Batangas City

This article is about the city. For the province, see Batangas.
Batangas City
Component City

View of Poblacion, Batangas City

Seal
Nickname(s): "Industrial Port of Calabarzon"; Eco Tourist City of the Past, Present and Future
Motto: Eto Batangueño Disiplinado

Location in the province of Batangas
Batangas City

Location within the Philippines

Coordinates: 13°45′N 121°03′E / 13.750°N 121.050°E / 13.750; 121.050Coordinates: 13°45′N 121°03′E / 13.750°N 121.050°E / 13.750; 121.050
Country Philippines
Region CALABARZON (Region IV-A)
Province Batangas
Congr. District 5th District of Batangas (Lone District of Batangas City)
Founded 1581
Cityhood July 23, 1969
Barangays 105
Government[1]
  Mayor Eduardo B. Dimacuha(NPC)
  Vice Mayor Emilio Francisco A. Berberabe Jr. (UNA)
  Councilors
  ABC President Angelito A. Dimacuha
Area[2]
  Total 282.96 km2 (109.25 sq mi)
Elevation 10 m (30 ft)
Population (2010)[3]
  Total 305,607
  Density 1,100/km2 (2,800/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Batangueño (male)
Batangueña (female)
Time zone PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code 4200
Dialing code 43
Income Class First
Feast January 16
Website www.batangascity.gov.ph

Batangas City (Filipino: Lungsod ng Batangas), is the largest and capital city of the Province of Batangas, Philippines. Known as the "Industrial Port City of Calabarzon", Batangas City is currently classified as one of the fastest urbanizing cities of the Philippines. According to the 2010 census, the city has a population of 305,607 people.[3]

Barangays

Batangas City is politically subdivided into 105 barangays.[4] Pagkilatan was formerly a sitio of Matoco.[5] Malalim was formerly the "southern portion of the barrio of Sirang Lupa, the northern portion of the barrio Mahabang Dahilig, and the eastern portion of San Isidro" "together with the sitio of Malalim"; this territory became a barrio (barangay) in 1954.[6] In the same year, sitio Malitam, formerly part of barrio Libjo, was elevated as a barrio.[7] San Antonio was constituted from the sitios of Ilaya, Labac, Matalisay, Pajo and Cacawan, from the barrio of San Agapito.[8] In 1957, the barrio of Talumpok was divided into two. Sitios Romano, Poyesan, Bondeo and Latag were constituted into Talumpok Silangan, while sitios Ginto, Duhatan, Kulingkang, Piit and Cuaba were constituted into Talumpok Kanluran.[9]

Balagtas was formerly known as Patay, Kumintang Ilaya as Sambat Ilaya, and Kuming Ibaba as Sambat Ibaba.[10]

  • Barangay 1
  • Barangay 2
  • Barangay 3
  • Barangay 4
  • Barangay 5
  • Barangay 6
  • Barangay 7
  • Barangay 8
  • Barangay 9
  • Barangay 10
  • Barangay 11
  • Barangay 12
  • Barangay 13
  • Barangay 14
  • Barangay 15
  • Barangay 16
  • Barangay 17
  • Barangay 18
  • Barangay 19
  • Barangay 20
  • Barangay 21
  • Barangay 22
  • Barangay 23
  • Barangay 24
  • Alangilan
  • Balagtas
  • Balete
  • Banaba Center
  • Banaba West
  • Banaba East
  • Banaba South
  • Bilogo
  • Bolbok
  • Bucal
  • Calicanto
  • Catandala
  • Concepcion
  • Conde Itaas
  • Conde Labac
  • Cumba
  • Cuta
  • Dalig
  • Dela Paz West
  • Dela Paz Pulot Aplaya
  • Dela Paz Pulot Itaas
  • Dumuclay
  • Dumantay
  • Gulod Itaas
  • Gulod Labac
  • Haligue West
  • Haligue East
  • Ilijan
  • Kumintang Ibaba
  • Kumintang Ilaya
  • Libjo
  • Liponpon, Verde Island
  • Maapaz
  • Mahabang Dahilig
  • Mahabang Parang
  • Mahacot East
  • Mahacot West
  • Malalim
  • Malibayo
  • Malitam
  • Maruclap
  • Mabacong
  • Pagkilatan
  • Paharang West
  • Paharang East
  • Pallocan West
  • Pallocan East
  • Pinamucan Ibaba
  • Pinamucan West
  • Pinamucan East
  • Sampaga
  • San Agapito, Verde Island
  • San Agustin West, Verde Island
  • San Agustin East, Verde Island
  • San Andres, Verde Island
  • San Antonio, Verde Island
  • San Isidro
  • San Jose Sico
  • San Miguel
  • San Pascual
  • San Pedro
  • Santa Clara
  • Santa Rita Aplaya
  • Santa Rita Karsada
  • Santo Domingo
  • Santo Niño
  • Simlong
  • Sirang Lupa
  • Sorosoro Ibaba
  • Sorosoro Ilaya
  • Sorosoro Karsada
  • Tabangao Aplaya
  • Tabangao Ambulong
  • Tabangao Dao
  • Talahib Pandayan
  • Talahib Payapa
  • Talumpok Kanluran
  • Talumpok Silangan
  • Tingga Itaas
  • Tingga Labac
  • Tulo
  • Wawa

