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Viga
Municipality
Municipality of Viga
Our Lady of Assumption Parish Church of Viga
Flag
Nickname: Rice Granary of Catanduanes
Map of Catanduanes with Viga highlighted
OpenStreetMap
VigaLocation within the Philippines
Coordinates: 13°52′N 124°18′E / 13.87°N 124.3°E / 13.87; 124.3
Country	Philippines
Region	Bicol Region
Province	Catanduanes
District	Lone district
Founded	1661
Barangays	31 (see Barangays)
Government
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor	Emeterio M. Tarin
• Vice Mayor	Cesar O. Cervantes
• Municipal Council	Members Patrick Ian T. Aquino Josevan A. Balidoy Elizabeth T. Tarraya Gener T. Litong Henry O. Olonan Ramon O. Tugay Nenita B. Usero Dante A. Lizaso
• Electorate	16,641 voters (2022)
Area
• Total	158.23 km (61.09 sq mi)
Elevation	87 m (285 ft)
Highest elevation	459 m (1,506 ft)
Lowest elevation	−1 m (−3 ft)
Population
• Total	22,869
• Density	140/km (370/sq mi)
• Households	4,896
Demonym	Viganon
Economy
• Income class	4th municipal income class
• Poverty incidence	33.35% (2021)
• Revenue	₱ 114.7 million (2020), 47.75 million (2012), 53.36 million (2013), 59.88 million (2014), 68.9 million (2015), 76.33 million (2016), 85.52 million (2017), 91.1 million (2018), 101.4 million (2019), 120.9 million (2021), 166.6 million (2022)
• Assets	₱ 217.4 million (2020)
• Expenditure	₱ 103.5 million (2020)
• Liabilities	₱ 71.63 million (2020)
Service provider
• Electricity	First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative (FICELCO)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	4805
PSGC	052010000
IDD : area code	+63 (0)52
Native languages	Bicol
Website	www.vigacatanduanes.gov.ph

Viga, officially the Municipality of Viga, is a municipality in the province of Catanduanes, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 22,869 people.

History

The site of the original settlement of Viga was at Caviga-e now called Viga. It was believed that a group of tribesmen led by "Abines" from the mainland were the first settlers. Due to frequent Moro raids, they fled inland and settled in a place where the primitive inhabitants were akin to the province's pygmies. They called this place "Oco" (now barangay San José (Oco)), meaning short people or dwarf. When the Moro threat diminished, the settlers move to the lowlands where the soil was more fertile. They selected the area where herbaceous giant gabi-like plants which they called "Marviga" grew abundantly. The settlers were of mixed stock as result of the inter-marriages between the natives and the migrating tribesmen.

In the later part of 16th century, a group of Spaniards believed to be a group of Juan de Salcedo’s expedition reached the place and subdued the natives. It then became a Spanish settlement. An Augustinian friar named Francisco Putiocan became the first Catholic Priest and recognized leader. The Spaniards called the settlement "Viga", shortened from "Marviga". This name was subsequently adopted as the official name of the municipality.

During the Spanish colonization, the inhabitants were converted to the Catholic faith. As time went on they felt however, the strain of Spanish civil rule cruelties, when the Philippine Revolution broke out, many able-bodied natives joined the nationalistic movement and fought the colonizer.

When the Americans came, Viga was virtually liberated from the Spanish rule, civil government was established. When the Second World War broke out, Viga become the center of guerilla movement in the province. A pitched and running battle between the guerillas and escaping Japanese forces were simultaneously fought at Bangguerohan and Cabatangan where the latter was defeated.

In 1951, the barrios of Sicmil and Sioron were transferred to then newly created town of Gigmoto.

Geography

Viga is one of the eleven towns in the province of Catanduanes, located in the north-eastern portion of the island. It occupies approximately 8.96% of the total land area of the island and 0.0406% of the entire country. It is nestled in one of the widest inland plains of the island, between three neighboring towns and the Philippine Sea. To the south is the town of Gigmoto, to the west is the town of Caramoran. It is 50 kilometres (31 mi) north from the capital town of Virac.

Viga is mostly rugged and mountainous terrain. Its slope characteristics are 29% gently sloping to undulating, 3% classified rolling to hilly, 18% very hills and mountains, 6% level to very gently sloping, 13% steep hills and mountainous, and 13% plains. The prominent mountain forms with important significance include the ranges are Summit and Magsumoso. The largest coastal plain is the contiguous wetlands over which lays the widest area of rice paddies and a vast swamp full of nipa and mangroves.

Viga is an agricultural municipality, considered as the rice granary of the province. The two types of agricultural products raised are the food and export crops. The food crops being raised are palay, corn, banana and other root crops. The export crops are mainly Abaca and coconut. The area planted with these crops and the production derived there from is the principal source of livelihood by the inhabitants.

Forest and vegetation

Viga is a biodiversity hotspot. Its lush rainforest is home to Philippine brown deer (Rusa marianna), flying foxes, and other endemic bat species, warty pigs, civets, cobras, giant pythons, monitor lizards, sailfin lizards and other endemic animals. Exotic bird species such as Philippine hornbill, rail, parrot, bittern, egret, pheasant, coot, lapwing, plover, Philippine duck, quail, owl, oriole, kingfisher, swiftlets and many more are also found. In fact, a record of "Philippines Birding Trip Reports" has found out many bird species in several portions such as the watershed and timberland forests reserve where scattered deer populations are also usually reported. Unfortunately, one bird subspecies, the Catanduanes Bleeding-heart (Gallicolumba luzonica rubiventris) had experienced over-exploitation in the late 20th century. Although most forests are still intact, this species has suffered over-hunting. It is very rare and believed to be near extinction or already extinct as its last reported specimen was collected in 1971.

