Bamban

Not to be confused with Bambang (disambiguation).

Bamban
Municipality
Municipality of Bamban
Panoramic of Bamban
Flag Seal
Map of Tarlac with Bamban highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Bamban Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 15°16′27″N120°34′01″E / 15.2742°N 120.5669°E / 15.2742; 120.5669
Country	Philippines
Region	Central Luzon
Province	Tarlac
District	3rd district
Founded	June 6, 1710
Barangays	15 (see Barangays)
Government   [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
•  Mayor	Leonardo Anunciacion
•  Vice Mayor	Erano D. Timbang
•  Representative	Noel N. Rivera
•  Municipal Council	Members Johnny M. Sales Ernesto M. Salting Robin S. Mangiliman Jose C. Aguilar Jayson S. Galang Rainier Q. Rivera Mary Andrei S. Lacsamana
•  Electorate	45,008 voters (2022)
Area [2]
• Total	251.98 km2 (97.29 sq mi)
Elevation	89 m (292 ft)
Highest elevation	265 m (869 ft)
Lowest elevation	48 m (157 ft)
Population  (2020 census) [3]
• Total	78,260
• Density	310/km2 (800/sq mi)
•  Households	17,695
Economy
•  Income class	2nd municipal income class
•  Poverty incidence	13.47 % (2021) [4]
•  Revenue	₱ 244.7 million (2020), 102.2 million (2012), 113.7 million (2013), 128.5 million (2014), 151.7 million (2015), 163 million (2016), 185.4 million (2017), 197.4 million (2018), 222.4 million (2019), 274.7 million (2021), 368.8 million (2022)
•  Assets	₱ 521.7 million (2020), 179.2 million (2012), 184.5 million (2013), 336.4 million (2014), 375.5 million (2015), 384.4 million (2016), 442.9 million (2017), 470.1 million (2018), 528.1 million (2019), 563.1 million (2021), 731.9 million (2022)
•  Expenditure	₱ 246.1 million (2020), 94.2 million (2012), 93.17 million (2013), 101.4 million (2014), 116.4 million (2015), 136.9 million (2016), 144.7 million (2017), 173.8 million (2018), 196.7 million (2019), 18.71 million (2021), 82.04 million (2022)
•  Liabilities	₱ 79.01 million (2020), 74.76 million (2012), 65.17 million (2013), 201.5 million (2014), 211.4 million (2015), 200.8 million (2016), 229.4 million (2017), 211.1 million (2018), 99.46 million (2019), 78.45 million (2021), 165.6 million (2022)
Service provider
• Electricity	Tarlac 2 Electric Cooperative (TARELCO 2)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	2317, 2023 (portions under Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone)
PSGC	036902000
IDD  :  area code	+63 (0)45
Native languages	Kapampangan Tagalog Ilocano
Website	bambantarlac.gov.ph

Bamban, officially the Municipality of Bamban (Kapampangan : Balen ning Bamban; Filipino : Bayan ng Bamban), is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Tarlac, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 78,260 people. ^[3]

Etymology

The municipality derives its name from the bamban plants (Donax canniformis) that once dominated large areas of land along the river near the foothills. It was initially called cabambanan or mabamban, but was later called simply as bamban. ^[5]

History

The site of Bamban was originally a vast track of wild land extending eastward; and on the west side, composed of forested foothills and mountains lush with tall trees extending deep into the Zambales ranges. The thick forest and mountains were then inhabited by the Aetas (locally known as Baluga), and the Zambal, both of whom subsisted only on fishing and native or wild animals which abounded in the place. Occasionally, traders from Pampanga and the Tagalog provinces braved the wilderness to go northward to Capas and Tarlac.

Before the advent of the Spanish era, small settlers came, attracted by the fertile land sustained by the river. The settlers started small clearings in the thick growth of bamban plants which covered vast portions of the land bordering the river a small distance from the foothills. Because of these plants, the place was eventually named Bamban. About 1700, Augustinian Recollects came and established the Mission de Pueblos de Bamban. Originally a part of Pampanga, in 1837, a new boundary line was established, thereby permanently making Bamban part of the province of Tarlac.

Official recognition as a town was sanctioned by the gobernadorcillos in Tarlac town. Don Martín Sibal was subsequently appointed head and commissioned with the rank of "Capitán". Among the first settlers were the Sibal, Lugtu, Dayrit, Macale, Vergara, Manipon, and de la Cruz clans.

