Bulacan

This article is about the province. For the municipality, see Bulakan.

Bulacan
Province
Province of Bulacan
Bulacan Provincial Capitol Building
Flag Seal
Nickname:  Northern Gateway from Manila
Location in the Philippines
Coordinates: 15°00′N 121°05′E
Country	Philippines
Region	Central Luzon
Founded	August 15, 1578
Capital	Malolos
Government
• Type	Sangguniang Panlalawigan
• Governor	Daniel Fernando (NUP)
• Vice Governor	Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado (NUP)
Area
• Total	2,796.10 km2 (1,079.58 sq mi)
• Rank	46th out of 81
Highest elevation (Mount Oriod)	1,206 m (3,957 ft)
Population  (2020 census)
• Total	3,708,890
• Rank	2nd out of 81
• Density	1,300/km2 (3,400/sq mi)
• Rank	4th out of 81
Demonyms	Bulakeño/Bulakeña (Tagalog) Bulaqueño/Bulaqueña (Spanish)
Divisions
• Independent cities	0
• Component cities	3 Malolos Meycauayan San Jose del Monte
• Municipalities	21 Angat Balagtas Baliuag Bocaue Bulakan Bustos Calumpit Doña Remedios Trinidad Guiguinto Hagonoy Marilao Norzagaray Obando Pandi Paombong Plaridel Pulilan San Ildefonso San Miguel San Rafael Santa Maria
• Barangays	569
• Districts	1st to 5th districts of Bulacan, 1st and 2nd legislative districts of the city of San Jose del Monte, Lone legislative district of the city of Malolos
Demographics
• Ethnic groups	Tagalog (90%) Kapampangan (4%) Bisaya (3%) Pangasinan (1.5%) Others (0.9%)
• Languages	Tagalog (90%) Kapampangan (7%) Other languages (3%)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PHT)
ZIP code	3000–3024
IDD : area code	+63 (0)44
ISO 3166 code	PH-BUL
Income class	First Class
• Assets (2018)	PHP 11.166 billion
• Liabilities (2018)	PHP 2.623 billion
• Equity (2018)	PHP 8.543 billion
• Revenue (2018)	PHP 4.971 billion
• Expenses (2018)	PHP 3.819 billion
Website	www.bulacan.gov.ph

Bulacan (Tagalog: Lalawigan ng Bulakan; Kapampangan: Lalawigan ning Bulacan) (PSGC: 031400000; ISO: PH-BUL) is a province in the Philippines, located in the Central Luzon Region (Region III) in the island of Luzon, 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) north of Manila (the nation's capital), and part of the Metro Luzon Urban Beltway Super Region. Bulacan was established on August 15, 1578.

It has 569 barangays from 21 municipalities and three component cities (Malolos the provincial capital, Meycauayan, and San Jose del Monte). Bulacan is located immediately north of Metro Manila. Bordering Bulacan are the provinces of Pampanga to the west, Nueva Ecija to the north, Aurora and Quezon to the east, and Metro Manila and Rizal to the south. Bulacan also lies on the north-eastern shore of Manila Bay.

In the 2020 census, Bulacan had a population of 3,708,890 people, the most populous in Central Luzon and the third most populous in the Philippines, after Cebu and Cavite. Bulacan's most populated city is San Jose del Monte, the most populated municipality is Santa Maria while the least populated is Doña Remedios Trinidad.

In 1899, the historic Barasoain Church in Malolos was the birthplace of the First Constitutional Democracy in Asia.

On November 7, 2018, the Provincial Government of Bulacan bagged its fourth Seal of Good Local Governance award. The SGLG award is a progressive assessment system that gives distinction to remarkable governance performance.

History

Main article: History of Bulacan

Spanish Colonization

The Conquest of Bulacan traces to the first years of the Spanish in the Philippines. Upon the defeat of the Macabebe and Hagonoy natives led by Bambalito in the Battle of Bangkusay on June 3, 1571 that caused Martin de Goiti to move up north first to Lubao in September 1571.

Two months later, on November 14, 1571 Martin de Goiti reached Malolos and Calumpit respectively and it was reported to Adelantado Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, the first Governor General of the Philippines. Adelantado established Calumpit and Malolos as an Encomienda entrusted to Sargento Juan Moron (Morones in other documents) and Don Marcos de Herrera. These two conquistador was one of the first group of conquerors accompanied by Legaspi who have arrived in the Islands in 1565.

On April 5, 1572, the Encomiendas of Calumpit and Malolos were unified co-administered by Moron and Herrera. Also on that year Alcaldia de Calumpit was formed which the areas of Macabebe, Candaba, Apalit in Pampanga and the settlements of Meyto, Panducot, Meysulao and Malolos. And on December 28, 1575 Governor - General Francisco Sande order to include Hagonoy in Calumpit. (NHCP Journal February 2015)

In 1575, Bulakan was established as a visita of Tondo and it is not part of Calumpit as the boundary between Tondo and Calumpit were marked in Mambog River and placed the statue of Our Lady of Visitacion (partroness of Calumpit) was erected. It was gone and recreated in 1997 upon the re-establishment of the Roman Catholic Parish of Our Lady of Presentacion in Malolos.

