Hermosa, Bataan

Hermosa, officially the Municipality of Hermosa (Tagalog: Bayan ng Hermosa; Kapampangan: Balen ning Hermosa), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Bataan, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 65,862 people.[3]

Hermosa
Municipality
Municipality of Hermosa
Municipal Hall
Seal
Map of Bataan with Hermosa highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Hermosa
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 14°50′N 120°30′E
Country Philippines
RegionCentral Luzon (Region III)
ProvinceBataan
District1st District
Founded1852
Barangays23 (see Barangays)
Government
 [1]
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • MayorAntonio Joseph "Jopet" R. Inton
 • Vice MayorEigie K. Malana
 • CongressmanGeraldine B. Roman
 • Electorate46,449 voters (2019)
Area
 [2]
 • Total157.00 km2 (60.62 sq mi)
Population
 (2015 census)[3]
 • Total65,862
 • Density420/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
 • Households
14,212
Economy
 • Income class1st municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence14.1% (2015)[4]
 • Revenue (₱)181,142,011.54 (2016)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
2111
PSGC
030805000
IDD : area code +63 (0)47
Climate typetropical monsoon climate
Native languagesMariveleño
Kapampangan
Tagalog
Websitewww.hermosa.gov.ph

"Hermosa" means "beautiful" in Spanish. It has a total land area of 157.00 square kilometres (60.62 sq mi).[5]

Hermosa is home to the Roosevelt Protected Landscape. It is accessible via the Bataan Provincial Expressway, off Exit 10.

Etymology

According to legend, a group of Spaniards first came to this place, surprised and amazed they exclaimed, Que Hermosa! Que Hermosa!, when they saw some pretty maidens with long, black hair washing clothes and bathing in the brook. The boys who accompanied their sisters repeated what they heard from the Spaniards and upon returning home they repeated again and again what the Spaniards exclaimed. When the next group of Spaniards visited the place, they asked for its name. The folks didn't understand Spanish but answered "Hermosa, Hermosa". And that was how Hermosa got its name.

Another version was that "Llana Hermosa", meaning beautiful plain of white flowers was the original name of this town. When the province was created, the town was formally named Hermosa, a name that fits the place not only due to the plain's white flowers but more so to the beautiful maidens and places that abound the town.

History

Historically, the town was established in 1756 by Dominican priests. At that time, it was known as Llana Hermosa and composed of Mabuco and Mabuyan. It was then still part of Pampanga, like the rest of Bataan. It became an independent missionary center in 1756 with Saint Peter de Verona as its patron saint.

The town of Hermosa was very peaceful and progressive before World War II. When the war broke out, their quiet routine was disturbed. During the Bataan Death March, civilians of Hermosa risked the ire of the Japanese by secretly passing food to Filipino and American soldiers.

Geography

Hermosa is south of Dinalupihan and borders the province of the Pampanga to the northeast, with Manila Bay to the east.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 157.00 square kilometres (60.62 sq mi) [2] constituting 11.43% of the 1,372.98-square-kilometre- (530.11 sq mi) total area of Bataan.

Climate
Climate data for Hermosa, 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)		 29
(84)		 30
(86)		 31
(88)		 31
(88)
Average low °C (°F) 19
(66)		 19
(66)		 20
(68)		 23
(73)		 25
(77)		 25
(77)		 24
(75)		 25
(77)		 25
(77)		 24
(75)		 23
(73)		 20
(68)		 23
(73)
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 [6]

Barangays

Hermosa is politically subdivided into 23 barangays.[5]

