History of Barangay San Juan
The early settlers of the barrio came from unknown families who reached the area by water with the use of a wooden boat sometime in 1683. They reached the place in view of their desire to look for an agricultural land to till. The people were so happy to discover the coastal area.
They started to cultivate the soil. They planted palay. At first, the yield of their crop was bountiful. However, as the time passed by saline intrusion became a headache on the part of the settlers. This resulted to aggravating the economic life of the families.
The people gathered and decided to implore for the Divine intervention to improve their living condition. They prayed day and night for several days, until one day the people saw a wooden image floating near the riverbank. The people rejoiced and thanked the Almighty for sending the saint to help them solve their problem. They brought the image to the parish priest of Libmanan. The image was identified as Saint John or San Juan. In honor of the saint, the people named the barangay as San Juan. The feast day is celebrated every 6th day of May, the day the image was found.
Physical Characteristics
Barangay San Juan is located in the northwest portion of the municipality with a total land area of 243.5 hectares. Its topography is flat with a slope of 0 to 3%. It is bounded on the north, south and west by the Bicol River and on the east by Barangays Palo and San Nicolas. 90% of the land is utilized for agricultural production planted mainly with palay and the remaining 10% of the land is used for residential and infrastructure. The barangay is made up of 7 puroks and is 12 kilometers away from poblacion of Canaman and 1 kilometer away from Barangay San Vicente of Libmanan, Camarines Sur.
Below is the map of Barangay San Juan showing the seven puroks and other vital infrastructure.
Educational, Health and Service Facilities
The barangay has two (2) elementary school buildings, one of which is newly-constructed and the one is dilapidated, both located at Zone 4. It has a population of 34 pupils and one (1) school teacher. At present, the Evacuation Center is utilized as Day Care Center, also situated in Zone 4. There are 17 day care children attending the day care education under one (1) day care worker.
The barangay has no health center but the barangay hall is used instead. There are two (2) Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) and one (1) Barangay Nutrition Scholar. It has a midwife who visits once a month for immunization and provision of other needed health services.
Multi-purpose pavements at the same time serve as solar dryer located at Zones 4 and 7. The Barangay Hall stands at Zone 4 which was constructed in l995. In the same zone, the following exist such as basketball court, chapel, wharf, waiting shed, outpost and stage. Another waiting shed was constructed in Zone 7.
Mode of Public Transportation
The barangay can be reached by land and water. From Barangay Fundado, the individual has to ride in a boat to Barangay Barobaybay, Magarao, Camarines Sur crossing the cut off channel 1. From Barangay Barobaybay, pedicabs are waiting to transport passengers going to Barangay San Juan. Another way of reaching the place is through riding in a boat from Libmanan port or Naga Port.
Credit Institutions
There are no existing credit institutions in the barangay. However, residents of the barangay are availing financial assistance from private lenders and lending institutions from Libmanan and Canaman.
Water & Electric Supply
Barangay San Juan is energized by CASURECO II. Only Zones 1 to 4 are serviced by the Electric Cooperative. The remaining zones are not energized after Typhoon Reming devastated the area.
People of the barangay are dependent from the Municipality of Libmanan for their drinking water. They purchase water at P5.00 per container. For domestic use, people use the water sourced from the dug well and Bicol River.
Waste Management
The 3 Rs in waste management are observed by the households. There is no Material Recovery Facility constructed in the barangay. However, they are practicing waste composting of bio-degradables.
It has an organized Barangay Solid Waste Management Committee headed by the Punong Barangay. Issues and concerns on the disposal of solid wastes are tackled during the BSWMC Meetings. In the implementation of Solid Waste Management Program, cooperation of the rural folks and the pupils are enjoined.
The pool of speakers of MSWMB conducted series of orientation activities and distributed flyers to the household to disseminate Republic Act No. 9003 and Municipal Ordinance No. 2005-108.
Peace and Order
The Punong Barangay appointed six (6) Barangay Tanod, with Nilo Tranquilino as the Chief Tanod. They are tasked to preserve peace and order and ensure public safety especially during barangay fiesta, graduation, barangay assemblies and other occasions. Generally, the barangay is peaceful.
Barangay Officials
Barangay San Juan has the following Barangay Officials, to wit:
Punong Barangay: Rudy R. Fuerte
Barangay Kagawads:
1. Eliezer F. Averilla
2. Alberto F. Mapa
3. Fabio N. Fuerte
4. Tomas A. Tranquilino
5. Enrico F. Rangasajo
6. Victor M. Vargas
7. Jonathan S. Fuerte – SK Chairman
Barangay Secretary: Nicanor M. Vargas, Jr.
Barangay Treasurer: Felicito M. Azurias