Balanga, Bataan
| Balanga | ||
|---|---|---|
| Component City | ||
| City of Balanga Lungsod ng Balanga | ||
| ||
| Nickname(s): Balanga 2020 University Town, Balanga Utown, Learning City | ||
 Location in the province of Bataan | ||
.svg.png)  Balanga Location within the Philippines | ||
| Coordinates: 14°41′N 120°32′E / 14.683°N 120.533°ECoordinates: 14°41′N 120°32′E / 14.683°N 120.533°E | ||
| Country | Philippines | |
| Region | Central Luzon (Region III) | |
| Province | Bataan | |
| District | 2nd District | |
| Founded | 1712 | |
| Cityhood | December 30, 2000 | |
| Barangays | 25 | |
| Government[1] | ||
| • Representative, 2nd Congressional District | Albert Raymond S. Garcia (National Unity) | |
| • Governor | Enrique T. Garcia, Jr. (National Unity) | |
| • Mayor | Jose Enrique S. Garcia III (National Unity) | |
| • Vice Mayor | Noel Joseph L. Valdecañas (National Unity) | |
| Area[2] | ||
| • Total | 111.63 km2 (43.10 sq mi) | |
| Population (2010)[3] | ||
| • Total | 87,920 | |
| • Density | 790/km2 (2,000/sq mi) | |
| Demonym(s) | Balangueños | |
| Time zone | PHT (UTC+8) | |
| ZIP code | 2100 | |
| Dialing code | +63 (0)47 | |
| Income class | 1st class city; component city | |
| Website |
www | |
Balanga, officially the City of Balanga (Filipino: Lungsod ng Balanga) or Balanga City, is a first class city and capital of the province of Bataan in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 87,920 people.[3] Balanga City is primarily a residential-agricultural city. It has a total land area of 11,163 hectares (8.13% of Bataan).[2]
History
Balanga, the capital of Bataan, was formerly a visita of Abucay before it was established as a mission of the Dominican Order in the Provincial Chapter 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 "banga" in Tagalog), which the town used to produce and which was among the best that can be found in the country.
On December 30, 2000, Balanga was inaugurated as City by the Republic Act 8984 authored by Congressman Enrique "Tet" Garcia - Tet Garcia.[4]
Today, Balanga has just recently been transformed into a City. Prior to this development, the City has extended its urban fringe to 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. The consequent expansion of the physical limits of the urban core as well as the expected large increases in population, and its 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]
City government and politics
Pursuant to the Local government in the Philippines",[6][7] 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 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 | Jose Enrique S. Garcia III (National Unity) |
| Vice Mayor | Noel Joseph L. Valdecañas (National Unity) |
| Sangguniang Panglungsod |
|
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 and forty-two (80.42) hectares at the city’s central district as University Town in the City of Balanga, Bataan”).[9]
Balanga listed a ‘Record-Breaking’ P6B Investments In 2012. Balanga City won the 1st Robredo ICT Awards.[10]
Barangays
Balanga City is politically subdivided into 25 barangays.[2]
| Town Proper Barangays | Peripheral Barangays | Coastal Barangays | Lowland Barangays | Upland Barangays |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
Mayors
| Mayor | Term |
|---|---|
| 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-present |
Demographics
| Population census of Balanga City | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
| 1990 | 51,512 | — |
| 1995 | 60,912 | +3.19% |
| 2000 | 71,088 | +3.37% |
| 2007 | 84,105 | +2.35% |
| 2010 | 87,920 | +1.63% |
| Source: National Statistics Office[3] | ||
Education
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 at the 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 a 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 College's 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.[11]
Healthcare
- Bataan Doctors Hospital
- Bataan General Hospital
- Bataan Women's Hospital
- Isaac Catalina Medical Center
- Orani District Hospital
- St. Joseph Hospital
Landmarks / Places of interest
- Balanga City Hall
- Balanga Wetland Park[12]
- “Ibong Dayo” Festival in Barangay Tortugas (December 4–7)[13]
- 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
- La Vista Balanga Inland Resort -
- Crown Royale Hotel, Barangay Central, Roman Expressway
- Common Terminal
- Divine Mercy Shrine of Diocese Balanga
- Hillside Garden Mansions, Munting Batangas, Roman hi-way
Notable people from Balanga
- Romi Garduce
- Pedro Tuazon, Solicitor General of the Philippines 1921
- Janine Mari Tugonon, the 1st runner-up of Miss Universe 2012, and former 1st runner-up in the Binibining Pilipinas 2011 but she had to resign in order to compete for the Binibining Pilipinas 2012 edition.
- Milagros Faith Aquende Banzon, a businesswoman, awardee of the Pope Leo XIII 1888, Holy Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (at the Balanga Cathedral, Bishop Ruperto Santos, DD, on January 12, 2013 bestowed the medal)[14]
Gallery
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Balanga City as seen from the top of Mount Samat
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Isaac and Catalina Medical Center
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Balanga City Wall of Fame
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Enrique Garcia Sr. Avenue
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Halls of Justice, Courts
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The facade of Balanga City Hall
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Bataan Common Terminal
See also
References
- ↑ "Cities". Quezon City, Philippines: Department of the Interior and Local Government. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
- 1 2 3 "Province: BATAAN". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
- 1 2 3 "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010" (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
- ↑ City Government of Balanga | CITY PROFILE
- ↑ NSCB - 2001 Factsheet - 12 New Cities Created, July–December 2000.
- ↑ "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 | City Council
- ↑ City Government of Balanga | PROGRAMS/PROJECTS
- ↑ City Government of Balanga | The Official Website Of The City Government Of Balanga
- ↑ PIA | Philippine Information Agency | Balanga City foundation earns P10M for scholars
- ↑ 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
- ↑ Bataan businesswoman receives papal award | Pinoy Abroad | GMA News Online
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Balanga City. |
- Website of Balanga
- Balanga City General Information
- Bataan National High School
- Philippine Standard Geographic Code
- Philippine Census Information
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Abucay | | ||
| Morong |  |
Manila Bay | ||
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| Bagac | Pilar |
