Biri, Northern Samar
Municipality in Northern Samar, Philippines
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Biri, officially the Municipality of Biri (Waray: Bungto han Biri; Tagalog: Bayan ng Biri), is a municipality in the province of Northern Samar, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 11,005 people.[5]
Biri | |
|---|---|
| Municipality of Biri | |
Bel-at and Tidal pool part of Biri Rock Formation | |
 Flag | |
 Map of Northern Samar with Biri highlighted | |
 Interactive map of Biri | |
.svg)  Biri Location within the Philippines | |
| Coordinates: 12°40′N 124°23′E | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Region | Eastern Visayas |
| Province | Northern Samar |
| District | 1st district |
| Barangays | 8 (see Barangays) |
| Government | |
| • Type | Sangguniang Bayan |
| • Mayor | Antonio B. Delos Reyes, Jr. |
| • Vice Mayor | Ana B. Araojo |
| • Representative | Paul R. Daza |
| • Councilors | List |
| • Electorate | 9,562 voters (2025) |
| Area | |
• Total | 24.62 km2 (9.51 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1.0 m (3.3 ft) |
| Highest elevation | 189 m (620 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | −1 m (−3.3 ft) |
| Population (2024 census)[3] | |
• Total | 11,005 |
| • Density | 447.0/km2 (1,158/sq mi) |
| • Households | 2,485 |
| Economy | |
| • Income class | 5th municipal income class |
| • Poverty incidence | 26.54 |
| • Revenue | ₱ 91.78 million (2022) |
| • Assets | ₱ 202 million (2022) |
| • Expenditure | ₱ 75.15 million (2022) |
| • Liabilities | ₱ 34.36 million (2022) |
| Service provider | |
| • Electricity | Northern Samar Electric Cooperative (NORSAMELCO) |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (PST) |
| ZIP code | 6410 |
| PSGC | |
| IDD : area code | +63 (0)55 |
| Native languages | Waray Tagalog |
The archipelagic town is also known for its inakob, a traditional Waray dish made by first cooking grated root crops (gabi) with coconut milk, condensed milk, eggs, brown sugar, and an herb called anuv. Once cooked, the grated gabi is put inside gabi shells which have been peeled. The dish is then boiled with coconut milk. The dish is traditionally eaten hot by the people of Biri during the rainy months.[6]
Geography
The municipality is facing Pacific Ocean to the east and San Bernardino Strait to the west. It consists of several islands off the northern coast of Samar Island, the largest of which is Biri Island. Other larger islands are Talisay, Magasang, and Cagnipa. Biri Island is notable for a large number of unusual rock formations along the northern shore, facing the Philippine Sea. It is included in the marine protected area known as Biri Larosa Protected Landscape and Seascape.
Barangays
Biri is politically subdivided into 8 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
- Poblacion (Biri)
- MacArthur
- Kauswagan (Basud)
- Pio Del Pilar
- Progress or Talisay
- San Antonio
- San Pedro
- Santo Niño (Palhugan)
Climate
| Climate data for Biri, Northern Samar | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 27 (81) |
28 (82) |
29 (84) |
30 (86) |
31 (88) |
30 (86) |
29 (84) |
29 (84) |
29 (84) |
29 (84) |
29 (84) |
28 (82) |
29 (84) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 22 (72) |
22 (72) |
22 (72) |
22 (72) |
24 (75) |
24 (75) |
24 (75) |
24 (75) |
24 (75) |
24 (75) |
23 (73) |
23 (73) |
23 (74) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 84 (3.3) |
59 (2.3) |
58 (2.3) |
55 (2.2) |
93 (3.7) |
133 (5.2) |
149 (5.9) |
125 (4.9) |
155 (6.1) |
165 (6.5) |
140 (5.5) |
136 (5.4) |
1,352 (53.3) |
| Average rainy days | 18.1 | 13.6 | 15.8 | 16.1 | 21.7 | 25.5 | 26.6 | 25.1 | 24.8 | 25.8 | 22.7 | 20.1 | 255.9 |
| Source: Meteoblue[7] | |||||||||||||
Demographics
Economy
Mangrove reforestation
In 2007, the Community-Based Mangrove Protection and Management project was implemented in Biri, funded by the Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation (PTFCF). The project aimed to contribute to the regeneration of the mangrove ecosystem by establishing a community-based mangrove management system. The project covered protection of 546 hectares and enhancement planting in 39 hectares. As of 2013, it has been expanded to all eight barangays in Biri.[21]
Biri Initiative Org.
In 2012, a non-profit organization, Biri Initiative Org., was registered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission. Its main objectives are to restore areas of coral reef damaged by illegal fishing methods, promote sustainable and environment-friendly methods of fishing, and encourage opportunities for alternative livelihoods, particularly for women.[22]
