Calauag Kalawag ( Old Tagalog)
Municipality
Municipality of Calauag
Calauag Rotonda
Flag Seal
Etymology: Tortoise
Map of Quezon with Calauag highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Calauag Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 13°57′27″N 122°17′15″E / 13.9575°N 122.2875°E / 13.9575; 122.2875
Country	Philippines
Region	Calabarzon
Province	Quezon
District	4th district
Founded	May 25, 1584
Barangays	81 (see Barangays)
Government   [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
•  Mayor	Rosalina O. Visorde
•  Vice Mayor	Leah M. dela Cruz
•  Representative	Keith Micah Tan
•  Municipal Council	Members Melvin J. Labasan Marina M. Umali Ceferino B. Rosas Jr. Angelo P. Eduarte Mildred N. Villareal Marlon T. Noscal Noel L. Panganiban Silvano R. Cemanes Jr.
•  Electorate	46,959 voters ( 2022)
Area [2]
• Total	324.71 km2 (125.37 sq mi)
Elevation	30 m (100 ft)
Highest elevation	240 m (790 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (2020 census) [3]
• Total	71,809
• Rank	8th
• Households	18,133
	excluding 9 Barangays from East Quezon, currently occupied by Santa Elena
Demonym(s)	Calauagenian ( English) Calauagin ( Tagalog) Calauageño/-a ( Filipino)
Economy
•  Income class	1st municipal income class
•  Poverty incidence	9.77 % (2018) [4]
•  Revenue	₱ 247.7 million (2020)
•  Assets	₱ 656.3 million (2020)
•  IRA	156,692,905.00 (2017)
•  Expenditure	₱ 224.4 million (2020)
•  Liabilities	₱ 160.6 million (2020)
Utilities
• Electricity	Quezon 1 Electric Cooperative (QUEZELCO 1)
• Water	Calauag Water District
• Telecommunications	(Wireless) Smart, Globe, DITO
• Fixed line Telecommunications	PLDT, Calauag CATV System-Internet
• Cable TV	Calauag CATV System
Time zone	UTC+8 ( PST)
ZIP code	4318
PSGC	045607000
IDD :  area code	+63 (0)42
Native languages	Tagalog
Sister towns	Guinayangan Tagkawayan Buenavista
Major religions	Roman Catholic, Protestantism, Islam
Feast date	June 29
Catholic diocese	Diocese of Gumaca
Patron saint	Peter the Apostle Virgin of Fatima
Numbered highways	N1-Maharlika Highway N68-Quirino Highway
Website	www.calauag.gov.ph

Calauag, officially the Municipality of Calauag (Tagalog: [kaˈlaʊag]; Tagalog: Bayan ng Calauag), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Quezon, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 71,809 people. ^[3]

It is 227 kilometres (141 mi) southeast of Manila and 97 kilometres (60 mi) east from provincial capital Lucena.

History

According to the writings of Valentin Martin in his "Ensayo de una sintesis de los trabajos realizados sos las corporaciones religiosas Españolas de Filipinas", the first record of the establishment of a settlement in Calauag dates as far as the year 1584. However, the formal founding of the town by Spanish conquistadors was placed in the year 1851 with the union of the settlements in Apad and Calauag. ^[5]

The first elected Captain of the town was Juan Sunog. In 1897 the town was placed the Revolutionary Government and Alipio Declaro became the Municipal President. In 1914 under Municipal President Marciano Roldan, the town was destroyed by fire for the first time in its history. On December 24, 1941, the town was occupied by the Japanese Imperial Army and on January 14, 1942, the town was again destroyed by fire. On April 19, 1945, the United States and Filipino forces liberated the town from Japanese occupation. The general headquarters of the Philippine Army and Constabulary under the Commonwealth regime was built and station in Calauag during and after the war from 1945 to 1946 against the possible remaining Japanese Armies.

