', officially the ', is a of the Philippines| in the province of,. According to the, it has a population of people. It is bounded on the west by the municipality of Allen, on the north-west by San Bernardino Strait, on the south and south-west by the municipality of Victoria, on the east by the municipality of Rosario and on the north by the municipality of Biri.
Geography
Lavezares has a land area of, with a topography that is generally characterized by very rugged terrain with many steep and elevated areas classified as undulating to hilly. Technically, there are only two hills in the area, these are located in the southernmost part of Barangays Chansvilla and Toog. No mountain can be found in the area. There are also no major plains but a few flat lands that not very extensive. The coastal areas of Lavezares are limited and have generally moderately terrain. Bacolods which serve as natural breakwater on different coasts of the municipality can be found along the coasts of Barangays Balicuatro, Villa, Bani and Magsaysay among others. They are protected as part of the Biri Larosa Protected Landscape and Seascape. Land reclamation in different parts of the municipality particularly in island barangays of San Juan, San Isdro, Magsaysay and Bani is continuously being done. The coastal barangays along the mainland are similarly reclaiming lands which include the coasts of Barangays Libas, Cataogan, Sabang-Tabok, Urdaneta and Barobaybay.
Barangays
Lavezares is politically subdivided into 26 barangays, 12 of which are considered as inland barangays and 14 coastal barangays, which can be subclassified into 5 island barangays and 9 barangays situated along the coast of the mainland. Inland barangays: Coastal barangays: The smallest barangay is Cataogan, while the largest is Bani. According to the Provincial Physical Framework Plan of 2004–2013, the municipality is suitable for irrigated rice, fish ponds, trees and crops. The mainland is attached entirely to the entire Samar Island. Maravilla Island, San Juan Island and Bani Island are the three major islands of the municipality.
Demographics
Climate
History
Lavezares was just a visita during the late 19th century. In this period of time, Barobaybay, Villa and MacArthur served as the oldest pueblos of the old municipality. During the Spanish period, Lavezares was controlled by secular piests. It was named in honor of the Spanish Governor-GeneralGuido de Lavezares who helped them become separated from the Municipality of Allen, and be an independent municipality. Sitios of Lavezares including Caburihan, Ocad, Caragas, Cataogan and Sabang-Tabok were converted into barangays though Republic Act 2370 and Republic Act 3590. And shortly, the municipality was administered by the capitanes, presidentes and municipal mayors.
Local government
The political body of Lavezares was established in 1875 under the Spanish colonial power wherein the local executive was alluded as Capitanes. From 1903 to 1935, the persons who assumed the position were called Presidentes, and from 1936 until present where they were referred to as Municipal Mayors.
Position
Name
Term of Office
Capitan
Silvino Flores
1875-1877
Capitan
Justiniano Morillo
1877-1879
Capitan
Victorio Alvanes
1879-1881
Capitan
Evaristo Martires
1881-1883
Capitan
Angeles de Leon
1883-1886
Capitan
Patricio Ebron
1886-1888
Capitan
Feliciano Adriatico
1888-1892
Capitan
Lucio Flores
1892-1894
Capitan
Anastacio Adriatico
1894-1898
Capitan
Cepriano de Leon
1898-1903
Presidente
Lasaro Cuyco
1903-1908
Presidente
Martin Custan
1908-1912
Presidente
Gregorio Adriatico
1912-1916
Presidente
Elias Bogtong
1916-1921
Presidente
Melecio Cuyuco
1921-1927
Presidente
Juan Ymata
1927-1931
Presidente
Eugenio Tingkingco
1931-1935
Municipal Mayor
Antonio Martires
1936-1938
Municipal Mayor
Pascualito Clutario
1938-1946
Municipal Mayor
Julio Turla
1946-1955
Municipal Mayor
Gabriel Querobines
1956-1959
Municipal Mayor
Basilio Chan
1960-1978
Municipal Mayor
Rodrigo Chan
1978-1979 ; 1980-1986
Municipal Mayor
Miguel Adriatico
1986-1987
Municipal Mayor
Celedonio Saludaga, Jr
1987-1988
Municipal Mayor
Miguel Adriatico, Jr
1989-1991
Municipal Mayor
Quintin Saludaga, Jr
1992-2001
Municipal Mayor
Celedonio Saludaga, Jr
2001-2010
Transportation
Access to Lavezares has two options: from Manila, a fourteen to fifteen hours of bus ride with Roll-on/roll-off vessels from Matnog, Sorsogon, to the port of Allen, Northern Samar, or taking a plane to Catarman and a jeepney ride to Lavezares both serving as the main transport facility towards this portion.
Tourism
In this coastal province of Northern Samar, eco-tourism may just become an alternative income generator aside from coconuts and fishing. True to mention are the white sand beaches abounding among its coastal and groups of island barangays that comprises the municipality though some parts have strong underwater current not suitable for a beach resort. Current white sand beach resorts are found at barangays Urdaneta and Barobaybay and waters between Bani Island and Barobaybay. The resorts offer huts along the beachfront and for overnight stays, tourist inns are available. The coral reefs in Bancauan Island, Bani Island, Barangay Maravilla and Barangay San Juan are good for scuba diving. The sunsets can be viewed at Lavezares Bay and Barangay Barobaybay, but Barangay Maravilla provides the most outstanding view because of the island's north to south orientation with just the vast sea on sight.
Secondary Schools - Basilio B. Chan Memorial Agricultural and Industrial School is the only public high school in the whole municipality, which is situated at Barangay Sabang-Tabok. It is the venue where the government can provide the youth of Lavezares the needed knowledge and skills that would prepare them not only for their college life but also to the challenges of real world. Nevertheless, there are 3 private schools offering secondary courses where 2 of which are operated by religious orders: The Holy Family Center of Studies at Caburihan and Barobaybay Academy Mission School at Barobaybay. Colegio de San Juan, where located at Libertad, offers secondary and tertiary education and serves as an alternative for those who cannot afford to study outside the municipality.
