Editing Southern Leyte

{{Use Philippine English|date=February 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Southern Leyte
| native_name        = <small>{{native name|ceb|Habagatang Leyte}} <br /> {{native name|war|Salatan nga Leyte}} <br /> {{native name|fil|Timog Leyte}}</small>
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| photo1a = Agas-Agas Bridge.jpg
| photo2a = Southern Leyte Provincial Capitol (Asuncion, Maasin, Southern Leyte; 01-17-2024).jpg
| photo2b = Maasin Tunga-tunga, Tomas Oppus Street (Maasin, Southern Leyte; 01-17-2024).jpg
| photo3a = Maasin Cathedral, Dec. 28, 2019.jpg
| photo3b = Sogod town proper, Osmeña Street top view (Sogod, Southern Leyte; 01-17-2024).jpg
| size = 250
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| image_alt          = 
| image_caption      = (from top: left to right) [[Agas-Agas Bridge]], [[Maasin, Southern Leyte|Southern Leyte Provincial Capitol]], Maasin downtown, [[Maasin, Southern Leyte|Maasin Cathedral]], and [[Sogod, Southern Leyte|Sogod town proper]]
| image_flag         = Flag of Southern Leyte.svg
| flag_size          = 120x80px
| image_seal         = Official Seal of Southern Leyte.svg
| seal_size          = 100x80px
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| shield_alt         = 
| nickname           = 
| motto              = 
| image_map          = {{PH wikidata|image_map}}
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| map_caption        = Location in the Philippines
| coordinates        = {{PH wikidata|coordinates}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = Philippines
| subdivision_type1  = [[Regions of the Philippines|Region]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{PH wikidata|region}}
| established_title  = [[Date of establishment|Founded]]
| established_date   = May 22, 1959
| seat_type          = Capital<br />{{nobold|and largest city}}
| seat               = {{PH wikidata|seat}}
| leader_party       = 
| government_type    = {{PH wikidata|government_type}}
| leader_title       = [[Governor]]
| leader_name        = Damian G. Mercado ([[Lakas-CMD]])
| leader_title1      = [[Vice Governor]]
| leader_name1       = Rosa Emilia G. Mercado ([[Lakas-CMD]])
| leader_title2      = Legislature
| leader_name2       = [[Southern Leyte Provincial Board]] {{PH Town Council
 |  1 = <div style="border-style:solid none; border-width:thin; border-color:Gainsboro; background:#e6e6e6; text-align:center; width:95%; font-variant:small-caps;">1st ProvDist</div>
 |  2 = Fe Edillo
 |  3 = Jonathan Lee Maraon
 |  4 = Teopisto Rojas
 |  5 = Pedro Fustanes
 |  6 = <div style="border-style:solid none; border-width:thin; border-color:Gainsboro; background:#e6e6e6; text-align:center; width:95%; font-variant:small-caps;">2nd ProvDist</div>
 |  7 = Napoleon Regis
 |  8 = Myra Rentuza
 |  9 = Rolando Quiboy Bacoy
 | 10 = Virgilio Mortera
 | com = https://ph.rappler.com/elections/2022/southern-leyte
}}
| area_footnotes     = <ref name=nscblist>{{cite web |title=List of Provinces |url=http://www.nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/listprov.asp |work=PSGC Interactive |publisher=National Statistical Coordination Board |access-date=July 2, 2013 |location=Makati City, Philippines |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117174921/http://nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/listprov.asp |archive-date=January 17, 2013 }}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = {{PH wikidata|area}}
| area_rank          = 65th out of 81
| area_note          = 
| population_footnotes = {{PH census|current|08}}
| population_total   = {{PH wikidata|population_total}}
| population_as_of   = {{PH wikidata|population_as_of}}
| population_rank    = 63rd out of 81
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_rank = [[Provinces of the Philippines|40th]] out of 81
| population_note    = 
| elevation_max_m    = 965
| elevation_max_point = [[Mount Bitanjuan]]
| demographics_type1 = Divisions
| demographics1_footnotes = <!--for references: use <ref>tags-->
| demographics1_title1 = [[Cities of the Philippines#Independent cities|Independent&nbsp;cities]]
| demographics1_info1 = 0
| demographics1_title2 = [[Cities of the Philippines|Component cities]]
| demographics1_info2 = {{Collapsible list
 | titlestyle = font-weight:normal;text-align:left;background-color:WhiteSmoke;
 | title = 1
 | [[Maasin]]
 }}
| demographics1_title3 = [[Municipalities of the Philippines|Municipalities]]
| demographics1_info3 = {{Collapsible list
 | titlestyle = font-weight:normal;text-align:left;background-color:WhiteSmoke;
 | title = 18
 | [[Anahawan, Southern Leyte|Anahawan]]
 | [[Bontoc, Southern Leyte|Bontoc]]
 | [[Hinunangan, Southern Leyte|Hinunangan]]
 | [[Hinundayan, Southern Leyte|Hinundayan]]
 | [[Libagon, Southern Leyte|Libagon]]
 | [[Liloan, Southern Leyte|Liloan]]
 | [[Limasawa]]
 | [[Macrohon, Southern Leyte|Macrohon]]
 | [[Malitbog, Southern Leyte|Malitbog]]
 | [[Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte|Padre Burgos]]
 | [[Pintuyan, Southern Leyte|Pintuyan]]
 | [[Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte|Saint Bernard]]
 | [[San Francisco, Southern Leyte|San Francisco]]
 | [[San Juan, Southern Leyte|San Juan]]
 | [[San Ricardo, Southern Leyte|San Ricardo]]
 | [[Silago, Southern Leyte|Silago]]
 | [[Sogod, Southern Leyte|Sogod]]
 | [[Tomas Oppus, Southern Leyte|Tomas Oppus]]
 }}
| demographics1_title4 = [[Barangay]]s
| demographics1_info4 = 500
| demographics1_title5 = [[House of Representatives of the Philippines|Districts]]
| demographics1_info5 = [[Legislative districts of Southern Leyte|Legislative Districts of Southern Leyte]]
| blank_name_sec1    = Spoken languages
| blank_info_sec1    = {{hlist | item-style=white-space:nowrap; | [[Cebuano language|Cebuano]] | [[Waray language|Waray]] | [[Baybay language|Baybayanon]] | [[Kinabalian language|Kinabalian]] | [[Tagalog language|Tagalog]] | English }}
| timezone           = [[Philippine Standard Time|PHT]]
| utc_offset         = +8
| postal_code_type   = [[List of ZIP codes in the Philippines|ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = {{PH wikidata|postal_code}}
| area_code_type     = {{areacodestyle}}
| area_code          = {{PH wikidata|area_code}}
| iso_code           = {{PH wikidata|iso_code}}
| website            = {{PH wikidata|website}}
| footnotes          = 
| image_map1         = {{hidden begin|title=OpenStreetMap|ta1=center}}{{Infobox mapframe|frame-width=250|zoom=8}}{{hidden end}}
}}

'''Southern Leyte''' ({{langx|ceb|Habagatang Leyte}}; [[Kabalian language|Kabalian]]: ''Habagatan nga Leyte''; {{langx|war|Salatan nga Leyte}}; {{langx|tl|Timog Leyte}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Mapa ng mga Wika (Rehiyon) – Rehiyon VIII |url=https://kwf.gov.ph/mapa-ng-mga-wika-rehiyon/14/ |publisher=[[Commission on the Filipino Language]] |access-date=September 23, 2021 |language=fil}}</ref>), officially the '''Province of Southern Leyte''', is a [[Provinces of the Philippines|province]] in the [[Philippines]] located in the [[Eastern Visayas]] [[Regions of the Philippines|region]]. Its capital and largest city is [[Maasin]]. Southern Leyte comprised the [[Legislative districts of Leyte#1931–1961 3|third congressional district]] [[Leyte (province)|Leyte]] until it was made into an independent province in 1959. Southern Leyte includes [[Limasawa, Southern Leyte|Limasawa]], an island to the south where the [[First Mass in the Philippines|first Roman Catholic Mass]] in Philippine soil is believed to have taken place and thus considered to be the birthplace of [[Roman Catholicism in the Philippines]].<ref name="GlobalPinoyCom">{{cite web|title=Travel; Southern Leyte|url=http://www.globalpinoy.com/travel/province/sleyte.php|website=GlobalPinoy|access-date=July 28, 2016|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050410185844/http://www.globalpinoy.com/travel/province/sleyte.php|archive-date=April 10, 2005}}</ref>

The province ranks as the second least populated in the region, after the province of [[Biliran]]. According to the 2020 census, the province has a population of 429,573.{{PH census|2015|08}}

Southern Leyte's [[Geology|geological]] features created several issues in the province after the flooding of the [[Subangdaku River]] and the 2006 mudslide in [[2006 Southern Leyte mudslide|Guinsaugon]]. Organizations warned the province it was susceptible to [[Nature|natural]] occurrences like [[landslide]]s and [[flood]]s.<ref name="Haribon">[http://www.haribon.org.ph/?q=taxonomy/page/and/10 Policy and Advocacy | Haribon<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>{{Failed verification|date=July 2016}}

Southern Leyte forms an important part of the inter-island transportation system of the country, with ferries transporting people and goods between [[Liloan, Southern Leyte|Liloan]] and [[Surigao del Norte]] in [[Mindanao]]. The province is well known for its quality [[abaca]] products and is the country's major producer of abaca fiber.

