Daram, Samar

Daram
Municipality
Barangay Cabiton-An Barangay Cabiton-An
Seal
Map of Samar with Daram highlighted Map of Samar with Daram highlighted
Daram Location within the Philippines
Coordinates:
Country	Philippines
Region	Eastern Visayas (Region VIII)
Province	Samar
Congr. district	2nd district of Samar
Barangays	58
Government
• Mayor	Lo Astorga
Area
• Total	140.26 km2 (54.15 sq mi)
Population (2010)
• Total	41,322
• Density	290/km2 (760/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	6722
Dialing code	55

Daram is a third class municipality in the province of Samar, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 41,322.

History

Historians believe that the name Daram originated from a flock of birds called “Daramsiyao.” The Island was originally part of the municipality of Zumarraga, Samar, and mostly inhabited by a few fisher-folk and travelers from other places whose primary source of income was fishing and farming.

As the years passed Daram began to grow in population and economic activities through settlers and travelers who constructed dwelling units sporadically along the coastlines of the Island.

Daram eventually became independent of Zumarraga and was formally recognized as a municipality through Act of Congress by virtue of Executive Order No. 262 on September 22, 1949.

Geography

Daram has a total land area of 14,026 hectares (34,659 acres). The province is composed of two major islands; Daram Island and Parasan Island. Other islands include Poro Island and Danaodanauan Island (uninhabited).

The main island features mountainous interiors with very narrow coastal areas. Mountain ranges occupy the major portion of the island municipality.

Daram has a combination of warm and cool climatic zones, thus the prevailing climate is ideal for the cultivation of a wide range of agricultural crops. There is no distinct dry season but the heavy wet season generally occurs in December.

Daram lies within the western part of Samar Sea and the Zumarraga Channel. The north and western boundary is the Samar Sea; the eastern boundary is the Zumarraga Channel; the southern boundary is Daram Channel.

It can be reached by a 30-minute boat ride from the provincial capital of Catbalogan and Northern Leyte.

Government

Like all other Municipalities in the Philippines, Daram is governed from the Municipal Hall by a Mayor and the Sangguniang Panlungsod which is composed of the City (Municipality) Vice-Mayor as Presiding Officer, regular Sanggunian members (Councilors), the President of the Daram Chapter of the League of Barangays of the Philippines and the President of the Daram Chapter of the Sangguniang Kabataan (Student Leaders). These elected officials are entitled to three-year terms.

These political leaders exercise and perform the legislative powers and duties as provided for under Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991. They are empowered to consider and conduct thorough study all matters brought to their attention and consequently pass resolutions, enact ordinances and introduce recommendations.

In 2010, it has a budgetary allocation of PHP 19.8 million from the Philippine government.

Elected Officials (2013-2016)

Mayor

• Lo Astorga (Liberal Party)

Vice-Mayor

• Ben Amistoso (Independent)

Municipal Councilors

• Boboy Dacallos (Nationalist Peoples' Coalition)
• Henry Astorga (Independent)
• Buddy Astorga (Nationalist Peoples' Coalition)
• Jimmy Barrantes (Independent)
• Reden Lepasana (Nationalist Peoples' Coalition)
• Danilo Carino (Independent)
• Edgar Danday Sr. (Independent)
• Baby Carcellar (Independent)

Elected Officials (2010-2013)

Mayor

• Lucia Latorre Astorga

Vice-Mayor

• Arthur Zamora Losa

Municipal Councilors

• Benjamin Sauro Amistoso
• Florentino Paragas Carcellar Jr.
• Ronnie Quitalig Casiano
• Jimmy Achaso Barrantes
• Henry Verzosa Astorga
• Dante Bulan Gososo
• Danilo Pajares Cariño
• Edgar Redaja Danday Sr.

Barangays

Daram is politically subdivided into 58 barangays.

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Demographics

Population

Population census of Daram
Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1990	31,332	—
1995	33,745	+1.40%
2000	35,532	+1.11%
2007	38,411	+1.08%
2010	41,322	+2.69%
Source: National Statistics Office

Language

The native language of the majority in Daram is Samarnon-Waray-Waray (also known as Waraynon, Samarnon, or Samar-Leyte Visayan) and to a lesser degree Cebuano, both Visayan languages. Majority of the residents also speak and understand Tagalog and English.

Livelihood

Being an island municipality, the main livelihood is fishing and agriculture. Seafood is a local specialty, in fact, many fish are sold in the markets of nearby Catbalogan and Tacloban.

The major fishing products caught in the seas around Daram are galonggong, alumahan, tamban, pompano, bisugo (bream), lapu-lapu, rabbitfish, slipmouth and assorted. Other fish resources are seaweed, mussels/oysters, crabs and shells.

Kelp seaweed is also a major harvest and exported worldwide.

Agricultural income is derived mostly from coconuts, bananas, corn and other crops such as sweet potato, cassava, and legumes.

Infrastructure

Daram offers limited urban and extensive basic rural infrastructure that includes water-based transportation, a plentiful public water supply, electrical supply from SAMELCO II, cellular and cable communication facilities, sports and recreational facilities, tourist spots, and common service establishments.

Education

Primary Schools

Daram has 58 primary schools with a total enrollment of 10,397 students.

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Secondary Schools

Daram has 8 secondary schools with a total enrollment of 2464 students.

• Bagacay NHS-Daram NHS Annex
• Bakhaw NHS
• Birawan NHS
• Cabiton-an Integrated School
• Daram NHS
• Parasan NHS
• Rizal Integrated School
• Sua NHS

And Baclayan National High School

Religion

Most of the inhabitants of Daram are Roman Catholics and a small number of Born again (Christianity). Because of the large number of Catholics, like other places in Philippines, they also celebrate fiesta (festival).

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Local Governance Performance Management System
• 2010 National and Local Elections (Daram, Philippines)