Bais City is a city located in the province of Negros Oriental, Philippines. Located 44.7 km from the provincial capital Dumaguete, it has a land area of 316.90 square km. The population is 68,000 as of the 2000 census.

People and culture

Demographic

The dominant religion of Bais is Roman Catholicism.

Culture

Annual fiesta is held in honor of the city's patron saint San Nicholas de Tolentino, a celebration inherited from the spanish era. This is held every September 10. On this occassion, most of the residents prepare food for anyone who visits the place. It is a tradition praticed not only in Bais but in most towns and cities in the Philippines. Lately the celebration includes mardigras and parades.

Economy

Bais City is the largest producer of raw sugar in Negros Oriental. There are two sugar mills in the city, one of which is the Central Azucarera de Bais established by Tabacalera of Spain in the early 1800's is one of the oldest in the country the other URSUMCO (United Robina Sugar Milling Corportion)formerly UPSUMCO (United Planters Milling Corporation) constructed in the Mid 70's by Ignacio Montenegro also of Spanish roots.

Geography

There are two bays in the area, hence the name "Bais". The shore line is mostly mangroves, which are in danger of destruction due to the increasing population. The ricness of marine life in the bays is because of these mangroves.

Bais city's bays are widely known to have one of the most beautiful coral reefs in the area.

The Pelarta river runs beside the city center. There is however a dispute that the name Bais was taken after the eels localy called "Bais" that used to thrive in this river. The river has been the source of irrigation water for the nearby sugar farms. This has been vital in the success of sugar plantations in this area. This river also plays a big effect in the city's geography as it deposits sediments in the before mangrove areas during flood season (used to be annual) overtime these areas have dried out and now filled with residents.

Barangays

The city is politically subdivided into 35 barangays: