 Location
Southern
Leyte occupies the southern
portion of Leyte Island in eastern
Visayas. It is bounded on the north
by Leyte, on the east by the Leyte
Gulf, on the west by the Camotes
Sea, and on the south by the Surigao
Strait.
The
Land
The
province includes Limasawa and Panaon
Islands south of mainland Leyte.
It is characterized by relatively
flat coastal areas and a mountainous
interior. It has no dry season,
with more or less evenly distributed
rainfall throughout the year.
The
People
Most
of the people of Southern Leyte
are descendants of Boholanos. Generally,
they speak the Cebuano and Boholano
dialects.
|
Limasawa, where the first Christian Mass was held in the country
in 1521, is in Southern Leyte. It became the springboard of Catholicism
in the Philippines. A movement to divide Leyte Province began
as early as 1919 when the first bill dividing it into two was
filed in Congress but was defeated in the Senate. In 1922, Act
No. 3117 was passed, providing for an Oriental and Occidental
Leyte to take effect after the proclamation of the governor general,
but the proclamation never came. In 1953, another bill for the
division of Leyte was filed in Congress but this time it died
in the House of Representatives. Finally, on May 22, 1959, Republic
Act No. 2227 divided Leyte into the present Leyte and Southern
Leyte provinces.
|
Southern Leyte is primarily agricultural
with palay and coconut as its main
products, followed by abaca, white
corn, bananas and rootcrops. Fish
production in 1993 was nearly 10,000
metric tons consisting mostly of
indian sardines, roundscad, indian
mackerel, frigate tuna and other
species. It has luxuriant forests
comprising 27% of the total land
area while mining is limited to
extraction of non-metallic minerals
such as sand and gravel.
Major
sources of income include trading,
services, fishing, livestock and
poultry raising. The small-scale
industries are mainly engaged
in handicraft production while
most of the manufacturing industries
are classified as cottage industries.
The
important crops grown in the province
are coconut, abaca, rice sugarcane,
and banana. Sugod Bay abounds
with fish.
|
Magellan's
Cross: Location: Southern
Tip of Southern Leyte. 45 minutes
pumpboat ride from Padre Burgos
to the island. Site of
the celebration of the First
Christian Mass in the Orient
when Ferdinand Magellan came
in 1521; historical and cultural
viewing of the Magellan Shrine/Marker.
Also a diver's paradise.
Maasin,183
km from Tacloban, is the port
where buses travelling the Pan-Philippines
Highway take the ferry to cross
to Mindanao. Its Spanish-era
cathedral is notable for its
altar, ceiling and santos. The
waters of Guinsohotan Falls
in this town emerge from a limestone
cave, slide down a 30-m slope,
then drop five meters into a
pool.
 Kuting
Beach Resort
in
Macrohon, south of the capital,
has wide stretches of sandy
beach. Tancaan Point in Santa
Sofia Beach, Padre Burgos, has
a concrete stairway to a watchtower
overlooking the sea and Limasawa
Island.
HISTORICAL
 Malitbog,
Southern Leyte
Location:
253 kilometers from Tacloban
City by land. One of the oldest
towns in the province of Leyte
which was once the center of
trade and commerce.
NATURAL
Magsuhot
Park
Tancaan
Point/Buenavista Fish Sanctuary
Location:
Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte;
about 45 minutes from Maasin
by land. A real stand-out when
it comes to diving, snorkeling
or just plain beach-combing
or swimming; offers an exhilarating
underwater tour.
Guinsohotan
and Busay Falls
Location:
Maasin, Southern Leyte. Clear
waters good for swimming and
picnicking.
Sulphur
Spring
Location:
Anahawan, Southern Leyte. Sulphur
spring water with reported curative
power.
Panaon
Island
Panaon
Island is separated from the
mainland by the Wawa Strait,
which is crossed by Liloan Bridge.
Here, the Kongkings,
small, curly-haired, migrants
from Mindanao, come down from
the mountains on market days.
Location:
Liloan, Southern Leyte. A part
of Mindanao Deep, the second
deepest body of water in the
world; one of the most mystifying
dive destinations in Southern
Leyte.