In September 2017, Representative [[Roger Mercado]] authored House Bill 6408, proposing to change the name of the province to '''Leyte del Sur'''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB06408.pdf |title=House Bill No. 6408 |publisher=[[Congress of the Philippines]] |access-date=May 7, 2018}}</ref>

== History ==
{{Quote box
| title = Historical affiliations
| quote = {{flag|Spain|1587}} 1521–1898<br />{{flagu|United States|1898|name=United States of America}} 1898–1942<br />{{flagu|Japan|1942}} 1942–1945<br />{{flagu|Philippines|1946}} 1946–present
| align = right
| width = 24em
| fontsize = 90%
| bgcolor = #B0C4DE
}}

=== Early history ===
{{Unreferenced section|date=December 2019}}
The province, being part of Leyte island, is believed to be influenced by ''Datu Et''e, ruler of the historic community of Mairete, meaning ''Land of Ete'', which was centered in Tacloban. The area which is to be Southern Leyte is believed to have been occupied by animist Visayan ethnic groups from Bohol. There is no proof that the indigenous animist [[Warays]] of Samar, who at the time occupied northeast Leyte, ever occupied Southern Leyte.

=== Spanish colonial era ===
As early as 1898 during the [[History of the Philippines (1521–1898)|Spanish]] and [[History of the Philippines (1898–1946)|American]] periods, there existed a "sub-province" consisting of the municipalities from [[Palompon, Leyte|Palompon]] to [[Hinunangan, Southern Leyte|Hinunangan]], with Maasin as the center. Some government offices had already been established in Maasin on the southwestern part of Leyte to govern the area.<ref name=evis>{{Cite web |url=http://www.evis.net.ph/infocenter/attractions/Southern-leyte.htm |title=Southern Leyte: Attractions<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=October 24, 2003 |archive-date=October 24, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031024110514/http://www.evis.net.ph/infocenter/attractions/Southern-leyte.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Historically, the governing city was the depository of ''cedula'' tax collections from Palompon to Hinunangan. This was administered by the office of the ''Administrado de Hacienda'', equivalent to the Provincial Treasurer, a position under the ''Secretario de Hacienda''.

There was also established in Maasin a [[Court of First Instance]], then known as the Promoter Fiscal, where all minor administrative and other cases from Palompon to Hinunangan were heard.<ref name="NSCBGovPH-RU8">{{cite web|title=The Province of Southern Leyte|url=http://www.nscb.gov.ph/ru8/soleyte.htm|website=National Statistical Coordination Board – Regional Division VIII (Eastern Visayas)|access-date=July 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080127150546/http://www.nscb.gov.ph/ru8/soleyte.htm|archive-date=January 27, 2008}}</ref>

During the Spanish colonization, the province was sparsely populated. The continued raiding of [[Moro people|Moro]] slaves discouraged the province from growing and developing. However, in the 19th century immigrants from adjacent provinces like [[Bohol]] and [[Cebu]] populated the area.{{Citation needed|date=December 2019}}

=== Japanese occupation era ===
In 1942, [[Ruperto Kangleon]] held a conference in the town of [[Sogod, Southern Leyte|Sogod]], when the first meeting attempt in [[Malitbog, Southern Leyte|Malitbog]], a town to the east, failed due to many leaders staying away. He was trying to unify all [[guerrilla]]s helping the [[Commonwealth of the Philippines|Philippine Commonwealth]] troops during [[Pacific War|World War II]].<ref>{{cite book |title=They Never Surrender |last=Villamor |first=Col. Jesus A. |year=1982 |publisher=Vera-Reyes Inc. |location=[[Quezon City]], [[Philippines]] |pages=127 }}</ref>

From 1944 to 1945, the Allied Philippine Commonwealth Army soldiers and Filipino guerrillas attacked the [[Empire of Japan|Japanese Imperial forces]] in an effort to liberate Southern Leyte, and American troops landed on Leyte on October 20, 1944.

=== Philippine independence ===
==== Independent province ====
Due to a change of sovereign powers, all the offices in Maasin except the Fiscal's Office were abolished and reverted to [[Tacloban]], the capital of Leyte. This created a major problem because of the dearth of transportation, the difficulty in managing the affairs of government in Tacloban and the language barrier between the [[Cebuano language|Cebuano]]-speaking South-westerners and the [[Waray language|Waray]]-speaking North-easterners. The difficulty of managing the entire island from the main city suggested a need to separate the island into two provinces.

At first there was a general movement for a ''Western Leyte'' and soon after, many prominent men and leaders rallied behind the movement. Six attempts to pass a law for the division of Leyte were made. On the sixth attempt, then Congressman Nicanor Yñiguez introduced into the [[Lower house|House]] a division law similar in substance to that of the ''Kangleon Bill'', but recognizing the impossibility of creating an East-West Division, he instead opted to make his own district a province.

Abandoning the first [[Bill (proposed law)|bill]], Congressman [[Nicanor Yñiguez]] presented ''House Bill No. 1318'' proposing a new province of Southern Leyte comprising [[Legislative districts of Leyte|Third Congressional District of Leyte]] to include sixteen municipalities, from Maasin to [[Silago]] in the mainland, and in the [[Panaon Island]].

The bill became ''[[Republic Acts of the Philippines|Republic Act]] 2227'' otherwise known as an "Act Creating the Province of Southern Leyte" and was signed into [[Law]] by President [[Carlos P. Garcia]] on May 22, 1959.<ref name=LawPhilNet-RA2227>{{cite web|title=Republic Act No. 2227; An Act Creating the Province of Southern Leyte|url=http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1959/ra_2227_1959.html|website=The LawPhil Project|access-date=January 10, 2016|date=May 22, 1959}}</ref> On July 1, 1960, Southern Leyte was inaugurated as a province with sixteen municipalities and Maasin as the capital town. Thus, the third District of Leyte became the ''Province of Southern Leyte'' and the [[Southern Leyte's at-large congressional district|Lone District of Southern Leyte]].<ref name=evis /><ref name="NSCBGovPH-RU8" />

===Contemporary===
==== Mudslides ====
In December 2003, a landslide in [[San Francisco, Southern Leyte]] destroyed most of the town, killing 200 people.<ref name="BBCNews-2003Landslide">{{cite news|title=Landslide tragedy stuns Philippines|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3337887.stm|access-date=April 18, 2016|work=[[BBC News]]|date=December 21, 2003|quote=Up to 200 people may have died in landslides triggered by heavy rains in the central Philippines, officials say.}}</ref><ref name="TheGuardian-2003Landslide">{{cite news|title=200 feared dead in Philippine landslides|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2003/dec/22/naturaldisasters.climatechange|access-date=April 18, 2016|work=The Guardian|date=December 22, 2003|quote=Rescuers worked with their bare hands and crowbars to dig out victims after the mudslides began on Friday night. Officials fear at least 200 people are dead and many more are homeless.}}</ref>

[[File:Southern Leyte mudslide 2006 pic01.jpg|thumb|2006 Southern Leyte mudslide]]
{{Main|2006 Southern Leyte mudslide}}

On February 17, 2006, several mudslides caused by heavy rains, amounting over {{convert|200|cm|0|abbr=on}}, and a minor [[earthquake]] destroyed at least one town and many commercial and residential infrastructures, leaving hundreds dead. The municipality of [[Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte|Saint Bernard]] was one of the worst hit areas with 23 confirmed deaths, up to 200 estimated deaths and another 1,500 missing. Barangay Guinsaugon, a mountain village on the said municipality with 2,500 people, was almost completely destroyed, killing 1,800 of its 1,857 residents. Many rescuers from national and international responded to the incident. However, rescue efforts were greatly hampered by poor road conditions and lack of heavy equipment. Survivors also reported lack of coordination of rescue efforts. The few handful of Guinsaugon citizens which escaped the mudslide were put up in emergency shelters without adequate nutrition and care despite the National Government collecting millions of dollars worth of donations.{{Citation needed|date=December 2019}}

== Geography ==
Southern Leyte occupies the southern quarter of the island of [[Leyte]]. It is bounded by the province of [[Leyte (province)|Leyte]] to the north, by [[Surigao Strait]] to the east, [[Bohol Sea]] to the south, and [[Canigao Channel]], across from [[Bohol]], to the west. Its total [[land area]] is {{convert|1,798.61|km2}}.{{PSGC detail|nscb}} The central portion of the province is dominated by the [[Sogod Bay]], a long [[bay]] that cuts deep into the island.

