Norzagaray

Norzagaray
Municipality
Municipality of Norzagaray
Norzagaray Municipal Hall
Flag Seal
Map of Bulacan with Norzagaray highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Norzagaray Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 14°55′N121°03′E / 14.92°N 121.05°E / 14.92; 121.05
Country	Philippines
Region	Central Luzon
Province	Bulacan
District	6th district
Founded	August 13, 1860 [1]
Named for	Fernándo Norzagaray y Escudero
Barangays	13 (see Barangays)
Government   [2]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
•  Mayor	Ma. Elena L. Germar
•  Vice Mayor	Patricio I. Gener
•  Representative	Salvador A. Pleyto Sr.
•  Municipal Council	Members Restituto B. Sumbillo Abbygail H. Reyes Giulius Caezar S. Iapino Alvin B. Cruz Luzviminda P. Espiritu Ma. Cleope S. Pelayo Zosimo S. Cruz Jr. Edsel C. Mendoza
•  Electorate	67,280 voters (2019)
Area [3]
• Total	309.77 km2 (119.60 sq mi)
Elevation	76 m (249 ft)
Highest elevation	236 m (774 ft)
Lowest elevation	26 m (85 ft)
Population  (2020 census) [4]
• Total	136,064
• Density	440/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
•  Households	32,851
Economy
•  Income class	1st municipal income class
•  Poverty incidence	21.55 % (2021) [5]
•  Revenue	₱ 526.7 million (2020)
•  Assets	₱ 1,640 million (2020)
•  Expenditure	₱ 467 million (2020)
•  Liabilities	₱ 708 million (2020)
Utilities
• Electricity	Meralco
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	3013
PSGC	031413000
IDD  :  area code	+63 (0)44
Native languages	Tagalog Southern Alta
Website	norzagaray.gov.ph

Norzagaray, officially the Municipality of Norzagaray (Tagalog : Bayan ng Norzagaray), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 136,064 people. ^[4]

It is the location of Angat Dam which sits on the lower realms of the Sierra Madre Mountain range, the Dam is notable for being a major water and power supply for the National Capital Region.

History

Fernándo Norzagaray y Escudero

The nucleus of what today is the town of Norzagaray traces from the old barrio Casay and barrio Matictic which was ecclesiastically and politically administered by the Augustinians from the town of Angat as its visitas as shown in the document "Mapa del Teritorio de Bulacan" by Fray Emmanuel Blanco, O.S.A. in 1832 which appeared in another document "Administracion Espiritual de los Padres Agustinos calzados de la Provincia del Dulce Nombre de Jesus de las Islas Filipinas" of Fray Francisco Villacorta in 1833.

The people of Barrio Casay worked for reforms politically, socially and economically, in order to be separated from Angat. They succeeded in their separation bid through Governor-General Fernándo Norzagaray y Escudero, who issued a Real Cedula declaring barrio Casay together with barrio Matictic to be constituted as a new independent town from Angat. Political boundaries of Angat and Pueblo de Casay y Matictic were demarcated and the newly created town was renamed as "Norzagaray" in honor of the Governor-General.

During the American occupation of the Philippines, Norzagaray was returned to Angat by virtue of Act No. 932 beginning in 1903. ^[6]

Cityhood

Main article: Cities of the Philippines

As early as 2005, the town's Sangguniang Bayan approved Resolution No. 60, Series of 2005 requesting the Senate of the Philippines through its president, Franklin Drilon and the House of Representatives thru its speaker, Jose de Venecia Jr. to co-sponsor a bill for Norzagaray's conversion into a city and creation of a lone legislative district.

Geography

The town of Norzagaray is bordered by San Jose del Monte, Bulacan and Rodriguez, Rizal to the south; by General Nakar, Quezon to the east; Santa Maria to the west; Angat, Bulacan to the north-west; and Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan to the north. Norzagaray is 48 kilometres (30 mi) from Malolos, 47 kilometres (29 mi) from Manila, and 17 kilometres (11 mi) from San Jose del Monte.

Norzagaray was previously part of the 3rd district of Bulacan from 1987 to 2022, when it was moved to the newly created 6th district along with Angat and Santa Maria.

Barangays

Norzagaray is politically subdivided into 13 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Friendship Village Resources (FVR) was created as a barangay out of barangay Tigbe under Sangguniang Panlalawigan Kapasiyahan Bilang 179-T 2002 and Sangguniang Panlalawigan Kautusan Bilang 003 on April 18, 2002; it was ratified on October 12, 2002.

