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Bulacan, officially the Province of Bulacan ( tl, Lalawigan ng Bulacan), is a
province A province is almost always an administrative division within a country or state. The term derives from the ancient Roman '' provincia'', which was the major territorial and administrative unit of the Roman Empire's territorial possessions ou ...
in the
Philippines The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no), * bik, Republika kan Filipinas * ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas * cbk, República de Filipinas * hil, Republ ...
located in the Central Luzon
region In geography, regions, otherwise referred to as zones, lands or territories, are areas that are broadly divided by physical characteristics ( physical geography), human impact characteristics ( human geography), and the interaction of humanity an ...
. Its capital is the city of Malolos. Bulacan was established on August 15, 1578, and part of the Metro Luzon Urban Beltway Super Region. It has 569 barangays in 20 municipalities and four component cities ( Baliuag, Malolos the provincial capital,
Meycauayan Meycauayan, officially the City of Meycauayan ( fil, Lungsod ng Meycauayan), is a 3rd class component city in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 225,673 people. It is one of the oldest t ...
, and
San Jose del Monte San Jose del Monte, officially the City of San Jose del Monte (abbreviated as SJDM or CSJDM; fil, Lungsod ng San Jose del Monte), is a 1st class component city in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a po ...
). Bulacan is located immediately north of
Metro Manila Metropolitan Manila (often shortened as Metro Manila; fil, Kalakhang Maynila), officially the National Capital Region (NCR; fil, link=no, Pambansang Punong Rehiyon), is the seat of government and one of three defined metropolitan areas in ...
. Bordering Bulacan are the provinces of Pampanga to the west, Nueva Ecija to the north,
Aurora An aurora (plural: auroras or aurorae), also commonly known as the polar lights, is a natural light display in Earth's sky, predominantly seen in high-latitude regions (around the Arctic and Antarctic). Auroras display dynamic patterns of bri ...
and Quezon to the east, and Metro Manila and Rizal to the south. Bulacan also lies on the north-eastern shore of Manila Bay. In the 2020 census, Bulacan had a population of 3,708,890 people, the most populous in Central Luzon and the third most populous in the Philippines, after
Cebu Cebu (; ceb, Sugbo), officially the Province of Cebu ( ceb, Lalawigan sa Sugbo; tl, Lalawigan ng Cebu; hil, Kapuroan sang Sugbo), is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, and consists of a main island and 16 ...
and Cavite. Bulacan's most populated city is
San Jose del Monte San Jose del Monte, officially the City of San Jose del Monte (abbreviated as SJDM or CSJDM; fil, Lungsod ng San Jose del Monte), is a 1st class component city in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a po ...
, the most populated municipality is Santa Maria while the least populated is
Doña Remedios Trinidad Doña Remedios Trinidad, officially the Municipality of Doña Remedios Trinidad ( tgl, Bayan ng Doña Remedios Trinidad), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 2 ...
. In 1899, the historic
Barasoain Church Barásoain Church (official title: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish) is a Roman Catholic church built in 1888 in Malolos, Bulacan. It is about 42 kilometers from Manila. Having earned the title as the "Cradle of Democracy in the East, the most impo ...
in Malolos was the birthplace of the first constitutional democracy in Asia. On November 7, 2018, the Provincial Government of Bulacan bagged its fourth Seal of Good Local Governance award. The SGLG award is a progressive assessment system that gives distinction to remarkable governance performance. This province is a part of Greater Manila Area.


