish)) with **Villaba** (IPA: [\[vɪ'ʎabɐ\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Tagalog)), and perhaps, it is easier to pronounce the later name and thus retained it when the town was officially established in June 1910.[8][*[circular reference](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability#Wikipedia_and_sources_that_mirror_or_use_it)*]

### American period

The Spanish was defeated by the Americans who started their occupation of the Philippines on August 13, 1898. The following year, there was a popular revolt in the Visayas particularly in Samar and Leyte called the [*Pulahanes*](/source/Pulahan) movement. One consequence of that revolution against the Americans was that the town of Villaba was reduced to a barrio and became part of the municipality of [San Isidro, Leyte](/source/San_Isidro%2C_Leyte).

During that period, Villaba was then ran by local executives known as *[cabeza de barangay](/source/Cabeza_de_barangay)*. For want of official records however, to provide a complete list and their specific terms of office, the following have served in the said capacity:

1. Andres Gervacio

1. Antonio Dejillo

1. Fortunato Cabilar

1. Hermogenes Tumamak

1. Casimiro Tumamak

1. Tomas Tumamak

1. Luciano Domael

### The Villaba Town

In June 1910, the Provincial Board of Leyte passed and approved a resolution creating the Municipality of Villaba. Since then, there was a continuous change of Chief Executives in the municipality up to the present.

No. Portrait Name Term 1 Juan Burgos 1910 - 1912 2 Flaviano Domael 1913 – 1915, 1919 – 1921, 1925 - 1927 3 Carmelino Rubillos 1916 - 1918 4 Paulino Dejillo 1922 - 1924 5 Damian Perez 1928 - 1930 6 Bartolome Esmas 1931 - 1939, October 1963 - December 1963 7 Vicente Veloso 1940 - 1945 8 Eusebio Gaviola 1945 - 1946 9 Fermin Tumamak 1946 - 1950 10 Francisco Burgos 1951 - 1959 11 Alberto S. Veloso 1960 - 1963 12 Sofronio Ramirez 1964 - 1967 13 Aurelio Veloso 1968 - April 1980 14 Antonio Villamor May 1980 - April 20, 1986 15 Faustino Tumamak April 21, 1986 - December 3, 1987 (OIC) 16 Roman Omega December 4, 1987 - February 1988 (OIC) 17 Faustino Tumamak Jr. February 1988 - March 1992, 1998 - 2004, 18 Leonora Rosal March 1992 - June 1992 19 Jorge Vallar Veloso June 1992 - 1998, 2013 - 2016, 2019 - June 2022 20 Claudio Martin Larrazabal 2004 - 2013 21 Juliet Aquino Larrazabal 2016 - 2019 22 Carlos Gonzalez Veloso July 2022 – present

In November 2013, Villaba was among the towns in Leyte that were heavily affected by [Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda)](/source/Typhoon_Haiyan), which caused extensive destruction across the province.

On the night of September 30, 2025, at 22:49 [PST](/source/Philippine_Standard_Time), [a 6.9 magnitude earthquake off Cebu](/source/2025_Cebu_earthquake) was strongly felt in Villaba, where a [landslide](/source/Landslide) occurred in Barangay Abijao.[9]

## Demographics

‹ The [template](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Template) *[Historical populations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Historical_populations)* is being [considered for merging](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Templates_for_discussion/Log/2026_June_24#Template:Infobox_demographics). ›

Population census of Villaba Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1903 4,127 — 1918 8,903 +5.26% 1939 16,823 +3.08% 1948 14,092 −1.95% 1960 24,844 +4.84% 1970 28,557 +1.40% 1975 29,144 +0.41% 1980 30,974 +1.22% Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1990 32,339 +0.43% 1995 34,674 +1.31% 2000 36,042 +0.83% 2007 37,838 +0.67% 2010 38,819 +0.94% 2015 41,891 +1.46% 2020 42,859 +0.48% 2024 42,981 +0.07% Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [10][11][12][13]

In the 2024 census, the population of Villaba was 42,981 people,[14] with a density of 290 inhabitants per square kilometre or 750 inhabitants per square mile.

## Economy

**Poverty incidence of Villaba**

10

20

30

40

50

60

2000
 51.60

2003
 41.15

2006
 36.50

2009
 35.42

2012
 44.76

2015
 33.94

2018
 26.25

2021
 32.75

**Source:** [Philippine Statistics Authority](/source/Philippine_Statistics_Authority)[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [Municipality of Villaba](https://lgu201.dilg.gov.ph/view.php?r=08&p=37&m=51) | [(DILG)](/source/Department_of_Interior_and_Local_Government)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-popcen2015_r3_2-0)** ["2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density"](https://www.psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/_POPCEN%20Report%20No.%203.pdf) (PDF). *Philippine Statistics Authority*. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0117-1453](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0117-1453). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210525030629/https://www.psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/_POPCEN%20Report%20No.%203.pdf) (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President"](https://psa.gov.ph/content/2024-census-population-popcen-population-counts-declared-official-president). Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates"](https://www.psa.gov.ph/content/psa-releases-2021-city-and-municipal-level-poverty-estimates). Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President"](https://psa.gov.ph/content/2024-census-population-popcen-population-counts-declared-official-president). Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["2020 Philippine census"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Philippine_census), *Wikipedia*, 2024-07-14, retrieved 2024-10-21

