Hernani, officially the Municipality of Hernani (Waray: Bungto han Hernani; Tagalog: Bayan ng Hernani), is a municipality in the province of Eastern Samar, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 8,296 people.

It was formerly called Nag-as, after the name of the river flowing southeast of the town center.

History

Hernani was founded around the year 1850 by a settler from Guiuan named Miguel Candido. Hernani, was created into a municipality by virtue of a Royal Order on January 4, 1864.

On October 12, 1897, giant tidal waves struck Hernani. More than 300 people were killed, and public buildings and houses were destroyed, including the newly–built stone church. Following the disaster, the survivors relocated the town center to a more secure place about one–half kilometer inland. This site is now the present location.

Immediately following the Philippine-American War, the political status of Hernani was reduced into a barrio under the jurisdiction of Lanang (now Llorente). In 1912, its status as a municipality was restored but the seat of local government was transferred to Pambujan (now General MacArthur). However, in 1926, the municipality of Hernani regained back the township by virtue of an Executive Order issued by then American Government–General Leonard Wood.

Barangays

Hernani is politically subdivided into 13 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Four barangays, located in the poblacion, are known primarily by number.

  • Barangay 1
  • Barangay 2
  • Barangay 3
  • Barangay 4
  • Batang
  • Nagaja
  • Padang
  • Carmen
  • Garawon
  • San Isidro
  • Canciledes
  • San Miguel
  • Cacatmonan

Demographics

Population census of Hernani
YearPop.±% p.a.
19034,150
19185,253+1.58%
19399,405+2.81%
19485,035−6.71%
19606,622+2.31%
19706,216−0.63%
19757,315+3.32%
19807,032−0.79%
19906,840−0.28%
19958,055+3.11%
20007,642−1.12%
20077,974+0.59%
20108,070+0.44%
20158,573+1.16%
20208,531−0.10%
20248,296−0.67%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

The population of Hernani in the 2024 census was 8,296 people, with a density of 170 inhabitants per square kilometre or 440 inhabitants per square mile.

Climate

Climate data for Hernani, Eastern Samar
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)28 (82)28 (82)29 (84)30 (86)30 (86)30 (86)29 (84)30 (86)30 (86)29 (84)29 (84)28 (82)29 (84)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)22 (72)22 (72)22 (72)23 (73)24 (75)24 (75)24 (75)24 (75)24 (75)24 (75)23 (73)23 (73)23 (74)
Average precipitation mm (inches)90 (3.5)67 (2.6)82 (3.2)70 (2.8)97 (3.8)145 (5.7)152 (6.0)127 (5.0)132 (5.2)152 (6.0)169 (6.7)144 (5.7)1,427 (56.2)
Average rainy days17.013.516.016.520.624.326.025.425.226.423.021.1255
Source: Meteoblue

Economy

Poverty incidence of Hernani

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

External links