Valenzuela City
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| City of Valenzuela Lungsod ng Valenzuela |
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| Nickname: The Vibrant City | |||
| Motto: Valenzuela, May Disiplina | |||
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| Country |  Philippines |
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| Region | National Capital Region | ||
| Province | none (It is formerly on Bulacan province until 1975) | ||
| Districts | 1st and 2nd districts of Valenzuela City | ||
| Barangays | 32 | ||
| Incorporated (town) | 1623 | ||
| Incorporated (city) | December 30, 1998 | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor | Sherwin T. Gatchalian (2007-2010; (NPC) | ||
| - Vice Mayor | Eric Martinez (2007-2010;(NPC/Lakas-CMD) | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 47.0 km² (18.1 sq mi) | ||
| Population (2000) | |||
| - Total | 485,433 | ||
| Time zone | PST (UTC+8) | ||
| ZIP code | 1440 (Valenzuela City Post Office) | ||
| Area code(s) | 02 | ||
| Website: Official Website of Valenzuela City | |||
The City of Valenzuela (Filipino: Lungsod ng Valenzuela) is one of the cities and municipalities in the Philippines that make up Metro Manila. The city has approximately 500,000 residents and is primarily an industrial and residential suburb of Manila. The North Luzon Expressway passes through the city and out of Metro Manila into the province of Bulacan.
Valenzuela has a land area of approximately 45 square kilometers. It is bordered by Quezon City and northern Caloocan City to the east, by Malabon City and southern Caloocan City to the south, by Obando in Bulacan to the west, and Meycauayan City, also in Bulacan, to the north.
Since becoming a city in 1998, Valenzuela’s economy has flourished and its population has swelled significantly.
[edit] History
Valenzuela means “little Valencia” in Spanish, and is also the surname Dr. Pio Valenzuela, a Filipino physician and patriot who was among the leaders of the Katipunan that started the Philippine Revolution against Spain after which the city was named.
Valenzuela City was originally known as Polo, and established as an independent town of the province of Bulacan in 1623. Polo was an idyllic center of agriculture and fishery carved from the town of Meycauayan, Bulacan. The town acquired its independence through the efforts of Father Juan Taranco and Don Juan Monsod.
The chapel of San Diego de Alcala, and its now famous belfry, was completed in 1632 and became the town's center that stood witness to several battles during the Spanish, American and Japanese occupations.
On July 21, 1960, President Diosdado Macapagal signed Executive Order No. 401, which led to the creation of the Municipality of Valenzuela, in honor of Dr. Pio Valenzuela, a significant personality in Philippine history who was born here. In [1]September 11, 1963, another order signed by President Macapagal which unites the municipalities of Polo and Valenzuela under a one united government, called Municipality of Valenzuela.
Because of the rapid growth of the Greater Manila Area in terms of population, as well as social and economic requirements in the early seventies, and the municipality's proximity to the area, Presidential Decree Number 824 was issued on November 7, 1975, creating the Metropolitan Manila Commission and separating the Municipality of Valenzuela from the Province of Bulacan.
As part of the Greater Manila Area, The social and political upheavals of the seventies and early eighties did not dampen the pulsating economy of the municipality. It was, in fact, a golden age in the history and culture of Valenzuela when businesses and industries in the municipality grew rapidly.
In 1986, a new socio-political order swept the country. The four days of the People Power Revolution were marked by an outpouring of love, anger, hysteria and courage by a people fighting for change and renewal. The restoration of democracy in the country also brought about a paradigm shift in national and local government relations.
The passage of the Local Government Code in 1991 unlocked and marshalled the repressed energies of local communities. The Local Government Code provides genuine and meaningful autonomy to enable local governments to attain their fullest development as self-reliant communities. It was during this time that Valenzuela began charting its own destiny and moved the local economy in the direction it chose.