PSGC Barangay Population ±% p.a.
2015[3] 2010[7]
030805001 A. Rivera (Poblacion) 2.5% 1,675 1,663 ▴ 0.14%
030805002 Almacen 3.3% 2,175 1,939 ▴ 2.21%
030805003 Bacong 4.3% 2,828 2,547 ▴ 2.01%
030805004 Balsic 10.0% 6,594 5,704 ▴ 2.80%
030805005 Bamban 3.6% 2,379 2,157 ▴ 1.88%
030805006 Burgos‑Soliman (Poblacion) 0.8% 556 493 ▴ 2.32%
030805007 Cataning (Poblacion) 4.6% 3,018 2,656 ▴ 2.46%
030805008 Culis 13.1% 8,610 7,216 ▴ 3.42%
030805009 Daungan (Poblacion) 1.5% 962 905 ▴ 1.17%
030805024 Judge Roman Cruz Sr. (Mandama) 5.8% 3,816 3,072 ▴ 4.22%
030805010 Mabiga 4.4% 2,902 2,144 ▴ 5.93%
030805011 Mabuco 4.9% 3,238 2,943 ▴ 1.84%
030805012 Maite 2.6% 1,706 1,548 ▴ 1.87%
030805013 Mambog ‑ Mandama 4.4% 2,922 2,585 ▴ 2.36%
030805014 Palihan 9.3% 6,129 5,621 ▴ 1.66%
030805015 Pandatung 3.1% 2,048 1,713 ▴ 3.46%
030805016 Pulo 0.9% 579 365 ▴ 9.18%
030805017 Saba 2.8% 1,875 1,737 ▴ 1.47%
030805025 Sacrifice Valley 1.9% 1,248 1,183 ▴ 1.02%
030805019 San Pedro (Poblacion) 3.5% 2,318 1,950 ▴ 3.35%
030805020 Santo Cristo (Poblacion) 1.4% 896 897 ▾ −0.02%
030805021 Sumalo 2.9% 1,923 1,529 ▴ 4.46%
030805023 Tipo 8.3% 5,465 4,430 ▴ 4.08%
Total 65,862 56,997 ▴ 2.79%

Demographics
Population census of Hermosa
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 1,854—    
1918 3,307+3.93%
1939 6,819+3.51%
1948 8,437+2.39%
1960 12,550+3.36%
1970 19,501+4.50%
1975 23,246+3.59%
YearPop.±% p.a.
1980 25,672+2.00%
1990 34,633+3.04%
1995 38,764+2.13%
2000 46,254+3.86%
2007 52,484+1.76%
2010 56,997+3.05%
2015 65,862+2.79%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[3][7][8][9]

In the 2015 census, Hermosa had a population of 65,862.[3] The population density was 420 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,100/sq mi).

Economy
Hermosa Special Economic Zone (Subic Hermosa Cybercity)

Existing industries in Hermosa are garments, handpainted jars, balut and salted egg making. Today, fruit processing particularly of mangoes and bananas, handicrafts, and stuffed toys are the major produce of this town. Probably less known, but existing for a long time is the aquaculture industry, traditionally for bangus, tilapia and crabs, but more recently for prawns, which was found more lucrative.

Hermosa Rural Bank serves the banking needs of the municipality. Major bus lines and mini-bus coming from Manila, San Fernando and Olongapo pass through the town of Hermosa while the most common type of transport within the municipality are jeepneys and tricycles. The newly established Hermosa Public Market in barangay Palihan has also the terminal of vehicles going to Clark and Mabalacat in Pampanga via SCTEX. The town has a total of 1 bank, 21 schools, 15 medical clinics/health centers, and 2 recreational facilities.

Hermosa Special Economic Zone

The Zone is adapted for building light to medium industries, recreational and housing facilities for industry and residents inside the zone investments in fruit processing utilizing the abundant supply of mangoes and banana in the province. The Subic Hermosa Cybercity is a 93-hectare Special Economic Zone which will host locator Businesses dealing in Information Technology (IT), manufacture of electronic products, IT research and development, and multi-media industries.

Local government

Pursuant to the Local government in the Philippines",[10][11] the political seat of the municipal government is located at the Municipal Hall. In the History of the Philippines (1521–1898), the Gobernadorcillo was the Chief Executive who held 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 held office at the Municipal Hall. The legislative and executive departments perform their functions in the Sangguniang Bayan (Session Hall) and Municipal Trial Court, respectively, and are located in the Town Hall.

