ILOILO – The population in Iloilo city and province grew modestly between 2015 and 2020, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.
From 1,936,422 in the 2015 census, the total number of provincial residents grew to 2,051,899 in the 2020 Census of Population and Housing.
Iloilo registered a population growth rate (PGR) of 1.23, said Provincial Statistics Officer Nelida Amolar.
PGR is the average rate of change of population size, for a given country, territory, or geographic area, during a specified period.
Iloilo City, meanwhile, had a total population of 457,626 based on the 2020 census, with a minimal 0.45 increase in PGR against the 447,992 in 2015 census.
What affects the increase or decrease in population in a given geographic area?
Among the factors were births, deaths, in-migration and out-migration, according to Dr. Ramon Yee, Iloilo Provincial Population officer.
In-migration happens if there are a lot of economic activities or opportunities in an area, Yee said.
In-migrants are those who enter one geographic or political area (region, province, city/municipality) from another to take up usual residence during a specified period of observation for a reason such as economic, social, political, and cultural.
For instance, Yee cited that before the coronavirus pandemic, there were lots of job opportunities in Iloilo City due to vast investments that needed labor forces.
He said some workers built families and settled in the city for good while others brought their families back to their home town.
Out-migration, meanwhile, happened if people leave one geographic or political area to take up usual residence in another.
For instance, due to lack of services and opportunities in their area, inhabitants from undeveloped areas go down to rural areas or towns where services and opportunities are available.
MOST POPULOUS TOWNS IN ILOILO
The municipalities of Oton, Lambunao, Pototan, and Dumangas as well as Passi City were the most populous local government units (LGUs) in Iloilo province.
Oton topped with a population of 98,509 followed by Passi City with 88,873; Lambunao – 81,236; Pototon – 78,298; and Dumangas – 73, 899.
Based on the 2020 census, two out of 10 persons in Iloilo province live in these five municipalities.
Other most populous municipalities in Iloilo were Carles with 72,637; Pavia – 70,388; Miag-ao – 68,115; Santa Barbara – 67,630; and Janiuay – 56,736.
In Iloilo City, densely populated barangays included Calumpang (Molo) with 15,994 total population followed by San Isido (Jaro) with 11,728; San Juan – 11,449; Tabuc Suba (Jaro) – 10,666; and Balabago – 10,023.
LEAST POPULOUS TOWNS/BRGYS
The Barangay Roxas Village in City Proper, Iloilo City was the least populous barangay in the city and province of Iloilo with 51 residents only, as of May 2020.
Barangay Osmeña, also in City Proper, came in second with 90 residents.
Amolar explained that the development in the areas or the establishment of commercial establishments led to some residents to transfer residency.
In Iloilo, Barangay Coyugan Norte in Leon town had the smallest population with 104 followed by Barangay Buenaflor Embarkadero (Pob.) in Dumangas with 103, and Cadoldolan, Miag-ao and Crispin Salazar South (Pob.), Janiuay with 113 residents each.
Other less populated barangays are as follows:
ILOILO
*Gotera (Pob.), Guimbal – 116 residents
*Bugnay, Igbaras – 119
* Malamboy-Bondolan, Alimodian – 121
*Igpayong, San Joaquin – 125
*Santiago, San Joaquin – 128
ILOILO CITY
*El 98 Castilla (Claudio Lopez) – 113
*Gloria – 138
* Yulo-Arroyo – 155
*Arsenal Aduana – 170
*President Roxas – 181
*Luna (Jaro) – 187
*Flores – 187
Meanwhile, the least populous towns in Iloilo province included Bingawan with 16,164 residents; San Rafael with 17,795; Batad – 22,157; Tubungan – 23,021; and Mina – 24,042./PN