History


Spanish Colonial Era

The Conquest of Bulacan traces to the first years of the Spanish in the Philippines. Upon the defeat of the
Macabebe Macabebe, officially the Municipality of Macabebe ( pam, Balen ning Macabebe; tl, Bayan ng Macabebe), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Pampanga, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 78,151 people. Hi ...
and Hagonoy natives led by Bambalito in the Battle of Bangkusay on June 3, 1571, that caused
Martín de Goiti Martín de Goiti (c. 1534 – 1575) was one of the soldiers who accompanied the Spanish colonization of the East Indies and the Pacific in 1565. From his base in Mexico City, he led the expedition to Manila ordered by Miguel López de Legazpi in 15 ...
to move north, first to Lubao in September 1571. Two months later, on November 14, 1571, Goiti reached Malolos and Calumpit respectively and it was reported to Adelantado Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, the first Governor-General of the Philippines. Adelantado established Calumpit and Malolos as an Encomienda entrusted to Sargento Juan Moron (Morones in other documents) and Don Marcos de Herrera. These two conquistadores was one of the first group of conquerors accompanied by Legaspi who have arrived in the Islands in 1565. On April 5, 1572, the Encomiendas of Calumpit and Malolos were unified co-administered by Moron and Herrera. Also on that year, Alcaldia de Calumpit was formed in which the areas of Macabebe, Candaba, Apalit in Pampanga, and the settlements of Meyto, Panducot, Meysulao, and Malolos. On December 28, 1575, Governor-General Francisco Sande order to include Hagonoy in Calumpit. In 1575, Bulakan was established as a visita of Tondo and it is not part of Calumpit as the boundary between Tondo and Calumpit was marked in Mambog River and placed the statue of Our Lady of Visitacion (patroness of Calumpit) was erected. It was gone and recreated in 1997 upon the re-establishment of the Roman Catholic Parish of Our Lady of Presentacion in Malolos. On April 30, 1578, Bulakan town was officially established by the Augustinians with Fray Diego Vivar as its first prior and the convent was dedicated to San Agustin. (when it was changed to Our Lady of Assumption was uncertain). It was reported that the western part of the present-day Bulacan was to be very well populated and rich. No exact date and year when Alcaldia de Calumpit was dissolved and the exact foundation year of the Province of Bulacan. It was only documented that Malolos (then part of Calumpit in 1572) was first to appear as part of Alcaldia de Bulacan was in 1582. It may be assumed that the reorganization of encomiendas has occurred between 1580 and 1582 at the time of Governor-General Gonzalo Ronquillo de Penalosa. Same document also from the 1582 ''Relacion de las Islas Filipinas'' by Miguel de Loarca reports that Alcaldia de Calumpit have the jurisdiction in the areas of Calumpit (capital) Capalangan, Cabangbangan and Hagonoy as its
villages A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet but smaller than a town (although the word is often used to describe both hamlets and smaller towns), with a population typically ranging from a few hundred to ...
. Then Loarca was mentioned that Alcaldia de Bulacan have Bulakan (capital) Malolos, Caluya, Guguinto, Binto and Catanghalan (instead of Meycauayan) as it Encomiendas which formerly have one alcalde mayor but he said that Alcaldia de Bulacan was formed in 1580 at the time of Penalosa. In the document of Governor-General Luis Perez de Dasmarinas in the Account of the Encomiendas for the King of Spain furnished on June 21, 1591. Dasmarinas mentioned that Alcaldia of Bulacan was part of La Pampanga with the Encomiendas subject to it such as the Encomiendas of Malolos (3,600 persons), Binto (2,000 persons), Guiguinto (2,000 persons), Caluya (2,800 persons), Mecabayan (2, 800 persons) and Bulacan identified as " capital" and residence of "alcalde mayor" with 4,800 persons. In the same 1591 document, it was mentioned that Calumpit y Hagonoy belongs to Juan Moron with the 12,800 persons, 2 Augustinian Convents, and 1 Alcalde Mayor of its own. However, the establishment and development of the southern part of the present-day Bulacan was not simultaneous and identified with the West. In 1578, the Order of Friars Minor, headed by Juan de Plasencia and Diego Oropesa, arrived in the area called Toril (now part of Meycauayan) and their headquarters. Also in 1578, Plasencia established the Town of Meycauayan. Its pueblos were first only settlements of the Old
Meycauayan Meycauayan, officially the City of Meycauayan ( fil, Lungsod ng Meycauayan), is a 3rd class component city in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 225,673 people. It is one of the oldest t ...
, founded by
Franciscan , image = FrancescoCoA PioM.svg , image_size = 200px , caption = A cross, Christ's arm and Saint Francis's arm, a universal symbol of the Franciscans , abbreviation = OFM , predecessor = , ...
The province of Bulacan is on the island of Luzon, and is one of the most important ''Alcadia de Termino'', Civil and politically it corresponds to the ''Audiencia y capitanía general de Filipinas'', and spiritually belongs to the Archbishop of Manila.
Franciscan , image = FrancescoCoA PioM.svg , image_size = 200px , caption = A cross, Christ's arm and Saint Francis's arm, a universal symbol of the Franciscans , abbreviation = OFM , predecessor = , ...
friars Juan Plasencia and Fray Diego de Oropesa founded
Meycauayan Meycauayan, officially the City of Meycauayan ( fil, Lungsod ng Meycauayan), is a 3rd class component city in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 225,673 people. It is one of the oldest t ...
in 1578, and for a time it was the capital of the Province of Meycauayan (differ from the Western Bulacan administered by Augustinian Order since 1572) Meycauayan people were able to flourish and became so rich that the sons are six of the best in the then Province of Meycauayan. It was the towns of Bocaue, Polo, San Jose del Monte, Santa Maria de Pandi, Obando and Marilao). During the General Visitation of October 5, 1762, by Don Simón de Anda y Salazar, the province was headed by Capitan Don Jose Pasarin, ''alcalde mayor'' of the province. 1795–96, Don Manuel Piñon was the alcalde mayor. According to the "Guia de 1839", Bulacan province in the island of Luzon, Philippines, is governed by a mayor, consists of 19 pueblos, 36,394 tributes and 181,970 souls. D. Felipe Gobantes, ''Alcalde'' of the province of Bulacan erected a stone column in the plaza of Bulacan in Memory of Fr. Manuel Blanco O.S.A. who died on April 1, 1845. In 1848, when the boundaries of Pampanga were changed, the region, which includes the important town of ''San Miguel de Mayumo'' and neighboring places that were formerly part of Pampanga, was adjudicated to Bulacan.


The Philippine Revolution

In an earlier period during 1890, Malolos was a hot-spot of Liberal ''
Ilustrado The Ilustrados (, "erudite", "learned" or "enlightened ones") constituted the Filipino educated class during the Spanish colonial period in the late 19th century. Elsewhere in New Spain (of which the Philippines were part), the term ''gente de ...
''s, notably the "20 Women of Malolos", who exerted pressure for education under a Filipino professor. However, the first phase of the
revolution In political science, a revolution (Latin: ''revolutio'', "a turn around") is a fundamental and relatively sudden change in political power and political organization which occurs when the population revolts against the government, typically due ...
ceased in 1897 with the signing of the
Pact of Biak-na-Bato The Pact of Biak-na-Bato, signed on December 15, 1897, created a truce between Spanish colonial Governor-General Fernando Primo de Rivera and the revolutionary leader Emilio Aguinaldo to end the Philippine Revolution. Aguinaldo and his fellow rev ...
in San Miguel. Under its terms, the leaders were to go to
Hong Kong Hong Kong ( (US) or (UK); , ), officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (abbr. Hong Kong SAR or HKSAR), is a city and special administrative region of China on the eastern Pearl River Delta i ...
and reside there. Under the illusory peace created by the pact, the end of 1897 saw the greater determination on the part of the Filipinos to carry on the revolution. In early 1898, the provinces of Zambales, Ilocos, Pampanga, Bulacan, Laguna, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and Camarines rose again. In Central Luzon, a revolutionary government was organized under General
Francisco Macabulos Francisco Macabulos y Soliman (September 17, 1871 – April 20, 1922), commonly known today as Francisco Makabulos, was a Filipino patriot and revolutionary general who led the Katipunan revolutionary forces during the Philippine Revolution ag ...
, a Kapampangan revolutionary leader of
La Paz, Tarlac La Paz, officially the Municipality of La Paz ( pam, Balen ning La Paz; tl, Bayan ng La Paz), is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Tarlac, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 68,952 people. History The ear ...
.


