Abucay, Bataan

Abucay, officially the Municipality of Abucay, (Tagalog: Bayan ng Abucay; Kapampangan: Balen ning Abucay), is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Bataan, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 39,880 people.[3]

Abucay
Municipality
Municipality of Abucay
Downtown area
Seal
Map of Bataan with Abucay highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Abucay
Location in the Philippines
Coordinates: 14°43′20″N 120°32′08″E
Country Philippines
RegionCentral Luzon (Region III)
ProvinceBataan
District1st District
Founded1587
Barangays9 (see Barangays)
Government
 [1]
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • MayorLiberato P. Santiago, Jr.
 • Vice MayorRuben C. Tagle
 • CongressmanGeraldine B. Roman
 • Electorate27,757 voters (2019)
Area
 [2]
 • Total79.72 km2 (30.78 sq mi)
Population
 (2015 census)[3]
 • Total39,880
 • Density500/km2 (1,300/sq mi)
 • Households
9,256
Economy
 • Income class3rd municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence14.52% (2015)[4]
 • Revenue (₱)110,756,826.41 (2016)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
2114
PSGC
030801000
IDD : area code +63 (0)47
Climate typetropical monsoon climate
Native languagesMariveleño
Tagalog

The mainly agricultural and fishing town is situated on the northeastern portion of the Bataan Peninsula, along Manila Bay, with a total land area of 79.72 square kilometres (30.78 sq mi).[5] It is 116 kilometres (72 mi) from Manila, accessible via the Bataan Provincial Expressway, off Exit 25, or the parallel National Road in Bataan. Its westernmost elevated section is located within the Bataan National Park.

Etymology

Abucay originated from abu-kinaykay meaning "digging the ashes".[6]

History

The first printing press in the Archipelago was found in this town. Tomas Pinpin, the first Filipino printer, learned the art from Fray Francisco Blanca de San Jose and Juan de Vera, a Chinese printer at the University of Santo Tomas.

On June 23, 1647, a fierce battle was fought between the Dutch invaders and the Pampango defenders in the near the Abucay church area. Nearly 200 Pampangos were put to death and 40 others together with Pampanga’s Spanish alcalde mayor (town mayor) Antonio de Cabrera. Dominican priests Father Geronimo Sotomayor and Father Tomas Ramos were taken to Batavia.[7]

Geography

Abucay borders Balanga (the capital city) to the south, Samal to the north and northwest, Morong to the west, and Manila Bay to the east.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 79.72 square kilometres (30.78 sq mi) [2] constituting 5.81% of the 1,372.98-square-kilometre- (530.11 sq mi) total area of Bataan.

Topography of Abucay varies from the mountainous terrain of Mount Natib caldera in the west to the coastal areas of the province along the shore of Manila Bay. Six rivers with a combined length of 37 kilometres (23 mi) originate from the mountain flowing in the west-to-east direction.[6]

Secondary forests cover the western mountainous portion which is nearly 38% of Abucay's land area.

Climate
Climate data for Abucay, Bataan
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 31
(88)		 32
(90)		 34
(93)		 35
(95)		 33
(91)		 31
(88)		 29
(84)		 29
(84)		 29
(84)		 30
(86)		 31
(88)		 31
(88)		 31
(88)
Average low °C (°F) 19
(66)		 19
(66)		 20
(68)		 23
(73)		 25
(77)		 25
(77)		 25
(77)		 25
(77)		 24
(75)		 23
(73)		 21
(70)		 20
(68)		 22
(72)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 7
(0.3)		 8
(0.3)		 14
(0.6)		 26
(1.0)		 127
(5.0)		 210
(8.3)		 263
(10.4)		 272
(10.7)		 218
(8.6)		 114
(4.5)		 46
(1.8)		 21
(0.8)		 1,326
(52.3)
Average rainy days 4.0 4.0 6.9 11.2 21.0 24.5 27.4 26.9 25.9 21.9 13.4 6.3 193.4
Source: Meteoblue [8]

Barangays

Abucay is politically subdivided into 9 barangays.[5]

