Muñoz, Nueva Ecija

Muñoz, officially the Science City of Muñoz (Filipino: Lungsod Agham ng Muñoz,[5] Ilocano: Siudad ti Siensia ti Muñoz), is a 4th class component city in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 84,308 people.[3]

Muñoz
Component city
Science City of Muñoz
From top, left to right: Science City of Muñoz Hall, Philippine Rice Research Institute Entrance, Philippine Carabao Center, Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Shrine, Main Gate of the Central Luzon State University
Flag of Muñoz
Flag
Official seal of Muñoz
Seal
Nickname: 
Science hub of Central Luzon
Map of Nueva Ecija with Muñoz highlighted
Map of Nueva Ecija with Muñoz highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Muñoz is located in Philippines
Muñoz
Muñoz
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 15°42′55″N 120°54′14″E
CountryPhilippines
RegionCentral Luzon
ProvinceNueva Ecija
District 2nd district
Founded1913
CityhoodDecember 9, 2000
Named forFrancisco Muñoz
Barangays37 (see Barangays)
Government
 [1]
 • TypeSangguniang Panlungsod
 • MayorBaby Armi L. Alvarez
 • Vice MayorNestor L. Alvarez
 • RepresentativeJoseph Gilbert Violago
 • City Council
Members
 • Electorate56,258 voters (2022)
Area
[2]
 • Total163.05 km2 (62.95 sq mi)
Elevation
95 m (312 ft)
Highest elevation
822 m (2,697 ft)
Lowest elevation
22 m (72 ft)
Population
 (2020 census)[3]
 • Total84,308
 • Density520/km2 (1,300/sq mi)
 • Households
20,933
Economy
 • Income class4th city income class
 • Poverty incidence
5.52
% (2018)[4]
 • Revenue₱ 644.6 million (2020)
 • Assets₱ 2,123 million (2020)
 • Expenditure₱ 573.8 million (2020)
 • Liabilities₱ 632.3 million (2020)
Service provider
 • ElectricityNueva Ecija 2 Area 1 Electric Cooperative (NEECO 2 A1)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
3119, 3120
PSGC
034917000
IDD : area code +63 (0)44
Native languagesIlocano
Tagalog
Websitewww.sciencecityofmunoz.ph

It is situated 30 kilometres (19 mi) from Cabanatuan, 44 kilometres (27 mi) from Palayan, and 146 kilometres (91 mi) north of the capital Manila. Due to its rich topography and tropical climate, it is now home to agricultural research and technology centers, committed to the production of information and technological breakthroughs to promote rural development, productivity and food security.

From its lowly origins as “Sitio Papaya”, it was renamed as Muñoz in 1886 in honor of Spanish Governor Don Francisco Muñoz. It was in 1913, under Executive Order No. 72, when Muñoz was declared as a new and independent municipality. By the virtue of Republic Act 8977 signed on November 7, 2000, Muñoz formally elevated to a city and country's only city with "Science" in its formal name.

Etymology

The town got its name in honor of Don Francisco Muñoz, being the alcalde mayor and gobernadorcillo.

The Science City title was because of the presence of many state universities and colleges in the city, alongside many technological, vocational and industrial structures sprung up in the city.

History

From Sitio to Barrio

In 1886, Papaya was changed into 'Muñoz' to honor Don Francisco Muñoz, the province's alcalde mayor, and the community's first appointed gobernadorcillo. Muñoz was annexed as a barrio of San Juan de Guimba municipality. Settlers trickled in from Bulacan and the Ilocos Region. In 1911, Factoria (now San Isidro town), the provincial capital, was totally flooded. Muñoz was then considered a possible new capital of the province.

At about the same time, the people of Barrios Muñoz and San Antonio, also in San Juan de Guimba town, and Palusapis in Santo Domingo municipality, together with Sitios Kabisukulan, Rang-ayan, Mataas na Lupa, Siniguelas, Purok Agrikultura, and Pulong Maragul in Talavera town, were organizing themselves to be separated from their three respective municipalities to become a new independent municipality. They were prepared to construct a municipal hall and a school building for the emerging town.