Hermosa's Mayor is Antonio Joseph Rivera Inton, The Vice Mayor is Eigie Malana.

Sangguniang Bayan Members are: Patrick S. Rellosa, Jenna Marie Basi, Floyd Tungol, Lou Narciso, Luzviminda J. Samaniego, Regalado D. Santos Wilson M. Valencia, Christopher Vitug.[12]

Attractions

Saint Peter of Verona Parish Church
Saint Peter of Verona Parish Church

Hermosa's cultural treasure is its 1717 heritage church.

Hermosa, known as "Llana Hermosa" belonged formerly to Orani (composed of Mabuyan and Maboco). It became an independent missionary Pueblo in 1717. In the British invasion of Manila, the Dominicans held there its provincial chapters in 1763. The Hermosa church was destroyed by fire several times. Residents of Hermosa found a boat with a statue of a saint inside it along the river.

Saint Peter of Verona, O.P. (1206 – April 6, 1252), also known as "Saint Peter Martyr", was a 13th-century Italian Catholic priest, Dominican friar and a celebrated preacher. He became the patron of this town.[13]

The church features a baroque-style façade with stained-glasses windows. The major retablo of Hermosa is made more attractive by the variations of saints placed in it amid its dome. The church brings remembrance of the colonial past.[14]

The Parish of Saint Peter of Verona belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Balanga.[15] Its Feast day is May 3. It is under the Vicariate of Saint Peter Verona.[16][17] It is also under the Vicariate of Our Lady, Mirror of Justice[18] (Dioecesis Balangensis), Suffragan of San Fernando, Pampanga).[16][19][20]

Utilities

Digitel is the major provider of telecommunication services in the municipality. Hermosa is 100% electrified and is being served by the Peninsula Electric Company (PENELCO). Major source of water for domestic use is ground water. Existing water systems are artesian and open wells, pumps and pipeline with tanks. Two barangays are being served by a common facility through the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA). In addition, a new facility was installed in barangay Mabuco, which now served the whole poblacion.

Cable TV is provided by the Hermosa Cable, Destiny and Malasimbu. Internet connection is also provided by Digitel, and Smart (SmartBro). A National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) Hermosa Substation is located at Jose Abad Santos Avenue, just before entering Pampanga. It also provides power to the municipality other than Penelco through its transmission lines.

  • Hermosa Ecozone Industrial Park
  • Hermosa Municipal Hall
  • Church of the Most Holy Trinity
  • Puntabelle Resort
  • Andros Kitchenette

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: Hermosa, Bataan". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  6. "Hermosa: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  7. Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region III (Central Luzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. NSO. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  8. 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.
  9. "Province of Bataan". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  10. "the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Archived from the original on 22 January 2009. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  11. "The Local Government Code Of The Philippines - Chan Robles Virtual Law Library". Chanrobles.com. Retrieved 2016-11-21.
  12. "Municipality of Hermosa". Provincial Government of Bataan. Archived from the original on 12 January 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  13. "Discover Bataan Peninsula". Mybataan.com. Retrieved 2016-11-21.
  14. "St. Peter of Verona Parish Church in Hermosa - Discover Central Luzon". Centralluzon.com. 2012-06-17. Retrieved 2016-11-21.
  15. "The Official Website of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Balanga (v2013)". Balangadiocese.com. Retrieved 2016-11-21.
  16. "Diocese of Balanga; Parishes and Parochial Clergy". Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. Archived from the original on 2013-10-20. Retrieved 2016-11-21.
  17. Visitmyphilippines.com. "Department of Tourism - The Philippines Ultimate Travel Guide for Tourist". Visitmyphilippines.com. Retrieved 2016-11-21.
  18. "Diocese of Balanga; Parishes". Catholic News Asia. Archived from the original on 6 September 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  19. "Diocese of Balanga". Claretian Publications. UP Village Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines. Archived from the original on 12 June 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  20. "List of Parishes of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Balanga | Philippine Churches". Church.nfo.ph. 2012-06-27. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2016-11-21.
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