Paynauen Festival

I see to it that I am in Iba, Zambales during the last week of April of every year. The reason - to be a part of the Paynauen Festival.

Paynauen Festival has become an annual event in Iba starting five years ago. It is a festival of street dancing, Ginoo at Mutya ng Paynauen, local foods, sand castle building, kite flying, "duyan parade", carabao racing, boat racing, parades, exhibits and plenty of other merry making activities. Tourists and vacationists troop to Iba not only to enjoy the pristine beaches, fresh seafoods and the internationally-known mangoes, but to be a part of the Paynauen merry-making.

Paynauen is Sambal word that was derived from "painawawan". This word in Pilipino is equivalent to "pahingahan" that means a place for resting. During the Spanish era, Iba was the R&R of the conquistadores whose camp was located in the now Bancal in Botolan. Crossing the river that separated Iba and Botolan, the Spaniards enjoyed the fruits and food in Iba. The place was forested and full of flora and fauna where the Kastilas enjoyed hunting.

Paynauen festival was a concoction of Ibanians, prominent of these were Ofelia Ignacio Huang, the Chair for the Iba Tourism Council, Mr. Benjamin Farin Jr., a civic-minded Ibanian, Ms. Norma Miclat-Abad formerly with DECS and Ruth Angeles-Hurtado. The festival is also supported by the citizens of Iba and its political leadership.

A hammock or "duyan" is the symbol of Paynauen. It represents leisurely resting. In the Duyan Parade, beauties fill the different designs of hammock that are made of various local materials like abaca rope, rattan, wicker and wood.

In the beach, sand castle building is one of the very popular event. Participated by many Ibanians as well as visitors, contestants show their creativity and imagination. From sand castles, human shapes, landscapes to animal sand sculpting, the contestants use technical ingenuinity to create sand forms as big as 6 square meters.

Transportation and Communication

TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION

Except for some motorized boats and bancas servicing the town of Iba and the rest of the Province, the Municipality is mainly accessible by land. Public land transportation consists mainly of mini buses, buses, jeepneys and tricycles.
Summarize below are the various type and number of vehicles servicing the town of Iba;
Tricycles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,853
Jeepneys. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Cars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 622
Motorcycles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,195
Bus Station (Victory Liner). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 There is also a one-km. stretch of asphalted runway, available to cater chartered flights of small aircraft anywhere in the region. Communication facilities include a Postal Service Station of PhilPost, two (2) radio station; Radyo Natin and DWRF. One cable TV station (Northwest Cable); two (2) relay station for wireless communication (Globe and Smart). Digital-lined phone services are operated and maintained by Digitel Co. and Smart-PLDT Co. Other mail and parcel carriers are JRS Express, LBC and Western Union.

List of Schools

Listing of Schools, Public and Private, Elementary & Secondary & Tertiary

1. Zambales Trade School 1936
2. Western Luzon School of Arts & Trade 1945
3. Ramon Magsaysay Memorial School of Arts & Trade 1960
4. Ramon Magsaysay Polytechnic College 1993
5. Zambales High School 1935
6. Zambales National High School 1970
7. Hopeful Beginnings Institute
8. Zambales Institute 1946
9. St. Augustine’s School (High School & Elementary)
10. Iba Central School
11. Amungan Elementary School
12. Bangantalinga Elementary School
13. Dampay Elementary School
14. Dirita-Baloguen Elementary School
15. Lawak Elementary School
16. Libaba Elementary School
17. Lipay-Dingin Elementary School
18. Palanginan Elementary School
19. San Agustin Elementary School
20. Sta. Barbara Elementary School
21. Sto. Rosario Elementary School
22. Tambac Elementary School
23. Little Baguio Primary School