On April 30, 1578 Bulakan town was officially established by the Augustinians with Fray Diego Vivar as its first prior and the convent was dedicated to San Agustin. (when it was change to Our Lady of Assumption was uncertain). It was reported that the western part of the present-day Bulacan was to be very well populated and rich. No exact date and year when Alcaldia de Calumpit was dissolved and the exact foundation year of the Province of Bulacan. It was only documented that Malolos (then part of Calumpit in 1572) were first to be appeared as part of Alcaldia de Bulacan was in 1582. It may assumed that reorganization of encomiendas has been occurred between 1580-1582 at the time of Governor General Gonzalo Ronquillo de Penalosa.

Same document also from the 1582 Relacion de las Islas Filipinas by Miguel de Loarca reports that Alcaldia de Calumpit have the jurisdiction in the areas of Calumpit (capital) Capalangan, Cabangbangan and Hagonoy as its villages. Then Loarca was mentioned that Alcaldia de Bulacan have Bulakan (capital) Malolos, Caluya, Guguinto, Binto and Catanghalan (instead of Meycauayan) as it Encomiendas which formerly have one alcalde mayor but he said that Alcaldia de Bulacan was formed in 1580 at the time of Penalosa. In the document of Governor-General Luis Perez de Dasmarinas in the Account of the Encomiendas for the King of Spain furnished on June 21, 1591. Dasmarinas mentioned that Alcaldia of Bulacan was part of La Pampanga with the Encomiendas subject to it such as the Encomiendas of Malolos (3,600 persons), Binto (2,000 persons), Guiguinto (2,000 persons), Caluya (2,800 persons), Mecabayan (2, 800 persons) and Bulacan identified as " capital" and residence of "alcalde mayor" with 4,800 persons.In the same 1591 document it was mentioned that Calumpit y Hagonoy belongs to Juan Moron with the 12,800 persons, 2 Augustinian Convents and One Alcalde Mayor of its own.

However, the establishment and development of southern part of the present-day Bulacan was not simultaneous and identified with the West. It was because this part of the Province was established by other group of missionaries, the Franciscan Order who came in the islands only in 1577 at Manila. In 1578 Order of Friars Minor headed by Juan de Plasencia and Diego Oropesa arrived in the area called Toril (now part of Meycauayan) and their headquarters. Also in 1578 Plasencia established the Town of Meycauayan. Its pueblos was first only settlements of the Old Meycauayan, founded by Franciscan

Secondary sources mentioned that Meycauayan exist as a Province in 1578.It was said the Augustinians Christianized Bulacan (the town after which the province was named). where in fact Bulacan "the town" was already a visita of Tondo in 1575 and Calumpit where Malolos and Hagonoy belongs in 1572. The province of Bulacan is on the island of Luzon, and is one of the most important Alcadia de Termino, Civil and politically it corresponds to the Audiencia y capitanía general de Filipinas, and spiritually belongs to the Archbishop of Manila. The Franciscan friars Juan Plasencia and Fray Diego de Oropesa founded Meycauayan in 1578, and for a time it was the capital of the Province of Meycauayan (differ from the Western Bulacan administered by Augustinian Order since 1572) Meycauayan people were able to flourish, and became so rich that the sons are six of the best in the then Province of Meycauayan. It was the towns of Bocaue, Polo, San Jose del Monte, Santa Maria de Pandi, Obando and Marilao).

The Casa Real de Malolos. Served as the office and residency of the Governor of Malolos.

During the General Visitation of October 5, 1762 by, Sr. Doctor Don Simón de Anda y Salazar, the province was headed by Capitan Don Jose Pasarin, alcalde mayor of the province. 1795-96, Don Manuel Piñon was the alcalde mayor. According to the "Guia de 1839", Bulacan province in the island of Luzon, Philippines, is governed by a mayor, consists of 19 pueblos, 36,394 tributes and 181,970 souls. D. Felipe Gobantes, Alcalde of the province of Bulacan erected a stone column in the plaza of Bulacan in Memory of Fr. Manuel Blanco O.S.A. who died on April 1, 1845.

In 1848, when the boundaries of Pampanga were changed, the region, which includes the important town of San Miguel de Mayumo and neighboring places that were formerly part of Pampanga, was adjudicated to Bulacan.

