Malay /mɑːˈlaɪ/, officially the Municipality of Malay (Aklanon: Banwa it Malay; Hiligaynon: Banwa sang Malay; Tagalog: Bayan ng Malay), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. It is the richest municipality in the province in terms of revenue. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 60,077 people, making it the second most populous municipality in Aklan. It is the northernmost town on the island of Panay and the youngest amongst all municipalities in Aklan province. The resort island of Boracay is part of the municipality.

History

The municipality of Malay was created on June 15, 1949, through Republic Act No. 381 and the help of Claro Tumaob, out of various portions of the municipality of Buruanga, then part of Capiz. It included the following barangays: Malay (poblacion, seat of local government), Dumlog, Cabulihan, Balusbos, Nabaoy, Cubay Norte, Cubay Sur, Cogon, Argao, Sambiray, Caticlan, Manoc-Manoc, Balabag, Yapak, Motag, Napaan, and Naasog. On April 25, 1956, Malay became part of the newly-created province of Aklan, along with several other towns of Capiz.

It was hit severely by typhoon Seniang on December 9–10, 2006, with much destruction and damage of homes and infrastructure.

Cityhood

In 2010, a resolution created an ad hoc committee and technical working group to conduct initial study and evaluation for the proposed cityhood of the municipality of Malay, Aklan.

In 2021, the Aklan Provincial Board passed a resolution urging legislative action to change the local government classification of Malay from first-class municipality to chartered city.

On November 28, 2022, House Bill No. 6401 was filed by Rep Teodorico Haresco Jr which seeks accomplish this.

Geography

Malay is located at 11°53′59″N 121°54′34″E / 11.8997°N 121.9094°E / 11.8997; 121.9094. It is 72 kilometres (45 mi) west of the provincial capital Kalibo, 230 kilometres (140 mi) from Iloilo City, 158 kilometres (98 mi) from Roxas City, and 168 kilometres (104 mi) from San Jose de Buenavista.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 66.01 square kilometres (25.49 sq mi)  constituting 3.62% of the 1,821.42-square-kilometre- (703.25 sq mi) total area of Aklan.

Climate

Barangays

Malay is politically subdivided into 17 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

There are 3 barangays (Balabag, Manoc-Manoc, and Yapak) of which situated within Boracay Island, while the rest are in mainland Malay.

PSGC	Barangay	Population			±% p.a.
		2020		2010
060412001	Argao	2.0%	1,213	1,078	▴	1.19%
060412002	Balabag	20.5%	12,296	11,076	▴	1.05%
060412003	Balusbus	2.2%	1,310	1,079	▴	1.96%
060412004	Cabulihan	1.3%	772	575	▴	2.99%
060412005	Caticlan	13.3%	7,996	6,593	▴	1.95%
060412006	Cogon	1.1%	647	544	▴	1.75%
060412007	Cubay Norte	0.6%	365	327	▴	1.11%
060412008	Cubay Sur	2.4%	1,423	1,153	▴	2.13%
060412009	Dumlog	1.4%	863	768	▴	1.17%
060412010	Manoc-Manoc	24.7%	14,810	12,526	▴	1.69%
060412017	Motag	1.5%	903	818	▴	0.99%
060412011	Naasog	0.9%	557	547	▴	0.18%
060412012	Nabaoy	2.0%	1,220	1,025	▴	1.76%
060412013	Napaan	1.3%	751	649	▴	1.47%
060412014	Poblacion	2.2%	1,304	1,255	▴	0.38%
060412015	Sambiray	2.3%	1,382	1,031	▴	2.97%
060412016	Yapak	8.6%	5,161	4,767	▴	0.80%
	Total		60,077	45,811	▴	2.75%

Demographics

Population census of Malay

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1960	6,816	—
1970	7,623	+1.12%
1975	8,770	+2.85%
1980	9,120	+0.79%
1990	14,378	+4.66%
1995	19,406	+5.78%
2000	24,519	+5.14%
2007	32,110	+3.79%
2010	45,811	+13.81%
2015	52,973	+2.81%
2020	60,077	+2.51%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

In the 2020 census, Malay had a population of 60,077. The population density was 910 inhabitants per square kilometre (2,400/sq mi).

Economy

Poverty incidence of Malay

5 10 15 20 25 30 2006 27.60 2009 24.75 2012 12.10 2015 17.27 2018 13.39 2021 16.39 Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

Because of its robust tourism industry, the municipality is now considered as having the strongest economy in all the municipalities in the Region and the richest municipality of Aklan in terms of income and annual budget. The tourism industry of Boracay became the catalyst of its economic growth that brought many investors to come and helped transform the municipality into a cosmopolitan area.

Banks

As of 2016, there are ten (10) banks in the municipality of Malay operated by six (6) commercial banking corporations.

Transportation

Air

Malay has one airport, officially named Godofredo P. Ramos Airport but more popularly known as Caticlan Airport. Only small aircraft were allowed to land on the 950-metre (3,120 ft) runway. The runway was extended to 1,800 metres (5,900 ft) in 2016, allowing bigger aircraft like the Airbus A320 to land at the airport.

Sea

The Caticlan Jetty Port, one of the ports along the Strong Republic Nautical Highway, serves as a gateway to Boracay island, Roxas, Oriental Mindoro, and Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro The Tabon port is not used a lot but it is used if its not summer.

Ground Transportation

Malay uses the electrics Sikad in Boracay island

Bus

Malay is also using the hop on hop off shuttle service in boracay island

Education

List of schools in Malay

Healthcare

Malay is being served by three hospitals, of which 1 is private, and 2 are owned by the government.

• Don Ciriaco Tirol Memorial Hospital
• Malay Municipal Hospital
• Aklan Baptist Hospital

Media

FM Radio Stations

• Radyo Todo Aklan 88.5 (Philippine Broadcasting Service/Todo Media, Inc.)
• 89.7 DYIE FM (Far East Broadcasting Company)
• 91.1 Yes the Best (Manila Broadcasting Company/Philippine Broadcasting Corporation)
• 93.5 Easy Rock (Manila Broadcasting Company/Cebu Broadcasting Company)
• 94.9 Brigada News FM (Brigada Mass Media Corporation)
• 97.3 Boracay Beach Radio (Interactive Broadcast Media)
• 98.1 iFM (Radio Mindanao Network)
• 106.1 FM2 Boracay (Philippine Broadcasting Service/One Media Boracay)

Cable Television

• Kalibo Cable TV Network
• Paradise Cable TV