1. **[^](#cite_ref-met_norms_7-0)** ["Villaba: Average Temperatures and Rainfall"](https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/historyclimate/climatemodelled/villaba_philippines_1679945). Meteoblue. Retrieved 29 February 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Philippine Places of Spanish Origin"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Philippine_place_names_of_Spanish_origin#V). Tourism In The Philippines. Retrieved November 13, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Gabieta, Joey A. (October 1, 2025). ["Power down in E. Visayas after Cebu quake damaged grid facilities"](https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2118026/power-down-in-e-visayas-after-cebu-quake-damaged-grid-facilities). *Inquirer.net*. Retrieved October 1, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-PSA15–08_10-0)** Census of Population (2015). ["Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)"](https://psa.gov.ph/system/files/phcd/2022-12/R08.xlsx). *Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay*. [Philippine Statistics Authority](/source/Philippine_Statistics_Authority). Retrieved 20 June 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NSO10–08_11-0)** Census of Population and Housing (2010). ["Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)"](https://psa.gov.ph/system/files/phcd/2022-12/Eastern%2520Visayas.pdf) (PDF). *Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay*. [National Statistics Office](/source/Philippine_Statistics_Authority#National_Statistics_Office). Retrieved 29 June 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NSO07-08_12-0)** Censuses of Population (1903–2007). ["Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)"](https://archive.org/download/PhilippinesCensusofPopulationLGUs19032007/Region%208%20Eastern%20Visayas%20Philippines%20Census%20of%20Population%201903%20-%202007.xls). [*Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007*](https://archive.org/download/PhilippinesCensusofPopulationLGUs19032007). [National Statistics Office](/source/Philippine_Statistics_Authority#National_Statistics_Office).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-LWUA-PopulationData_13-0)** ["Province of"](http://122.54.214.222/population/MunPop.asp?prov=). *Municipality Population Data*. [Local Water Utilities Administration](/source/Local_Water_Utilities_Administration) Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President"](https://psa.gov.ph/content/2024-census-population-popcen-population-counts-declared-official-president). Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Poverty incidence (PI):"](https://psa.gov.ph/content/poverty-incidence-pi). Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines"](https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/NSCB_LocalPovertyPhilippines_0.pdf) (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates"](https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/2003%20SAE%20of%20poverty%20(Full%20Report)_1.pdf) (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 March 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009"](https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/2006%20and%202009%20City%20and%20Municipal%20Level%20Poverty%20Estimates_0_1.pdf) (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates"](https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/2012%20Municipal%20and%20City%20Level%20Poverty%20Estimates%20Publication%20(1).pdf) (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015"](https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/City%20and%20Municipal-level%20Small%20Area%20Poverty%20Estimates_%202009%2C%202012%20and%202015_0.xlsx). Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates"](https://psa.gov.ph/content/psa-releases-2018-municipal-and-city-level-poverty-estimates). Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates"](https://www.psa.gov.ph/content/psa-releases-2021-city-and-municipal-level-poverty-estimates). Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.

## External links

- [Philippine Standard Geographic Code](https://psa.gov.ph/classification/psgc/barangays/0803751000)

- [Philippine Census Information](https://web.archive.org/web/20160215003931/http://census.gov.ph/)

- [Local Governance Performance Management System](http://www.blgs.gov.ph/lgpmsv2/cmshome/index.php?pageID=23&frmIdDcfCode=7&fLguType=CM&frmIdRegion=11&frmIdProvince=62&frmIdLgu=1206) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20120603055025/http://www.blgs.gov.ph/lgpmsv2/cmshome/index.php?pageID=23&frmIdDcfCode=7&fLguType=CM&frmIdRegion=11&frmIdProvince=62&frmIdLgu=1206) 2012-06-03 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

Places adjacent to Villaba Visayan Sea Tabango Villaba Kananga Camotes Sea Matag-ob

v t e Province of Leyte Tacloban (capital and largest city) Municipalities Abuyog Alangalang Albuera Babatngon Barugo Bato Burauen Calubian Capoocan Carigara Dagami Dulag Hilongos Hindang Inopacan Isabel Jaro Javier Julita Kananga La Paz Leyte MacArthur Mahaplag Matag-ob Matalom Mayorga Merida Palo Palompon Pastrana San Isidro San Miguel Santa Fe Tabango Tabontabon Tanauan Tolosa Tunga Villaba Component city Baybay Independent component city Ormoc (Administratively independent from the province but grouped under Leyte by the Philippine Statistics Authority.) Highly urbanized city Tacloban (Administratively independent from the province but grouped under Leyte by the Philippine Statistics Authority.)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Villaba](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villaba) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villaba?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.