Opening of the Malolos Congress (1898)

In an earlier period during 1890, Malolos was a hot-spot of Liberal Ilustrados, notably the "20 Women of Malolos", who exerted pressure for education under a Filipino professor. However, the first phase of the revolution ceased in 1897 with the signing of the Pact of Biak-na-Bato in San Miguel. Under its terms the leaders were to go to Hong Kong and reside there. Under the illusory peace created by the pact, the end of 1897 saw greater determination on the part of the Filipinos to carry on the revolution. In early 1898, the provinces of Zambales, Ilocos, Pampanga, Bulacan, Laguna, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac. and Camarines rose again. In Central Luzon, a revolutionary government was organized under General Francisco Macabulos, a Kapampangan revolutionary leader of La Paz, Tarlac.

The Americans established a local Philippine government in the Philippines when they held the first municipal election in the country in the town of Baliuag on May 6, 1899. At the beginning of the American rule, 1899-1900, Malolos became the headquarters of the Military Governor of the Philippines at Casa Real. On February 27, 1901, the Philippine Commission officially transferred the seat of government to Malolos, and the Casa Real de Malolos was the seat of the Provincial Governor from 1900 to 1930 until the completion of the capitol building at Brgy. Guinhawa, Malolos City.

In 1942, at the height of World War II, the Japanese Imperial Army occupied Bulacan and made Casa Real de Malolos its headquarters. In 1945, combined Filipino and American forces and local guerrillas attacked the Japanese Imperial Forces and liberated Bulacan.

Through Presidential Decree № 824, Bulacan was partitioned on November 7, 1975 to form the National Capital Region. The municipality of Valenzuela was excised to form the new region, while the other 25 towns remained in Bulacan.

Issues concerning the foundation date

For a long period of time, Bulacan traced its founding as a province during the American Period at the reorganization of Philippine Provinces. To determine the tentative date of the province's foundation and to trace its roots from colonial period. Efforts and research conducted by Dr. Jaime Veneracion, Dr. Reynaldo Naguit of the Center for Bulacan Studies and Mr. Isagani Giron of the Samahang Pangkasaysayan ng Bulacan (Sampaka) shows that Bulacan was identified as a visita of Tondo in 1578. With regards to exact date of foundation of Bulacan as a province, Veneracion correlated it with the practice of Spaniard of dedicating the founding a pueblo to the feast of a patron saint. In the case of Bulacan it is the Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion, which is also the patron saint of Bulakan town, the first capital of the province. Officially, the province of Bulacan was created under Act 2711 on March 10, 1917.

Geography

Bulacan covers a total area of 2,796.10 square kilometres (1,079.58 sq mi) occupying the southeastern section of the Central Luzon region. The province is bounded by Nueva Ecija on the north, Aurora (Dingalan) on the northeast, Quezon (General Nakar) on the east, Rizal (Rodriguez) on the southeast, Metro Manila (Valenzuela City, Malabon City, Navotas City, Caloocan City and Quezon City) on the south, Manila Bay on the southwest, and Pampanga on the west.

Several rivers irrigate the province of Bulacan; the largest one is that of Angat. Angat River passes through the towns of Norzagaray, Angat, Bustos, San Rafael, Baliuag, Plaridel, Pulilan, and Calumpit. It flow thence into the Pampanga River, goes out again, washes Hagonoy and loses itself in the mangroves. The banks of these rivers are very fertile and are covered with trees.

Terrain

Bulacan lies in the southern portion of the fertile plains of Central Luzon. The area is drained by the Angat and Pampanga rivers. The Sierra Madre mountain range forms the highlands of Bulacan in the east and is a protected area known as the Angat Watershed Forest Reserve. Angat Lake, which was formed by the Angat Dam is located in that area. The highest point in the province at 1,206 meters is Mount Oriod, part of the Sierra Madre.

The Sierra Madre Mountain Range as seen near Mount Oriod's summit

On January 19, 2008, an 18-hectare (44-acre) dump site, a new landfill that would also be a tourist attraction opened in Norzagaray, Bulacan province. Ramon Angelo, Jr., president Waste Custodian Management 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."

Climate

November to April is generally dry while wet for the rest of the year. The northeast monsoon (amihan) prevails from October to January bringing in moderated and light rains. From February to April, the east trade winds predominate but the Sierra Madre (Philippines) mountain range to the east disrupts the winds resulting to a dry period. From May to September, the southwest monsoon (habagat).

The hottest month is May having an average temperature of 29.7 °C (85.5 °F) while the coldest is February with an average temperature of 25.1 °C (77.2 °F).

Administrative divisions

Bulacan is subdivided into 21 municipalities and 3 cities. As the population is concentrated in the southern half of the province, so are the legislative districts.

