Meycauayan
Component city
City of Meycauayan
(From top, left to right: Meycauayan City Hall • St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church • Meycauayan River • NLEX Tollgate • Malhacan Road • Meycauayan People's Market)
Flag of Meycauayan
Flag
Official seal of Meycauayan
Seal
Nickname: 
Hub of Jewelry in Bulacan
Motto(s): 
"May Magandang Buhay sa Meycauayan"
English: "There is a Beautiful Life in Meycauayan"
Anthem: Awit ng Meycauayan
(English: Song of Meycauayan)
Map of Bulacan with Meycauayan highlighted
Map of Bulacan with Meycauayan highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Meycauayan is located in Luzon
Meycauayan
Meycauayan
Location within the Philippines
Meycauayan is located in Philippines
Meycauayan
Meycauayan
Meycauayan (Philippines)
Coordinates: 14°44′N 120°57′E / 14.73°N 120.95°E / 14.73; 120.95
CountryPhilippines
RegionCentral Luzon
ProvinceBulacan
District 4th district
FoundedOctober 4, 1578
CityhoodDecember 10, 2006
Barangays26 (see Barangays)
Government
 [1]
 • TypeSangguniang Panlungsod
 • MayorHenry R. Villarica
 • Vice MayorJosefina O. Violago
 • RepresentativeLinabelle Ruth R. Villarica
 • City Council
Members
 • Electorate128,237 voters (2022)
Area
[2]
 • Total32.10 km2 (12.39 sq mi)
Elevation
20 m (70 ft)
Highest elevation
93 m (305 ft)
Lowest elevation
−5 m (−16 ft)
Population
 (2020 census)[3]
 • Total225,673
 • Density7,000/km2 (18,000/sq mi)
 • Households
60,570
Economy
 • Income class3rd city income class
 • Poverty incidence
5.17
% (2018)[4]
 • Revenue₱ 1,781 million (2020)
 • Assets₱ 5,483 million (2020)
 • Expenditure₱ 1,303 million (2020)
 • Liabilities₱ 1,249 million (2020)
Utilities
 • ElectricityMeralco
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
3020
PSGC
031412000
IDD : area code +63 (0)44
Native languagesTagalog

Meycauayan [meɪkɐˈwajan], officially the City of Meycauayan (Filipino: Lungsod ng Meycauayan), is a 1st class component city in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 225,673 people.[3] It is one of the oldest towns in the province.

The city is located 19 kilometers (12 mi) north of Manila and 26 kilometers (16 mi) south of Malolos City, the provincial capital city. It is bounded by the town of Marilao to the north, the two Metro Manila cities of Valenzuela to the south and Caloocan (North) to the east, and the town of Obando to the west. It encompasses an aggregate area of 22.1 square kilometers (8.5 sq mi), representing 1.17% of the total land area of the province of Bulacan.

Etymology

The place got its name from the Tagalog words may kawayan which is literally translated to English as there is bamboo. It was formerly known as Mecabayan, a Kapampangan name.

History

During the Spanish colonization of the country, the town of Meycauayan was established as a settlement by a group of Spanish priests belonging to the Franciscan Order. In 1578, its early inhabitants came into contact with Christianity. In that same year, Father Juan de Placencia and Diego Oropesa built the first church structure, which was believed to be made of nipa and bamboo. Common to all Spanish settlements in that period was the adoption of a patron saint for the newly opened town. Meycauayan has St. Francis of Assisi as the Patron Saint. It was only in 1668, however, that a concrete church structure was erected.

Meycauayan was then one of the largest towns in the province of Bulacan. The towns, which fell under its political jurisdiction, were San Jose del Monte, Bocaue, Valenzuela (formerly Polo), Obando, Marilao, Santa Maria and Pandi. It was also regarded as the unofficial capital of the province, being the hub of activities brought about by the establishment of the market center and the presence of the Spanish military detachment. During the revolution, which was set off by the execution of Dr. Jose Rizal in 1896, Meycauayan contributed its share in the fight against the Spanish conquistadores. Among her sons who figured prominently in the revolution were: Andres Pacheco, Ciriaco Contreras, Guillermo Contreras, Guillermo Bonque, Tiburcio Zuela, and Liberato Exaltacion. There were many others who had joined the revolution and had displayed their exceptional heroism until 1898, when the country gained its independence from Spain.

