Calapan, Oriental Mindoro

Calapan, officially the City of Calapan (), is a component city and the capital of the province of Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 145,786 people making it the most populous in Oriental Mindoro and second in the entire Mindoro Island after San Jose in Occidental Mindoro. The city is also the regional center of Mimaropa region, as well as its second biggest city (after Puerto Princesa).

The city serves as the gateway to the Oriental Mindoro province with the implementation of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) an integrated ferry project of then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo that extends further to the southern part of the Philippines. The Calapan City Seaport is the largest and busiest seaport on Mindoro Island, which is just 45 minutes away by ferry boats and roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ships to and from Batangas City International Seaport.

Calapan is the only city in Mindoro island and it is one of two cities in the Mimaropa region, the other being Puerto Princesa in Palawan. Calapan serves as the region's administrative center. It is also the center of commerce, industry, transport, communication, religious activities and education in the entire province of Oriental Mindoro.

Since the late 90s, Calapan City experienced rapid urbanization and development and is now a bustling city with numerous Malls, Fast-food chains, Higher Educational Institutions, Business Process Outsourcing(BPOs) and is also home to Regional and National Government offices being Calapan City is the Regional Government Center of MIMAROPA Region. With its estimated population to be at 150,000+(2023), its low poverty incidence rate and High purchasing power, Different National and International Brands/Companies are rushing to open up business and expand their Investment in the city.

Calapan City is also home to the Largest Passenger Port terminal in The country and is the Busiest Passenger port in the Region with Foot Traffic reaching in Millions Annually.

Etymology

The derivation of the name of Calapan cannot be traced with certainty. Some opined that it comes from the word “Kalap” which means to gather logs. Thus “Kalapan” was supposed to be a place where logs were gathered. In the old records, however, there was never a mention of Calapan as a place where logs were produced or exported. Furthermore, huge forest trees where logs were produced certainly did not grow near the town, which was swampy. Another theory states that Calapan was originally pronounced as “Kalapang” which, according to an old Tagalog dictionary, was a synonym for “sanga” or branch. It could then refer to the settlement of Kalapang as a branch of its mother town of Baco, an adjoining town. The name was later hispanized as Calapan.

History

Calapan was formerly a small village before the establishment of the first Religious District in Baco. The District convent was transferred to Calapan in 1733 and began its jurisdiction over the Northern Mindoro Ecclesiastical Area.

In the early 18th century, the town only occupied a strip of land stretching from Ibaba to Ilaya in a cross-shape facing the present Santo Niño Cathedral and cut off by the river. Later on, succeeding barriers were founded.

In 1837, the capital of the province was moved from Puerto Galera to Calapan. When Mindoro became a part of Marinduque on June 13, 1902, the provincial capital was once again moved to Puerto Galera. On November 10, 1902, Mindoro was detached from Marinduque. In 1903, Calapan once again became the provincial capital.

When Mindoro was detached from Marinduque on November 10, 1902, Baco, Puerto Galera and San Teodoro were annexed to Calapan in 1905 under Act No. 1280, adding a total area of of land. In 1902, under Act No. 2824, the three municipalities gained their independence.

In 1919, the boundary dispute between Calapan and Naujan was adjudicated by ''Presidentes'' (Mayors) Agustin Quijano of Calapan and Agustin Garong of Naujan over a portion of the territory of what is now the present boundary. The agricultural area was awarded to Naujan, thus making the area of Calapan much smaller compared to that of Naujan, which is now considered the biggest municipality in the province.

Cityhood

In the year 1998, Calapan was converted from a municipality into a component city by virtue of Republic Act No. 8475. The law was authored in Congress by Rep. Renato V. Leviste and was signed by President Fidel Ramos on February 2, 1998. On March 21, 1998, the people of Calapan ratified the creation of the City of Calapan in a plebiscite marking that same day as the city's foundation day. Incumbent Mayor Arnan C. Panaligan became the last Municipal Mayor and the first City Mayor of Calapan. To date, it is the first and only city in the whole island of Mindoro.

Calapan was reclassified from a 4th class city in 2007 to a 3rd class city in 2010, on account of its innovations in public service, modernization programs, increased revenue collection, and overall economic improvement.

Geography

Calapan is bounded to the north and north-east by the Calapan Bay, south and southeast by Naujan, and to the west by the Baco. The city lies at the quadrangle bounded by 13°12.6 and 13°27’ north latitudes and 121°17’ east longitudes. It is approximately from the nearest point of Batangas, south of Batangas City and south of Manila.

