Balabac, Palawan

Former names The natives used to call the town Molbog, derived from the name of their tribe. Another name was Balabag which meant "cross-wise". This name was derived from the geographical position of the main island. Balabag eventually came to be known as Balabac, the present name. ==History==

Islamic era Balabac used to be one of the many territories of the Sultanate of Brunei before it was taken by the Sultanate of Sulu when it tried to secede from the influence of Brunei before the Spanish arrival in the Philippines. In another report in July of the same year during another expedition, the Spaniards reported that the inhabitants of Balabac had no king and were hostile to anyone, and that the climate was so bad that 116 men, which composed of half of the expeditionary force had died with 200 sick, and that much of the complimentary information told about Palawan's beauty were false. during the Spanish era and a major landmark of the town. Revolutionary era During the Philippine Revolution in 1898, after Emilio Aguinaldo became the President of the newly formed Revolutionary Government of the Philippines, there was a time of uncertainty. As Balabac was still under Spanish control, the Moros took it to themselves and began killing priests, nuns, and officers of the Spanish constabulary and were dropped in a well. The Melville Lighthouse were then destroyed by Moro bands led by a Christian named Diego. ==Geography==

Not considering the disputed Spratly Islands, the municipality is the westernmost point in the Philippines. It is separated from Sabah by the Balabac Strait. The municipality consists of some 36 islands, including the eponymous Balabac Island. The islands are notable for their uncommon indigenous plant and animal species, such as the nocturnal Philippine mouse-deer (or Pilandok). The islands are also home to dugongs, saltwater crocodiles, sawfishes, and sea turtles. Due to its biodiversity, the terrestrial and marine ecosystems of the Balabac archipelago are currently being pushed by scholars to be included in the tentative list of the Philippines for a possible UNESCO World Heritage Site nomination in the future. The Balabac Great Reef located in the town of Balabac is geographically the westernmost point of the Philippines. Islands The municipality of Balabac is composed of a group of 36 major and minor islands, notable of which are the following: ;Major islands: • Balabac () • Bugsuk () • Bancalan () • Mantangule () • Pandanan () • Ramos () ;Minor islands: • Canabungan • Candaraman • Gabung • Mansalangan (Byan) • Secam • Bowen (Mariahangin) • Lumbucan • South Mangsee • North Mangsee • Salingsingan Shoals and sandbars The municipality of Balabac is composed of various islands located at the Balabac Strait. The strait is known for its shallow waters due to the presence of shoals and numerous sandbars. Balabac has the third and fourth longest sandbars in the Philippines. The third longest is Queen Helen Sandbar at the southern tip of Bugsuk and the fourth is the Angela Sandbar east of Mansalangan. Barangays Balabac is politically subdivided into 20 barangays: Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios. • Agutayan • Bugsuk (New Cagayancillo) • Bancalaan • Indalawan • Catagupan • Malaking Ilog • Mangsee • Melville • Pandanan • Pasig • Rabor • Ramos • Salang • Sebaring • Poblacion I • Poblacion II • Poblacion III • Poblacion IV • Poblacion V • Poblacion VI Climate Balabac has a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen Am), bordering upon a tropical rainforest climate (Af), with moderate rainfall from February to May and heavy rainfall in the remaining months. ==Demographics==

In the 2024 census, the population of Balabac was 42,662 people, with a density of . The original inhabitants were the Molbog people who were the majority, then the Bonggi people who were closely related, then there were also Tausug and Sama immigrants, who were all mentioned as Muslims, Continuing into the Spanish colonial era, the migration of people from Luzon, especially Tagalog, also made the language used here, even though it is a non-Tagalog speaking area, with its influence not being very visible among the population, but then it became more and more developed. Other languages spoken include Molbog language, as the indigenous language of the Molbog Muslims, related to the Bonggi language, which is spoken in their southern islands and the northern coast of Sabah. In addition, there are also Kagayanen people who migrated here and speak their language, Palawano and Sama-Bajau are also used by significant minority speakers. This linguistic diversity is also accompanied by the fact that most of the Balabac population is multilingual, due to its complex history of diversity. == Economy ==

The Molbog people dominate the municipality of Balabac, as well as the municipality of Bataraza in the north. The area is the homeland of the Molbog people since the classical era prior to Spanish colonization. The Molbog are known to have a strong connection with the natural world, especially with the sacred pilandok (Philippine mouse-deer), which can only be found in the Balabac islands. An indigenous folktale tells the story of a naughty Philippine mouse-deer that tricked a prince into giving up his bag of gold while facing a hive of angry bees. Another tale depicts him as a clever guardian of the environment, using his wisdom as an advantage against those who destroy forests, seas, and wildlife. The coconut is especially important in Molbog culture as it is their most prized agricultural crop. ==Transportation==

Balabac mainland is a three-hour boat trip from Bataraza on the island of Palawan; Bataraza in turn can be reached from Palawan's capital city Puerto Princesa. An old airstrip located on the island of Bugsuk serves no commercial flights. Another private airstrip is located on the island of Ramos. == Healthcare ==

• Balabac District Hospital is situated in Barangay Catagupan ==Education==

The Balabac 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 • Agutayan Elementary School • Balabac Central School • Bancalaan Elementary School • Banglos Elementary School • Bual Ramos Elementary School • Caguisan Annex Elementary School • Caguisan Elementary School • Calogcog Elementary School • Catagupan Elementary school • Dumaga Elementary School • Indalawan Elementary School • Kambangtule Elementary School • Lagdong Elementary School • Lindagong Elementary School • Look Dahu Elementary School • Lumbucan Elementary School • Madarcos Elementary School • Malaking Ilog Elementary School • Malinsuno Elementary School • Mangsee Elementary School • Matangule Elementary School • Marabon Elementary School • Maria Hangin Elementary School • Melville Elementary School • Paliisan Elementary School • Pampecs Elementary School (Bugsuk Elementary School) • Panaan Elementary School • Pasig Elementary School • Rabor Elementary School • Segumay Elementary School • Sibaring Elementary School • Singcab Elementary School • Tabodniayo Elementary School • Timbayan Elementary School • Turong Elementary School Secondary schools • Agutayan National High School • Balabac National High School • Bancalaan National High School • Bugsuk National High School • Catagupan High School • Malaking Ilog National High School • Mangsee National High School • Ramos National High School • Salang National High School • Sibaring National High School == References ==