=== Topography ===
[[File:Sogod city and bay from the mountain - panoramio.jpg|thumb|A view of [[Sogod Bay]] and the town of [[Sogod, Southern Leyte|Sogod]]]]

Southern Leyte is characterized by relatively flat lands along the coastal areas where population centers lie, but rugged mountains towards the interior.

The province has inland water features. Based on national data, the province has altogether 93 rivers, including 18 major ones, namely the Amparo River in [[Macrohon, Southern Leyte|Macrohon]], the Canturing River in [[Maasin]], the Das-ay and Pondol Rivers in [[Hinunangan, Southern Leyte|Hinunangan]], the Divisoria River in [[Bontoc, Southern Leyte|Bontoc]], the Hitungao and Lawigan Rivers in [[Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte|Saint Bernard]], the Maag River in [[Silago, Southern Leyte|Silago]], and the Subangdaku River in [[Sogod, Southern Leyte|Sogod]] which is the biggest of all.<ref name="DA-RFU8">{{cite web|title=Province of Southern Leyte|url=http://darfu8.tripod.com/rp_southernleyte.htm|website=Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Unit VIII|access-date=July 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040705031412/http://darfu8.tripod.com/rp_southernleyte.htm|archive-date=July 5, 2004|date=2002}}</ref> The province has an [[Lake|inland lake]] called [[Lake Danao (Leyte)|Lake Danao]] located in the mountains of [[San Juan, Southern Leyte|San Juan]] and [[Anahawan, Southern Leyte|Anahawan]], towns in the eastern region.

[[File:Maasin City Green Mountains.png|thumb|Green grass covering mountains in Maasin]]

[[Subangdaku River|Subangdaku]], the province's largest river, created an issue over the area. It can be considered a braided river composed of several [[Channel (geography)|channels]] from near areas that divide and reunite forming an [[alluvial fan]] with a very wide [[floodplain]]. As such, the river usually became hazardous during [[Pacific typhoon|typhoons]] after heavy rains.<ref name="SogodBay-Geocities">{{cite web|last1=Regis|first1=Emelina G.|title=Stop Quarrying and Rechanneling Subang Daku of Sogod, Southern Leyte|url=http://geocities.com/sogodbay/Inecar.html|website=Sogod Bay (Geocities)|access-date=July 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091026230001/http://geocities.com/sogodbay/Inecar.html|archive-date=October 26, 2009|date=March 21, 2002}}</ref> The river has overflowed, spilling its waters on the low-lying towns of Liloan and San Vicente and destroyed an ongoing flood control project worth millions of pesos.<ref name="SamarNews-Tornado">{{cite news|title=Tornado destroys village 50 die in Southern Leyte|url=http://www.samarnews.com/News_clips/news5.htm|access-date=July 28, 2016|agency=Philippine News Service|publisher=Samar News|date=December 21, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035824/http://www.samarnews.com/News_clips/news5.htm|archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref> The river meanders along its course, ever changing its way over time.<ref>[http://www.pia.gov.ph/Default.asp?m=11&sec=archive&r=ALL&sp=10&fi=p061004.htm&no=27 PIA Information Services – Philippine Information Agency<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080210055303/http://www.pia.gov.ph/Default.asp?m=11&sec=archive&r=ALL&sp=10&fi=p061004.htm&no=27 |date=February 10, 2008 }}</ref> During the time it floods, it destroys every side of its course. In 2001, portions of the road and banks in Barangay San Miguel along the river were destroyed,<ref name="SogodBay-Geocities" /> including part of the Philippine National Road. Local officials blamed the re[[River engineering#Channelization|channelization]] and uncontrolled [[quarry]]ing of gravel and sand at the side of the river as the cause of the flood.<ref name="ManilaStandardToday-Landslide">{{cite news|last1=Veridiano|first1=Ben M.|title=Landslides kill 200 in SLeyte|url=http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=news01_dec21_2003|access-date=July 28, 2016|work=Manila Standard Today|agency=AP, Reuters|date=December 21, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080209212611/http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=news01_dec21_2003|archive-date=February 9, 2008}}</ref> At a meeting on March 18, 2002, one of the representatives of a government agency alleged that the reason of the incidents of flood and other environmental problems in the river was due to the "Philippine Fault" which caused rocks to rumble down. However, the reason was contended because the [[Fault (geology)|fault]] is a geological feature and environmental problems in the province just occurred that time.<ref name="SogodBay-Geocities" />

Along with other mountain forms in the province, [[Mount Nacolod]] in Hinunangan town has the highest peak with an elevation of {{convert|948|m}} above [[sea level]]. Young [[volcanic rocks]] are discovered in the terrain areas, which cover the top of the southern mountain ranges of [[Mount Cabalian]] in the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] Area and [[Mount Nelangcapan]] in Panaon Area.<ref name="NSCBGovPH-RU8" />

The province lies within the [[Philippine Fault System]]. The major fault lines traverse the municipalities of Sogod, [[Libagon, Southern Leyte|Libagon]], [[Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte|Saint Bernard]] and [[San Juan, Southern Leyte|San Juan]] to [[Panaon Island]]. Based on [[Mines and Geosciences Bureau]] Region 8 data, these areas had experienced strong [[earthquake]]s in 1907 and 1948 with a magnitude of 6.9 and on July 5, 1984, with a 6.4 [[Richter magnitude scale|scale]].<ref name="NSCBGovPH-RU8" /> The Mines and Geosciences Bureau warned that Southern Leyte's [[Nature|natural]] and [[Geology|geological]] features make it susceptible to landslides and floodings.<ref name="TaipeiTimes-Landslide">{{cite news|title=Geologists had warned on Leyte mudslide danger|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2006/02/19/2003293690|access-date=July 28, 2016|work=Taipei Times|date=February 19, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060627164032/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2006/02/19/2003293690|archive-date=June 27, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref> The affiliated group stated that there are four contributory reasons: unusually heavy rains; numerous faults and badly broken rocks; steep slopes; and absence of effective vegetative cover.<ref name="Haribon" />

The province has numerous types of [[soil]]. Soil types within the Maasin Clay, Guimbalaon Clay, Himay-angan Clay, Bolinao Clay, Quingua Clay and Malitbog Clay series serve as raw materials for [[ceramic]]s and [[pottery]] made by local residents.{{citation needed|date=August 2016}}

=== Climate ===
Southern Leyte has two types of climate according to the Coronas Classification. These are Type II and Type IV.

Type II is characterized by the absence of dry season with a very pronounced maximum rain period occurring from November to January. This type prevails in the eastern half of the province that includes the municipality of Sogod, Libagon, Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuyan, San Ricardo, Saint Bernard, San Juan, Anahawan, Hinundayan, Hinunangan and Silago. On the other hand, Type IV has a rainfall that is more or less evenly distributed throughout the year. This type prevails in the western part of the province that includes the City of Maasin and the municipalities of Macrohon, Padre Burgos, Limasawa, Malitbog, Tomas Oppus, Bontoc and little part of Sogod.

