Palayan, officially the City of Palayan (Filipino: Lungsod ng Palayan, Ilocano: Siudad ti Palayan), is a 5th class component city and capital of the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 45,383 people,[3] making it the least populated city in the Philippines.

Palayan
City of Palayan
(From top, left to right): Provincial Capitol of Nueva Ecija, City Center Welcome Sign, Palayan City Hall, Palayan City Business Park
Flag of Palayan
Official seal of Palayan
Motto(s): 
Kilos Palayano, Aasenso Tayo
(Move for Progress, Palayanese)
Map of Nueva Ecija with Palayan highlighted
Map of Nueva Ecija with Palayan highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Map
Palayan is located in Philippines
Palayan
Palayan
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 15°32′32″N 121°05′04″E / 15.5422°N 121.0844°E / 15.5422; 121.0844
CountryPhilippines
RegionCentral Luzon
ProvinceNueva Ecija
District 3rd district
Foundation and cityhoodJune 19, 1965
Barangays19 (see Barangays)
Government
[1]
 • TypeSangguniang Panlungsod
 • MayorViandrei Nicole J. Cuevas
 • Vice MayorRomaric S. Capinpin
 • RepresentativeRosanna V. Vergara
 • City Council
Members
 • Electorate39,439 voters (2022)
Area
 • Total101.40 km2 (39.15 sq mi)
Elevation
173 m (568 ft)
Highest elevation
1,413 m (4,636 ft)
Lowest elevation
22 m (72 ft)
Population
 (2020 census)[3]
 • Total45,383
 • Density450/km2 (1,200/sq mi)
 • Households
11,193
Economy
 • Income class5th city income class
 • Poverty incidence
12.64
% (2021)[4]
 • Revenue₱ 493.7 million (2020)
 • Assets₱ 1,288 million (2020), 479.8 million (2012)
 • Expenditure₱ 413.6 million (2020)
 • Liabilities₱ 428.9 million (2020)
Service provider
 • ElectricityNueva Ecija 2 Area 2 Electric Cooperative (NEECO 2 A2)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
3132
PSGC
IDD:area code+63 (0)44
Native languagesTagalog
Ilocano
Websitewww.palayancity.gov.ph

Palayan was created on June 19, 1965, by the Congress of the Philippines and is one of seven planned cities in the Philippines (the other six being Manila, Baguio, Quezon City, Trece Martires, Koronadal and the Island Garden City of Samal).[5]

The new provincial capitol, convention center, and sports center of Nueva Ecija are located in the city.

Palayan City is 14 kilometers (8.7 mi) from Cabanatuan, 130 kilometers (81 mi) from Manila, and 102 kilometers (63 mi) from Baler.

History

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On March 25, 1952, a special consultation meeting was conducted by Governor Leopoldo Diaz along with Congressman Jesus Ilagan, Board Members Dioscoro de Leon and Antonio Corpuz, Don Felipe Buencamino, and the municipal mayors of Nueva Ecija to discuss the transfer the provincial capital from Cabanatuan. As a result, the group unanimously agreed to establish the new capital on the site of the Government Stock Farm located within the municipalities of Laur and Bongabon. The municipalities of Gapan, San Jose, Santa Rosa, Guimba, Talavera, General Tinio, Baloc (Santo Domingo), and Muñoz were also considered as potential sites for the new capital.

In 1955, President Ramon Magsaysay declared a portion of the Government Stock Farm open for settlement pursuant to presidential Proclamation No. 237.[6]

On June 19, 1965, the Congress of the Philippines enacted Republic Act No. 4475 creating Palayan City as the new capital of Nueva Ecija.[7] "Palayan" (rice paddy) was chosen as the name of the new provincial capital to reflect the moniker bestowed upon the province of Nueva Ecija as the “Rice Granary of the Philippines”. The city government was constituted on December 5, 1965, with then Governor Eduardo L. Joson acting as the city's Ex-Officio Mayor while the Provincial Board constituted the first City Council. Under this administration, Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) purchased a large tract of land at the city's parameters near Laur to house INC members from Hacienda Luisita due to conflicts arising from union disbandments.

