Balanga, Bataan
Balanga | ||
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Component City | ||
City of Balanga | ||
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Nickname(s): Bataan University Town, Bataan Capital City | ||
![]() Map of Bataan with Balanga highlighted | ||
![]() ![]() Balanga Location within the Philippines | ||
Coordinates: 14°41′N 120°32′E / 14.68°N 120.53°ECoordinates: 14°41′N 120°32′E / 14.68°N 120.53°E | ||
Country |
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Region | Central Luzon (Region III) | |
Province | Bataan | |
District | 2nd District | |
Founded | 1712 | |
Cityhood | December 30, 2000 | |
Barangays | 25 (see Barangays) | |
Government [1] | ||
• Type | Sangguniang Panlungsod | |
• Mayor | Francis S. Garcia | |
• Vice Mayor | ViancaLita V. Gozon | |
• Congressman | Jose Enrique S. Garcia III | |
• Electorate | 65,350 voters (2016) | |
Area [2] | ||
• Total | 111.63 km2 (43.10 sq mi) | |
Population (2015 census)[3] | ||
• Total | 96,061 | |
• Density | 860/km2 (2,200/sq mi) | |
Time zone | UTC+8 (PST) | |
ZIP code | 2100 | |
PSGC | 030803000 | |
IDD : area code | +63 (0)47 | |
Climate type | Tropical monsoon climate | |
Income class | 4th city income class | |
Revenue (₱) | 574,310,731.02 (2016) | |
Native languages |
Mariveleño Tagalog | |
Website |
www |
Balanga, officially the City of Balanga (Tagalog: Lungsod ng Balanga; Kapampangan: Lakanbalen ning Balanga) is a 4th class city and the capital city of the province of Bataan, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 96,061 people.[3]
Balanga City is primarily a residential-agricultural city, with a rapidly growing commercial sector. It has a total land area of 11,163 hectares (8.13% of Bataan).
History
![](../I/m/Poblacion_Balanga_City.jpg)
Balanga, the capital of Bataan, was formerly a village of Abucay before it was established as a mission of the Dominican Order in the Provincial Charter of April 21, 1714, and later declared a vicariate on April 18, 1739, under the patronage of Saint Joseph. Upon the establishment of Bataan as a separate province in 1754, Balanga was made its capital by General Pedro Manuel Arandia due to its favorable location, at the heart of the new territorial jurisdiction.
The word Balanga originates from the Kapampangan word "balañga" (clay pot, or "bang" in Tagalog), which the town used to produce and which were among the best that can be found in the country.
On December 30, 2000, Balanga was inaugurated as a City by the Republic Act 8984 authored by Congressman Enrique "Tet" Garcia.[4]
The city has extended its urban fringe to the west of Roman Superhighway and a new growth center in Barangay Tuyo has been delineated in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. During the past years, the city saw a high record of residential growth. Consequently, with the expansion of the physical limits of the urban core, as well as the expected large increases in population, and the city's attractiveness to commercial and employment activities, the City Government of Balanga decided to undertake a Master Planning exercise and to propose various developmental projects that would establish Balanga as a well-planned community with quality and character that is innovative and special, although this is currently hindered by an unreliable electricity supply.[5]
Demographics
Population census of Balanga City | ||
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Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
1903 | 7,347 | — |
1918 | 8,275 | +0.80% |
1939 | 11,684 | +1.66% |
1948 | 12,379 | +0.64% |
1960 | 18,143 | +3.24% |
1970 | 28,484 | +4.61% |
1975 | 34,289 | +3.79% |
1980 | 39,132 | +2.68% |
1990 | 51,512 | +2.79% |
1995 | 60,912 | +3.19% |
2000 | 71,088 | +3.37% |
2007 | 84,105 | +2.35% |
2010 | 87,920 | +1.63% |
2015 | 96,061 | +1.70% |
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[3] [6] [7] [8] |
The population of Balanga in the 2015 census was 96,061 people,[3] with a density of 860 inhabitants per square kilometre or 2,200 inhabitants per square mile.
City government and politics
Pursuant to the Local government in the Philippines",[9][10] the political seat of the municipal government is located at the City Hall. In the History of the Philippines (1521–1898), the Gobernadorcillo is the Chief Executive who holds office in the Presidencia. During the period of American rule (1898–1946) (History of the Philippines (1898-1946)), the elected Mayor and local officials, including the appointed ones, hold office at the Municipal Town or City Hall. The legislative and executive departments perform their functions in the Sangguniang Panglungsod (Session Hall) and the Regional and Metropolitan Trial Courts, respectively, and are located in the second floor of the City Hall and in the Halls of Justice.
- Mayor: Francis S. Garcia (National Unity)
- Vice Mayor: ViancaLita V. Gozon (National Unity)
- Councilors:
- Noel Valdecañas
- Jett Nisay
- Vic Baluyot
- Elmo Sanchez
- Hubert Pizarro
- Karl Paguio
- Joy Panganiban
- Carding Magpantay
- Tony Tranate
- Benjie Meriño
Administration
The City administration envisions the City of Balanga as U-Town, a World Class University Town in 2020 (City Ordinance No. 21, Series of 2008, "Declaring the eighty point forty-two (80.42) hectares at the city's central district as University Town in the City of Balanga, Bataan").[11]
Balanga listed a 'Record-Breaking' P6B Investments In 2012. Balanga City won the 1st Robredo ICT Awards.[12]
Barangays
Balanga City is politically subdivided into 25 barangays.
Town Proper Barangays | Peripheral Barangays | Coastal Barangays | Lowland Barangays | Upland Barangays |
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Former mayors
Mayor | Term |
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Tomas B. Gallardo | 1901–1903 |
Angel Mendoza | 1903–1907 |
Antonio Tuason Sr. | 1907–1909 |
Amado de Leon | 1909–1912 |
Andres de Leon | 1912–1916 |
Jose P. Banzon | 1916–1919 |
Venacio Banzon | 1919–1928 |
Antonio Tuason Sr. (2nd Term) | 1928–1931 |
Venacio Banzon (2nd Term) | 1931–1934 |
Mariano Batungbacal | 1934–1937 |
Mariano Herrera | 1938–1942 |
Mariano Batungbacal (2nd Term) | 1942–1943 |
Numeriano Quindoy | 1943–1944 |
Carlos Y. Gonzales | 1944–1945 |
Mariano Herrera (2nd Term) | 1945–1946 |
Jose N. Gonzales | 1946–1947 |
Graciano Pastorfide | 1947 |
Pedro R. Dizon | 1948–1951 |
Crispulo Torrico | 1951 |
Faustino V. Vigo | 1952–1955 |
Pedro R. Dizon (2nd Term) | 1956–1959 |
Emilio Bernabe | 1960–1963 |
Vicente Malibiran | 1964–1967 |
Teodoro Camacho III | 1968–1971 |
Celso Valdecañas | 1972–1979 |
Teodoro R. Alonzo | 1980–1986 |
Teodoro Camacho III (2nd Term) | 1986–1987 |
Melanio S. Banzon Jr. | 1988–1998 |
Albert S. Garcia | 1998–2004 |
Melanio S. Banzon Jr. (2nd Term) | 2004–2007 |
Jose Enrique Garcia III | 2007–2016 |
Landmarks / Places of interest
![](../I/m/Plaza_Mayor_de_Balanga_Fountain.png)
- Balanga Wetland Park[13]
- "Ibong Dayo" Festival in Barangay Tortugas (December 4–7)[14]
- Plaza Mayor de Balanga
- Bataan Capitol Compound
- Bataan Peninsula State University
- Bataan World War II Museum
- Galleria Victoria Mall
- The Plaza Hotel Balanga City
- GAP Plaza Hotel
- La Vista Balanga Inland Resort
- Center Plaza Mall
- Balanga Public Market
- Balanga Cathedral
- Fall of Bataan Marker
- Balanga Surrender Site Marker
- Divine Mercy Shrine of Diocese Balanga
- Hillside Garden Mansions, Munting Batangas, Roman Superhighway
- SM City Bataan (TBA, late 2019)
- Balanga City as seen from the top of Mount Samat
- The facade of Balanga City Hall
- Balanga City Wetland and Nature Park during the Ibong Dayo Festival
Healthcare
- Bataan Doctors Hospital
- Bataan General Hospital
- Bataan Women's Hospital
- Isaac Catalina Medical Center
- Centro Medico de Santisimo de Rosario
- St. Joseph Hospital
Education
![](../I/m/BPSU_Medina_Lacson_Bldg.png)
Balanga City is the educational center of the province of Bataan. It currently has one public university and several private colleges offering various courses such as accountancy, business administration, computer science and information technology, elementary and secondary education, engineering, and health professions like nursing and midwifery.
