Archive for the ‘Cities In Region VIII’ Category

History
Legend has it that Ferdinand Magellan on his way from Limasawa to Cebu in 1521 dropped by Canturing and Combado rivers for fresh water supply. His men found the taste of the water salty, thus the name MAASIN. The Jesuits founded the Maasin settlement in 1700. It became a town in 1755, part of the Leyte province. When Southern Leyte was created in 1960, Maasin was made the provincial capital and seat of the lone congressional district. Maasin was elevated to city status on August 10, 2000 by virtue of RA 8796, ratified overwhelming by Maasinhons in a plebiscite. The first city mayor and incumbent chief executive is Damian G. Mercado.

Profile
No. of Barangays: 70
Land Area: 266.78 sq. kms.
Population: 85,000
Religion: Predominatly Catholic
Dialect: Cebuano
Feastday: August 15
Patrones: Our Lady of The Assuption
City Charter Day: August 10

Getting to Maasin
Maasin City can be reaches from Cebu City thru nightly inter-island overnight boat trips. The fastest and most convenient is by two-hour Tacloban-Sogod-Maasin route. Air-conditioned vans, multi-cabs, pedicabs and motorcabs complement ordinary buses and jeepneys as modes of transportation for Maasinhons. A multi-million, ultra modern bus terminal cum market, mall, recreation, arts and culture center of the latest design is the flagship project of City Mayor Damian G. Mercado.