Saint Bernard occupies a total land area of 10,020 hectares and is composed of thirty (30) barangays including the Poblacion. Of this total, the urban area occupies 437.17 hectares, or 4.36% of the total municipal area consisting of the barangays of Himatagon and San Isidro. The remaining or the biggest portion of 9,582 hectares, or 95.64% is the area of the twenty eight (28) rural barangays. The barangay with the biggest land area is Brgy. Himbangan with approximately 570.20 hectares of 5.69% of the total municipal area closely followed by Barangay Hindag-an with 507.10 hectares. or 5.06%. In contrast Barangay Magbagacay, has the smallest land area with 112.7 hectares only.
TOPOGRAPHY
ELEVATION
The highest elevation is 720 meters above sea level at mount Kan-abag in Barangay Panian, while the lowest is at Brgy. Himatagon (Poblacion) which is only 5 meters above sea level.
SLOPE
The entire municipality is dominated by slope 0-3% which covers 8,588.14 hectares or 85.71% to the total land area. It is best described as broad area of level to nearly level land. Slope range 3-8% has an aggregate area 243.5 hectares or 2.43% of the entire municipality. This is rolling land sloping in more than one general direction. Also it is gently undulating and gently rolling sloping in more than one general direction. Slope 8-15% has the area with only 105.71 hectares or 1.05% to the coverall municipal area. This is also described as moderately undulating and rolling land sloping in many directions. While slope 15-30% has a total land area of 1.083.15 hectares or 10.81% of the entire municipal land area, described as sleepy undulating and rolling land sloping in many directions.
SLOPE DISTRIBUTION
|
SLOPE CLASSIFICATION |
AREA (HECTARE) | PERCENTAGE (%) TO TOTAL LAND AREA |
|
0 – 3 % |
8,588.142 |
85.71 |
|
3 – 8 % |
243.486 |
2.46 |
|
8 – 15 % |
105.21 |
1.05 |
|
15 – 30 % |
1.083.162 |
10.81 |
| TOTAL | 10.020 |
100 |
GEOLOGY
The locality of Saint Bernard has three (3) geological classifications. These are the metamorphous rock, volcanic and highly crystallized rocks, old sediments, pyroclastics and the marly limestone and poorly consolidated sediments. Of the total land area, 7,085.14 or 70.71% is composed of metamorphosed rocks, 2,284.56 or 22.80% are old sediments and pyroclastics while the remaining 650.30 or 6.49% comprise the marly limestone and poorly consolidated sediments.
Further, a fault cuts across the center of the municipality from west to east. It originates from the municipality of Libagon/Sogod and traverses the length of Lawigan River.
Geology Municipality of Saint Bernard
|
GEOLOGICAL FORMATIONS |
AREA (HECTARE) |
PERCENTAGE (%) TO TOTAL LAND AREA |
|
Marly limestone and Poorly Consolidated |
650.30 |
6.49 |
|
Old Sediments Pyroclastics |
2,284.56 |
22.80 |
|
metamorphosed rocks, volcanic and high crystallized rocks |
7,085.14 |
70.71 |
|
TOTAL |
10,020 |
100% |
SOILS
The municipality of St. Bernard has six different types of soil. The locality has 6,715.43 hectares or 67.02% of rough mountainous land mostly found in the rural settlements. San miguel silt loam covers an area of 1.467.9 or 14.65% of the total land area while the Himay-angan clay loam occupies a total area of 1,551.1 or 15.48% and the Faraon clay, steep phase, 285.57 or 2.85% of the total municipal area.
LAND CAPABILITY CLASSES
Basically, type of soil in the municipality is suitable for agriculture. Local farmers in the municipality were able to plant several agricultural crops with considerable income and profits. The municipality has four (4) land capability classes. Table below presents the total land area of which the land is capable for cultivation.
SOIL CLASSIFICATION
|
SOIL TEXTURE |
LAND AREA (HECTARE) |
PERCENTAGE (%) TOTAL LAND AREA |
|
Rough mountainous Land |
6,715.404 |
67.02 |
|
Himay-angan Clay loam |
1,551.096 |
15.48 |
|
San Miguel Silt Loam |
1,467.93 |
14.65 |
|
Faraon Clay, Steep Phase |
285.57 |
2.85 |
|
TOTAL |
10,020 |
100 |