Balatan, officially the Municipality of Balatan (Rinconada Bikol: Banwaān ka Balatan; Tagalog: Bayan ng Balatan), is a 4th class municipality in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 30,669 people. Balatan was founded by Don Gregorio Balatan, also its first mayor and founder of the municipality's first school, the Balatan Institute Memorial High School (formerly Balatan Institute). The current and the 6th mayor is Ernesto "Bares" Arillas Bagasbas. The town's economy is supported by people from the Burias Island of Masbate province who are mostly trading their products in this small municipality. Balatan celebrates the Pintakasi and Pagkamundag Festivals annually on February 18 and December 1–3 respectively.

History

Balatan is not an old municipality like the other towns in the fifth district. It was once a sitio known as Siramag which belonged to the town of Nabua. In 1951, Camarines Sur Provincial Board Member Gregorio O. Balatan Sr. proposed a resolution to divide Nabua into two municipalities: Nabua and Balatan. Balatan then was separated from its mother town and became independent on December 3, 1951, under Executive Order (EO) No. 485 of then President Elpidio Quirino. It was named after Don Rufino Balatan which is the father of Board Member Gregorio O. Balatan Sr. Seven years after its establishment as a town, the Parish of Our Mother of Perpetual Help was erected by Archbishop Pedro P. Santos. Balatan observes the annual Pintakasi fiesta celebration every February 16–18.

Geography

This town bounded by the municipalities of Bula, Bato, and Nabua, as well as Ragay Gulf. Animasola Island is part of this municipality's territory.

Barangays

Balatan is politically subdivided into 17 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Climate

Demographics

In the 2020 census, the population of Balatan, Camarines Sur, was 30,669 people, with a density of undefined PD/km2. Rinconada Bikol is the mother tongue spoken by 96.67% of the population. In the period 1960 to 1997, there was an average of 97.60% of total housing units in the municipality that were occupied while only 3.40% were vacant.

Economy

Minor central business district consists of public market, grocery, sari-sari stores, welding and vulcanizing shop, calling office, fish dealer, bakery, barber shop, beauty parlor, billiard hall, coco lumber dealer, junk shop and cable network. Neighborhood centers consists of sari-sari stores, bakery, videoke/bar, mini-sound system, repair shops, piggery, cockpit, bakery, furniture shop, fish dealer, repair and welding shops, copra dealer, among others. The only industrial business is a mini-containerized ice plant which caters to the needs of rich-fishing activities, and a few rice mills. There are six beach resorts catering to domestic tourism.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Land transportation refers to the present road circulation system as well as bus, van, and jeepney terminal. Marine transportation facility operates through the existing Balatan Municipal Port of Ragay Gulf.

Utilities

Water supply is distributed under Level III and Level I water systems: Level III is operated by the Balatan Water District; Level I water supply system consisting of either shallow wells, deep wells or improved spring provides alternative water supply source. Power and electricity: Communication facilities include the postal services, telegraph and telegraphic transfer service facilities, and telephone services.

Public services

Health

Protective

Facilities for protective services include the police headquarters, police substation, fire station, municipal jail, and Coast Guard.

Social welfare

Existing social welfare organizations or institutions include CVRD'S People Organization, KALIPI (Women) PYM, Federation of Day Care Workers, 4Ps, RincoMESA (Rinconada Movement for Environment and Sustainable Agriculture) and Kalahi-CIDDS.

Education