Sun-ok
Fish Sanctuary
Location:
Pintuyan, Southern Leyte; situated
below an imposing rock edifice;
this sanctuary can be reached
by motorized banca in about
two hours from Maasin upon prior
arrangement with private operators.
Hosts a variety of marine
life.
Tabugon
Fish Sanctuary
Location:
Liloan, Southern Leyte. The
coastal town of Liloan, with
its protective bay, has large
reef areas recommended by the
Silliman University Marine Laboratory
as marine reserves.
Ilijan
Point/Napantaw Fish Sanctuary
Location:
San Francisco, Southern Leyte;
can be reached by motorized
banca in about two hours from
Maasin upon prior arrangement
with private boat operators.
Sogod
Bay
Location:
124 kilometers from Tacloban
City via the Maharlika Highway.
Have already established big
fish sanctuaries which will
soon transform into excellent
dive sites.
Patag
Daku
Location:
Libagon, Southern Leyte; to
reach Patag Datu, one has to
ride a bus or private vehicle
from Maasin to Libagon. The
trip may take about 2-3 hours.
Patag Daku, means big plain.
But the land is actually in
a valley dense
with vegetation that novice
campers and mountaineers need
an experienced guide to lead
the way.
RELIGIOUS
 Maasin
Cathedral
Location:
Maasin, Southern Leyte. Catholic
church situated inside a beautiful
park, with recreational facilities
such as swings, slides and tennis
courts.
GETTING
THERE
Southern
Leyte may be reached by land
via the Pan-Philippine Highway
or by sea via Aboitiz Lines.
Philtranco and Inland Trailways
have one trip each daily from
Pasay to Maasin.
|
| DIRECTORY OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES |
| AND OFFICES IN SOUTHERN LEYTE |
| NATIONAL
FOOD AUTHORITY, Maasin City: (053) 381-2082
|
|
| _ |
National
Food Authority |
|
Maasin
City |
|
(053)
381-2082 |
| _ |
MR.
EUFEMIO AGUILAR |
|
Customs
Collector |
|
Bureau
of Customs, Tacloban City |
|
(053)
325-6327 |
| _ |
DR.
ZENAIDA ABIERA |
|
Officer-in-Charge |
|
Southern
Leyte Provincial Hospital |
|
(053)
381-3351 570-9833 |
| _ |
SR.
INSP. MAURO ACOSTA |
|
Provincial
Administrator |
|
Bureau
of Fire Protection |
|
ABC
Gymnasium, Capitol Site,
Maasin City |
| |
(053)
570-9790 381-2059 (F) |
| _ |
MR.
LEO P. CAÑEDA |
|
Regional
Director |
|
Department
of Agriculture Region
VII |
|
(053)
321-3043,
321-2024, 321-4272 |
| _ |
MR.
LAMBERTO N. BADEO |
|
College
Director |
|
Ruperto
K. Kangleon
Memorial Agro-Fisheries
Technical Institute |
|
(Bontoc,
Southern Leyte |
| |
(053)
382-3121 |
| _ |
ENGR.
GIL VIOJAN |
|
Southern
Leyte Engineering District |
|
(053)
381-2141,
381-2143
|
| _ |
MRS.
VIRGINIA LIM-CRUZ |
|
Provincial
Planning and Development
Officer |
|
(053)
570-9486
|
| _ |
MS.
IMELDA CEBUANO |
|
Revenue
District Officer |
|
Bureau
of Internal Revenue
|
| |
1/F
L/ Calapre Bldg., Tunga-tunga,
Maasin City |
| |
(053)
381-2148 |
| _ |
ATTY.
GERARDO CORDERO |
|
Provincial
Director |
|
Civil
Service Commission
|
| |
Capitol
Site, Asuncion, Maasin City |
| |
(053)
381-2070 |
| _ |
ENGR.
DOMINADOR CLAVEJO |
|
Provincial
Science and Technology
Officer |
|
Department
of Science and Technology
|
| |
Capitol
Site, Maasin City |
| |
(053)
570-9313 |
| _ |
HON.
FERNANDO C. CAMPILAN |
|
Presiding
Judge |
|
(053)
376-9938
|
| _ |
DIR.
RAMON CUYCO |
|
Regional
Director |
|
LTO-Region
VIII
|
| |
(053)
523-9923 |
| _ |
DIR.
