Makato, officially the Municipality of Makato (Aklanon: Banwa it Makato; Hiligaynon: Banwa sang Makato; ), is a municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 30,650 people.
The town is the home of the Ati-Atihan Festival, a historic celebration that attracts devotees from across the Philippines and abroad to honor Sto. Niño through vibrant cultural and religious activities.
History Established in the thirteenth century, the town’s name had been acquired by accident. Thinking that the Spaniards came to ask the route along the river, the native answered “Makato” which meant “that way”. The Spaniards recorded the name Makato in 1800, thinking it was the name of the town. In 1901, the town merged with Tangalan to form the new municipality of Taft, named after the then Governor-General of the Philippines and future United States President, William Howard Taft. But in 1917, it was reverted to its former name. In 1948, the arrabal of Tangalan, comprising the barrios of Tondog, Jawili, Dumatad, Afga, Baybay, Dapdap, Pudyot, Tagas, Tamalagon, Panayakan, Vivo, Lanipga, Napatag and Tamoko, was separated from Makato to form the municipality of Tangalan.
Geography Makato is located at . It is from Kalibo, the provincial capital.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of constituting of the total area of Aklan.
Barangays Makato is politically subdivided into 18 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
Climate
Demographics
In the 2024 census, Makato had a population of 30,650 people. The population density was .
Economy
Religion
Domicile of the Santo Niño and Ati-Atihan Festival known throughout the province and a week ahead of Kalibo, Makato has been celebrating the “Mother of all Philippine Festivals” in admiration of the Holy Child.
Government
Elected officials Mayor: Ramon Anselmo Martin D. Legaspi III
Vice Mayor: Leoncito Y. Mationg
Sangguniang Bayan Members: Nilo M. Amboboyog Marlene Mae Blaire T. Igham Nerli F. dela Cena Randy R. Vargas Rhine I. Roldan Abencio Honeyboy P. Torres III Leoncito Y. Mationg Steven M. Tejada
Liga ng Barangay (LnB): Shirly M. Lagradante
Sangguniang Kabataan Federation: Dina Mae Taladro
Infrastructure The Aklan Sports Complex, opened in 2010, is located here in Makato. It hosted the 2010 Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) Meet.
Education The Makato Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools.
Primary and elementary schools
Alibagon Primary School Cabatanga Elementary School Cajilo Elementary School Calangcang Elementary School Calimbajan-Tina Elementary School Castillo Elementary School Cayangwan Elementary School Christ the King Kindergarten Col. D.U. Tenazas Memorial School Dioscoro T. Tejada Elementary School (Agbalogo) Libang Elementary School Little Angels Montessorie School Mantiguib Elementary School Quirico T. Tabanera Elementary School Tibiawan Elementary School Tugas-Dumga Elementary School
Secondary schools
Aklan Central Institute Anselmo B. Legaspi National High School Bagong Barrio Integrated School Baybay-Alibagon Integrated School Dr. Ramon B. Legaspi Sr. National High School Makato Integrated School
References
External links [ Philippine Standard Geographic Code]