Norzagaray, Bulacan

Norzagaray
—  Municipality  —
Seal
Map of Bulacan showing the location of Norzagaray
Norzagaray Location in the Philippines
Coordinates: 14°55′N 121°03′E / 14.917°N 121.05°E / 14.917; 121.05Coordinates: 14°55′N 121°03′E / 14.917°N 121.05°E / 14.917; 121.05
Country	Philippines
Region	Central Luzon (Region III)
Province	Bulacan
District	3rd District
Founded	1587
Barangays	13
Government
- Mayor	Feliciano P. Legaspi
Area
- Total	288.52 km2 (111.4 sq mi)
Population (2007)
- Total	105,470
- Density	365.6/km2 (946.8/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	3013
Income class	1st class
Website	elgu2.ncc.gov.ph/norzagaray

Population Census of Norzagaray
Census	Pop.		Rate
1995	51,015		—
2000	76,978		9.23%
2007	105,470		4.44%

Norzagaray is a 1st class municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 105,470 inhabitants in 15,912 households.

It is the location of Angat Dam which sits on the lower realms of the Sierra Madre mountain range, the Dam is notable for being a major water and power supply for the National Capital Region.

Location

The town of Angat is bordered by City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan and Rodriguez, Rizal, to the south; by General Nakar, Quezon to the east; Santa Maria to the west; Angat, Bulacan is northwest; and Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan is to the north.

History

Pre-Spanish records say the town of Norzagaray was once vast wilderness. It was then called "Casay", a mere barrio of the town Angat.

During the Spanish occupation, the people of barrio Casay worked for reforms politically, socially and economically, in order to be separated from Angat. They succeeded in their separation bid through Governor-General Fernándo Norzagaray y Escudero (1857-1860) who issued a proclamation declaring barrio Casay as a separate town from Angat. Political boundaries were established and barrio Casay was renamed as "Norzagaray" in honor of the governor.

Tourism

Today, the town of Norzagaray is quickly rising in terms of commercial and economic status with tourist potentials. "Bakas" which is on a portion of the Angat River is recognized as one of the busiest places in the locality, particularly during summertime, which is noted for its natural beauty. People from distant towns often visit the place for relaxation.

Another potential spot for tourism is where the Angat River Hydroelectric Plant or Angat Dam is located. The dam is the biggest hydroelectric plant the National Power Corporation (NPC) has ever constructed in terms of power capacity within the entire Philippines. Because of Angat Dam's size, its reservoir sinks to critical levels during the dry season on necessitating the need for cloud seeding on some years. The 37-kilometre (23 mi) reservoir of this hydroelectric plant is covered with forests producing a cool climate.

There are still other sites with tourism potential in the locality. However, some of these places are located in remote areas of the town, which are inaccessible to motor vehicles, therefore in need of immediate attention.

The town of Norzagaray is rich in natural resources and endowed with natural beauty. Its people are claimed to be religious, industrious and very hospitable just like any other person from Bulacan.

Barangays

Norzagaray is politically subdivided into 13 barangays.

• Bangkal
• Baraka
• Bigte
• Bitungol
• Matictic
• Minuyan
• Partida
• Pinagtulayan
• Poblacion
• San Mateo
• Tigbe
• San Lorenzo
• Friendship Village Resources (FVR)¹

^1 Created into a barangay under Sangguniang Panlalawigan Kapasiyahan Bilang 179-T 2002 and Sangguniang Panlalawigan Kautusan Bilang 003 on April 18, 2002; ratified on October 12, 2002; taken from barangay Tigbe.

Bulacan 11-billion peso bulk water supply project

On December 12, 2007, Bulacan and the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) signed an agreement for the development of a P11-billion bulk water supply project. Ayala-owned Manila Water Co. Inc. will implement the project. MWSS and Manila Water will provide a financial package of an infrastructure grant, a P10-million development assistance and a P10-million royalty fee to the towns of Norzagaray and Doña Remedios Trinidad, which will host the water supply project.^[1]

18-hectare landfill

On January 19, 2008, an 18-hectare waste disposal facility, a new sanitary landfill that would also be a tourist attraction opened in Norzagaray, Bulacan province. Ramon Angelo Jr., president of Wacuman Corp. stated: "I want them to see our system in our place which should not be abhorred because we are using the new state-of-the-art technology." The facility has a category 4 rating (the highest category for a sanitary landfill) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources^[2]

References

1. ^ Abs-Cbn, Bulacan govt, MWSS ink deal on bulk water supply project
2. ^ abs-cbnnews.com, New landfill opens in Norzagaray, Bulacan

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• 2000 Philippine Census Information
• 2007 Philippine Census Information