Paombong, Bulacan

Municipality of Paombong Bayan ng Paombong
—  Municipality  —
Seal
Nickname(s): Vinegar Capital of the Philippines
Motto: Sikad Paombong, Ang Bayan ay Uusbong Tungo sa Pagyabong
Map of Bulacan showing the location of Paombong
Paombong Map of Bulacan showing the location of Paombong
Coordinates: 14°49′52″N 120°47′21″E
Country	Philippines
Region	Central Luzon (Region III)
Province	Bulacan
District	1st District
Founded	1619
Barangays	14
Government
• Representative, 1st Congressional District	Ma. Victoria R. Sy-Alvarado (National Unity)
• Governor	Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado (National Unity)
• Mayor	Donato D. Marcos (Liberal Party)
• Vice Mayor	Marissa Jumaquio-Ramos (National Unity)
Area
• Total	46.34 km2 (17.89 sq mi)
Population (2007)
• Total	53,510
• Density	1,200/km2 (3,000/sq mi)
Demonym	Paombongenyo
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	3001
Area code(s)	044
Languages	Tagalog and English
Income class	3rd Class; Partially Urban

Population Census of Paombong
Census	Pop.		Rate
1995	33,149		—
2000	41,077		4.71%
2007	53,510		3.71%

Paombong (Filipino: Bayan ng Paombong) is a third class partially urban municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. Dubbed as the Vinegar Capital of the Philippines, Paombong is famous for its vinegar extracted from the sap of sasa (nipa), thus the term "sukang Paombong" (Paombong vinegar) became known in Luzon and other parts of the Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 53,510 inhabitants in 8,266 households.

History

In the 16th century, the Spanish conquistadores expand their pacification drive in Luzon moving from one place to another. In 1578, they reached a large tract of land consisting of two sister towns. The newly discovered pueblo was then named Malolos. However, the Spanish friars also attended to the spiritual needs of the people living west of Malolos, which is later to be known as Paombong. This relationship continued until the early 17th century when the natives of Paombong manifested their desire to be liberated from the parochial leadership of Malolos. The Spaniards then established Paombong as a pueblo in 1619, becoming the seventh town in Bulacan founded by the Augustinian Order. From 1619 to 1650, a Spanish friar ruled Paombong, just like any other Augustinian-controlled place. Not long after, civilian rulers took over, but their reigns were dictated upon and was under the mercy of the prailles.

In the middle of the 17th century, Paombong grew into a modest community from what was once a cogon land inhabited by a handful of Tagalogs. Paombong was created a municipal organization on November 28, 1650 with Agustin Mananghaya as its first civilian ruler.

During the Spanish regime, Paombong’s coastal area, more specifically, Barangays Masukol and Binakod, played a significant role in Philippine History being known encounter sites between Spanish soldiers and Katipuneros. General Isidoro Torres used to retreat with his troops to Barangay Masukol and Barangay Binakod to avoid the advancing Spanish forces. In the latter village, he organized the Katipunan militia of Paombong.

It is from these encounters, in fact, that Barangays Binakod and Masukol earned their present names. In one encounter, Binakod was where the enemies where "fenced in" (binakuran) and it was in Masukol where they were eventually "cornered" (nasukol) and defeated.

In 1987, the first civilian in the person of Don Victorino de Leon headed the Municipal Government until 1900. The seat of the local government was first established at the ground floor of the Paombong Church Convent then popularly called "silong". It was later transferred to the house of Numeraino Lindayag located in Poblacion, then was transferred to the location of the present Rural Health Center I. Eventually it was moved to the place where it is presently located which since has been the seat of the Municipal Government since then. In 1941, the head of the Municipal Government was later on called Municipal Mayor.

Origin of Name

Local legend has it that the name "Paombong" was taken from the long bamboo tube called "bumbong" or "tukil" which is used for collecting nipa sap. The practice of extracting nipa sap with bumbongs made the town known as the town with many bumbongs.

The local people claimed that the Spaniards who first visited the place were so amused with the bumbong that, after learning its name from the natives, they named the town after the container, a name which later evolved to Paombong.

Geography

Paombong is situated southwest of the province of Bulacan, with a total land area of 46.34 square kilometers. It is bounded by the municipality of Calumpit on the north, Malolos City on the east, municipality of Hagonoy on the west and Manila Bay on the south. The municipality is approximately 47 kilometers from Metro Manila, it is a by-pass town and can be accessed via North Luzon Expressway and MacArthur Highway.

