Samal, Bataan

Samal originated from samel, a covering attached to a banca to protect the passengers from the sun and rain, made of nipa leaves and woven together.

Saint Catherine of Sienna became the patron of Samal when it was founded as a municipality on April 20, 1641.^[6]

"Sea gypsies" of Mindanao settlers ("Badjaos" who resided for many years in Maubac, Lambayung, Tanjung, Pata, Tapul, Lugus, Bangos, Pagasinan, Parang, Maimbung, Karugdung and Talipaw, Mindanao) migrated to Luzon in the early 14th century and settled in Bataan. In Samal, they propagated the pearl and capiz culture.

Samal was the second town founded by the Dominican friars in Bataan and is composed of four barrios: Calaguiman, Santa Lucia, Poblacion and Lalawigan.

The 1818 Spanish census showed there to be 1,000 native families and 4 Spanish-Filipino families.^[7]: 357

Samal is located in the eastern part of Bataan Peninsula, bordering Abucay to the south, Orani to the north and northwest, Morong to the west, and Manila Bay to the east. It is 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) from Balanga and 113 kilometres (70 mi) from Manila.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 56.30 square kilometres (21.74 sq mi) ^[8] constituting 4.10% of the 1,372.98-square-kilometre- (530.11 sq mi) total area of Bataan.

Samal is politically subdivided into 14 barangays.^[10] Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

In the 2024 census, Samal had a population of 40,843 people.^[17] The population density was 730 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,900/sq mi).

Poverty incidence of Samal

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority^{[18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]}

Composed largely of uplands and hills with some lowlands and plains, Samal's main produce are palay, corn, vegetable, fruits, root crops, coffee and cut flowers, including livestock, poultry and aquatic resources such as shellfish, crabs, prawns, shrimps and different species of fish.

Joaquin Ma. Joson of Bataan established the first ice plant. Wooden shoe (bakya) making, and pulp mills (Bataan Pulp and Paper Mills, Inc. in the scenic slope of Mount Natib) are some of the industries of the natives. It also manufactures banana chips and arrow root flour through native processes, then made into cookies called araro as pasalubong. Samal is also rich is marine aquatic resources and highly productive farmlands.

Garments manufacturing in Samal is engaged in by five (5) firms already engaged in exports.^[vague][26]

In the Town Hall of Samal and along the streets, Capiz shells are displayed to show that the town residents manufacture this commodity.

Pursuant to the Local government in the Philippines",^[27][28] the political seat of the municipal government is located at the Municipal Hall. In the History of the Philippines (1521–1898), the Gobernadorcillo was the Chief Executive who held office in the Presidencia. During the American rule (1898–1946) (History of the Philippines (1898-1946)), the elected Mayor and local officials, including the appointed ones held office at the Municipal Hall. The legislative and executive departments perform their functions in the Sangguniang Bayan (Session Hall) and Municipal Trial Court, respectively, and are located in the Town Hall.

Samal's elected officials are - Mayor Alexander Carpio Acuzar (Liberal) and Vice Mayor Ronald Medina Ortiguerra (Liberal).

The Sangguniang Bayan Members are: Marjun Q. Bantay, Lolito S. Llanda, Erval V. Flores, Kathrina A. Saldaña, Dylan M. House, Evangeline G. Buensuceso, Edgardo I. De Leon and Jaime M. Manguiat.^[26] They hold office at the second floor of the Town Hall, particularly the Office of the Mayor and Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall, respectively.

The 2nd Municipal Circuit Trial Court of Orani-Samal MCTC Judge Ma. Cristina J. Mendoza-Pizzaro holds office in her sala located at the second floor of the MTC building at the back of the Orani Town hall.

Samal's attractions, events and historical landmarks include:

• Senakulo sa Calaguiman during Holy Week
• Samal Town Hall of and Samal Square
• Samel Festival
• Pilis Falls
• Samal Capiz Shell industry
• Fishponds, mangrove, mussels and seafoods in Samal Bay
• Saint Catherine of Siena Parish Church

The Samal Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools.^[29]

• Samal National High School
• Samal National High School - Annex