Talavera, Nueva Ecija Explained
|
Seal Size: | 100x80px |
Image Map1: | |
Pushpin Map: | Philippines |
Pushpin Label Position: | left |
Pushpin Map Caption: | Location within the |
Subdivision Type: | Country |
Subdivision Name: | Philippines |
Subdivision Type1: | Region |
Subdivision Type2: | Province |
Named For: | Talavera de la Reina, Spain |
Motto: | Sa Talavera...Todo Asenso Bayan at Tao |
Subdivision Type3: | District |
Established Title: | Founded |
Established Date: | 1872 |
Parts Type: | Barangays |
Parts Style: | para |
P1: | (see Barangays) |
Leader Name: | Nerito S. Santos Jr. |
Leader Title1: | Vice Mayor |
Leader Name1: | Nerivi S. Santos-Martinez |
Leader Name2: | Mikaela Angela B. Suansing |
Leader Title3: | Councilors |
Leader Name3: | |
Leader Title4: | Electorate |
Leader Name4: | voters (electorate_point_in_time}}|) |
Elevation Max M: | 61 |
Elevation Min M: | 31 |
Population Density Km2: | auto |
Population Blank1 Title: | Households |
Timezone: | PST |
Utc Offset: | +8 |
Postal Code Type: | ZIP code |
Demographics Type1: | Economy |
Demographics1 Title2: | Poverty incidence |
Demographics1 Info2: | % |
Demographics1 Title3: | Revenue |
Demographics1 Title4: | Revenue rank |
Demographics1 Title5: | Assets |
Demographics1 Title6: | Assets rank |
Demographics1 Title7: | IRA |
Demographics1 Title8: | IRA rank |
Demographics1 Title9: | Expenditure |
Demographics1 Title10: | Liabilities |
Demographics Type2: | Service provider |
Demographics2 Title1: | Electricity |
Demographics2 Title2: | Water |
Demographics2 Title3: | Telecommunications |
Demographics2 Title4: | Cable TV |
Blank1 Name Sec1: | Native languages |
Blank2 Name Sec1: | Crime index |
Blank1 Name Sec2: | Major religions |
Blank2 Name Sec2: | Feast date |
Blank3 Name Sec2: | Catholic diocese |
Blank4 Name Sec2: | Patron saint |
Talavera, officially the Municipality of Talavera (Tagalog: Bayan ng Talavera; Iloko: Ili ti Talavera), is a 1st class municipality[1] in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 132,338.
Talavera is part of Cabanatuan conurbation as adjacent urban center in the heart of Nueva Ecija. It is dubbed as the "Milk Capital" and "Food basket in Inland Luzon".
History
Specific accounts pertinent to understanding Talavera’s history and development were generally sparse. While its beginning could be traced back as far as 1846, no explicit account of its historical development was fully chartered or documented, except perhaps some fragments and rarities that somehow occasioned a kind of historic significance to its otherwise complex development. In fact, it was only during the term of then Municipal Mayor Romeo F. Maliwat in 1965 that its history was revisited and re-written. Mr. Tomas I. Pagaduan, then public librarian, was commissioned and tasked to write the history of Talavera. Said history was printed and published in 1967.
Nevertheless, earlier accounts about Talavera, then known as Catuguian, described it generally as being situated on “flat land and rest[ed] on the margin of the river”. The Spanish scribe Joaquin Rajal aptly characterized it as follows:
It lacks a church, parish house, court, and schools, and their spiritual administration is equally shared with Cabanatuan, as it has not been appointed since it was formed, […] The neighborhood, made up of Tagalogs, is composed of 5,567 souls, who are dedicated to agriculture in irrigated and rainfed land. […] its forests are rich with all kinds of wood and its extensive lands are suited for cattle grazing […].[2]
On the whole, the history of Talavera could be associated, in some general way or other, with the history of the early Augustinian missions in lowland Nueva Ecija in 1595, particularly in Gapan.