Between 1901 and 1913, Marilao became part of Meycauayan.[5][6]

In 1949, a big fire razed the market center and several business establishments in the town, causing setbacks to the development of the municipality. It took several years to recover from the destruction and property losses. However, in the 1960s and early part of 1970s, new hope for the development was ushered in. Reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure facilities were made possible through the assistance of the provincial and national governments. A more sound economic base was established and crop production more than doubled.

Cityhood

Meycauayan twice attempted for cityhood.[7] The first was filed by district representative Angelito Sarmiento,[8] seeking the conversion of the then-municipality of Meycauayan into a component city, which was signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on March 5, 2001 as Republic Act No. 9021.[9]

The plebiscite for the ratification, along with that of Cauayan, Isabela (by virtue of RA No. 9017 dated February 28), was scheduled by the Commission on Elections on March 30.[10] The bid however failed, and Meycauayan remained a municipality.[8] (Meanwhile, affirmative votes won in the separate plebiscite in Cauayan.)

For the second time, in another attempt for conversion, district representative Reylina Nicolas authored House Bill 4397 (dated July 24, 2006), which was later signed into law by President Arroyo as RA No. 9356 on October 2, 2006.[8][11]

Meycauayan cityhood plebiscites
Choice2001
1st attempt		2006
2nd attempt
Votes %Votes %
Yes8,10935.42%8,24759.01%
No14,78864.58%5,72840.99%
Total (valid) votes22,897100%13,975100%
Registered voters/turnout——118,33911.81%
Result No Yes
Sources[8][7]

A plebiscite was held on December 10, where the cityhood was eventually ratified and the proclamation was made in the evening. It was noted that compared to the first plebiscite, the second showed that only more than a hundred voters were added to those in favor of the conversion, as well as a sharp decline in the number of those who were against.[7]

With the ratification, Meycauayan became Bulacan's third component city, following San Jose del Monte in 2000, and Malolos, whose loss in its cityhood bid in 1999 was reversed following a recount.[7]

Contemporary

Today, the city of Meycauayan has transformed into a major economic and industrial hub in the Province of Bulacan and the rest of Region III.[12]

Geography

The City of Meycauayan is generally surrounded with plain land and gentle rolling hills. Meycauayan is named to Filipino phrase may kawayan that means "with bamboo". Comfortably above sea level, this terrain is an interweaving of greenery and concrete road network. The slope of the land dips towards a west to north westerly direction. River, natural lake and drainage waterways envelope and criss-cross the area.

Today it is bordered by the town of Marilao to the north, towns of Bocaue and Bulakan, Bulacan to the northwest, Valenzuela to the south, Northern part of Caloocan to the east, and the town of Obando to the west.

Barangays

Meycauayan is administratively subdivided into 26 urban barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

PSGC Barangay Population ±% p.a.
2020[3] 2010[13]
031412001 Bagbaguin 3.4% 7,760 6,908 ▴ 1.17%
031412002 Bahay Pare 5.1% 11,568 10,221 ▴ 1.25%
031412003 Bancal 5.6% 12,589 14,242 ▾ −1.23%
031412004 Banga 1.3% 2,913 2,911 ▴ 0.01%
031412005 Bayugo 8.2% 18,560 17,982 ▴ 0.32%
031417026 Caingin 2.4% 5,443 4,763 ▴ 1.34%
031412006 Calvario 2.4% 5,317 5,009 ▴ 0.60%
031412007 Camalig 4.0% 8,972 8,042 ▴ 1.10%
031412008 Hulo 0.7% 1,675 1,636 ▴ 0.24%
031412009 Iba 3.6% 8,032 7,450 ▴ 0.75%
031412010 Langka 1.7% 3,871 3,179 ▴ 1.99%
031412011 Lawa 5.7% 12,854 13,392 ▾ −0.41%
031412012 Libtong 4.7% 10,552 10,190 ▴ 0.35%
031412013 Liputan 0.7% 1,584 1,546 ▴ 0.24%
031412014 Longos 1.5% 3,412 3,300 ▴ 0.33%
031412015 Malhacan 9.8% 22,205 20,914 ▴ 0.60%
031412016 Pajo 2.7% 6,166 5,168 ▴ 1.78%
031412017 Pandayan 6.8% 15,264 14,703 ▴ 0.38%
031412018 Pantoc 5.2% 11,804 10,554 ▴ 1.13%
031412019 Perez 7.6% 17,251 15,779 ▴ 0.90%
031412020 Poblacion 0.2% 348 239 ▴ 3.83%
031412021 Saluysoy 4.6% 10,347 10,603 ▾ −0.24%
031412022 Saint Francis (Gasak) 0.6% 1,288 1,286 ▴ 0.02%
031412023 Tugatog 2.0% 4,407 4,288 ▴ 0.27%
031412024 Ubihan 1.0% 2,225 2,279 ▾ −0.24%
031412025 Zamora 2.4% 5,443 2,570 ▴ 7.79%
Total 225,673 199,154 ▴ 1.26%

