Baliuag, Bulacan

Baliuag
—  Municipality  —

Seal
Map of Bulacan showing the location of Municipality of Baliuag.
Baliuag
Location in the Philippines
Coordinates:
Country  Philippines
Region Central Luzon (Region III)
Province Bulacan
District 2nd District
Founded 1752
Barangays 27
Government
 • Owner Romeo Estrella
Area
 • Total 45.05 km2 (17.4 sq mi)
Population (2007)
 • Total 136,982
 • Density 3,040.7/km2 (7,875.3/sq mi)
Time zone PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code 3006
Income class First-Class Municipality
Population Census of Baliuag
Census Pop. Rate
1995 103,054
2000 119,675 3.26%
2007 136,982 1.88%

Baliuag or Baliwag (It is spelled in Filipino as Baliwag) is a 1st Class Urban municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 136,982 inhabitants in 25,050 households.

Baliuag was founded on 1732 by Augustinian friars and was incorporated by the Spanish Governor-General on 1733.

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, pina 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 of 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.

Baliuag at present has five parishes :

Contents

Built up area

With the continuous expansion of Metro Manila, the municipality is now included in Manila built up area which reaches San Ildefonso in its Northernmost part.

The Historic Town of Baliuag

Baliuag has a bustling economy, with many shopping centers. Several of the major banks have branches on the town.

The town offers the best private education in its area, where its famous and established academic institutions cater to students from as far as Pampanga (to the South), Norzagaray (to the North), Gapan (to the West) and Calumpit (to the East).

Baliuag University (B.U) - founded in 1925 and is the first school granted full autonomy in Region 3 by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

It offers graduate programs in education, business, library science and nursing. Its undergraduate programs in business administration and accountancy, liberal arts and education are Level 3 accredited. Other offerings which are equally highly accredited by the PACU COA are engineering, nursing, library science, computer studies and hospitality management. It also offers 2-year Voc-Tech, Associate in Health Science as well as kinder, grade school and high school programs, LET review classes, call center training and college evening programs.

It is also one of the four IMCI (Integrated Management of Childhood Illness) training school in the Philippines, together with University of the Philippines, University of Sto.Tomas, and St.Paul College Ilo-ilo.

St. Mary's College of Baliuag - (St. Mary’s College, St. Mary’s, SMA) is a Catholic school for both boys and girls. It is administered by the Religious of the Virgin Mary, the first pontifically approved congregation for women in the Philippines. It was formerly called Escuela Catolica de Baliuag, and was founded in 1912. It is located along Benigno Aquino Avenue and Racelis Street, Poblacion, Baliuag, Bulacan. It provides Preparatory, Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary education.

Baliuag is also a transportation hub. Public transportation to Pampanga to the west, and Nueva Ecija to the north, is easily accessible. The Head Office of Baliwag Transit, one of the largest bus company in the Philippines is located in Baliuag, along Cagayan Valley Road, Brgy. Sabang.

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 (Daang Maharlika) going to Manila and Nueva Ecija. The town is 52 kilometers north of Manila. Which takes usually one (1) hour in term of travel time.

Baliuag is also the home of the only self-supporting clock tower in Bulacan.

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

Baliuag is famous for its Semana Santa (Holy Week) processions. Boasting 93 carros or carrozas (floats) with life-size Santos (statues) showcasing events from the life and passion of Christ.

Another famous in Baliuag is its Buntal Hat Festival that is simultaneously celebrated with Mother's Day annually. Colorful and grandiose decorations and street dancing are the highlights of this celebration.

On December 12, 2008, SM City Baliwag opened. It is situated at DRT Highway (beside Prominenza), Brgy. Pagala.

On July 30, 2010, Wilcon Depot located at DRT Highway opened its first store in Bulacan.

Vision

A peaceful and self-reliant community with an efficient and sufficient infrastructure facilities on a globally competitive and progressive economy, that gives efficient delivery of basic services and socio-economic development and is geared towards the promotion of sustainable economic growth in an ecologically balanced city-like environment, guided and administered by a just, democratic, decisive and God-fearing leadership.

Mission

With this vision, the municipal governance is committed to achieve a community that is safe to live with in an environment that is complete with basic facilities and economy with sustainable growth on a city-like balance habitat.

Economic activity

Major Industries
Commercial and Rural Banks
Supermarkets
Car Dealerships

Fast Facts

Physical and Socio-Political

Land Area 4,188 has.

No. of Barangays 27

Population 136,982

Population Growth rate 2.99%

Population Density 8.58 persons/ha

Average Crime Rate 9.72%

Crime Solution Efficiency 98.45%

Commerce and Industry

Major Industries

Furniture, Garments, Embroidery, Gifts/Toys/Houseware, Pyrotechnics, Education

Major Products

Bakeries, Native Delicacies

Barangays

Baliwag is politically subdivided into 27 barangays.

  • Bagong Nayon
  • Barangka
  • Calantipay
  • Catulinan
  • Concepcion
  • Makinabang
  • Matangtubig
  • Pagala
  • Paitan
  • Piel
  • Pinagbarilan
  • Poblacion
  • Hinukay
  • Sabang
  • San Jose
  • San Roque
  • Santa Barbara
  • Santo Cristo
  • Santo Niño
  • Subic
  • Sulivan
  • Tangos
  • Tarcan
  • Tiaong
  • Tibag
  • Tilapayong
  • Virgen delas Flores

External links