Las Navas, Northern Samar
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Las Navas Binungtu-an |
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|---|---|
| Municipality | |
 Map of Northern Samar with Las Navas highlighted |
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.svg)
 Las Navas
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| Coordinates: 12°20′24″N 125°01′55″E / 12.340°N 125.032°ECoordinates: 12°20′24″N 125°01′55″E / 12.340°N 125.032°E | |
| Country |
 Philippines
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| Region | Eastern Visayas (Region VIII) |
| Province | Northern Samar |
| District | District of Northern Samar |
| Barangays | 53 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Minda M. Tan |
| Area | |
| • Total | 282.61 km2 (109.12 sq mi) |
| Population (2015) | |
| • Total | 37,947 |
| • Density | 130/km2 (350/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Las Navasnon |
| Time zone | PST (UTC+8) |
| ZIP code | 6420 |
| IDD : area code | 55 |
| Income class | 4th Class |
Las Navas is a fourth class municipality in the province of Northern Samar, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 37,947 people.
Before the reversion of the municipality to a mere barrio, a certain Spanish Colonel of the Spanish Armed Forces by the name of De Las Navas explored the northern part of Samar. He sailed with his men upstream Catubig River and reached a place called "Binongtu-an". The people warmly met him as a high-ranking Official of the Spanish Armed Forces with full respect and high regard to the Government.
In his visit to the place, he changed the name "Binongtu-an" to Las Navas in his honor and serve as a reminder that a prominent Spanish Army arrived and reached the place. The people accepted Las Navas as its official name.
Las Navas is situated in the heart of Samar Island, lying along the Las Navas River (formerly Catubig River). It comprises a wide lowlands between hills now known as the Catubig Valley. The Las Navas river is wide and big enough that small tonnage or motored vessels can easily sail to the source of the river. It is bounded on the north by Catubig, on the east by Jipapad, Eastern Samar, on the west by Silvino Lubos, and on the south by the municipality of Matuguinao and San Jose de Buan, Western Samar (Samar).
The municipality has a total land area of 28,261 hectares (69,830 acres). Most of this land is devoted to agricultural production and the rest are forest reserves. Its soil is predominantly silt and clay loam with fine texture and high water retention. This soil type is fertile and suitable for lowland rice but needs water drainage for upland crops.
Rivers, brooks, creeks can be found practically when hiking from one place to another and traversed by the Las Navas River (formerly Catubig river). The Las Navas River (formerly Catubig River) is considered the main river, compared to Hinaga River and Hagbay River.
Las Navas is politically subdivided into 53 barangays.
During the Spanish regime, one of the municipalities that was recognized as a town is Las Navas, formerly known as "Bungto" (meaning town). Upon recognition, a Parochial Church was constructed with a Parochial Priest as head of the town.
Towards the end of the 18th century, a band of Moro pirates sailed to the river and reached the town. There, the inhabitants were robbed and the town was burned. Afraid that the pirates would return again, the people abandoned the town for a period of time.
After several months, the people returned to the place and retrieved all that were left by the fire. They constructed their homes and reestablished the town and the seat of the government. As soon as the municipality was reestablished and the community was stabilized, the populace and leaders unanimously agreed to change the town's name from "Bungto" (Town) to "Binongtu–an" to emphasize and commemorate that the place was once a thriving town, was abandoned because of Moro pirates' assault, and was resettled after sometime.
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Wikipedia