Lost barangays to Bicol

Calauag experienced a big controversy due to a decade-long boundary dispute with the neighboring town of Santa Elena in the Province of Camarines Norte, which resulted in a Supreme Court case, Presidential intervention, and the loss of a quarter of its land area. The disputed barangays were:

On October 14, 1991, the Provincial Government and Municipal Government of Calauag ordered the demolition of a boundary marker installed by the DENR. In October 1995, then-President Fidel V. Ramos came to Calauag to meet with local officials to resolve the boundary dispute between the two provinces and surveyed the whole disputed area. Calauag retained its jurisdiction. However, the case was elevated to the Supreme Court. The Case of Province of Quezon vs. Province of Camarines Norte eventually ruled in favor of Camarines Norte and Calauag ceased its political jurisdiction on the said barangays. ^[6]

Geography

Calauag is located on the north-eastern end of Tayabas Isthmus. The Daang Maharlika or Pan-Philippine Highway runs at the town after Lopez in Southbound and after Santa Elena at the Northbound or from Manila. At the north end of Quirino Highway, it meets Daang Maharlika in Barangay Tabugon. It also meets the north end of Guinayangan Provincial Road which also meets Daang Maharlika in Barangay Sumulong. It is bounded to the north-west by Calauag Bay, south-west by Lopez, to the east by Guinayangan, and to the north by Basiad Bay and Tinig Bay; it is separated from Alabat Island by a 1 kilometer narrow strait.

Barangays

Calauag is politically subdivided into 81 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Town proper

The town center ( poblacion) consists of 12 barangays and 11 blocks from the PNR Station in the east to Pinagkamaligan ES on the west. Going west from Barangay Pinagtalleran via Quezon Street, there are five blocks of high concentration of shops, groceries, and banks.

The Government Center is located in the south of the town which consists of Municipal Hall which houses the City Library, Fire Station, Police Station and Precinct, and the Municipal Council building. Quezon Plaza is a well-used spot for programs and events. The Livelihood Center is two blocks away from the plaza and Quezon Street. Central Park is also located in front of the plaza and the City Hall.

Land area

Calauag has a land area size of 324.71 km2 (125.37 sq mi). Its land is three times bigger than San Francisco, California 121.51 km2 (46.91 sq mi) and almost half-smaller than the size of Singapore 728.3 km2 (281.2 sq mi).

Climate

Calauag has a tropical climate, like most of the country. Summers are hot and dry while the rainy season is cold and wet . It also falls under the Type IV Tropical Climate which has rainfall is more or less evenly distributed throughout the year. Rainy season must be expected from end of May to last week of December.

Demographics

Population census of Calauag

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1903	3,185	—
1918	6,195	+4.54%
1939	13,629	+3.83%
1948	16,875	+2.40%
1960	37,101	+6.78%
1970	49,113	+2.84%
1975	54,035	+1.93%
1980	57,907	+1.39%
1990	64,856	+1.14%
1995	60,941	−1.16%
2000	65,907	+1.69%
2007	69,475	+0.73%
2010	69,223	−0.13%
2015	73,139	+1.05%
2020	71,809	−0.36%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [8] [9] [10] [11]

Economy

Calauag has an agricultural-based economy. Most economic activity happens in Municipal Market and its vicinity. Most agricultural products are coconut-based and followed by rice, corn, fish, crabs and other seafoods. It is currently classified as First class-municipality.

Banking

The municipality has a handful of Bank that serves the banking and financing needs of local population as well as of adjacent municipalities. Such banks are:

• UCPB Savings Bank
• Quezon Capital Rural Bank (QRCB)
• BDO Network Bank
• Legazpi Savings Bank
• Rural Bank of Paracale
• Card Bank

Among the listed banks, only Rural Bank of Paracale has no ATM machine in Calauag and only LandBank have two off-site ATM machines and no branches in Calauag.

Government

Local government

The mayor for the 2022-2025 term is Rosalina O. Visorde. Leah Dela Cruz is the town's incumbent vice mayor. Under the 1987 Constitution, The mayor is restricted to three consecutive terms with three years per term, although a mayor can be elected again after an interruption of term. The mayor has the direct control of the departments while the Municipal Administrator is indirectly in charge of all departments of the Municipal Government while the Vice Mayor is in charge of the Sangguniang Bayan (Municipal Council) which consists of seven Councilors and one Municipal Sangguniang Kabataan/SK (Youth Council) Chairman and one President of Liga ng mga Barangay (Barangay League) which are elected every three years and Municipal Administrator is appointed by the seating municipal mayor.