In 2004, the province recorded a maximum [[temperature]] of {{convert|30.95|C|F}} and a minimum temperature of {{convert|24.09|C|F}}. In addition, mean minimum temperature was {{convert|25.24|C|F}}. The province has 163 rainy days per year and total rainfall of {{convert|1729.20|mm|in}}.

=== Vegetation and biodiversity ===
[[File:Blue-Spotted Stingray.png|thumb|A [[Neotrygon kuhlii|bluespotted stingray]] seen in the coasts of the province]]

Inhabitants of the province plant [[rice]], [[Maize|white corn]], [[banana]]s, [[Root vegetable|root crops]], [[sugar cane]], [[coconut]] and [[abacá]].<ref name="LPPSec" /> They also plant various types of vegetables.<ref name="DED-SouthernLeyte">{{cite news|last1=Quilantang|first1=Chichi K.|title=The potential of Southern Leyte's Vegetable Industry|url=http://philippinen.ded.de/cipp/ded/custom/pub/content,lang,2/oid,1738/ticket,g_u_e_s_t/~/The_potential_of_Southern_Leyte_s_Vegetable_Industry.html|access-date=July 28, 2016|publisher=Deutscher Entwicklungsdienst|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060821182302/http://philippinen.ded.de/cipp/ded/custom/pub/content,lang,2/oid,1738/ticket,g_u_e_s_t/~/The_potential_of_Southern_Leyte_s_Vegetable_Industry.html|archive-date=August 21, 2006}}</ref>

A three-year project was established in [[Sogod Bay]] conducted by the ''Southern Leyte Coral Reef Conservation Project'' (SLCRCP) to surveyed coral reefs in the area. The undertaking was to provide local residents educational opportunities to have knowledge on protecting the province's biodiversity as well as to have a long-term sustainability.<ref name="CoralCayOrg">{{cite news|title=Southern Leyte Coral Reef Conservation Project: July 2006 update|url=http://www.coralcay.org/archives/monthly_project_updates/southern_leyte_6.php|access-date=July 28, 2016|publisher=Coral Cay Conservation|date=August 11, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516035112/http://www.coralcay.org/archives/monthly_project_updates/southern_leyte_6.php|archive-date=May 16, 2008}}</ref>

=== Administrative divisions ===
Southern Leyte is subdivided into 18 [[Municipality of the Philippines|municipalities]] and 1 [[Cities of the Philippines|city]], all encompassed by a [[Legislative district of Southern Leyte|double legislative districts]] and further subdivided into 500 [[barangay]]s.{{PSGC detail|nscb}}

The province originally comprised 16 [[Municipality of the Philippines|municipalities]] and 349 [[barangay]]s, with four islands: [[Panaon Island]], [[Limasawa, Southern Leyte|Limasawa Island]], San Pedro Island and San Pablo Island.<ref name="NSCBGovPH-RU8" /> After the inauguration of the province, three more municipalities were subsequently created: ''San Ricardo'' from Pintuyan, ''Tomas Oppus'' from Malitbog and ''Limasawa'' from Padre Burgos.

In 2000, [[Maasin City|Maasin]] was converted into a [[capital city|city]] as capital of Southern Leyte.<ref name="CongressGovPH-RA8796">{{cite web|title=Republic Act No. 8796 – An Act Converting the Municipality of Maasin into a Component City of the Province of Southern Leyte to be Known as the City of Maasin |url=http://www.congress.gov.ph/download/ra_11/RA08796.pdf |website=House of Representatives of the Philippines |access-date=April 17, 2016 |date=July 11, 2000 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303193848/http://www.congress.gov.ph/download/ra_11/RA08796.pdf |archive-date=March 3, 2016 }}</ref> The remaining component municipality classes ranges from 2nd to 5th level in the province. From 2nd class belongs [[Sogod, Southern Leyte|Sogod]] municipality which is the center of [[trade]], [[commerce]] and [[Industrial sector|industry]] among municipalities within the Sogod Bay. [[Hinunangan, Southern Leyte|Hinunangan]], which holds the distinction as the "Rice Granary of the Province" for its vast [[plain]] land that is entirely planted with [[rice]], [[Liloan, Southern Leyte|Liloan]], [[Malitbog, Southern Leyte|Malitbog]], [[Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte|Saint Bernard]], and [[Macrohon, Southern Leyte|Macrohon]], are in the 4th level. The remaining municipalities—[[Anahawan, Southern Leyte|Anahawan]], [[Hinundayan, Southern Leyte|Hinundayan]], [[Libagon, Southern Leyte|Libagon]], [[Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte|Padre Burgos]], [[Pintuyan, Southern Leyte|Pintuyan]], [[San Francisco, Southern Leyte|San Francisco]], [[San Juan, Southern Leyte|San Juan]] (formerly Cabalian), [[San Ricardo, Southern Leyte|San Ricardo]], [[Silago, Southern Leyte|Silago]], [[Tomas Oppus, Southern Leyte|Tomas Oppus]] and [[Limasawa, Southern Leyte|Limasawa]], a component island to the south—are under 5th level.
[[File:Ph fil southern leyte.png|thumb|upright=0.9|{{center|Political divisions}}]]

