Matalom (IPA: [mɐ'talom]), officially the Municipality of Matalom (Cebuano: Lungsod sa Matalom; Waray: Bungto han Matalom; Tagalog: Bayan ng Matalom), is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 32,586 people.^[4]

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Matalom
Municipality
Municipality of Matalom
Church of Matalom
Flag
Map of Leyte with Matalom highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Matalom Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 10°17′N 124°48′E
Country	Philippines
Region	Eastern Visayas
Province	Leyte
District	5th district
Barangays	30 (see Barangays)
Government  [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor	Eric S. Pajulio
• Vice Mayor	Rikrik Jay S. Pajulio
• Representative	Carl Nicolas C. Cari
• Councilors	List • Constancio D. Gado • Ma. Nicholina P. Caube • Leomilie V. Dances • Leonard P. Tan • Alfonso B. Tan • Nicanor P. Gondaya • Sabino G. Gerona • Samuel P. Pael DILG Masterlist of Officials
• Electorate	21,807 voters (2022)
Area [2]
• Total	132.00 km2 (50.97 sq mi)
Elevation [3]	9.5 m (31.2 ft)
Highest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (2020 census)[4]
• Total	32,586
• Density	250/km2 (640/sq mi)
• Households	8,154
Economy
• Income class	3rd municipal income class
• Poverty incidence	26.51 % (2018)[5]
• Revenue	₱ 152.2 million (2020)
• Assets	₱ 483.8 million (2020)
• Expenditure	₱ 119.6 million (2020)
• Liabilities	₱ 129.1 million (2020)
Service provider
• Electricity	Leyte 4 Electric Cooperative (LEYECO 4)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	6526
PSGC	0803734000
IDD : area code	+63 (0)53
Native languages	Cebuano Tagalog

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It was said that the Spaniards once saw the flaming red of the flame trees that dotted the shores of Matalom Beach and the scenic Canigao Island and asked the natives the local dialect for "hermosa" or beautiful. The natives answered "Matahum" or "Matalom." This was the origin of the town's name.^[6]

Before Ferdinand Magellan discovered the Philippines, a sea-faring people lived along the banks of the Matalom River and also on the islet of Canigao (formerly Comigao).

In the middle of the 19th century, the townspeople of Matalom constructed their own parish church, convent, school, and public buildings through their own efforts. These were all accomplished with the leadership of Spanish Friar Leonardo Celes Diaz and Capitan Calixto Pil believed to be the founder and first president of the town.

Leadership in the town's administration may be divided into three regimes: Spanish, American and Postwar (Philippine Independence). The first president of Matalom during the Spanish regime was Capitan Calixto Pil. Succession to the chair of president was patterned after the original dynasty set up by the natives, by Pal and Pil families. Thus, after Kapitan "Itong" (Cpt. Calixto Pil) his son followed. Next in line was Kapitan "Osting" (Cpt. Agustin Pil) then Kapitan "Kulas" (Cpt. Nicolas Pal), then Kapitan "Bentoy" (Cpt. Ruberto Pal), the last president before the transition period from Spanish to American regimes. The council members were then called, "Guinhaupan," acknowledged leader in settlements, now barrios or sitios.

The transition from the American regime to the time the Philippines obtained its independence saw Jeremias Pal re-elected alcalde in 1937 until the outbreak of World War II. The dark days of the Japanese occupation had Antonio Olo as the "puppet mayor". The restoration of the civil government after the war saw the appointment of Primitivo Gopo as the municipal mayor of Matalom.

In the 2020 census, the population of Matalom was 32,586 people,^[4] with a density of 250 inhabitants per square kilometre or 650 inhabitants per square mile.

Matalom has become famous for Canigao Island.