[8] Baybay houses a major port on the central west coast of Leyte, where ferries leave for and from Cebu and other islands.

Baybay was believed to be the only settlement on the western coast of Leyte known to the first Spanish conquistadors that came with Magellan, as was Abuyog in the eastern part of the province, and Limasawa and Cabalian in the south.

In 1620, the Jesuit fathers which belonged to the "residencia" of Carigara, the first and central station of the Society of Jesus in Leyte.

By superior approbation, Baybay was created a parish on September 8, 1835, with the invocation of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.

During their time, the first road leading to Palompon was constructed, thus bringing Baybay closer to her neighboring municipalities.

The Augustinian fathers stayed in the town for 75 years - all of which they devoted to the upliftment of the natives in education and in their economic standing.

When the Spanish conquistadors spread themselves out to the provinces, an expeditionary force under Felipe Segundo, evidently looking for a bigger settlement, landed in a barrio north of the town which was and still is called Pangasugan.

Unable to understand Spanish and thinking that Felipe Segundo wanted to ask about the river, he answered in Visayan, " Ang suba nagbaybay sa Pangasugan."

Again, on November 4, 1663, moors under the dreaded Corralat took their toll of human lives and captives after mercilessly slaughtering the handful of men who defended the town with the aid of the parish priest.

The civil administration of the town during the Spanish era was placed in the hands of the gobernadorcillo, assisted by a teniente and the different jueces and cabezas.

The construction of the church, which still stands today, was begun under the engineering administration of Mariano Vasnillio during the term of Fr.

As the Spanish residents moved away in the early months of 1898, the reins of local government passed completely into the hands of the Filipino officials.

A group of Hilongosnons under the renowned Francisco Flordelis made an attempt in 1901 but they were driven off in a battle at Barrio Punta.

Before the Filipinos laid down their arms, Penaranda delivered a speech that even today is considered one of the most stirring addresses made in the province.

The following day, the Filipino soldiers trekked home in their uniforms to start another life of peace and work.

The government also established the Baybay National Agricultural School for young farmers of Visayas and Mindanao.

On December 22, 2009, the cityhood law of Baybay and 15 other municipalities regain its status as cities again after the court reversed its ruling on November 18, 2008.

On August 23, 2010, the court reinstated its ruling on November 18, 2008, causing Baybay and 15 cities to become regular municipalities.

Finally, on February 15, 2011, Baybay becomes a city again including the 15 municipalities declaring that the conversion to cityhood met all legal requirements.

Baybay is bounded by Camotes Sea to the west, Albuera to the north, Inopacan to the south, Burauen, La Paz and MacArthur to the northeast, Javier to the east, and Abuyog and Mahaplag to the southeast.

Mascarinas) Modina) Avellana), (Punong) The people of Baybay, known as Baybayanons or Baybayanos (depending on the usage) which are Cebuano-speaking.

Poverty incidence of Baybay Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] Executive power is vested in the mayor.

It is a unicameral body composed of ten elected councilors and certain numbers of ex officio and sectoral representatives.

Baybay is a hub of business and industry for the western coast of Leyte, with a commercial service sector in the city that includes banks, virtual assistance centers, restaurants, cafes, night spots, sports centers, as well as retail and wholesale stores.