{{col-begin|width=auto}}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="table-layout:fixed;text-align:right;background-color:white;font-size:95%;border-collapse:collapse;"
! scope="col" style="border-width:thin 0 0 thin;" class="unsortable" rowspan="2" |
! scope="col" style="border-width:thin 0 0 0;text-align:left;padding-right:1.5em;" class="unsortable" colspan="2" | City {{small|or}} municipality{{thinsp}}{{efn-lr|name=FormerName}}{{efn-lr|name=Coord}}
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:0;text-align:center;" class="unsortable" colspan="3" | Population
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:0;text-align:center;" class="unsortable" | {{PSGC rubric}}
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:0;text-align:center;" class="unsortable" colspan="2" | Area{{PSGC detail|nscb}}
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:0;text-align:center;" class="unsortable" colspan="2" | Density{{thinsp}}{{small|(2020)}}
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:0;text-align:center;" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Barangay|Total number of barangays}}
|-
! style="border-width:0 thin thin 0;" colspan="2" |
! style="border-width:0 0 thin thin;text-align:center;" colspan="2" | {{small|(2020)}}{{PH census|2020|08}}
! style="border-width:0 thin thin 0;text-align:center;" | {{small|(2015)}}{{PH census|2015|08}}
! style="border-top:0;" |
! style="border-width:0 0 thin thin;text-align:center;" | km<sup>2</sup>
! style="border-width:0 thin thin 0;text-align:center;" class="unsortable" | {{nowrap|sq{{thinsp}}mi}}
! style="border-width:0 0 thin thin;text-align:center;" | /km<sup>2</sup>
! style="border-width:0 thin thin 0;text-align:center;" class="unsortable" | {{nowrap|/sq{{thinsp}}mi}}
! style="border-top:0;" |
|-
! scope="row" style="border-right:0;background-color:initial;" | {{coord|10.2740|N|125.2578|E|name=Anahawan|region:PH-SLE_type:city|format=hidden}}
| style="text-align:left;font-weight:bold;border-left:0;" colspan="2" | [[Anahawan, Southern Leyte|Anahawan]]
| {{percent and number|8,429|429,573|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 8,211
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|8,429|2015.3315|8,211}}
| {{convert|58.09|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|8,429/58.09|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 14
|-
! scope="row" style="border-right:0;background-color:initial;" | {{coord|10.3559|N|124.9693|E|name=Bontoc|region:PH-SLE_type:city|format=hidden}}
| style="text-align:left;font-weight:bold;border-left:0;" colspan="2" | [[Bontoc, Southern Leyte|Bontoc]]
| {{percent and number|29,799|429,573|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 28,905
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|29,799|2015.3315|28,905}}
| {{convert|102.10|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|29,799/102.10|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 40
|-
! scope="row" style="border-right:0;background-color:initial;" | {{coord|10.3946|N|125.1985|E|name=Hinunangan|region:PH-SLE_type:city|format=hidden}}
| style="text-align:left;font-weight:bold;border-left:0;" colspan="2" | [[Hinunangan, Southern Leyte|Hinunangan]]
| {{percent and number|29,149|429,573|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 29,976
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|29,149|2015.3315|29,976}}
| {{convert|170.58|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|29,149/170.58|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 40
|-
! scope="row" style="border-right:0;background-color:initial;" | {{coord|10.3511|N|125.2510|E|name=Hinundayan|region:PH-SLE_type:city|format=hidden}}
| style="text-align:left;font-weight:bold;border-left:0;" colspan="2" | [[Hinundayan, Southern Leyte|Hinundayan]]
| {{percent and number|12,398|429,573|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 12,285
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|12,398|2015.3315|12,285}}
| {{convert|59.90|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|12,398/59.90|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 17
|-
! scope="row" style="border-right:0;background-color:initial;" | {{coord|10.2968|N|125.0505|E|name=Libagon|region:PH-SLE_type:city|format=hidden}}
| style="text-align:left;font-weight:bold;border-left:0;" colspan="2" | [[Libagon, Southern Leyte|Libagon]]
| {{percent and number|15,244|429,573|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 15,169
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|15,244|2015.3315|15,169}}
| {{convert|98.62|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|15,244/98.62|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 14
|-
! scope="row" style="border-right:0;background-color:initial;" | {{coord|10.1581|N|125.1253|E|name=Liloan|region:PH-SLE_type:city|format=hidden}}
| style="text-align:left;font-weight:bold;border-left:0;" colspan="2" | [[Liloan, Southern Leyte|Liloan]]
| {{percent and number|24,800|429,573|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 23,981
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|24,800|2015.3315|23,981}}
| {{convert|50.30|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|24,800/50.30|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 24
|-
! scope="row" style="border-right:0;background-color:initial;" | {{coord|9.9243|N|125.0744|E|name=Limasawa|region:PH-SLE_type:city|format=hidden}}
| style="text-align:left;font-weight:bold;border-left:0;" colspan="2" | [[Limasawa]]
| {{percent and number|6,191|429,573|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 6,061
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|6,191|2015.3315|6,061}}
| {{convert|6.98|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|6,191/6.98|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 6
|-
! scope="row" style="border-width:medium 0 medium medium;background-color:initial;" | {{coord|10.1335|N|124.8460|E|name=Maasin|region:PH-SLE_type:city|format=hidden}}
| style="text-align:left;font-weight:bold;border-width:medium 0 medium;" | [[Maasin|Maasin City]]
| style="border-width:medium medium medium 0;text-align:center;" | †
| {{percent and number|87,446|429,573|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 85,560
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|87,446|2015.3315|85,560}}
| {{convert|211.71|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|87,446/211.71|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 70
|-
! scope="row" style="border-right:0;background-color:initial;" | {{coord|10.0766|N|124.9401|E|name=Macrohon|region:PH-SLE_type:city|format=hidden}}
| style="text-align:left;font-weight:bold;border-left:0;" colspan="2" | [[Macrohon, Southern Leyte|Macrohon]]
| {{percent and number|26,580|429,573|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 26,244
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|26,580|2015.3315|26,244}}
| {{convert|126.39|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|26,580/126.39|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 30
|-
! scope="row" style="border-right:0;background-color:initial;" | {{coord|10.1581|N|125.0012|E|name=Malitbog|region:PH-SLE_type:city|format=hidden}}
| style="text-align:left;font-weight:bold;border-left:0;" colspan="2" | [[Malitbog, Southern Leyte|Malitbog]]
| {{percent and number|23,256|429,573|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 22,923
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|23,256|2015.3315|22,923}}
| {{convert|74.97|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|23,256/74.97|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 37
|-
! scope="row" style="border-right:0;background-color:initial;" | {{coord|10.0296|N|125.0170|E|name=Padre Burgos|region:PH-SLE_type:city|format=hidden}}
| style="text-align:left;font-weight:bold;border-left:0;" colspan="2" | [[Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte|Padre Burgos]]
| {{percent and number|11,159|429,573|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 11,091
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|11,159|2015.3315|11,091}}
| {{convert|25.65|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|11,159/25.65|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 11
|-
! scope="row" style="border-right:0;background-color:initial;" | {{coord|9.9446|N|125.2492|E|name=Pintuyan|region:PH-SLE_type:city|format=hidden}}
| style="text-align:left;font-weight:bold;border-left:0;" colspan="2" | [[Pintuyan, Southern Leyte|Pintuyan]]
| {{percent and number|10,202|429,573|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 9,826
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|10,202|2015.3315|9,826}}
| {{convert|36.98|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|10,202/36.98|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 23
|-
! scope="row" style="border-right:0;background-color:initial;" | {{coord|10.2801|N|125.1383|E|name=Saint Bernard|region:PH-SLE_type:city|format=hidden}}
| style="text-align:left;font-weight:bold;border-left:0;" colspan="2" | [[Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte|Saint Bernard]]
| {{percent and number|28,414|429,573|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 28,395
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|28,414|2015.3315|28,395}}
| {{convert|100.20|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|28,414/100.20|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 30
|-
! scope="row" style="border-right:0;background-color:initial;" | {{coord|10.0575|N|125.1576|E|name=San Francisco|region:PH-SLE_type:city|format=hidden}}
| style="text-align:left;font-weight:bold;border-left:0;" colspan="2" | [[San Francisco, Southern Leyte|San Francisco]]
| {{percent and number|13,436|429,573|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 13,402
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|13,436|2015.3315|13,402}}
| {{convert|68.60|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|13,436/68.60|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 22
|-
! scope="row" style="border-right:0;background-color:initial;" | {{coord|10.2641|N|125.1735|E|name=San Juan|region:PH-SLE_type:city|format=hidden}}
| style="text-align:left;font-weight:bold;border-left:0;" colspan="2" | [[San Juan, Southern Leyte|San Juan]]&nbsp;{{small|(''Cabalian'')}}
| {{percent and number|14,912|429,573|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 14,858
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|14,912|2015.3315|14,858}}
| {{convert|96.12|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|14,912/96.12|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 18
|-
! scope="row" style="border-right:0;background-color:initial;" | {{coord|9.9130|N|125.2763|E|name=San Ricardo|region:PH-SLE_type:city|format=hidden}}
| style="text-align:left;font-weight:bold;border-left:0;" colspan="2" | [[San Ricardo, Southern Leyte|San Ricardo]]
| {{percent and number|10,500|429,573|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 10,494
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|10,500|2015.3315|10,494}}
| {{convert|47.56|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|10,500/47.56|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 15
|-
! scope="row" style="border-right:0;background-color:initial;" | {{coord|10.5284|N|125.1627|E|name=Silago|region:PH-SLE_type:city|format=hidden}}
| style="text-align:left;font-weight:bold;border-left:0;" colspan="2" | [[Silago, Southern Leyte|Silago]]
| {{percent and number|13,116|429,573|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 12,775
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|13,116|2015.3315|12,775}}
| {{convert|215.05|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|13,116/215.05|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 15
|-
! scope="row" style="border-right:0;background-color:initial;" | {{coord|10.3856|N|124.9806|E|name=Sogod|region:PH-SLE_type:city|format=hidden}}
| style="text-align:left;font-weight:bold;border-left:0;" colspan="2" | [[Sogod, Southern Leyte|Sogod]]
| {{percent and number|47,552|429,573|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 44,986
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|47,552|2015.3315|44,986}}
| {{convert|192.70|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|47,552/192.70|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 45
|-
! scope="row" style="border-right:0;background-color:initial;" | {{coord|10.2548|N|124.9856|E|name=Tomas Oppus|region:PH-SLE_type:city|format=hidden}}
| style="text-align:left;font-weight:bold;border-left:0;" colspan="2" | [[Tomas Oppus, Southern Leyte|Tomas Oppus]]
| {{percent and number|16,990|429,573|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 16,608
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|16,990|2015.3315|16,608}}
| {{convert|56.11|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|16,990/56.11|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 29
|- class="sortbottom"
! scope="row" style="border-right:0;" |
! colspan="3" style="border-left:0;text-align:left;font-size:medium;font-variant:small-caps;letter-spacing:0.05em;" | Total
! style="text-align:right;" | 429,573 
! style="text-align:right;" | 421,750
! style="text-align:right;" | {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|429,573|2015.3315|421,750}}
! style="text-align:right;" | 1,798.61
! style="text-align:right;" | {{convert|1798.61|km2|disp=number|2}}
! style="text-align:right;" | {{sigfig|429,573/1,798.61|2}}
! style="text-align:right;" | {{convert|{{sigfig|429,573/1,798.61|2}}|PD/km2|disp=number}}
! style="text-align:center;" | 500
|- class="sortbottom" style="background-color:#F2F2F2;line-height:1.3em;border-top:double gray;"
| colspan="2" style="border-width:thin 0 0 thin;" |
| colspan="5" style="border-width:thin 0 0 0;text-align:center;padding:0.7em 0;" | {{Color box|white|†|border=darkgray}}{{thinsp}}Provincial&nbsp;capital and component&nbsp;city
| colspan="6" style="border-width:thin 0 0 0;text-align:left;padding:0.7em 0;" | {{Color box|white|border=darkgray}}{{thinsp}}Municipality
|- class="sortbottom" style="background-color:#F2F2F2;line-height:1.3em;font-size:110%;"
| colspan="13" style="border-top:0;text-align:left;padding:0 12em;" |
{{notelist-lr|refs=
{{efn-lr|name=FormerName|Former names are ''italicized''.}}
{{efn-lr|name=Coord|The ''globe''&nbsp;[[File:WMA button2b.png|frameless|upright=0.1]] icon marks the [[town center|city/town&nbsp;center]].}}
}}
|}
{{col-break}}
{{col-end}}

