Lemery, officially the Municipality of Lemery (Tagalog: Bayan ng Lemery), is a municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 93,186 people.[3]

Lemery
Municipality of Lemery
Welcome Arch of Lemery
Welcome Arch of Lemery
Flag of Lemery
Official seal of Lemery
Map of Batangas with Lemery highlighted
Map of Batangas with Lemery highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Map
Lemery is located in Philippines
Lemery
Lemery
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 13°52′52″N 120°54′46″E / 13.881033°N 120.912722°E / 13.881033; 120.912722
CountryPhilippines
RegionCalabarzon
ProvinceBatangas
District 1st district
FoundedMay 26, 1862
Annexation to TaalMarch 28, 1903
CharteredOctober 25, 1906
Named forRoberto Lemery
Barangays46 (see Barangays)
Government
[1]
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • MayorIan Kenneth M. Alilio
 • Vice MayorGeraldine C. Ornales
 • RepresentativeJoseph Eric R. Buhain
 • Municipal Council
Members
 • Electorate55,827 voters (2022)
Area
 • Total
109.80 km2 (42.39 sq mi)
Elevation
123 m (404 ft)
Highest elevation
779 m (2,556 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2020 census)[3]
 • Total
93,186
 • Density850/km2 (2,200/sq mi)
 • Households
21,122
Economy
 • Income class1st municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence
9.86
% (2021)[4]
 • Revenue₱ 420.4 million (2022)
 • Assets₱ 1,445 million (2022)
 • Expenditure₱ 353 million (2022)
 • Liabilities₱ 235.1 million (2022)
Service provider
 • ElectricityBatangas 1 Electric Cooperative (BATELEC 1)
Time zoneUTC 8 (PST)
ZIP code
4209
PSGC
IDD:area code 63 (0)43
Native languagesTagalog
Websitewww.lemerybatangas.gov.ph

Lemery is a growing urban center in western Batangas. The municipality was named after Captain Roberto Lemery, a commanding officer of the local garrison. He took command of the local military outpost until his death in 1856.

History

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Aerial view of Lemery, circa 1930s
 
Lemery Catholic Church

During the early part of the 18th century, settlers from Taal, northern Mindoro and southern Cavite were attracted to the vast plain near the shores of Balayan Bay because of its abundance in fish and other marine life. Salting and drying fish became their major occupation due to the great demand of salted and dried fish by the people of Cavite, Mindoro, Laguna and Batangas. People came in great numbers to join the settlers, and the village became populous. The place was first called Punta, meaning "point". In 1818, the village of Punta was converted into one of the barrios of the Municipality of Taal. It was later renamed San Geronimo.

In 1858, the barrio of San Geronimo became officially known as Lemery, after Captain Roberto Lemery, a commanding officer of the local military garrison. Captain Lemery was known for his deep ties with the community. Although he was tasked with instructing the military personnel assigned to the garrison, he went out of his way to immerse himself with the locals. He formed relationships with heads of the local church to learn the local language and cultivate harmony among the populace. When he died in 1856, the locals wished for the town to be renamed in honor of Captain Lemery.

In 1862, Lemery and its surrounding barrios were separated from the Municipality of Taal. It became a district municipality through the efforts of Candida Cesario Valenzuela, Manuel Cabrera, Policarpio Mariño and Domingo Agoncillo. Jose Cabrera became the First Gobernadorcillo of the newly created town.

The local military garrison was officially incorporated into the Guardia Civil upon the latter's creation in 1868. This newly formed organization was a gendarmerie tasked with law enforcement in the Philippines. It operated under the Spanish Army and Spanish colonial government and remained the de facto police force in the entire Philippines until its independence from Spain in 1898.

For economic considerations, Lemery was again annexed to Taal in 1903, alongside San Luis.[5] Finally, by virtue of Act No. 1549 of the Philippine Commission, it became an independent municipality once again in October 25, 1906.[6]

Through Presidential Proclamation 685, October 25, 2024 was declared a special non-working day to commemorate its founding anniversary as an independent municipality.[7]

Geography

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According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 109.80 square kilometers (42.39 sq mi)[8] constituting 3.52% of the 3,119.75-square-kilometer (1,204.54 sq mi) total area of Batangas.