From Barrio to town and Science City

On the recommendation of the Provincial Board of Nueva Ecija, then headed by Governor Isauro Gabaldon, and with approval of then Acting Governor General Newton Gilbert, the organized barrios and sitios were granted independence as a regular municipality on January 10, 1913, under the name of Muñoz. The seat of the fledgling municipal government was positioned in erstwhile Barrio Muñoz. The municipality of Muñoz was born and steadily grew to become an agricultural Science City in the making.

A municipal hall, a church, and a small public market were erected in Lumang Bayan (now Poblacion North). A road linking the young Muñoz town with the national highway from Barangay Bacal, Talavera was constructed. In World War II, Muñoz was the last stronghold of the Japanese Imperial Army; the Allied liberation in Muñoz by the joint United States and Philippine Commonwealth forces offensive razed the town to the ground in a matter of days.

Cityhood
Main article: Cities of the Philippines

In 2000, after achieving cityhood status, universities and scientific research institutes sprung up. The local government used and, after ratified, adopted the Science city status.

Geography

Barangays

Science City of Muñoz is politically subdivided into 37 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

PSGC Barangay Population ±% p.a.
2020[3] 2010[6]
03-49-17-001 Bagong Sikat 2.4% 2,031 2,033 ▾ −0.01%
03-49-17-002 Balante 2.2% 1,865 2,039 ▾ −0.89%
03-49-17-003 Bantug 13.2% 11,104 10,345 ▴ 0.71%
03-49-17-004 Bical 3.4% 2,868 2,793 ▴ 0.27%
03-49-17-005 Cabisuculan 1.5% 1,259 1,264 ▾ −0.04%
03-49-17-006 Calabalabaan 1.4% 1,170 1,080 ▴ 0.80%
03-49-17-007 Calisitan 1.2% 1,009 968 ▴ 0.42%
03-49-17-008 Catalanacan 4.5% 3,783 3,200 ▴ 1.69%
03-49-17-009 Curva 1.5% 1,305 1,201 ▴ 0.83%
03-49-17-010 Franza 3.3% 2,822 2,650 ▴ 0.63%
03-49-17-011 Gabaldon 2.7% 2,309 2,118 ▴ 0.87%
03-49-17-012 Labney 1.3% 1,064 940 ▴ 1.25%
03-49-17-013 Licaong 1.8% 1,521 1,613 ▾ −0.59%
03-49-17-014 Linglingay 3.7% 3,151 2,985 ▴ 0.54%
03-49-17-015 Mangandingay 2.2% 1,819 1,688 ▴ 0.75%
03-49-17-016 Magtanggol 2.9% 2,452 2,205 ▴ 1.07%
03-49-17-017 Maligaya 5.5% 4,656 4,643 ▴ 0.03%
03-49-17-018 Mapangpang 0.7% 627 575 ▴ 0.87%
03-49-17-019 Maragol 2.9% 2,458 2,935 ▾ −1.76%
03-49-17-020 Matingkis 1.3% 1,093 972 ▴ 1.18%
03-49-17-021 Naglabrahan 0.7% 584 586 ▾ −0.03%
03-49-17-022 Palusapis 3.5% 2,987 2,777 ▴ 0.73%
03-49-17-023 Pandalla 1.2% 990 963 ▴ 0.28%
03-49-17-024 Poblacion East 2.4% 2,006 2,080 ▾ −0.36%
03-49-17-025 Poblacion North 3.2% 2,707 2,758 ▾ −0.19%
03-49-17-026 Poblacion South 2.1% 1,790 2,350 ▾ −2.68%
03-49-17-027 Poblacion West 3.9% 3,247 4,085 ▾ −2.27%
03-49-17-028 Rang-ayan 2.7% 2,311 2,139 ▴ 0.78%
03-49-17-029 Rizal 2.1% 1,751 1,640 ▴ 0.66%
03-49-17-030 San Andres 2.1% 1,798 1,667 ▴ 0.76%
03-49-17-031 San Antonio 2.7% 2,305 2,166 ▴ 0.62%
03-49-17-032 San Felipe 2.4% 2,020 1,973 ▴ 0.24%
03-49-17-033 Sapang Cawayan 1.9% 1,570 1,483 ▴ 0.57%
03-49-17-034 Villa Isla 3.2% 2,686 2,811 ▾ −0.45%
03-49-17-035 Villa Nati 2.8% 2,377 1,301 ▴ 6.21%
03-49-17-036 Villa Santos 1.2% 986 959 ▴ 0.28%
03-49-17-037 Villa Cuizon 2.2% 1,827 1,498 ▴ 2.00%
Total 84,308 81,483 ▴ 0.34%

