Calumpit, Bulacan

Infobox Philippine municipality
infoboxtitle = Bayan ng Calumpit, Bulacan


sealfile = Ph seal bulacan calumpit.png locatormapfile = Ph_locator_bulacan_calumpit.png caption = Map of Bulacan showing the location of Calumpit
region = Central Luzon (Region III)
province = Bulacan
districts = First Congressional District of Bulacan
barangays = 29
founded = 1572
website = http://calumpit.gov.ph/
class = 1st class municipality
mayor = James P. De Jesus
areakm2 =
pop2000 = 81,113
coordinates =

Calumpit is a 1st class urban municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 81,113 people in 16,167 households.

Fast Facts

Physical and Socio-Political

"Land Area:" 5,625 has.

"No. of Barangays:" 29

"Population:" 81,113 (2000)

"Registered Voters:" 50,328 (2004) [cite news
url=http://www.nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/municipality.asp?muncode=031407000&regcode=03&provcode=14|title=NSCB - ActiveStats - PSGC Interactive - Municipality: Calumpit
publisher=NSCB
accessdate=2007-04-14]

"Population Density:" 14.42 persons/ha.

"Average Crime Rate:" 2.88%

"Crime Solution Efficiency:" 100%

Commerce and Industry

"Major Industries:" Industrial Estates, Paper, Garments, Ceramics/Pottery, Flowers/Ornamental Plants, Food/Food Processing, Gifts/Houseware/Decors

"Major Products:" Handicrafts, Pottery, Religious Articles

"Industrial Estates:" Bulacan Agro-Industrial SubdivisionAddress: Pio Cruzcosa, Calumpit, BulacanMatrix Inc.

Municipal Officials

"Mayor:" James P. de Jesus
"Vice-Mayor:" Alner R. Lim-Ranola
"Coun.:" Gino Carlo S. Torres
"Coun.:" Larry C. Bunag
"Coun.:" Michael C. Fermin
"Coun.:" Ponce P. de Leon, Jr.
"Coun.:" Comelio A. Balingit
"Coun.:" Nixon E. Madla
"Coun.:" Nicasio M. Samson
"Coun.:" Romeo L. Bernardino

Etymology

The name "Calumpit" is named after the hardwood trees found growing abundantly in front of the Calumpit Catholic Church.

History

= Hispanic era = Calumpit was already an established “barangay” under the leadership of Gat Maitim prior to Spanish contact.

The defeat of Rajah Soliman at the Battle of Bangkusay Channel paved the way for the Spaniards to establish their government in Manila. News reached the Spanish authorities that there was a progressive community located several miles north of Manila. Through the order of Fr. Martin de Bada, a group of Augustinian missionaries headed by Father Diego Vivar Ordoñez was sent to look for the said place. In 1572, they set foot at the riverbank of barangay Meyto, armed with a cross. They proceeded to Christianize the area and establish a government with Marcos de Arce as the first "Alcalde Mayor" of Calumpit. However, it was only in 1575 that the King of Spain officially recognized Calumpit. It was therefore the first town established in the Province of Bulacan. The Augustinian friars were the first Christian missionaries to Calumpit and acted in some capacity as government officials, which continued for almost three centuries.

Philippine Revolution of 1896

During the Philippine Revolution in 1896, the people of Calumpit participated in the battles launched by the Katipuneros against Spain, the town becoming the headquarters of General Luna in 1898. In the bloody encounters at barrio Bagbag on April 25, 1899, the people bravely joined the army of General Luna.

The civil government under the Philippines was established in Calumpit in April 1901 with Juan Galang as the first elected mayor of the town.

American era and World War II

Calumpit played an important role at the outbreak of the War in the Pacific theater. The bridge of Calumpit, on the way to Bataan was bombed by the Engineering Battalion of the U.S., impeding movement of the Japanese forces on their way to Bataan. In January 1942, the Japanese Government occupied Calumpit for three years. Many distinguished citizens of Calumpit died during the war.

In the middle of 1943, the first part of the USAFFE guerrilla was established under the leadership of Luis Macam, with most of the members from Calumpit.

In June 1944, the 4th Battalion of the Del Pilar Regiment was established under the leadership of Major Francisco del Rosario, they continued fighting until the returned of the USAFFE under the leadership of Gen. Douglas MacArthur.

