Balatan, officially the Municipality of Balatan (Rinconada Bikol: BanwaÃÂn ka Balatan; Tagalog: Bayan ng Balatan), is a municipality in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. According to the , it has a population of people.
It is known for its nature spots, local culture, and outdoor fun like the Lake Balaton, the sand dunes, and Balatan Hill for scenic views.
The town got its name after Don Gregorio Balatan. He was the first mayor of the municipality, and he founded the Balatan Institute Memorial High School (formerly Balatan Institute), the first school in town.
Balatan was once a sitio known as Siramag which belonged to the town of Nabua.
In 1951, Camarines Sur Provincial Board Member Gregorio O. Balatan Sr. proposed a resolution to divide Nabua into two municipalities: Nabua and Balatan. Balatan then was separated from its mother town and became independent on December 3, 1951, under Executive Order (EO) No. 485 of then President Elpidio Quirino. It was named after Don Rufino Balatan which is the father of Board Member Gregorio O. Balatan Sr.
This town bounded by the municipalities of Bula, Bato, and Nabua, as well as Ragay Gulf.
Animasola Island is part of this municipality's territory.
Balatan is politically subdivided into 17 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
In the 2024 census, the population of Balatan was 31,069 people, with a density of .
Rinconada Bikol is the mother tongue spoken by 96.67% of the population.
In the period 1960 to 1997, there was an average of 97.60% of total housing units in the municipality that were occupied while only 3.40% were vacant.
The town's economy is supported by people from the Burias Island of Masbate province who are mostly trading their products in this small municipality. Balatan celebrates the Pintakasi and Pagkamundag Festivals annually on February 18 and December 1âÂÂ3 respectively.
Minor central business district consists of public market, grocery, sari-sari stores, welding and vulcanizing shop, calling office, fish dealer, bakery, barber shop, beauty parlor, billiard hall, coco lumber dealer, junk shop and cable network. Neighborhood centers consists of sari-sari stores, bakery, videoke/bar, mini-sound system, repair shops, piggery, cockpit, bakery, furniture shop, fish dealer, repair and welding shops, copra dealer, among others.
The only industrial business is a mini-containerized ice plant which caters to the needs of rich-fishing activities, and a few rice mills. There are six beach resorts catering to domestic tourism.
The current and the 8th mayor is Domingo "Ding" Teñoso Abliter.
Land transportation refers to the present road circulation system as well as bus, van, and jeepney terminal. Marine transportation facility operates through the existing Balatan Municipal Port of Ragay Gulf.
Water supply is distributed under Level III and Level I water systems: Level III is operated by the Balatan Water District; Level I water supply system consisting of either shallow wells, deep wells or improved spring provides alternative water supply source.
Power and electricity:
Communication facilities include the postal services, telegraph and telegraphic transfer service facilities, and telephone services.
Facilities for protective services include the police headquarters, police substation, fire station, municipal jail, and Coast Guard.
Existing social welfare organizations or institutions include CVRD'S People Organization, KALIPI (Women) PYM, Federation of Day Care Workers, 4Ps, RincoMESA (Rinconada Movement for Environment and Sustainable Agriculture) and Kalahi-CIDDS.
The Balatan Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools.