Jaro (IPA: ['haɾo]), officially the Municipality of Jaro (; ), is a First Income Class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 44,643 people.

History In the early time of the Spanish regime, the section where the Jaro is situated today was a lush forest enjoying its primitive freedom undisturbed by human beings.

In those days, struggles between Christianity and Mohammedanism took place. Datu Buisan and Sirungan led one of the Moro expeditions. They came to the Visayas leading a fleet of colorful moro vintas razing Christian towns to the ground, killing the inhabitants and taking some as slaves. Christians had to unite against the invaders and this was how Jaro came into being.

There were two Leyteños known far and wide for their skill with the native arms and bravery in wars. These two men were Bonsilao of Ormoc and Sinirungan of Dagami. These two men were so strong that the people concluded that they possessed supernatural powers. This belief was strengthened by the fact that they managed to drive the Moros away. Later, the two men decided to settle in a centrally located place where they could easily give aid to the beleaguered Christians especially the inhabitants of Balugu, Kalgara and the neighboring towns. An ideal place was finally found. This was atop a hill and this same hill is where the parochial church of Jaro is situated. As time went by, the place was consequently cleared and homes were built. Small crooked paths were widened and thus a town was born.

The legendary background of this municipality has been for the most part connected with the surging Cabayongan River, which crisscrosses the town. This river had served the inhabitants in many ways, becoming as it were the flesh and blood of the community. As historical data points out, the municipality of Jaro was once called “Salug,” a proximate location to the Cabayongan River. Its fertile soil and abundant fruit-bearing trees contributed immensely to its early growth and expansion. It became a “visita” because of the periodic baptismal visit regularly made by the priest coming from the town of Barugo. This “visita” became the second name of the municipality of Jaro.

In later years, the village became the centrifuge of people coming from the outlying districts and regions due to a running well found at the foot of the hill where the present church now stands, the water of which was believed to be medicinal because of herbs whose roots were leading to the well. The old folks termed the mixture of the herbs from the hill as “Haro,” a medicinal potent drug supposed to cure all kinds of afflictions and diseases. People from near and far municipalities flocked to this place to be treated.

Thus, ultimately, the word “Haro” became a by-word among the people as seen in the first Murillo-Velarde Map published in 1734 and later on used to denote the name of the place when it became a municipality in 1851. When the Spaniards came, “Haro” was transcribed as “Jaro”.

Notre Dame of Jaro, a Catholic school run by the sisters of the Oblates of Notre Dame, is located in Jaro.

Geography

Barangays Jaro is politically subdivided into 46 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Alahag Anibongon Atipolo Badiang Batug Bias-Zabala Buenavista Bukid Burabod Buri Caglawaan Canapu-an Canhandugan (formerly San Francisco Javier) Crossing Rubas Daro District I (Poblacion) District II (Poblacion) District III (Poblacion) District IV (Poblacion) Hiagsam Hibucawan Hibunawon (formerly Islabay) Kalinawan La Paz Licod Macanip Macopa Mag-aso Malobago Olotan Palanog (formerly Mooc) Pange Parasan Pitogo Sagkahan San Agustin San Pedro San Roque Santa Cruz Santo Niño Sari-Sari Tinambacan Tuba Uguiao Villa Conzoilo (Villa Consuelo) Villa Paz

Climate

Government Mayors No. Mayor Period 1 Prudencio Fevidal 1946–1947 2 Zoilo Trota 1947–1951 3 Abdon Relevo 1952–1955 (2) Zoilo Trota 1956–1959 4 Marcelo Cabelin 1960–1963 5 Adriano Villamor 1964–1983 6 Juan Arbas 1983–1986 7 Marietta Porciuncula (OIC) 1987–1988 8 Rufo Ribo 1988–19949 Pablito Quiñones 1994–200210Floro Katangkatang 2002–200711Rolando Celebre 2007–201612Zharina Celebre 2016–201913Rodrigo Arbas 2019–202214Jassie Tañala2022–present

Current officials (2025–2028)

Position Name Party Mayor Jassie Lou Tañala Vice Mayor Pedro Lolito B. Tañala Jr. Councilors Francisco R. Altres Rey P. Aure Lanulfo M. Borja Teofilo Cabello Benjamin H. Gariando Jr. Raul A. Macanda Alma A. Tamayo Carmencita G. Tañala Ex Officio Municipal Council Members ABC President Zandro T. Morabe SK Federation President Vianca Mae N. Familar

Demographics

In the 2024 census, the population of Jaro was 44,643 people, with a density of .

Economy

Education There are a total of 42 elementary schools and 5 high schools in Jaro, Leyte:

Elementary Schools

Secondary/High School

References

External links [ Philippine Standard Geographic Code] Philippine Census Information Local Governance Performance Management System