About Batangas City
BATANGAS CITY – Recognized as the “CALABARZON’s Industrial Port City ” and categorized as one of the most economical cities in the country nowadays and the homeland of hospitable, peace-loving and hard working residents. Batangas City was declared as a City on 1969 which became the accelerating point of commercial, trading and industrial activities in the region. Batangas City is currently categorized as a Regional Growth Center and acknowledged as one of the sites for Special Economic Zone and the Regional Agro-Industrial Center as directed by the Ecozone Act of 1995 and the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan. Batangas capital city is one of the region’s top income earning cities and the place of one of the major refineries in the Philippines. Batangas City is also holding the first 3 power plants using natural gas located in south of Manila.
Batangas City fine dock was affirmed as an International Port and an alternative port of Manila. Batangas City is the land of fresh fruits, marine resources, and of historical places and of great prospect for social and economic expansion.
Historical Background of Batangas City
Spaniards first set foot in Batangas City in 1572. The community was founded in 1581 and named “Batangan” because of the abundant big logs that flourished the Calumpang River . The timbers were called “batang” by the locals who reside near the river and called the settlement “Batangan”. This name was adapted and became Batangas in 1601. Batangas City has been the administrative center and capital of the province. Eventually Batangas became a city in 1969.
Location, Accessibility Area of Batangas City
The Batangas City is a coastal city lying in a cove-like shape at the south-eastern part of Batangas Province . Batangas City is adjoined on the northwest by the municipality of San Pascual ; on the east by the municipalities of Lobo and Ibaan, Taysan ; on the north by the municipality of San Jose ; and on the south by the Batangas Bay .
Batangas City , the capital of Batangas Province has a land area of more or less 28 thousand hectares. Batangas City has a travel time of approximately 2 hours through the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) which is about 112 kilometers away from Manila.
Terrain of Batangas City
Batangas City has a rolling terrain slope. Batangas City highest point is Mount Banoy in Barangay Talumpok Silangan which is nine hundred sixty eight meters above sea level and about thirteen kilometers east of the Poblacion . The city‟s coastal Barangays starting from Sta. Rita Aplaya from the north down to Ambulong on the south.
In the east beyond the barangays of Simlong, Mabacong and Pinamucan Ibaba , the slope rises from eight percent to thirty percent. The Matuco Point at the southwest tip of the city along the Batangas Bay has a slope of thirty percent. To the immediate south is Verde Island composed of 6 barangays which is mountainous and with a slope ranging from three percent to thirty percent.
Climate Condition of Batangas City
Batangas City is generally coolest during the months of December to January. The mean temperature rises and attains a maximum of thirty six degrees celsius in May. The month of October marks the stable fall of temperature.
The driest months in Batangas City are from January to April, with the average monthly rainfall. The northeast monsoon “amihan” prevails starting the months of November up to April. Although originally moist, it becomes comparatively drier after crossing the Sierra Madre Range to the north and east of Batangas City , thus attributing for predominantly dry weather during this period. By May to the later part of October, the situation is reversed. The southwest monsoon “habagat” succeed causing with it substantial rain. An evident enormous rain period happens in Batangas City usually from June to September when southwest monsoon flow is steadiest and the average monthly rainfall. By the end of October, the northeast monsoon starts to set again. However, the months from October to December are not characterized by dry weather as compared to the months from January to April. This is partly due to the fact that typhoons and depressions most frequently affect the Batangas City during the months from July to December.
Mineral Resources of Batangas City
Several mineral resources can be found in the Batangas City and some of the deposits have not yet been extracted. Traces of metallic mineral like gold and non-metallic mineral like gypsum are being detected in the mountainous area of barangays Cumba and Sto. Domingo respectively. Salt beds originally existed abundantly in barangays Malitam and Sta. Clara but rapid urbanization and the expansion/development of the Batangas Port likewise resulted to the end of this industry.