List of Beach Resorts

List of Beach Resorts in Iba, Zambales


RHOI REALTY PAYNAUEN BEACH RESORT

1. Danny Fortin, Semperfi Beach Resort w/ Karaoke
L.D.P
2. Jovito Calimlim, Jr. Ambay Beach Resort
L.D.P
3. Helen Cloma Beach Valley Resort
L.D.P
4. Sonia Tablizo Sand Valley Beach resort
Sto. Rosario
5. Pacita Gonzales Trigon Beach Resort
Sto. Rosario
6. Susante Artates Maligaya Beach Resort
L.D.P
7. Cynthia Fermil Beach Resort
L.D.P
8. Cristino Leomo White Sand Beach Resort
Bangantalinga
9. Palmera Beach Resort Beach Resort w/ Restaurant
Bangantalinga
10. Primitivo Dominguez, Jr. Tammy’s Beach Resort
Bangantalinga
11. Victor Fermil Beach Resort
Bangantalinga
12. Elisa Cruz Bangantalinga
13. Arles A. Montefalcon Balitok Beach Resort
Bangantalinga
14. Sally P. Deloso Ti-Umok Beach Resort
Bangantalinga
15. Perseveranda Rebultan Vicar Beach Resort
Bangantalinga
16. Cesar Balonso Beach Resort
Bangantalinga
17. Mitchel Gumabao Sea Front Beach Resort
Bangantalinga
18. Antonina Estrella Beach Resort
Bangantalinga
19. Rebecca G. Genato Beach Resort
Bangantalinga
20. Victoriano T. Dona Acuario Beach Resort
Bangantalinga
21. Ernesto Abijay Marimar Beach Resort
Bangantalinga
22. Raquel Ortea Beach Resort & Trading
Bangantalinga
23. Erlene Barrientos Sand Francisco Beach Resort
Bangantalinga
24. Adolfo M. Concepcion Balihambay Beach Resort
Amungan
25. ESPINOSA’S BEACH Beach Resort
Amungan
26. Teresita Yujuico Bakasyunan sa Baybay
Amungan
27. Janet A. Mora David John Beach Resort
Amungan
28. Benjamin Yson Paraisong Dalampasigan
Amungan
29. Maureen O. Floro La Playa Del Norte
Amungan

Agriculture and Fishery

AGRICULTURE AND FISHERY

Iba is predominantly an agricultural town where farming, fishing and livestock raising are the primary source of livelihood of rural household. Farmers, fishermen and livestock raisers constitute approximately 10 percent, 4 percent and 5 percent of the employed labor force in Iba. In absolute figures, there are approximately 2,213 farmers, 836 fishermen; and 1,412 livestock raisers. Table below shows the agricultural crops and its production output for the year 2004.


Table above shows that carabao mango production remained the most promising high-value crop cultivated and produced in Iba. Presently there are 89,175 fruit bearing trees, covering an area of approximately 1,783.50 hectares and there are also additional 36,160 still non-bearing carabao mango trees, planted in an area of 723.20 has.

Based from the following parameters of production; 10 kaing/tree at 22 kls per kaing, at an average of 50 mango trees per hectares, the yearly average production of mango in Iba will reach 20,000 metric tons. It is interesting to note, that last 2001, Iba became the number one producer of carabao mango in the Province, based from the BAS Office data. Livestock raising is a major source of livelihood for the community. Summarized below are the present number of raisers and livestock products in Iba. Raising is either done in backyard or commercial production.

Fishing industry on the other hand, is classified into deep-sea fishing and inland water fishing. The former covers an area of 180 square kilometers of Municipal waters while the latter, covers 70 hectares of both brackish and fresh water areas of Iba. Most fishponds are situated in Brgy. Amungan, Bangantalinga, Lipay-Dingin, Palanginan, San Agustin and Sto. Rosario while fresh water areas are located in Sta. Barbara and Palanginan. Fish like milkfish and tilapia and also tiger prawn are being cultured in these fishponds and harvested twice yearly.

Of the total accounted fishermen, only 435 fishing vessels are available, 401 are motorized, the rest are non-motorized. These fishermen used gill nets, fish traps, spears, hook and lines as fish gears. The most commonly caught fish are tuna, squid, anchovy, scad, mackerel and grouper. So far, no cold storage plant is established in Iba. Fish traders store fish catch in iced-pack styropore containers.

Demographic Profile

DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE

The Municipality of Iba had registered a population of 34,678 persons during the NSO Population Census 2000 and posted a population growth rate of 1.86 percent for the last five (5) years. Assuming the rate of increase will remain steady over the next seven years, the population of Iba in 2005 is estimated to be 38,025 and by 2007, the town is expected to grow by 39,453 persons. During the same Census Year, male population outnumbered female population by a ratio of 96 female for every 100 males. In 2005, there are 19,382 males compared to 18,643 females. On similar survey, the age group category of; Young Dependents, Working-age group, and Old-Dependents contributed 37.46 percent, 58.19 percent and 4.34 percent respectively, and by absolute figure at present, there are 14,246 (0 - 14), 22,128 (15 - 64) and 1,657 (65 and and over). This will likewise translate to a dependency ratio of 72 persons (young and old) for every 100 working-age persons.

At present, the population density of Iba is approximately 248 persons per square kilometers. Lesser concentration of people are noted in the Poblacion compared to out-lying rural rural barangay. There are 6,218 person or 16.35 percent of the total population living in urban area compared to 31,807 persons residing in rural areas.

Based from 2000 NSO Survey, registered household reached 7,260, equivalent to 4.78 persons for every household. At present, there are 7,961 households. The prevailing demographic structure of the town is considered to be relatively young so there is the greater possibility that population will accelerate growth over the coming years.

