Marabut, Samar

History

Before the construction of the Mabaysay Church (now known as Basey Church) in 1846, the area was inhabited by the Umhanan people, also referred to as the Tinawagan people. Among the earliest recorded families were those of Agustin Grefiel, Logero Ferreras, and Catato Amantillo, who had been intermarried with one another.

In 1868, some settlers moved toward the shoreline, while others remained inland to avoid forced labor by the Guardia Civil during the church's construction. After the Balangiga massacre on September 28, 1901, additional settlers from Balangiga migrated inland to escape fears of American retaliation, increasing the local population.

One of the early settlers, Singoy Amantillo, had five children: Bicario, Mauricio (also known as "Iking"), Jacobo Alyas ("Ka Buta"), Enrique, and Lami. The family of Ysidro Mista Ferreras later joined the community.

During the Spanish period, Ysidro Ferreras encouraged Engracio Amantillo and Mauricio Amantillo to change the name from Umhanan to Tinawagan, and later to Sitio Lipata, in reference to the abundance of Lipata trees in the area. Local accounts stated that Bicario Amantillo organized residents for community protection during the revolutionary period, and leadership later passed on to Ysidro Ferreras.

Under American rule, the population of Sitio Lipata grew significantly. Under Ysidro's leadership, residents once considered relocating to Hilaba (with its larger area and a hill suitable for a church), but the plan was abandoned due to problems with shoreline access at low tides.

Ysidro Ferreras later transformed Sitio Lipata into Barrio Santo Niño of Basey, Samar. Ysidro Ferreras served as Mayor of Basey, Engracio Amantillo as Vice Mayor, and Mauricio Amantillo as Cabeza del Barrio Santo Niño. During World War II elementary education in Barrio Santo Niño was suspended until the liberation of Samar in 1944.

In early 1949, Ysidro Ferreras submitted a proposal to President Elpidio Quirino to convert Barrio Santo Niño into a municipality. On July 22, 1949, Executive Order No. 247 was signed, creating the Municipality of Marabut, named in honor of Congressman Serafin Marabut of Basey, Samar. Ysidro Ferreras became the municipality's first mayor, and Engracio Amantillo the first vice mayor.

Under the original organization, Marabut included 14 barangays: San Roque, Tag-Alag, Legaspi, Caluayan, Tinabanan, Osmeña, Canyoyo, Binocyahan, Odoc, Pinana-an, Santo Niño (Poblacion), Lipata, Amambucale, and Pinamitinan.

During the administration of Mayor Macario Ferreras, Poblacion Marabut was subdivided into four barangays: Amantillo, Sto. Niño, Catato, and Lipata. Other barangays were similarly divided (Pinamitinan into Sta. Rita, Malobago; Odoc into Ferreras; Binocyahan into Logero; Osmeña into Mabuhay, Roño, Panan-awan, etc.; Legaspi into Veloso), resulting in the present total of 24 barangays.

Geography

Barangays

The municipality of Marabut is politically subdivided into 24 barangays, each consisting of Puroks, with some also containing Sitios.

In 1957, the sitio of Pinana-an was converted into the barrio Pinalangga.

• Amambucale
• Caluwayan
• Canyoyo
• Ferreras
• Legaspi
• Logero
• Osmeña
• Pinalanga
• Pinamitinan
• Catato (Poblacion)
• San Roque (formerly sitio Cabugao)
• Santo Niño (Poblacion)
• Tagalag
• Tinabanan
• Amantillo (Poblacion)
• Binukyahan
• Lipata (Poblacion)
• Mabuhay
• Malobago
• Odoc
• Panan-awan
• Roño
• Santa Rita
• Veloso

Climate

Marabut has a tropical rainforest climate, characterized by high humidity, warm temperatures, and significant rainfall throughout the year. The wettest month is December, and the driest month is April. {{Weather box | access-date = 29 February 2020 }}

Demographics

Economy

The economy of Marabut is primarily based on agriculture. According to data in 2022, there was a gradual increase in local tourism, primarily due to the local beaches and rock formations.

References

References

1. {{DILG detail
2. pafs23_Phoenix. "History of Marabut Samar, Philippines".
3. "Executive Order No. 247".
4. Aranas, Jhian. "The Story of Marabut through its People".
5. "[ EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 247, July 22, 1949 ] CREATING THE MUNICIPALITY OF MARABUT, PROVINCE OF SAMAR".
6. "An Act Converting the Sitio of Pinana-an in the Municipality of Marabut, Province of Samar, into a Regular Barrio". LawPH.com.
7. "An Act Creating the Barrio of San Roque in the Municipality of Marabut, Province of Samar". LawPH.com.
8. "Marabut Climate Summary".