General Mariano Alvarez

Municipality of General Mariano Alvarez Bayan ng Heneral Mariano Alvarez
Municipality
Official seal of Municipality of General Mariano Alvarez Seal
Map of Cavite showing the location of the town of General Mariano Alvarez. Map of Cavite showing the location of the town of General Mariano Alvarez.
Country	Philippines
Region	CALABARZON (Region IV-A)
Districts	2nd District of Cavite
Barangays	27
Government
• Mayor	Walter D. Echevarria, Jr. (Lakas-CMD)
Area
• Municipality	11.40 km2 (4.40 sq mi)
Population  (2007)
• Municipality	136,613
• Density	11,983/km2 (31,040/sq mi)
• Metro	Manilla
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
Area code	46
Website	Municipality of Gen. Mariano Alvarez

The Municipality of Gen. Mariano Alvarez (Filipino: Bayan ng Heneral Mariano Alvarez) is a first class urban municipality in the province of Cavite, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 136,613 people in an area of just 11.40 square kilometers, making it the most densely populated city/municipality in Cavite. The municipality is projected to have a population of 188,125 in 2010.

The municipality was named after General Mariano Álvarez, a native of the town of Noveleta, Cavite, and one of the illustrious sons of the province.

Built up area

With the continuous expansion of Metro Manilla, the municipality is now included in Manilla built up area which reaches Lipa City in its southernmost part.

History

Gen. Mariano Alvarez is considered as the youngest town in the province of Cavite. It was founded on March 14, 1981, following its split from its mother municipality, Carmona.

The place was formerly known as the Carmona Resettlement Project, serving as a relocation area for informal settlers who occupied several areas in Quezon City, Manila and Makati cities. The town is the brainchild of then Cavite first district assemblywoman Helena Z. Benitez, and Jose A. Roño, then majority floor leader of the Batasang Pambansa and concurrent Minister of Local Government in the late 1970's, following the popular clamor of the residents in the resettlement area to separate from the mother town. Benitez and Roño were aided by Cavite's second district assemblyman Jorge A. Nuñez, who sponsored the bill calling for the creation of the new municipality.

Gen. Mariano Alvarez in its infancy was led by Leoniso G. Virata as its first municipal mayor. He was assisted by then Vice Mayor Perfecta Z. Calix, and Councilors Alfredo C. Diaz, Paterno J. Garalza, Tomas E. Abueg, Nicarte A. Swanson, Virgilio T. Ancero, Mito B. Castelo, Pablo P. Garachico, and Manuel B. Lara.

Eduardo Ulitin was the first President of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC), who was later succeeded by Leticia I. Regidor. Ma. Antonietta Y. Oracion became the first President of the local Kabataang Barangay (now Sangguniang Kabataan) Federation. Together with the first municipal officials, they were sworn into office on the municipality's foundation day at the Carmona Relocation Center High School (now General Mariano Alvarez Technical High School, or GMATHS).

In 2006, the municipality celebrated its 25th anniversary with a line-up of activities participated in by the municipality's residents. The most prominent of which is the Mr. and Miss GMA (Gen. Mariano Alvarez is better known within the province of Cavite with its acronym), a beauty pageant annually held. Each of the 27 barangays in the town send a male and a female candidate for the pageant. Until 2005, the pageant was exclusive to the feminine side. It was made more special with the participation of the men in time for the silver anniversary of the founding of the municipality.

Gen. Mariano Alvarez also takes pride in being known as the "Mushroom Capital of Cavite" because of the mushroom culture facilities in the town. Mushrooms have become the town's main product in line with the "One Town, One Product" program of the Philippine national government. The municipal officials saw the potential of native mushrooms as the town's product because the town lacks in arable land. Today, mushrooms do not only contribute to the generation of income for the municipality, but they also become a source of livelihood for the town's residents. As a tribute to this agricultural product, GMA has recently been celebrating the Kabuteño Festival as part of its annual foundation anniversary.

Municipal Mayors

Severino P. Tamala (officer-in-charge, 1986-1988) Leoniso G. Virata (1981-1986; 1988-1998) Antonio G. Virata (1998-2001) Walter D. Echevarria, Jr. (2001-present)

Barangays

Gen. Mariano Alvarez was formerly divided into 10 barangays (more appropriately, areas) that were formerly areas of the then Carmona Resettlement Project. It originally comprises the resettlement areas in Barangays San Jose, and San Gabriel, and a portion of Cabilang Baybay, a barangay in the municipality of Carmona. San Jose consists of Areas A and B, while San Gabriel is composed of Areas C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, and K.

