Successive evangelical missions and military expeditions shaped the founding of Nueva Ecija and its development as a province during the Spanish settlement in Central Luzon from late 16th century to the early decades of the 17th century.
Governor-General Fausto Cruzat Y Gongora established a commandancia or an advanced military outpost to protect the flourishing missions in Upper Pampanga in1705. He named it Nueva Ecija after his homeland in Ecija, Seville, Southern Spain, since both were washed by navigable rivers. The commandancia was raised to the status of regular province and was separated from Pampanga in 1848. Since then, the new province underwent gradual territorial changes. Many founded sitios became cabeceras that covered vast territorial jurisdiction. Later, towns or pueblos were established due to growing population brought about by migration and continuous pursuit for productive agricultural land.
When General Basco Y Vargas declared some areas in Luzon in 1782 for large-scale tobacco production under government control, Nueva Ecija drastically changed its agricultural activity from rice farming to tobacco growing. Its adverse effect and people's dreadful experiences from the oppressive and repressive regime inflamed the hearts of the Novo Ecijanos to join the Ilustrado-led revolution in 1869. The Novo Ecijanos who where members of the Principalia class or local officials who sworn to protect the Spaniards secretly allied with the farmers and ilustrado class to form the revolutionary movement in the province. Few days after the First Cry in Pugad Lawin, the first successful show of revolutionary force sparked in San Isidro in September 2, 1896, known and celebrated today as the First Cry in Nueva Ecija. Gen. Mariano Llanera who was then the Captain Municipal of Cabiao led the 3,000 katipuneros to attack the Factoria in San Isidro. It was the first time the famous Llanera revolutionary flag was unfurled.
When the Spaniards were driven out in 1898, a revolutionary government was established in Nueva Ecija with Felino Cajucon as head and San Isidro as the seat of Province Government.
During the Filipino-American War, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo took refuge in Nueva Ecija, thus, making the province a rebel territory. The seat of the First Philippines Republic was then transferred in San Isidro where it remained for more than five months until October 11, 1899 when it too fell to the American forces.
With the cessation of hostilities, a civil government was established in Nueva Ecija on June 11, 1901, and year after, the Provincial Capitol was again transferred to Cabanatuan with Benito Natividad as Governor. In 1965, by virtue of R.A. 4475, Palayan City was declared the new Capital of Nueva Ecija and the seat of government was transferred from Cabanatuan City to Palayan City on January 30, 2002
At the height of World War II, the Novo Ecijanos again joined forces to regain the sovereignty of the Filipinos from the Japanese forces. On January 30, 1945, Capt. Eduardo L. Joson and Capt. Juan Pajota with their respective guerilla units, collaborated with US 6th Ranger Battalion and the Alamo Scouts to rescue the remaining 516 survivors of the infamous Bataan Death March who were incarcerated at the Pangatian Concentration Camp in Cabanatuan. The historic event is considered today as the most successful rescue operation of its type in the annals of US military history.
Many events took place in the history of the Nueva Ecija that measured the strength and gallantry of every Novo Ecijanos. Courage, heroism and respect for freedom are the strong legacies of Novo Ecijanos for the Filipino people that are epitomized in the Philippines flag's sunrays.
GEOGRAPHY AND PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Nueva Ecija is situated in the eastern rim of the broad Central Luzon Plains lying between 120' 36' 28 to 121' 21' 45' east longitude and 15' 09' 30' to 16' 09' 30' north latitude. The province is bounded and strategically located along three regional boundaries: the province of Pangasinan (Region I) and Nueva Viscaya (Region II) in the north; the province of Quezon (Region IV) on the Bulacan and Pampanga on the west.
Three mountain ranges protect and serve as natural barrier of the province: Sierra Madre on the east; Caraballo on the west; and Cordillera on the north.
The Province is composed of 27 municipalities and 5 cities and an aggregate total of 849 barangays. It has a total land area of 550,718 hectares where 63% or 330,726 hectares are alienable and disposable lands and the remaining 37% or 197,448 hectares are forestlands.
The terrain of the province is comprised of low lying alluvial plains and rolling uplands. The alluvial plains are found in the western, central and southwestern parts bounded by the provinces of Tarlac, Pampanga and Bulacan. The rolling uplands are in the northern, eastern and southeastern parts of the province.
Vast and untapped deposits of metallic and non-metallic minerals can be found in the mountain and forest areas. Among the major non-metallic mineral deposits are gravel, sand, white clay, black clay, bentonite, quartz, marble, red clay and feldspar. Copper and manganese are the dominant metallic mineral deposits.
Nueva Ecija is landlocked province; hence, its water resources are composed mainly of surface and ground waters. These water resources are being harnessed for irrigation, power generation, aquaculture production, recreation and domestic use.
Four (4) major rivers namely: Pampanga, Malimba, Talavera and Chico rivers; eleven (11) other creeks and numerous minor springs system have an aggregate total catchment area of 12,840 square kilometers.
The prevailing climate in Nueva Ecija is Type II with distinct dry and wet seasons. Rainfall starts as early as May and ends in December; its peakmonths are from July to August. Its relative humidity ranges from 77% to 87% with an average of 80%. The prevailing temperature ranges from 21.8 to 34.4C with mean of 27.7C
PEOPLE, CULTURE AND ARTS
Nueva Ecija is dominantly a Tagalog-speaking province. Majority of 75% of the population speaks Tagalog and 22% speaks Ilocano, while the remaining 3% speaks in Pampango and various dialects from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Based on the 2000 census conducted by the National Statistics Office, the total population of the province is 1,659,883 persons with an annual growth rate of 2.11% and population density of 301 persons per square kilometers. The projected population for the year 2005 is 1,836,882 persons.
