Laurel, officially the Municipality of Laurel (Tagalog: Bayan ng Laurel), is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 43,210 people.[3]

Laurel
Municipality of Laurel
View of Laurel from Sky Ranch Tagaytay
View of Laurel from Sky Ranch Tagaytay
Flag of Laurel
Official seal of Laurel
Motto(s): 
Responsive, Joint & Effective Actions
Map of Batangas with Laurel highlighted
Map of Batangas with Laurel highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Map
Laurel is located in Philippines
Laurel
Laurel
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 14°03′N 120°54′E / 14.05°N 120.9°E / 14.05; 120.9
CountryPhilippines
RegionCalabarzon
ProvinceBatangas
District 3rd district
FoundedJune 21, 1969
Named forMiguel and Jose P. Laurel
Barangays21 (see Barangays)
Government
[1]
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • MayorLyndon M. Bruce
 • Vice MayorCelso Aristotle M. Parrilla
 • RepresentativeMa. Theresa V. Collantes
 • Municipal Council
Members
 • Electorate26,264 voters (2022)
Area
 • Total
71.29 km2 (27.53 sq mi)
Elevation
293 m (961 ft)
Highest elevation
699 m (2,293 ft)
Lowest elevation
5 m (16 ft)
Population
 (2020 census)[3]
 • Total
43,210
 • Density610/km2 (1,600/sq mi)
 • Households
9,626
Economy
 • Income class3rd municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence
6.86
% (2021)[4]
 • Revenue₱ 160.5 million (2020), 74.18 million (2012), 80.81 million (2013), 94.17 million (2014), 101 million (2015), 109.1 million (2016), 128.1 million (2017), 144.1 million (2018), 146.8 million (2019), 178.5 million (2021), 230.9 million (2022)
 • Assets₱ 647.4 million (2020), 178.9 million (2012), 196.8 million (2013), 212.5 million (2014), 371.8 million (2015), 396.6 million (2016), 461.9 million (2017), 523.6 million (2018), 530.4 million (2019), 702.1 million (2021), 777.1 million (2022)
 • Expenditure₱ 136.8 million (2020), 60.04 million (2012), 59.92 million (2013), 68.06 million (2014), 76.96 million (2015), 87.83 million (2016), 98.2 million (2017), 117.2 million (2018), 135.6 million (2019), 136.4 million (2021), 166.5 million (2022)
 • Liabilities₱ 277.6 million (2020), 32.09 million (2012), 30.1 million (2013), 32.09 million (2014), 169.7 million (2015), 169.1 million (2016), 200.9 million (2017), 215.1 million (2018), 214.1 million (2019), 258.8 million (2021), 256.4 million (2022)
Service provider
 • ElectricityBatangas 2 Electric Cooperative (BATELEC 2)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
4221
PSGC
IDD:area code+63 (0)43
Native languagesTagalog
Websitelaurelbatangas.gov.ph

Laurel is previously part of Talisay, its current neighbor town, until 1969.

Etymology

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Bust of José P. Laurel in front of the Laurel Municipal Hall

The town's present name is derived from Miguel Laurel, known as the first notable Laurel in the Philippines and a longtime patriarch of the place and José P. Laurel, a former president and a native of Tanauan, Batangas.

History

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Laurel traces its origin to a remote barrio called Bugain (derived from buga, a black cinder formed from fly ashes during Taal Volcano eruption), which was part of Talisay that was established in 1869.[5] Located by the Tanauan Bay, the present-day municipality was also the first location of Tanauan's municipal seat (poblacion) until 1754, when it was transferred to the present-day barangay Sala in Tanauan as a result of the Taal Volcano eruption that year.[6] In 1903, the barrio became part of Tanauan when Talisay was merged with the former by virtue of Act No. 708.[7] A year later, it was transferred to Taal by virtue of Act No. 1244, before it was eventually returned to the reestablished municipality of Talisay.[8] After the 1911 Taal Volcano eruption, population grew at the area with agricultural cultivation as the locals' primary livelihood. The area was later called Nayon ng Bayuyungan (derived from bayong) or simply as Bayuyungan and was designated as the center of the area that consisted it and nearby barrios.[9]

Locals led by Jose Macaraig, Placido Amo (vice mayor of Talisay), and Severino Amo signed a petition to create an independent town out of barrio Bayuyungan and adjacent barrios. It was first endorsed to Senator Maria Kalaw Katigbak, who in turn presented it to President Diosdado Macapagal. It was also presented to the Talisay municipal government, who in turn forwarded it to Batangas Governor Feliciano Leviste. The Batangas Provincial Board then endorsed the petition as a resolution to Batangas 3rd district Representative José B. Laurel Jr. and finally through House Bill No. 17628.[9]

On June 21, 1969, the barrios of Bayuyungan, Ticub, Balakilong, Bugaan, Berinayan, As-is, San Gabriel, and Buso-buso were officially separated from Talisay and constituted into a new and separate municipality of Laurel, by virtue of Republic Act No. 5689; Bayuyungan became the present-day poblacion.[10] The first set of officials acted on November 8, 1971, with Placido Amo as Mayor.[9]

Geography

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Laurel is located at 14°03′N 120°54′E / 14.05°N 120.9°E / 14.05; 120.9.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 71.29 square kilometers (27.53 sq mi)[11] constituting 2.29% of the 3,119.75-square-kilometer (1,204.54 sq mi) total area of Batangas.