Climate

Climate data for Meycauayan City, Bulacan
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 29
(84)		 30
(86)		 32
(90)		 34
(93)		 33
(91)		 31
(88)		 30
(86)		 29
(84)		 29
(84)		 30
(86)		 30
(86)		 29
(84)		 31
(87)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 20
(68)		 20
(68)		 21
(70)		 23
(73)		 24
(75)		 25
(77)		 24
(75)		 24
(75)		 24
(75)		 23
(73)		 22
(72)		 21
(70)		 23
(73)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 7
(0.3)		 7
(0.3)		 9
(0.4)		 21
(0.8)		 101
(4.0)		 152
(6.0)		 188
(7.4)		 170
(6.7)		 159
(6.3)		 115
(4.5)		 47
(1.9)		 29
(1.1)		 1,005
(39.7)
Average rainy days 3.3 3.5 11.1 8.1 18.9 23.5 26.4 25.5 24.5 19.6 10.4 6.4 181.2
Source: Meteoblue[14]

Demographics

Population census of Meycauayan
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 9,742—    
1918 11,285+0.99%
1939 16,082+1.70%
1948 21,695+3.38%
1960 32,234+3.35%
1970 50,977+4.68%
1975 60,225+3.40%
1980 83,579+6.77%
1990 123,982+4.02%
1995 137,081+1.90%
2000 163,037+3.79%
2007 196,569+2.61%
2010 199,154+0.48%
2015 209,083+0.93%
2020 225,673+1.51%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[15][13][16][17]

In the 2020 census, the population of Meycauayan was 225,673 people,[3] with a density of 7,000 inhabitants per square kilometer or 18,000 inhabitants per square mile.

50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
300,000
1990
3,860/km2
1995
4,270/km2
2000
5,100/km2
2007
6,100/km2
2010
6,200/km2
2015
6,500/km2
2020
7,000/km2

Government

Local government

The Sangguniang Panlungsod is the legislature of the government of Meycauayan. As defined by the Local Government Code of 1991, the legislatures have legislative and quasi-judicial powers and functions. The members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, often referred to as councilors are either elected or ex-officio and includes a city's vice mayor who serves as the presiding officer.

2019–2022 Meycauayan City Officials[18]
PositionNameParty
Mayor Henry R. Villarica PDP–Laban
Vice Mayor Josefina O. Violago PDP–Laban
Councilors Anna Kathrina M. Hernandez PDP–Laban
Mariano V. Alarilla II PDP–Laban
Ronald S. Palomares PDP–Laban
Jerimeco S. Dulalia PDP–Laban
Raoul M. Atadero PDP–Laban
Mario T. Berboso PDP–Laban
Danilo B. Abacan Jr. PDP–Laban
Larissa A. San Diego PDP–Laban
Wilfredo D. Macatulad PDP–Laban
Rovielyn A. Cabigquez Independent
Ex Officio Municipal Council Members
ABC President Olivert Y. Duya (Pantoc) Nonpartisan
SK Federation President Eugene "Jin" Mizuse (Malhacan) Nonpartisan

