CHAPTER 3

THE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Geographic Location and Land Area

The City is deemed on the far northwestern most of the Province of Samar. It is 183 kilometers from the
regional center of Tacloban City and 70 kilometers north of Catbalogan, the provincial capital. It lies within
the grid coordinates 124’36” East longitude and 12’11” North latitude.

It is bounded on the North by the municipalities of San Isidro, Lope de Vega and Silvino Lobos, all of
Northern Samar; on the South by the municipality of Santa Margarita and Samar Strait, on the East by the
municipalities of Sta. Margarita and Gandara; and on the West by Samar Strait.

Calbayog City is the fourth largest city in the country and occupies an area of 90,300 hectares, which is 16
percent of the total land area of the Province of Samar. It was surpassed only by Davao City with 221.1
thousand hectares, Puerto Princesa with 210.7 thousand hectares, and Zamboanga City with 141.5 thousand
hectares. Calbayog City is comprised of 157 barangays, subdivided into 3 political districts.

Climate

The city’s climate fall under Type IV, which is characterized by more or less evenly distributed rain
throughout the year. This climate is also characterized in between the Type I and Type II, but it resembles
more closely to Type II since it has a dry season. Dry season usually starts from the month of March to
August, while wet season occurs from September to February.

For the last six decades, Calbayog City has a typhoon frequency of 20 percent; meaning that out of more than
300 typhoons hit the country only 60 typhoons hit the area; thus averaging only one typhoon per year. Of the
total typhoons hit the city, only 5 percent brought heavy damage to the area.

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Rainfall The annual average wind speed in Calbayog City is only 1 meter per second. During the presence of a
typhoon in the vicinity, the wind is highly variable as the wind speed generally depends on the distance of the
Based on the 2002 consolidated weather report, the highest relative humidity of the city was in December with typhoon from the station and on local topographic effects.
85 percent while the highest average rainfall was in August.
Temperature
Table 3.1
2002 Rainfall Data Average temperature of the city during daytime was recorded at 27.8 degree Celsius with 29.6 degree Celsius
Calbayog City
in the month of July as the maximum temperature. Lowest average temperature is 25.8 degree Celsius. The
Mean Relative Average Average Wind Average month of May to October are the hottest months while months of November to April are the coldest months.
MONTH Temperature Humidity Rainfall Velocity Wind
(º C) (%) (mm) (m/sec) Direction
Rivers
JANUARY 25.8 81.1 223.6 1 SE
FEBRUARY 26.0 77.1 74.0 1 SE
MARCH 26.7 80.7 234.7 1 SE There are approximately 3 major rivers found in Calbayog City. These rivers are valuable to the city as means
APRIL 27.4 81.1 150.3 1 SE
MAY 28.2 80.1 81.3 1 W of transportation and as irrigation sources for the rice fields and farms through which they pass. The Hibatang
JUNE 29.1 79.3 80.8 1 NW River, the largest river, occupies a basin of about 244.5 hectares. The Pan-as Hayiban Falls serves as its
JULY 29.6 76.7 355.0 2 NW
AUGUST 28.4 81.5 480.3 1 NW watershed. The Calbayog River, traversing the central urban area, is a valuable means of transportation for
SEPTEMBER 28.4 81.5 342.6 2 NW urban fishermen.
OCTOBER 28.4 83.1 148.9 1 W
NOVEMBER 27.6 84.8 183.8 1 NW
DECEMBER 27.6 85.0 180.4 1 SE Surface Water and Groundwater
AVERAGE 27.8 81.0 2,535.70 1
Inventory of water resources showed that the city has 3 major river basins and numerous individual streams
Source: PAG-ASA
and waterfalls. The city’s groundwater storage, on the other hand, is estimated to yield at maximum of 7 liters
per second. Calbayog City’s existing water resources when properly managed can be applied for irrigation,
Rainfall in the city, like any other parts of the country, is brought about by different rainfall causing weather
domestic and industrial uses as well as for hydro-electrical power generation.
patterns such as air streams, tropical cyclones, the inter-tropical converging zone (ITCZ) and to a lesser
extents, by fronts, easterly waves, local convection, etc. Its intensity or rainfall amount is influenced by
latitude or geographical setting, topography and exposure and the season. Topography

Calbayog City has a rugged topography surrounded by high mountain ranges stretches from the western
Surface Winds
portion of Tinambacan District going to north and northwest portions of Oquendo and Calbayog districts,
respectively.
The prevailing wind direction at Calbayog City conforms to the dominant air streams during the different
months. Thus, during the northwest monsoon, the prevailing winds are generally from the northwest
quadrant while during the southeast monsoon, the winds are generally from the southeast quadrant. Its elevation level is classified into three: lowlands, uplands, and hilly lands. Lowlands, or lands with less than
100 meters in elevation, dominate the area with over than 46,000 has. or 51 percent of the city’s total land
area. Lowlands are mostly situated in the central part of the city.