Congressional and provincial legislators

In the 18th Congress of the House of Representatives, Calauag is Represented by Keith Micah Tan of the 4th Congressional District of Quezon. The former disputed nine barangays are under First Congressional District of Camarines Norte, Represented by Josefina "Josie" B. Tallado.

In the Provincial Board, Calauag, together with the other municipalities of 4th District of Quezon is represented by three elected board members for the term of 2022 to 2025: Roderick "Derick" Magbuhos of Atimonan, Harold Butardo of Guinayangan and Isaias Ubana II of Lopez, and are members of ruling Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC). Provincial Councilors' League also has a seat in the Provincial Board, represented by Angelo "Ola" Eduarte, also of NPC which hails from Calauag.

List of Former Chief Executives

#	Term	Chief Executive		Political Party	Others: (Position and origin)
Spanish Era
1	1851		Juan "Juan Sunog" Parcero	NA	Atimonan
2	1851		Pascual Siazon	NA	Apad
3	1852		Benito Jorbina	NA	Calauag
4	1853		Antonio Cerilla	NA	Apad
5	1854		Eustaquio Geneblazo	NA	Atimonan
6	1855		Pantaleon Cerdinia	NA	Apad
7	1856		Pedro Juaris	NA	Nueva Cáceres
8	1857		Vicente Penidles	NA	Apad
9	1858		Marciano Junillis	NA	Nueva Cáceres
10	1859		Agapito Jorbina	NA	Calauag
11	1860		Arcadio Cerilla	NA	Apad
12	1861		Felipe Labiste	NA	Libmanan
13	1862		Benito Jorbina	NA	2nd Term, Apad
14	1863–1864		Pantaleon Jorbina	NA	Apad
15	1865–1866		Domingo Jorbina	NA	Calauag
16	1867		Antonio Uransa	NA	Gumaca
17	1868		Lucas Dela Costa	NA	Mauban
18	1869–1870		Domingo Jovida	NA	Calauag
19	1871–1872		Raymundo Locido	NA	First Term, Apad
20	1873–1874		Antonio Lerum	NA	Apad
21	1875–1876		Raymundo Locido	NA	2nd Term, Apad
22	1877–1878		Canuto Escolano	NA	Apad
23	1879–1880		Juan Geneblazo	NA	Calauag
24	1881–1882		Severino Villafranca	NA
25	1883–1886		Juan Enteria	NA	Gumaca
26	1887–1888		Sinfroso Matos	NA	Gumaca
27	1889		Raymundo Daroga	NA	Gumaca
28	1890–1891		Pedro Segui	NA	Gumaca
29	1892–1893		Sebastián Uransa	NA	Gumaca, Maura Law passed on 1893
30	1894		Antonio Lerum	NA	2nd Term, Apad
31	1895–1896		Tomás Rañola	NA	Last Capitán Municipal, Lucban
Philippine Revolution
32	1897–1899		Alipio Declaro	NA	First Municipal President. Mauban
33	1900		Juan Lerum	NA	Calauag
34	1901–1903		Hilario Cantre	NA	Cantre Street named after him in Barangay Poblacion Tres. Gumaca
35	1904–1905		Felix Jubilo	NA	Calauag
36	1906–1907		León Tañada	NA	Tañada Street named after him in Barangay Poblacion Dos. Gumaca
American Civil Government
37	1908–1909		Basilio De Guzman	NA	De Guzman Street in Barangay Poblacion Dos named after him. Gumaca
38	1910–1912		Arcadio Vera Cruz	NA	Vera Cruz Street in Barangay Poblacion Uno named after him. Atimonan
39	1913–1916		Marciano Roldan	NA	Roldan Street in Barangay Poblacion Tres named after him. Boac
40	1916–1922		Pedro Pica	NA	Atimonan
41	1922–1925		Espiridion Argüelles	NA	Arguelles Street in Barangay Poblacion Uno named after him. Calauag
42	1925–1928		Armando C. Villaverde	NA	Calauag
43	1928–1931		Donato O. Cabangon	NA	Calauag
44	1931–1934		Jacinto Lerum	NA	Calauag
Commonwealth Era
45	1934–1938		Tomás Bernabéu Morató	Nacionalista	Last Municipal President of Calauag, First Mayor of Quezon City. Morato Street in Town Proper named after him. Calauag
46	1938–1940		José Jiménez	NA	First Municipal Mayor. Calauag
Japanese-sponsored Philippines
47	1941–1947		Sisenando V. Villarubia	NA	Japanese Occupation Mayor of Calauag. Town proper raged with fire during his reign due to war. Villarubia Street in Town Proper named after him. Atimonan
Third Republic
Enactment of R.A. No. 14 which renamed the Province of Tayabas to Quezon [19]
48	1948–1951		Arturo Morató	Liberal	Also became Mayor of Tagkawayan. Calauag
49	January–April 1952		Cirilo Pareja	NA	Atimonan
50	April 1952 – 1955		Simon Leonor	NA	Calauag
51	January 1956 – December 1959		Edgardo S. Cabangon	Liberal	First Term. Cabangon Street in Barangay Poblacion Cuatro named after him. Calauag
52	January 1960 – December 1964		Marceliano C. Parcero	NA	Calauag
Bagong Lipunan era
53	January 1965 – February 3, 1982		Edgardo S. Cabangon	Liberal	Second Term. Mayor during Marcos dictatorship. Assassinated.
				KBL
54	February 4, 1982 – February 15, 1986		Julio U. Lim, M.D.	UNIDO	Removed from Office due to EDSA People Power Revolution. Calauag
People Power Revolution, Restoration of Democratic Government
55	February 16, 1986 – December 1987		Rogelio Regala	Liberal	Officer in charge. Calauag became first-class municipality. Calauag
5th Republic
56	February 2, 1988 – December 30, 1995		Julio U. Lim, M.D.	Liberal	East Quezon occupied by Camarines Norte. Camarines Norte v. Province of Quezon ruled that East Quezon belongs to Santa Elena. Second Term.
57	June 30, 1995 – June 30, 2004		Pedro C. Inofre	Independent	Calauag
58	June 30, 2004 – June 30, 2010		Eric N. Entienza	Lakas–CMD	Calauag recovered its status as first-class municipality. Calauag
59	June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2019		Luisito S. Visorde	Liberal	Incumbent. Calauag
				NUP
				NPC
60	July 1, 2019–June 30, 2025		Rosalina Visorde	NPC	Sariaya, Incumbent