Forestry of Batangas City
The forest resources of Batangas City are not in commercial quantity except for bamboo which are in demand for use in the construction of fish pens. Marginal forest lands can be found mostly in the barangays of Sto. Domingo, Talahib Payapa, Talumpok Silangan (where Mt. Banoy is located), Cumba and along the boundary line with the municipality of Lobo .
Land Use of Batangas City
The land use of Batangas City has significantly changed from a major agricultural use to a quickly developing major urban center and up to the present to a major urban commercial and industrial center.
Water Resources of Batangas City
Batangas City is crossed by several streams that converge at the Calumpang River which in turn flows into the Batangas Bay . Calumpang River is a perennial body of water with a catchment area of about four hundred seventy two square kilometers. The river forms the southeastern boundary of the Poblacion and it flows into the Batangas Bay at a point about two kilometers south of Batangas Port .
There are several springs in Batangas City that has adequate volume of release to suffice the needs of nearby residents for their water supply requirements. These can be found in barangays Cumba, Sto. Domingo, Talumpok Kanluran & Silangan, Ilijan, Talahib Pandayan, Talahib Payapa, Malibayo, Haligue Kanluran, Bilogo, Haligue Silangan, Maruclap and Conde Itaas .
Social Aspects of Batangas City
Population of Batangas City
The expected population of Batangas City for the year 2013 based from POPCEN of the National Statistics Office is 325,532 with a population growth rate of 2.13 percent. Brgy. Sta. Rita Karsada has the largest population with 18,460 while Barangay 17, an urban barangay has the least population of 111.
Urban – Rural Distribution of Batangas City
In addition to the 24 barangays in the Poblacion are the 17 urbanizing barangays, namely, Alangilan, Bolbok, Balagtas, Calicanto, Gulod Itaas, Cuta, Gulod Labac, Kumintang Ilaya, Kumintang Ibaba, Libjo, Pallocan Kanluran, Malitam, San Isidro, Sta. Clara, Sta. Rita Karsada, Sta. Rita Aplaya and Wawa . These barangays are located within the direct border of the poblacion . Urban population is 179,565 rural populations are 145,967 representing 55 percent and 45 percent respectively of the total city population.
Household Characteristics of Batangas City
Batangas City has total probable households of 71,511 in 2013. Out of 8.16 percent live in the Poblacion . The predictable average household size in Batangas City for 2013 is five. Barangay Sta. Rita Karsada has the maximum household number of 3,992 while Barangay 16 in the Poblacion has the lowest household number of twenty nine.
TRANSPORTATION of Batangas City
Land Transportation of Batangas City
Land transportation services in the Batangas City are readily available through privately owned cars, public utility buses, public utility jeepneys, jeeps, vans and tricycles. For trips going to Metro Manila and neighboring provinces , the commuters can avail the public utility bus system , such as RRCG Transit, Batangas Star Express, Supreme Trans. Liner, ALPS (2), Barney, Ceres Transport, JAM Transit, N. Dela Rosa Liner Inc., DLTB Co., Inter Bats. Bus, SJ Park Ventures Inc, KL CNG Bus Transport and Eagle Star Transit Corporation .
The Southern Tagalog Access Road (STAR) which is a tollway component of the Philippine Nautical Highway with a distance of forty two kilometers. from Sto. Tomas, Batangas to the Batangas Port shortened the travel time from Metro Manila to Batangas City by about 30 to 45 minutes.
With the execution of the Batangas City’s New Traffic Ordinance, public utility jeepney routes thru number coding and color scheme have been imposed. PUJ terminals and Parking areas have been selected for the diverse routes. With the delegation of power to grant franchises for tricycle operation from the Land Transportation Regulatory Board to the Batangas City Government, tricycle operators can now utilize for their franchise from the Regulatory Office and Transportation Development under the Office of the City Mayor. Like other public utility, tricycles plying in the Poblacion toil also through a number and color coding system.
In 2001, the city government installed a Closed Circuit Television Camera along P. Burgos St. and Rizal Avenue and two overhead Variable Message Signs along the National Highway in Kumintang Ibaba and P. Burgos St. infront of the City Hall as mechanism of city transportation/traffic management program. Additional CCTV cameras were installed along strategic locations/intersections including the City Integrated Transport Terminal at Diversion Road and the Calumpang Bridge .
