Iba, Zambales

Iba
—  2nd Class Municipality  —
Map of Zambales showing the location of Iba.
Iba Location in the Philippines
Coordinates: 15°19′26″N 119°58′48″E
Country	Philippines
Region	Central Luzon (Region III)
Province	Zambales
District	2nd district
Founded
Barangays	14
Government
• Mayor	Ad Herbert Deloso
Area
• Total	153.38 km2 (59.2 sq mi)
Population (2007)
• Total	44,344
• Density	289.1/km2 (748.8/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	2201
Income class	3rd class

Population Census of Iba
Census	Pop.		Rate
1995	31,503		—
2000	34,678		2.08%
2007	44,344		3.45%

Iba is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Zambales, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Zambales. According to the latest census, it has a population of 44,344 people in 7,260 households.

This municipality is also the seat of the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Iba. The main campus of the Ramon Magsaysay Technological University, a government funded educational institution, is located in the center of the town.

Iba is the birthplace of former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay.

History

Iba was founded by the order of Augustinian Recollect priest in 1611 as the village of Paynauen. The early inhabitants of the town consisted of several groups called Zambales. They were later joined by the Ilocanos who migrated to the town which resulted in intermingling of customs and traditions. A group of natives called "Aetas" settled in the hinterlands and the majority of them dwelled in the now famous Mt. Pinatubo area. In 1860, the administration of the town was turned over to the Dominican priests until the civil government came to power. There are no available records as to when Paynauen was renamed to Iba, but the old folks believed the town was named Iba after the sour fruit called "Iba" or commonly known as "Balimbing". Iba fruit are found abundant in the place. Stories from elders on how the town got its name were handed from generation to generation. It was told that Spaniards came to the town who were wandering in the place to meet a group of natives and asked "what's the name of the place", the natives shouted "Iba, Iba" thinking that the man was asking what they were eating. From then on the place was called Iba. Iba became the permanent Capital of Zambales after Masinloc, because of its strategic location being on the central part of Zambales. Iba was described as "blessed" with a glorious past. Iba is known for its freedom loving people and long strech of sea land with palm shaded shores, rice fields, rolling hills, and range of majestic mountains which comprises its wealth and natural resources. On August 28, 1901, American Civil Governor William Howard Taft held the historic session of the second Philippine Commission. This established the Province of Zambales under the American rule held at Iba Roman Catholic Church. Iba became famous in the world as the birthplace of the late President Ramon Magsaysay Sr., the third President of the Republic of the Philippines.

Barangays

Iba is politically subdivided into 14 barangays.

• Amungan
• Bangantalinga/Sta Rita
• Dirita-Baloguen
• Lipay-Dingin-Panibuatan (LDP)
• Palanginan (Palanginan-Balili-Tambac)
• San Agustin
• Santa Barbara
• Santo Rosario
• Zone 1 Pob. (Libaba)
• Zone 2 Pob. (Aypa)
• Zone 3 Pob. (Botlay)
• Zone 4 Pob. (Sagapan)
• Zone 5 Pob. (Bano)
• Zone 6 Pob. (Baytan)

Film shot in Iba

• 1976-1977 : Apocalypse Now, directed by Francis Ford Coppola

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• 1995 Philippine Census Information
• 2000 Philippine Census Information
• 2007 Philippine Census Information