Lemery is 25 kilometers (16 mi) from Batangas City and 130 kilometers (81 mi) from Manila.

Barangays

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Lemery is politically subdivided into 46 barangays.[9] Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

In 1957, the sitio of Bagong Pook was separated from the barrio of Arumahan and constituted into an independent barrio,[10] while sitio of Masalisi was separated from Payapa.[11]


PSGC Barangay Population ±% p.a.
2020[3] 2010[12]
041012001 Anak‑Dagat 1.9% 1,803 1,715 0.50%
041012002 Arumahan 2.6% 2,403 2,273 0.56%
041012003 Ayao‑iyao 4.0% 3,683 2,690 3.19%
041012004 Bagong Pook 1.4% 1,336 1,173 1.31%
041012005 Bagong Sikat 1.5% 1,375 1,375   0.00%
041012006 Balanga 1.1% 1,050 955 0.95%
041012007 Bukal 2.3% 2,159 1,814 1.76%
041012009 Cahilan I 2.3% 2,189 2,021 0.80%
041012010 Cahilan II 1.8% 1,631 1,519 0.71%
041012011 Dayapan 2.9% 2,674 2,599 0.28%
041012012 Dita 1.4% 1,281 1,167 0.94%
041012013 Gulod 1.9% 1,791 1,598 1.15%
041012014 Lucky 1.0% 909 622 3.87%
041012015 Maguihan 2.6% 2,450 1,933 2.40%
041012016 Mahabang Dahilig 2.0% 1,873 1,584 1.69%
041012017 Mahayahay 1.6% 1,505 1,466 0.26%
041012018 Maigsing Dahilig 1.3% 1,168 901 2.63%
041012020 Maligaya 1.4% 1,281 1,199 0.66%
041012021 Malinis 2.2% 2,030 1,657 2.05%
041012022 Masalisi 1.1% 1,054 997 0.56%
041012023 Mataas na Bayan 3.3% 3,035 2,764 0.94%
041012024 Matingain I 3.8% 3,543 3,098 1.35%
041012025 Matingain II 1.6% 1,449 1,285 1.21%
041012026 Mayasang 2.6% 2,439 2,439   0.00%
041012027 Niogan 1.6% 1,537 1,443 0.63%
041012028 Nonong Casto 3.4% 3,130 2,653 1.67%
041012029 Palanas 3.3% 3,103 2,638 1.64%
041012030 Payapa Ibaba 2.2% 2,089 1,859 1.17%
041012031 Payapa Ilaya 3.7% 3,457 3,127 1.01%
041012032 District I (Poblacion) 1.5% 1,413 1,164 1.96%
041012033 District II (Poblacion) 1.0% 917 1,071 −1.54%
041012034 District III (Poblacion) 0.5% 442 268 5.13%
041012035 District IV (Poblacion) 2.4% 2,223 1,762 2.35%
041012036 Rizal 0.9% 794 721 0.97%
041012037 Sambal Ibaba 2.2% 2,050 1,737 1.67%
041012038 Sambal Ilaya 4.6% 4,265 3,745 1.31%
041012039 San Isidro Ibaba 1.6% 1,484 1,368 0.82%
041012040 San Isidro Itaas 3.8% 3,507 2,777 2.36%
041012041 Sangalang 2.3% 2,101 1,937 0.82%
041012043 Talaga 3.5% 3,291 2,784 1.69%
041012044 Tubigan 1.5% 1,390 1,016 3.18%
041012045 Tubuan 1.2% 1,151 1,109 0.37%
041012046 Wawa Ibaba 3.1% 2,934 2,593 1.24%
041012047 Wawa Ilaya 1.9% 1,779 1,523 1.57%
041012048 Sinisian East 2.1% 1,977 1,890 0.45%
041012049 Sinisian West 2.2% 2,012 1,796 1.14%
Total 93,186 81,825 1.31%