[3] The mission in Gapan outlined the basis for the ensuing religious missions in Cabanatuan in the 1700s and later on in Catuguian, being one of its component barrios.
[4] The succeeding timelines could provide a rather general view of Talavera’s history.
1846 – 1851: Barrio Catuguian
- Earliest accounts of Catuguian could be traced from the early Augustinian missions in lowland Nueva Ecija, being a component barrio of Cabanatuan.
- The establishment of a chapel or visita for religious celebration in Catuguian shaped its succeeding history.
- Its population grew after Nueva Ecija became a regular province in 1848,[5] from being a corregimiento in 1801.[6]
- The people of Catuguian initiated a petition to the Alcalde-Mayor of Nueva Ecija in 1852 to create an independent town by consolidating the barrios of La Torre, Concepcion, Pulong Buli (Sto. Domingo), Valle and Baloc, with Catuguian as its capital. This was sent to the Governor-General of Manila for approval.
1852 – 1872: From Catuguian to Talavera
- The petition was granted. An independent pueblo was created, with Catuguian being the capital on December 11, 1852.
- On February 4, 1853, it made another petition to the Governor General in Manila, requesting that its name be changed to Talavera, after Talavera de la Princesa e Coruna.
- On February 14, 1853, the petition was granted and Catuguian came to be called “Talavera”.
- On November 20, 1872, through a Royal Decree issued by King Amadeo I, the Parroquia de Talavera was formally recognized and instituted.[7]
1873 - 1899: The Making of Talavera
- Talavera experienced the rise of landed estates by 1880. Known Haciendas during this period were Hacienda Bakal, Hacienda Romero, and Hacienda Jacinto.
- It became one of the primary suppliers of cattle to the Manila Market, owing to its rich grasslands.[8]
- Talavera became one of the tributary districts of Tobacco plantations in the province, with Valle and Concepcion.[9]
- By 1892, its population grew as much as 18,786 because of the migration of farm workers and tillers.[10]
- The barrios of Sto. Domingo and Dolores were separated from Talavera to create the Municipality of Sto. Domingo and its Parish.[11]
1900 – 1940: The rise of landlordism
- The town of Talavera was occupied by Gen. Henry Lawton on November 1, 1899, owing to the Filipino-American War.[12]
- Steady expansion of landed estates because Spanish owned estates were sold to Filipino elites, resulting in land exploitation and land grabbing.
- Sitio of Bacal, formerly Buenavista (part of San Juan de Guimba), was annexed to Talavera in 1910 upon the recommendation of Honorable Isauro Gabaldon.[13]
- The Sitios of Kabisukulan, Rangayan, Rizal, Siniguelas, Pukoc, Agricultura, Pulong-Maragol and Mataas-na-Lupa were separated from Talavera and were organized into an independent municipality under Muñoz in 1912.[14]
- Wave of migration to Talavera because of the rising demand for agriculture and livestock grazing, as haciendas grew in size.[15]
- Rise of Landlordism & Shared Tenancy System became more prevalent as a result of the growing landed estates.
- Peasant struggles became evident in San Ricardo, Bantug, Casili and Morcon, because of landlordism and shared tenancy, including unfair farm practices on rations and tenant pays.[16]
- Land Tenure became a problem owing to the government’s failure to effect genuine land transfer of land ownership to peasant farmers.[17]
- Galvanization and forging of the peasant movement in Talavera, especially in San Ricardo.[18]
1941 – 1945: Talavera sheds blood
- The Imperial Japanese Army occupied Talavera on December 1941.[19]
- San Ricardo experienced the horrors of the war through regular “zona”.[20]
- Land disputes became more pronounced alongside waves of resistance against the Imperial Japanese Army.
