Loading
  • 21 Aug, 2019

  • By, Wikipedia

Simunul

Simunul, officially the Municipality of Simunul (Tagalog: Bayan ng Simunul), is a 4th class municipality in the province of Tawi-Tawi, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 34,245 people. The majority of the people living here are Muslims.

Geography

The municipality consists of 2 islands: the larger eponymous Simunul Island and Manuk Mangkaw (Manuk Manka) Island, 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) to the south. There are six beaches in Simunul.

Barangays

Simunul is politically subdivided into 15 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

  • Bagid
  • Bakong
  • Doh-Tong
  • Luuk Datan
  • Manuk Mangkaw
  • Maruwa
  • Mongkay
  • Pagasinan
  • Panglima Mastul
  • Sokah-Bulan
  • Tampakan (Poblacion)
  • Timundon
  • Tonggusong
  • Boheh Indangan
  • Ubol

The barangays of Timundon, Manuk Mangkaw, and Luuk Datan are located on Manuk Mangkaw Island; the remaining 12 barangays are located on Simunul Island.

Climate

Climate data for Simunul, Tawi-Tawi
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 29
(84)
29
(84)
29
(84)
30
(86)
30
(86)
30
(86)
29
(84)
30
(86)
30
(86)
30
(86)
29
(84)
29
(84)
30
(85)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 25
(77)
24
(75)
24
(75)
25
(77)
25
(77)
25
(77)
25
(77)
25
(77)
25
(77)
25
(77)
25
(77)
25
(77)
25
(77)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 157
(6.2)
115
(4.5)
123
(4.8)
96
(3.8)
136
(5.4)
120
(4.7)
104
(4.1)
89
(3.5)
86
(3.4)
131
(5.2)
151
(5.9)
159
(6.3)
1,467
(57.8)
Average rainy days 20.4 17.5 20.4 21.1 26.7 25.7 26.0 24.5 24.0 27.7 26.3 24.7 285
Source: Meteoblue

Demographics

Sheik Karimal Makdum Mosque
Population census of Simunul
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 1,440—    
1918 5,818+9.76%
1939 4,980−0.74%
1948 5,413+0.93%
1960 8,724+4.06%
1970 12,135+3.35%
1975 20,218+10.78%
1980 26,816+5.81%
1990 26,491−0.12%
1995 29,254+1.88%
2000 31,962+1.92%
2007 38,239+2.50%
2010 34,538−3.64%
2015 31,223−1.90%
2020 34,245+1.83%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

The language spoken is Sama, also known as Sinama. The first Muslims in the Philippines are said to have arrived at Simunur. The first mosque in the Philippines was built here by Sheik Karimul Makhdum. This mosque is called the Sheik Karimal Makdum Mosque. Inside this mosque stands 4 hags where it is repainted every year.

Economy

Poverty Incidence of Simunul

10
20
30
40
50
2000
43.59
2003
33.96
2006
32.40
2009
30.38
2012
42.46
2015
21.81
2018
14.64
2021
26.81

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority