Baliuag, Bulacan

Baliuag
Baliwág
Municipality
Municipality of Baliuag
(From top, left to right): Baliuag Municipal Hall • Baliuag Museum and Library (Old Town Hall) • Baliwag Transit terminal • Baliuag Clock Tower overviewing the Baliuag Wet and Dry Market • Mariano Ponce house birthplace marker • St. Augustine Parish Church (Baliuag)

Seal
Nickname(s): Buntal Hat Capital of the Philippines
Motto(s): Serbisyong May Malasakit

Map of Bulacan with Baliuag highlighted
Baliuag
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 14°57′N 120°54′E / 14.95°N 120.9°E / 14.95; 120.9Coordinates: 14°57′N 120°54′E / 14.95°N 120.9°E / 14.95; 120.9
Country  Philippines
Region Central Luzon (Region III)
Province Bulacan
District 2nd District
Founded May 15, 1734
Barangays 27 (see Barangays)
Government [1]
 • Type Sangguniang Bayan
 • Mayor Ferdinand V. Estrella
 • Vice Mayor Christopher F. Clemente
 • Electorate 90,844 voters (2016)
Area [2]
 • Total 45.05 km2 (17.39 sq mi)
Elevation 23 m (75 ft)
Population (2015 census)[3]
 • Total 149,954
 • Rank 19 out of 1,489 Municipalities
 • Density 3,300/km2 (8,600/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Baliuageño (male)
Baliuageña (femal)
Time zone UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code 3006
PSGC 031403000
IDD : area code  +63 (0)44
Climate type Tropical monsoon climate
Income class 1st municipal income class
Poverty rate Positive decrease 5.4%
• Revenue (2017) Increase PHP 491.54 million (14.3%) [4]
• Expenses (2017) Increase PHP 459.84 million (10.5%)
• Total Assets (2017) Increase PHP 613.43 million (6.8%)
Electricity Manila Electric Company
• Consumption 66.12 million kWh (2003)
Native languages Tagalog
Kapampangan

Baliuag, officially the Municipality of Baliuag, (Tagalog: Bayan ng Baliuag), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 149,954 people.[3]

Baliuag was founded in 1732 by Augustinian friars and was incorporated by the Spanish Governor-General on 1733. The town was a part of Quingua (now Plaridel) before.

Through the years of Spanish domination, Baliuag was predominantly agricultural. People had to depend on rice farming for main source of livelihood. Orchards and tumanas yielded fruits and vegetables, which were sold in the public market. Commerce and industry also played important contributions to the economy of the people. Buntal hat weaving in Baliuag together with silk weaving popularly known in the world as Thai silk; the manufacturer of cigar cases, piña fibers, petates (mats) and Sillas de Bejucos (cane chairs) all of fine quality became known in many parts of the world. The local market also grew. During the early part of the 19th century Baliuag was already considered one of the most progressive and richest town in Bulacan. The growth of the public market has significantly changed the mode of economy of the town.

Baliuag is the major commerce, transportation, entertainment and educational center of Northern Bulacan. With the continuous expansion of Metro Manila, the municipality is now part of Manila's built up area which reaches San Ildefonso in its northernmost part.

History

Fr. Joaquín Martínez de Zúñiga, OSA, a friar, in his "1803 Historia de las Islas Filipinas"[5] wrote that the Convent or Parochial house of San Agustin, in Baliuag, is the best in the whole Archipelago and that no edifice in Manila can be compared to it in symmetry and beauty amid its towering belfry, having been a viewing point of the town's panorama. The frayle further stated that the Convent was a repository of priceless parish records which dated to the founding of Baliuag as a pueblo or parrochia by the OSA or Augustinians in 1733. But the first convent was erected at Barangay Sta. Barbara, Baliuag before the Parokya was formally established at the now Plaza Naning, Poblacion.

"Lumang Municipio" (Baliuag Museum and Library).

Fr. Joaquín Martínez de Zúñiga arrived in the Philippines on August 3, 1786 and visited Baliuag on February 17, 1802 with Ignacio Maria de Álava y Sáenz de Navarrete. Their host was Baliuag's Parish Priest, Fray Esteban Diez Hidalgo.[6] Fr. Diez served as the longest cura parroco of Baliuag from 1789, having built the church and convent from 1790 to 1801.