PEDRO V. CALIXTO |
|
Regional
Executive Director |
|
Department
of Environment and
Natural Resources
|
| |
(053)
325-6716 325-6223 |
| _ |
ENGR.
DOMINADOR CLAVEJO |
|
Provincial
Science and Technology
Officer |
|
Department
of Science and Technology
|
| |
Capitol
Site, Maasin City |
| |
(053)
570-9313 |
|
| |
| _ |
DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM |
|
REGIONAL OFFICE (REGION VIII) |
|
Senator Enage St. Tacloban City
|
| |
(053) 321-2048, 321-4333,
325-5279 |
| _ |
DR.
SOL MATUGAS |
|
Regional
Director |
|
DECS
Region VIII
|
| |
Government Center, Candahug, Palo, Leyte |
| |
(053)
323-3156 (F) 323-4020
|
| _ |
MS.
VIRGINIA LIM-CRUZ
|
|
Provincial
Planning and Development
Officer |
|
(053)
570-9486
|
| _ |
MS.
IMELDA CEBUANO
|
|
Revenue
District Officer |
|
Bureau
of Internal Revenue
|
| |
1/F L. Calapre Bldg. ,Tunga-tunga,
Maasin City |
| |
(053)
381-2148 |
| _ |
ATTY.
GERARDO CORDERO
|
|
Provincial
Director |
|
Civil
Service Commission
|
| |
Capitol
Site, Asuncion
Maasin City |
| |
053)
381-2070 |
| _ |
OENGR.
DOMINADOR CLAVEJO
|
|
Provincial
Science and Technology
Officer |
|
Department
of Science and Technology
|
| |
Capitol
Site, Asuncion, Maasin City |
| |
(053)
570-9313 |
| _ |
HON.
FERNANDO C. CAMPILAN
|
|
Presiding
Judge |
|
(053)
376-9938
|
| _ |
ENGR.
REMIGIO DE VEYRA
|
|
Station
Manager |
|
Bureau
of Telecommunications
|
| |
Old Municipal Building, Tunga-tunga, Maasin City |
| |
(053 ) 570-9020 |
| _ |
ENGR. JOSE J. DATOON, JR.
|
|
National
Irrigation Authority |
|
Capitol
Site, Asuncion, Maasin City
|
| |
(053)
570-9818/381-2018 |
| _ |
MR.
ROMULO DIU
|
|
OIC/Terminal
Supervisor |
|
Port
Area, Abgao, Maasin City
|
| |
(053)
381-2275 |
| _ |
ENGR.
ANTONIO DAGAAS
|
|
Chief |
|
Area Equipment Office
|
| |
R.K. Kangleon St., Ibarra, Maasin City |
| |
(053)
570-9962 |
| _ |
ENGR.
GIL VIOJAN
|
|
District
Engineer |
|
Southern Leyte Engineering District
|
| |
Department of Public Works and Highways
Maasin City |
| |
(053)
381-2141/381-2143 |
| _ |
HON.
FE EDILLO
|
|
Municipal
Mayor |
|
Municipality of Macrohon
|
| |
(0918) 607-9405 |
| _ |
MR.
ROMULO ESTILLORE
|
|
Fiscal
Examiner |
|
Bureau of Treasury
|
| |
2/F G. Zialcita Building, Tunga-tunga,
Maasin City |
| |
(053)
381-2286/570-9208 |
| _ |
HON.
LEONARDO H. EQUIPILAG
|
|
Municipal
Mayor |
|
Municipality of Pintuyan
|
| |
(053) 587-2019/587-2015 |
| _ |
HON.
ALBERT G. ESCLAMADO
|
|
Municipal
Mayor |
|
Municipality of Limasawa
|
| |
(053) 328-1634 |
| _ |
MR.
ANECITO GARVEZ
|
|
Provincial
Budget Officer |
|
(053) 381-2317/570-9829
|
| _ |
ATTY.
ROMEO R. GENISTON
|
|
District
Attorney |
|
Public Assistance Office
|
| |
Bulwagan
ng Katarungan, Capitol Site, Maasin City |
| |
(053)
381-2191 |
| _ |
MRS.