American Colonial era

The Americans established a local Philippine government in the Philippines when they held the first municipal election in the country in the city of
Baliwag Baliwag or Baliuag, officially the City of Baliwag ( fil, Lungsod ng Baliwag), is a component city in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 168,470 people. Baliuag was founded in 1732 by Augu ...
on May 6, 1899. At the beginning of the American rule, 1899–1900, Malolos became the headquarters of the Military Governor of the Philippines at Casa Real. On February 27, 1901, the
Philippine Commission The Philippine Commission was the name of two bodies, both appointed by the president of the United States, to assist with governing the Philippines. The first Philippine Commission, also known as the Schurman Commission, was appointed by Presi ...
officially transferred the seat of government to Malolos, and the ''Casa Real de Malolos'' was the seat of the Provincial Governor from 1900 to 1930 until the completion of the capitol building at Barangay Guinhawa, Malolos City.


World War II

In 1942, at the height of
World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...
, the
Japanese Imperial Army The was the official ground-based armed force of the Empire of Japan from 1868 to 1945. It was controlled by the Imperial Japanese Army General Staff Office and the Ministry of the Army, both of which were nominally subordinate to the Emperor ...
occupied Bulacan and made ''Casa Real de Malolos'' its headquarters. In 1945, combined Filipino and American forces and local guerrillas attacked the Japanese Imperial Forces and liberated Bulacan.


Postwar Era

After the war, Bulacan was embroiled in the rebellion of Hukbalahap Guerrillas. In February 1945, Huk Squadron 77 composed of 109 veteran guerillas was surrounded, shot, and buried in a mass grave in Malolos, Bulacan.


Martial Law Era

Agrarian unrest in the province continued well after the Huk Rebellion. On June 21, 1982, a group of young activists opposing the Marcos dictatorship tried to help farmers form a local chapter of Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luzon (AMLG). They were arrested by armed soldiers from the 175th
Philippine Constabulary The Philippine Constabulary (PC; tl, Hukbóng Pamayapà ng Pilipinas, ''HPP''; es, Policía de Filipinas, ''PF'') was a gendarmerie-type police force of the Philippines from 1901 to 1991, and the predecessor to the Philippine National Po ...
Company and were found dead the following day in San Rafael, Bulacan. The name of the so-called
Bulacan Martyrs The Bulacan Martyrs of 1982 was a group of young activists who worked together to oppose the Ferdinand Marcos dictatorship and restore democracy in the Philippines. They were meeting at a farmer's residence on June 21, 1982, when the house was ...
was added to the Bantayog ng mga Bayani's ‘Wall of Remembrance’ in 2012. Through ''Presidential Decree № 824'', Bulacan was partitioned on November 7, 1975, to form the National Capital Region. The municipality of
Valenzuela Valenzuela may refer to: Places * Valenzuela, Paraguay * Valenzuela, Metro Manila, Philippines * Valenzuela, Spain * Valenzuela de Calatrava, Spain * Valenzuela, Louisiana Other uses * Valenzuela (surname), including a list of people with the n ...
was excised to form the new region, while the other 25 towns remained in Bulacan.


Issues concerning the foundation date

To determine the tentative date of Bulacan's foundation and to trace its roots from colonial period. Efforts and research conducted by Jaime Veneracion, Reynaldo Naguit of the Center for Bulacan Studies, and Isagani Giron of the ''Samahang Pangkasaysayan ng Bulacan'' (Sampaka) shows that Bulacan was identified as a visita of Tondo in 1578. With regards to exact date of foundation of Bulacan as a province, Veneracion correlated it with the practice of Spaniard of dedicating the founding a ''pueblo'' to the feast of a
patron saint A patron saint, patroness saint, patron hallow or heavenly protector is a saint who in Catholicism, Anglicanism, or Eastern Orthodoxy is regarded as the heavenly advocate of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or perso ...
. In the case of Bulacan it is the ''Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion'', which is also the patron saint of
Bulakan Bulakan, officially the Municipality of Bulakan ( tgl, Bayan ng Bulakan), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 81,232 people. It is north of Manila. Bula ...
town, the first capital of the province. Officially, the province of Bulacan was created under ''Act 2711'' on March 10, 1917.


Geography

Bulacan covers a total area of occupying the southeastern section of the Central Luzon region. The province is bounded by Nueva Ecija ( San Isidro Gapan City, General Tinio) on the north,
Aurora An aurora (plural: auroras or aurorae), also commonly known as the polar lights, is a natural light display in Earth's sky, predominantly seen in high-latitude regions (around the Arctic and Antarctic). Auroras display dynamic patterns of bri ...
( Dingalan) on the northeast, Quezon ( General Nakar) on the east, Rizal ( Rodriguez) on the southeast,
Metro Manila Metropolitan Manila (often shortened as Metro Manila; fil, Kalakhang Maynila), officially the National Capital Region (NCR; fil, link=no, Pambansang Punong Rehiyon), is the seat of government and one of three defined metropolitan areas in ...
( Valenzuela City, Malabon,
Navotas Navotas, officially the City of Navotas ( fil, Lungsod ng Navotas), is a 1st class highly urbanized city in the National Capital Region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 247,543 people. It is known as the ...
, Caloocan and
Quezon City Quezon City (, ; fil, Lungsod Quezon ), also known as the City of Quezon and Q.C. (read in Filipino as Kyusi), is the most populous city in the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 2,960,048 people. It was fou ...
) on the south, Manila Bay on the southwest, and Pampanga (
Candaba Candaba, officially the Municipality of Candaba ( Kapampangan: ''Balen ning Candaba''; tl, Bayan ng Candaba; formerly Candawe), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Pampanga, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a populat ...
,
San Luis, Pampanga San Luis, officially the Municipality of San Luis ( pam, Balen ning San Luis; tl, Bayan ng San Luis), is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Pampanga, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it had a population of 58,551 people. Geogr ...
, Apalit,
Macabebe Macabebe, officially the Municipality of Macabebe ( pam, Balen ning Macabebe; tl, Bayan ng Macabebe), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Pampanga, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 78,151 people. Hi ...
, Masantol) on the west. Several rivers irrigate the province of Bulacan; the largest one is that of Angat. Angat River passes through the towns of Norzagaray, Angat, Bustos, San Rafael, Baliwag, Plaridel, Pulilan, and Calumpit. It flows thence into the
Pampanga River The Pampanga River is the second largest river on the island of Luzon in the Philippines (next to Cagayan River) and the country's fifth longest river. It is in the Central Luzon region and traverses the provinces of Pampanga, Bulacan, and Nueva ...
, goes out again, washes Hagonoy, and loses itself in the mangroves. The banks of these rivers are very fertile and are covered with trees.