Political divisions

•  †  Provincial capital and component city
•  ∗  Component city
•   Municipality

City or municipality		District	Population			±% p.a.	Area		Density		Brgy.	Coordinates[A]
			(2015)		(2010)		km2	sq mi	/km2	/sq mi
Angat		3rd	1.8%	59,237	55,332	1.31%	74	29	800	2,100	16	14°55′58″N 121°01′55″E
Balagtas		2nd	2.2%	73,929	65,440	2.35%	28.66	11.07	2,600	6,700	9	14°49′11″N 120°54′22″E
Baliuag		2nd	4.6%	149,954	143,565	0.83%	45.05	17.39	3,300	8,500	27	14°57′31″N 120°53′49″E
Bocaue		2nd	3.6%	119,675	106,407	2.26%	31.87	12.31	3,800	9,800	19	14°47′59″N 120°55′35″E
Bulakan		1st	2.3%	76,565	71,751	1.24%	72.90	28.15	1,100	2,800	14	14°47′39″N 120°52′46″E
Bustos		2nd	2.0%	67,039	62,415	1.37%	69.99	27.02	960	2,500	14	14°57′06″N 120°55′08″E
Calumpit		1st	3.3%	108,757	101,068	1.41%	56.25	21.72	1,900	4,900	29	14°54′54″N 120°45′49″E
Doña Remedios Trinidad		3rd	0.7%	22,663	19,878	2.53%	932.96	360.22	24	62	8	14°58′19″N 121°03′48″E
Guiguinto		2nd	3.0%	99,730	90,507	1.86%	27.50	10.62	3,600	9,300	14	14°49′41″N 120°52′42″E
Hagonoy		1st	3.9%	129,807	125,689	0.62%	103.10	39.81	1,300	3,400	26	14°50′04″N 120°44′00″E
Malolos	†	1st	7.7%	252,074	234,945	1.35%	67.25	25.97	3,700	9,600	51	14°50′26″N 120°48′42″E
Marilao		4th	6.7%	221,965	185,624	3.46%	33.74	13.03	6,600	17,000	16	14°45′26″N 120°56′52″E
Meycauayan	∗	4th	6.4%	209,083	199,154	0.93%	32.10	12.39	6,500	17,000	26	14°44′10″N 120°57′26″E
Norzagaray		3rd	3.4%	111,348	103,095	1.48%	309.77	119.60	360	930	13	14°54′25″N 121°02′47″E
Obando		4th	1.8%	59,197	58,009	0.39%	52.10	20.12	1,100	2,800	11	14°42′45″N 120°56′06″E
Pandi		2nd	2.7%	89,075	66,650	5.68%	31.20	12.05	2,900	7,500	22	14°51′48″N 120°57′21″E
Paombong		1st	1.6%	53,294	50,940	0.86%	46.34	17.89	1,200	3,100	14	14°49′53″N 120°47′15″E
Plaridel		2nd	3.3%	107,805	101,441	1.17%	32.44	12.53	3,300	8,500	19	14°53′06″N 120°51′33″E
Pulilan		1st	3.0%	97,323	85,844	2.42%	39.89	15.40	2,400	6,200	19	14°54′08″N 120°52′03″E
San Ildefonso		3rd	3.2%	104,471	95,000	1.83%	128.71	49.70	810	2,100	36	15°04′41″N 120°56′23″E
San Jose del Monte	∗	Lone	17.4%	574,089	454,553	4.55%	105.53	40.75	5,400	14,000	59	14°48′35″N 121°02′49″E
San Miguel		3rd	4.7%	153,882	142,854	1.43%	231.40	89.34	670	1,700	49	15°08′45″N 120°58′27″E
San Rafael		3rd	2.9%	94,655	85,921	1.86%	152.43	58.85	620	1,600	34	15°01′31″N 120°55′59″E
Santa Maria		4th	7.8%	256,454	218,351	3.11%	90.92	35.10	2,800	7,300	24	14°49′13″N 120°57′38″E
Total				3,292,071	2,924,433	2.28%	2,796.10	1,079.58	1,200	3,100	569	(see GeoGroup box)
^ Coordinates mark the city/town center, and are sortable by latitude. Malolos: converted into a city under Republic Act No. 8754; ratified on December 18, 1999. Meycauayan: converted into a city under Republic Act No. 9356; ratified on December 10, 2006. San Jose del Monte: converted into a city under Republic Act No. 8797; ratified on September 10, 2000.

Demographics

Population census of
Bulacan

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1948	394,000	—
1960	515,000	+2.26%
1970	738,000	+3.66%
1975	900,000	+4.06%
1980	1,096,000	+4.02%
1990	1,505,219	+3.22%
1995	1,784,441	+3.24%
2000	2,234,088	+4.94%
2007	2,826,926	+3.30%
2010	2,924,433	+1.24%
2015	3,292,071	+2.28%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

The population of Bulacan in the 2020 census was 3,708,890 people, making it the second most populous province in the country, only behind from Cavite, which is also located in Luzon. It had a density of 1,300 inhabitants per square kilometre or 3,400 inhabitants per square mile, the country's 4th highest for a province.

On 1 May 2010, the province had 2,924,433 inhabitants with an annual population growth rate of 2.73 from the year 2000 to 2010, There were 588,693 households in the province with an average size of 4.8 persons. Bulacan had a median age of 23 years in 2007.