In 1969, Mayor Elpidio Cucio and Vice Mayor Felipe Bautista, initially appointed to their respective offices, were amongst the first elected local officials of the city along with councilors Flor Agustin, Tranquilino dela Cruz, Antonio Pascual, Federico Dacanay, Luis Lacalle and Thomas Lumawig. The city also hosted the National Boy Scout Jamboree attended by thousands of local and foreign scouts during this year.

In August 1969, the city was enlarged by virtue of Republic Act No. 6052 authored by then Congressman Angel Concepcion (Nueva Ecija–2nd), which provided for the inclusion of the Military Reservation in Laur and the Fort Magsaysay Cantonment area located in Santa Rosa.[8]

In 1972, by virtue of Proclamation No. 893, a portion of the Government Stock Farm was allocated for the displaced population of Pantabangan due to the construction of the Pantabangan Dam. The resettlement site was eventually converted into barangay Marcos Village.

In 1983, the training ground of the Philippine Army was transferred from Fort Bonifacio in Metro Manila to Fort Ramon Magsaysay. This paved the way for the development of the reservation area into a training complex to serve the army's training requirements.

In 1993, the Asianwide Green Scouts Movement was founded during the first RP-Japan Bilatateral Ecology Work Camp held in the city. The event also led to the establishment of the projects Kawayang Buhay and the Asian Ecology Forest which is supported by the Asian Friendship Society.

In 1995, Barangay Popolon, formerly a barangay of Bongabon, was annexed to the city by virtue of Republic Act No. 8030 ratified by a plebiscite held on October 1, 1995.[9] Moreover, Bagong Buhay, one of the three resettlement areas in the city, was converted to a regular barangay after a plebiscite on November 26, 1995.

The new provincial capitol building of Nueva Ecija was completed in 2002, solidifying the city's status as both the de facto and de jure capital of the province. The old provincial capitol is located on Burgos Avenue, Cabanatuan, and is still utilized by the provincial government.

Geography

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Barangays

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Palayan City is politically subdivided into 20 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

  • Atate
  • Aulo
  • Bagong Buhay
  • Bo. Militar (Fort Magsaysay)
  • Caballero (Poblacion)
  • Caimito (Poblacion)
  • Doña Josefa
  • Ganaderia (Poblacion)
  • Imelda Valley I
  • Imelda Valley II
  • Langka
  • Malate (Poblacion)
  • Maligaya
  • Manacnac
  • Mapaet
  • Marcos Village
  • Popolon (Pagas)
  • Santolan (Poblacion)
  • Sapang Buho
  • Singalat

Climate

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Climate data for Palayan City, Nueva Ecija
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °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)
Mean daily minimum °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[10]

Demographics

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Population census of Palayan
YearPop.±% p.a.
1970 8,382—    
1975 12,140+7.71%
1980 14,959+4.26%
1990 20,393+3.15%
1995 26,851+5.29%
2000 31,253+3.31%
2007 32,790+0.66%
2010 37,219+4.72%
2015 41,041+1.88%
2020 45,383+2.00%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[11][12][13][14]

Economy

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Poverty incidence of Palayan

5
10
15
20
2006
15.40
2009
16.00
2012
16.94
2015
14.49
2018
5.83
2021
12.64

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]

Sister cities

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Fort Magsaysay
Panorama of the Palayan City business park

References

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  1. ^ City of Palayan | (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. ^ a b 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 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  5. ^ "Palayan City History | Tourist Spots, Language and Festivals | Philippines Cities". Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  6. ^ "Proclamation No. 237, s. 1955". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Archived from the original on June 19, 2017. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
  7. ^ "Republic Act No. 4475". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
  8. ^ "Republic Act No. 6052". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. Archived from the original on July 10, 2019. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
  9. ^ "Republic Act No. 8030". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. Archived from the original on June 14, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
  10. ^ "Palayan: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  11. ^ Census of Population (2015). "Region III (Central Luzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ "Province of Nueva Ecija". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  15. ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  16. ^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. November 29, 2005.
  17. ^ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. March 23, 2009.
  18. ^ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. August 3, 2012.
  19. ^ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. May 31, 2016.
  20. ^ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 10, 2019.
  21. ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  22. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
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Preceded by Capital of Nueva Ecija
1965–present
Incumbent