PSGC Barangay Population ±% p.a.
2015[3] 2010[9]
030801001 Bangkal 1.7% 695 634 ▴ 1.76%
030801002 Calaylayan (Poblacion) 12.1% 4,833 4,391 ▴ 1.84%
030801003 Capitangan 16.9% 6,742 6,041 ▴ 2.11%
030801004 Gabon 13.6% 5,405 5,241 ▴ 0.59%
030801006 Laon (Poblacion) 5.8% 2,303 2,245 ▴ 0.49%
030801007 Mabatang 23.0% 9,165 8,571 ▴ 1.28%
030801008 Omboy 7.9% 3,149 3,219 ▾ −0.42%
030801010 Salian 8.0% 3,199 2,885 ▴ 1.99%
030801011 Wawa (Poblacion) 11.0% 4,389 4,492 ▾ −0.44%
Total 39,880 37,719 ▴ 1.07%

Demographics
Population census of Abucay
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 6,320—    
1918 7,485+1.13%
1939 10,216+1.49%
1948 8,453−2.08%
1960 12,900+3.58%
1970 18,140+3.46%
1975 20,437+2.42%
YearPop.±% p.a.
1980 22,692+2.11%
1990 26,708+1.64%
1995 29,270+1.73%
2000 31,801+1.79%
2007 38,554+2.69%
2010 37,719−0.79%
2015 39,880+1.07%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[3][9][10][11]

In the 2015 census, Abucay had a population of 39,880.[3] The population density was 500 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,300/sq mi).

Most of the people of Abucay speak the Tagalog language. There are also residents who speak "Kapampangang Hilaw," a dialect variation of the Kapampangan language, in Barangay Mabatang.

Economy
Bamboos for mussel culture

Abucay is basically an agricultural and fishing town. Besides Manila Bay, existing fishponds cover an area of 1,521 hectares (3,760 acres) of which 319 hectares (790 acres) are under intensive use while the rest are non-functioning but available for utilization. These fishponds are rich with commercial species like milkfish, tilapia, pla-pla and shrimps.

Agricultural lands in Abucay produces rice, corn, root crops, legumes, vegetable and various kinds of fruits as well as forest-grown bamboo and buho.[6] Most of the walis tambo (local brooms) sold in Baguio come from Abucay.

Government
Town hall

The political seat of the municipal government is located at the Municipal Hall (also called Town Hall).[12][13] During the Spanish colonial period, the Gobernadorcillo was the chief executive who held office at the town hall, then called the Presidencia.

During the American period from 1898–1946, the elected Mayor and local officials, including the appointed ones hold office at the Municipal Town Hall. The executive and legislative departments perform their functions at the Sangguniang Bayan (Session Hall) and Municipal Trial Court, respectively, which are located at the Municipal Hall.

Abucay's incumbent elected officials are Mayor Liberato P. Santiago (NPC), a land developer and a nth-time re-electionist, and Vice Mayor Ma. Khristine G. Dela Fuente (Lakas-Kampi-CMD).[14] Santiago owns various villages and subdivisions - all converted from ricefields or fishponds. The eight (8) Sangguniang Bayan members led by the Vice Mayor hold office at the Abucay Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall.

Attractions

Saint Dominic de Guzman Parish Church
Main article: Abucay Church
Parish Church of Saint Dominic de Guzman

One of the oldest in the Philippines, the first Abucay Church was established in 1587 and was administered by the Dominicans in 1588. The present church was built sometime in the early 1600s, the exact year is still unknown. The Church was badly damaged by the earthquake of September 16, 1852, and again by a fire in 1870. Father Jose Diego Pelaez rebuilt the church.

The church still houses the bells donated in 1839 and 1859.[7] The five bells of the Abucay Church were restored on January 17, 1978, by U.S. Naval Base Facility in Subic Bay, Zambales province according to a historical marker in the church.