Laurel is 70 kilometers (43 mi) from Batangas City and 93 kilometers (58 mi) from Manila.

Barangays

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Laurel is politically subdivided into 21 barangays.[12] Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.


PSGC Barangay Population ±% p.a.
2020[3] 2010[13]
041011001 As‑Is 5.4% 2,354 2,133 0.99%
041011002 Balakilong 9.5% 4,118 3,974 0.36%
041011004 Berinayan 4.6% 2,008 1,613 2.21%
041011006 Bugaan East 4.7% 2,028 1,811 1.14%
041011007 Bugaan West 5.5% 2,374 2,290 0.36%
041011008 Buso‑buso 6.2% 2,692 2,445 0.97%
041011010 Dayap Itaas 1.7% 752 494 4.29%
041011011 Gulod 6.4% 2,746 2,501 0.94%
041011012 J. Leviste 5.4% 2,351 1,884 2.24%
041011013 Molinete 3.4% 1,480 1,442 0.26%
041011014 Niyugan 2.8% 1,219 1,252 −0.27%
041011015 Paliparan 2.1% 887 760 1.56%
041011016 Barangay 1 (Poblacion) 1.3% 570 507 1.18%
041011017 Barangay 2 (Poblacion) 3.3% 1,438 1,265 1.29%
041011018 Barangay 3 (Poblacion) 1.5% 663 759 −1.34%
041011019 Barangay 4 (Poblacion) 1.4% 610 593 0.28%
041011020 Barangay 5 (Poblacion) 1.8% 790 674 1.60%
041011021 San Gabriel 5.9% 2,559 2,340 0.90%
041011022 San Gregorio 7.9% 3,433 2,931 1.59%
041011023 Santa Maria 5.1% 2,217 1,986 1.11%
041011024 Ticub 5.0% 2,155 2,020 0.65%
Total 43,210 35,674 1.93%

Climate

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Climate data for Ibaan, Batangas
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 28
(82)
29
(84)
31
(88)
32
(90)
31
(88)
30
(86)
29
(84)
28
(82)
28
(82)
29
(84)
29
(84)
28
(82)
29
(85)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 19
(66)
19
(66)
20
(68)
22
(72)
24
(75)
24
(75)
24
(75)
24
(75)
24
(75)
23
(73)
21
(70)
20
(68)
22
(72)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 11
(0.4)
13
(0.5)
14
(0.6)
32
(1.3)
101
(4.0)
142
(5.6)
208
(8.2)
187
(7.4)
175
(6.9)
131
(5.2)
68
(2.7)
39
(1.5)
1,121
(44.3)
Average rainy days 5.2 5.0 7.4 11.5 19.8 23.5 27.0 25.9 25.2 23.2 15.5 8.3 197.5
Source: Meteoblue[14]

Demographics

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Population census of Laurel
YearPop.±% p.a.
1970 13,137—    
1975 15,143+2.89%
1980 17,889+3.39%
1990 22,099+2.14%
1995 23,781+1.38%
2000 27,604+3.25%
2007 34,953+3.31%
2010 35,674+0.75%
2015 39,444+1.93%
2020 43,210+1.81%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[15][13][16][17]

In the 2020 census, Laurel had a population of 43,210.[3] The population density was 610 inhabitants per square kilometer (1,600/sq mi).

Economy

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Poverty incidence of Laurel

10
20
30
40
2006
14.80
2009
21.75
2012
31.29
2015
25.67
2018
13.13
2021
6.86

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]

  • Fishing – Laurel's main economical source is fish culture in Taal Lake where most of local residents base their trade.
  • Farming – Small rice paddies on the foothills of Taal canyon ridge provide for ricefields to farmers.
  • Real estate – The town's vast land resource provide ideal location for real estate developers such as Megaworld and Fil-Estate which are mostly based in Metro Manila. Among the major real estate subdivisions located in Barangay San Gregorio are Canyon Woods and Twin Lakes.[26]

Government

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Local government

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Municipal hall

Like other municipalities in the Philippines, Laurel is governed by a mayor and vice mayor who are elected to three-year terms. The mayor is the executive head who leads the municipal's departments in the execution of municipal ordinances and in the delivery of public services. The vice mayor heads a legislative council that is composed of 10 members: 8 elected councilors and 2 ex officio office held by the ABC President as the barangay sector representative and by the SK Federation President. The council is in charge of creating the minucipal's policies in the form of ordinances and resolutions.