Air Service of Batangas City
There is no accessible airport in Batangas City. Helicopters use the Quezon Memorial Stadium , the PPA facilities, the Batangas National High School ground and the Camp General Miguel Malvar PNP Provincial Office Compound in barangay Alangilan as takeoff and landing areas.
Water Transportation of Batangas City
The Batangas Port Phase I under the management of the Philippine Port Authority is currently considered the most user friendly and modern seaport in the country today. The port was extended and developed in order to competently provide the neighboring island provinces of Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Romblon and Palawan and to further serve the growth potentials of the MIMAROPA and CALABARZON Regions. The recently constructed domestic and foreign general cargo berths are fundamental to the demand necessities of domestic and foreign trades. The port also provides to augment the facilities of the Port of Manila.Berth facilities on the recently constructed Batangas Port Development Project/Phase I .
The purpose of the project is to offer entry to cargo trade between the CALABARZON area and the rest of the country and the world, as well as to operate as a additional port to cargoes that can no longer be accommodated at the port of Manila. It will definitely support both international and domestic trade that will improve economic expansion for the country.
Water Supply of Batangas City
The Batangas Water Supply System was jointly constructed by the United States of America and the governments of the Philippines in 1926. It was first managed and supervised by the Bureau of Public Works while the local management and operation were undertaken by the Batangas Municipal Government. Then, the system was turned over to NAWASA and fourteen years later, the city government decided to handle its own system. Under Presidential Decree, the Batangas City Water District was consequently created under the consent of the Local Water Utilities Authority which grants technical and financial assistance to the water district. The waterworks system was officially hand over by the city government to the BCWD in1975.
Rural Barangays Water Supply of Batangas City
Through the financial support of the USAID, 7 rural barangays have been supplied with waterworks system under the Barangay Water Program. These barangays were Concepcion, Tingga Itaas, Tulo, Banaba East, Sampaga, Balete and Sampaga West-Pallocan East .
At present, settlers of several barangays predominantly those situated within the watershed areas of Mt. Banoy like barangays Haligue Cumba, Silangan/Kanluran, Maruclap, Silangan, Pinamucan Talahib, Payapa/Pandayan, San Jose Sico and Talumpok Kanluran/Silangan depend principally for their water supply needs from the springs with storage/catchment facilities.
Power Supply of Batangas City
Out of the 105 total barangays in the Batangas City , 99 barangays are being supplied by MERALCO. But some parts of barangays San Jose Sico, Talahib Pandayan and Talumpok Silangan are being supplied by the BATELEC II.
In relation to the 6 barangays situated in Verde Island , the settlers depend on solar energy devices and diesel fired power generators for their electricity requirements.
Communication & Mass Media of Batangas City
Radio Stations of Batangas City
At present, there are 8 radio stations consist of 1 AM and 7 FM frequencies operating in the city namely: the DWAM Spirit FM, Lyceum Campus Radio (FM), Baycomms Radio (DWEY-FM), Radyo Natin 91.9 FM, DWAL 95.9 FM, UB Campus Radio, BSU Campus Radio 107.4 FM and the DWAW-AM. These radio stations offer variety of information/entertainment programs for the settlers of the Batangas City and other close by localities within the province.
Telegraph/Telegram/Messengerial (Courier) Services of Batangas City .
The government possessed telecommunication office offers the telegraph and telex services. In addition, there are 8 more messengerial services operating in the Batangas City which consist of the Universal Storefront Services, Philippine Postal Corporation, JRS Express, WWW Express, 2GO, LBC, Abest Express and M&M Services .
Telephone Systems of Batangas City
The Globe Telecom Inc., Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, Digitel Mobile Philippines and Bayan Telecommunication supply landline phone services in the Batangas City . Additionally, mobile phone services are currently being provided by Globe, Smart and Sun Cellular.
