Kalayaan is the Philippine municipality in the Spratly Islands, in the South China Sea, which the Philippines calls the West Philippine Sea. Its one barangay, Pag-asa, is on Thitu Island, about 520 km northwest of Puerto Princesa. All of its islands and shoals are disputed, claimed in whole or in part by China, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. Thitu was a military post until civilian settlement began in 2002; Kalayaan is the least populated municipality in the country.
Municipality of 1 barangay, 290 km² of land.
Kalayaan is the Philippine municipality in the Spratly Islands, in the South China Sea, which the Philippines calls the West Philippine Sea. Its one barangay, Pag-asa, is on Thitu Island, about 520 km northwest of Puerto Princesa. All of its islands and shoals are disputed, claimed in whole or in part by China, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. Thitu was a military post until civilian settlement began in 2002; Kalayaan is the least populated municipality in the country.
Around Kalayaan
With 406 residents in the 2024 census, Kalayaan is the least populated municipality in the Philippines.
Island
Pag-asa Island (Thitu)
Largest of the seven islands the municipality lists, about 37.6 hectares; as Barangay Pag-asa it is the seat of Kalayaan's local government.
Island
Likas Island (West York Island)
An 18.6-hectare island in the Spratlys that the Philippines administers as part of Kalayaan, with Filipino soldiers stationed there.
Island
Parola Island (Northeast Cay)
A 12.7-hectare cay on North Danger Reef, the third-largest island the Philippines occupies, with a lighthouse built by the Philippine Coast Guard.
Nature
Kota Island (Loaita Island)
A Kalayaan island designated a marine turtle sanctuary in 1982, together with Panata (Loaita Cay).
A short history
The municipality was created by Presidential Decree No. 1596, which took effect on 11 June 1978.
Before you go
Fees, rules and schedules change. Check them with the town.
- Official website
- Municipality of Kalayaan
- Facebook page
- Kalayaan, Palawan on Facebook
- Local government
- Municipality of Kalayaan
- Sources
Sources (9)
- PSGC code 1705321000 and 1 barangaysPSGC API, data from the PSA Philippine Standard Geographic Code (psgc.gitlab.io; release not stated by the mirror, counts cross-checked with psgc.cloud and PhilAtlas)
- Land area 290.0 km² (PSA 2013 figure) and barangay countKalayaan, Palawan Profile, PhilAtlas
- Spratly Islands; one barangay, Pag-asa, on Thitu; 520 km northwest of Puerto Princesa; disputed claims; civilian settlement from 2002; least populated municipality; PD 1596 effective 11 June 1978Kalayaan, Palawan, Wikipedia
- Municipal Facebook page linked from the LGU siteMunicipal Government of Kalayaan, Palawan, official website
- With 406 residents in the 2024 census, Kalayaan is the least populated municipality in the Philippines.Kalayaan, Palawan - Wikipedia
- Pag-asa Island (Thitu)Socio Economic Profile - Municipality of Kalayaan
- Likas Island (West York Island)West York Island - Wikipedia
- Parola Island (Northeast Cay)Northeast Cay - Wikipedia
- Kota Island (Loaita Island)Kalayaan, Palawan - Wikipedia