== Demographics ==
[[File:Southern Leyte Population.png|thumb|right|A graphical presentation of Southern Leyte's 1903–2000 population depicting the negative growth rate in 1999{{nbhyph}}2000 records]]

{{Philippine Census
| align= none
| cols = 3
| title= Population census of {{PH wikidata|name}}
| 1903 = {{PH census population|1903}}
| 1918 = {{PH census population|1918}}
| 1939 = {{PH census population|1939}}
| 1948 = {{PH census population|1948}}
| 1960 = {{PH census population|1960}}
| 1970 = {{PH census population|1970}}
| 1975 = {{PH census population|1975}}
| 1980 = {{PH census population|1980}}
| 1990 = {{PH census population|1990}}
| 1995 = {{PH census population|1995}}
| 2000 = {{PH census population|2000}}
| 2007 = {{PH census population|2007}}
| 2010 = {{PH census population|2010}}
| 2015 = {{PH census population|2015}}
| 2020 = {{PH census population|2020}}
| 2025 = 
| 2030 = 
| footnote = Source: Philippine Statistics Authority{{PH census|2015|08}}{{PH census|2010|08}}{{PH census|2010}}
}}

The population of Southern Leyte in the 2020 census was 429,573 people,{{PH census|current|08}} with a density of {{convert|{{sigfig|429,573/1,798.61|2}}|PD/km2|disp=or}}.

The 1980 national [[census]] recorded the province of Southern Leyte with a population of 296,294 from the historic record in 1903 of 72,369. In 1990, the population of the province increased to 321,940 which was caused by [[Human migration|in-migration]] and increasing rate of birth over death. In 2000, population increased to 360,160 with a rate of 2.73 from the negative growth rate recorded in 1995 period with 317,565.<ref name="CensusGovPH-2000">{{cite web|title=Southern Leyte: from Negative to a Positive Growth Rate in the Late 90S|url=https://www.census.gov.ph/data/pressrelease/2002/pr02122tx.html|website=Philippine Statistics Authority|access-date=July 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207124606/http://www.census.gov.ph/data/pressrelease/2002/pr02122tx.html|archive-date=February 7, 2012|date=September 3, 2002}}</ref> The sudden decrease of the 1995 records was due to the late census in the province. While regular censuses were done in May where most of the students were at their respective places of residence, in 1995 the census of the population was done in September where the students were out for schooling in nearby provinces. The decrease in population was also, theoretically, attributed to [[Urbanization|out-migration]] of the rural population to cities to seek better employment and livelihood opportunities. A corresponding increase on the number of households was also recorded at 72,894 households higher by 7,327 households over the 1995 figure. Southern Leyte ranked fifth in terms of population among the six provinces in [[Eastern Visayas]] with 9.98 percent of the 3.6&nbsp;million persons of the region. On the contrary, it was the fastest-growing province in the region. At the national level, the province contributed 0.47 percent to the total population of the Philippines with 76.5&nbsp;million.<ref name="CensusGovPH-2000" />

=== Ethnicity ===
{{bar box
| title    = Population by ethnicity (2000)<ref name="CensusGovPH-2000" />
| titlebar = #CCCCFF
| left1    = Ethnicity
| right2   = Number
| barwidth = 6.5em
| float    = right
| bars     = 
{{bar pixel | [[Visayan people|Bisaya]]    | #000040| 80.74| | {{number and percent | 290,460 | 359,738 | 2}} }}
{{bar pixel | [[Boholano people|Boholano]] | #404070| 12.64| | {{number and percent |  45,458 | 359,738 | 2}} }}
{{bar pixel | [[Cebuano people|Cebuano]]   | #707094|  5.15| | {{number and percent |  18,543 | 359,738 | 2}} }}
{{bar pixel | [[Waray people|Waray]]   | #C3C3D2|  0.20| | {{number and percent |     711 | 359,738 | 2 | pad=yes}} }}
{{bar pixel | [[Tagalog people|Tagalog]]       | #D2D2DE|  0.15| | {{number and percent |     536 | 359,738 | 2}} }}
{{bar gap|<hr/>}}
{{bar pixel | ''Others''                   | #9494AF|  0.75| | {{number and percent |   2,689 | 359,738 | 2}} }}
{{bar pixel | ''Other foreign ethnicity''  | #DEDEE6|  0.02| | {{number and percent |      76 | 359,738 | 2}} }}
{{bar pixel | ''Not Reported''             | #AFAFC3|  0.35| | {{number and percent |   1,265 | 359,738 | 2}} }}
}}

According to the 2000 census survey, of the total provincial population of 359,738, about {{percent and number|290,460|359,738|2}} were [[Visayan people|Bisaya]], {{percent and number|45,458|359,738|2}} [[Boholano people|Boholano]], {{percent and number|18,543|359,738|2}} [[Cebuano people|Cebuano]], {{percent and number|711|359,738|2}} [[Tagalog people|Tagalogs]], and {{percent and number|536|359,738|2}} [[Waray people|Waray]].<ref name="CensusGovPH-2000" />

In [[Panaon island|Panaon]], an island situated in the southernmost part of the province, a certain [[Indigenous peoples|aboriginal]] folk are found locally known as ''kongking'' or variously called ''mamanwa'' which means "[[mountain people]]".<ref name="NCCAGovPH-Mamanwa">{{cite web|title=Mamanwa|url=http://www.ncca.gov.ph/about_cultarts/ebook_subcont.php?subcont_Id=76|website=National Commission for Culture and the Arts|access-date=July 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080321185101/http://www.ncca.gov.ph/about_cultarts/ebook_subcont.php?subcont_Id=76|archive-date=March 21, 2008}}</ref> They were believed to be migrants from [[Mindanao]], inhabiting the portions of [[Agusan River|Agusan]], after their migration from the island to evade militarization and the logging/mining corporations’ intrusion to their ancestral domains in the early 1980s.<ref name="Bulatlat-Landslide">{{cite news|last1=Arpon|first1=Johann Hein B.|title=Victims of the Killer Landslide|url=http://www.bulatlat.com/news/6-9/6-9-killer.htm|access-date=July 28, 2016|work=Bulatlat|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080210045018/http://www.bulatlat.com/news/6-9/6-9-killer.htm|archive-date=February 10, 2008}}</ref><ref name="MaasinCityCom">{{cite web|title=Places of Interest|url=http://www.maasincity.com/places-of-interest.htm|website=MaasinCity.com|access-date=July 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100424202653/http://www.maasincity.com/places-of-interest.htm|archive-date=April 24, 2010}}</ref> They have a dark complexion and curly hair, and they are short in stature. Hunting and gathering, mat weaving and rattan craft are among the main economic activities of the ''Mamanwas'', so they prefer to inhabit the forested areas in the newfound Southern Leyte mountains. However, they were again displaced by the recent landslides in the province.<ref name="Bulatlat-Landslide" />

=== Language ===
The [[First language|native language]] is a [[Boholano dialect]] variant of [[Cebuano language|Cebuano]]. [[Waray language|Waray]] is sometimes spoken (concentrated in some barrios near Waray speaking towns such as [[Abuyog]] and [[Mahaplag]]), while [[Tagalog language|Tagalog]] and English are used as second languages. [[Kinabalian]], a type of "rare, unique language", is spoken alongside [[Cebuano language|Cebuano]] in the towns of [[San Juan, Southern Leyte|San Juan]] and [[Anahawan, Southern Leyte|Anahawan]].