Children on roof of a school in Bamban, that was buried by lahars during the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo.

During the revolution of 1896, Bamban was one of the first towns to take up arms against the Spaniards. Northwest of the town situated among the hills are remnants of strongholds built by Bambanenses who joined Gen. Servillano Aquino in the uprising in Tarlac. Up to this time, a portion of the foothills in the area is called "Batiawan" or look-out point.

When the Americans came in 1900, the pueblo gradually grew into a town. The Bamban Sugar Central was established. Don Pablo Lagman was the first to be appointed presidente and Don Laureano Campo as vice-presidente under the American military government. Other prominent families then took over the helm of government. During the Commonwealth era, the Sibals, the Lumboys, the Santoses, the Punsalangs, to mention a few, enjoyed political power until the outbreak of World War II. The whole población was devastated and burned during the liberation. Rebuilding began despite the ongoing fighting in the mountains. Growth was fast because of proximity of Clark Air Base. However, prominent families left the town for the city to establish big business and names for themselves.

The 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo and the subsequent flow of lahar to the lowlands of Bamban forced residents to move out or to stay at the Dapdap Resettlement Area, which is on higher grounds.

In 2022, controversial businesswoman Alice Guo was elected as mayor, which saw significant developments in town, alongside a then suspected fast-rising Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub. ^[6] However, in 2024, she was subjected to a Senate inquiry. She was suspended over suspected links to POGO related criminal activities and questions over her citizenship and was eventually dismissed from office by the Ombudsman. ^[7] As her vice mayor, Leonardo Anunciacion, and seven members of the Sangguniang Bayan were also suspended for three months on the same charges, Guo was replaced by councilor Erano Timbang, who was the only member of the Sangguniang Bayan who voted to oppose the establishment of the POGO in Bamban. ^[8] An interim vice mayor and municipal councilors were also installed. ^[9]

Geography

Bamban is the southernmost town of Tarlac. It has a common boundary with Mabalacat, Pampanga, and in the west, with Zambales. The boundary is defined by the Parua River, which is a source of irrigation water, food, and sand and gravel for infrastructure projects. The mountainous region situated in the western part comprises almost two-thirds of the total land area, which used to be within the US Military Reservations. Nestled in this part are the BLISS projects and to the north, the MAR settlement project.

Bamban is 99 kilometers (62 mi) from Manila and is 25 kilometers (16 mi) from the provincial capital, Tarlac City.

Barangays

Dolores Grotto view of the Bamban bridge and barangays

Bamban is politically subdivided into 15 barangays.  ^[10] Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

• Anupul
• Banaba
• Bangcu
• Culubasa
• Dela Cruz
• La Paz
• Lourdes
• Malonzo
• San Nicolas (poblacion)
• San Pedro
• San Rafael
• San Roque
• San Vicente
• Santo Niño
• Lumang kalsada
• Virgen de los Remedios (VDR) or Pacalcal ^[11]

Climate

Climate data for Bamban, Tarlac
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	30 (86)	31 (88)	33 (91)	35 (95)	33 (91)	31 (88)	30 (86)	29 (84)	29 (84)	30 (86)	31 (88)	30 (86)	31 (88)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	19 (66)	19 (66)	20 (68)	22 (72)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	23 (73)	22 (72)	21 (70)	20 (68)	22 (71)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	3 (0.1)	2 (0.1)	5 (0.2)	10 (0.4)	80 (3.1)	107 (4.2)	138 (5.4)	147 (5.8)	119 (4.7)	70 (2.8)	26 (1.0)	8 (0.3)	715 (28.1)
Average rainy days	2.0	1.7	2.7	4.6	16.1	20.8	24.0	23.0	21.4	15.5	8.0	3.2	143
Source: Meteoblue [12]

Demographics

Population census of Bamban

Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1903 3,002 —     1918 4,846 +3.24% 1939 9,663 +3.34% 1948 11,553 +2.00% 1960 13,527 +1.32% 1970 18,474 +3.16% 1975 22,723 +4.24% 1980 26,072 +2.79%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1990 35,639 +3.18% 1995 37,115 +0.76% 2000 46,360 +4.88% 2007 61,644 +4.01% 2010 62,413 +0.45% 2015 69,466 +2.06% 2020 78,260 +2.37%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [13] [14] [15] [16]

In the 2020 census, the population of Bamban, was 78,260 people, ^[3] with a density of 310 inhabitants per square kilometer or 800 inhabitants per square mile.