Spanish records "Apuntes históricos de la provincia augustiniana del Santísimo Nombre de Jesús de Filipinas"[7] reveal that Fr. Juan de Albarran, OSA was assigned Parish Priest of Baliuag in 1733. The first baptism in Baliuag Church was ordered by Fr. Lector and Fr. Feliz Trillo, Provincial of the Province on June 7, 1933 while Baliuag was founded and began its de jure existence on May 26, 1733. The pueblo or town was created in the provincial Chapter on May 15, 1734, with the appointment of Fr. Manuel Bazeta/Baseta as first cura parroco.[8]

In 1769-1774, the Church of Baliuag was built by Father Gregorio Giner. The present structure (the third church to be rebuilt, due to considerable damage during the 1880 Luzon earthquakes) was later rebuilt by Father Esteban Diaz using mortar and stone. The 1866 Belfry was also completed by Father Matias Novoa but the July 19, 1880 quake damaged the same which was later repaired by Father Thomas Gresa.[9][10]

The earthquake of June 3, 1863, one of the strongest to ever hit Manila, destroyed the Governor's Palace in Intramuros. Malacañang then, became the permanent residence of the head of the country. The massive quake also damaged the Baliuag Church.[11] In 1870, the reconstruction began when a temporary house of worship, the “Provincial”, along Año 1733 street, emerged as a narrow, and simple edifice which later used by the RVM Sisters of the Colegio de la Sagrada Familia (now St. Mary's College of Baliuag) as classroom. Antonio de Mesa, “Maestrong Tonio" fabricated the parts to have finished the Spanish-era Baliuag Church.

First Municipio

Baliuag had 30 curates (1733–1898): Fr. Esteban Diez Hidalgo and Fr. Fausto Lopez served 40 and 24 years, respectively. Fr. Lopez had 6 children with a beautiful native, Mariquita: Dr. Joaquin Gonzalez, Francisco, the former Assemblyman Ricardo Lloret Gonzales (Legislative districts of Bulacan, 5th Philippine Legislature), and Jose the eldest who was widely known as “Pepeng Mariquita", inter alia. Spanish cura parroco, Fr. Ysidoro Prada served in Baliuag during the last decade of Spaniard regime.

The Philippine-American civil and military authorities supervised the first municipal elections, having chosen Baliuag as the site of the first Philippine elections of May 7, 1899.[12] The Filipinos gathered at the plaza of the St. Augustine Church after the Holy Mass, and thereafter the officials were selected based on the qualifications for voters set by the Americans.[13]

The first town Gobernadorcillo (1789 title) of Baliuag was Cap. Jose de Guzman.[14] He was assisted by the Tribunal's teniente mayor (chief lieutenant), juez de ganadas (judge of the cattle), juez de sementeras (judge of the field) and juez de policia (judge of the police). In the History of the Philippines (1521–1898), the 1893 Maura Law, the title of Gobernadorcillo became "capitan municipal" and that of each juez to teniente. From Baliuag's independence from Quingua, now Plaridel, Bulacan to 1898, 49 served as capitan, 13 alcalde and 92 as Gobernadorcillo. Felix de Lara (1782) and Agustin de Castro (1789) were the 1st alcalde and Gobernadorcillo, respectively. Municipal President Fernando Enrile, in 1908, honored some of these officials, even naming some of Baliuag calles in their honor, later. But all these political officials remained under the thumbs and the habito, of the autocratic Augustinian friars, the Baliuag Kura Parokos.

The local government of Baliuag used as first Municipio under the American regime (History of the Philippines (1898–1946)) the Mariano Yoyongko (Gobernadorcillo in 1885) Principalia in Poblacion (now a part of the market site), which it bought from Yoyongko.[15]

On September 15, 1915, Baliuag municipality bought the heritage mansion and lot of Dr. Joaquin Gonzalez. The Gonzalez old mansion served as Lumang Municipio (the Old Municipio or Town Hall Building, as seat of the local government) for 65 years. It is now the Baliuag Museum and Library.