Climate

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Climate data for Lemery, Batangas
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 29
(84)
30
(86)
31
(88)
33
(91)
32
(90)
30
(86)
29
(84)
29
(84)
29
(84)
29
(84)
29
(84)
29
(84)
30
(86)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 20
(68)
20
(68)
21
(70)
22
(72)
24
(75)
24
(75)
24
(75)
24
(75)
24
(75)
23
(73)
22
(72)
21
(70)
22
(72)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 11
(0.4)
13
(0.5)
14
(0.6)
32
(1.3)
101
(4.0)
142
(5.6)
208
(8.2)
187
(7.4)
175
(6.9)
131
(5.2)
68
(2.7)
39
(1.5)
1,121
(44.3)
Average rainy days 5.2 5.0 7.4 11.5 19.8 23.5 27.0 25.9 25.2 23.2 15.5 8.3 197.5
Source: Meteoblue (modeled/calculated data, not measured locally)[13]

Demographics

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Population census of Lemery
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 11,150—    
1918 15,647 2.28%
1939 19,207 0.98%
1948 23,879 2.45%
1960 23,700−0.06%
YearPop.±% p.a.
1970 32,337 3.15%
1975 36,207 2.29%
1980 42,783 3.39%
1990 53,932 2.34%
1995 58,073 1.40%
YearPop.±% p.a.
2000 66,528 2.96%
2007 76,090 1.87%
2010 81,825 2.68%
2015 93,157 2.50%
2020 93,186 0.01%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[14][12][15][16]

In the 2020 census, Lemery had a population of 93,186.[3] The population density was 850 inhabitants per square kilometer (2,200/sq mi).

Most of the people in Lemery are Tagalogs. In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase of Visayans in some barrios or barangays. The main language spoken is Tagalog, and a significant number now speaks Cebuano and Hiligaynon. Most of the residents can also understand and speak English.

Economy

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A fishing boat in Lemery.

Poverty incidence of Lemery

5
10
15
20
25
30
2006
29.80
2009
14.33
2012
13.66
2015
11.12
2018
10.67
2021
9.86

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]

In the Rankings of Cities and Municipalities that are based on the sum of their scores on 3 Pillars: Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency, and Infrastructure. In 2016, Lemery ranked 75th out of 479 municipalities, with total score of 28.252921.

Lemery is a first class municipality by income classification. The primary source of income is agricultural activities, including crop production, livestock and poultry, with 30 out of 46 barangays involved in it.[25] As a coastal municipality with 13 barangays located along the shore, fishing activities are also significant contributor to the local economy.

The municipality also serves as a provincial urban center for its surrounding rural municipalities including Taal, San Nicolas, Agoncillo and San Luis. It hosts the largest public high school in the first legislative district of Batangas, a private college (Lemery Colleges), a campus of a public university (Batangas State University)and the Batangas Provincial Hospital. Furthermore, bus lines from Manila serving the Southern Tagalog Region reach Central Batangas by way of Lemery. Vans also connect the town to and from other urban centers in the region such as Dasmariñas, Calamba and Lucena.

In February 2014, Xentro Mall Lemery, a community mall, opened in the Diversion Road, further cementing Lemery's position as a growing commercial center. In December 2017, SM Center Lemery opened.

Transportation

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Lemery is accessible by bus from Manila via the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). The Lipa-Lemery Road connects the STAR Tollway in Lipa to Lemery, passing a number of municipalities along the southern shores of Taal Lake. Lemery can also be reached from Tagaytay via the Diokno Highway. Furthermore, there are vans connecting Manila to Lemery.