In January 1945, the combined Filipino and American forces arrived in the town, liberating it from the Japanese forces.

Geography

Fifty-four (54) kilometers north of Manila, lies the Municipality of Calumpit bounded on the north and west by Apalit and Macabebe, Pampanga, respectively; southwest, southeast and east by Hagonoy, Malolos, and Pulilan, Bulacan respectively.

Calumpit is sprawled over an area of 5,625 has. of flat terrain classified accordingly to use as agricultural lands (66.81%), residential (10.42%), industrial (2.48%), commercial, (0.89%) and others was (1.05%). It occupied around 2.06% of the total land area of Bulacan. The municipality has 144.33 kilometers of concrete roads that easily link its 29 barangays.

Two distinct seasons characterized the town’s climate: rainy season which starts late May and ends around November; and dry season which begins November and lasts until April.

Calumpit has two (2) types of soil – the silt loam which is found in almost 90% of the entire municipality and the clay loam in the south east far end of the town. Both types are basically suited for agricultural purposes as per Department of Agriculture classifications.

Climate

The climate of Calumpit is practically similar with that of the rest of the other municipalities in the province of Bulacan. It is characterized by two (2) distinct seasons namely; the rainy and the dry. The rainy seasons starts from late May and ends around November, the dry season is from December to April. The average annual rainfall is 255.3 millimeters (mm) with the month of August having the highest month average rainfall is about 304 millimeters. The annual number of rainy days is 175 days.

Demographics

Population

Calumpit's current population is 70,839 as per the National Statistics Office (NSO) 1995 report, with a remarkable increase of 11,797 compared to the 59,042 population in 1990. Historically, its population grew at an average of 3.71% per annum.

With a total land area of 5,625 has. the number of households of 13,923 the population density rate per hectare is 12.59, and the average number of persons per household is 5.

The barangay with the largest population is Bgy. "Gatbuca" with 5,570 people and the smallest is Bgy. "Sergio Bayan" with 649 people.

Calumpit has a relatively young population with the age group 1-19 years old constituting the majority of 46.01% of the total population. The rest consists mainly of the working group between the ages of 20 to 59 years old accounting for about 47.96% and the elderly comprising 6.02%.

In terms of sex distribution, males exceeded the number of females very slightly with a count of 35,710 and 35,087, respectively.

Language and Religion

Calumpit is predominantly a Tagalog speaking town with about 96.3% of its people being fluent speakers. Others speak Pampango, Aklanon and Ivatan.

Having been the first town in Bulacan Christianized by the Spanish, the majority of the people are of the Roman Catholic faith. The rest belong to the Protestant, Iglesia ni Kristo, IEMELIF and the Philippine Independent Church groups.

Labour and Employment

As of 1995, Calumpit had a relatively big labor force of 24,095 persons or 66% of population consisting of people ages 20-59. Around 35% of these people are accounted to possess varying degrees of skills and are employed in their respective occupations; 28% are housewives but nevertheless have found occasional employment as farmhands, vending farm-produced in the market and doing marginal odd jobs. Others are unclassified and consist mostly of students, out-of-school youth and the unemployed.

Total households income per year is P705M, annual average household income is P 66,600.00 and per capita income annually is P 12,198.00.

Literacy

The high literacy rate (98.5%) is maintained by its twenty four (24) elementary schools and six secondary or high schools. The Bulacan Manpower and Livelihood Training Center (BMLTC), based at the heart of the town, offers vocational courses and serves as the training ground for both unskilled and highly skilled workers. As a result, most Calumpiteños have acquired and maintained skills suited for employment especially in the agri-industrial field.

Education

This is a partial list of secondary schools in Calumpit, Bulacan.

