| Flag Size: | 120x80px | ||
| Seal Size: | 100x80px | ||
| Image Map1: |
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| Pushpin Map: | Philippines | ||
| Pushpin Label Position: | right | ||
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location within the | ||
| Subdivision Type: | Country | ||
| Subdivision Name: | Philippines | ||
| Subdivision Type1: | Region | ||
| Subdivision Type2: | Province | ||
| Subdivision Type3: | District | ||
| Established Title: | Founded | ||
| Established Date: | 1570 | ||
| Parts Type: | Barangays | ||
| Parts Style: | para | ||
| P1: | (see Barangays) | ||
| Leader Name: | Philip Salvador A. Señar | ||
| Leader Title1: | Vice Mayor | ||
| Leader Name1: | Randy P. Villaralbo | ||
| Leader Name2: | Gabriel H. Bordado Jr. | ||
| Leader Title3: | Municipal Council | ||
| Leader Name4: | voters (electorate_point_in_time}}|) | ||
| Elevation Max M: | 46 | ||
| Elevation Min M: | -2 | ||
| Population Density Km2: | auto | ||
| Population Blank1 Title: | Households | ||
| Timezone: | PST | ||
| Utc Offset: | +8 | ||
| Postal Code Type: | ZIP code | ||
| Demographics Type1: | Economy | ||
| Demographics1 Info1: | 3rd municipal income class | ||
| Demographics1 Title2: | Poverty incidence | ||
| Demographics1 Info2: | % | ||
| Demographics1 Title3: | Revenue | ||
| Demographics1 Title4: | Revenue rank | ||
| Demographics1 Title5: | Assets | ||
| Demographics1 Title6: | Assets rank | ||
| Demographics1 Title7: | IRA | ||
| Demographics1 Title8: | IRA rank | ||
| Demographics1 Title9: | Expenditure | ||
| Demographics1 Title10: | Liabilities | ||
| Demographics Type2: | Service provider | ||
| Demographics2 Title1: | Electricity | ||
| Demographics2 Title2: | Water | ||
| Demographics2 Title3: | Telecommunications | ||
| Demographics2 Title4: | Cable TV | ||
| Blank1 Name Sec1: | Native languages | ||
| Blank2 Name Sec1: | Crime index | ||
| Blank1 Name Sec2: | Major religions | ||
| Blank2 Name Sec2: | Feast date | ||
| Blank3 Name Sec2: | Catholic diocese | ||
| Blank4 Name Sec2: | Patron saint | ||
Magarao, officially the Municipality of Magarao (Banwaan kan Magarao; Tagalog: Bayan ng Magarao), is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 26,742 people.
Magarao is part of the Metro Naga Urban Area.
Magarao derived its name from a species of thorny wild bush locally known as garao-garao, which abundantly grows in the area. This type of plant no longer exists today as it was believed that the inhabitants of Magarao hindered its growth and propagation because of its thorny appearance.
It was a group of missionaries from the Order of Friars Minor who founded the town in 1570, although missionary work continued only in the year 1690.
Magarao was first founded in 1570 and was named Garaoon from 1570 until 1800 when it was renamed Magarao. In 1802 the municipality was absorbed by Quipayo and was downgraded into a "visita.
Calabangueños, Bomboneños, Magaraoeños fought for independence in 1897 until 1899 when the United States colonized the Philippines. Magarao was merged with Barangay Bombon in Calabanga and became a city in 1901 and was known as Magarao-Bombon shortly until 1903 when it was downgraded into a municipality.
In 1949 Magarao Bombon ceased to exist as both municipalities separate.
Magarao is politically subdivided into 15 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
In the 2020 census, the population of Magarao was 26,742 people, with a density of NaNPD/km2NaNPD/km2.
Bicol is widely spoken in the town, while Tagalog, Hiligaynon, Bisaya, and Ilocano are used immigrants. Tagalog is being used by locals as lingua franca when communicating with non-Bicolanos.
Residents of Magarao are predominantly Roman Catholic.
Barangay Santa Lucia holds an annual novena to its patron saint, Lucy of Syracuse, nine days before her feast on 13 December. Villagers bring the saint's image in procession every morning of the novena at the poblacion, a celebration that attracts devotees from other parts of the Bicol Region. Hymns to the saint, known as the Gozos, as well as the Spanish version of the Ave Maria, are chanted during the dawn procession, which is followed by a Mass.
At present, Magarao belongs to the third class municipality bracket although there are improvements being made by the local government to hasten its developmental stage. The town, through the initiative of its local officials, allows its constituents to engage into worthwhile activities by providing for them training and seminar workshops on various livelihood projects like ceramics training, papermaking, handicrafts and other community-based industries.
This was made possible due to the combined efforts made by the local government of Magarao and the provincial government of Camarines Sur through the Provincial Livelihood Training, Research and Development Program (PLTRD) The program is geared towards providing community-based industries, identifying projects for product development and skills training and also conducting seminar and workshops for the various livelihood projects.
The residents of Magarao has immersed themselves in opportunities which would not just serve benefits for them but would obviously boost their town's economic condition.
Internet providers include Globe, Smart, TNT, PLDT in the town. Telephone company is BayanTel and other local telephone companies.
Power and electricity is supplied by the Camarines Sur Electric Cooperative II (CASURECO II).
Most roads are paved. The main road is both paved and asphalted. Rural areas are mostly gravel or dirt roadsCalabanga-Naga road or Northbound road goes through town.
Coastal barangays are served by bancas that ply from the wharf near Naga City to the barangays of Ponong, Barobaybay and Carigsa along the Bicol River and in the estuarine areas.
Water is provided by Metro Naga Water District (MNWD).