Languages and ethnicity

As it is part of the Tagalog cultural sphere (Katagalugan), Tagalog is the predominant language of Bulacan. Some inhabitants also speak Kapampangan, especially in areas close to the border of Pampanga. Three municipalities (San Miguel, Remedios Trinidad, and Norzagaray) and one city (San Jose del Monte) are the homelands of the Alta Kabulowan, the first inhabitants of Bulacan whose language is also called Alta Kabulowan. Their language is currently endangered due to an influx of Tagalog speakers.

Religion

Roman Catholic is the predominant religion with 88% adherence in the province. Other Christian groups include the Aglipayans, Born-again Christians, Church of God (Ang Dating Daan), Baptists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), Methodists, Presbyterians, Mormons, Seventh-day Adventist and other small Charismatic Christian groups. Muslims, Anitists, and other small number of non-Christian groups are also present.

Economy

Industries

The province of Bulacan is steadily becoming industrialized due to its proximity to Metro Manila. Many corporations put up industrial plants and site in Bulacan. Some of the businesses and industries include agribusiness; aquaculture; banking; cement bag making; ceramics; construction; courier; education; food/food processing; furniture; garments; gifts, houseware & decors; hospitals; hotels, resorts & restaurants; information and communications technology; insurance; jewelry; leather & leather tanning; manpower; manufacturing; marble; printing press; pyrotechnics & fireworks manufacturing; realty/real property development; shoe manufacturing; textile; trade; transport services; travel & tours.

Agribusiness & aquaculture

The rural areas still mostly depend on agriculture and aquaculture as a source of income. Some of the major crops are rice, corn, vegetables, and fruits such as mangoes. An orchid farm is operating at Golden Bloom Orchids at Brgy. Maguinao in San Rafael, Bulacan. The fisheries of Bulacan, aside from fishponds and rivers, include Bustos Dam and water logged areas. Major species cultured include bangus, tilapia, prawn, and catfish. This made Bulacan a leading province in Bangus (milkfish) production based on reports of the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS).

Banking and finance

Bulacan is served by all major banks with more than 200 banks doing business in the province. The entrepreneurial culture is supported by the strong cooperative movement with total assets of over PhP 2 Billion.

Industrial estate and parks

This is a partial list of industrial sites in the province:

• First Bulacan Industrial City—Malolos City
• Intercity Industrial Estate—Wakas, Bocaue
• Bulacan Agro-Industrial Subdivision—Calumpit
• Bulacan Metro Warehouse (BMW) Center—Guiguinto
• Horizon IT Park—San Jose del Monte
• Meycauayan Industrial Subd. I, II, III & IV—Meycauayan
• Meridian Industrial Compound—Meycauayan
• Muralla Industrial Project—Meycauayan
• First Velenzuela Industrial Compound—Meycauayan
• Sterling Industrial Park Phase I, II, III & IV—Meycauayan
• Grand Industrial Estate—Plaridel
• Sapang Palay Industrial Estates—San Jose del Monte
• Agus Development Corporation—Santa María
• Bulacan ICT Park—Marilao
• Golden City Business Park—Wakas, Bocaue
• Sterling Industrial Park—Marilao

Income

Bulacan received the top place for "LGU's with Highest Gross Income" (PhP 1,717,600,000.00) and "Top Spender by LGU's" (PhP 1,349,420,000.00), and third (3rd) among the "Top Provinces with Generated Biggest Net Income" (PhP 368,180,000.00) according to the 2006 Annual Financial Report - Local Governments of the Commission of Audit. The first time to top the perennial top placer, which was the Province of Cebu.

The province received the top place for "LGU's with Highest Gross Income" (PhP 1,807,600,000.00), second (2nd) in "Top Spender by LGU's" (PhP 1,372,160,000.00), and third (3rd) among the "Top Provinces with Generated Biggest Net Income" (PhP 434,830,000.00) according to the 2007 Annual Financial Report - Local Governments of the Commission of Audit.

Based on the Commission of Audit's 2008 Annual Financial Report for Local Governments, the province's total gross income had increased to PhP 1,965,633,000.00 (including the subsidies and extra items). Its expenses had also increased to PhP 1,641,325,000.00, which brings a total net income of PhP 324,308,000.00.