Bio Kinetics Learning School
Calumpit Central Ecumenical School
Colegio de Calumpit, Inc.
Dampol2nd N H S Annex (Sta. Lucia)
Frances High School
Harvesters Mission Chrisitan Academy
Meysulao Adv. Elem. Sch.for Meysulao S D A Multigrade Sch.
Petras Christian School
San Marcos National High School
Caniogan High School
Shalom Christian Academy of Bulacan
Shepherds Ways Academy of Bulacan
St. Anthony Academy of Bulacan
St. John the Baptist Catholic School
Santa Lucia High School
Meyto Elementary School
Linagit Primary School

Tourism

This Way to Calumpit

Calumpit, Bulacan lies 54 kilometers north of Manila and could be reached via land transportation vehicles. Strategically located with three major exit and entry points, it can be reached from Manila via commuter buses such as the Philippine Rabbit, Baliwag Transit, Sierra Madre Liner, Victory Liner, Saulog Transit, Philippine Rapid Tansit, Metro Shuttle Transit and the Masantol Bus Transit - all in less than 45 minutes along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX)

Calumpit River

This river has for centuries shaped the lives of Bulakeños. The longest river system in Bulacan, Calumpit River traverses the towns of Calumpit, Pulilan and Plaridel on the east, Paombong and Hagonoy in the West and winds up through Apalit, Macabebe and Masantol, Pampanga. It was the major route for trade and commerce in this part of the country making Calumpit an established barangay prior to the coming of Spanish conquistadors. The Pampanga and Quingua Rivers served as arteries through which goods coming in and going out of Calumpit passed. At present, the river is a valued resource as a rich fishing ground and providing farmers with irrigation.

Bagbag Bridge

Site of the longest battle between the Americans and Filipinos led by General Gregorio del Pilar which took place in April 25, 1899. The bridge now standing serves as a reminder of the valor displayed by the Filipino who triumphed against the American forces.

Meyto Shrine

This is the cradle of Christianity in the province, where the first Catholic Mass was held by the Augustinian friars in 1572.

Calumpit Libad Festival

A fluvial procession of well-decorated pagodas is held on the river every 23rd of June right before the annual town fiesta in honor of St. John the Baptist. Townfolks gaily sing, dance and frenzily douse water to "baptize" passers-by - prepare to get wet.

t. John the Baptist Church

Built in 1572, the St. John the Baptist Church is the oldest church in Bulacan. Constructed under the supervision of Augustinian priest Diego Vivar - Ordonez, the church has been a mute witness to the Filipinos' struggle against Spanish, American and Japanese rule. Inside the church is a tunnel that, as legend would have it, was used by priests during the Spanish regime to keep gold, religious statues and ornate jewelry hidden from the sight of treasure hunters. It is the birthplace of Christianity in the province. [cite news
url=http://www.wowphilippines.com.ph/explore_phil/place_details.asp?content=thingstodo&province=10
title=Things to Do and see in Bulacan...
publisher=WOW Philippines
accessdate=2007-04-14]

Barangays

* Balite * Balungao * Buguion * Bulusan * Calizon * Calumpang * Caniogan * Corazon * Frances * Gatbuca * Gugo * Iba Este * Iba O'Este * Longos * Meysulao

* Meyto * Palimbang * Panducot * Pio Cruzcosa * Poblacion * Pungo * San Jose * San Marcos * San Miguel * Santa Lucia * Santa Rosa * Santo Niño * Sapang Bayan * Sergio Bayan * Sucol

Prominent Kalumpitenos

Dionisia De Santa Maria Mitas Talangpaz(1691-1732) and Cecilia Rosa De Jesus Talangpaz(1693-1731)
Two noble ladies Mother Dionisia Mitas Talangpaz (1691-1732) and Mother Cecilia Rosa Talangpaz (1693-1731) from Calumpit, Bulacan, founders of the Beaterio de San Sebastian whose beatification process is now in full swing are known for their exemplary lives of prayer, self denial, service to the Church and apostolate that attracted young Filipinas.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/default.asp Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
* [http://www.t-macs.com/kiso/local/ 2000 Philippine Census Information]
* [http://www.bulacan.gov.ph/calumpit/ Bulacan Provincial Website]
* [http://elgu2.ncc.gov.ph/calumpit/ LGO:Municipality of Calumpit]
* [http://calumpit.gov.ph/ Municipality of Calumpit]
* [http://calumpit.ca/ Samahang Calumpit - Canada]
* [http://www.gmanews.tv/story/93285/Former-Bulacan-town-mayor-gunned-down Former Calumpit, Bulacan town mayor, Ramon Pagdanganan gunned down]