- Squadron 8 of the Hukbalahap was formed in Talavera, with more than 100 members.[21]
- Talavera became a strategic line of defense, especially San Pascual and Pinagpanaan, against the retreating Imperial Japanese Army.[22]
- Barangay Sibul became a rendezvous point for 510 rescued prisoners of war at Camp Pangatian.[23]
1946 – 1972: Recovery & Rehabilitation
- Talavera experienced the expansion of the HUK forces in Nueva Ecija, where Nueva Ecija became part of what is known as HUKLANDIA.[24]
- Armed rebellion among the peasants of Talavera continued, owing to unfair land practices.[25] [26]
- Some barrios of Talavera namely General Luna, Morcon, Mabini, Ricarte, Casili and Picon, along with Plaridel and Bosque, were annexed to Llanera in 1955.[27]
- Infrastructure projects were implemented covering key impact areas like road development, barangay government centers, greening of the municipal plaza, puericulture centers and schools.
- Rise of women revolutionaries in Talavera, with Manuela Sta. Ana Maclang – the first woman to be elected into the Sangguniang Bayan in 1955.
- Massive campaigns for peace and order in the latter part of the 1970s were carried out in Talavera.
1972 – 1986: The Narrow Road to Freedom
- The whole country was placed under martial rule “including all agencies of government and its various instrumentalities”.[28]
- Institutionalized curfew hours were imposed in Talavera.
- Establishment of Barangay Assemblies in the whole of Talavera.
- Creation of the Integrated Civilian Home Defense Forces.
- Promotion of health and education services through various infrastructure support to health and education programs.
- Construction of the Talavera Extension Hospital during the term of Mayor Marcelo D. Diaz.[29]
- Conversion of various barangay High Schools into National High Schools.[30] [31]
- Maintenance of peace and order as well as public safety through the barangay assemblies.
1987 – 2013: Laying the Foundations
- Return to democracy after years of martial rule through the Interim Local Government ¬– year of greater aspiration and renewal.
- Talavera experienced a government re-organization through the provisional constitution.
- There was massive promotion of civil liberties through human rights education[32]
- Talavera was re-classified as a First-Class Municipality in 2001 under the leadership of Mayor Manolito V. Fausto.
- Expansion of Social Programs (HS in Sibul and Tabacao, Barrio Markets in San Pascual, San Ricardo, Tabacao, Socialized Housing Projects and other rehabilitation efforts, including fiscal deepening).
- Talavera bore witness to an age of reform through various projects in key decision areas like health, education, social welfare and infrastructure services.
- Establishment of the flagship college of the Municipality – the NEUST-MGT, whose acknowledged founding father was Mayor Nerito L. Santos, Sr.
- Renovations and constructions of the Public Library, SPED Building, Botika ng Bayan, Health Centers and Greening Program.
2013 – present: The Way Forward
- Beginning of a paradigm shift in Talavera’s political consciousness, after a century of male dominated leadership.
- Elected the first woman mayor of Talavera in the person of Mayor Nerivi S. Martinez.
- Continuing reforms and innovations in major decision areas in health, education, social welfare, environment and infrastructure.
- Establishment of various critical facilities like Talavera Dialysis Center, Balay Silangan Reformation Center, Food Bank and Bakery ng Bayan.
- Key innovations in health programs through Nutri-Wheel and Gulayan sa Barangay.
- Integration of modernized agriculture and urban growth and development into the local institutional framework through farmers’ forum, convened under the leadership of Mayor Nerito S. Santos, Jr.
- Enhanced and wider accessibility in well-being domains through expanded social protection programs.
- Integration of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation into the local institutional framework through urban resilience and development.
- Serious fiscal deepening.
- Partnership with the University of the Philippines-Diliman, through the College of Architecture for the conceptualization and design of its proposed Civic Center.
Cityhood
See main article: Cities of the Philippines. House Bill No. 194 was filed on July 1, 2019, by Nueva Ecija's 1st district Representative Estrellita Suansing for the conversion of the municipality of Talavera into a component city.[33] The bill is currently pending with the committee on local government since July 23, 2019. Senator Imee Marcos introduced Senate Bill No. 2040 for the conversion of the municipality in the Senate, pending in the committee since February 8, 2021.[34]
On June 30, 2022, House Bill No. 215 was filed by Rep. Mikaela Angela B. Suansing which seeks to convert Talavera into a component city.