Barangays

Paombong is politically subdivided into 14 barangays (6 urban, 8 rural):

• Binakod
• Kapitangan - This barangay is a famous pilgrimage site during the Holy Week, particularly Good Friday. Some devout Catholic worshippers flagellate and/or allow themselves to be crucified to repent and share in the sufferings of Jesus Christ.
• Malumot
• Masukol
• Pinalagdan
• Poblacion
• San Isidro I
• San Isidro II
• San Jose - cradle the largest "sasahan" in town, subdivided into 7 political sitio or "purok" (Sitio Uno, Gitna, Sitio Tres, Sitio Wawa, Sitio Pantay, Sito Gunao and Sitio Kulis ). It is also a political hot spot every election for National and Local Positions. The San Jose Fishport located at Sitio Wawa cradles the motor boats or "bangka" which serves as the major transportation going to the three barangays near the Manila Bay, namely, Sta. Cruz, Masukol and Binakod.
• San Roque
• San Vicente
• Sta. Cruz - There are 2 main resources of this barangay, fishponds and "asinan" or salt making. In this coastal barangay you can see some salt evaporation ponds.
• Sto. Niño
• Sto. Rosario

Municipal officials

The following officials were elected on May 10, 2010 to serve a three-year term.

• Mayor: Donato D. Marcos - (Liberal)
• Vice Mayor: Marissa Jumaquio-Ramos - (National Unity)

Councilors

• Luisito "Louie" S. Arellano - (National Unity)
• Francisco "Kiko" C. Garcia (3rd Term) - (Liberal)
• Melchor "Kinong" C. de Roxas - (Liberal)
• Primo "Piring" C. Pangan (3rd Term) - (Liberal)
• Isagani "Gani" G. Castro - (Independent)
• Myrna G. Valencia - (National Unity)
• Santiago "Jimmy" R. Mapilisan - (Liberal)
• Venancio "Ven" K. Dayao - (Liberal)

Trade and commerce

Trade and commerce in Paombong is concentrated at the town center where the public market, municipal hall, church, schools, hospital, clinics, and commercial spaces are situated. Major business establishments include:

• drugstores
  • The Generics Pharmacy
  • other drugstores
• Restaurants/food shops
  • Chooks To Go
  • Fujiko Lechong Manok
  • Burger Machine
  • Benny's Gotohan
  • Pinsan's Sizzling
  • Sizzling Mania (near Municipal Hall)
  • Ful Haus
  • Minute Burger
• Groceries
  • Lea Mae Store
  • Ka Celia's Store
  • Jennifer's Store (Kapitangan)
  • Jenny's Store (Hangga San Isidro II)
  • Fely's Store (Hangga San Isidro II)
• Money Transfer/ Bayad Center
  • Western Union
• Banks
  • SAS Bank
  • COOP Bank
  • Sto. Rosario Arba MPC
• Construction supply stores
  • Isagon
• Convenience stores
  • MiniStop-Paombong
  • Ten-Ten's
• Water stations
  • Aqua Cool
  • Aqua 2000
  • Drinkee
  • Aqua Soft
  • Crystal Blue
• Gasoline stations
  • Shell (Sto. Niño and Pantay)
  • SeaOil

Transportation

• First North Luzon Transit (going to Cubao Divisoria and Pasay)
• Baliwag Transit (going to Cubao, Divisoria and Pasay)
• Jeepneys (going to Malolos Bayan, Malolos Crossing, Bocaue, Balagtas and Meycauayan)
• Tricycles (most common mean of transportation locally)
• Pedicab (a bicycle with a sidecar)
• Bangkas or motor boats (most common mean of transportation in Sta. Cruz, Binakod, Lantad and Masukol)
• Fx

Health and Nutrition

There is one hospital operating in Paombong and a main rural health care center unit. The San Pascual Baylon Maternity Hospital, situated at Barangay Sto. Niño that offers secondary healthcare services. And the main rural health care center is one of the district rural health center owned and controlled by the Provincial Government of Bulacan. It offers primary healthcare services which also includes laboratory and dental and maternity services.

Education

Private schools

• Binuya's Kiddie School
• St. Martin de Porres Catholic School
• Paombong High School
• Holy Rosary School of Paombong
• St. Dominic School in Hangga San Isidro II

Public schools

Elementary Schools Paombong Central School Kapitangan Elementary School Lantad Elementary School Masukol Elementary School Pinalagdan Elementary School Pinagtulayan Elementary School Pulo Elementary School San Jose Elementary School Sta. Cruz Elementary School Sto. Niño Elementary School Sto. Rosario Elementary School

High Schools Kapitangan High School Pinalagdan High School San Roque National High School Sta. Cruz High School

External links

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