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Table 3.2 The second category is the 8 to 18 percent slope which are gently sloping to undulating hills. These lands
Elevation Level have wide variety of uses, with agricultural options ranging from seasonal to permanent crops. Only three
Calbayog City
percent of the total land of Calbayog City is under this category.
Classification Description Area (in has.) Percentage

The third category is the 18 to 30 percent slope. This category occupies 30 percent of the city’s total land
Lowland < 100 meters elevation 6,370.79 51.35
area. This category is characterized by hilly to mountainous areas generally considered marginal lands for most
Upland 100–500 meters elevation 42,119.49 46.64
of the agricultural crops requiring tillage. When planted to many economic trees, can be productive given
Hillyland 500-1,000 meters elevation 1,809.72 2.00
ideal environmental conditions.

TOTAL 90,300.00 100.00

The fourth category is the 30 to 50 percent slope consisting of rough, hilly dissected mountainous areas.
Source: BSWM
These areas, which comprised 31 percent or majority of total land area, are best suited for forest trees to attain

Upland areas, which constitute lands with 100 to 500 meters elevation, corner 42,000 has., which is equivalent the required balance between forest and agriculture.

to 47 percent of the total land area. Hillyland portion (lands with 500-1,000 meters in elevation), meanwhile,
The last category, which covers areas with slopes of more than 50 percent, affects 21 percent of city’s total area.
is equivalent only to 2 percent, and is concentrated in the northernmost part of Tinambacan District.
Extraction of trees is difficult and/or economical in these very steep and extremely rough mountainous areas.

Slope
Table 3.4
Geo-Morphology Classification
Land slope, a basic indicator of land use potential, is categorized into five groups. The first category is the 0 to Calbayog City
8 slope, or flatlands. These are irrigable and highly suitable for agricultural, urban, and industrial, and other
Classification Area (in has.) Percentage
related uses. About 15 percent of the city’s land area is categorized by this slope.
Andesite - volcanic hills 3,468.81 3.84
Table 3.3 Alluvium - broad alluvial plains 5,863.00 6.49
Slope Classification
Calbayog City Basalt - basaltic hills 7,104.61 7.87
Fluvio-marine – coastal plains 694.29 0.77
Classification Description Area (in has.) Percentage
Limestone - limestone hills 30,497.13 33.77
Limestone – limestone mountains 1,792.26 1.98
0% – 3% slope 8,583.84 9.51
Alluvium – minor alluvial plains 5,935.30 6.57
3% – 8% slope 5,205.00 5.76
Shale – meta-sedimentary hills 1,941.48 2.15
8% – 18% slope 3,062.83 3.39
Andesite (meta-volcanic) – volcanic hills 5,387.33 5.97
18% - 30% slope 26,353.78 29.18
Sandstone, shale – shale/sandstone hills 27,615.78 30.58
30% - 50% slope 28,120.18 31.14
50% & over slope 18,974.37 21.01
TOTAL 90,300.00 100.00
Source: BSWM
TOTAL 90,300.00 100.00
Source: BSWM

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Geology The remaining types: Hydrosol, San Manuel Sandy Loam, Quingoa Clay Loam, San Manuel Loam, Silay
Loam, and Pulupandan Loam constitutes a total of 11 percent.
The geologic make-up of the city covers seven (7) geologic materials. Limestone material is the most
dominant covering 35 percent of the total land area of Calbayog City. These are found mostly in Calbayog Erosion Potential
District. Sandstone/shale material occupies second biggest area with 30 percent of the land area and are mostly
present along coastal part of the city. The remaining five (5) materials are andesite, alluvium, basalt, fluvio- Generally, Calbayog City has less problems regarding erosion since only 32 percent of its land is classified as
marine and shale, all occupying the remaining 35 percent of the total city lands. severe erosion potential. Lands that have no apparent erosion and those considered slightly prone to erosion
constitute a total of 37 percent. Areas that have moderate erosion potential covers 20 percent and are affecting
Soil Type the “Seven Hills” area of Calbayog District.

There are nine (9) types of soil present in Calbayog City. Among these types, the Catbalogan Clay Loam is Table 3.6
Erosion Potential
the most dominant covering 62 percent of the total land area. This type is found in the hinterland barangays
Calbayog City
of Oquendo and Calbayog districts, extending towards northern boundaries of Northern Samar, towards the
Municipality of Sta. Margarita. Classification Area (in has.) Percentage

No apparent erosion 11,293.49 12.51

Next to Catbalogan Clay Loam is the La Castellana Clay. This covers the dominant portions of barangays
Slight Erosion 31,586.67 34.98
situated in Tinambacan District and lower barangays of left river portion of Oquendo District.
Moderate Erosion 18,244.59 20.20
Severe Erosion 28,455.82 31.51
Table 3.5
Unclassified Erosion 719.42 0.80
Soil Classification
Calbayog City
TOTAL 90,300.00 100.00
Classification Area (in has.) Percentage
Source: BSWM