=== Religion ===
[[File:Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral.png|thumb|Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral in [[Maasin]]]]

[[Limasawa, Southern Leyte|Limasawa]], an island municipality to the south, is believed to be the site of the [[First Mass in the Philippines|first Christian mass]] in Philippine soil and the birthplace of [[Christianity in the Philippines]], when [[Ferdinand Magellan]], a [[Portugal|Portuguese]] [[navigator]] and [[explorer]] landed on March 28, 1521. The first Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was held on March 31, 1521, led by Friar Pedro de Valderrama, the chaplain of [[Ferdinand Magellan]] during the expedition. The mass marked the start of Christian propagation.<ref name="SSPXAsiaCom">{{cite web|title=A short Philippine History before the 1898 Revolution|url=http://sspxasia.com/Newsletters/2001/Oct-Dec/A_short_Philippine_History.htm|website=Society of St. Pius X in Asia|access-date=July 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705001655/http://sspxasia.com/Newsletters/2001/Oct-Dec/A_short_Philippine_History.htm|archive-date=July 5, 2016|date=2001}}</ref>

== Culture ==

=== Beliefs ===
Although most people are Christians, a very few who live in remote villages of the province hold on to pre-Hispanic influences and make offerings and sacrifices before planting their crops. Farmers ritually sacrifice chickens and pigs to ensure that the spirits or elementals which they believe to be the cause of good harvest will grant them one.<ref name="LPPSec">{{cite web|title=The Provincial Profile of Southern Leyte|url=http://www.geocities.com/lppsec/pp/sleyte.htm|website=Philippine Provincial Profile (Geocities)|access-date=July 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040925075946/http://www.geocities.com/lppsec/pp/sleyte.htm|archive-date=September 25, 2004}}</ref>

=== Religious events ===
''Fiesta'', a Spanish term meaning "festivity", is celebrated in the province with [[prayer]], food, drinking, dance and music. Every barangay of every town in the province has its own celebration date. For instance, [[Hinunangan, Southern Leyte|Hinunangan]] celebrates a town fiesta on the June 29 with the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Fluvial boat parade the day before.<ref name="SelectPhilippinesCom">{{cite web|title=Southern Leyte Philippines|url=http://www.selectphilippines.com/southern-leyte-philippines.html|website=Select Philippines|access-date=July 28, 2016|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061005135556/http://www.selectphilippines.com/southern-leyte-philippines.html|archive-date=October 5, 2006}}</ref> The ''kuratsa'' – a [[courtship]] dance-drama – highlights every occasion.<ref name="NCCAGovPH-SamarLeyte">{{cite web|last1=Dorado-Alegre|first1=Joycie|title=The Islands of Leyte and Samar|url=http://www.ncca.gov.ph/about_cultarts/comarticles.php?artcl_Id=249|website=National Commission for Culture and the Arts|access-date=July 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080210040123/http://www.ncca.gov.ph/about_cultarts/comarticles.php?artcl_Id=249|archive-date=February 10, 2008}}</ref>

The province also holds its own festivals. "Sinulog sa malitbog" is an annual [[Religion|religious]] street pageant in [[Malitbog, Southern Leyte|Malitbog]] to pay homage to the Holy Child Jesus ([[Santo Niño de Cebú|Santo Niño]]), the town's [[patron saint]]. Similarly, the historic and religious coming of the Spaniards is commemorated every March 31 in [[Limasawa, Southern Leyte|Limasawa]] with a cultural presentation and anniversary program dubbed "Sinugdan", meaning "beginning."<ref name="WOWPhilippines-SouthernLeyte">{{cite web|title=Southern Leyte Is Famous For...|url=http://www.tourism.gov.ph/explore_phil/place_details.asp?content=famousefor&province=47|website=WOW Philippines|access-date=July 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080212082527/http://www.tourism.gov.ph/explore_phil/place_details.asp?content=famousefor&province=47|archive-date=February 12, 2008}}</ref> Other festivals held in the province to highlight events are the ''Pagkamugna Festival'' and ''Pabulhon Festival'' in Maasin, ''Karomata Festival'' in Beunavista, [[Pintuyan, Southern Leyte|Pintuyan]], ''Tangka-tangka Festival'' in Tangkaan, [[Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte|Padre Burgos]] and ''Manha{{nbhyph}}on Festival'' in [[Macrohon, Southern Leyte|Macrohon]].

== Economy ==
{{stack|float=left|{{PH poverty incidence}}}}

=== Farming ===

==== Coconut ====
Most of the people in Southern Leyte go into coconut planting, a widely distributed industry, especially in mountainous and even plain regions. The GIZ of the German Development Cooperation has embarked on a value chain study on one of the most important products in Region 8 – the coconut, particularly in [[Leyte]] and Southern Leyte.<ref name="VisayasWOWPhilippines">{{cite news|last1=Martin|first1=Bob|title=German council embarks on Region 8 value chain study on coconut|url=http://visayas.wowphilippines.com/leyte/2006/11/20/german-council-embarks-on-region-8-value-chain-study-on-coconut/|access-date=July 28, 2016|publisher=Nov 20, 2006|date=November 20, 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216161632/http://visayas.wowphilippines.com/leyte/2006/11/20/german-council-embarks-on-region-8-value-chain-study-on-coconut/|archive-date=February 16, 2008}}</ref>

In the year 2004, a beetle pest threatened the Philippine coconut industry including [[Visayas]]. ''[[Brontispa longissima]]'' causes great damage to seedlings and mature coconut trees and ornamental palms, killing the young spears and eventually the entire trees.<ref name="LuzonWOWPhilippines">{{cite news|last1=Martin|first1=Bob|title=Beetle threatens survival of RP's coconut industry|url=http://luzon.wowphilippines.com/laguna/2007/08/17/beetle-threatens-survival-of-rp%E2%80%99s-coconut-industry/|access-date=July 28, 2016|date=August 17, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216160948/http://luzon.wowphilippines.com/laguna/2007/08/17/beetle-threatens-survival-of-rp%E2%80%99s-coconut-industry/|archive-date=February 16, 2008}}</ref>

==== Abaca ====
People in Southern Leyte also go into [[Abacá|abaca]] planting. The province is one of the major producer of abaca fiber in the country along with [[Catanduanes]], [[Leyte]], [[Davao Oriental]], [[Northern Samar]], [[Sorsogon]], [[Sulu Province|Sulu]], [[Davao del Sur]], and [[Surigao del Sur]]. The fibers from Leyte and the province are recognized as having the best quality.<ref name="NewsFlashOrg-Abaca">{{cite news|last1=Felix|first1=Rocel C.|title=Genetic Engineering Eyed to Solve Problems of Abaca Industry|url=http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/si/si002157.htm|access-date=July 28, 2016|work=NewsFlash.org|publisher=STAR|date=April 7, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303165222/http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/si/si002157.htm|archive-date=March 3, 2016}}</ref> On the year 1990 to 1999, Southern Leyte produced abaca with a rate of 17 percent.<ref name="DAGovPH-Agribiz">{{cite news|title=Abaca Industry Situationer Report|url=http://www.da.gov.ph/agribiz/abaca_new.html|access-date=July 28, 2016|publisher=Department of Agriculture – Agribusiness and Marketing Assistant Service|archive-url=https://archive.today/20020819041643/http://www.da.gov.ph/agribiz/abaca_new.html|archive-date=August 19, 2002}}</ref>

In 2003, ''[[Abaca bunchy top virus]]'' threatened the abaca industry in the province. Almost all of the abaca-producing municipalities in the area namely [[Maasin]], [[Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte|Padre Burgos]], [[Malitbog, Southern Leyte|Malitbog]], [[Tomas Oppus]], [[Bontoc, Southern Leyte|Bontoc]], [[Sogod, Southern Leyte|Sogod]], [[Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte|St. Bernard]], [[San Juan, Southern Leyte|San Juan]], [[Hinunangan]] and [[Silago]] were greatly affected by the deadly virus except from the municipalities at [[Panaon Island]]. Eighty percent of the province's abaca, particularly in Sogod town, was greatly affected while Maasin was estimated to suffer about 30 percent in damages.<ref name="PIAGovPH-Abaca">{{Cite web|url=http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&sec=reader&rp=1&fi=p061030.htm&no=8&date=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070505075815/http://pia.gov.ph/?m=12&sec=reader&rp=1&fi=p061030.htm&no=8&date=|publisher=PIA Information Services – Philippine Information Agency|date=October 30, 2006|title=Bunchy top virus in Southern Leyte scales down abaca production|author=Erna S. Gorne|archive-date=May 5, 2007}}</ref>

=== Tourism ===
Some 200,000 tourists visit Southern Leyte each year.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}}

Domestic tourism is mostly those wishing to enjoy the sandy beaches, hotels and resorts along the coastline. Significant numbers also visit for religious festivals such as [[Sinulog]] and [[Limasawa, Southern Leyte|Limasawa]].

