Limay, officially the Municipality of Limay (Tagalog: Bayan ng Limay), is a first-class municipality in the province of Bataan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 78,272 people.

Limay is accessible via the Bataan Provincial Expressway (N301), off Exit 45. It is 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from Balanga and 136 kilometres (85 mi) from Manila.

History

The Dominican and Franciscan friars settled in Limay by the late 1600s, using its rich limestone deposits to build churches in Orion and Balanga. The town was a Barangay of Orion. The name Limay came from the Spanish word "Lima or Lime (material)", also known as Calcium oxide, a white calcium compound used in making Cement.

In the Philippine revolution of 1898, Limay inhabitants fought for their independence. American Governor-General Francis Burton Harrison's Executive Order of January 1, 1917, created Limay as the last Bataan municipality.

In 1913, the Cadwallader-Gibson Lumber Company employed Limayans and Visayan immigrants.

During the World War II, Limay became the host to the first medical hospital of American and Filipino forces, run by the "Angels of Bataan". In Lamao, Limay, Major General Edward P. King capitulated to the Japanese forces, after the last stand of the American and Filipino forces faltered along the banks of the Alangan River.

Geography

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 103.60 square kilometres (40.00 sq mi)  constituting 7.55% of the 1,372.98-square-kilometre- (530.11 sq mi) total area of Bataan.

Climate

Barangays

Limay is politically subdivided into 12 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

PSGC	Barangay	Population			±% p.a.
		2020		2010
030806001	Alangan	7.4%	5,803	4,716	▴	2.10%
030806013	Duale	9.4%	7,358	5,069	▴	3.80%
030806002	Kitang I	2.5%	1,930	1,764	▴	0.90%
030806003	Kitang 2 & Luz	6.1%	4,777	4,563	▴	0.46%
030806004	Lamao	24.7%	19,329	16,256	▴	1.75%
030806006	Landing	4.1%	3,209	3,393	▾	−0.56%
030806007	Poblacion	0.9%	701	770	▾	−0.93%
030806008	Reformista	8.8%	6,900	4,149	▴	5.22%
030806014	San Francisco de Asis	7.5%	5,900	5,398	▴	0.89%
030806015	Saint Francis II	11.0%	8,615	5,899	▴	3.86%
030806009	Townsite	6.6%	5,178	4,646	▴	1.09%
030806012	Wawa	0.7%	560	584	▾	−0.42%
	Total		78,272	57,207	▴	3.18%

Demographics

Population census of Limay

Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1918 3,583 —     1939 3,978 +0.50% 1948 4,509 +1.40% 1960 7,126 +3.89% 1970 12,912 +6.12% 1975 18,182 +7.11% 1980 24,281 +5.95%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1990 32,629 +3.00% 1995 40,092 +3.93% 2000 46,620 +3.29% 2007 54,782 +2.25% 2010 57,207 +1.59% 2015 68,071 +3.37% 2020 78,272 +2.78%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

In the 2020 census, Limay had a population of 78,272. The population density was 760 inhabitants per square kilometre (2,000/sq mi).

Economy

Poverty incidence of Limay

2.5 5 7.5 10 12.5 15 2006 6.60 2009 7.35 2012 5.78 2015 10.78 2018 7.20 2021 10.51 Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

Significant economic buildings and projects:

• Limay public market and slaughterhouse
• Bataan Limay Refinery Project, 140-megawatt power plant — P78B Petron Expansion Project.
• Limay power plant
• Port of Limay

Government

Local government

Pursuant to the local government, the political seat of the municipal government is located at the Municipal Hall. In the Spanish colonial period, the Gobernadorcillo was the Chief Executive who held office in the Presidencia. During the American rule (1898–1946), the elected Mayor and local officials, including the appointed ones held office at the Municipal Hall. The legislative and executive departments perform their functions in the Sangguniang Bayan (Session Hall) and Municipal Trial Court, respectively, and are located in the Town Hall.

Elected officials

Members of the Limay Municipal Council
(2022-2025)

Position	Name of official
District Representative (2nd Legislative District, Bataan)	Albert Raymond S. Garcia
Municipal Mayor	Nelson C. David
Municipal Vice Mayor	Richie Jason D. David
Municipal Councilors	Sarah V. David
	Cecil Gerard C. Roxas
	Dennis R. Gochuico
	Manuel P. Ambrocio
	Rosario R. Perez
	Remigio S. Tayag Jr.
	Melchor L. Fernando
	Restituto P. Reyes

These officials hold their office at the newly constructed Batasang Bayan in Barangay Poblacion, inside Limay Park facility along the Limay coastline.

Tourism

Limay's attractions, events, and historical landmarks include:

1935 Saint Francis of Assisi Parish Church

The 1935 Saint Francis of Assisi Parish Church (Barangay Poblacion) (Cath.: 26,440, Titular: St. Francis of Assisi, Feast day – October 4. with former Parish Priest, Father Rosauro Guila and Guest Priest: Father Guillermo Ramo)) is under the Vicariate of Saint Michael Archangel. It belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Balanga – The Vicariate of St. Peter).

Its Parish Priest is Fr. Edilbert ‘Lides’ S. Pomer.