^[20]

Tourism

Tourism in Calauag has yet to become mainstream, although there already is an substantial increase of tourist arrivals within the area over the years. Growth has been attributed to social media presence, tourist trends, as well as word of mouth among locals and their family members. Some of the notable attractions are:

• Capaluhan Beach
• Pulong Pasig Sandbar
• Pangahoy Beach
• Dapdap Beach
• Santa Milagrosa Cave
• Yaganak Hanging Bridge and Calauag Watershed Forest Reserve
• Calauag Central Park (Bonifacio Monument)
• Calauag Rotonda
• Plaza Quezon
• The "C" Lighthouse
• Quezon Canal
• Calauag Municipal Library
• Sabang Playground
• Calauag East Central Elementary School
• Our Lady of Fatima Parish

Infrastructure

Transportation

Buses

Calauag is accessible by Bus Transportation through inter-city buses with signboards plying to Calauag and Bicol Region. Preferable bus companies plying to 4th District servicing the town are AB Liner, Barney Auto Lines, both with terminals in the town. Superlines, Daet Express and DLTBCo also unloads passenger at the town. Raymond Transportation, mostly bound for Bicol makes a short stopover at the town, being its headquarters and its historical route.

Railways

PNR Calauag Station (KM 243) is currently idle and the Intercity Service of PNR is currently defunct.

Roads and Waterways

Traveling around the town proper is no problem since there are thousands of tricycles circling the Town Proper. Tourists are advised to take Tricycles as primary mode of transportation around the town. Cycling is also a common form of personal transportation in the town. Tollway nearest to Calauag is Ibaan Exit of STAR Tollway (E2). Santo Tomas Exit of STAR Tollway (E2) is preferable, as it does not require a detour to interior of Batangas. All Buses currently exits at Calamba (Turbina) Exit of the South Luzon Expressway. Calauag soon will be serviced by Toll Road 4 Mayao Exit once the toll road fully opens. Toll Road 5 and Quezon–Bicol Expressway are also planned to have exits for Calauag.

