| Balanga City Lungsod ng Balanga |
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 Balanga City
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| 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 |
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| 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) | |
| Time zone | PHT (UTC+8) | |
| ZIP code | 2100 | |
| Dialing code | 47 | |
| Income class | 1st class city; component city | |
| Website | cityofbalanga.gov.ph | |
Balanga City (Filipino: Lungsod ng Balanga) is a first class city in the province of Bataan, Region III - Central Luzon, Philippines. It is the capital city of Bataan. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 87,920 people.[3] Its citizens are called Balangueños. Balanga City is primarily a residential-agricultural city. It has a total land area of 11,163 hectares (8.13% of Bataan).[2]
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History [edit]
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.[1]
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. [4]
City government and politics [edit]
Pursuant to the Local government in the Philippines"[5][2], 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.
Balanga, Bataan's incumbent elected officials are - Mayor Jose Enrique S. Garcia III (National Unity) and Vice Mayor Noel Joseph L. Valdecañas (National Unity).
The Sangguniang Panglungsod Members are: City Councilors - Hon. ViancaLita V. Gozon, Hon. Jernie Jett V. Nisay, Hon. Val Joseph Fernandez, Hon. Ma. Liza Vasquez, Hon. Victor Malibiran, Edilberto D. Pizarro, Hon. Antonio S. Tranate, Hon. Karl John B. Paguio, Hon. Joji Molo, Hon. Anselmo J. Sanchez, Sr., Hon. Benigno Meriño and Hon. Carmela Mariz Vichuaco.[3]
Administration [edit]
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”).[4]
Balanga listed a ‘Record-Breaking’ P6B Investments In 2012. Balanga City won the 1st Robredo ICT Awards.[5]
Barangays [edit]
Balanga City is politically subdivided into 25 barangays.
- Bagong Silang
- Bagumbayan
- Cabog-Cabog
- Camacho (Cadre)
- Cataning
- Central
- Cupang North
- Cupang Proper
- Cupang West
- Dangcol (Bernabe)
- Doña Francisca Subdivision
- Ibayo
- Malabia
- Munting Batangas
- Poblacion Barcenas
- Pto. Rivas Ibaba
- Pto. Rivas Itaas
- Pto. Rivas Lote
- San Jose
- Sibacan
- Talisay
- Tanato
- Tenejero
- Tortugas
- Tuyo
Demographics [edit]
| Population census of Balanga City | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
| 1995 | 60,912 | — |
| 2000 | 71,088 | 3.14% |
| 2007 | 84,105 | 2.43% |
| 2010 | 87,920 | 1.49% |
| Source: National Statistics Office [3] | ||
Education [edit]
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, St. Joseph's College in upper Tuyo and STI College - Balanga in Barangay Poblacion.
Other higher educational institutions in the city of Balanga include AMA Computer Learning Center – Balanga, Philippine Women's University - CDCEC Bataan, 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.[6]
Healthcare [edit]
- Bataan General Hospital
- Bataan Doctors Hospital
- Bataan Women's Hospital
- Isaac Catalina Medical Center
- St. Joseph Hospital
Landmarks / Places of interest [edit]
- Balanga City Hall
- Balanga Wetland Park - On January 28, 2013, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (Philippines) recorded 25,935 migratory birds in Tortugas, Lote Itaas, Lote Ibaba and Sibacan/Tuyo, Balanga (from 6 a.m. until 9 a.m., from 14,899 on January 28, 2012). These included little, intermediate and large egrets; the black-winged stilt; the whiskered tern; the great crested tern; gray plover; shank; heron; six great crested tern (in the Wetland Park in Tortugas).[7]
- “Ibong Dayo” Festival in Barangay Tortugas (December 4–7) - the Department of Tourism (Philippines) listed Tortugas, Sibacan, and Puerto Rivas, among the 13 official bird-watching sites in the Philippines.[8]
- Bataan Capitol Compound
- Bataan Peninsula State University
- Bataan World War II Museum
- Galleria Victoria Mall
- 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
Famous People from Balanga [edit]
- 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 - 62-year old Balanga 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)[6]
Gallery [edit]
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Balanga as seen from the top of Mount Samat
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ICMC Hospital
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Balanga City Hall of Fame
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Garcia Avenue
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Halls of Justice, Courts
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Facade of the City Hall (under construction)
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Giant Water District tank
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Common Terminal
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ "Cities". Quezon City, Philippines: Department of the Interior and Local Government. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
- ^ a b "Province: BATAAN". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
- ^ a b c "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010". 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
- ^ NSCB - 2001 Factsheet - 12 New Cities Created, July–December 2000.
- ^ "Philippines : Gov.Ph : About the Philippines :". www.gov.ph. Retrieved 2009-03-28.
- ^ http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/290405/pinoyabroad/pinoyachievers/bataan-businesswoman-receives-papal-award
External links [edit]
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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 | |
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