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.
- Area
- Kalayaan
- On the map
- Open Kalayaan in Google Maps
The local government
- Mayor
- Billy Alindogan
- Vice mayor
- MP Albayda
- Municipality of
- Kalayaan
- PSGC code
- 1705321000
- Barangays
- 1
- Land area
- 290 km²
Elected on 12 May 2025 for the term to 30 June 2028, named as on the ballot, from the count COMELEC released (via Rappler); checked 9 November 2026. An official can be suspended or replaced during a term, so the town hall has the last word.
In an emergency
Call 911Kalayaan’s disaster office (MDRRMO): 0948-405-9424
From the provincial emergency page, checked 8 November 2026. Every emergency number
- Municipality of KalayaanOfficial website, opens in a new tab
- Kalayaan, Palawan on FacebookFacebook page, opens in a new tab
Its people and its past
The municipality was created by Presidential Decree No. 1596, which took effect on 11 June 1978.
With 406 residents in the 2024 census, Kalayaan is the least populated municipality in the Philippines. Kalayaan, Palawan - Wikipedia
Also around Kalayaan
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.
Socio Economic Profile - Municipality of Kalayaanisland
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.
West York Island - Wikipediaisland
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.
Northeast Cay - Wikipedianature
Kota Island (Loaita Island)
A Kalayaan island designated a marine turtle sanctuary in 1982, together with Panata (Loaita Cay).
Kalayaan, Palawan - Wikipedia