House of Representatives (Batangas-3rd district)
Rep. Ma. Theresa V. Collantes (NPC)
Batangas Provincial Board (3rd District)
BM Fred Corona (NPC) BM Rudy Balba (NP)
Local Government of Laurel
(2022–2025)
Mayor
Hon. Lyndon Bruce (PRP)
Vice Mayor
Hon. Aries Parilla (PRP)
Sangguniang Bayan Members
Hon. Sylvia Austria (PRP) Hon. Vincent Endaya (Ind.)
Hon. Angelito Rodriguez (PRP) Hon. Norvic Garcia (PRP)
Hon. Francisco Endozo (PRP) Hon. Liezl De Castro (PRP)
Hon. Iris Joyce Agojo (NPC) Hon. Regina Landicho (NPC)
LNB President
Hon. Rufino Dirain (Bugaan West)
SK Federation President
Hon. Cyruz Caesar Mendoza (Buso-buso)

Mayoralty Election Results

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2022: Then-incumbent Joan Amo ran for reelection and lost. She faced off businessman and neophyte politician Lyndon Bruce.

Laurel mayoralty elections
Party Candidate Votes %
PRP Lyndon Bruce 13,711 57.77%
NPC Joan Amo 10,021 42.23%
Margin of victory 3,690 15.54%
Total votes 23,732 100%
PRP gain from NPC

2019: Then-incumbent Randy James Amo was term-limited and ran for Board Member (lost). His party nominated his wife, Joan Amo. She faced then-incumbent Vice Mayor Felimon Austria and businessman Roderick Natanauan.

Laurel mayoralty elections
Party Candidate Votes %
PDP–Laban Joan Amo 10,737 52.56
Independent Roderick Natanuan 7,369 36.07
Nacionalista Felimon Austria 2,321 11.36
Margin of victory 3,368 16.67%
Valid ballots 20,427 98.07%
Invalid or blank votes 403 1.93%
Total votes 20,830 100%
PDP–Laban hold

2016: Then-incumbent Randy James Amo ran for reelection and won. He ran against businessman Roderick Natanauan and then-incumbent Municipal Councilor Vincent Endaya.

Laurel mayoralty elections
Party Candidate Votes %
Liberal Randy James Amo 10,743 54.8%
NPC Roderick Natanauan 8,338 42.5%
PDP–Laban Vincent Endaya 528 2.7%
Total votes
Liberal hold

2013: Then-incumbent Mayor Randy James Amo ran for reelection. He faced off against former Mayor Atty. Natalio Panganiban.

Laurel mayoralty election
Party Candidate Votes %
Liberal Randy James Amo 10,529 61.62
UNA Natalio Panganiban 6,559 38.38
Total votes 17,479 100.00
Liberal hold

2010: Then-incumbent John Benedict Panganiban ran for reelection against then-incumbent Vice Mayor Randy James Amo (won) and Aristotle Parilla.

Laurel mayoralty elections
Party Candidate Votes %
Liberal 'Randy James Amo' 5,993
Nacionalista John Benedict Panganiban 5,495
PMP Aristotle Parilla 3,143
Total votes
Liberal gain from Nacionalista
Former Municipal Mayors
No. Name Term of Office
1 Placido Amo 1969-1986
2 Natalio Panganiban 1986-1988
(1) Placido Amo 1988-1992
3 Joven de Grano 1992-1995
(2) Natalio Panganiban 1995-2004
4 John Benedict Panganiban 2004-2010
5 Randy James Amo 2010-2019
6 Joan Amo 2019-2022
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References

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  1. ^ Municipality of Laurel | (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. ^ a b c d Census of Population (2020). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  4. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  5. ^ "History". Talisay, Batangas. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  6. ^ Hargrove, Thomas (1991). The Mysteries of Taal: A Philippine volcano and lake, her sea life and lost towns. Manila: Bookmark Publishing. pp. 13, 33–55. ISBN 9715690467.
  7. ^ Act No. 708 (March 28, 1903), An Act Reducing Thirteen of the Municipalities in the Province of Batangas to Five, retrieved July 5, 2023
  8. ^ Act No. 1244 (October 7, 1904), An Act Annexing the Barrios of Bayuyungan, Bugaan, Balaquilong, San Gabriel, and Binirayan, Now a Part of the Municipality of Tanauan, Province of Batangas, to the Municipality of Taal, in the Same Province, retrieved July 5, 2023
  9. ^ a b c "History". Laurel, Batangas. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  10. ^ Republic Act No. 5689 (June 21, 1969), An Act Creating the Municipality of Laurel in the Province of Batangas, The Corpus Juris, retrieved July 3, 2023
  11. ^ "Province: Batangas". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  12. ^ "Municipal: Laurel, Batangas". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  13. ^ a b Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  14. ^ "Laurel: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  15. ^ Census of Population (2015). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  16. ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
  17. ^ "Province of Batangas". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  18. ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  19. ^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
  20. ^ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 March 2009.
  21. ^ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012.
  22. ^ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.
  23. ^ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019.
  24. ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  25. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  26. ^ "Twin Lakes : Tagaytay Philippines". Twinlakestagaytay.com.ph. Retrieved 2016-11-26.
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