Rio Tuba


Rio Tuba is one of the populated barangays in the Municipality of Bataraza in the Province of Palawan in the Philippines. It is about 236 kilometers from Puerto Princesa City, the provincial capital. The town of Bataraza can be reached by bus, jeepney, or shuttle van which departs daily from the city. Bataraza is about 6 hours drive from Puerto Princesa City.

Name

The name "Rio" is a Spanish term which means river. However "Tuba" is a local plant which was used by the natives a poisons to fishes during their local festivities.

History

The barangay was founded by Mr. Anselmo dela Chica in the early 1920s, also the community's first captain. Then in 1968, a small group of geologist and engineers came and found out the vast nickel deposit. Then a year or two followed the foundation of the RTNMC.

Government

The barangay is ruled by an elected Bgy. Captain. He/She is assisted by several Bgy. Councilors.
List of Rio Tuba Bgy. Captains
Rio Tuba is divided into sitios.
It is also in Rio Tuba where means of transport are available to reach most of the inner barangays of Bataraza either by public utility jeeps, tricycle, motorcycle or pumpboat.

Education

There are 4 public schools, 1 private school, and 16 learning centers for the indigenous people
Public
Private
Indigenous Learning System
College
Rio Tuba is known for its nickel mineral reserves. Nickel mining is a very important industry in the locality. The primary minesite of is located within its jurisdiction. The Coral Bay Nickel Corporation, a joint venture between Japanese investors and RTN, put up a US$180-million expanded Hydrometallurgical Processing Plant. The plant is designed to extract nickel from low-grade ores previously considered waste.

Bird's Island

Bird's island is a bird sanctuary that is about 2 hours pumpboat ride from Rio Tuba. This island is a haven for birds that converge here about two hours before sunset, to take their rest after a day's long ride.