Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija

Zaragoza
Municipality

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Map of Nueva Ecija showing the location of Zaragoza
Zaragoza

Location within the Philippines

Coordinates: 15°27′11″N 120°47′28″E / 15.45306°N 120.79111°E / 15.45306; 120.79111Coordinates: 15°27′11″N 120°47′28″E / 15.45306°N 120.79111°E / 15.45306; 120.79111
Country Philippines
Region Central Luzon (Region III)
Province Nueva Ecija
District 1st District
Barangays 19
Government[1]
 • Mayor Lovella Belmonte-Espiritu
Area[2]
 • Total 72.02 km2 (27.81 sq mi)
Population (2010)[3]
 • Total 44,124
 • Density 610/km2 (1,600/sq mi)
Time zone PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code 3110
Dialing code +63 (0)44
Income class 3rd class; rural

Zaragoza is a third class[4] municipality in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines. According to the 2010 Philippine census, it has a population of 44,124 people.[3] The town got its name from the Province of Zaragoza in Aragon, Spain, out of the colonial past.

The Municipality of Zaragoza is located at the southern edge of Nueva Ecija bordering the town of La Paz, Tarlac which, due to its proximity, is more closely economically coherent with each other. The newly opened Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) ends up in La Paz where it connects to the Santa Rosa-Tarlac Road passing through Zaragoza and Santa Rosa going to Cabanatuan City and on to the Pan-Philippine Highway to Tugegarao, Cagayan.

Zaragoza is bounded by the municipalities of San Antonio and Jaen to the south, Santa Rosa to its east, Aliaga and Licab to the north and La Paz, Tarlac is located west.

The main economic resource of the people of Zaragoza is mainly agricultural, mainly rice production. Duck-raising is also a notable industry. The town's public market is also the main center of commerce for a number of barangays in the neighbouring towns.

History

Founded in 1878, Zaragoza was born as Bario San Vicente upon recommendation of Don Francisco to Governor Cillos. Later, Municipal President Cirilo Acosta moved the town hall building to the present site where the Post Office and Comelec extension offices are located. Mayor Pascual Linsangan completed the building. Mayor Francisco Ramirez added the Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall, with Plaza stage, fountain and fenced the site in 1971. Former Mayor Lydia Pagaduan improved the Town Hall in 2010.[5]

Incidents

On February 17, 2003, Police filed arson and grave threats cases against a local New People's Army (NPA) leader Ka Adrian, team leader of the NPA’s Sandatahang Yunit Propaganda, and 5 other members of the Tarlac Provincial Party Committee with the Zaragoza Municipal Trial Court for the January 2003 attack on the Globe Telecom cell-site.[6]

On April 11, 2012, 3 bodies of family members, Pastor Fernandito de Guzman, his wife Rosalinda and 21-year-old son Norie were discovered in Barangay Mayamot, Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija on Wednesday morning. De Guzman was abducted by 3 armed men allegedly being National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents.[7]

On Mayo 19, 2012, retired police and former municipal councilor, Napoleon Paraton, 48, was gunned down by 2 armed men at Barangay Sto. Rosario Old, Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija.[8][9]

July 30, 2012, the 64-kilometer Central Luzon Expressway (CLEx), from the Hacienda Luisita interchange of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) in Tarlac City to San Jose City in Nueva Ecija will be built in 2 phases. It will benefit Zaragoza for it will pass through parts of Tarlac City and La Paz town in Tarlac to Zaragoza, inter alia.[10]

On Saturday, December 23, 2012, Nela Mactal, 62, the high school principal of Zaragoza National High School in Zaragoza town was shot and killed by a lone gunman at her Aliaga, Nueva Ecija house.[11][12][13]

Demographics

Population census of Zaragoza
YearPop.±% p.a.
1990 28,743—    
1995 33,826+3.10%
2000 37,645+2.32%
2007 40,355+0.96%
2010 44,124+3.30%
Source: National Statistics Office[3]

Local government

Pursuant to the Local government in the Philippines,[14][15] the political seat of the municipal government is located at the Municipal Town Hall. In the History of the Philippines (1521–1898), the Gobernadorcillo is the Chief Executive who holds office in the Presidencia. During the American rule (1898–1946) (History of the Philippines (1898-1946)), the elected Mayor and local officials, including the appointed ones hold office at the Municipal Town Hall. The legislative and executive departments are vested in the Sangguniang Bayan (Session Hall) and Municipal Trial Court, located in the Town Hall.

