Badian is a 4th class municipality in Cebu province and one of the 15 towns that comprises the 2nd congressional district of the province. It is located in the southwestern coast of the island, approximately 97.8 kilometers away from Cebu City.
The town is bounded by the municipality of Moalboal on its north, by the municipality of Alegria in the south and on the east by municipalities of Argao and Dalaguete. Tañon Strait can be viewed on its west.
Based on the cadastral survey, Badian has a total land area of 10,730 hectares. It is further divided into 29 smaller political units known as barangay. Alphabetically stated, these barangays are: Alawijao, Balhaan, Banhigan, Basak, Basiao, Bato, Bugas, Calangcang, Candiis, Dagatan, Cobcob, Ginablan, Lambug, Malbago, Malhiao, Manduyong, Matutinao, Patong, Poblacion, Sanlagan, Santicon, Sohoton, Sulsugan, Talayong, Taytay, Tigbao, Tiguib, Tubod and Zaragosa.
Poblacion is the center of the town, the capital barangay. This is where most institutions are erected such as educational institutions, the medical institution (town hospital) and the Municipal Hall. The church and the marketplace are also located in Poblacion. This is only the urban area and the most populated among the other barangays.
The town’s topography is classified as mountainous and hilly, wherein the 20% of the total land area is considered as Timberland or Classified Forest. The climate belongs to the third type in the country.
The prime-mover of the town’s economy is tourism as the local government is pushing further to promote the town’s priceless natural wonders. The residents also depend on fishing and agriculture. Raw materials available in the area are pandan, coconut and bamboo as well as dolomite limestone and rock phosphate.
How The Town Got Its Name?
This southern town derived it name for a plant, locally termed as “badyang”, which was once growing copiously in the vicinity. In due time, “Badyang” was applied as the name of the entire town.
However, the Spaniards had a difficult time pronouncing the name. As a remedy, the authorities decided to modify the name that is less difficult for their tongue to pronounce. The “g” was dropped and “y” was changed into “i”. Thus after that, the town was came to be known as “Badian”.
The town adopted Santiago Apostol as its patron saint and constructed the church in dedication to him. Every 25th of July, the town celebrates its feast day and alongside with this celebration is the “Banig Festival”.
How To Get There?
Badian is 97 kilometers away from the city, so expect a longer hours to be consumed by traveling to your destination alone. If you don’t have any private vehicles and planning to go alone or with a bunch of friends or a family either, take a public busses or V-hires (vans) at the Cebu South Terminal in Cebu City. Travel time may take three to four hours.
Once in the town, tourists can tour the place in jeepneys and tricycles.
