DEMOGRAPHY

Demography provides the rationale and basis of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP). It is the study of the population characteristics of the planning area. Population refers to the people that the planning area. It is for the people of the planning area that plans and programs are formulated and identified.

HISTORICAL GROWTH OF POPULATION

The municipality of Saint Bernard had a total population of 11,621 in
1960, when it was recognized as a municipality. This population increased in 1970, the next census year by about 48.8%, registering an average growth rate of 4.06%. Then the 1995 census showed an average growth rate of 2.17%.
The overall trend is increasing except in the 1980 census which registered a decreasing trend. This decrease was due to the peace and order situation when the New People’s Army (NPA) flocked to the upper barangays, resulting in the out migration of the people to the cities and other places. The highest average annual growth rate is recorded from 1960-1970 which was 4.06%.

For the current year, the average growth rate has been determined to be 1.57% or 1,726 persons increase. This shows that the peace and order situation has become normal.

From this trend, the projected population within the planning period from 2002-2011 was determined, using 1.57% as the average growth rate using the 1995-2000 NCSO data. Population by the year2006 will be 27,419 and by 2011 it will be 31,500. Table No. shows the current and projected population and number of households from 2000-2011.

POPULATION DISTRIBUTION

The current population of 23,089 is distributed all over the municipality, covering two (2) urban barangays and twenty eight (28) rural barangays. Urban barangays include Poblacion (Himatagon) and Malibago. All other barangays are rural. Urban population total is 2,417 or 10.47% of the total barangays while barangay population total is 20,672 or 89.53%. Poblacion (Himatagon) is also the more populated urban barangay than Malibago. For the rural barangays, Himbangan, Catmon, San Isidro, Guinsaugon, Hindag-an, Panian, Tambis I and Lipanto are the most thickly populated while Kauswagan, Malinao, Sta. Cruz, Sug-angon, Tabontabon, and Bantawon are the least populated.

San Isidro and Malibago are the immigration barangays within the Poblacion. Migrants from other barangays of the municipality, especially those of the hinterlands migrated and later settled in these barangays.

Himbangan is an old settlement along the shore of Saint Bernard Bay on the western side of the Poblacion. Being a coastal and proximate to the Poblacion makes it a logical area for in migration and population increases. Catmon is also an old settlement, mountain barangay and in migration area on the northern side of the municipality. Guinsaugon is in the north central portion of the municipality along the St. Bernard Lawigan River.