Hydrosol 202.13 0.22

San Manuel Sandy Loam 193.56 0.21 Land Management
Quingua Clay Loam 2,596.25 2.88
San Manuel Loam 4,280.24 4.74 Land management is a land resource inventory that represents the smallest unit in land classification. It
Silay Loam 1,348.91 1.49 describes the classification of the lands by taking into account their relief, landform, parent material and soil
Pulupandan Sandy Loam 865.30 0.96 characteristics.
La Castellana Clay 24,056.54 26.64
Catbalogan Clay Loam 56,254.74 62.30 The central areas of Calbayog City particularly with 30 to 50 percent slope are generally made up limestone
Bayho Clay Loam 502.34 0.56 hills. This type of land management unit is covering more than 30 percent of the city’s total land area. The
limestone hills characteristics affect most of the barangays in Calbayog District.
TOTAL 90,300.00 100.00
Source: BSWM

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Table 3.7 Table 3.8
Land Management Unit Vegetative Cover
Calbayog City Calbayog City

Classification Area (in has.) Percentage Classification Area (in has.) Percentage

Active tidal flats, Developed (Fishpond) 40.09 0.04 Abaca 70%, Coconut 30% 2,900.29 3.21
Active tidal flats, Natural (Mangrove/Nipa) 597.19 0.66
Abaca 70%, Shrubs 30% 1,414.96 1.57
Beach ridges and swales 523.85 0.58
Broad Alluvial Plains 4,724.42 5.23 Abaca 70%, Forest 30% 1,284.57 1.42
Former/Old Tidal Flats 25.49 0.03
Coconut 30,389.77 33.65
Lower River Terraces 777.07 0.86
Upper River Terraces 284.51 0.32 Coconut 70%, Corn 30% 201.57 0.22
Infilled/localized Plains 988.88 1.10
Grassland 1,387.49 1.54
Inland/Stream/Enclosed Valleys 482.53 0.53
Narrow Alluvial Plains 3,312.27 3.67 Grassland 70%, Coconut 30% 1,194.71 1.32
Karst Plains/Valleys with sinkholes and knots 327.81 0.36
Grassland 70%, Shrubs 30% 2,985.30 3.31
Limestone/Karst Plains, lower terraces 16.01 0.02
Tuffaceous plains (convex, flat and concave slope) 366.27 0.41 Grassland 70%, Forest 30% 1,600.77 1.77
Lower footslopes of volcanic cones 3,500.43 3.88
Shrubs 523.13 0.58
Upper Slopes, Limestone Hills 132.99 0.15
Lower Slopes, Shale/Sandstone Hills 21.00 0.02 Shrubs 70%, Grassland 30% 2,002.63 2.22
Lower Slopes, Limestone Hills 28,625.33 31.70
Shrubs 70%, Forest 30% 14,393.01 15.94
Karst plateau with isolated limestone hills 102.66 0.11
Tuffaceous Plateau 102.98 0.11 Forest 20,660.00 22.88
Low Shale/Sandstone Hills 683.83 0.76
Forest 70%, Shrubs 30% 4,035.97 4.47
Low Basaltic Hills 5,107.34 5.66
Low Dioritic Hills 2,141.87 2.37 Mangrove 58.41 0.06
High Limestone Hills 1,735.29 1.92
Mangrove 70%, Nipa 30% 249.35 0.28
High Shale/Sandstone Hills 26,643.33 29.51
High Andesitic Hills 4,523.71 5.01 Marshland 31.62 0.04
Meta Volcanic Hills 2,754.23 3.05
Fishpond 146.48 0.16
High limestone mountains terraced 1,758.64 1.95
Nipa 37.75 0.04
90,300.00 100.00 Urban Settlement 1,097.61 1.22
TOTAL
Source: BSWM Eroded Lands 47.31 0.05
Paddy rice irrigated 150.34 0.17

Vegetative Cover Paddy rice non-irrigated 3,384.10 3.75

Rainfed rice-payatak 100.40 0.11

Statistics of vegetative cover classified by broad category shows that forest and agricultural cover dominate Corn 22.47 0.02

Calbayog City.
TOTAL 90,300.00 100.00
Source: BSWM
Of the city’s total land area, forestlands has the highest share with nearly 40 percent. Agricultural lands
devoted to coconut have more than 30 percent, while those for miscellaneous uses particularly settlements
account for 1 percent.

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Geo-Hazard

Calbayog City has about 17,000 hectares or 19 percent of the total land area as vulnerable or prone to
landslides.

Table 3.9
Geo-Hazard Classification
Calbayog City

Classification Area (in has.) Percentage

Landslide Prone 17,070.76 18.90

N.A. 73,299.24 81.10

TOTAL 90,300.00 100.00

Source: DEN R

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