From then on, Valenzuela had to cope with rapid urbanization as part of the Greater Manila Area. It is considered as a vital link between the National Capital Region and Northern Luzon. And 23 years after its separation from Bulacan and 375 years after its founding, On February 14, 1998, then President Fidel Ramos signed Republic Act No. 8526, converting the Municipality of Valenzuela under the administration of Mayor Bobbit L. Carlos into a highly urbanized city, making Valenzuela the 12th city in Metro Manila and the 83rd in the Philippines.
[edit] Valenzuela as a gateway
Two major highways traverse Valenzuela City - the MacArthur Highway and the North Luzon Expressway. The proximity of the North Luzon Expressway to the city center makes Valenzuela a northern gateway to Metro Manila and a choice location for business.
Public transportation within the city, like in most of the urban areas in the Philippines, is facilitated mostly using inexpensive jeepneys and buses. Tricycles are used for short distances, while Taxi cabs are used by the upper middle class to navigate any course.
[edit] Government
[edit] Mayors and Vice Mayors
Like other cities in the Philippines, Valenzuela City is governed by a Mayor and Vice Mayor who are elected to three-year terms. The Mayor is the executive head and leads the city's departments in executing the city ordinances and improving public services. The Vice Mayor heads a legislative council consisting of 15 members: 6 Councilors from the First District, 6 Councilors from the Second District, the President of the Sangguniang Kabataan (Youth Council) Federation, representing the youth sector, and the President of the Association of Barangay Chairmen (ABC) as barangay sectoral representative. The council is in charge of creating the city's policies in the form of Ordinances and Resolutions.
[edit] Mayors of Valenzuela City
- Sherwin `Win' T. Gatchalian, (June 30, 2004)-
- Jose Emmanuel `Bobbit' L. Carlos,(June 30, 1995)-(June 30, 2004)
- Santiago `Santy' De Guzman,(June 30, 1992)-(June 30, 1995)
[edit] Vice Mayors of Valenzuela City
- Eric Martinez ,(June 30, 2007)-Present
- Antonio Espiritu ,(June 30, 2001)-(June 30, 2007)
- Ernesto De Guzman,(June 30, 1998)-(June 30, 2001)
- Evelyn Hernandez,(June 30, 1995)-(June 30, 1998)
- Jose Emmanuel Carlos,(June 30, 1992)-(June 30, 1995)
[edit] Districts and Barangays
Valenzuela is composed of 32 barangays which are grouped into two congressional districts, and two legislative districts. Legislative District 1 contains 23 barangays in the northern half of the city, while legislative District 2 occupies the 9 barangays in the southern portion of the city.
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District 1
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District 2
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[edit] RP’s ‘largest’ barangay hall
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, assisted by Valenzuela Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian, Vice Mayor Eric Martinez, and Barangay Maysan chairman Enrique Urutia, on May 15, 2008, inaugurated the "largest" P 27 million (3-storey building with a floor area of 3,000 square meters on a 936-square-meter lot) Barangay hall in the Philippines. The Maysan Barangay Complex (MBC) is built in the middle of the 253-hectare Barangay Maysan, Valenzuela City.[2]
[edit] Education
The city government prides itself in giving free education to its quality free education to its constituents through its primary, secondary and tertiary schools .
Valenzuela City has many colleges and universities, like the city-owned Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela and Valenzuela City Polytechnic College, even the Valenzuela City Science High School, created 2003. The city also is famous for its Dalandanan National High School, cradle of students that were winning at various regional and national competitions since its establishment on 1996. There are also privately-owned academic institutions include the Our Lady Of Fatima University, Children of Mary Immaculate College, Saint Jude Academy, Saint Louis College - Valenzuela.