History

Foreign rule

The first Spanish missionaries arrived in Batangas City since 1572 due to group migration. Finally, in 1581, Spanish authorities governing the Philippines created a pueblo in the area which included the hill (now Hilltop) where the present Provincial Capitol of Batangas stands after the formal end of the Coumintang Kingdom. The town was named "Batangan" because huge logs, locally called "batang", abounded in the place. The Spanish government appointed Don Agustin Casilao as Batangan's first gobernadorcillo. Said title of "little governor" as head of the pueblo or municipio was replaced in 1894 by "capital municipal." It is not clear who succeeded Casilao nor is it known whether there were subsequent appointments of capital municipal. Don Agustin Casilao is sometimes referred to as Agustino or Augustino in some sources. By 1870, its barangays were Balagtas, Bilogo, Bolbok, Bukal, Catandala, Konde, De La Paz, Kumintang Ibaba, Matuko, Mapagong, Paharang Kanluran, Pairang, Pinamucan, Patulo, Sampaga, San Agapito, San Isidro ang Talahib.[11][12]

At the coming of the Americans in the early 1900s, local civil government of Batangas was set up. It took effect on July 4, 1901 with Jose Villanueva elected as "Municipal President." His term expired in 1903.[11]

Subsequent elections installed the following as municipal presidents: Juan Palacios, 1904–1905; Jose Arguelles, 1906; Marcelo Llana, 1907; Sisenando Ferriols, 1908–1909; Ventura Tolentino, 1910–1914; Julian Rosales, 1915; Juan Gutierrez, 1916–1919; Julian Rosales, 1920–1922; Juan Buenafe, 1923–1930; Perfecto Condez, 1931–1937; Juan Buenafe, 1938-1940. In 1941 the title "Municipal President" was changed to "Municipal Mayor." Pedro Berberabe was elected first municipal mayor.[11]

Batangas City was severely damaged due to the Japanese A6M Zero bombardment and on December 12, 1941, the Batangas Airport which is located in Brgy. Alangilan is totally destroyed. On October 14, 1943, municipal councilor Roman L. Perez was appointed Mayor by the Japanese after the inauguration of the Second Republic of the Philippines. Liberation begun when 158th Regimental Combat Team (or 158th RCT) under the command of the US 6th Army reached Poblacion, Batangas City by March 11 during the Philippines Liberation Campaign of 1944–45. By the end of April the same that year, some elements of the 188th Glider Infantry Regiment of the 11th Airborne Division was left to clear the barangays east and mountains south of the city as the main Allied Force continued their drive towards the Quezon Province. Some of hundreds thousands local Filipino soldiers and officers of the 4th and 42nd Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and 4th Infantry Regiment of the Philippine Constabulary was entering and re-invaded in Batangas City. Throughout the battle, recognized Filipino Guerrilla fighters played an important key role in the advancement of the combined American and Philippine Commonwealth troops, providing key roads and information for the Japanese location of defenses and movements. Hostilities ended as the war came closer to the end.[13][14][14]

Independence and onwards

After the Liberation, Pres. Manuel Roxas issued his reappointment. Mayor Perez ran and won in 1944, the first post-War elections in the country. In November 1949 he was killed by an unknown assassin. Vice Mayor Atilano Magadia succeeded the late Mayor Perez. He served until 1951. Mayor Macario Chavez was elected in 1951. His four-year term ended in 1955.[11]

People voted Pedro S. Tolentino overwhelmingly as mayor in 1956. He was reelected three times. It was during his fourth term (mid 1969) that Congress approved the Charter, a milestone event which made him the first city mayor of Batangas.[11]

Other succeeding mayors followed are Mayor Macario M. Mendoza, 1974–1979; Alfredo M. Borbon, 1979–1980, Conrado C. Berberabe, 1980–1986; Jose M. Atienza, 1986–1987; Mario M. Perez, 1987, Eduardo B. Dimacuha, 1988–1998, Angelito D. Dimacuha, 1998–2001 and again Eduardo B. Dimacuha, 2001–2010, Vilma A. Dimacuha, 2010-2013 and again Eduardo B. Dimacuha, 2013–present .[15]