Dispute

The National Government has an ongoing move to transfer the Talavera barangays of Matingkis (Talavera), Bakal 1, Bakal 2 and Bakal 3 to become part of Science City of Munoz for the reason that the said barangays are geographically and strategically within the said city. This was favored by most of the residents of the said barangays but opposed by the Municipal Government of Talavera.

Also there is a proposed separation of Villa Pinili (Bantug West) and San Juan (CLSU) which will include PNR (CLSU), and Sawmill (CLSU) from Barangay Bantug into two independent separate barangay.

Climate
Climate data for Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 29
(84)		 30
(86)		 31
(88)		 33
(91)		 33
(91)		 31
(88)		 30
(86)		 29
(84)		 29
(84)		 30
(86)		 30
(86)		 29
(84)		 30
(87)
Average low °C (°F) 19
(66)		 19
(66)		 20
(68)		 22
(72)		 23
(73)		 24
(75)		 24
(75)		 24
(75)		 23
(73)		 22
(72)		 21
(70)		 20
(68)		 22
(71)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 4
(0.2)		 6
(0.2)		 7
(0.3)		 12
(0.5)		 61
(2.4)		 89
(3.5)		 96
(3.8)		 99
(3.9)		 81
(3.2)		 88
(3.5)		 37
(1.5)		 13
(0.5)		 593
(23.5)
Average rainy days 2.5 3.0 4.1 6.3 15.8 19.4 22.5 21.6 20.1 17.5 9.6 4.0 146.4
Source: Meteoblue[7]

Demographics
Population census of Muñoz
YearPop.±% p.a.
1918 11,333—    
1939 21,814+3.17%
1948 21,748−0.03%
1960 27,622+2.01%
1970 35,723+2.60%
1975 38,619+1.58%
1980 43,211+2.27%
1990 50,356+1.54%
1995 60,162+3.39%
2000 65,586+1.87%
2007 71,669+1.23%
2010 75,462+1.89%
2015 81,483+1.47%
2020 84,308+0.67%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[8][6][9][10]

Religion

Churches:

  • Sacred Heart of Jesus Shrine
  • San Sebastian parish Church
  • Christ the Worker Parish Church
  • Iglesia ni Cristo
  • Christian Churches
  • IIJMS Temples
  • United Pentecostal Church
  • The Apostolic Faith Church (Mission of Portland Oregon Inc.)
  • Jesus Christ the Living God Fellowship (Conservative Baptist)
  • Munoz Christian Church (FIFCOP)
  • Lakas Angkan Ministry
  • Muñoz Church of Christ

Economy
Poverty Incidence of Muñoz
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[11][12]
[13][14][15][16][17]
Philippine Carabao Center facade, National Headquarters and Gene Pool
Mango grove in Muñoz

There are many new establishments in Munoz in the past few years. Notable are Jollibee Munoz, Mang Inasal Munoz, 7/11, BDO, Land Bank, Novo, Lucky 99, Friendship Supermarket, Inc (FSi), and the Villa-Mendoza Training Institute, are now major landmarks on the city.

