Ibaan

Etymology

Ibaan is derived from a Tagalog word which means "the town where Iba flourishes." According to historians, the present-day municipality was greatly forested with Iba trees (Averrhoa bilimbi).

History

Once part of the former town of Batangas. Its present-day barangay Matala was the first municipal seat (poblacion) of Batangas beginning in 1780. Ibaan was established as a distinct town on February 11, 1832.

Geography

Ibaan is located at . It is 13 km from Batangas City and 118 km from Manila. It is bounded to the northwest by San Jose, to the northeast by Lipa, to the east by Rosario, to the southeast by Taysan, and to the southwest by Batangas City. It has a land area of 68.99 km2 at an altitude of 124 m above sea level.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 68.99 km2 constituting of the 3,119.75 km2 total area of Batangas.

Barangays

Ibaan is politically subdivided into 26 barangays, as shown in the matrix below. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Bungahan was constituted as a barrio in 1956.

Climate

Temperature is moderate both in its rainy and dry seasons, conducive to farming, agricultural and livestock production, which are the most common occupations. There are fewer farmers each year as residents switch to hog-raising, which provides better income.

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Demographics

In the 2024 census, Ibaan had a population of 58,673 people. The population density was {{sigfig|58,673/68.99|2}} PD/km2.

Language

Tagalog is the local language in the Batangueño dialect; however, English is included in its educational curriculum and is often used in official dealings and transactions.

Religion

Ibaan is home to the Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of Saint James the Greater, the seat of the Roman Catholicism in Ibaan and the oldest church in town.

It is a predominantly Roman Catholic community, with small percentages of Protestants and members of the Iglesia ni Cristo. The indigenous Iglesia ni Cristo has several locales in the town, including the chapels in Coliat and Matala. Other than this, non-denominational full gospel churches are also established to name a few like Jesus the Anointed One Church, United Pentecostal Church and Jesus is Lord Church.

Economy

Ibaan main products include tamales, kulambo (mosquito net), lomi, panutsa (sweet peanut), and sugarcane.

Transportation

The town is served by the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR), a toll road that leads to the capital, Manila, or neighboring Batangas City.

Culture

Festivals

Ibaan celebrates civic and national holidays. The Ibaan Foundation Day is celebrated every December to commemorate the city's founding. Each barangay also has its own festivity guided by their patron saint. The town is host to the Feast of Saint James, held every 25 July, which draws hundreds of Catholic devotees. Another religious feasts held in Ibaan was the Procession Feast of Holy week. Non-religious holidays include the New Year's Day, National Heroes' Day, Bonifacio Day, and Rizal Day.

Sports

Most barangays have a makeshift basketball court, with court markings drawn on the roads. Larger barangays have covered courts where interbarangay leagues are held every summer (April to May).

The town has several well-known sports venues, such as the Bro. Medrano Plaza and Recto Gymnasium, the home of the now defunct Ibaan Basketball Team. The Bro. Medrano Plaza, which houses the basketball and volleyball courts, had hosted several multi-sport events and games.

Other well-known sports facilities include the Recto Gym, operated by the local government, and the Fr. Guido Colletti Gym, a private venue owned by Saint James Academy.

Education

The Ibaan Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools.

Primary and elementary schools

• Acts Christian Academy
• Balanga Elementary School
• Bright Christian Academy
• Bungahan Elementary School
• Coliat Elementary School
• Gregorio Sison Memorial Elementary School
• Ibaan Central School
• Ibaan Nazareth School
• Ibaan Saint James Academy
• Lucsuhin Elementary School
• Mabalor-Catandala Elementary School
• Malainin Elementary School
• Maranatha Christian Academy
• Marfeben Academy
• Munting Tubig Elementary School
• Our Lady of Grace Formation School
• Palindan Elementary School
• Panghayaan Elementary School
• Quilo Elementary School
• Sabang Elementary School
• San Agustin Elementary School
• St. Jude Science and Technological School
• Sto. Nino Elementary School
• Talaibon Elementary School
• Tulay Elementary School
• Tulay-Calamias Elementary School

Secondary schools

• Dr. Juan A. Pastor Memorial National High School
• Lucsuhin Integrated School
• Mabalor-Catandala Integrated School
• Maximo T. Hernandez Memorial Integrated High School
• Procopio Mailig Memorial Integrated School
• San Agustin Integrated School

Gallery

File:IbaanHalljf0080 04.JPG|Municipal hall File:Ibaanjf0132 13.JPG|Downtown Ibaan File:Ibaan,Batangasjf9985 03.JPG|B.R. Medrano Memorial Plaza (Demolished) File:Ibaan exit.jpg|Ibaan Exit of STAR Tollway

References

References

1. {{DILG detail
2. "History".
3. "An Act to Create the Barrio of Bungahan in the Municipality of Ibaan, Province of Batangas". LawPH.com.
4. (January 15, 2021). "Masterlist of Schools".