ERNA SY GORME
|
|
Information Center Manager |
|
Philippine Information Agency
|
| |
2/F Go Chi Lim Building, Tunga-tunga,
Maasin City |
| |
(053)
381-2105/570-9944 |
| _ |
MR.
RODRIGO B. GREGANA
|
|
Branch
Head |
|
SSS National Mercado Building, Abgao, Maasin City
|
| |
(053) 570-9791 |
| _ |
HON.
ROMEO GOMEZ
|
|
Presiding
Judge |
|
Bulwagan
ng Katarungan,
Asuncion, Maasin City
|
| |
(053) 381-2337 |
| _ |
HON.
ROBERTO M. LAGUMBAY
|
|
Municipal
Mayor |
|
Municipality of Hinunangan
|
| |
(053) 352-3020 |
| _ |
DIR.
LEONARDO EWAY
|
|
Integrated
Provincial Health Office |
|
(053) 381-3351/381-2363
|
| _ |
MRS.
VELMA P. KANGLEON
|
|
Provincial
Population Officer |
|
(053) 570-9633
|
| _ |
MS.
ROMANA KUIZON
|
|
Provincial
Social Welfare Officer |
|
(053) 381-2458
|
| _ |
ATTY.
BETHANY G. KAPILI
|
|
Registry
of Deeds |
|
Bulwagan
ng Katarungan,
Capitol Site,
Maasin City
|
| |
(053) 570-9926 |
| _ |
HON.
ROSETTE Y. LERIAS
|
|
Provincial
Governor |
|
Maasin City
|
| |
(053) 570-0918/381-2274/570-9018 (F) |
| _ |
MR.
PEDRO C. LLEVARES,
JR.
|
|
Provincial
Treasurer |
|
(053) 381-2324
|
| _ |
SUPT.
ARCADIO LELIS
|
|
OIC
Provincial Director |
|
Philippine National Police
|
| |
PNP Headquarters, Canturing,
Maasin City |
| |
(053)
381-2342/570-9626 |
| _ |
HON.
MARIA Y. LIM
|
|
Municipal
Mayor |
|
Municipality of St. Bernard
|
| |
(053) 328-1380 |
| _ |
HON.
JOSE MA. G. MIÑANA
|
|
Municipal
Mayor |
|
Municipality of Anahawan
|
| |
(053) 328-1510 |
| _ |
HON.
NORMA L. GO
|
|
Municipal
Mayor |
|
Municipality of Malitbog
|
| |
(053) 328-1639 |
| _ |
HON.
DAMIAN G. MERCADO
|
|
City
Mayor |
|
City of Maasin
|
| |
(053) 381-2138/381-2001 |
| _ |
DR.
LEONARDO MANALO
|
|
President |
|
Southern Leyte State College of Science and Technology
|
| |
Municipality of Sogod |
| |
(053)
382-3294 |
| _ |
MR.
FELICIANO MATIBAG
|
|
Provincial
Agriculturist |
|
(053) 381-2360
|
| _ |
ENGR.
FERNANDO E. MORALDE
|
|
Provincial
Engineer |
|
(053) 381-2356/570-9526/570-8208
|
| _ |
ATTY.
PASTOR T. MENDOZA,
JR.
|
|
Supervising
Election Officer |
|
Commission on Elections
|
| |
2/F
Old Municipal Building, Maasin City |
| |
(053)
381-2394/570-9922 |
| _ |
MR.
FRANCISCO MILLOREN,
SR.
|
|
Parole
and Probation Office |
|
Bulwagan
ng Katarungan
|
| |
Capitol
Site, Maasun City |
| |
(053)
570-9918 |
| _ |
MR.
ERIC MACABUHAY
|
|
Philippine
National Red Cross |
|
Tomas Oppus St., Maasin City
|
| _ |
HON.
JOSE MEJARES
|
|
Presiding
Judge |
|
Regional Trial Court Branch
36
|
| |
Municipal
Hall, San Juan |
| _ |
MR.
JACINTO B. PARIÑA
|
|
Provincial
Manager |
|
National Food Authority
|
| |
Canturing,
Maasin City |
| _ |
MR.
MICHAEL NUÑEZ
|
|
Officer-in-Charge |
|
Department of Trade and
Industry
|
| |
S. Demetrio St., Abgao,
Maasin City |
| _ |
MR.