Geography
Talavera is relatively flat, with a slope ranging from 0 to 3%. Its elevation, which ranges from 31m to 61m above sea level, with an average elevation of 42m, is importantly suitable for agricultural, commercial and industrial developments. Its aggregate arable land amounts to 12, 6981 ha or 89.075% of its total land area, of which less than 70% is irrigated or cultivated. Its land form consists generally of a broad expanse of low-lying level plains, with flattened terrains covered usually with greens or grasslands. The land profile is completely leveled, with relatively smooth-rolling surface and with little or no change at all in elevation.
It is bordered by Cabanatuan, Llanera, Muñoz, Aliaga, General Mamerto Natividad, Santo Domingo and San Jose.
Talavera is from Cabanatuan, from Palayan, and from Manila.
Barangays
Talavera is politically subdivided into 53 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
Barangays in italicized are truly exclaved within Muñoz.
- Andal Aliño
- Bagong Sikat
- Bagong Silang
- Bacal I
- Bacal II
- Bacal III
- Baluga
- Bantug
- Bantug Hacienda
- Basang Hamog
- Bugtong na Buli
- Bulac
- Burnay
- Calipahan
- Campos
- Casulucan Este
- Collado
- Dimasalang Norte
- Dimasalang Sur
- Dinarayat
- Esguerra District
- Gulod
- Homestead I
- Homestead II
- Cabubulaunan
- Caaniplahan
- Caputican
- Kinalanguyan
- La Torre
- Lomboy
- Mabuhay
- Maestrang Kikay (Poblacion)
- Mamandil
- Marcos District (Poblacion)
- Matias District (Poblacion)
- Matingkis
- Minabuyoc
- Pag-asa District (Poblacion)
- Paludpod
- Pantoc Bulac
- Pinagpanaan
- Poblacion Sur (Poblacion)
- Pula
- Pulong San Miguel
- Sampaloc
- San Miguel na Munti
- San Pascual
- San Ricardo
- Sibul
- Sicsican Matanda
- Tabacao
- Tagaytay
- Valle
Dispute with Science City of Muñoz
While Talavera was undergoing significant fiscal deepening from 1996 to 1999, it entered into a seemingly intractable territorial conflict with the newly chartered special city of Muñoz, then, under the leadership of Mayor Efren L. Alvarez, over claims involving the Barangays of Bakal I, Bakal II, Bakal III and Matingkis. The latter claimed that these barangays were “replete with facts” that they once belonged to the Science City of Muñoz and as such must be annexed as its component barangays. [35] The latter further characterized that these barangays were like “uncommon arrows”, being part of the territorial boundary of Talavera, piercing the “belly of development” of the Science City of Muñoz.
Owing to this territorial dispute, the Local Government of Talavera was compelled to act to protect its territorial integrity and its sovereignty over these disputed areas.[36] It passed several resolutions, affirming firmly, its sovereignty over these barangays, thereby outrightly invalidating the former’s claims over them as said barangays were annexed to Talavera as early as 1910 through Executive Order No. 39, series of 1909. In October 1998 for example, the local government of Talavera, through its Sangguniang Bayan, issued a resolution blatantly disapproving the former’s claim over the disputed barangays.[37] At the same time, Barangay Resolutions from these disputed areas were issued in October 1998 as well, expressing generally, the residents’ disapproval to the annexation claims.[38] [39] [40]
By February 1999, the LGU of Talavera created the “Task Force Bacal District” to address this highly tenacious concern, elevating it, in fact, to Congress for possible arbitration.[41] In March 1999, the LGU Talavera submitted to some members of Congress pertinent documents relevant to address, if not totally resolve, the problem.[42] By the end of March 1999, because of the interventions of some members of both Houses, and through the collective efforts of the residents of Talavera and its officials, under the leadership of then Mayor Manolito V. Fausto, the “annexation claims” were nullified vindicating, as a result, Talavera’s territorial jurisdiction and integrity. In a significant way, it was a triumphant moment for Talavera. At the same time, it was a meritorious and legitimate exercise of its sovereign powers to protect its territorial integrity as a local government unit against then rising Science City of Muñoz.
