Dolores (IPA: [ˌdoˈlorɛs]), officially the Municipality of Dolores (Waray: Bungto han Dolores; Tagalog: Bayan ng Dolores), is a municipality in the province of Eastern Samar, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 45,314 people.
Dolores is a coastal town bounded on the east by the Pacific Ocean in the Eastern Visayas region of the Philippines. It has many beaches and small islands. Most of the populace speak and understand English.
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History
In 1948, the barrios of Can-avid, Carolina, Barok, Cansangaya, Mabuhay, Camantang, Canilay, Pandol and Balagon, formerly part of this town, were separated into the municipality of Can-avid, Eastern Samar, by virtue of Republic Act No. 264.
Geography
Barangays
Dolores is politically subdivided into 46 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
Demographics
The population of Dolores in the 2024 census was 45,314 people, with a density of 150 inhabitants per square kilometre or 390 inhabitants per square mile.
Language
The languages spoken are Waray-Waray, and Cebuano, locals are also literate in both English and Filipino.
Religion
Most of the people are predominantly Roman Catholic, and some belonging to other Christian denominations, as well as minority religious sects. There is also a significant population of Muslim converts here known as Balik Islam.
Economy
Poverty incidence of Dolores (%)
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority
Major sources of livelihood in Dolores include farming and fishing, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region VIII.
Transportation
Pedicabs and tricycles are the means of transportation within the town, while multi-cabs, jeepneys, and vans are the means of transportation to neighboring and distant towns within the province. Several bus companies are also operating from the town going to Manila or Tacloban and vice versa.
Dolores has the abandoned Picardo Airport. The airport has an unusable short runway.
Education
Dolores has 32 public elementary schools, 4 public high schools with 1 Tech-Voc (Technical and Vocational) high school, and 1 private college.
Elementary schools
Dolores Central Elementary School
Aroganga Elementary School
Magongbong Elementary School
Buenavista Elementary School
Cabago-an Elementary School
Caglao-an Elementary School
Cagtabon Elementary School
Dampigan Elementary School
Dapdap Central Elementary School
Del Pilar Elementary School
Denigpian Elementary School
Gap-ang Elementary School
Japitan Elementary School
Jicontol Elementary School
Hilabaan Elementary School
Hinolaso Elementary School
Libertad Elementary School
Magasaysay Elementary School
Malabago Elementary School
Osmeña Elementary School
Rizal Elementary School
San Isidro (Malabag) Elementary School
San Pascual Elementary School
San Roque Elementary School
Secondary schools
Dolores National High School
Hilabaan National High School
Hinolaso National High School
Caglao-an National High School
Dapdap National Technical and Vocational High School
Colleges/Universities
Mater Divinae Gratiae College