This is the list of the top income earners in Bulacan from 2014 and 2017:

Total Annual Income
Rank Cities Total Income year 2014 Total Income year 2017 1 San Jose del Monte City P913,235,378.58 P1,656,795,493.51 2 Meycauayan City P1,040,417,057.25 P1,261,753,000.00 3 Malolos City P728,233,425.91 P1,073,664,634.88
Rank Municipalities Total Income year 2014 Total Income year 2017 1 Marilao P492,923,864.65 P691,361,404.62 2 Santa Maria P469,519,504.09 P666,262,372.88 3 Baliuag P355,134,474.37 P491,540,000.00 4 Norzagaray P339,826,359.28 P457,591,188.80 5 Guiguinto P287,155,107.85 P399,459,000.00 6 Pulilan P254,593,126.17 P383,603,000.00 7 San Ildefonso P226,765,458.99 P371,289,000.00 8 San Miguel P235,223,130.45 P347,990,000.00 9 Bocaue P231,525,019.23 P336,319,000.00 10 Plaridel P218,805,468.98 P313,338,000.00 11 San Rafael P178,775,463.41 P274,630,000.00 12 Hagonoy P203,642,317.97 P274,586,000.00 13 Calumpit P200,183,699.45 P273,760,000.00 14 Balagtas P181,458,744.82 P249,167,000.00 15 Pandi P123,422,786.80 P208,845,000.00 16 Doña Remedios Trinidad P149,367,450.83 P206,990,000.00 17 Bulakan P128,183,549.07 P177,234,438.12 18 Angat P123,431,253.48 P170,725,000.00 19 Bustos P117,241,848.39 P167,142,535.59 20 Obando P107,619,189.23 P145,157,000.00 21 Paombong P90,292,081.91 P123,699,191.88

Local Products

"Tatak Bulakenyo Program" was launched in 2004, conceptualized to stimulate economic activity in the province and sustain the anti-poverty thrust of the government thru the promotion of entrepreneurship. The program's beneficiaries are potential micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the province.

Tatak Bulakenyo Products comprises sabutan bags, buntal hats, beverages, and even jams such as tomato jam.

• Inipit
• Lengua de gato
• Minasa
• Pandesal de Baliuag
• Polvoron de Pinipig
• Bibingkang kamoteng kahoy
• Pinipig de leche
• Garbanzos
• Fish and seafoods
• Bagoong Alamang
• Sausage Relyeno
• Tahong chips
• Honey bee products
• Tomato jam
• Chicharon
• Longganisa
• Mushroom meat products
• Ortega’s Best
• Atsarang dampalit
• Atsarang indian mango
• Atsarang kangkong
• Atsarang papaya
• Lechon sarsa
• Pickled fish
• Pickled jerkins
• Pickled vegetables
• Sukang Bulacan
• TET sarsa
• Tuba ng sasa

Transportation

Bocaue, Bulacan Exit Toll Plaza, North Luzon Expressway

Bulacan is dubbed as "The Gateway to the Northern Philippines". The province is linked with Metro Manila primarily through the North Luzon Expressway and Manila North Road (better known as the MacArthur Highway) which crosses the province into Pampanga and western part of Northern Luzon (western Central Luzon, Ilocos and Cordillera Administrative Region). While taking the Cagayan Valley Road in Guiguinto, the road leads to Nueva Ecija and to the eastern part of Northern Luzon (eastern Central Luzon and Cagayan Valley Region). Bulacan will be accessed by the future C-6 Road connecting the provinces of Rizal and Cavite and the cities of Taguig, Parañaque and Muntinlupa in Metro Manila.

The proposed North Luzon East Expressway (NLEE) is the future expressway link between Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan and Nueva Ecija. It will also serves as a new alternate route of motorists coming from Manila going to Aurora and Cagayan Valley region.

The MacArthur Highway traverses the province from north to south. Most major towns can be reached through the North Luzon Expressway. A good number of motor vehicles owned largely by private individuals provide mobility to Bulacan's populace. Aside from five main highways that traverse the province, all roads are widely dispersed throughout Bulacan.

Bus terminals of Baliwag Transit Inc., Golden Bee Transport and Logistics Corp., California Bus Line, Sampaguita Liner and Royal Eagle are in Baliuag, Balagtas and Hagonoy. The main bus lines of Philippine Rabbit, Victory Liner, Aladdin Transit that originate from their main terminals in Manila, Pasay and Quezon City and travel northward to cities and towns in Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales, pass through Bulacan via the Tabang exit. Other bus companies that travel to Bulacan include ES Transport Corp. (Earth Star Transportation), Baliwag Transit, First North Luzon, Five Star, Agila Bus Transport, Sta Monica Transport Corp TSC, NSDC Buenasher Lines (Del Carmen), Shannine And Pauline Bus Co., Phil. Corinthian, Mersan, Mayamy, RJ Express. Bulacan is the home of its pride, the one of the biggest bus lines in luzon, the Baliwag Transit Inc. which headquarters in Baliuag, Bulacan hence its name.

Public transportation within the province, like in most of the urban areas in the Philippines, is facilitated mostly using inexpensive jeepneys and buses. Tricycles are used for short distances.

A construction of Philippine National Railways (PNR) North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) system is on track, and officials say the remnants of old PNR stations built in Bulacan province in 1892 will be preserved. The ruins of the station in Guiguinto town, Bulacan province, will be among the structures that will be preserved. The structures in the city and in the towns of Balagtas, Guiguinto, Malolos and Calumpit would also be renovated to complement the design of the new railway stations.