Physical Profile

PHYSICAL, GEOGRAPHIC PROFILE

PHYSICAL FEATURES:

Iba is centrally located in the province. Being the capital town, it is the seat of the provincial capitol. Although the town is located in the low area, destructive floods seldom ravage the place. It is however, prone to typhoons because of its geographical location. The western section of the Municipality of Iba is a gentle sloping coastline plain with elevations of 5-10 meters above the main sea level. Some 7 kilometers farther east, abrupt increases in elevation maybe seen. Hills and mountains with elevations ranging from 20-600 meters occupy this municipality.

METEOROLOGY AND RAINFALL:

The town, like any other town of the province, is blessed with a mild climate of two types: the rainy and the dry season. Iba’s climate is no different from the other towns where rainy season begins from June and ends in September, while the dry season is from October to May. An average of 43.15 centimeters deep is noted with a temperature of 22 degrees centigrade is observed during rainfalls. The highest temperature experienced during this season is 24 degrees centigrade while the lowest is 19.18 degrees centigrade. A temperature as high as 35 degrees centigrade characterizes Iba.

PREVAILING WINDS:

The northeast, southeast monsoon prevails over the municipality when intensified during period of typhoon, storm. Because of the exposure of the town to its vast China Sea, winds become horrible during the disastrous occurrences. However, because of the presence of towering mountains on the eastern side, winds are somewhat controlled. Coastal barangays of Iba such as Lipay-Dingin, Sto. Rosario, Bangantalinga, Amungan and San Agustin provides fishermen and fish dealers with a stable source of income with their daily healthy catch of different species of fish from the rich sea such as tuna, tulingan, lapu-lapu, alumahan, pusit, and others while several fishponds yield hundreds of kilos of bangus, tilapia and sugpo.
Lush vegetables and ricelands are familiar sights in San Agustin, Amungan, Bangantalinga, Sta. Barbara, Dirita-Baloguen and Palanginan where vegetables like ampalaya, okra, eggplant, tomato and others fill the farm after harvest time. In Iba, one can not get hungry if one is not lazy, for deep in the river or creek yields shellfish known as balisara, suso or lukan and small shrimps and a trek towards the pilapil will yield kuhol, papaet or other vegetables.

RIVERS:

Various rivers and creeks slice through the various necks of Iba-they are the sources of irrigation waters and are the lifeblood of farmers and others who depend them for livelihood. Some of these rivers are the Marangla River, Tambac River, Prenza, Tacar, Baong and other small creeks and rivers distributed in the different barangays.Marangla River provides irrigation waters for the people of San Agustin, while Prenza River provides water for Sta. Barbara farmers. Tambac River is a source of livelihood for the people in the sitio where small fishes and shrimps abound.

FISHING GROUNDS AND RICELAND:

Iba may not be a vegetable or rice valley like other towns but certainly, it boasts of being endowed with productive fishing grounds, rice lands, and vegetable plantations.

FLORA AND FAUNA

Flora is the different species of flowers and plants in the locality. These are composed of breadleaf and semi-deciduous trees. Grass family is abundant such as wise, bamboo, kawayan-kiling, rattan and buho. The presence of cogon and talahib are also noticeable during its season. Leguminous plants such as mongo, patani, beans of different varieties, peanuts and others are also grown in the municipality.

Fruit trees are found growing in the locality but only mangoes are produced economically. Calamansi, chico, fruits and others are grown but only for domestic consumption.
Fauna species originally found in the forest and nooks of the municipality is fast rearing extinction. In a very small quantity, species of horn, pigeon doves, ovials, wild duck and hip fishers are still present. Hunters who either go hunting for pleasure or to satisfy their hobby, or who for necessity, sometimes go with their catch of wild boars or wild ducks. Amphibians and reptiles, lizards, snakes, and fresh water fish varieties like hito, the Taiwan hito, abounds the rice fields during planting season. Domesticated animals like dogs, poultry, cattle, goats, and hogs are present in almost all homes.

SOIL AND WATER

Soil types vary from sandy to loamy. Sandy muddy soil can be found along the swamplands. Sandy soil can be found in the coastal barangays, sandy clay loam soil which is prevalent in almost all barangays are suitable to rice, sugarcane and all types of vegetables. The presence of clay loam or red clay in Bangantalinga was noted, which is the future source of bricks, bricks - by - product of the barangay.

Like other towns of Zambales, Iba has two (2) types of water: the fresh and the salty or brackish. A dark crystalline soil (black soil), which indicates the presence of chromite, is found in barangay Sta. Barbara.