Dolores (IPA: [ˌdoˈlorɛs]), officially the Municipality of Dolores, is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Eastern Samar, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 44,626 people. Dolores is a coastal town bounded on the east by the Pacific Ocean in the Eastern Visayas region of the Philippines. It has many beaches and small islands. Most of the populace speak and understand English.

History

In 1948, the barrios of Can-avid, Carolina, Barok, Cansangaya, Mabuhay, Camantang, Canilay, Pandol and Balagon, formerly part of this town, were separated into the municipality of Can-avid, Eastern Samar, by virtue of Republic Act No. 264.

Geography

Barangays

Dolores is politically subdivided into 46 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Climate

Demographics

The population of Dolores in the 2020 census was 44,626 people, with a density of undefined PD/km2.

Language

The languages spoken are Waray-Waray, and Cebuano, locals are also literate in both English and Filipino.

Religion

Most of the people are predominantly Roman Catholic, and some belonging to other Christian denominations as well as minority religious sects.

Economy

Major sources of livelihood in Dolores include farming and fishing, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region VIII.

Transportation

Pedicabs and tricycles are the means of transportation within the town, while multi-cabs, jeepneys, and vans are the means of transportation to neighboring and distant towns within the province. Several bus companies are also operating from the town going to Manila or Tacloban City and vice versa. Dolores has an airfield where the abandoned Picardo Airport is located. The airport has an unusable short runway.

Education

Dolores has 32 public elementary schools, 4 public high schools with 1 Tech-Voc (Technical and Vocational) high school, and 1 private college.

Elementary schools

Secondary schools

Colleges/Universities