Baliuag produced not less than 30 priests, including 3 during the Spanish-Dominican, and 2 Jesuits during the American regimes.

Jeorge Allan R. Tengco and Amy R. Tengco (wife of Lito S. Tengco), philanthropists, owners of Baliwag Transit and other chains of business establishments had been conferred the Papal Orders of Chivalry October 3, 2000 Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice and the 2012 Dame of the Order of St. Gregory the Great awards.[16]

Don Mariano Ponce

Mariano Ponce was a native of Baliwag. He was a founding member of the Propaganda Movement together with José Rizal and Marcelo del Pilar; a former assemblyman of the second district of Bulacan to the Philippine Assembly; and the co-founder of La Solidaridad with fellow co-founder Graciano López-Jaena. His most common names are Naning (the Plaza Naning in Baliwag being named after his nickname); Kalipulako, named after the Cebuano hero Lapu-Lapu; and Tagibalang or Tigbalang (Tikbalang), a supernatural being in Filipino folklore.[17]

Barangays

Baliwag is politically subdivided into 27 barangays.

PSGC Barangay Population ±% p.a.
2015[3] 2010[18]
031403001 Bagong Nayon 3.7% 5,616 5,994 ▾ −1.23%
031403002 Barangca 2.0% 3,051 2,742 ▴ 2.05%
031403003 Calantipay 1.9% 2,784 2,613 ▴ 1.21%
031403004 Catulinan 1.3% 1,916 1,769 ▴ 1.53%
031403005 Concepcion 6.6% 9,933 9,585 ▴ 0.68%
031403006 Hinukay 1.4% 2,140 1,419 ▴ 8.14%
031403007 Makinabang 7.8% 11,715 11,196 ▴ 0.87%
031403008 Matangtubig 1.8% 2,630 2,859 ▾ −1.58%
031403010 Pagala 2.6% 3,843 3,139 ▴ 3.93%
031403011 Paitan 1.0% 1,517 1,440 ▴ 1.00%
031403012 Piel 1.5% 2,229 1,955 ▴ 2.53%
031403013 Pinagbarilan 3.6% 5,357 5,178 ▴ 0.65%
031403014 Poblacion 6.3% 9,448 9,668 ▾ −0.44%
031403016 Sabang 7.6% 11,350 11,960 ▾ −0.99%
031403017 San Jose 4.4% 6,575 5,346 ▴ 4.02%
031403018 San Roque 2.4% 3,554 3,402 ▴ 0.84%
031403019 Santa Barbara 7.8% 11,676 11,568 ▴ 0.18%
031403020 Santo Cristo 5.9% 8,840 8,650 ▴ 0.41%
031403021 Santo Niño 2.5% 3,818 3,470 ▴ 1.84%
031403022 Subic 3.7% 5,506 4,550 ▴ 3.70%
031403023 Sulivan 3.4% 5,070 4,776 ▴ 1.14%
031403024 Tangos 3.8% 5,699 5,578 ▴ 0.41%
031403025 Tarcan 4.9% 7,333 6,892 ▴ 1.19%
031403026 Tiaong 3.3% 5,006 4,903 ▴ 0.40%
031403027 Tibag 2.0% 3,014 3,746 ▾ −4.06%
031403028 Tilapayong 2.3% 3,389 2,494 ▴ 6.01%
031403030 Virgen delas Flores 4.6% 6,945 6,673 ▴ 0.76%
Total 149,954 143,565 ▴ 0.83%

Demographics

Population census of Baliuag
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 15,936—    
1918 18,254+0.91%
1939 22,972+1.10%
1948 30,670+3.26%
1960 37,409+1.67%
1970 52,133+3.37%
1975 61,624+3.41%
1980 70,555+2.74%
1990 89,719+2.43%
1995 103,054+2.63%
2000 119,675+3.26%
2007 136,982+1.88%
2010 143,565+1.72%
2015 149,954+0.83%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[3] [18] [19] [20]

In the 2015 census, the population of Baliuag, Bulacan, was 149,954 people,[3] with a density of 3,300 inhabitants per square kilometre or 8,500 inhabitants per square mile.

