Paombong, Bulacan

Municipality of Paombong
Bayan ng Paombong
—  Municipality  —

Seal
Nickname(s): Vinegar Capital of the Philippines
Motto: Sikad Paombong, Ang Bayan ay Uusbong Tungo sa Pagyabong
Map of Bulacan showing the location of Paombong
Coordinates:
Country  Philippines
Region Central Luzon (Region III)
Province Bulacan
District 1st District
Founded 1619
Barangays 14
Government
 • Representative, 1st Congressional District Ma. Victoria R. Sy-Alvarado (Lakas-Kampi-CMD)
 • Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado (Lakas-Kampi-CMD)
 • Mayor Donato D. Marcos (2010-2013; Liberal Party)
 • Vice Mayor Marissa Jumaquio-Ramos (2010-2013; (Lakas-Kampi-CMD)
Area
 • Total 46.34 km2 (17.9 sq mi)
Population (2007)
 • Total 53,510
 • Density 1,154.7/km2 (2,990.7/sq mi)
Demonym Paombongenyo
Time zone PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code 3001
Area code(s) 044
Languages Tagalog and English
Income class 3rd Class; Partially Urban
Population Census of Paombong
Census Pop. Rate
1995 33,149
2000 41,077 4.71%
2007 53,510 3.71%

Paombong (Filipino: Bayan ng Paombong) is a 3rd class partially urban[1] municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. Dubbed as the Vinegar Capital of the Philippines, Paombong is famous for its vinegar[2] extracted from the sap of sasa (nipa), thus the term "sukang Paombong" (Paombong vinegar) became known in Luzon and other parts of the Philippines. According to the 2007 census,[3] it has a population of 53,510 inhabitants in 8,266 households.

Contents

History

In the 16th century, the Spanish conquistadores expand their pacification drive in Luzon moving from one place to another. In 1578, they reached a large tract of land consisting of two sister towns. The newly discovered pueblo was then named Malolos. However, the Spanish friars also attended to the spiritual needs of the people living west of Malolos, which is later to be known as Paombong. This relationship continued until the early 17th century when the natives of Paombong manifested their desire to be liberated from the parochial leadership of Malolos. The Spaniards then established Paombong as a pueblo in 1619, becoming the seventh town in Bulacan founded by the Augustinian Order. From 1619 to 1650, a Spanish friar ruled Paombong, just like any other Augustinian-controlled place. Not long after, civilian rulers took over, but their reigns were dictated upon and was under the mercy of the prailles.

In the middle of the 17th century, Paombong grew into a modest community from what was once a cogon land inhabited by a handful of Tagalogs. Paombong was created a municipal organization on November 28, 1650 with Agustin Mananghaya[4] as its first civilian ruler.

During the Spanish regime, Paombong’s coastal area, more specifically, Barangays Masukol and Binakod, played a significant role in Philippine History being known encounter sites between Spanish soldiers and Katipuneros. General Isidoro Torres[5] used to retreat with his troops to Barangay Masukol and Barangay Binakod to avoid the advancing Spanish forces.[6] In the latter village, he organized the Katipunan militia of Paombong.[7]

It is from these encounters, in fact, that Barangays Binakod and Masukol earned their present names. In one encounter, Binakod was where the enemies where "fenced in" (binakuran) and it was in Masukol where they were eventually "cornered" (nasukol) and defeated.

In 1987, the first civilian in the person of Don Victorino de Leon headed the Municipal Government until 1900. The seat of the local government was first established at the ground floor of the Paombong Church Convent then popularly called "silong". It was later transferred to the house of Numeraino Lindayag located in Poblacion, then was transferred to the location of the present Rural Health Center I. Eventually it was moved to the place where it is presently located which since has been the seat of the Municipal Government since then. In 1941, the head of the Municipal Government was later on called Municipal Mayor.

Origin of Name

Local legend has it that the name "Paombong" was taken from the long bamboo tube called "bumbong" or "tukil" which is used for collecting nipa sap. The practice of extracting nipa sap with bumbongs made the town known as the town with many bumbongs.

The local people claimed that the Spaniards who first visited the place were so amused with the bumbong that, after learning its name from the natives, they named the town after the container, a name which later evolved to Paombong.

Geography

Paombong is situated southwest of the province of Bulacan, with a total land area of 46.34 square kilometers. It is bounded by the municipality of Calumpit on the north, Malolos City on the east, municipality of Hagonoy on the west and Manila Bay on the south. The municipality is approximately 47 kilometers from Metro Manila, it is a by-pass town and can be accessed via North Luzon Expressway and MacArthur Highway.

Barangays

Paombong is politically subdivided into 14 barangays (6 urban, 8 rural).

Municipal officials

The following officials were elected on May 10, 2010 to serve a three-year term.[9]

Councilors

Trade and commerce

Trade and commerce in Paombong is concentrated at the town center where the public market, municipal hall, church, schools, hospital, clinics, and commercial spaces are situated. Major business establishments include:

- The Generics Pharmacy
- other drugstores
- Chooks To Go
- Fujiko Lechong Manok
- Burger Machine
- Benny's Gotohan
- Pinsan's Sizzling
- Sizzling Station (near Municipal Hall)
- Ful Haus
- Lea Mae Store
- Ka Celia's Store
- Jennifer's Store (Kapitangan)
- SAS Bank
- COOP Bank
- Sto. Rosario Arba MPC
- Isagon
- MiniStop-Paombong
- Ten-Ten's
- Aqua Cool
- Aqua 2000
- Drinkee
- Aqua Soft
- Crystal Blue
- Shell (Sto. Niño and Pantay)
- SeaOil

Transportation

Health and Nutrition

There is one hospital operating in Paombong and a main rural health care center unit. The San Pascual Baylon Maternity Hospital, situated at Barangay Sto. Niño that offers secondary healthcare services. And the main rural health care center is one of the district rural health center owned and controlled by the Provincial Government of Bulacan. It offers primary healthcare services which also includes laboratory and dental and maternity services.

Education

Private schools

Public schools

Elementary Schools

  • Paombong Central School
  • Kapitangan Elementary School
  • Lantad Elementary School
  • Masukol Elementary School
  • Pinalagdan Elementary School
  • Pinagtulayan Elementary School
  • Pulo Elementary School
  • San Jose Elementary School
  • Sta. Cruz Elementary School
  • Sto. Niño Elementary School
  • Sto. Rosario Elementary School

High Schools

  • Kapitangan High School
  • Pinalagdan High School
  • San Roque National High School
  • Sta. Cruz High School

References

External links