The Southern giant slender-tailed cloud rat (budkon/bugkon) which is found only in Catanduanes and the southern half of Luzon Island, is still widely reported. It is critically endangered as humans hunt them for food and for some extent, as pets. In mainland Luzon, sightings of this wonderful creature is already rare while in Marinduque, it is generally considered extinct.

Flora and fauna

The Catanduanes narrow-mouthed frog (Kaloula kokacii), an arboreal amphibian which is found only in Catanduanes and some parts of Bicol, enjoys its diversity but being carefully monitored. Clearing of some forests may pose a threat to amphibian species. An amphibian Hylarana similis is found only in Catanduanes and Luzon islands. One of the very recent species found in Catanduanes and portions of Bicol region is the new loam-swimming skink, a legless reptile with its assigned scientific name Brachymelesmakusog. The rich dipterocarp forest also harbors numerous tropical plant species including the threatened species of pitcher plants and rafflesia as well as endemic banana varieties. Many highly valuable hardwood trees such as yakal, apitong, palosapis, and molave are still found in the forests though local reports indicate that these species are already threatened. Mangrove forests exist in several coastal areas, but the largest locations are in Banquerohan (Viga-Panganiban).

Marine diversity

The marine environment of Viga is also ecologically rich as its terrestrial zones. Coastal reefs harbor many endangered and threatened types of mollusks such as giant Triton, cowries, abalone, cone snails, conches, octopuses, squids, and nautiluses. Marine mammals are also reported to frequent on its coasts such as species of dolphins and whales which appear in March–June. Many edible marine algae such as caulerpa, valonia, and turbellaria also grow abundantly on its rough coasts. Viga is nestled in the very beginning of the Kuroshio Current; a sea current that runs through Eastern Philippines, Taiwan and Japan. This current performs an array of physical and biological functions in countless marine life like migration and breeding. This explains why migratory fish tracks are usually encountered in its waters. Tuna migration can be seen on its peak in the months of April and May. Dugongs were once known to swim on coasts but this event is already becoming extremely rare.

Viga coast is one of the best spots for flying fish population; a flying fish can attain its fullest size which may weigh 300 grams (11 ounces). Rabbitfish, a kind of reef fish is one of the most heavily exploited marine tropical fish in the locality. Its fry that comes out in shallow coasts during the breeding season (March–May) are fished in large volumes. Approximately 10 million rabbitfish fries are caught annually. That natural event supplies food for many people but its ecological impact can be devastating. Nature advocates started to strengthen their campaign for an eco-dialogue for this matter. Sea cucumbers are also known to be abundant in many islets of the eastern coasts facing the Pacific Ocean.

Climate

Viga has a tropical rainforest climate (Af) with heavy to very heavy rainfall year-round and with extremely heavy rainfall in November and December.

Barangays

Viga is politically subdivided into 31 barangays.  Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Poblacion Barangays

• Asuncion Poblacion
• Peñafrancia Poblacion
• San Isidro Poblacion
• San Jose Poblacion
• San Pedro Poblacion
• San Roque Poblacion
• San Vicente Poblacion †

Interior Barangays

• Almojuela
• Burgos
• Del Pilar
• Osmeña
• Pedro Vera (Summit)
• Quezon
• Rizal
• Roxas
• Sagrada
• San Jose Oco †

Coastal Barangays

• Ananong
• Batohonan
• Begonia
• Botinagan
• Buenavista
• Mabini
• Magsaysay
• Ogbong
• Quirino (Abugan)
• Santa Rosa
• Soboc
• Tambongon †
• Tinago
• Villa Aurora

Demographics

In the 2020 census, the population of Viga, Catanduanes, was 22,869 people, with a density of 140 inhabitants per square kilometre or 360 inhabitants per square mile.

Economy

Poverty incidence of Viga

Viga is an agricultural municipality, considered as the rice granary of the province. The two types of agricultural products raised are food and export crops. The food crops raised are palay, corn, banana and other root crops. The export crops are mainly Abaca and coconut. The area planted with these crops and the production derived there from is the principal source of livelihood by the inhabitants.

Education

Elementary schools

List of public elementary schools in Viga

National high schools

The table below contains the list of all the public senior high schools found in Catanduanes published by the Department of Education or DepEd. Included on the list are the municipalities, school ID, school names, and program offerings.

List of public/national high schools in Viga

References

1.  Municipality of Viga | (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. ^ Census of Population (2020). "Region V (Bicol Region)". 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. "An act creating the municipality of Gigmoto in the province of Catanduanes". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-09.
6. "Climate: Viga". Climate-Data.org. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
7. "Province: Catanduanes". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
8. name="psgc">Philippine Standard Geographic Code
9. ^ Census of Population (2015). "Region V (Bicol Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
10. ^ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region V (Bicol Region)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
11. ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region V (Bicol Region)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
12. Philippine Standard Geographic Code
13. "Province of Catanduanes". 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

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information

v t e Places adjacent to Viga, Catanduanes
Panganiban Caramoran Viga Philippine Sea Gigmoto

v t e Province of Catanduanes
Virac (capital and largest municipality)
Municipalities	Bagamanoc Baras Bato Caramoran Gigmoto Pandan Panganiban San Andres San Miguel Viga Virac

• Municipalities of Catanduanes