PSGC	Barangay	Population			±% p.a.
		2020 [4]		2010 [7]
031413003	Bangkal	1.0%	1,419	1,325	▴	0.69%
031413004	Baraka	0.4%	523	581	▾	−1.05%
031413006	Bigte	8.9%	12,118	11,032	▴	0.94%
031413007	Bitungol	7.5%	10,177	8,020	▴	2.41%
031413015	Matictic	8.8%	12,025	10,395	▴	1.47%
031413016	Minuyan	7.4%	10,038	8,810	▴	1.31%
031413020	Partida	4.0%	5,422	5,267	▴	0.29%
031413021	Pinagtulayan	1.5%	1,996	1,495	▴	2.93%
031413022	Poblacion	12.0%	16,262	15,642	▴	0.39%
031413024	San Mateo	6.3%	8,630	9,089	▾	−0.52%
031413031	Tigbe	11.8%	16,058	14,846	▴	0.79%
031413032	San Lorenzo (Hilltop)	1.5%	1,990	1,980	▴	0.05%
031413033	Friendship Village Resources (FVR)	10.8%	14,690	14,613	▴	0.05%
	Total		136,064	103,095	▴	2.81%

Climate

Climate data for Norzagaray, Bulacan
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	28 (82)	29 (84)	31 (88)	33 (91)	32 (90)	31 (88)	30 (86)	29 (84)	29 (84)	30 (86)	30 (86)	28 (82)	30 (86)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	20 (68)	20 (68)	21 (70)	22 (72)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	23 (73)	22 (72)	21 (70)	22 (72)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	6 (0.2)	4 (0.2)	6 (0.2)	17 (0.7)	82 (3.2)	122 (4.8)	151 (5.9)	123 (4.8)	124 (4.9)	99 (3.9)	37 (1.5)	21 (0.8)	792 (31.1)
Average rainy days	3.3	2.5	11.7	6.6	17.7	22.2	25.2	23.7	23.2	17.9	9.2	5.2	168.4
Source: Meteoblue [8]

Demographics

Population census of Norzagaray

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1903	5,131	—
1918	6,747	+1.84%
1939	10,789	+2.26%
1948	13,394	+2.43%
1960	12,202	−0.77%
1970	19,144	+4.60%
1975	23,750	+4.42%
1980	26,032	+1.85%
1990	33,485	+2.55%
1995	51,015	+8.21%
2000	76,978	+9.22%
2007	105,470	+4.44%
2010	103,095	−0.83%
2015	111,348	+1.48%
2020	136,064	+4.02%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [9] [7] [10] [11]

In the 2020 census, the population of Norzagaray was 136,064 people, ^[4] with a density of 440 inhabitants per square kilometer or 1,100 inhabitants per square mile.

Languages

The municipality, along with two other municipalities (San Miguel and Doña Remedios Trinidad) and one city (San Jose del Monte) of Bulacan, is the homeland of the Alta Kabulowan, the first inhabitants of Bulacan, whose language is also called Alta Kabulowan. Their language is currently endangered and is in dire need of local government intervention. The majority of residents in the town are native speakers of the Tagalog language.

Economy

Poverty incidence of Norzagaray

5 10 15 20 25 30 2006 10.20 2009 10.00 2012 6.70 2015 8.55 2018 8.24 2021 21.55 Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19]

In 2017, Norzagaray generated a total revenue of ₱457.59 million, ₱73.23 million or 19% higher than its previous income in 2016, making it as the 4th richest municipality in Bulacan after Marilao, Santa Maria and Baliwag. ^[20]

Republic Cement Plant

Major Industries

Cement, Marble/Marble Processing, Food/Food Processing, Pyrotechnics

Major Products

Bakeries, Processed meat and Agricultural products

Indigenous/Raw Materials Available

Cement and Marbles

Tourism

Welcome Arch

Today, the town of Norzagaray is quickly rising in terms of commercial and economic status with tourist potentials.^{[ citation needed ]} "Bakas" which is on a portion of the Angat River is recognized as one of the busiest places in the locality, particularly during summertime.^{[ citation needed ]} People from distant towns often visit the place for relaxation.

Another potential spot for tourism is the Angat Watershed Forest Reserve where the Angat River Hydroelectric Plant or Angat Dam is located.^{[ speculation? ]} The dam is the biggest hydroelectric plant the National Power Corporation (NPC) has ever constructed in terms of power capacity within the entire Philippines. Because of Angat Dam's size, its reservoir sinks to critical levels during the dry season necessitating the need for cloud seeding in some years. The 37-kilometer (23 mi) reservoir of this hydroelectric plant is covered with forests producing a cool climate.

Another is the Pinagrealan Cave located in Barangay Bigte. This cave is a subterranean network of caverns extending more than a kilometer deep. The Katipunero Revolutionaries during the war against Spain used it as a camp in 1896 and again during the Filipino-American War in 1898 as hideout of General Emilio Aguinaldo (the First President of the Philippines). It was also used as a sanctuary by the Japanese Imperial Army when the Philippines was liberated by joint Filipino and American Forces.

There are still other sites with tourism potential in the locality. However, some of these places are located in remote areas of the town, which are inaccessible to motor vehicles, therefore in need of immediate attention.

