One theory is that it was named after the town of Veruela in Spain. Another theory suggests that it was derived from the Visayan word “berwela,” which means a place where bamboo rafts are made. Yet another theory claims that it came from the Manobo word “vuroha,” which means “a place where there are many springs.”

The municipality covers a land area of 385.45 square kilometers or 148.82 square miles, which is equivalent to 3.86% of Agusan del Sur’s total area. According to the 2020 Census, its population was 39,708, accounting for 5.37% of the total population of Agusan del Sur province and 1.42% of the overall population of the Caraga region. The population density can be calculated as 103 inhabitants per square kilometer or 267 inhabitants per square mile.

Barangay count

8509

Postal code

385.45 km²

Land Area

39,708

Population (2020)

103 / km²

Density

8.0698, 125.9554

Coordinates

35.7 meters

Estimated elevation above sea level

Barangays

Veruela has 20 barangays. The graph and table below show the population per barangay for the years 2015 and 2020.

Barangay	Population (2020)	Population (2015)
Anitap	641	595
Bacay II	985	1,085
Binongan	1,520	1,735
Caigangan	1,174	1,029
Candiis	636	655
Del Monte	1,653	2,375
Don Mateo	1,489	1,452
Katipunan	768	958
La Fortuna	5,669	6,418
Limot	1,183	973
Magsaysay	1,092	1,628
Masayan	1,495	1,726
Poblacion	5,413	5,891
Sampaguita	5,667	5,950
San Gabriel	2,461	2,569
Santa Cruz	978	1,059
Santa Emelia	1,216	1,483
Sawagan	1,160	1,099
Sinobong	3,856	3,706
Sisimon	652	1,320

Economy

Fiscal Year	Annual Regular Income
2009	72,064,521
2010	77,055,187
2011	84,306,348
2012	82,210,222
2013	94,581,835
2014	105,301,607
2015	118,874,805
2016	131,765,136

End notes:

Annual Regular Income = Locally Sourced Revenue + Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) Current Year + Other Shares from National Tax Collection
Locally Sourced Revenue = Real Property Tax (General Fund) + Tax on Business + Other Taxes + Regulatory Fees + Service/User Charges + Receipts from Economic Enterprises

Population

Census date	Population
1903	2,623
1918	1,522
1939	1,381
1948	1,528
1960	2,914
1970	6,626
1975	9,915
1980	13,991
1990	20,129
1995	35,706
2000	36,222
2007	36,862
2010	40,457
2015	43,706
2020	39,708

Veruela’s population has increased significantly over the past century, from 2,623 people in 1903 to 39,708 people in 2020, a rise of 37,085 individuals. However, the latest 2020 census shows a negative growth rate of 2.00%, or a decline of 3,998 people, from the previous population of 43,706 in 2015.

Location

Veruela is closest to the cities of Bislig, Surigao del Sur, Tagum, Davao del Norte, Bayugan, Agusan del Sur, Panabo, Davao del Norte, Malaybalay, Bukidnon, and Valencia, Bukidnon, based on the shortest distance between two points on the Earth’s surface, known as the great-circle distance. The nearest municipalities to Veruela include Trento, Santa Josefa, Bunawan, Loreto, La Paz in Agusan del Sur, and Monkayo, Davao de Oro. The distance from the national capital is 902.74 kilometers (560.94 miles), and the following list provides more information on the distance measurements.

Nearest towns

Trento, Agusan del Sur, 11.98 kilometers (7.44 miles) to the East‑Southeast (S77°E)
Santa Josefa, Agusan del Sur, 12.43 kilometers (7.72 miles) to the Southeast (S40°E
Bunawan, Agusan del Sur, 12.69 kilometers (7.89 miles) to the North‑Northeast (N19°E)
Loreto, Agusan del Sur, 17.01 kilometers (10.57 miles) to the Northwest (N41°W)
La Paz, Agusan del Sur, 28.29 kilometers (17.58 miles) to the Northwest (N35°W)
Monkayo, Davao de Oro, 29.50 kilometers (18.33 miles) to the South‑Southeast (S21°E)

Nearest cities

Bislig, Surigao del Sur, 42.78 kilometers (26.58 miles) to the East‑Northeast (N68°E)
Tagum, Davao del Norte, 70.76 kilometers (43.97 miles) to the South‑Southwest (S13°W)
Bayugan, Agusan del Sur, 74.85 kilometers (46.51 miles) to the North‑Northwest (N18°W
Panabo, Davao del Norte, 90.26 kilometers (56.08 miles) to the South‑Southwest (S19°W)
Malaybalay, Bukidnon, 91.42 kilometers (56.80 miles) to the West (N84°W)
Valencia, Bukidnon, 97.20 kilometers (60.40 miles) to the West (S79°W)

For more information about the Province of Agusan del Sur