Junn Magno, PNR general manager, said 10 structures left standing from the old stations would be restored to give a glimpse of the PNR’s history.

The San Miguel Corporation’s proposed Bulacan Airport, dubbed as the New Manila International Airport, involves the construction of a brand-new international airport and is being positioned as an alternative to the congested NAIA in Manila. It has also been seen that the four million tourists that visit the country yearly will be tripled once the airport project proposal pushes through.

Education

College of Law (Bulacan State University)

The province is home to several nationally recognized public and private educational institutions such as Baliuag University (First school granted full autonomy in Region 3), the Bulacan State University (Main & Satellite Campuses), the Bulacan Polytechnic College (Malolos, Bocaue, Pandi, Angat, San Miguel, San Rafael, Obando & City of San Jose del Monte Campus), Bulacan Agricultural State College (San Ildefonso & DRT Campus), Polytechnic University of the Philippines (Sta. Maria Extension Campus and Pulilan Campus), La Consolacion University Philippines and Centro Escolar University (Malolos Campus). On the other hand, National University, a non-sectarian Manila-based university, will soon establish its first campus outside Metro Manila in the municipality of Baliuag.

Primary and intermediate

Bulacan has a total of 473 public Elementary schools, 383 public schools under the Department of Education (DepEd) Division of Bulacan, 52 public schools under the Division of City Schools of San Jose del Monte and 38 public schools under the Division of City Schools of Malolos.

Secondary

Bulacan has a total of 68 public high schools, national and provincial. Forty-three (43) under the Department of Education (DepEd) Division of Bulacan, Eighteen (18) public high schools under the Division of City Schools of San Jose del Monte, three (3) public high schools under the Division of City Schools of Malolos and Division of City Schools of Meycauayan has (4) public high schools.

Private schools

There are many privately owned (by individual or group) and church-operated schools established in the city. Private schools in the province are member of Bulacan Private Schools Association (BULPRISA) While in City of San Jose del Monte private schools are organized by City of San Jose del Monte Private Schools Association (CSanPRISA). In Malolos, private schools are organized as Malolos City Private Schools Association (MACIPRISA). In Meycauayan, private schools are organized as Meycauayan City Private Schools Association (MEYCIPRISA)

Government

Marcelo H. Del Pilar monument overviewing the Bulacan Provincial Capitol building

Further information: Governor of Bulacan

Current provincial government officials (2019–2022):

• Governor: Daniel Fernando (NUP)
• Vice Governor: Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado (NUP)

Provincial Board Members:

• First District
  • Allan P. Andan (PDP-Laban)
  • Romina "Mina" D. Fermin (NUP)
  • Bernardo "Jong" B. Ople, Jr. (NUP)
• Second District
  • Erlene Luz "Pechay" V. Dela Cruz (NUP)
  • Ramon "Monet" R. Posadas (NUP)

• Third District
  • Romeo "RC Nono" V. Castro, Jr. (NUP)
  • Emelita "Emily" I. Viceo (NUP)
• Fourth District
  • Enrique "Jon-Jon" A. Delos Santos, Jr. (PDP-Laban)
  • Allan Ray A. Baluyut (NUP)
  • Alexis "Alex" C. Castro (NUP)

Ex-officio Board Members:

• PCL President
  • Marie Claudette P. Quimpo-Serrano (interim)
  • William R. Villarica (Elected)
• ABC President
  • Ramilito B. Capistrano
• SK President
  • Robert Myron Nicolas

Congressional District Representatives:

• First District: Jonathan Antonio "Kuya Jose" R. Sy-Alvarado (NUP)
• Second District: Gavini "Apol" C. Pancho (NUP)
• Third District: Lorna Silverio (NUP)
• Fourth District: Henry "Atorni Henry" R. Villarica (PDP-Laban)
• Lone District of San Jose del Monte: Florida "Rida" P. Robes (PDP-Laban)

Official seal

Main article: Seal of Bulacan

Points of interest

Festivals:

• Calumpit Libad Festival: Calumpit (June 23–24)
• Santa Cruzan: City of Malolos (May 1–31)
• Luyang Dilaw Festival: Marilao (May 2)
• Obando Fertility Dance: Obando (May 17–19)
• Feast of the Holy Cross of Wawa: Bocaue (1st Sunday of July)
• Fiesta Republica: City of Malolos ( Every January )
• Sto. Niño Festival: City of Malolos (Last Sunday of January)
• Linggo ng Bulakan: Baliuag (Black Saturday)
• Flagellants and Lenten Rites: Paombong (Good Friday)
• Baliuag Lenten Procession: Baliuag (Good Friday)
• Plaridel Horse Festival: Plaridel (December 29–30)
• Pulilan Carabao Festival: Pulilan (May 14–15)

Religious:

