Bato, Camarines Sur

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Bato is a coastal town in Camarines Sur, in the Bicol region of the Philippines. It lies beside Lake Bato, which is home to the Sinarapan, the world’s smallest commercially harvested fish, and also hosts tilapia in fish cages. The municipality covers about 107 square kilometers and has around 52,021 residents (2024).

History and culture
Bato was once called Kaliligno and became a town on February 15, 1753, by a decree of the Spanish government. Its parish is dedicated to The Most Holy Trinity, with a feast celebrated on the Sunday after Pentecost. The main language is Rinconada Bikol (Riŋkonāda), including a local Bato variant; many people also speak Filipino/Tagalog and English. About 58% of households are literate.

Economy and resources
Most residents work in agriculture, fishing, poultry, and construction. Natural resources include clams, pearls, local shrimps, tilapia from Lake Bato, bamboo, and white clay.

Barangays
Bato is divided into 33 barangays.

Government and services
The town is governed by a mayor and a municipal council; the current mayor is Enric L. Dancalan. Public services include a police station, a fire station, electricity from CASURECO 3, and basic communication and media facilities. Education is managed by the Bato Schools District Office, and there is a public library in Divisna Pastora (MTBK Divina Pastora Library).

Location and access
Bato is about 26 kilometers from Pili, the provincial capital, and roughly 476 kilometers from Manila. It is a place known for its lake and local noodle dish, Pansit Bato.