Malay, officially the Municipality of Malay (Aklanon: Banwa it Malay; Hiligaynon: Banwa sang Malay; ), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. It is the richest municipality in the province in terms of revenue. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 60,077 people, making it the second most populous municipality in Aklan. It is the northernmost town on the island of Panay and the youngest amongst all municipalities in Aklan province. The resort island of Boracay is part of the municipality.

History

The municipality of Malay was created on June 15, 1949, through Republic Act No. 381 and the help of Claro Tumaob, out of various portions of the municipality of Buruanga, then part of Capiz. It included the following barangays: Malay (poblacion, seat of local government), Dumlog, Cabulihan, Balusbos, Nabaoy, Cubay Norte, Cubay Sur, Cogon, Argao, Sambiray, Caticlan, Manoc-Manoc, Balabag, Yapak, Motag, Napaan, and Naasog. On April 25, 1956, Malay became part of the newly created province of Aklan, along with several other towns of Capiz. It was hit severely by typhoon Seniang on December 9–10, 2006, with much destruction and damage of homes and infrastructure.

Geography

Malay is located at °N, °W. It is 72 km west of the provincial capital Kalibo, 230 km from Iloilo City, 158 km from Roxas City, and 168 km from San Jose de Buenavista. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 66.01 km2 constituting NaN% of the 1,821.42 km2 total area of Aklan.

Climate

Barangays

Malay is politically subdivided into 17 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios. There are 3 barangays (Balabag, Manoc-Manoc, and Yapak) of which situated within Boracay Island, while the rest are in mainland Malay.

Demographics

In the 2020 census, Malay had a population of 60,077. The population density was undefined PD/km2.

Economy

Because of its robust tourism industry, the municipality is now considered as having the strongest economy in all the municipalities in the region and the richest municipality of Aklan in terms of income and annual budget. The tourism industry of Boracay became the catalyst of its economic growth that brought many investors to come and helped transform the municipality into a cosmopolitan area.

Transportation

Air

Malay has one airport, officially named Godofredo P. Ramos Airport but more popularly known as Caticlan Airport. Only small aircraft were allowed to land on the 950 m runway. The runway was extended to 1800 m in 2016, allowing bigger aircraft like the Airbus A320 to land at the airport.

Sea

The Caticlan Jetty Port, one of the ports along the Strong Republic Nautical Highway, serves as a gateway to Boracay island, Roxas, Oriental Mindoro, and Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro The Tabon port is not used a lot but it is used if its not summer.

Ground Transportation

Malay uses the electrics Sikad in Boracay island.

Bus

Malay is also using the hop on hop off shuttle service in boracay island

Education

Healthcare

Malay is being served by three hospitals, of which 1 is private, and 2 are owned by the government.

Media

FM Radio Stations

Cable Television