Lawaan

Lawaan
Municipality of Lawaan
Olot White Beach in Barangay Bolusao
Nickname: 
Gateway to Eastern Samar
Map of Eastern Samar with Lawaan highlighted
Interactive map of Lawaan
Lawaan
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 11°08′27″N 125°18′04″E / 11.1408°N 125.3011°E / 11.1408; 125.3011
CountryPhilippines
RegionEastern Visayas
ProvinceEastern Samar
District Lone district
Barangays16 (see Barangays)
Government
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • MayorAthene L. Mendros
 • Vice MayorRavi Parker G. Inciso
 • RepresentativeMaria Fe R. Abunda
 • Councilors
List
 • Electorate10,573 voters (2025)
Area
 • Total
162.56 km2 (62.76 sq mi)
Elevation
63 m (207 ft)
Highest elevation
422 m (1,385 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2024 census)
 • Total
13,063
 • Density80.358/km2 (208.13/sq mi)
 • Households
3,213
Economy
 • Income class5th municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence
35.24
% (2021)
 • Revenue₱ 142.2 million (2022)
 • Assets₱ 285.8 million (2022)
 • Expenditure₱ 125.3 million (2022)
 • Liabilities₱ 159 million (2022)
Service provider
 • ElectricityEastern Samar Electric Cooperative (ESAMELCO)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
6813
PSGC
IDD:area code+63 (0)55
Native languagesWaray
Tagalog
Websitewww.lawaan-esamar.gov.ph

Lawaan, officially the Municipality of Lawaan (Waray: Bungto han Lawaan; Tagalog: Bayan ng Lawaan), is a municipality in the province of Eastern Samar, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 13,063 people. It is home to Bolusao Watershed Forest Reserve, primarily located in Barangay Bolusao.

Lawaan is the historical hometown of the legendary sundang-wielding fighters in women's clothing during the 1901 Battle of Balangiga. Being a town adjacent to the Samar Island Natural Park - the country's largest terrestrial protected area - the land has vast natural landscapes and wildlife sanctuaries. Numerous waterfalls such as Amandaraga, Amanjuray, Pangi and Ban-awan dot the vast Bolusao Watershed Forest Reserve. Off the coast, white-sand islets also abound the town's horizon.