The Parish of Saint Dominic de Guzman has a population of 19,501 Catholics. Its patron saint is Saint Dominic de Guzman and the town's feast day is August 8. The present parish priest is Rev. Fr. Josue V. Enero succeeding Rev. Msgr. Remigio R. Hizon, Jr. in June 2017.[15][16][17] The church belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Balanga under the Vicariate of Saint Dominic de Guzman.[16][18][19]

Other attractions

Landmarks include the following:

  • Tomas Pinpin Monument — a memorial to Tomas Pinpin, the "Patriarch of Filipino Printing" in barangay Ibayo. The monument stands at the center of Tomas Pinpin Memorial Elementary School, the central and the biggest public elementary school in Abucay.
  • Maria Canon Statue — In Barangay Sibul, a tower was erected by the Mie-ken Daiichi Shiēseo of the Japanese Sohyōshin Sports in 1978 to invoke the repose of dead souls from the World War II period.
  • Pasukulan Falls — located in west Abucay in the forested valley of Mount Natib. The place is ideal for picnics.
  • Sibul Springs — located in western Abucay featuring sulfuric swimming pools with a wide area for outdoor recreation. Its main attraction is the natural spring believed to provide muscle pain relief.
  • Christmas Village in Mabatang — Christmas celebration in Mabatang extends to the streets of every sitio in the barangay, which are lavishly adorned to rejoice the season.
  • Abucay Cockpit

Infrastructure

Electric power for Abucay is served by the Peninsula Electric Cooperative (PENELCO).

A 10-hectare (25-acre) sanitary landfill in Sitio Macao in Barangay Capitangan is the first of its kind in the province of Bataan.[20]

Education

Universities and colleges
  • Colegio de San Juan de Letran-Abucay - the Abucay campus of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran is situated in Dominican Hills, 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) west of town center of Abucay, on the slopes of Mount Natib at about 840 feet (260 m) in elevation.[21]
  • Bataan Peninsula State University-Abucay campus - formerly the Bataan National Agricultural School (BNAS) now part of the state university in Bataan.[22]
  • Town plaza
  • Town center
  • Abucay Park
  • Auditorium, Plaza
  • Abucay World War II heroes monument
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References
  1. "Municipality". Quezon City, Philippines: Department of the Interior and Local Government. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  2. "Province: Bataan". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  3. Census of Population (2015). "Region III (Central Luzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. PSA. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  4. "PSA releases the 2015 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Quezon City, Philippines. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  5. "Municipal: Abucay, Bataan". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  6. "Abucay, Bataan - Discover Bataan Peninsula". My Bataan. Retrieved on 2014-12-25.
  7. admin (2012-06-25). "Abucay Church (Parish of St. Dominic de Guzman), Bataan" Archived 2016-10-27 at the Wayback Machine. Philippine Churches. Retrieved on 2014-12-18.
  8. "Abucay: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  9. Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region III (Central Luzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. NSO. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  10. Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region III (Central Luzon)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. NSO.
  11. "Province of Bataan". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  12. "Philippines: Gov.Ph: About the Philippines". Gov.ph. Archived from the original on 2009-01-22. Retrieved 2009-03-28.
  13. "The Local Government Code Of The Philippines - Chan Robles Virtual Law Library". Chanrobles.com. Retrieved 2016-11-11.
  14. "2013 Candidates in Abucay | List of Candidates for Abucay, Bataan". Know Your Candidates. Retrieved 2016-11-11.
  15. "Newlyordained". Balangadiocese.com. Retrieved 2016-11-11.
  16. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-09-06. Retrieved 2013-01-27.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  17. "Santo Domingo Church – Abucay, Bataan". Mybataan.com. 2008-11-08. Archived from the original on 2016-11-11. Retrieved 2016-11-11.
  18. "ParishesV1". Balangadiocese.com. Retrieved 2016-11-11.
  19. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-05-17. Retrieved 2013-01-27.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  20. "Abucay town builds first sanitary landfill in Bataan". The Philippine Star. 2011-06-07. Retrieved 2016-11-11.
  21. Sibug, Fr. Joemar L. (2008-02-17). "An emerging university town in Abucay, Bataan" Archived March 17, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Inquirer.net, Philippine News for Filipinos.
  22. "College of Business and Accountancy". Bpsu.edu.ph. Retrieved 2016-11-11.
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