Later, on March 25, 1985, by virtue of legislative and administrative acts, a referendum was made to redivide the municipality into the current 27 barangays. They were named after the revolutionary leaders of the province of Cavite - including those related to the great general to whom the municipality was named after - and the barangay captains and other prominent personalities who led the former 10 barangays. The first appointed officials of the barangays were sworn into office en masse on June 27, 1985.

Five of the current barangays are classified as poblacion barangays, or those that are within the municipality's central area. The 22 others are ordinary barangays.

The 27 barangays, are as follows:

Aldiano Olaes Barangay 1 Poblacion (Area I) Barangay 2 Poblacion Barangay 3 Poblacion Barangay 4 Poblacion Barangay 5 Poblacion Benjamin Tirona (Area D) Bernardo Pulido (Area H) Epifanio Malia Francisco De Castro Francisco Reyes Fiorello Carimag (Area C) Gavino Maderan Gregoria De Jesus

Inocencio Salud Jacinto Lumbreras Kapitan Kua (Area F) Koronel Jose P. Elises (Area Macario Dacon Marcelino Memije Nicolasa Virata (San Jose) Pantaleon Granados (Area G) Ramon Cruz (Area J) San Gabriel (Area K) San Jose Severino De Las Alas Tiniente Tiago

Colleges and Universities

• University of Perpetual Help Jonelta System-GMA Campus (UPHS-GMA) - a private educational institution known primarily for its business and health science courses, and has a secondary program set as a business high school (BHS)
• Eulogio "Amang" Rodriguez Institute of Science & Technology-Cavite Campus (ECC) - a state college, it is the oldest institution of higher learning in the municipality, offering undergraduate degrees and technical courses, as well as a secondary program set as a Laboratory Science High School (LSHS)
• Imus Computer College (ICC) - GMA Branch - the branch of the first computer school chain that originated from Cavite, offering technical degree courses in computer studies

Public Elementary and High Schools

• General Mariano Alvarez Technical High School (GMATHS) - formerly known as the Carmona Relocation Center High School
• San Jose Community High School (SJCHS) - caters to the secondary students of the Metro San Jose area
• San Gabriel I Elementary School - situated at Barangay Macario Dacon
• San Gabriel II Elementary School - the central school of the District of Gen. Mariano Alvarez, under the Division of Cavite; the home of the district's office
• San Gabriel III Elementary School - located in the municipality's mid-eastern part
• Family Village Resources Elementary School (FVRES) - established in the Family Village Resources Project in Barangay Poblacion 5
• Area J Elementary School (ARJES) - located at Barangay Jacinto Lumbreras
• Bulihan Elementary School (BES) - located along Governor's Drive, not to be confused with schools inside adjacent Barangay Old Bulihan in Silang, Cavite
• Francisco de Castro Elementary School (FDCES) - serves the community of Barangay Francisco de Castro
• San Jose Elementary School (SJES) - located in the Metro San Jose area

Private Elementary and High Schools

• Monte Cristo Research and Educational Institute (Formerly Monteverde Learning Center)
• Shalom Learning Center, Inc.
• Victorious Christian Montessori College
• Upon this Rock Christian Academy
• St. Jonah Grace School / Our Lady of Grace Academy of GMA
• Biyaya Polytechnic Academy
• Christian Grace School of Cavite
• Vox Dei Academy
• St. Jude Academy
• Hillside Academy
• Learner-Centered Cristian School
• Holy Family Academy

References

• Fontanilla, M. et.al. (2001). Comprehensive Land Use Plan of the Municipality of Gen. Mariano Alvarez, Cavite. Unpublished report. Cavite: Municipal Government of Gen. Mariano Alvarez.
• Commission on Elections (2007, October 30). List of Winning Candidates in the October 29, 2007 Synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections. Unpublished report. Cavite: Office of the Election Officer, COMELEC-Gen. Mariano Alvarez.

External links

• Official Website of the Municipality of Gen. Mariano Alvarez
• Official Website of the Provincial Government of Cavite