Hilongos

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Hilongos
Municipality
Municipality of Hilongos
Immaculate Conception Parish Church
Flag Seal
Interactive map of Hilongos
Hilongos Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 10°22′N 124°45′E / 10.37°N 124.75°E / 10.37; 124.75
Country	Philippines
Region	Eastern Visayas
Province	Leyte
District	5th district
Founded	1590 (Pueblo de los Hilongos)
Barangays	51 (see Barangays)
Government
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor	Manuel R. Villahermosa
• Vice Mayor	Albert R. Villahermosa
• Representative	Carl Nicolas C. Cari
• Councilors	List • Manuel R. Villahermosa • Josenilo M. Reoma • Cristuto F. Ong • Carmelito M. Zarate • Joseph F. Fulache • Bernadeth M. Nerves • Francisco M. Ortega • Edwin F. Faller DILG Masterlist of Officials
• Electorate	44,655 voters (2025)
Area
• Total	192.92 km2 (74.49 sq mi)
Elevation	88 m (289 ft)
Highest elevation	1,133 m (3,717 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (2024 census)
• Total	66,774
• Density	346.12/km2 (896.45/sq mi)
• Households	15,918
Economy
• Income class	1st municipal income class
• Poverty incidence	28.49 % (2023)
• Revenue	₱ 310 million (2024)
• Assets	₱ 1,192 million (2024)
• Expenditure	₱ 338.3 million (2024)
• Liabilities	₱ 106.6 million (2024)
Service provider
• Electricity	Leyte 4 Electric Cooperative (LEYECO 4)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	6524
PSGC	0803719000
IDD : area code	+63 (0)53
Native languages	Cebuano Tagalog

Hilongos (IPA: [hɪ'lɔŋos]), officially the Municipality of Hilongos (Cebuano: Lungsod sa Hilongos; Waray: Bungto han Hilongos; Tagalog: Bayan ng Hilongos), is a First Income Class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 66,774 people.

Hilongos is situated in the southwestern part of Leyte. Hilongos is also a center for government, religion, shipping, rice production, commerce, banking, finance, telecommunications, health services, education, sports and socio-cultural activities.^{[citation needed]}

The Port of Hilongos is one of the biggest and busiest in Eastern Visayas (Region 8), known for being the main port where travelers go in and out of Leyte due to its strategic location on the island. Hilongos Port caters day and night trips to and from the city and is the primary choice for travelers especially from the southern parts of Leyte. Hilongos also has an airport, but is mostly restricted to general aviation use. Hilongos has two public markets and two teo transport terminals. The municipality is composed of 51 barangays with vast coastal plains used in the production of rice. ^{[citation needed]}

History

Legend has it that in the 12th century, Amahawin, an Ilonggo from Iloilo, conquered neighboring barangays on Leyte's western shore and extended his territory to the present-day areas of Inopacan, Hindang, Bato, and Matalom. He formed a settlement and named it Hilongos, because its inhabitants were Ilonggos.

In 1710, the Jesuits established a residence there. It is not known when Hilongos became a parish, some sources say it happened approximately from before 1737 to 1754.

In 1768, the Jesuits ceded Hilongos to the Augustinians. In 1774–79, the Augustinians established schools in Hilongos. In 1784, Palompon, a Hilongos visita, became an independent parish.

In 1862, Manicar led a revolt against the Spanish at barrio Santa Margarita.

In 1873, Leovio Magia led a revolt. Unlike the towns of eastern Leyte, which were ceded to the Franciscans in 1843, the towns along Leyte's western coast gradually fell to the seculars.

In late 1992, an unrecognized municipal government established by the New People's Army in Barangay San Antonio, Hilongos collapsed upon being taken over by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

On December 28, 2016, a bomb attack occurred during the town festivities. The explosion occurred in Barangay Central Poblacion were a boxing match was being held. At least 34 people residents were injured and brought to the Hilongos District Hospital and other nearby hospitals. Officials said an IED was used in the attack. No suspects were identified, but officials accused the BIFF and Maute Group of orchestrating the attacks.

Geography

Hilongos shares borders with the municipalities of Hindang to the north, Mahaplag to the northeast, Sogod (Southern Leyte) and Bontoc (Southern Leyte) to the east, Bato to the south and to the west lies the Camotes Sea.

Economy

Poverty incidence of Hilongos (%)

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

Demographics

In the 2024 census, the population of Hilongos was 66,774 people, with a density of 350 inhabitants per square kilometre or 910 inhabitants per square mile.

Culture

Heritage sites

Church complex—The present church's bell tower is attributed to Don Leonardo Celis-Díaz, a native of Cebu. The building of the church fabric itself is disputed.

The church complex underwent major renovations over the centuries. The original church, now incorporated as a transept, was a single-nave structure whose main door was also the gate to a bastioned fortification. Some bastions and walls of that fortification still remain. The main nave of the church is a modern construction, and the bell tower commissioned by Fr. Celis-Diaz is an independent multi story structure.

The church interior is completely new compared to the interior which may have been completed in the 19th century. The interior guards many of the church's antiques including silver vessels from the 18th century.

Transportation

Shipping

• Roble Shipping Inc.: Ro-Ro/Passenger/Cargo service, day & night trips to Cebu City and vice versa
• Gabisan Shipping Lines Inc.: Ro-Ro/Passenger/Cargo service, day & night trips to Cebu City and vice versa
• Peñafrancia/Santa Clara Shipping Corporation: Ro-Ro/Passenger/Cargo service, daily trips to Ubay, Bohol and vice versa
• Seacat (Grand Ferries): Fastcraft to Cebu City and vice versa
• Leopards Motorboat Service: daily trips to Ubay, Bohol and vice versa
• Also, a number of cargo vessels are making calls at the port of Hilongos for cement, copra and other cargoes/products

Education

See also

• 2016 Hilongos explosion

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hilongos.

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Local Governance Performance Management System Archived 2012-05-30 at the Wayback Machine
• All about Hilongos^{[link removed]}