Most international travelers visit Southern Leyte for reef [[Underwater diving|diving]] and [[snorkeling]], from just outside [[Maasin]] City, all the way around [[Sogod Bay]] via [[Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte|Padre Burgos]]. There are also an increasing number of non-divers who come to see the [[whale shark]]s between October and April.

In recent years{{When|date=December 2019}} there has been a drive to promote tourism in the region.{{Citation needed|date=December 2019}} There is a Zoo and Wildlife Park in Barangay Danao in Maasin. In Sogod, a zip line exists over the [[Agas-Agas Bridge|highest bridge]] in the Philippines.

With this increase in numbers, there is a selection of new{{When|date=December 2019}} hotels along the coast.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.southernleyte.ph/tourism-in-southern-leyte.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925070251/http://www.southernleyte.ph/tourism-in-southern-leyte.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 25, 2011 |title=Tourism in Southern Leyte |publisher=SouthernLeyte.com |access-date=September 10, 2012 }}</ref>

=== Industries ===
Abaca fiber helps livelihood in the province. Women in the selected areas go into abaca-based handicrafts, which is widely known in the area as ''tagak'' or spooled abaca fiber. Natives usually called it as ''tinagak'' or continuous spooled abaca fiber. The half-finished product is then made into ''sinamay'' or hand woven clothe out of ''tinagak'' ready to be made into other ''sinamay''{{nbhyph}}based products.<ref name="SunshinePhilippinesBlogSpot">{{cite web|last1=Subang|first1=Jane|title=Poverty-free zones in Southern Leyte|url=http://sunshinephilippines.blogspot.com/2005_07_01_archive.html|website=Philippine Ventures & Destinations (Blogspot)|access-date=July 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708064528/http://sunshinephilippines.blogspot.com/2005_07_01_archive.html|archive-date=July 8, 2011|date=July 27, 2005}}</ref> Products are being exported by [[Leyte]] to Japan. Because of a wide distribution of an industry called ''tagak'', provincial sectors taught farmers on how to cultivate a suitable variety locally called ''laylay''.

In Bontoc, a project was successfully established with a mudcrab hatchery with eleven hatchery tanks at the RKKMAFTI Compound. Initially, 25 spawners are being worked-on by the project.<ref name="Region8DOSTGovPH">{{cite web|title=2002 Annual Report; Highlights of Accomplishments|url=http://region8.dost.gov.ph/AR-afma.htm|website=Department of Science and Technology- Regional Office No. 8|access-date=July 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080210024833/http://region8.dost.gov.ph/AR-afma.htm|archive-date=February 10, 2008}}</ref>

Aside from abaca-based products, ceramics and handicraft items made from coconut and [[bamboo]] are also the province's industry. Among the province's economic activities are fishing, livestock and poultry raising.<ref name="LivinginthePhilippines">{{cite web|title=Region VIII; Leyte—Northern Samar|url=http://www.livinginthephilippines.com/region8.html|website=Living in the Philippines|access-date=July 28, 2016|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030504092022/http://www.livinginthephilippines.com/region8.html|archive-date=May 4, 2003}}</ref>

Generally, [[rice]] is the [[staple food]] of the province, and [[Maize|corn]] is also used. Mountain{{nbhyph}}living folks, however, prefer [[Root vegetable|root crops]], which are abundant. Native delicacies of the province include ''tres marias'', ''bocarillo'', 'salvaro'', ''bibingka'', and ''starhoy''. ''They also have their own ''kinilaw''.

== Infrastructure ==
=== Communication ===
[[Mail|Postal communication]] is the main mode of communication in the province. There are five [[telephone]] exchange companies operating in the province and two radio stations. These two radio stations (Radio Natin and DYSL) are located in Sogod.{{Citation needed|date=December 2019}}

=== Transportation ===
The road network of Southern Leyte consists of major arterial highways that link the province to Leyte, passing through two major outlets. On the western part is the {{nowrap|Maasin-[[Mahaplag]]-[[Baybay]]}} and the central part by the Mahaplag{{nbhyph}}Sogod road via the [[Maharlika Highway]]. On the eastern part of the province, the opening of the new{{When|date=December 2019}} [[Abuyog]]{{nbhyph}}[[Silago]] Roads provides fast and convenient travel to the eastern towns of Southern Leyte. Maharlika road contributes to the development of the province.

There are six designated bus terminals in Southern Leyte: [[Maasin]], [[Liloan, Southern Leyte|Liloan]], [[Sogod, Southern Leyte|Sogod]], [[San Juan, Southern Leyte|San Juan]], [[Hinunangan]] and [[Silago]]. However, these terminals are open spaces used by buses as parking areas and are therefore not equipped with buildings and other facilities.

Southern Leyte has a total of eleven seaports, two of which are declared as national ports, the Maasin and Liloan ports, and the 10 are municipal ports. Of these 10 ports, five are operational: Maasin, Liloan, Saint Bernard, San Juan and Sogod. By sea, travel to Cebu from Maasin port takes an average of six hours and a maximum of two hours. A ferryboat from Liloan to [[Surigao City|Surigao]] takes three hours.<ref name="DA-RFU8" />

The province has one existing airport, [[Panan-awan Airport]] located in [[Maasin]]. The airport does not service any commercial flight. It has a lone passenger terminal and can only accommodate aircraft for general aviation weighing {{convert|12000|lbs}} and below at daytime. It is considered a feeder airport with a total runway length of {{convert|1200|m}} and width of {{convert|30|m}}.{{Citation needed|date=December 2019}}
{{clear-left}}

== Education ==
{{directory|1=section|date=September 2018}}

{{div col|colwidth=28em}}
* College of Maasin – [[Maasin]]
* Maasin City College – Maasin (now Southern Leyte State University - Maasin City Campus)
* Saint James College – [[Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte|Padre Burgos]]
* [[Saint Joseph College Maasin City|Saint Joseph College]] – Maasin
* [[Saint Thomas Aquinas College (Sogod)|Saint Thomas Aquinas College]] – [[Sogod, Southern Leyte|Sogod]]
* Southern Leyte Business College – Maasin
* [[Southern Leyte State University]] – [[Bontoc, Southern Leyte|Bontoc]] Campus
* [[Southern Leyte State University]] – [[Hinunangan, Southern Leyte|Hinunangan]] Campus
* [[Southern Leyte State University]] – [[San Juan, Southern Leyte|San Juan]] Campus
* [[Southern Leyte State University]] – [[Sogod, Southern Leyte|Sogod]] (Main campus)
* [[Southern Leyte State University]] – [[Tomas Oppus, Southern Leyte|Tomas Oppus]] Campus
* [[STI College]] – Maasin
* [[Maasin Christian Academy]] – Maasin
{{div col end}}

== Notable people ==
* [[Rodrigo Duterte]], 16th President of the Philippines (2016-2022) was born in Maasin.

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{GeoGroup}}
* {{wikivoyage-inline}}
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* {{OSM relation|1506605}}

{{Geographic location
| Centre    = Southern Leyte
| North     = [[Leyte (province)|Leyte]]
| Northeast = ''[[Leyte Gulf]]''
| East      = {{nowrap|''[[Surigao Strait]]'' / [[Dinagat Islands]]}}
| Southeast = {{nowrap|''[[Surigao Strait]]'' / [[Surigao del Norte]]}}
| South     = ''[[Bohol Sea]]''
| West      = {{nowrap|[[Bohol]] / ''[[Canigao Channel]]''}}
}}

{{Southern Leyte|state=expanded}}
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{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Southern Leyte| ]]
[[Category:Provinces of the Philippines]]
[[Category:Provinces of Eastern Visayas]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1959]]
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