Government

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Local government

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Municipal hall

Elected officials:

  • Mayor: Ian Kenneth M. Alilio
  • Vice Mayor: Geraldine C. Ornales
  • Councilors:
    • Maria Hanalee V. Bustos
    • Hannah Beatriz C. Cabral
    • Aris Kenneth C. Punzalan
    • Christopher John M. Bello
    • Rosendo R. Eguia
    • Rodolfo De Castro
    • Napoleon M. Piol
    • Susan B. Vidal

Health

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Batangas Provincial Hospital

Some of the health institutions in Lemery include:

  • Batangas Provincial Hospital
  • Metro Lemery Medical Center
  • Our Lady of Caysasay Medical Center
  • Lemery Doctors Medical Center
  • Little Angels Medical Hospital

Education

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Schools in Lemery include:

Elementary schools

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  • Payapa Elementary School
  • Payapa Ibaba Elementary School
  • Masalisi Elementary School
  • Niogan Elementary School
  • Mayasang Elementary School
  • Talaga Elementary School
  • Doña Matilde Memorial Elementary School
  • Lemery Pilot Elementary School
  • R. Venturanza Central School
  • V. Ornales Memorial Elementary School
  • Arumahan Elementary School
  • Marcos Catibug Memorial Elementary School
  • Dita Elementary School
  • Gulod Elementary School

Private schools

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Saint Mary's Educational Institute
  • R.Concepcion Montessori School-Lemery, Inc.
  • Christian Knights Academy
  • Escuela De Shalom
  • Glorious Faith Christian School
  • Maranatha Shekinah Christian School
  • Philadelphia Montessorian Academy
  • Saint Mary's Educational Institute
  • Swiss Montessori School
  • Universal Scholastica Academe

National high schools

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  • Ananias Hernandez Memorial National High School
  • Dionisio P. Vito National High School
  • Gov. Feliciano Leviste Memorial National High School (formerly Batangas West High School)
  • Payapa National High School
  • Payapa Senior High School - est. 2023
  • Lemery Senior High School - since 2016

Colleges

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  • Batangas State University-Lemery campus[26]
  • Lemery Colleges

Notable personalities

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References

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  1. ^ Municipality of Lemery | (DILG)
  2. ^ "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d Census of Population (2020). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  4. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  5. ^ Act No. 708 (March 28, 1903), An Act Reducing Thirteen of the Municipalities in the Province of Batangas to Five, retrieved July 5, 2023
  6. ^ Act No. 1549 (October 25, 1906), An Act Increasing the Number of Municipalities in the Province of Batangas From Sixteen to Seventeen, by Separating From Taal the Former Municipality of Lemery, Reconstituting the Latter as a Municipality, and Giving the Same the Territory Which It Comprised Prior to the Passage of Act Numbered Seven Hundred and Eight., retrieved July 5, 2023
  7. ^ Gita Carlos, Ruth Abbey (September 14, 2024). "PBBM declares special non-working days in 7 towns". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  8. ^ "Province: Batangas". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  9. ^ "Municipal: Lemery, Batangas". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  10. ^ Republic Act No. 1693 (June 20, 1957), An Act Creating the Barrio of Bagong Pook in the Municipality of Lemery, Province of Batangas, LawPH.com, retrieved April 12, 2011
  11. ^ Republic Act No. 1694 (June 20, 1957), An Act Creating the Barrio of Masalisi in the Municipality of Lemery, Province of Batangas, LawPH.com, retrieved April 12, 2011
  12. ^ a b Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  13. ^ "Lemery: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  14. ^ Census of Population (2015). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
  15. ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
  16. ^ "Province of Batangas". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  17. ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  18. ^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. November 29, 2005.
  19. ^ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. March 23, 2009.
  20. ^ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. August 3, 2012.
  21. ^ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. May 31, 2016.
  22. ^ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 10, 2019.
  23. ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  24. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  25. ^ "Annual Audit Report". Commission on Audit. Retrieved August 18, 2017.
  26. ^ "History – Batangas State University- Lemery Campus". Batstateulemerycampus.weebly.com. May 23, 2003. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  27. ^ "SHE ATE AND LEFT NO CRUMBS: 8 STARTER-FACTS ABOUT BINI MEMBER MALOI". Zeen Magazine. June 27, 2024. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
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