The city has an area of and is composed of 62 barangays of which 22 are classified as urban and 40, rural. The city also has jurisdiction over the Baco Islands and the two Silonay Islets on Calapan Bay.

The overall land characteristic is a wide plain with rivers, interspersed with wetlands at the seacoast periphery. The highest elevation is above sea level at Bulusan Hill, a long landform east of the city, which interrupts the mostly flat terrain north-east of the Halcon-Baco Mountain Range.

Barangays

Calapan is divided into 62 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

These barangays are grouped into congressional districts where each district is represented by a congressman in the country's House of Representatives.

* Balingayan
* Balite
* Baruyan
* Batino
* Bayanan I
* Bayanan II
* Biga
* Bondoc
* Bucayao
* Buhuan
* Bulusan
* Calero
* Camansihan
* Camilmil
* Canubing I
* Canubing II
* Comunal
* Guinobatan
* Gulod
* Gutad
* Ibaba East
* Ibaba West
* Ilaya
* Lalud
* Lazareto
* Libis
* Lumangbayan
* Mahal Na Pangalan
* Maidlang
* Malad
* Malamig
* Managpi
* Masipit
* Nag-Iba I
* Nag-Iba II
* Navotas
* Pachoca
* Palhi
* Panggalaan
* Parang
* Patas
* Personas
* Putingtubig
* San Antonio
* San Raphael (formerly Salong)
* San Vicente Central
* San Vicente East
* San Vicente North
* San Vicente South
* San Vicente West
* Sapul
* Silonay
* Sta. Cruz
* Sta. Isabel
* Sta. Maria Village
* Sta. Rita
* Sto. Niño (formerly Nacoco)
* Suqui
* Tawagan
* Tawiran
* Tibag
* Wawa

Climate

Calapan's climate is described as mild. It is relatively dry from November to April and wet during the rest of the year. February and March have the least rainfall while October and November are the months of greatest rainfall. Average yearly rainfall is at the city's south-west portion. The average daily temperature is .

Wind direction throughout the year is variable; Northeast monsoons prevail from August, November, December and January to March; East to Northeast on April; Southeast to South on May and June; Northeast to South on July and September, and Easterly on October.

Climate is favorable for vegetation throughout the year under the Type III climate type of the Philippine weather bureau, PAGASA, with relative humidity at 81%.

Demographics

Calapan has a population of 145,786 as of the 2020 census.

Language

Tagalog is the main dialect of Calapan City.

Economy

The city's economy is dependent on agriculture and fishing. However, a growing industry in machinery and tourism has contributed well to the city's annual income, making it one of the fastest growing new cities in the country for the last 10 years.

Since 1998, the city has experienced rapid development. The establishment of a special development area, particularly an eco-zone for light industries located at the Urban Development Area (Lumangbayan and Guinobatan), has been promoted and now serves as growth area which generates employment and spurs economic opportunities. Such industries focus on agro-industrial based activities such as food processing, handicraft making, furniture making and other related activities.

Calapan plays a major role in the Philippine economy as one of the major food suppliers in the country. The city is also a major exporter of rice supplying to Metro Manila and major parts of Luzon making it both an agriculturally-progressive and urbanized city. The five major crops are rice, citrus, banana, rambutan and lanzones. The top five industries in Calapan are trading, tourism, services, marine and aquatic, and food processing.

Calapan serves as the province's industrial hub. It plays a pivotal role in the economic development of the province and its adjacent areas.

Trade and commerce

Trading and commercial activities are mainly confined in wholesale and retail trade. Other thriving industries are manufacturing, financing, tourism, food and beverages and services. In recent years, the city has witnessed the influx of private investments that increase income and employment opportunities. The City Investment Code encourages new and existing entrepreneurs to increase their investments. All business establishments are also required to employ bonafide residents of the city to at least 70% of the job opportunities that they will generate.

Agriculture

Majority of the vast agricultural lands of Calapan is devoted to rice production. Other crops grown in the area are citrus fruits such as calamansi, banana, lanzones, rambutan, mango, coconut and vegetables.

Transportation

Port of Calapan is the primary seaport serving the city which connected through routes to the Batangas International Port in mainland Luzon. Motorized tricycles are a common mode of transport and jeepneys and vans served as transportation options to other municipalities within Oriental Mindoro which passes through the mostly concreted pronvincial road spanning the province.