Past officials

List of mayors of Meycauayan[19]
No. Presidente Municipal Took office Left office
1Tomas Testa19021903
2Aquedo Noriega19031905
3Dalmacio Ferrer19061907
4Aquedo Noriega19071909
5Cedistino Juson19101916
6Liberato Exaltacion19171921
7Jose Peñas19211922
8Hermogenes Lim19221925
9Maximo Albaño19251928
10Moises Buñing19281931
11Hermogenes Lim19311934
12Perfecto Reyes Lim19341937
No. Alcalde Took office Left office
1Enrique Legaspi19381942
2Dr. Restituto Calaguas19421945
3Patricio Alcaraz19451945
4Marcelo Lucero19451945
5Jacinto Legaspi19451945
No. Municipal Mayors Took office Left office
1Dr. Lope Daez19461951
2Dr. Lope Daez19561959
3Pedro Carreon19601963
4Celso Legaspi19641978
5Jose Catajan19801982
6Adriano Daez19821986
7Ernesto Cabigas19861987
8Oscar Legaspi19871987
9Rolando Liwanag19871988
10Florentino Blanco19881992
11Edgardo Nolasco19951998
12Eduardo Alarilla19982006
No. City Mayors Took office Left office
1Eduardo Alarilla20062007
2Joan Alarilla20072016
3Henry Villarica20162019
4Linabelle Villarica20192022
3Henry Villarica2022incumbent

Economy

Poverty Incidence of Meycauayan
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[20][21]
[22][23][24][25][26]

The City of Meycauayan is the economic, industrial, commercial, financial and educational center of southern Bulacan. The city is known for its jewelry and leather industries. For years, Meycauayan has been the hub of jewelry production in the Philippines and in Asia. It is known for its low-priced jewelries. The locality also produces leather goods. Shoes, bags and every kind of leather product has been traditionally manufactured here. A number of leather tanneries still operate in Meycauayan, which over the years have converted the city into a hub for leather goods.

In 2016, the total net income for Meycauayan is worth Php 6.875 billion, making it the richest in the province of Bulacan and 18th-highest-income city in the Philippines.

Industrial compounds and parks

The City of Meycauayan is also home to many industrial parks and compounds.

  • Meycauayan Industrial Subd. I, II, III & IV
  • Meridian Industrial Compound
  • Muralla Industrial Park
  • First Valenzuela Industrial Compound
  • Sterling Industrial Park Phase I, II, III & IV

Education

Meycauayan College building

Meycauayan City have its own division of schools since January 2013. The City Schools Division of Meycauayan has two districts, Meycauayan West District and Meycauayan East District.

There are 24 public elementary schools and 4 public high schools as well as 11 private schools in the city. There are also tertiary schools in Meycauayan. Polytechnic College of the City of Meycauayan is under the funding and management of the City Government, currently located at Pag-asa Street, Barangay Malhacan. Meycauayan College is a private educational institution in Barangay Calvario and Malhacan. It was established in 1925 as Meycauayan Institute. Other than tertiary education, it also offers primary and secondary education.

Religion

Meycauayan Church, also known as St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church
Decorated fluvial float (pagoda) carrying the image of the Mahal na Señor of Liputan, Meycauayan City on its feast day every May.

Saint Francis of Assisi Parish Church, commonly known as the Meycauayan Church, is a Roman Catholic church located in Meycauayan, Philippines. It is one of the oldest parishes in Bulacan which even predates the Malolos Cathedral established in 1580 and the Barasoain Church established in 1859. It is also the province's largest parish with an estimated population of about 80,000 parishioners. The church is the seat of the vicariate of St. Francis of Assisi in the Diocese of Malolos.

Feasts

Liputan Barrio Fiesta

This festival takes place every 2nd Sunday of May in Barangay Liputan. After a nine-day novena, the fiesta culminates with a colorful fluvial procession in honor of the "Mahal na Señor", an image of the Crucified Christ venerated on the island of Liputan. The image, along with those of the Virgin and St. Joseph, are placed on a pagoda, a makeshift bamboo bier constructed on boats and decorated with buntings. The images are then taken to the old church in the town center of Meycauayan for a mass.

Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

It is a celebration held in the oldest church in Meycauayan, the St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church in Barangay Poblacion, which commemorates the foundation of the city in 1578 by the Franciscans. Before, it has come to be known as the "Kawayanan Festival", and includes an animal parade, street dancing, and other related cultural activities. It is held every fourth of October.[27]

Issues and controversies

Mayoralty dispute (1995–2008)

The succession of the city's administration was put into question by a series of legal cases between two then-Mayors.[28] Florentino Blanco, town mayor from 1987 to 1992, ran in 1995 but was disqualified by the Supreme Court for vote buying on July 21, 1997. Blanco was replaced by Vice Mayor Eduardo Nolasco in an acting capacity, serving out the remainder of his term.

