Minalabac, officially the Municipality of Minalabac (, ), is a First Class (as of 2025) municipality in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. According to the , it has a population of people.
Etymology The name Minalabac is linked to the early Spanish term “Minalagua,” which was said to mean “mine of water.” Early Spanish settlers reportedly used this name to describe the area, noting its water sources. Over time, the name evolved into its present form.
History Minalabac traces its roots to the late 1580s. The first settlement was in Sitio Inguinan. Strong typhoons pushed residents to move the town about three kilometers to its present site.
The town became organized under the Municipal Code on January 31, 1901.
Geography Barangays Minalabac is politically subdivided into 25 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
Barangay Name Philippine Standard Geographic Codes Code Urban/Rural Population (2020 Census) Antipolo 051722001 Urban 6,865 Bagolatao 051722002 Rural 1,323 Bagongbong 051722003 Rural 995 Baliuag Nuevo 051722004 Rural 1,625 Baliuag Viejo 051722005 Rural 3,270 Catanusan 051722006 Rural 1,463 Del Carmen-Del Rosario (Pob) 051722007 Rural 2,440 Del Socorro 051722008 Rural 1,365 Hamoraon 051722009 Rural 1,798 Hobo 051722010 Rural 3,966 Irayang Solong 051722011 Rural 1,885 Magadap 051722012 Rural 1,300 Malitbog 051722013 Rural 1,330 Manapao 051722014 Rural 2,485 Mataoroc 051722015 Rural 2,610 Sagrada (Sagrada Familia) 051722016 Rural 2,687 Salingogon 051722017 Rural 2,258 San Antonio (Pob) 051722018 Rural 1,017 San Felipe-Santiago (Pob) 051722019 Rural 852 San Francisco (Pob) 051722020 Rural 574 San Jose 051722021 Rural 1,969 San Juan-San Lorenzo (Pob) 051722022 Rural 1,541 Taban 051722023 Rural 1,283 Tariric 051722024 Rural 3,748 Timbang 051722025 Rural 1,192
Climate
Demographics
In the 2024 census, the population of Minalabac was 51,841 people, with a density of .
Economy
Minalabac is classified as a municipality. Minalabac has the same economy as Libmanan, Cabusao, San Fernando, Milaor, Ocampo, Nabua, and Calabanga because of fishing in coastal barangays near Ragay Gulf particularly Salingogon, and Bagolatao. Minalabac has several beach resorts that also boosts the economy of the town. Majority of the land is devoted to rice, vegetables and other root crops.
It was formerly included in the Metro Naga area before the designation was discontinued in 2017.
Transportation Jeepneys are used for transportation from Naga City to Minalabac (Vice Versa), and from LCC Terminal in Sabang, Naga City to the market of Minalabac. It is the main transportation for public use.
Infrastructures The town has a couple of provincial roads. The main road in the town is the Milaor-Minalabac-Pili road and the other roads either goes to the Poblacion, other barangays, to Rinconada district, or even Albay.
Tourism Two main summer beach destinations include the pebble beach in Bagolatao and sand beach in Hamoraon. The growing number of resorts offers amenities such as cottages, videoke, rest house, etc.
Government
Elected officials + Members of the Minalabac Municipal Council(2025-2028)Position Name Party District Representative (2nd Legislative District, Camarines Sur) Vincenzo Renato Luigi R. Villafuerte Mayor James Colin D. Lizardo Vice Mayor Noe G. Lavandero Councilors Rolito U. Orosco Renato A. Barcinas Peddy B. Benamira Miguel S. Bersabe Nilo N. Cadores Edilberto C. Platon Jr. Crisanto P. Bersabe Lea B. Betito
Education The Minalabac 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
Antipolo Elementary School Bagolatao Elementary School Bagongbong Elementary School Baliuag Nuevo Elementary School Baliuag Viejo Elementary School Bingcay Elementary School Catanusan Elementary School Del Socorro Elementary School Hamoraon Elementary School Hobo Elementary School Irayang Solong Elementary School Magadap Elementary School Malitbog Elementary School Manapao Elementary School Mataoroc Elementary School Minalabac Central School Prince Thad Montessori School Sagrada Familia Elementary School Salingogon Elementary School San Antonio Elementary School San Jose Elementary School (Main) San Jose Primary School (Annex) Taban Elementary School Tariric Elementary School Timbang Elementary School Upper Anayan Primary School
Secondary schools
Antipolo National High School Bagolatao National High School Hobo National High School Minalabac National High School Pangan High School Foundation Sagrada Familia High School Tariric Agro-Industrial High School Villamayor National High School
References
External links
[ Philippine Standard Geographic Code] Philippine Census Information Official Site of the Province of Camarines Sur