[edit] Health
Valenzuela City provides medical missions and free medical operations in the city. There are numerous hospitals in Valenzuela City , one of the public hospital in Valenzuela is Valenzuela City Emergency Hospital & Valenzuela City General Hospital . There are also privately owned Fatima Medical Center. Other private hospitals such as Calalang General Hospital and Santissimo Rosario General Hospital
[edit] VC Cares program
A health and social welfare service delivery system which promotes self-reliance within a caring society.The VC Cares Program is designed for individuals who are unable to provide for themselves health care and basic necessities or meet special emergency situations of need. While health care service and financial assistance are generally the forms of assistance given, these may be supplemented by other forms of assistance, as well as problem-solving and referral services. Appropriate referrals may be made to other agencies or institutions where complementary services may be obtained.
[edit] Shopping centers
On October 28, 2005 SM Supercenter Valenzuela was inaugurated. Other shopping sites such as Puregold Valenzuela, and the newly renovated South Supermarket, compete with the largest chain of malls in the Philippines.
SM Supercenter Valenzuela also build in this place located at Karuhatan
[edit] Banking
Almost all of the major commercial banks in the Philippines operate a branch in the city. Major banks was operated in the city of more than one branch. At this time, there are 50 banking institutions offer banking services to businesses and residents. Most of these are concentrated in Barangay Karuhatan, Gen. T. De Leon, Marulas and Malinta
[edit] Utilities and Communications
Valenzuela's source of electricity is part of the Manila Electric Company or Meralco. Water supply for the city is supplied by the Maynilad Water. Valenzuela's communication system is powered by the Philippine Long Distance Telephone company, Globe Telecom, Bayan Telecommunications Corporation (BayanTel) and others. Cellular network in the Philippines particularly the metropolitan areas is increasing rapidly together with the low cost of calls and text messaging. Such big companies that control the cellular networks in the Philippines and Valenzuela itself are Globe Telecom, Smart Communications (PLDT) and Sun Cellular from Digitel. Cable television access is provided by SkyCable, Home Cable and Global Destiny. Internet Digital Subscriber Line or DSL coverage is provided by PLDT, cable internet is serviced by Sky Cable's ZPDee and Global Destiny. Wireless broadband is provided by Globeliness Broadband and Smart Communications.
[edit] Landmarks and attractions
Residence of Dr. Pio Valenzuela - Dr. Pio Valenzuela was part of the triumvirate, along with Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto, that composed the Katipunan, and was one of the founders of Ang Kalayaan — the official organ of the movement. He was born on July 11, 1869 in this house along Velilla Street in Barangay Pariancillo Villa.
Bell Tower of San Diego De Alcala Church - The Church of San Diego de Alcala was built in 1632 by the people of Polo. Residents were taken to forced labor to complete the church after the town gained its independence through Father Juan Taranco and Don Juan Monsod. The belfry and entrance arch, which are over four centuries old, are the only parts of the edifice that remain to this day. The main structure was destroyed by bombs during the Japanese occupation. Residents of Barangays Polo and Poblacion celebrate the Feast Day of San Diego de Alcala on the 12th of November every year.
Arkong Bato - Literally, Arkong Bato is an arch of stone along M.H Del Pilar Street, built by the Americans in 1910. The arch then marked the boundary between the provinces of Rizal and Bulacan.In the olden days, M.H Del Pilar was the primary road leading to Northern Luzon before MacArthur Highway was opened.
Museo ng Valenzuela -To date, it is in the 3rd phase of construction. The original museum of Valenzuela was the house where Dr. Pio Valenzuela, a hero in the struggle of freedom against Spain and in whose memory the old town of Polo was renamed, was born and saw the best years of his life. This same house was burned recently.
National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima -The National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, the center of the Fatima apostolate in the country, was declared a tourist site in 1982 by the Deptartment of Tourism and a pilgrimage shrine this year by the Diocese of Malolos.
Valenzuela City Convention Center This is the center of performing arts of Valenzuela . This facility also caters to various events such as plays, concerts, shows, exhibits and seminars.