Terrain

Bulacan lies in the southern portion of the fertile plains of Central Luzon. The area is drained by the Angat and Pampanga rivers. The
Sierra Madre Sierra Madre (Spanish, 'mother mountain range') may refer to: Places and mountains Mexico *Sierra Madre Occidental, a mountain range in northwestern Mexico and southern Arizona *Sierra Madre Oriental, a mountain range in northeastern Mexico *S ...
mountain range forms the highlands of Bulacan in the east and is a protected area known as the Angat Watershed Forest Reserve. Angat Lake, which was formed by the
Angat Dam Angat Dam () is a concrete water reservoir embankment hydroelectric dam that supplies Metro Manila and nearby provinces with water. It was a part of the Angat- Ipo- La Mesa water system. The reservoir supplies about 90 percent of raw water requ ...
is located in that area. The highest point in the province at 1,206 meters is Mount Oriod, part of the Sierra Madre. On January 19, 2008, an dump site, a new landfill that would also be a tourist attraction opened in Norzagaray, Bulacan province. Ramon Angelo, Jr., president Waste Custodian Management 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."


Climate

November to April is generally dry while wet for the rest of the year. The northeast monsoon ('' amihan'') prevails from October to January bringing in moderated and light rains. From February to April, the east trade winds predominate but the Sierra Madre (Philippines) mountain range to the east disrupts the winds resulting to a dry period. From May to September, the southwest monsoon ('' habagat''). The hottest month is May having an average temperature of while the coldest is February with an average temperature of .


Administrative divisions

Bulacan is subdivided into 21 municipalities and 4
cities A city is a human settlement of notable size.Goodall, B. (1987) ''The Penguin Dictionary of Human Geography''. London: Penguin.Kuper, A. and Kuper, J., eds (1996) ''The Social Science Encyclopedia''. 2nd edition. London: Routledge. It can be def ...
. As the population is concentrated in the southern half of the province, so are the legislative districts.


Demographics

The population of Bulacan in the 2020 census was 3,708,890 people, making it the second most populous province in the country, only behind from Cavite, which is also located in Luzon. It had a density of , the country's 4th highest for a province. On May 1, 2010, the province had 2,924,433 inhabitants with an annual population growth rate of 2.73 from the year 2000 to 2010, There were 588,693 households in the province with an average size of 4.8 persons. Bulacan had a median age of 23 years in 2007.


Languages and ethnicities

As it is part of the Tagalog cultural sphere (''Katagalugan''), Tagalog is the predominant language of Bulacan. The Tagalog dialect spoken in Bulacan resembles a poetic form of speech. Some inhabitants also speak Kapampangan, especially in areas close to the border of Pampanga. Three municipalities (San Miguel, Remedios Trinidad, and Norzagaray) and one city (San Jose del Monte) are the homelands of the ''Alta Kabulowan'', the first inhabitants of Bulacan, whose language is also called ''Alta Kabulowan''. Their language is currently endangered due to an influx of Tagalog speakers.
San Jose del Monte City San Jose del Monte, officially the City of San Jose del Monte (abbreviated as SJDM or CSJDM; fil, Lungsod ng San Jose del Monte), is a 1st class component city in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a p ...
, Santa Maria, Malolos,
Marilao Marilao, officially the Municipality of Marilao ( tgl, Bayan ng Marilao), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 254,453 people. With the continuous expansion of ...
, San Miguel and Norzagaray bear the highest number of English speakers in the province.


Religion

Roman Catholic Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy * Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD * Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a let ...
(89.44%) is the predominant religion in the province. Malolos City is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Malolos, with its mother church, the Minor Basilica and Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. On March 21, 2021, Sta. Maria Church was also granted the status of Minor Basilica by Pope Francis. It became Bulacan's second Minor Basilica and the 18th in the Philippines. Other Christian groups include the Iglesia ni Cristo (3.29%), Evangelicals (1.53%), Jehovah's Witnesses (0.37%), Bible Baptist Church (0.30%),
Muslims Muslims ( ar, المسلمون, , ) are people who adhere to Islam, a monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God of Abrah ...
(0.21%),
Seventh-day Adventist The Seventh-day Adventist Church is an Adventist Protestant Christian denomination which is distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the seventh day of the week in the Christian (Gregorian) and the Hebrew calendar, as the Sabbath, and ...
(0.21%), Aglipayans (0.17%) and other small number of Christians and non-Christian groups are also present.