In terms of commercial and shopping sector, Robinsons, Savemore and Puregold has also initially identified locations in the city for future construction. Fast-food chain operator Jollibee already established their store in the city.

With a bustling market center with rice trading as a major economic activity, it has transformed into its present status as a Science City by virtue of Republic Act 8977 on December 9, 2000. Being a science city, Muñoz was acknowledged as one of the members of League of Cities of the Philippines and became a pilot city of achieving the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals.

Research and development centers
  • The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) (formerly the Maligaya Rice Research and Training Center (MRRTC)) is found in Muñoz
  • Central Office and National Genepool of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC).
  • National Freshwater and Fisheries Training and Research Center (NFFTRC)
  • The main offices of the Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension (BPRE) now known as Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech)
  • Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-NFFTC) are also based in Muñoz.

Government

Elected officials
Members of the Gapan City Council
(2022–2025)[18][19]
Position Name
District Representative
(2nd Legislative District of the Province of Nueva Ecija)		 Joseph Gilbert Violago
Chief Executive of the City Munoz Mayor Baby Armi L. Alvarez
Presiding Officer of the City Council of Munoz Vice Mayor Nestor L. Alvarez
Members of the City Council Jose A. Ruiz Jr.
Romeo A. Ruiz
Jerry S. Fulgencio
Allan S. Pingol
Henry G. Agaloos
Rommel Abon
Altreb S. Castañeda
Herminio F. Salcedo
Vincent DV. Alvarez
Edmond Balmeo

Transportation

As with most towns in Central Luzon, inter-city transport is through the Pan-Philippine Highway (also known as Maharlika Highway/ Asian Highway 26), the country's principal transport backbone. The principal mode of transport is through Jeepneys with fixed routes, or through tricycles, whom you need to tell where to go.

Buses from Cagayan Valley to Manila and vice versa stops here.

From Manila, you can ride a public bus going to San Jose City, Nueva Ecija or take the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) and take La Paz Exit. And continue until reaching the city. You can also ride a public bus plying Cagayan Valley which exits at TPLEX (Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway) Pura Exit; they continue to traverse through N114 (Pangasinan–Nueva Ecija Road) up to Baloc, Santo Domingo; and they turn left going to AH26 until you reach Muñoz.

Land use
Land useHectares
Agricultural9,819
Residential2,847
Commercial and industrial784
Institutional740
Forest hills and pasture1,215
Roads246
Water bodies516
Open spaces138
Total16,305

Education
  • Central Luzon State University: is a state university on a 658-hectare campus in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. It is the lead agency of the Muñoz Science Community and the seat of the Regional Research and Development Center in Central Luzon. To date, CLSU is one of the premier institutions of agriculture in Southeast Asia and known for its breakthrough researches in aquatic culture (pioneer in the sex reversal of tilapia), ruminant, crops, orchard, and water management researches. https://clsu.edu.ph/

References
  1.  Science City of Muñoz | (DILG)
  2. "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  3. Census of Population (2020). "Region III (Central Luzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  4. "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  5. "SK ng Lungsod Agham ng Muñoz" [SK (Youth Council) of the Science City of Muñoz] (in Filipino). Science City of Muñoz Government. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  6. Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region III (Central Luzon)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  7. "Muñoz: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  8. Census of Population (2015). "Region III (Central Luzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
  9. Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region III (Central Luzon)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
  10. "Province of Nueva Ecija". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  11. "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  12. "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. November 29, 2005.
  13. "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. March 23, 2009.
  14. "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. August 3, 2012.
  15. "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. May 31, 2016.
  16. "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 10, 2019.
  17. "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  18. "City of Ilagan, Election Results 2022". COMELEC. Rappler.com. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  19. "City of Ilagan Political Structure". City Government of Ilagan. cityofilagan.com. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
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