The Aeta people is a noted ethnic group in Bamban, with the most known the sub-tribe being the Ayta Mag-Antsi. ^[17]

Economy

Now closed compound of Baofu Land, a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator in Bamban.

Public market

Poverty incidence of Bamban

2.5 5 7.5 10 12.5 15 2006 7.60 2009 10.60 2012 4.61 2015 12.56 2018 10.30 2021 13.47 Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25]

Parts of the Clark Special Economic Zone is in Bamban, particularly the barangays of San Vicente and Santo Niño which are partially in an area generally known as Sacobia. ^[26]

Tourism

Santo Niño Parish Church

• At the center of the town is the heritage Santo Niño Parish Church of Bamban, ^[27] (Vicariate of San Nicolas de Tolentino; Vicar Forane: Msgr. Francisco Tañedo ^{[28] [29] [30]} which was founded in 1812.
  • Titular: Santo Niño, Feast, Last Saturday of January.
• Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes of Bamban at Dolores
• Bamban Bridge
• Bamban Caves and the Matayumtayum well was used by General Francisco Makabulos and his troops against the Spaniards and later on by Filipino guerrillas during the Second World War.

Gallery

• 
  Bamban municipal hall
• 
  Municipal library, town plaza and police station
• 
  Highway

References

1.   Municipality of Bamban | (DILG)
2. "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN   0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
3. Census of Population (2020). "Region III (Central Luzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved 8 July 2021.
4. "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
5. "History of Bamban". Official Website of Bamban Province of Tarlac. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
6. Ratcliffe, Rebecca; Ramos, Guill (4 August 2024). "Cognac, tortoises and a pink-striped helicopter: inside the mystery of Alice Guo, the missing Philippines mayor". The Observer . Retrieved 4 August 2024.
7. "Ombudsman orders dismissal of Bamban Mayor Alice Guo". ABS-CBN. August 13, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
8. "DILG: Municipal councilor to serve as acting Bamban mayor". GMA News. August 14, 2024. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
9. Batallones, Jeck (August 29, 2024). "New Bamban, Tarlac officials sworn in". ABS-CBN . Retrieved August 30, 2024.
10. "Province: Tarlac". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved 12 November 2016.
11. Montalvan, Antonio II (24 May 2024). "The 2022 elections for mayor in Bamban, Tarlac". VERA Files. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
12. "Bamban: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
13. Census of Population (2015). "Region III (Central Luzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved 20 June 2016.
14. Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region III (Central Luzon)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office . Retrieved 29 June 2016.
15. Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region III (Central Luzon)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
16. "Province of Tarlac". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
17. Alipao, Froilan (February 2019). "Small Place, Large Issues: Reflections on the Journey of Froilan A. Alipao Partnership Between Bamban Ayta Mag-Antsi and University of Santo Tomas (UST) Toward Kasighawan (WellBeing) Communities (From 2002 to 2018)" (PDF). Journal of Social Health. 2 (1): 128–151.
18. "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
19. "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
20. "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 March 2009.
21. "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012.
22. "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.
23. "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019.
24. "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
25. "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
26. "Special Economic Zones and Local and Indigenous Communities Evaluating the Clark Special Economic Zone" (PDF). UP CIDS Discussion Paper. University of the Philippines, Center for Integrative and Development Studies: 2. January 2022. ISSN   2619-7456 . Retrieved 21 July 2024.
27. "Category:Santo Niño Parish Church of Bamban - Wikimedia Commons". Commons.wikimedia.org. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
28. "List of Parishes of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tarlac | Philippine Churches". Archived from the original on 2012-09-03. Retrieved 2013-05-01.
29. "Tarlac churches | mga pahina ni msbolin". Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2013-05-01.
30. "Panoramio - Photo of Santo Nino Parish Church, Bamban, Tarlac". Archived from the original on 2016-10-25. Retrieved 2017-11-01.

External links

• Bamban Profile at PhilAtlas.com
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Local Governance Performance Management System
• Bamban, Tarlac history, folk lore, photos