Benito Soliven
Etymology
The town is named after the late Benito Soliven, Congressman of Ilocos Sur, during the Commonwealth government.
History
Benito Soliven was once known as Melappia of the Municipality of San Mariano. The first elected municipal officials were proclaimed following the November 1967 elections, and the new town's administration began on January 1, 1968. It is now a fourth-class municipality with 29 barangays.
Geography
Barangays
Benito Soliven is politically subdivided into 29 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.
- Andabuen
- Ara
- Binogtungan
- Capuseran (Capurocan)
- Dagupan
- Danipa
- District II (Poblacion)
- Gomez
- Guilingan
- La Salette
- Makindol
- Maluno Norte
- Maluno Sur
- Nacalma
- New Magsaysay
- District I (Poblacion)
- Punit
- San Carlos
- San Francisco
- Santa Cruz
- Sevillana
- Sinipit
- Lucban
- Villaluz
- Yeban Norte
- Yeban Sur
- Santiago
- Placer
- Balliao
Climate
| Climate data for Benito Soliven, Isabela | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 29 (84) |
30 (86) |
32 (90) |
35 (95) |
35 (95) |
35 (95) |
34 (93) |
33 (91) |
32 (90) |
31 (88) |
30 (86) |
28 (82) |
32 (90) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 19 (66) |
20 (68) |
21 (70) |
23 (73) |
23 (73) |
24 (75) |
23 (73) |
23 (73) |
23 (73) |
22 (72) |
21 (70) |
20 (68) |
22 (71) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 31.2 (1.23) |
23 (0.9) |
27.7 (1.09) |
28.1 (1.11) |
113.5 (4.47) |
141.4 (5.57) |
176.4 (6.94) |
236.6 (9.31) |
224.9 (8.85) |
247.7 (9.75) |
222.9 (8.78) |
178 (7.0) |
1,651.4 (65) |
| Average rainy days | 10 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 144 |
| Source: World Weather Online | |||||||||||||
Demographics
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 14,850 | — |
| 1975 | 13,475 | −1.93% |
| 1980 | 16,710 | +4.40% |
| 1990 | 20,236 | +1.93% |
| 1995 | 20,685 | +0.41% |
| 2000 | 22,192 | +1.52% |
| 2007 | 25,151 | +1.74% |
| 2010 | 27,337 | +3.08% |
| 2015 | 29,624 | +1.54% |
| 2020 | 29,752 | +0.08% |
| Source: Philippine Statistics Authority | ||
In the 2020 census, the population of Benito Soliven was 29,752 people, with a density of 160 inhabitants per square kilometre or 410 inhabitants per square mile.
Economy
Poverty incidence of Benito Soliven
10
20
30
40
2006
32.00 2009
25.39 2012
23.61 2015
21.72 2018
19.74 2021
20.51 Source: Philippine Statistics Authority |
Government
Local government
As a municipality in the Province of Isabela, government officials in the provincial level are voted by the electorates of the town. The provincial government have political jurisdiction over local transactions of the municipal government.
The municipality of Benito Soliven is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is being held every three years.
Barangays are also headed by elected officials: Barangay Captain, Barangay Council, whose members are called Barangay Councilors. The barangays have SK federation which represents the barangay, headed by SK chairperson and whose members are called SK councilors. All officials are also elected every three years.
Elected officials
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Congressman | Ed Christopher S. Go |
| Mayor | Roberto T. Lungan |
| Vice-Mayor | John Paul S. Azur |
| Councilors | Rose Jane S. Azur |
| Roxan V. Lungan | |
| Ernie John B. Abu | |
| Rommel L. Rinion | |
| Amado G. Viernes | |
| Marshal Ancheta | |
| Jade Carreon | |
| Ferdinand Dela Cruz |
Congress representation
Benito Soliven, belonging to the second legislative district of the province of Isabela, is currently represented by Ed Christopher S. Go.
Education
The Schools Division of Isabela governs the town's public education system. The division office is a field office of the DepEd in Cagayan Valley region. The office governs the public and private elementary and public and private high schools throughout the municipality.