Economy


Industries

The province of Bulacan is steadily becoming industrialized due to its proximity to
Metro Manila Metropolitan Manila (often shortened as Metro Manila; fil, Kalakhang Maynila), officially the National Capital Region (NCR; fil, link=no, Pambansang Punong Rehiyon), is the seat of government and one of three defined metropolitan areas in ...
. Many corporations put up industrial plants and site in Bulacan. Some of the businesses and industries include agribusiness; aquaculture; banking; cement bag making; ceramics; construction; courier; education; food/food processing; furniture; garments; gifts, houseware & decors; hospitals; hotels, resorts and restaurants;
information and communications technology Information and communications technology (ICT) is an extensional term for information technology (IT) that stresses the role of unified communications and the integration of telecommunications ( telephone lines and wireless signals) and computer ...
; insurance; jewelry; leather and leather tanning; manpower; manufacturing; marble; printing press; pyrotechnics and fireworks manufacturing; realty/real property development; shoe manufacturing; textile; trade; transport services; travel and tours.


Agribusiness and aquaculture

The rural areas still mostly depend on agriculture and aquaculture as a source of income. Some of the major crops are rice, corn, vegetables, and fruits such as mangoes. An orchid farm is operating at Golden Bloom Orchids at Barangay Maguinao in San Rafael, Bulacan. The fisheries of Bulacan, aside from fishponds and rivers, include
Bustos Dam Bustos Dam also known as Angat Afterbay Regulator Dam is a small irrigation dam at Bustos, Bulacan is often mistaken by the locals as Angat Dam since it is located close to the nearby town of Angat. The project is located at Barangay Tibagan, Bus ...
and waterlogged areas. Major species cultured include bangus, tilapia, prawn, and catfish. This made Bulacan a leading province in Bangus (
milkfish The milkfish (''Chanos chanos'') is the sole living species in the family Chanidae. However, there are at least five extinct genera from the Cretaceous. The repeating scientific name ( tautonym) is from Greek ( ‘mouth’). The species has man ...
) production based on reports of the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS).


Banking and finance

Bulacan is served by all major banks with more than 200 banks doing business in the province. The entrepreneurial culture is supported by the strong cooperative movement with total assets of over PhP 2 Billion.


Industrial estate and parks

This is a partial list of industrial sites in the province: * First Bulacan Industrial City—Malolos City * Intercity Industrial Estate—Wakas, Bocaue * Bulacan Agro-Industrial Subdivision—Calumpit * Bulacan Metro Warehouse (BMW) Center—Guiguinto * Horizon IT Park—San Jose del Monte * Meycauayan Industrial Subd. I, II, III & IV—Meycauayan * Meridian Industrial Compound—Meycauayan * Muralla Industrial Project—Meycauayan * First Valenzuela Industrial Compound—Meycauayan * Sterling Industrial Park Phase I, II, III & IV—Meycauayan * Grand Industrial Estate—Plaridel * Sapang Palay Industrial Estates—San Jose del Monte * Agus Development Corporation—Santa María * Bulacan ICT Park—Marilao * Golden City Business Park—Wakas,
Bocaue Bocaue, officially the Municipality of Bocaue ( tgl, Bayan ng Bocaue), is a 1st class municipality of the Philippines, municipality in the Philippine Province, province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of ...
* Sterling Industrial Park—Marilao


Income

Bulacan received the top place for "LGU's with Highest Gross Income" (PhP 1,717,600,000.00) and "Top Spender by LGU's" (PhP 1,349,420,000.00), and third (3rd) among the "Top Provinces with Generated Biggest Net Income" (PhP 368,180,000.00) according to the 2006 Annual Financial Report - Local Governments of the Commission of Audit. The first time to top the perennial top placer, which was the Province of Cebu. The province received the top place for "LGU's with Highest Gross Income" (PHP 1,807,600,000.00), second (2nd) in "Top Spender by LGU's" (PHP 1,372,160,000.00), and third (3rd) among the "Top Provinces with Generated Biggest Net Income" (PHP 434,830,000.00) according to the 2007 Annual Financial Report - Local Governments of the Commission of Audit. Based on the Commission of Audit's 2008 Annual Financial Report for Local Governments, the province's total gross income had increased to PhP 1,965,633,000.00 (including the subsidies and extra items). Its expenses had also increased to PHP 1,641,325,000.00, which brings a total net income of PHP 324,308,000.00. This is the list of the top income earners in Bulacan from 2014 and 2017:


Local Products

"Tatak Bulakenyo Program" was launched in 2004, conceptualized to stimulate economic activity in the province and sustain the anti-poverty thrust of the government through the promotion of entrepreneurship. The program's beneficiaries are potential micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the province. Tatak Bulakenyo Products comprises sabutan bags, buntal hats, beverages, and even jams such as tomato jam. *Inipit *Lengua de gato *Minasa *Pandesal de Baliwag *Polvoron de Pinipig *Bibingkang kamoteng kahoy *Pinipig de leche *Garbanzos *Fish and kinds of seafood *Bagoong Alamang *Sausage Relyeno *Tahong chips *Honey bee products *Tomato jam *Chicharon *Longganisa *Mushroom meat products *Bulacan's Prime Garlic Longaniza *Ortega's Best *Atsarang dampalit *Atsarang Indian mango *Atsarang kangkong *Atsarang papaya *Lechon sarsa *Pickled fish *Pickled jerkins *Pickled vegetables *Sukang Paombong *TET sarsa *Tuba ng sasa