CATALINO O. OLAYVAR
|
|
Provincial
General Services Officer |
|
(053) 570-9567
|
| _ |
LT.
ROMMEL S. OLARTE,
DN
|
|
Philippine
Coastguard |
|
Port Area, Abgao, Maasin City
|
| _ |
MR.
PEDRO S. SORIO
|
|
PENR
Officer |
|
Provincial Environment And
Natural Resource Office
|
| |
Maasin City |
| |
(053)
381-2078 |
| _ |
MR.
WINDSOR A. PAJAO
|
|
Provincial
Assessor |
|
(053) 570-9181
|
| _ |
MR.
BRUNO PALER
|
|
Transportation
Regional Officer |
|
Land Transportation Office
|
| |
Abgao, Maasin City |
| |
(053)
570-8073 |
| _ |
MR.
RODGRIGO QUISIT
|
|
Provincial
Accountant |
|
Provincial Capitol
|
| |
Maasin City |
| |
(053)
381-9753/570-2370 |
| _ |
ATTY.
RODRIGO E. REYES
|
|
Provincial
Auditor |
|
Commission on Audit
|
| |
Provincial Capitol,
Maasin City
|
| |
(053) 381-2364/570-9459 |
|
PROVINCIAL AGRARIAN REFORM OFFICE
|
| DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM |
|
Municipality of Sogod (053) 381-2459/570-9867
|
|
|
_
|
PROVINCIAL AGRARIAN REFORM OFFICE
|
|
DEPARTMENT
OF AGRARIAN REFORM |
| |
Municipality of Sogod (053) 381-2459/570-9867 |
| |
(053) 381-2459/570-9867 |
|
_
|
DILG,
2/F ABC Gymnasium
|
|
MR.
GLICERIO B. ROA |
| |
Provincial
Director |
| |
Capitol Site, Maasin City |
|
_
|
ATTY.
ANTONINO RUIZ
|
|
Provincial
Prosecutor’s Office |
| |
Bulwagan
ng Katarungan,
Capitol Site,
Maasin City |
| |
(053)
381-2269 |
|
_
|
MR.
ERNESTO LAMOSTE
|
|
General
Manager |
| |
Southern
Leyte Electric Cooperative, Maasin City |
| |
(053)
381-2144/570-9823 |
|
_
|
MR.
DOMINADOR T. SALAS
|
|
Provincial
Manager |
| |
Philippine
Postal Corporation |
| |
Tunga-tunga,
Maasin City |
| |
(053)
570-9506/570-9880 |
|
_
|
MS.
CONSOLACION A. SADAGA
|
|
Officer-in-Charge |
| |
Maritime
Industry and Navigation
Authority |
| |
2/F Ampil Building, Tomas Oppus St.,Maasin City |
|
_
|
MR.
JUDE A. DUARTE
|
|
Officer-in-Charge |
| |
Tomas Oppus Normal College |
| |
Municipality of Tomas Oppus |
| |
(053)
382-2394 |
|
_
|
MAYOR
TOMAS TAN
|
|
Municipal
Mayor |
| |
Municipality of Liloan |
| |
(053)
328-1631 |
|
_
|
HON.
EVA TOMOL
|
|
Vice
Governor |
| |
(053)
381-2274/570-9135 |
|
_
|
INSP.
MANUELITO L. TOLIBAS
|
|
Provincial
Administrator |
| |
Bureau
of Jail Management and
Penology |
| |
Old Municipal Building, Tunga-tunga,
Maasin City |
| |
(053)
570-9621/381-2325 |
|
_
|
MR.
NESTOR O. TABASA
|
|
National
Statistics Office |
| |
R.K. Kangleon Office St. |
| |
Abgao, Maasin City |
| |
(053)
381-2027/570-9921 |
|
_
|
HON.
EDMUNDO VILLA
|
|
Municipal
Mayor |
| |
Municipality of Sogod |
| |
(053)
382-2033 |
|
_
|
MR.
TRINIDAD G. VILLA
|
|
Officer-in-Charge |
| |
Philippine
Atmospheric, Geophysical
and Astronomical Services
Administration |
| |
Capitol
Site, Asuncion, Maasin City |
| |
(053)
570-8154 |
|
|
|
___ |