Valenzuela City Hall The city hall surrounding many city government agencies and offices, and open areas, and it was located in the heart of the city. It was built in 1967
Valenzuela City Government Center A One stop shop. Faster, more convenient service. Bigger, more comfortable taxpayer’s lounge. Located on a 2,227.5sq. meters lot along McArthur Highway, the three-storey building will house all revenue-generating offices such as the City Treasury and the Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) The new taxpayers lounge will not have drawers and tables inside the offices.
There will be a Customer Complaints Desk to handle all queries such as assessment and billing. All complaints and questions received are logged by the Customer Complaints Action Officer, as well as the corresponding action taken on such complaints and or questions
[edit] Feast
MANO PO SAN ROQUE FESTIVAL May 12 | Valenzuela City
- Street dancing and procession along the city’s major thoroughfares in commemoration of the feast of San Roque, highlighting the customs and traditional celebration of the festival.
FEAST OF SAN DIEGO DE ALCALA November 12 | Poblacion, Valenzuela City
- Celebration of the feast of the oldest church in Valenzuela City, which includes annual boat racing, street dancing and different fabulous activities of the festival.
PUTONG POLO FESTIVAL November 12 | Polo, Valenzuela, Metro Manila
- As part of the San Diego de Alcala Feast Day, it is one of the unique food festival in the country which features the famous Putong Polo, the small but classy “kaka in” which was originally created in the town of Polo, Valenzuela.
[edit] Fiscal management
1.) Income
- The City Government posted higher income in 2005 with a total collection of P 1.245 Billion, against P 1.018 Billion in 2004. There is an increase of P 227 Million in income. This increase is a combined result of extensive tax collection efforts, vigorous information campaign, diligent tax mapping, and auction of real properties with long standing delinquencies.
2.) Savings
- The City Government generated an aggregate savings of P 117 Million in 2005, against only P 21 Million in 2004. This is the result of adopting cost-saving measures such as buying the cheapest supplies and materials without sacrificing quality and buying only things that are really needed.
[edit] Flood control program & clean and green projects
A.) Comprehensive and Effective Flood Control Program
- Road and drainage improvement
- De-clogging and de-silting of drainages, creeks and other waterways
- Repair and maintenance of dikes, floodgates and pumping stations
B.) Cleaning and Greening Program
- 100% garbage collection efficiency
- Establishment of Task Force Disiplina
- Anti-littering campaign
- Fully operational City Pound and intensive animal-catching operations
- Implementation of the Cleanest Barangay Award
[edit] Infrastructures
- Construction of 4-storey building at Gen. T. De Leon National High School
- Construction of the new Valenzuela City Government Center
- Improvement of Museo Valenzuela
- Construction of two (2) bridges – Lingunan to Lawang Bato and Parada to Mapulang Lupa
- Repair of road and drainage improvement at M.H. del Pilar Rd.
- Asphalting of road and drainage improvement at Gen T. De Leon Rd
- Asphalting of road at Maysan Rd
- Rehabilitation of Mc Arthur Highway
[edit] Peace and order
- Donation of fourteen (14) patrol vehicles and nineteen (19) motorcycles to increase police visibility
- Donation of one hundred (100) units rechargeable flashlights (Maglite) for nightwatch patrol
- Donation of forty two (42) handheld radios
- Additional PhP 500.00 monthly allowance for police personnel
- Establishment of Police Community Precinct (PCP) 8 at Que Grande, Barangay Ugong
[edit] Sister city
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.google.com.ph/search?as_q=&hl=en&client=firefox-a&channel=s&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=1co&num=10&btnG=Google+Search&as_epq=September+11+1963&as_oq=&as_eq=&lr=&cr=&as_ft=i&as_filetype=&as_qdr=all&as_occt=any&as_dt=i&as_sitesearch=&as_rights=&safe=images
- ^ sunstar.com.ph, Arroyo inaugurates RP’s ‘largest’ barangay hall
Sta. Cruz, Marinduque
[edit] External links
- Official Website of Valenzuela City
- gmanews.tv/story, Valenzuela troubled by steep rise in dengue cases
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