The city also has an airport, the Calapan Airport, classified as a secondary airport and is used for general aviation handling mostly small planes and choppers with regular trips from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Tourism

Calapan is bounded by the Calapan Bay on the north and Suki Beach on the east. While the northern shores is built up with houses, locals and tourists would flock on the eastern shores' black sand beach of Suki which is doted by a number of resorts.

Calapan also has two museums. The Mindoro Heritage Museum at the city center was also the former site of the "Kuta" or Spanish Fortress. The museum hosts geological, ethnographical, and political history of Mindoro. Calapan City Museum is found at the City Hall.

In the area of eco-tourism, Calapan has two mangrove parks, at Mahal na Pangalan Marine Park and Silonay Mangrove Conservation Park, as well as the Bulusan Nature Park.

Education

Institutions of higher learning

The city is host to numerous higher educational institutions. The Divine Word College of Calapan, a Catholic college run by the Divine Word Missionaries is currently the largest institution of higher learning in the city and the province of Oriental Mindoro. Other private institutions of higher learning include the St. Anthony College Calapan City (Information Technology, Nursing and Tourism), Luna Goco Colleges (Nursing), Southwestern Luzon Maritime Institute Foundation and Filipino Academy of Scientific Trades (Maritime Studies), AMA Computer Learning Center (Information Technology), and CLCC Institute of Computer Arts and Technology (Information Technology).

There are currently two public institutions of higher learning in the city. One is the Mindoro State University (Calapan Campus) while the other is the City College of Calapan which was opened last June 2008 through the initiative of City Mayor Salvador Leachon.

Basic education

Calapan has nine national high schools (NHS), one of which is the Oriental Mindoro National High School (OMNHS) the main campus of the school and the largest public high school in Oriental Mindoro. Other public high schools include the Mamerta Gargullo Tolentino Memorial National High School (former Parang NHS), Ceriaco A. Abes Memorial MNHS, Canubing NHS, Managpi NHS, Pedro V. Panaligan MNHS, the Community Vocational High School, the LEMNAHIS Bucayao Annex, and the Nag-iba National High School (former LEMNAHIS Annex Nag-iba).

The Catholic Church also runs the Holy Infant Academy, while DWCC also maintains a Basic Education Department.

Public elementary schools meanwhile are organized into three districts. They are the Calapan West, Calapan South (Pedro Tolentino Memorial School (PTMS) and Calapan East Districts.

Healthcare

Being the Only City in the island, Calapan City serves as the Medical Hub of Mindoro. It houses numerous Tertiary Hospitals with advanced and modern facilities. Hospitals in the City Includes:
•Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital
•Ma. Estrella General Hospital
•Mindoro Medical Center Inc.
•Luna Goco Hospital
•MMG Hospital
•Hospital of the Holy Cross
•Sta. Maria Village Hospital

In addition, the city has public health centers providing free health check-ups and basic medicine supplies to all residents. These public centers are being funded and supported by the City Health and Sanitation Department.

Government

Elected officials

Sister cities

* Valenzuela, Philippines
* Lucena, Quezon, Philippines
* San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines
* Batangas City, Philippines

Notable personalities

* Arra San Agustin - Filipina noontime show presenter host of Eat Bulaga! and actress
* Néstor Vicente Madali González - Internationally acclaimed writer and educator
*3rd Lt. Jose Protacio C. Gozar - Pilot officer with the Philippine Army Air Corps who received the Distinguished Service Cross for his gallantry during the air war at the onset of World War II.
*Col. Arnulfo Acedillo Acedera, - Pilot officer with the Philippine Army Air Corps, and father of AFP Chief of Staff Arnulfo Acedera Jr.
* Jason Francisco - 3rd Placer, Pinoy Big Brother: Double Up
*Karen Reyes - 2nd Big Placer of Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition 4
*Charo Santos-Concio - President, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation
*Col. Pedro A. Serran (USAFFE-AFP)-- Son of Isidro and Maxima Serran, born November 26, 1913, in Calapan. Known as the "Liberator of Zarraga," Iloilo Province during World War II. He died on June 8, 1999, in Colorado, U.S.A., and is buried in Pittsburgh, California. His life-size statue stands on the park named after him in Zarraga. It was inaugurated in 1998.
* Joseph Mercado - Vice President, Polytechnic University of the Philippines
* Jose Antonio N. Carrion - Governor of Marinduque, 2007 – 2010

References

External links

* Philippine Standard Geographic Code*

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Cities in Mimaropa
Populated places in Oriental Mindoro
Provincial capitals of the Philippines
Populated places established in 1733
1733 establishments in the Philippines
Port cities and towns in the Philippines
Component cities in the Philippines