Internet Service Provider of Batangas City
Batangas City has also facilities offering the latest communication technology not only nationwide but worldwide as well. Everyone can now avail of internet service right in the comfort of their offices, homes and in the different internet cafés within the Batangas City . There are 6 internet service suppliers in the city which includes the PLDT Company, Smart Communication Inc., Globe Telecommunications, Digitel Telecommunications Phils. Inc., Batangas CATV Inc and Bulahawdotcom/Mozcom Batangas.
Housing of Batangas City
Majority of the residents in Batangas City can be found in government lots. Segment of barangay Sta. Clara and the non-functional railroad track of the Philippine National Railways from Barangay 24 up to Balagtas are currently in use by informal settlers.
There are 2 existing repositioning sites in the city which incorporated the Balete Relocation Site which was executed by the Philippine Ports Authority in collaboration with the Batangas City government and the San Jose Sico Relocation Site owned by the city government and other apprehensive national government agencies relative to the Batangas Port Development Project.
TOURISM of Batangas City
Man-made Park of Batangas City
At the center of Batangas City is the 2 hectare park: the “People’s Park known as PLAZA MABINI . People’s Park was constructed in 1951 and was renovated in 1964. The park was redeveloped in 2004 by the Palafox and Associates – world-renowned urban planning firm with its shoulder-pavement of interlocking bricks, century-old acacia trees, and stamped-concrete pathways. Plaza Mabini is similar to the parks found in Makati’s Central Business District. The park’s ground is typically covered with carabao grass and 17 kinds of plants; Creeping Jennifer, Scarlet Beauty, White Angle, Morning Drop, Spotted Caletea and Silver Wall amid others can also be found. The park’s Mediterranean landscape is enclosed by the main streets of Lopez Jaena, P. Burgos, P. Dandan and M.H. Del Pilar . An open-air mini amphitheatre was built in the plaza where shows/events and other cultural programs are being held.
Through the Spaniard-imposed Laws of the Indies; wherein towns are centered on the plaza; the church, the municipal hall and the mansions of the illustrados are located just about Plaza Mabini . Indios were stimulated within the hearing distance of the bajo de la campana.
Several ancestral housed can be discover in the Poblacion which include the Rosales-Borbon ancestral homes and the Acosta Pastor . These mansions are frequently being stop with well-known personalities/visitors from Manila.
Exactly facing the Plaza Mabini is the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception constructed from 1851 to 1857 with its frontage and interior as a spectacular style of early Renaissance architecture. On 13 February 1946, by a declaration of the Pope Pious XII, the church was raised to the “Basilica Minor” of the Immaculate Conception and Infant Jesus and was the first Basilica to be pronounced that privilege and honor in the country and in the entire East Asia. Because of the endeavors of the Sto. Niño Pastoral Foundation, the Batangas Church Museum was recognized in honor of the late Msgr. Clemente Yatco. Priceless century-old books and religious relics and statues can be found in the said museum.
Situated along P. Burgos Street at the back of the Batangas City Library is the “Museo Puntong Batangan” . It was built by the Batangas City government in December 2006.The museum is a well studied showcase of how Batangueños shaped their lifestyles and histories. A combination of post-contemporary and modern architectural designs, the museum has a total floor area of four hundred fifteen square meters.
LAUREL PARK , another notable park in Batangas City , located in the Provincial Capitol in Kumintang Ibaba is augmented by famous state-of-the-art landscapes and colorful lights. It is now regularly visited by the local settlers, specifically students, who utilize the park for their supplementary activities. Its main gate, located along the national highway provide as the frontage of the Capitol Complex .
Natural Sites of Batangas City
The Batangas City has more than a few undeveloped beaches that have ability to convene the leisure needs of the potential tourists and the local folks. nearby Isla Verde is still undeveloped and can be access in 2 hours travel by boat from Tabangao Aplaya which is considered an option destination for beach lovers.
Additionally, the slopes of Matoco Point and Mt. Banoy in Barangay Pagkilatan offer a panoramic view of the Batangas city and the Batangas Bay .