Historical and Cultural Heritage

The natives are religious and hear Mass or pray at places of worship, especially Catholic and Iglesia Ni Cristo churches. The town also remembers the 31 heroes of the Revolution.^{[ citation needed ]}

• Monument of Sinfroso de la Cruz

Religious

St. Andrew the Apostle Parish

• St. Andrew the Apostle Parish (Poblacion, Norzagaray, Bulacan)
• Virgen de las Flores Parish (Bigte, Norzagaray, Bulacan)
• Seventh-day Adventist church
• Iglesia ni Cristo church
• Members Church of God International Locale Congregation of Norzagaray
• Members Church of God International Locale Congregation of North Hill Village
• Members Church of God International Locale Congregation of Hill Top
• Jesus is Lord Church Worldwide (JIL)

Santuario de Paz Memorial Park (Minuyan)

The town's prime eternal repose garden is located in Minuyan.

Infrastructure

Bulacan 11-billion peso bulk water supply project

On December 12, 2007, Bulacan and the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) signed an agreement for the development of a P11-billion bulk water supply project. Ayala-owned Manila Water Co. Inc. will implement the project. MWSS and Manila Water will provide a financial package of an infrastructure grant, a P10-million development assistance and a P10-million royalty fee to the towns of Norzagaray and Doña Remedios Trinidad, which will host the water supply project. ^[21]

18-hectare landfill

On January 19, 2008, an 18-hectare (44-acre) waste disposal facility, a new sanitary landfill that would also be a tourist attraction opened in Norzagaray, Bulacan province. The president of Wacuman Corp. stated: "I want them to see our system in our place which should not be abhorred because we are using the new state-of-the-art technology." The facility has a category 4 rating (the highest category for a sanitary landfill) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources ^[22]

Government

Local government

Main article: Sangguniang Bayan

Norzagaray Municipal Park

Just as the national government, the municipal government is divided into three branches: executive, legislative and judiciary. The judicial branch is administered solely by the Supreme Court of the Philippines. The LGUs have control of the executive and legislative branch.

The executive branch is composed of the governor for the provinces, mayor for the cities and municipalities, and the barangay captain for the barangays. ^[23] The legislative branch is composed of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial assembly) for the provinces, Sangguniang Panlungsod (city assembly) for the cities, Sangguniang Bayan (town assembly) for the municipalities, Sangguniang Barangay (barangay council), and the Sangguniang Kabataan for the youth sector.

The seat of government is vested upon the Mayor and other elected officers who hold office at the municipal hall. The Sangguniang Bayan is the center of legislation of the municipality.

Incumbent Officials

• Mayor: Ma. Elena L. Germar (NUP)
• Vice Mayor: Patricio I. Gener (PDP-Laban)
• Councilors:
  • Restituto B. Sumbillo (NUP)
  • Abbygail H. Reyes (NUP)
  • Giulius Caezar S. Iapino (PDP-Laban)
  • Alvin B. Cruz (NUP)
  • Luzviminda P. Espiritu (NUP)
  • Ma. Cleope S. Pelayo (PDP-Laban)
  • Zosimo S. Cruz Jr. (NUP)
  • Edsel C. Mendoza (PDP-Laban)
• ABC President: Andrew Germar (Tigbe)
• SK Federation President: Mark Ivan Feliciano (Tigbe)

Gallery

• 
  Angat Watershed Forest Reserve
• 
  View of Angat River (Bakas River) from Matictic Bridge
• 
  Rhinoceros rock formation behind a chapel of Iglesia ni Cristo in Barangay Bigte
• 
  Rhinoceros rock formation zoomed view

References

1. https://www.pressreader.com/philippines/philippine-daily-inquirer/20160910/282385513965346 . Retrieved November 15, 2023– via PressReader.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
2.   Municipality of Norzagaray | (DILG)
3. "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.
4. Census of Population (2020). "Region III (Central Luzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved July 8, 2021.
5. "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
6. Act No. 932 (October 8, 1903), An Act Reducing the Twenty-five Municipalities of the Province of Bulacan to Thirteen, Senate of the Philippines Legislative Digital Resources, retrieved July 3, 2023
7. Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region III (Central Luzon)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office . Retrieved June 29, 2016.
8. "Norzagaray: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
9. Census of Population (2015). "Region III (Central Luzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved June 20, 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. National Statistics Office.
11. "Province of Bulacan". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
12. "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
13. "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. November 29, 2005.
14. "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. March 23, 2009.
15. "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. August 3, 2012.
16. "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. May 31, 2016.
17. "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 10, 2019.
18. "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
19. "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
20. "Norzagaray Economy". Province of Bulacan Official Website. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
21. "Abs-Cbn, Bulacan govt, MWSS ink deal on bulk water supply project" . Retrieved November 15, 2023.
22. "New landfill opens in Norzagaray, Bulacan". abs-cbnnews.com.^{[ dead link ]}
23. Local Government Code of the Philippines, Book III Department of the Interior and Local Government official website

External links

• Norzagaray Bulacan
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information