Climate
Demographics
Religion
8 out 10 individuals in Talavera are catholic. Roman Catholicism remains one of the most dominant religious affiliations in Talavera, embracing an outstanding 85.59% of its total household population. The religious group Iglesia Ni Cristo comes in second, with a little less than 6 percent of its total household population. Other religious affiliations, roughly around seventy-nine (79) accounted for 8.44% of the total population, with IEMELIEF, as its leading religious affiliation, at 1.12%.
Interestingly, although Talavera is home to a number of religious organizations, 0.2% of its households possess no religion or consider themselves atheists.[43]
Cultural Community and Language
9 out of 10 individuals in Talavera were Tagalog. A significantly huge majority of Talavera’s households identified themselves as belonging to the Tagalog Cultural Community, accounted at 96.29% of its total population. Other cultural communities and language in Talavera included Ilocano(2.28%), Bisaya (0.63%) and many others.
Economy
Talavera is one of the fastest growing municipalities in the province and proposals have been planned for cityhood. Given its robust economic growth, Talavera enjoys annual progress and wealth. The town's revenue-generated income as of 2017 is and with over 124,829 inhabitants, the town meets the requirements for cityhood.[44] In July 2019, Congresswoman Estrellita B. Suansing has filed House Bill No. 184, regarding the cityhood of Talavera. It was later filed in the Senate in February 2021. Both bills are currently pending.
According to the National Competitiveness Council in Cities/Municipalities Competitiveness Index, during the past years, Talavera maintained their rankings as one of the most competitive municipalities in the Philippines.
THE LOCAL ECONOMY
Talavera’s local economic activities are highly associated with the secondary sector. In other words, its primary economic base is dominated by personnel services. Its primary and tertiary economic sectors, although importantly thriving, still require further boost in investment. Economic productions in these areas, though, are more than sufficient to fuel Talavera’s local economic growth. In fact, its contributions to Talavera’s gross domestic products keep Talavera afloat. Similarly, the mobility of its combined labor force constitutes a solid employment structure for Talavera, despite some rare cases of unemployment.
The Primary Sector:Agricultural Crops and Croplands
For Talavera, agriculture is generally viewed as an engine of development. Some studies for example report that it is an “important material base for all economies” as it produces “indispensable necessities of human life and important industrial material”.[45] This includes, inter alia, contributions like “release of labor from non-farm employment”, “increased supply of food and fiber”, “production of export surplus” as well as “generation of savings for both rural and urban areas”.
Notes and References
- Web site: Cities and Municipalities urban population. City population. 28 October 2018.
- Joaquin L. Rajal. Memoria Acerca de La Provincia de Nueva Ecija en Filipinas. (Madrid: Establicimiento Tipografico de Fortanet, 1890), p. 15
- Elviro J Peres. Catalogo Bibliografico de los Religiosos Agustinos de la Provincia del Santisimo Nombre de Jesus de las Islas Filipinas Desde su Fundacion Hasta Nuestro Dias. (Manila: Establicimiento Tipografico del Colegio de Sto. Tomas, 1901, p.818)
- Peres 1901, p. 819
- Enrique G. Mhartin. Apuntes Geograficos de las Islas Filipinas. (Madrid: Imprenta De Ramon Angelo, 1889), p. 42
- Rafael Maria de Aguilar. Papeles Interesantes a los Regulares que en las Islas Filipinas Administran la Cura de Almas. (Valladolid: En La Imprenta de la Viuda de Roldan, 1838), p. 12
- National Archives of the Philippines. Ereccion de los Pueblos Nueva Ecija 1779-1898. SDS 14058, Exp. 16, S340–380b.
