Malay , officially the Municipality of Malay (Aklanon: Banwa it Malay; Hiligaynon: Banwa sang Malay; ), is a municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 64,723 people.
The municipality is notable for encompassing Boracay island, a major resort destination in the Philippines. The town is the richest municipality in terms of revenue and considered the youngest amongst all municipalities in Aklan province. It is also the northernmost town on the island of Panay.
Malay was previously part of the province of Capiz, where the city of Roxas City is Spanish-Philippines' second-oldest city after Cebu City. It was under the jurisdiction of the municipality of Buruanga itself ruling over the town of Ibajay which was the intermediary for Malay its' surroundings at Northwestern Panay island. The 1818 census shows that there were 1,268 native families and also a relatively decent number of 30 Spanish-Filipino families that also lived in Ibajay, Malay and also Boracay.
The municipality of Malay was created on June 15, 1949, through Republic Act No. 381 and the help of Claro Tumaob, out of various portions of the municipality of Buruanga, then part of Capiz. It included the following barangays: Malay (poblacion, seat of local government), Dumlog, Cabulihan, Balusbos, Nabaoy, Cubay Norte, Cubay Sur, Cogon, Argao, Sambiray, Caticlan, Manoc-Manoc, Balabag, Yapak, Motag, Napaan, and Naasog. On April 25, 1956, Malay became part of the newly created province of Aklan, along with several other towns of Capiz.
It was hit severely by typhoon Seniang on December 9âÂÂ10, 2006, with much destruction and damage of homes and infrastructure.
Malay is located at . It is west of the provincial capital Kalibo, from Iloilo City, from Roxas City, and from San Jose de Buenavista.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of constituting of the total area of Aklan.
Malay is politically subdivided into 17 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
There are 3 barangays (Balabag, Manoc-Manoc, and Yapak) of which situated within Boracay Island, while the rest are in mainland Malay.
In the 2024 census, Malay had a population of 64,723 people. The population density was .
Aklanon language Malaynon is the predominant language of Malay. Kinaray-a is also used due to MalayâÂÂs proximity to Antique. Hiligaynon is also widely spoken and understood in the municipality. Tagalog and English are also used particularly in Caticlan and Boracay to communicate with local and foreign tourists alike.
Because of its robust tourism industry, the municipality is now considered as having the strongest economy in all the municipalities in the region and the richest municipality of Aklan in terms of income and annual budget. The tourism industry of Boracay became the catalyst of its economic growth that brought many investors to come and helped transform the municipality into a cosmopolitan area.
Malay has one airport, officially named Godofredo P. Ramos Airport, but more popularly known as Caticlan Airport or Boracay Airport. The airport's area is also extended to the adjacent town of Nabas. Only small aircraft were allowed to land on the runway. The runway was extended to in 2016, allowing bigger aircraft like the Airbus A320 to land at the airport.
The Caticlan Jetty Port, one of the ports along the Strong Republic Nautical Highway, serves as a gateway to Boracay island, Roxas, Oriental Mindoro, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro, and Batangas City.
The Tabon Port is often used outside the dry season.
Malay uses the electrics Sikad in Boracay island.
Malay is also using the hop on hop off shuttle service in Boracay island.
The Malay 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.
Malay is being served by 2 hospitals both of which are owned by the government.