Economy

Economy of Baliuag, Bulacan
Baliuag Town Proper
2017 Financial Highlights
[21]
Financial Conditions
  • Total Assets:
    IncreasePHP 613.43 million
  • Total Liabilities:
    IncreasePHP 230.64 million
  • Total Equity:
    IncreasePHP 382.78 million
Results of Operations
  • Total Revenues:
    IncreasePHP 491.54 million
  • Total Expenses:
    IncreasePHP 459.84 million
  • Excess Income Over Expenses:
    IncreasePHP 31.70 million
Sources and Application of Funds
  • Appropriation and Allotments:
    IncreasePHP 507.30 million
  • Obligations:
    IncreasePHP 480.09 million
  • Balances:
    IncreasePHP 27.21 million

Major industries

  • Garments
  • Pyrotechnics
  • Food/Food Processing
  • Furniture
  • Swine
  • Chicken Production
  • Automobile Industry

Major products

  • Buntal Hat and Bags
  • Bakeries (Native Pandesal, Ensaymada, Spanish Bread)
  • Native Delicacies (Chicharon, Puto, Pastillas de Leche)
  • Lechon Manok

Malls & supermarkets

  • SM City Baliuag
  • A Square
  • Puregold Baliuag
  • Super8 Grocery Warehouse
  • NE Supermarket
  • Savemore Supermarket
  • Ultra Mega Supermarket

Local government

2016-2019 Baliuag Municipal Officials [22] [23]
PositionNameParty
Mayor Ferdinand V. Estrella NPC
Vice Mayor Christopher F. Clemente Liberal
Councilors Marie Claudette S. Quimpo Liberal
Joel Noel S. Pascual Liberal
Wilfredo A. Lapira Liberal
Emmanuel T. Balicanta NPC
Adronicus O. Cruz Liberal
Lee Edward V. Nicolas NPC
Erlene Luz V. dela Cruz NPC
Generoso S. Ligon Liberal
Ex Officio Municipal Council Members
ABC President Ricky Romulo (Tiaong) Nonpartisan
SK Federation President Jaime Viceo IV (Santa Barbara) Nonpartisan

List of Mayors [24]

No. Presidente Municipal Took office Left office
1Francisco Guerrero18991899
2Jose Rustia19001900
3Ancieto Valencia19011903
4Dr. Domingo M. Enrile19041905
5Jose Lajom19061907
6Fernando Enrile19081909
7Martin H. Prado19101912
8Juan Racelis19131918
9Pablo Camacho19191922
10Emilio Rustia19221925
11Pedro R. Mateo19251930
12Dr. Peregrino E. Sauco19311934
13Atty. Wenceslao Ortega19341937
No. Alcalde Took office Left office
1Dr. Guilermo dela Merced19381941
2Rafael Chico19421945
No. Municipal Mayors Took office Left office
1Maj. Servando C. Santos19461955
2Roberto E. Chico19561959
3Felix Tiongson19601963
4Roberto E. Chico19641967
5Florentino Vergel de Dios19681980
6Dominador Enrile19801981
7Leonardo C. Mananghaya19811986
8Atty. Emilio Camacho Santos (OIC)19861988
9Reynaldo S. del Rosario19881992
10Cornelio P. Trinidad19921994
11Edilberto S. Tengco19941998
12Rolando F. Salvador19982004
13Romeo M. Estrella20042013
14Carolina L. Dellosa, M.D20132016
15Ferdinand V. Estrella2016incumbent

Education

Baliuag has several private colleges and universities. Baliuag University is the first school granted full autonomy in Region III by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). St. Mary's College of Baliuag is a Catholic school founded in 1912. Computer Colleges such as STI College and ACLC are also found in the municipality. Baliuag Polytechnic College is a public tertiary and vocational educational institution in Baliuag.

BPC façade

Transportation

BTI main terminal in Plaza Naning, Baliuag

Public transportation in Baliuag is served by provincial buses, jeepneys, UV Express AUVs, and intra-municipal tricycles.

Baliwag Transit, Inc., one of the largest bus transportation system in the Philippines, is headquarted in Brgy. Sabang. It mainly services routes to and from Metro Manila and Central Luzon.