Bataan Peninsula State University is the lone state university in the city. It operates two campuses in the city: the main campus, which is located in the capitol compound, and the Balanga City campus, which is located in downtown area.
Tomas del Rosario College is one of the oldest private educational institutions in the city. It is located on Capitol Drive in Barangay San Jose.
The other private colleges in the city include Asia Pacific College of Advanced Studies and EastWoods Professional College of Science and Technology (formerly SOFTNET College of Science and Technology), both located in Barangay Ibayo, Bataan Heroes Memorial College located in Bataan Provincial Expressway, Microcity Computer College located at Capitol Drive and St. Joseph's College in upper Tuyo.
Other higher educational institutions in the city of Balanga include: AMA Computer Learning Center, Balanga; Philippine Women's University, CDCEC Bataan; Bataan Maritime Institute, Cupang Balanga; and Proclesia International Inc.
The city is also host to the biggest public secondary school in the province, the Bataan National High School. The other notable public secondary schools in the city are the laboratory high school of Bataan Peninsula State University, and the Bataan Integrated School.
Notable Private secondary schools in the city include the high school departments of Asia Pacific College of Advanced Studies, Bataan Infant Jesus School, Bataan Montessori School, Inc., Tomas del Rosario College and St. Joseph Colleges of Balanga.
Mayor Jose Enrique Garcia III's noted 2,050 scholars of the University Town of the Peninsula Foundation, Inc. which earned P10 million from private donors and per the December 2012 Balanga UTown Musical Mini-Series musical.[15]
Awards
![](../I/m/City_of_Balanga_receives_the_Balanced_Scorecard_Hall_of_Fame%E2%84%A2.jpg)
Notable people
- Romi Garduce, first Filipino to climb the Seven Summits
- Pedro Tuazon, Solicitor General of the Philippines 1921
- Janine Mari Tugonon, 1st runner-up in Miss Universe 2012
- Oscar Cruz, archbishop-emeritus of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines.
See also
References
- ↑ "City". Quezon City, Philippines: Department of the Interior and Local Government. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
- ↑ "Province: Bataan". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 Census of Population (2015). "Region III (Central Luzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. PSA. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
- ↑ City Government of Balanga | CITY PROFILE
- ↑ NSCB – 2001 Factsheet – 12 New Cities Created, July–December 2000.
- ↑ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region III (Central Luzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. NSO. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ↑ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region III (Central Luzon)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. NSO.
- ↑ "Province of Bataan". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- ↑ "Philippines : Gov.Ph : About the Philippines :". www.gov.ph. Retrieved 2009-03-28.
- ↑ The Local Government Code Of The Philippines – Chan Robles Virtual Law Library
- ↑ City Government of Balanga | PROGRAMS/PROJECTS
- ↑ City Government of Balanga | The Official Website Of The City Government Of Balanga
- ↑ Increase in number of migratory birds in Balanga recorded | Lifestyle Features, The Philippine Star | philstar.com
- ↑ http://tourism.cityofbalanga.gov.ph/14899-migratory-birds-counted-in-balanga
- ↑ PIA | Philippine Information Agency | Balanga City foundation earns P10M for scholars
- ↑ "Balanga lands in Palladium's Hall of Fame – City of Balanga". www.cityofbalanga.gov.ph. Retrieved 2018-02-17.
- ↑ Antonio, Marielle. "Balanga, Philippine Navy Bag top international awards". Retrieved 2018-02-17.
- ↑ "Palladium - Awards Program". www.thepalladiumgroup.com. Retrieved 2018-02-17.
External links
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Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Balanga. |
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Balanga, Bataan. |