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 2020 census, it has a population of 11,274 people.[3]

Biri
Municipality of Biri
Bel-at and Tidal pool part of Biri Rock Formation in Northern Samar
Bel-at and Tidal pool part of Biri Rock Formation
Flag of Biri
Map of Northern Samar with Biri highlighted
Map of Northern Samar with Biri highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Map
Biri is located in Philippines
Biri
Biri
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 12°40′N 124°23′E / 12.67°N 124.38°E / 12.67; 124.38
CountryPhilippines
RegionEastern Visayas
ProvinceNorthern Samar
District 1st district
Barangays8 (see Barangays)
Government
[1]
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • MayorAntonio B. Delos Reyes, Jr.
 • Vice MayorAna B. Araojo
 • RepresentativePaul R. Daza
 • Councilors
List
 • Electorate9,511 voters (2022)
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 ft)
Population
 (2020 census)[3]
 • Total
11,274
 • Density460/km2 (1,200/sq mi)
 • Households
2,485
Economy
 • Income class5th municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence
26.54
% (2021)[4]
 • Revenue₱ 81.9 million (2020)
 • Assets₱ 178.6 million (2020)
 • Expenditure₱ 439.1 million (2020)
 • Liabilities₱ 35.22 million (2020)
Service provider
 • ElectricityNorthern Samar Electric Cooperative (NORSAMELCO)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
6410
PSGC
IDD:area code+63 (0)55
Native languagesWaray
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.[5]

Geography

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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

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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

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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[6]

Demographics

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Population census of Biri
YearPop.±% p.a.
1970 5,577—    
1975 6,517+3.17%
1980 7,437+2.68%
1990 7,467+0.04%
1995 8,866+3.27%
2000 8,700−0.40%
2007 10,649+2.83%
2010 10,987+1.14%
2015 11,767+1.31%
2020 11,274−0.84%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[7][8][9][10]

Economy

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Poverty incidence of Biri

10
20
30
40
50
60
2006
39.40
2009
50.72
2012
55.36
2015
48.95
2018
41.78
2021
26.54

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]

Mangrove reforestation

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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.[19]

Biri Initiative Org.

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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.[20]

References

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  1. ^ Municipality of Biri | (DILG)
  2. ^ "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Census of Population (2020). "Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  4. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  5. ^ Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho: Comfort food ng mga Waray. YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-11.
  6. ^ "Biri, Northern Samar : Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  7. ^ Census of Population (2015). "Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  8. ^ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  9. ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
  10. ^ "Province of Northern Samar". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  11. ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  12. ^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
  13. ^ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 March 2009.
  14. ^ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012.
  15. ^ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.
  16. ^ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019.
  17. ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  18. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  19. ^ "Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation". Archived from the original on September 22, 2013. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
  20. ^ "Biri Initiative". Retrieved 22 September 2013.
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