There are three (3) major transport lines in the municipality: The Baliuag-Candaba (Benigno S. Aquino Avenue) road going to Pampanga (from the Downtown Baliuag to Candaba Town Proper), the Old Cagayan Valley road (Calle Rizal) and the Dona Remedios Trinidad Highway (AH26) going to Manila and Nueva Ecija. The town is located 52 kilometers north of Manila, the capital of the Philippines.

Religion

Baliuag at present has five parishes, a sub-parish and a quasi-parish under the administration of Diocese of Malolos.

Attractions

  • Baliuag is the place where the first elections in the Far East were held (1899).

Baliuag Clock Tower

Baliuag is the home of the first self-supporting clock tower in Bulacan. It is one of the popular heritage attractions in the town.

Lenten Processions

Baliuag is famous for its Semana Santa (Holy Week) processions, being hailed as the longest Religious Procession in the Philippines. As of 2018, the procession hosts a record 118 carros or carrozas (floats) with life-sized santos (statues) joined in the parade showcasing events from the life and passion of Christ.

Buntal Hat Festival

Buntal Hat Festival is a celebration of culture of Buntal Hat making in the town that is simultaneously celebrated with Mother's Day annually. Colorful and grandiose decorations and street dancing are the highlights of this celebration.

Other attractions

  • 3006 Augustine Square
  • Baliuag Glorietta Park
  • Baliuag Museum and Library (Lumang Municipio)
  • Mariano Ponce Ancestral House Museum
  • The Greenery Events Place
  • The Municipal Government Building
  • The Baliwag Star Arena
  • Jose Rizal Monument at Plaza Naning
  • Baliwag Pasalubong Center
  • Parish Museum of Old Religious Artifacts (Parish of St. Augustine)
  • Carozza Makers
  • Artisan Street (Bone In-Lay Handicrafts)
  • Baliwag Heroes’ Park
  • Baliwag Night Market

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Municipality". Quezon City, Philippines: Department of the Interior and Local Government. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  2. ↑ "Province: Bulacan". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Census of Population (2015). "Region III (Central Luzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. PSA. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  4. ↑ ""Commission on Audit 2017 Report-Bulacan"". Quezon City, Philippines: Commission on Audit. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  5. ↑ MARTINEZ de ZUÑIGA OSA, Fr Joaquín (1803). Historia de las Islas Philipinas (2 vols) (in Spanish). Sampaloc: Impreso por Fr. Pedro Argüelles de la Concepción. OCLC 30062450.
  6. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-10-12. Retrieved 2013-03-30.
  7. ↑ "Apuntes históricos de la provincia augustiniana del Santísimo Nombre de Jesús de Filipinas : a... - National Library of Australia". nla.gov.au. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  8. ↑
  9. ↑ "Protected Blog". wordpress.com. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  10. ↑ "Visita Iglesia: The old churches of Bulacan, Part 1 of 2". Simbahan. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  11. ↑ Malacañang Palace#Etymology
  12. ↑ Balabo, Dino (2007-05-07). "Baliuag marks 108 years of town elections". Philippine Star. Retrieved 2012-12-31.
  13. ↑ "Baliuag marks 108 years of town elections". philstar.com. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  14. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-10-12. Retrieved 2013-01-07.
  15. ↑ "Multiply.com". multiply.com. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  16. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-01-03. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
  17. ↑ "Mariano Ponce". Official Website of the Provincial Government of Bulacan. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  18. 1 2 Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region III (Central Luzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. NSO. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  19. ↑ 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.
  20. ↑ "Province of Bulacan". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  21. ↑ ""Commission on Audit Financial Report 2016-Baliwag"". Quezon City, Philippines: Commission on Audit (COA). Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  22. ↑ ""Municipal Officials-Baliwag"". City of Malolos,Bulacan: Provincial Government of Bulacan Official Website. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  23. ↑ ""Sangguniang Kabataan, Sumasailalim sa Pagsasanay. SK Chair Jaime Viceo IV ng Sta. Barbara nahalal na SK Federation President."". Baliwag,Bulacan: Baliwag City News Online. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  24. ↑ "Present and Past Government Officials-Baliwag". Baliwag, Bulacan: Municipality of Baliwag Official Website. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
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