- M. Mclennan. “Land and Tenancy in the Central Luzon Plain”, in Philippine Studies, volume 17, no. 4 (1969), p. 668
- Cesar C. Baroman. Nueva Ecija, 1896-1946. (Cabanatuan City: Nueva Ecija Historical Culture and Arts Council, IBP Building, Capitol Compound, 1993), p.13
- Salvador Font. Memoria Acerca de las Misiones de los P. P. Agustinos Calzados en las Islas Filipinas. (Madrid: Imprenta de Don Luis Aguado, 1892), p. 53.
- (Ereccion de Pueblos, 1837-1897)
- Elihu Root. The Military and Colonial Policy of the United States: Addresses and Reports.(Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1916), p. 231
- Executive Order No. 39, series of 1909
- (Executive Order No. 72, 1912)
- Mclennan, Land Tenancy, p. 669
- Benedict J. Kerkvliet. The Huk Rebellion: A Study of Peasant Revolt in the Philippines. (Lanham, Boulder, New York, Oxford: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2002), p. 11
- Lawrence M. Greenberg. The Hukbalahap Insurrection: A Case Study of Successful Anti Insurgency Operation in the Philippines, 1946-1955. (Washington, D. C.: Analysis Branch, U. S. Army Center of Military History, 2005), p. 6.
- Kerkvliet 2002, p. 31
- Kerkvliet 2002, p. 62
- Kerkvliet 2002, pp. 62-66
- Kerkvliet 2002, p. 70
- Bruce Palmer, Jr. Report: 6th Infantry Division, (July 17, 1945), 23-27.
- Ralph Teatsorth. “510 Allied Prisoners Rescued in Daring Raid by Rangers on Luzon; All near Death,” Dunkirk Evening Observer, (Thursday, February 1, 1945), p. 1.
- Edward J. Mitchell. “Some Econometrics of the Huk Rebellion,” The American Political Science Review, volume 63, number 4 (December 1969), p. 1159
- Kerkvliet 2002, p. 209
- “Huks Kill Twenty-One in Outbreak on Luzon,” The Corpus Christi Caller-Times, (Saturday, February 10, 1951), p. 12.
- Web site: An Act to Create the Municipality of Llanera in the Province of Nueva Ecija. LawPH.com. 2011-04-11.
- Proclamation No. 1081, s. 1972
- Batas Pambansa Bilang 396
- Batas Pambansa Bilang 631
- Republic Act No. 6169
- DO 61, series of 1987
- HB. 194. AN ACT CONVERTING THE MUNICIPALITY OF TALAVERA, PROVINCE OF NUEVA ECIJA INTO A COMPONENT CITY TO BE KNOWN AS THE CITY OF TALAVERA. July 1, 2019. January 13, 2022.
- SB. 2040. February 8, 2021. AN ACT CONVERTING THE MUNICIPALITY OF TALAVERA, PROVINCE OF NUEVA ECIJA INTO A COMPONENT CITY TO BE KNOWN AS THE CITY OF TALAVERA. September 1, 2021.
- See Mayor Efren L. Alvares, "Correspondence to Mayor Lito V. Fausto", June 27, 2001
- Mayor Lito V. Fausto, "Correspondence to Mayor Efren L. Alvares", September 17, 2001
- SB Resolution No. 127-98, series of 1998
- Barangay Bakal II Resolution No. 43-98, series of 1998
- Barangay Baka III Resolution No. 036-98, series of 1998
- Barangay Matingkis Resolution No. 08-98, series of 1998
- See SB Resolution No. 40-99, series of 1999
- See Mayor Lito V. Fausto's letter to the Senate President Franklin Drillon dated September 17, 2001
- CBMS,2022
- Web site: Annual Audit Report. Commission on Audit. 19 October 2018.
- World Association for Political Economy. "Globalization, Employment and Agriculture: A Statement of the Eleventh Forum for World Association for Political Economy," World Review of Political Economy, Volume 7, Number 4 (Winter, 2016)