Naval, Biliran

Naval (IPA: [nɐ'val]), officially the Municipality of Naval (Bungto han Naval; Lungsod sa Naval; Bayan ng Naval), is a 2nd class municipality and capital of the province of Biliran, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 58,187 people.

History
The town of Naval was once named Bagazumbol, which was perceived by natives as being too warlike a description. The aboriginal name was later modified in 1859 to a more peaceful name—the presently known Naval.

On May 26, 1860, Naval was separated from Biliran, but it became an independent parish only in September later that year. The following year, on July 31, 1861, Romualdo Ximeno, Bishop of Cebu, officially declared Naval an independent parish. In August 1861, Father Santos de Santa Juana took up formal residence as the first parish priest of Naval and served the town for twenty-one years until 1882.

On September 26, 1869, Naval was officially established and recognized as an independent pueblo.

In 1957, the barrio of Higatangan was abolished, and its sitios of Libertad and Mabini were converted into barrios.

Cityhood
As of today, Naval pushes itself on its way to cityhood.

House Bill No. 6230 was filed last February 10, 2020 for the conversion of the municipality of Naval into a component city in the province of Biliran. The bill is currently pending with the committee on local government since February 12, 2020.

In the 19th Congress of the Philippines, house bills were filed by various representatives which seeks Naval including other capital towns of provinces with no current component cities, independent component cities or highly urbanized cities to automatically convert into cities.

Geography
Higatangan Island ( 11.56667°N, 124.26667°W ) is under jurisdiction of Naval Municipality.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 108.24 km2 constituting 20.19% of the 536.01 km2 total area of Biliran, making it the largest municipality in the province.

Barangays
Naval is politically subdivided into 26 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Barangays Libertad and Mabini are located in Higatangan Island.

Demographics
In the 2020 census, Naval had a population of 58,187. The population density was undefined PD/km2.

Government
The mayors of Naval were Absalon Sablada who served from 1952 to 1955; Brigido Caneja Sr. from 1956 to 1971; Arturo Velasquez from 1972 to 1979; Niceto Limpiado from 1980 to 1986; Fortunato Casas from 1986 to 1987; Gorgonio Contredas and Francisca Bangcuyo in 1987; and Simeon Pitao from 1988 to 1997. Gerardo J. Espina Jr. from 1998 to 2004, and Gerardo S. Espina Sr. from 2004 to 2006. Presently, the town is headed by Gerard Roger Espina.

Transportation

 * By land: Buses and vans travel to Tacloban (in Leyte); jeepneys go to other towns in Biliran; tricycles or habal-habals are the mode of transport within Naval.
 * By air: The town is served by Biliran Airport (ICAO: RPVQ). Biliran Airport has a runway length of 1000 m.
 * By sea: Pump boats can be taken or chartered for going to Leyte, Higatangan Island, Naval and Mariripi.

Healthcare
Naval has the following health facilities:
 * Naval Municipal Health Center
 * Biliran Provincial Hospital
 * Naval Doctors' Healthcare Services
 * FCE Polyclinic and Diagnostic
 * Mother and Child Clinic

Education
The main campus of Biliran Province State University (BiPSU) is located in Naval.

Public secondary schools:
 * Biliran Province State University-Laboratory High School (BiPSU-LHS)
 * Naval School of Fisheries (NSF)
 * Naval National High School (NNHS)
 * Lucsoon National High School (LNHS)
 * Higatangan National High School (HNHS)

Private secondary schools:
 * Cathedral School of La Naval (CSN)
 * Limpiado Memorial Foundation, Inc. (Lightbringer Learning Center)

Public elementary schools:


 * Naval Central School (Naval North District)
 * Naval SpEd (Special Education) Center
 * Caraycaray Central School (Naval South District)
 * Agpangi Elementary School
 * Anislagan Elementary School
 * Atipolo Elementary School
 * Borac Elementary School
 * Cabungaan Elementary School
 * Calumpang Elementary School
 * Capinahan Elementary School
 * Catmon Elementary School
 * Haguikhikan Elementary School
 * Higatangan Elementary School
 * Imelda Elementary School
 * Larazabal Elementary School
 * Libtong Elementary School
 * Lico Elementary School
 * Lucsoon Elementary School
 * P.S. Eamiguel Elementary School
 * San Pablo Elementary School
 * Sabang Elementary School
 * Talustusan Elementary School
 * Villa Caneja Elementary School
 * Villa Consuelo Elementary School

Private elementary schools:
 * Cathedral School of La Naval
 * Limpiado Memorial Foundation, Inc. (Lightbringer Learning Center)