Blanco ran again in 1998 but lost to Eduardo Alarilla; Blanco attempted to file an election protest against Alarilla but the COMELEC dismissed the case. He attempted to run again in 2004 but later withdrew his candidacy. In 2007, he ran once more but lost to Eduardo Alarilla's wife, Joan Alarilla (Mr. Alarilla has then reached the three-term limit imposed by law). The then Mayor Alarilla then attempted to disqualify Blanco; the COMELEC ruled in favor of Alarilla, but the Supreme Court reversed this decision, stating that Blanco is still eligible to run for public office.

Heirs of Anacleto Nieto vs. Meycauayan, Bulacan

On December 13, 2007, the Supreme Court of the Philippines ordered Meycauayan, Bulacan to surrender peaceful possession to the Heirs of Anacleto Nieto, and vacate the 3,882 square meters lot, at Poblacion, Meycauayan, TCT No. T-24.055 (M) which it used and even constructed an extension of the public market therein. Meycauayan was also ordered to pay the reasonable value of the property and P 1,716,000.00 as reasonable compensation for the use of the property from 1966 until the filing of the complaint on December 28, 1994.[29]

Pollution

In 2007, The Meycauayan and the neighboring town of Marilao in Bulacan province shared a slot in the list of the world's 30 most polluted places in the developing world drawn up by the private New York-based institute Pure Earth. In its report, "The World’s Worst Polluted Places" for 2007, Pure Earth said: "Industrial waste is haphazardly dumped into the Meycauayan, Marilao and Obando River system, a source of drinking and agricultural water supplies for the 250,000 people living in and around"[30][31] the Meycauayan-Marilao area. Meycauayan also shares border with Caloocan.

References

  1. ↑  City of Meycauayan | (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. 1 2 3 4 Census of Population (2020). "Region III (Central Luzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  4. ↑ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  5. ↑ 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
  6. ↑ "Marilao". Provincial Government of Bulacan. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Balabo, Dino (December 12, 2006). "Bulacan now has 3 cities". The Philippine Star. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Balabo, Dino (December 10, 2006). "Meycauayan bids for cityhood". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 10, 2006.
  9. ↑ Republic Act No. 9021 (March 5, 2001), Charter of the City of Meycauayan, retrieved November 2, 2023
  10. ↑ Presidential Proclamation No. 22, s. 2001 (March 28, 2001), Declaring Friday, March 30, 2001, as a special day in the municipality of Cauayan, Isabela, and in the municipality of Meycauayan, Bulacan, retrieved November 2, 2023
  11. ↑ Republic Act No. 9356 (October 2, 2006), Charter of the City of Meycauayan, retrieved November 2, 2023
  12. ↑ "Everything about City of Meycauayan (History)". City of Meycauayan, Bulacan: City of Meycauayan Official Website. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  13. 1 2 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.
  14. ↑ "Meycauayan: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  15. ↑ Census of Population (2015). "Region III (Central Luzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
  16. ↑ 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.{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. ↑ "Province of Bulacan". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  18. ↑ ""Meycauayan City Officials"". City of Malolos,Bulacan: Provincial Government of Bulacan Official Website. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Mayors of Meycauayan". Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  21. ↑ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. November 29, 2005.
  22. ↑ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. March 23, 2009.
  23. ↑ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. August 3, 2012.
  24. ↑ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. May 31, 2016.
  25. ↑ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 10, 2019.
  26. ↑ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  27. ↑ "Everything about the city of Meycauayan (Festivals)". City of Meycauayan Official Website. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  28. ↑ supremecourt.gov.ph, Blanco v. Comelec and Alarilla, G.R. No. 180164, June 17, 2008 Archived July 7, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  29. ↑ supremecourt.gov.ph, HEIRS OF ANACLETO B. NIETO vs. MUNICIPALITY OF MEYCAUAYAN, BULACAN, 3rd Div., G.R. No. 150654 Archived December 20, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  30. ↑ Inquirer.net, Meycauayan, Marilao in world’s ‘Dirty 30’-- report Archived June 7, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  31. ↑ "The World's Most Polluted Places" (PDF). The Blacksmith Institute. September 2007. p. 8.
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