• Sta. Monica Church in Angat
• San Agustin Parish Church in Baliuag
• St. Martin of Tours Church in Bocaue
• Meyto Shrine in Calumpit
• St. John the Baptist Church in Calumpit
• Basilica Minore de Immaculada Concepcion in City of Malolos
• Divine Mercy National Shrine in Marilao
• San Pascual Baylon Church in Obando
• Simborio Chapel in Plaridel
• St. Ildefonsus Church in San Ildefonso
• San Miguel Catholic Church in San Miguel
• St. John of God Parish Church in San Rafael
• La Immaculada Concepcion Church (Sta. Maria Church) in Santa Maria
• Shrine of Saint Andrew Kim in Bocaue
• Assumption of Our Lady Church in Bulacan
• Plaridel Catholic Church in Plaridel
• National Shrine of Saint Anne in Hagonoy
• San Isidro Labrador Church in Pulilan
• Barasoain Ecclesiastical Museum in City of Malolos
• Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in San Jose del Monte City
• Barasoain Church in City of Malolos
• Museo San Ysidro de Pulilan in Pulilan

Historical:

• Enriquez Ancestral House in Bulacan
• Meyto Shrine in Calumpit
• St. John the Baptist Church in Calumpit
• Basilica Minore de Immaculada Concepcion in City of Malolos
• Kakarong de Sili Shrine in Pandi
• Battle of Quingua Monument in Plaridel
• Tecson House in San Miguel
• Marcelo H. del Pilar Shrine in Bulacan
• Bulacan Museum in City of Malolos
• Old Train Station in Guiguinto
• Biak-na-Bato National Park in San Miguel
• Baliuag Museum in Baliuag
• Barasoain Ecclesiastical Museum in City of Malolos
• Pinagrealan Cave in Norzagaray
• Bagbag Bridge in Calumpit
• Mercado House in Bustos
• Casa Real Shrine in City of Malolos
• Barasoain Church in City of Malolos

Heritages:

• Baliuag Clock Tower in Baliuag
• San Agustin Parish Church in Baliuag
• Enriquez Ancestral House in Bulacan
• Meyto Shrine in Calumpit
• St. John the Baptist Church in Calumpit
• Basilica Minore de Immaculada Concepcion in City of Malolos
• Marilao Catholic Church in Marilao
• Battle of Quingua Monument in Plaridel
• Simborio Chapel in Plaridel
• Tecson House in San Miguel
• La Immaculada Concepcion Church (Sta. Maria Church) in Santa Maria
• Marcelo H. del Pilar Shrine in Bulacan
• Bulacan Museum in City of Malolos
• Old Train Station in Guiguinto
• Francisco Balagtas Museum/Marker Birth Place in Balagtas
• Shrine of Saint Andrew Kim in Bocaue
• Plaridel Catholic Church in Plaridel
• Francisca Reyes Aquino Shrine in Bocaue
• Baliuag Museum in Baliuag
• Barasoain Ecclesiastical Museum in City of Malolos
• Bautista Mansion in City of Malolos
• Bagbag Bridge in Calumpit
• Mercado House in Bustos
• Casa Real Shrine in City of Malolos
• Barasoain Church in City of Malolos
• Museo San Ysidro de Pulilan in Pulilan

Ecological:

• Calumpit River in Calumpit
• Verdivia Falls in Doña Remedios Trinidad
• Pulilan Butterfly Haven and Resort in Pulilan
• Angat Hydroelectric Dam in Norzagaray
• C & B Orchid Farm in San Rafael
• Biak-na-Bato National Park in San Miguel
• Garden City in Guiguinto
• Bakas in Norzagaray
• Hilltop in Norzagaray
• Pinagrealan Cave in Norzagaray
• Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in San Jose del Monte City
• Puning Cave in Doña Remedios Trinidad
• Bustos Dam in Bustos

Gallery

• 
  Barasoain Church
• 
  Malolos Cathedral
• 
  Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium
• 
  Bulacan Medical Center
• 
  Bulacan State University
• 
  Bulacan Provincial Jail
• 
  Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center
• 
  Gat Blas F. Ople Sentro ng Kabataan, Sining at Kultura
• 
  Casa Real Shrine - Museo ng Kasaysayang Pampulitika ng Pilipinas (Museum of Philippine Political History)
• Philippine Arena
  Philippine Arena
• National Shrine of the Divine Mercy (Philippines), Marilao, Bulacan
  National Shrine of the Divine Mercy (Philippines), Marilao, Bulacan
• 
  Saint Andrew Kim Taegon Shrine, Bocaue, Bulacan
• 
  Marcelo H. Del Pilar Shrine
• 
  Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan
• 
  Biak-na-Bato National Park, San Miguel, Bulacan
• 
  Kakarong de Sili Shrine

See also

• List of people from Bulacan
• List of radio stations in Bulacan
• Roman Catholic Diocese of Malolos
• Malolos Cathedral

External links

• Media related to Bulacan at Wikimedia Commons
• Geographic data related to Bulacan at OpenStreetMap
• Bulacan PH
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code