Malay

Malay, officially the Municipality of Malay, is a municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. It is the northernmost town on the island of Panay and is notable for encompassing Boracay island, a major resort destination in the Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 64,723 people. The municipality is considered the richest in Aklan in terms of revenue and the youngest among all municipalities in the province. The municipality was created on June 15, 1949, through Republic Act No. 381, out of portions of the municipality of Buruanga, then part of Capiz. It became part of the newly created province of Aklan on April 25, 1956. Malay is politically subdivided into 17 barangays, three of which (Balabag, Manoc-Manoc, and Yapak) are situated on Boracay Island, while the rest are on mainland Panay. Because of its robust tourism industry, Malay is now considered to have the strongest economy among municipalities in the region and the richest municipality of Aklan in terms of income and annual budget. The tourism industry of Boracay became the catalyst of its economic growth, bringing many investors and helping transform the municipality into a cosmopolitan area. The municipality is served by Godofredo P. Ramos Airport (commonly known as Caticlan Airport or Boracay Airport) and the Caticlan Jetty Port, which serves as a gateway to Boracay and other destinations.

Malay, as well as the rest of Aklan, was previously part of the province of Capiz. It was under the jurisdiction of the municipality of Buruanga, which itself ruled over the town of Ibajay, the intermediary for Malay and its surroundings at Northwestern Panay island. The 1818 census shows that there were 1,268 native families and a relatively decent number of 30 Spanish-Filipino families that also lived in Ibajay, Malay and Boracay. The municipality of Malay was created on June 15, 1949, through Republic Act No. 381 and the help of Claro Tumaob, out of various portions of the municipality of Buruanga, then part of Capiz. It included the following barangays: Malay (poblacion, seat of local government), Dumlog, Cabulihan, Balusbos, Nabaoy, Cubay Norte, Cubay Sur, Cogon, Argao, Sambiray, Caticlan, Manoc-Manoc, Balabag, Yapak, Motag, Napaan, and Naasog. On April 25, 1956, Malay became part of the newly created province of Aklan, along with several other towns of Capiz. It was hit severely by typhoon Seniang on December 9–10, 2006, with much destruction and damage of homes and infrastructure. Because of its robust tourism industry, the municipality is now considered as having the strongest economy in all the municipalities in the region and the richest municipality of Aklan in terms of income and annual budget. The tourism industry of Boracay became the catalyst of its economic growth that brought many investors to come and helped transform the municipality into a cosmopolitan area.

• 2016

  Runway of Godofredo P. Ramos Airport extended to 1,800 meters, allowing bigger aircraft like the Airbus A320 to land.

• 2006

  Typhoon Seniang hit severely on December 9–10, causing much destruction and damage to homes and infrastructure.

• 1956

  On April 25, Malay became part of the newly created province of Aklan.

• 1949

  Municipality of Malay created on June 15 through Republic Act No. 381, out of portions of Buruanga, then part of Capiz.

• 1818

  Census records 1,268 native families and 30 Spanish-Filipino families in Ibajay, Malay and Boracay.

1. 1Malay, Aklan - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
2. 2马来 - Wikidatawikidata.org