Transportation

Bulacan is dubbed as "The Gateway to the Northern Philippines". The province is linked with
Metro Manila Metropolitan Manila (often shortened as Metro Manila; fil, Kalakhang Maynila), officially the National Capital Region (NCR; fil, link=no, Pambansang Punong Rehiyon), is the seat of government and one of three defined metropolitan areas in ...
primarily through the North Luzon Expressway and Manila North Road (better known as the MacArthur Highway) which crosses the province into Pampanga and western part of Northern Luzon (western Central Luzon, Ilocos and Cordillera Administrative Region). While taking the
Cagayan Valley Road Cagayan Valley Road is a major highway that connects the cities and municipalities of the province of Cagayan, Philippines. The road forms part of National Route 1 (N1), National Route 103 (N103) and National Route 101 (N101) of the Philippine h ...
in
Guiguinto Guiguinto, officially the Municipality of Guiguinto ( tgl, Bayan ng Guiguinto), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 113,415 people. Guiguinto is one of the fa ...
, the road leads to Nueva Ecija and to the eastern part of Northern Luzon (eastern Central Luzon and Cagayan Valley Region). Bulacan will be accessed by the future C-6 Road connecting the provinces of Rizal and Cavite and the cities of
Taguig Taguig (), officially the City of Taguig ( fil, Lungsod ng Taguig), is a 1st class highly urbanized city in Metro Manila, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 886,722 people. Located in the northwestern shores of ...
, Parañaque and
Muntinlupa Muntinlupa, officially the City of Muntinlupa ( fil, Lungsod ng Muntinlupa), is a 1st class Cities of the Philippines#Legal classification, highly urbanized city in the Metro Manila, National Capital Region of the Philippines. According to the ...
in
Metro Manila Metropolitan Manila (often shortened as Metro Manila; fil, Kalakhang Maynila), officially the National Capital Region (NCR; fil, link=no, Pambansang Punong Rehiyon), is the seat of government and one of three defined metropolitan areas in ...
. The proposed North Luzon East Expressway (NLEE) is the future expressway link between
Metro Manila Metropolitan Manila (often shortened as Metro Manila; fil, Kalakhang Maynila), officially the National Capital Region (NCR; fil, link=no, Pambansang Punong Rehiyon), is the seat of government and one of three defined metropolitan areas in ...
and the provinces of Bulacan and Nueva Ecija. It will also serve as a new alternate route of motorists coming from Manila going to
Aurora An aurora (plural: auroras or aurorae), also commonly known as the polar lights, is a natural light display in Earth's sky, predominantly seen in high-latitude regions (around the Arctic and Antarctic). Auroras display dynamic patterns of bri ...
and Cagayan Valley region. The MacArthur Highway traverses the province from north to south. Most major towns can be reached through the North Luzon Expressway. A good number of motor vehicles owned largely by private individuals provide mobility to Bulacan's populace. Aside from five main highways that traverse the province, all roads are widely dispersed throughout Bulacan. Bus terminals of Baliwag Transit Inc., Golden Bee Transport and Logistics Corp., California Bus Line, Sampaguita Liner, and Royal Eagle are in Baliwag, Balagtas and Hagonoy. The main bus lines of Philippine Rabbit, Victory Liner, Aladdin Transit that originates from their main terminals in Manila, Pasay and Quezon City and travels northward to cities and towns in Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales, pass through Bulacan via the Tabang exit. Other bus companies that travel to Bulacan include ES Transport Corp. (Earth Star Transportation), Baliwag Transit, First North Luzon,
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, Agila Bus Transport, Sta Monica Transport Corp TSC, NSDC Buenasher Lines (Del Carmen), Shannen And Pauline Bus Co., Phil. Corinthian, Marsan, Mayamy, RJ Express. Bulacan is the home of its pride, one of the biggest bus lines in Luzon, the Baliwag Transit Inc. which headquarters in
Baliwag, Bulacan Baliwag or Baliuag, officially the City of Baliwag ( fil, Lungsod ng Baliwag), is a component city in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 168,470 people. Baliuag was founded in 1732 by Augu ...
hence it's named. Public transportation within the province, like in most of the urban areas in the Philippines, is facilitated mostly using inexpensive
jeepneys Jeepneys (), sometimes called jeeps (), are minibus-like public utility vehicles, serving as the most popular means of public transportation in the Philippines. They are known for their crowded seating and kitsch decorations, which have become ...
and buses. Tricycles are used for short distances. A construction of Philippine National Railways (PNR) North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) system is on track, and officials say the remnants of old PNR stations built in Bulacan province in 1892 will be preserved. The ruins of the station in Guiguinto town, Bulacan province, will be among the structures that will be preserved. The structures in the city and in the towns of Balagtas, Guiguinto, Malolos, and Calumpit would also be renovated to complement the design of the new railway stations. Junn Magno, PNR general manager, said 10 structures left standing from the old stations would be restored to give a glimpse of the PNR's history. The San Miguel Corporation’s proposed Bulacan Airport, dubbed as the
New Manila International Airport New Manila International Airport ( fil, Bagong Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Maynila), also known as Bulacan International Airport, is an international airport under construction on the coastal areas of Bulakan, Bulacan, north of the capital Manil ...
, involves the construction of a brand-new international airport and is being positioned as an alternative to the congested NAIA in Manila. It has also been seen that the four million tourists that visit the country yearly will be tripled once the airport project proposal pushes through.


Education

The province is home to several nationally recognized public and private educational institutions such as Baliuag University (First school granted full autonomy in Region 3), the Bulacan State University (Main & Satellite Campuses), the Bulacan Polytechnic College (Malolos, Bocaue, Pandi, Angat, San Miguel, San Rafael, Obando & City of San Jose del Monte Campus), Bulacan Agricultural State College (San Ildefonso & DRT Campus), Polytechnic University of the Philippines (Santa Maria Extension Campus and Pulilan Campus), La Consolacion University Philippines and Centro Escolar University (Malolos Campus). On the other hand, National University, a non-sectarian Manila-based university, has established its first campus outside
Metro Manila Metropolitan Manila (often shortened as Metro Manila; fil, Kalakhang Maynila), officially the National Capital Region (NCR; fil, link=no, Pambansang Punong Rehiyon), is the seat of government and one of three defined metropolitan areas in ...
in the city of
Baliwag Baliwag or Baliuag, officially the City of Baliwag ( fil, Lungsod ng Baliwag), is a component city in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 168,470 people. Baliuag was founded in 1732 by Augu ...
, and Baliuag Polytechnic College, a public non-sectarian institution in the city of
Baliwag Baliwag or Baliuag, officially the City of Baliwag ( fil, Lungsod ng Baliwag), is a component city in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 168,470 people. Baliuag was founded in 1732 by Augu ...
.


