Guimbal, officially the Municipality of Guimbal, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Iloilo, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 35,022 people. With a 9 km shoreline facing the blue waters of Panay Gulf, it has attracted tourists from different places because of its scenic beaches and inland resorts. Guimbal produces mango in Iloilo as well as other seasonal fruits. Farming and fishing are among the main sources of livelihood of its people.

History

The first reference to Guimbal by such name in Spanish records appeared in Father Coco's appendix to Medina's “The History of the Augustinian Order in the Philippines” where it referred to the establishment of a convent in Guimbal, Iloilo in 1590. A closer fact compared to some other writings showed that the name of the municipality was derived from a musical instrument called guimba drum. The Spaniards discovered the settlers using the instrument to warn the people of the coming of the raiding Moro pirates who used to loot the town and capture the natives to be sold as slaves in Mindanao. To show gratitude to the instrument, with high spirit and pride as the unconquered people, the inhabitants had named their settlement Guimbal.

Geography

Guimbal, a coastal municipality, is located at the south-western part of Iloilo province. It is situated between the coordinates of 1250 57’ longitude, and 100 39’ latitude. It is 29 km from Iloilo City, and has a total land area of 4461 ha. It is only six feet above sea level, and has varying features in terms of its slopes and elevation.

Climate

Type I climate, characterized by two district seasons: dry season, which falls from December to May, and the wet season, which is from June to December.

Barangays

Guimbal is politically subdivided into 33 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios. There are 11 barangays located within the Poblacion (Town Center) and the rest are outside poblacion. Poblacion Area:

Demographics

In the 2020 census, the population of Guimbal, Iloilo, was 35,022 people, with a density of undefined PD/km2.

Economy

Transportation

A 45-minute drive from Iloilo City, Guimbal is accessible from all points of Panay Island. its baranggays are served by municipal and other provincial jeepneys and buses that pass through the town and by almost 180 tricycles and 350 motorbikes playing their respective routes. The transport of farm products to the poblacion and the city is made easy by farm-to-market roads.

Culture

Tourism

Education