Makato, officially the Municipality of Makato (Aklanon: Banwa it Makato; Hiligaynon: Banwa sang Makato; Tagalog: Bayan ng Makato), is a municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 29,717 people.
History
Established in the thirteenth century, the town’s name had been acquired by accident. Thinking that the Spaniards came to ask the route along the river, the native answered “Makato” which meant “that way”. The Spaniards recorded the name Makato in 1800, thinking it was the name of the town. In 1901, the town merged with Tangalan to form the new municipality of Taft, named after the then Governor-General of the Philippines and future United States President, William Howard Taft. But in 1917, it was reverted to its former name. In 1948, the arrabal of Tangalan, comprising the barrios of Tondog, Jawili, Dumatad, Afga, Baybay, Dapdap, Pudyot, Tagas, Tamalagon, Panayakan, Vivo, Lanipga, Napatag and Tamoko, was separated from Makato to form the municipality of Tangalan.
Geography
Makato is located at 11°42′43″N 122°17′32″E. It is 8 kilometers (5.0 mi) from Kalibo, the provincial capital.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 64.60 square kilometers (24.94 sq mi) constituting 3.55% of the 1,821.42-square-kilometer (703.25 sq mi) total area of Aklan.
Climate
Barangays
Makato is politically subdivided into 18 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
Demographics
In the 2020 census, Makato had a population of 29,717. The population density was 460 inhabitants per square kilometer (1,200/sq mi).
Economy
Poverty incidence of Makato
Religion
Domicile of the Santo Niño and Ati-atihan Festival known throughout the province and a week ahead of Kalibo, Makato has been celebrating the “Mother of all Philippine Festivals” in admiration of the Holy Child.
Government
Elected officials
Mayor: Ramon Anselmo Martin D. Legaspi III
Vice Mayor: Leoncito Y. Mationg
Sangguniang Bayan Members:
- Nilo M. Amboboyog
- Marlene Mae Blaire T. Igham
- Nerli F. dela Cena
- Randy R. Vargas
- Rhine I. Roldan
- Abencio Honeyboy P. Torres III
- Leoncito Y. Mationg
- Steven M. Tejada
Liga ng Barangay (LnB): Shirly M. Lagradante
Sangguniang Kabataan Federation: Dina Mae Taladro
Infrastructure
The Aklan Sports Complex, opened in 2010, is located here in Makato. It hosted the 2010 Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) Meet.
References
External links
- Philippine Standard Geographic Code