Zaragoza's incumbent Mayor is Lovella D. Belmonte-Espiritu and the Vice-Mayor Francisco L. Gabriel, Jr.[16]

Barangays

Zaragoza is politically subdivided into 19 barangays.[4]

  • Batitang
  • Carmen
  • Concepcion
  • Del Pilar
  • General Luna
  • H. Romero
  • Macarse
  • Manaul
  • Mayamot
  • Pantoc
  • San Vicente (Pob.)
  • San Isidro
  • San Rafael
  • Santa Cruz
  • Santa Lucia Old
  • Santa Lucia Young
  • Santo Rosario Old
  • Santo Rosario Young
  • Valeriana

Tourism and landmarks

Zaragoza's main attractions are: the Welcome arch, the scenic rice fields, the Town Hall, the Monument of Zaragoza Heroes, Don Cirilo B. Acosta Elementary School and the St. Vincent Ferrer Parish Church,initially constructed in 1849.

St. Vincent Ferrer Parish Church

St. Vincent Ferrer Parish Church

The 1849 St. Vincent Ferrer Parish Church belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cabanatuan (Dioecesis of Cabanatuanensi, Suffragan of Lingayen-Dagupan, comprising 16 towns of Southern Nueva Ecija, Cabanatuan City, Palayan City and Gapan City; Titular: St. Nicholas of Tolentine, September 10; Most Reverend Sofronio A. Bancud, SSS, DD, located at Poblacion, Zaragoza, 3110 Nueva Ecija; Titular: St. Vincent Ferrer, Feast is April 5).

Its Parish Priest is Fr. Nezelle O. Lirio.[17][18] Priests in Residence include Rev. Fr. Joseph B. Azarcon (School Director)Feast, The Feast day is April 5.[19][20]

On December 30, 2000, the renovated and rehabilitated Church facade, belfry, baptismal font, vestry, Rectory, Room of the Saints by were blessed by Bishop Sofio Guinto Balce † (11 Nov 1990 Succeeded - 25 Jun 2004 Died).

Saint Vincent Ferrer is an O.P., (Valencian: Saint Vincent Ferrer, IPA: [ˈsam viˈsɛm feˈreɾ]) (23 January 1350 – 5 April 1419) was a Valencian Dominican friar, who gained acclaim as a missionary and a logician. He is honored as a saint of the Catholic Church.

Panorama of rice fields

References

  1. ↑ "Official City/Municipal 2013 Election Results". Intramuros, Manila, Philippines: Commission on Elections (COMELEC). 11 September 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  2. ↑ "Province: Nueva Ecija". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010" (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-11-15. Retrieved 2012-10-22.
  4. 1 2 Philippine Standard Geographic Code listing for Zaragoza - National Statistical Coordination Board
  5. ↑ File:ZaragozaNuevaEcijajf2254 10.JPG
  6. ↑ http://www.philstar.com:8080/nation/195717/six-rebels-charged-attack-nueva-ecija-cellsite
  7. ↑ http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/04/11/12/family-shot-dead-nueva-ecija
  8. ↑ http://www.remate.ph/2012/05/ex-police-pinatay-habang-nagbibisikleta/
  9. ↑ http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/215901/suspected-gun-for-hire-arrested-in-nueva-ecija
  10. ↑ http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/239589/new-expressway-to-benefit-nueva-ecija-motorists
  11. ↑ http://www.philstar.com/opinion/2012-12-27/890380/family-reunion
  12. ↑ http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/328843/purisima-tells-policemen-knock-on-doors-ask-why-530000-guns-not-licensed
  13. ↑ http://www.dilgr3.com/index.php/nueva-ecija/196-dilg-takes-lead-in-27th-international-coastal-cleanup-day-in-nueva-ecija
  14. ↑ "Philippines : Gov.Ph : About the Philippines :". www.gov.ph. Archived from the original on January 22, 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-28.
  15. ↑ http://www.chanrobles.com/localgov.htm
  16. ↑ http://www.know-your-candidates.com/nueva_ecija/zaragoza/
  17. ↑ http://www.thecatholicdirectory.com/directory.cfm?fuseaction=display_site_info&siteid=121550
  18. ↑ http://www.dioceseofcabanatuan.com/vicariate-of-st-rose-of-lima[]
  19. ↑ http://www.claretianpublications.com/index.php/diocese/20-diocese-of-cabanatuan
  20. ↑ http://www.dioceseofcabanatuan.com/st-vincent[]
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