Primary and intermediate

There are currently four (4) schools divisions under the Department of Education: * Bulacan (Province) * City of Malolos * City of San Jose del Monte * City of Meycauayan Bulacan has 475 public Elementary schools, 383 public schools under the
Department of Education An education ministry is a national or subnational government agency politically responsible for education. Various other names are commonly used to identify such agencies, such as Ministry of Education, Department of Education, and Ministry of Pub ...
(DepEd) Division of Bulacan, 52 public schools under the Division of City Schools of San Jose del Monte and 38 public schools under the Division of City Schools of Malolos.


Secondary

Bulacan has 68 public high schools, national and provincial. Forty-three under the
Department of Education An education ministry is a national or subnational government agency politically responsible for education. Various other names are commonly used to identify such agencies, such as Ministry of Education, Department of Education, and Ministry of Pub ...
(DepEd) Division of Bulacan, Eighteen public high schools under the Division of City Schools of San Jose del Monte, three public high schools under the Division of City Schools of Malolos and Division of City Schools of Meycauayan has four public high schools.


Private schools

There are numerous privately owned (by individual or group) and church-operated schools located in the province. The Immaculate Conception School for Boys and the Immaculate Conception School of Malolos are both under the Diocese of Malolos, with the incumbent Bishop of Malolos as president. Also under the Diocese is the Immaculate Conception Seminary. Others are under the direction of religious orders and congregations such as the La Consolacion University Philippines (Augustinian Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation), the St. Martin de Porres Catholic School (Dominican Sisters), St. Paul College of Bocaue and St. Paul University at San Miguel ( Congregation of the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres) and the Holy Spirit Academy of Malolos (Sister Servants of the Holy Spirit). The Immaculate Heart of Mary School was established in 1992 with student enrollment less than 200 (as of 2016–17). There are also schools under other denominations such as the Bulacan Ecumenical School and Bulacan Ecumenical Kindergarted (United Methodist Church). Private schools in the province are members of the Bulacan Private Schools Association (BULPRISA) While in the City of San Jose del Monte private schools are organized by City of San Jose del Monte Private Schools Association (CSanPRISA). In Malolos, private schools are organized as Malolos City Private Schools Association (MACIPRISA). In Meycauayan, private schools are organized as Meycauayan City Private Schools Association (MEYCIPRISA). In Marilao, private schools are organized as Association of Private Schools in Marilao (APRISM).


Government

Current provincial government officials (2022–2025): *Governor: Daniel R. Fernando ( NUP) *Vice Governor: Alexis C. Castro ( NUP) Provincial Board Members: *First District **Allan P. Andan ( PDP–Laban) **Romina D. Fermin ( PDP-Laban) *Second District **Atty. Erlene Luz V. Dela Cruz ( NUP) **Lee Edward V. Nicolas ( PDP-Laban) *Third District **Romeo V. Castro, Jr. ( NUP) **Raul A. Mariano ( NUP) *Fourth District **Enrique A. Delos Santos, Jr. ( PDP–Laban) **Allen Dale D. Baluyut ( NUP) *Fifth District **Richard A. Roque ( NUP) **Cezar L. Mendoza ( NUP) *Sixth District **Renato D. De Guzman, Jr. ( PDP-Laban) **Arthur A. Legaspi ( PDP-Laban) Ex-officio Board Members: *PCL President ** William R. Villarica *ABC President ** Ramilito B. Capistrano *SK President ** Robert Myron G. Nicolas Congressional District Representatives: * ''First District'': Atty. Danilo A. Domingo ( NUP) * ''Second District'': Augustina Dominique C. Pancho ( NUP) * ''Third District'': Lorna C. Silverio ( NUP) * ''Fourth District'': Linabelle Ruth R. Villarica ( PDP–Laban) * ''Fifth District'': Ambrosio C. Cruz, Jr. ( Lakas-CMD) * ''Sixth District'': Salvador A. Pleyto, Sr. ( Lakas-CMD) * ''Lone District of San Jose del Monte'': Florida P. Robes ( PDP-Laban)


Official seal


Points of interest


Festivals

Source: *Minasa Festival: Bustos (2nd Week of January) *Halamaman Festival: Guiguinto (3rd Week of January) *Bulak Festival: San Ildefonso (Every January) *Fiesta Republica: City of Malolos (Every January) *Santo Niño Festival: City of Malolos (''Last Sunday of January'') *Obrero Festival: City of San Jose Del Monte (''February 22'') *Chicharon Festival: Santa Maria (''Month of February'') *Balagtasan Festival: Balagtas (''April 2'') *Flagellants and Lenten Rites: Paombong (''Good Friday'') *Lenten Procession: Baliwag (''Good Friday'') *Barong at Saya Festival: Pandi (''April 17'') *Halamang Dilaw Festival: Marilao (''April 21 – May 8'') *Kneeling Carabao Festival: Pulilan (''May 14–15'') *Obando Fertility Dance: Obando (''May 17–19'') *Buntal Festival: Baliwag (''Month of May'') *Flores de Maria: Bulakan (''Last Saturday of May'') *Libad Festival: Calumpit (''June 23–24'') *Pagoda Festival: Bocaue (''Sunday After July 2'') *Palaisdaan Festival: Hagonoy (''July 25–26'') *Casay Festival: Norzagaray (''August 13'') *Tanglawan Festival: City of San Jose Del Monte (''September 3–10'') *Singkaban Festival: Province of Bulacan (''September 8–15'') *Mayumo Festival: San Miguel (''September 28–29'') *Angel Festival: San Rafael (''September 29'') *Suguran Festival: City of Meycauayan (''October 4'') *Catorse de Noviembre Festival: Bulakan (''November 14'') *Sayaw Sta. Isabel: City of Malolos (''Sunday before November 17'') *Salubong Festival: Plaridel (''December 29–30'')