Meanwhile, on January 19, 2008, Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo opened Phase II project of the Batangas City International Container Port (with turn-over to the Philippine Ports Authority). She also inspected a major road project in Southern Tagalog. She then inspected the P1.5-billion Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR), Stage II-Phase 1 connecting Lipa (19.74 kilometers and Batangas and the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) road widening, expansion and the STAR toll way development projects in Batangas.[16]

Demographics

Population census of
Batangas City
YearPop.±% p.a.
1990 184,970    
1995 211,879+2.58%
2000 247,588+3.40%
2007 295,231+2.46%
2010 305,607+1.26%

Economy

A. Evangelista Street, one of the shopping centers in the Poblacion area

The City of Batangas gears up activities on trade, finance, education and medical services for most part of the province. As a center for trade and commerce, it hosts one of the largest oil refineries in the country, Pilipinas Shell, and three natural gas power plants, namely, Keilco, First Gas and Malampaya On-Shore Gas Plant. Other major industries include: San Miguel Food Corporation, JG Summit Petrochemical Corp., Universal Robina Corp., Himmel Industries Inc., Chemphil Bulk Terminal, San Lorenzo Power Plant and First Philippine Industrial Corp. It is the center for education, with three of the largest universities in the province and recently, more International Schools have chosen the City as their campus sites.

The City draws thousands of transient and migratory workers, with 58 banking and other financial institutions, about 9 shopping centers (6 in Poblacion, 1 in Cuta, 1 in Calicanto, and 1 in Pallocan West), 5 major hospitals and 3 major hotels, and various government agencies.

Transportation

Batangas City's public transportation mainly include jeepneys and tricycles. Also, the city has transportation between barangays and other cities and municipalities. The city's central transportation is the Batangas Grand Central Terminal, found beside the Diversion Road in Balagtas.

Education

Among the higher education institutions in the city is the Batangas State University, Lyceum of the Philippines University–Batangas, University of Batangas, and St. Bridget College.

The Department of Education also maintains a division in Batangas City.[17]For of the academic year of 2013-2014, there are 82 public elementary schools [18] and 18 public high schools.[19] For the academic year of 2016-2017, 50 private schools offering various levels of education from pre-school to college level have legal permit to operate in the city.[20]

Sister cities

The following are Batangas City's sister cities:

Images

Panorama of Batangas City and nearby mountains

Footnotes

  1. "Official City/Municipal 2013 Election Results". Intramuros, Manila, Philippines: Commission on Elections (COMELEC). 11 September 2013. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  2. "Province: Batangas". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  3. 1 2 "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010" (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  4. Local Government of Batangas City 1999, pp. 13, 14
  5. "An Act Creating the Barrio of Pagkilatan in the Municipality of Batangas, Province of Batangas". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-09.
  6. "An Act to Convert the Sitio of Malalim in the Barrio of Mahabang Dahilig, Municipality of Batangas, Province of Batangas, into a Barrio". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-11.
  7. "An Act to Convert the Sitio of Malitam, in the Barrio of Libjo, Municipality of Batangas, Province of Batangas, into a Barrio". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-11.
  8. "An Act to Convert the Sitios of Ilaya Labac, Matalisay, Pajo and Cacawan in Isla Verde, in the Municipality of Batangas, Province of Batangas, to a Barrio to Be Known As Barrio San Antonio of the Same Municipality". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-11.
  9. "An Act Dividing the Barrio of Talumpoc, Municipality of Batangas, Province of Batangas, into Two Barrios to Be Known As the Barrios of Talumpok Silangan and Talumpok Kanluran of Said Municipality". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-12.
  10. "An Act Changing the Names of Certain Barrios in the Municipality of Batangas, Province of Batangas". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-12.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 Local Government of Batangas City 1999, pp. 8
  12. City Investment & Tourism Office 2006
  13. "Official Website: Historical Background". Archived from the original on 26 July 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-09.
  14. 1 2 "Ibiblio.org: Triumph in the Philippines, Chapter XXIII Securing the Visayan Passages, Southern Luzon". Retrieved 2010-07-09.
  15. Local Government of Batangas City 1999, pp. 7, 8
  16. "ABS-CBN News.com: President Arroyo inaugurates Batangas Port project". Retrieved 2010-07-09.
  17. Bueno, Donato. "Message". Division of Batangas City (Department of Education). Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  18. "Masterlist of Schools Based on School Year in Public Elementary Schools - Batangas City" (PDF). Department of Education - Calarbarzon. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  19. "Masterlist of Schools Based on School Year in Public Secondary Schools - Batangas City" (PDF). Department of Education - Calarbarzon. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  20. "LIST OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS OPERATING WITH PERMIT/RECOGNITION REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Department of Education Region IV-A CALABARZON BATANGAS CITY" (PDF). Department of Education - Calarbarzon. Retrieved 26 April 2016.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Batangas City.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Batangas.
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