Utilities

Quezon I Electric Cooperative ^[21] provides Electricity to the entire 3rd and 4th congressional districts of Quezon including barangays of Calauag lost to Bicol and Del Gallego, Camarines Sur. Calauag Water District (CWD) provides potable water to the residents of the Town Proper and nearby barangays (villages). ^[22] The Yaganak-Mambaling Dam is the sole source of water for the entire municipality and operated by Calauag Water District, under license to Local Water Utilities Administration. The Local, National Direct Dial and Fiber internet are provided by PLDT which absorbed the local franchise of the closed Santos Telephone Corporation. The wireless network and internet are provided by national telecommunications companies PLDT ( Smart), Globe and Dito. Cable Television and alternatative Cable Internet is provided by local cable operator (Calauag CATV System), albeit without High-Definition Television and national satellite television providers ( Cignal, G Sat, and previously prior to lapse of congressional franchise, SkyDirect).

Liquified petroleum gas meanwhile may be purchased per cylinder tanks in gasoline stations or in local distributors. Petroleum products, such as gasoline, diesel fuel, and kerosene are imported to the municipality through local distributors of publicly-listed oil companies Pilipinas Shell, Petron, and privately-owned Chevron, operating under the name of Caltex, as well as independent player Uno Fuels with most stations located near the road junction of Rizal Street and locally known as Calauag rotunda and National Highway or AH1

Education

Public Schools

Public Schools are operated by the Department of Education, Division of Quezon and divided by two districts: The East District and The West District. There are also one public high school that operates inside the town proper.

• Sabang Elementary School (K-6) on Quezon Street Ext.
• Pinagkamaligan Elementary School (K-6) on Rizal Street Ext.
• Calauag East Central Elementary School (K-6) on Declaro Street, between Bonifacio Street and Rizal Street
• Municipal Sector Elementary School (K-6) on Rizal Street beside the East Central Elementary School
• Santa Maria Elementary School (K-6) on Rizal Street
• Calauag National High School (7-12/Junior High School-Senior High School) on Maharlika Highway
• South Luzon State University, Calauag Extension Campus in New Municipal Hall Complex

Private Schools

• Calauag Central College (K-12+College level) on Rizal Street corner Arguelles Street
• Saint Peter's School (Catholic, Parochial School) (Junior High School-College level) on Rizal Street beside the Saint Peter Parish
• Froebelian School of Calauag, Inc. (K–Grade 6) on Barangay Cinco
• Enverga University (College level)

Media

Calauag and nearby towns were being served by Radyo Natin 100.9 FM.

Sister cities

Historically, the sister cities of Calauag are Guinayangan, Tagkawayan (Daughter town of Guinayangan), and Buenavista (then Piris).

Notable personalities

• Romeo Asinas – stuntman & fight scene instructor
• Edelyn Cornejo – former Star Circle Kid Questor, child actress
• Rey Danseco – Award winner-International Boxing Judge, journalist, TV Host, Radio Commentator
• Alisha del Campo—Member, Philippine Women's National Football Team
• Gerry Igos – 1989 Philippine cycling champion
• Arturo Morato Sr.- First licensed pilot (1936) and first Mayor of Tagkawayan, Quezon.
• Manoling Morato – PCSO and Movie and Television Review and Classification Board Chairman and former TV host
• Tomas Morato – Last Municipal President (Jan. 1935-Dec. 1937) first Municipal Mayor of Calauag (Jan 1938 – Dec 1940) . First Representative of the 2nd District of Tayabas
• Madeleine Nicolas – stage and film actress
• Marcelito Pomoy—Singer, Pilipinas and America's Got Talent contestant
• Raymundo Punongbayan – Former director, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology
• Ice Seguerra – Host of Eat Bulaga!, singer, Former National Youth Commission chairperson
• Maria Regine Maravilla Talento – Star Circle Kid Questor, child actress

Gallery

• 
  Saint Peter the Apostle Parish Church
• 
  Our Lady of Fatima Church
• 
  View of Calauag countryside
• 
  Camp Alfredo Santos in Rizal Ilaya

References

External links

• Calauag Profile at PhilAtlas.com
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Local Governance Performance Management System
• Quezon Province Web Portal