Religious

Source: *Sta. Monica Parish in ''Angat'' *St. Lawrence, Deacon and Martir Parish in ''Balagtas'' *Parish of Augustine in ''Baliwag'' *St. Martin of Tours Parish and Diocesan Shrine of Mahal na Poong Krus sa Wawa in ''Bocaue'' *Shrine of Saint Andrew Kim Tae-gon in ''Bocaue'' *Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion Parish in ''Bulakan'' *Sto. Niño Parish in ''Bustos'' *Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. John the Baptist in ''Calumpit'' *Nuestra Señora de Lourdes Parish in ''Doña Remedios Trinidad'' *St. Ildephonse of Toledo Parish in ''Guiguinto'' *National Shrine and Parish of Saint Anne in ''Hagonoy'' *Immaculate Conception Parish - Cathedral and Minor Basilica in ''City of Malolos'' *Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish - Barasoain Church in ''City of Malolos'' *St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish in ''City of Malolos'' *St. Michael the Archangel Parish in ''Marilao'' *Parish and National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in ''Marilao'' *Parish of Saint Francis of Assisi in ''City of Meycauayan'' *St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in ''Norzagaray'' *San Pascual Baylon Parish and National Shrine of Nuestra Señora, Inmaculada Concepcion de Salambao in ''Obando'' *Immaculate Conception Parish in ''Pandi'' *Santiago Apostol Parish in ''Paombong'' *St. James the Apostle Parish in ''Plaridel'' *San Isidro Labrador Parish in ''Pulilan'' *San Ildefonso Parish in ''San Ildefonso'' *St. Joseph the Worker Parish in ''City of San Jose Del Monte'' *Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in ''City of San Jose Del Monte'' *San Miguel Arcangel Parish in ''San Miguel'' *Parish of Saint John of God in ''San Rafael'' *Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Sagrado Corazon de Jesus in ''San Rafael'' *La Purisima Concepcion Parish in ''Santa Maria'' *Diocesan Shrine and Quasi-Parish of Mary Mother of the Eucharist and Grace in ''Santa Maria'' *San Isidro Labrador Parish in ''Bustos''


Historical

Source: *Enriquez Ancestral House in ''Bulacan'' *Meyto Shrine in ''Calumpit'' *St. John the Baptist Church in ''Calumpit'' *Basilica Minore de Immaculada Concepcion in ''City of Malolos'' *Kakarong de Sili Shrine in ''Pandi'' *Battle of Quingua Monument in ''Plaridel'' *Tecson House in ''San Miguel'' *Marcelo H. del Pilar Shrine in ''Bulacan'' *Bulacan Museum in ''City of Malolos'' *Old Train Station in ''Guiguinto'' *Biak-na-Bato National Park in ''San Miguel'' *Baliwag Museum in ''City of Baliwag'' *Barasoain Ecclesiastical Museum in ''City of Malolos'' *Pinagrealan Cave in ''Norzagaray'' *Bagbag Bridge in ''Calumpit'' *Mercado House in ''Bustos'' *Casa Real Shrine in ''City of Malolos'' *Barasoain Church in ''City of Malolos''


Heritages

Source: *Baliwag Clock Tower in ''Baliwag'' *Enriquez Ancestral House in ''Bulacan'' *Meyto Shrine in ''Calumpit'' *Battle of Quingua Monument in ''Plaridel'' *Simborio Chapel in ''Plaridel'' *Tecson House in ''San Miguel'' *Marcelo H. del Pilar Shrine in ''Bulacan'' *Emilio Aguinaldo Bridge in ''City of San Jose del Monte'' *Hiyas Bulacan Museum in ''City of Malolos'' *Old Train Station in ''Guiguinto'' *Francisco Balagtas Museum/Marker Birth Place in ''Balagtas'' *Francisca Reyes Aquino Shrine in ''Bocaue'' *Baliwag Museum in ''Baliwag'' *Barasoain Ecclesiastical Museum in ''City of Malolos'' *Bautista Mansion in ''City of Malolos'' *Bagbag Bridge in ''Calumpit'' *Mercado House in ''Bustos'' *Casa Real Shrine in ''City of Malolos'' *Barasoain Church in ''City of Malolos'' *Museo San Ysidro de Pulilan in ''Pulilan''


Ecological

Source: *Calumpit River in ''Calumpit'' *Verdivia Falls in ''Doña Remedios Trinidad'' *Pulilan Butterfly Haven and ''Resort in Pulilan'' *Angat Hydroelectric Dam in ''Norzagaray'' *C & B Orchid Farm in ''San Rafael'' *Biak-na-Bato National Park in ''San Miguel'' *Garden City in ''Guiguinto'' *Bakas in ''Norzagaray'' *Hilltop in ''Norzagaray'' *Pinagrealan Cave in ''Norzagaray'' *Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in ''San Jose del Monte City'' *Puning Cave in ''Doña Remedios Trinidad'' *Bustos Dam in ''Bustos'' *Tilapilon Hills in ''Doña Remedios Trinidad''


See also

*
List of people from Bulacan This is a list of notable people from Bulacan, who are also known as Bulakenyos. National heroes and patriots The early people of Bulacan, had also risen in revolt as in other parts of the country. Bulacan was one of the eight provinces, which ra ...
* List of radio stations in Bulacan * Roman Catholic Diocese of Malolos * Malolos Cathedral


References


External links

*
Bulacan PH

Philippine Standard Geographic Code
{{Authority control Provinces of the Philippines