There are nine cultural communities in the province with an aggregate total population of 33,473 families. Their settlements are concentrated in the mountainous municipalities situated in the eastern and northern parts of the province. These are within the mountain ranges of Sierra Madre, Caraballo and Cordillera. Farming, hunting and gardening are the sources of living of the indigenous communities. Intermarriages between the members of the indigenous communities and people from the main stream gradually change the traditional practices of the indigenous people.
Nueva Ecija is endowed with rich cultural heritage. The expansion of Christianity and the influx of migrants from Ilocos region and Pampanga influenced the foundation of the unique culture of Nueva Ecija. The province served as a melting pot of different cultures that molded the way of life of Novo Ecijanos. Their values and spirituality are expressed in different unique ways and traditions that made Novo Ecijanos district.
Every town has flamboyant fiesta celebration that exhibits the people's humility and devotion in their patron saints. This is best shown in Bibiclat, Aliaga where the famous Taong Putik or Nagsa San Juan ritual is celebrated during the Feast of Saint John the Baptist every June 24. During the celebration, the devotees cover their bodies with mud and dried leaves. This activity symbolizes the acknowledgement of their sins and humble appeal for forgiveness. After collecting candles for their offering, the devotees proceed to the church to attend mass, which is a Eucharistic mass focusing on the observance of the patron saint as the intermediary of the Holy Trinity and devotees. The ritual's unique, but solemn tradition unifies the community to move on and continue living with greater aspirations and stronger faith in god.
Music is the form of art that closest to the hearts of Novo Ecijanos. The National Artist in Music, Maestro Felipe Padilla de Leon, is a Novo Ecijano who made use of music, not just a form of art, but as best instrument to express one's ideologies and aspirations for his country. He was instrumental in the establishment of brass bands all over the municipalities of District IV of the province. The brass band performances are the center of attraction in all festivities. In the celebration of Araquio or the lyrical presentation of the Search of the Cross, the traditional brass band is the major accompaniment.
Nobo Ecijanos are God-fearing and have close-knit family ties. They work closely together with respect and gratitude. Sharing the fruit of their labor is the normal practice among families in the community. Thus, making every Novo Ecijano family a strong brick in building a great province.
TRADE AND INVESTMENT
Agriculture is the primary industry in the province, of which it became the Food Bowl and Rice Granary of Central Luzon. The primary agricultural products are rice, corn, onion, garlic, melon, and mango. Its agricultural production covers an area of about 298, 742 hectares of fertile lands that are nourished by the Great Pampanga Rivers and its many auxiliaries.
Nueva Ecija is the major onion producer in the region. The municipalities of Bangabon, Rizal, Laur, Gabaldon and San Jose City are the major onion producers in the province.
Livestock, poultry and fish productions are other dominant economic activities in the province. Recognizing that high cattle and carabao production an advantage, dairy production is considered as one of the fastest growing industries in the province. The continuous support to the cooperatives and farmers to upgrade and increase the genetic potentials of their native carabaos for milk, meat and draft and provide its continuous market is the flagship program of the draft and provide its continuous market is the flagship program of the Provincial Government of Nueva Ecija and the Philippine Carabao Center.
Slipper industry is also a growing business in the community level in Gapan City. The home-based industries of slipper producers turned into a cooperative venture of the whole community to promote and market Novo Ecijano made sandals and slippers.
Based on the Department of Trade and Industry report, investments in trading, manufacturing and agri-related enterprises and export performance of food, gift, toys and house ware product line proudly made by Novo Ecijanos; from metal to rattan and wooden crafts; and from novelty items to food products are showcased in the Provincial Showroom or the NE-SME trade house and SME Centers in the province.
Nueva Ecija offers boundless opportunities in agro-industry and agri-based trading activities to local and foreign investors. The province's vast, arable and irrigated agricultural lands and support facilities optimize these opportunities. Various agricultural research and development institutions are collaborating with the Provincial Government to achieve agricultural advancement and secure the food supply not only in the province, but in the whole country as well.
TOURISM SITES AND DESTINATIONS
Ecotourism Destinations
Minalungao National Park
Location: General Tinio, Nueva Ecija
Description: The site features the breathtaking view of narrow deep river that looks up to 16- meter high limestone walls. At the end of white rock formation, is an enchanting cave that is perfect for trekking activities.
Gabaldon Falls
Location: Sabani Estate, Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija
Description: The waterfalls are surrounded by green foliage and huge rocks. The bursting sound of its cool and refreshing waterbreaks the serenity of its environ. The place is perfect for group picnics and adventure.
Binbin Falls
Location: Barangay Binbin, Carranglan, Nueva Ecija
Description: The site has three waterfalls that are surrounded by virgin vegetation. Going there is already an adventure, because, the site is located amidst cultivated vegetable farms and forested areas.
Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija
Location: Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija
Description: The serene blue-sky glimpses the 1.61 kilometer long dam enveloped by the picturesque view of Sierra Madre Mountains. The dam's clear water with an average yearly in the sanctuary of tropical marine life and an inviting site for jetskiing and fishing. Pantabangan offers not only its enormous man-made lake but also its guesthouse, the Best View Hotel and Restaurant. With its Spa and Beauty Cottage Salon, swimming pool, tennis courts and water sports amenities, the tourists and guest enjoy the luxury and beauty of the placid scenery of the dam.
Farm-Tourism Destinations
PHILIPPINE RICE RESEARCH INSTITURE (PHILRICE)
Located in Maligaya, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija. Its research programs cover rice varietal improvement, planting and fertilizer management, integrated pest management, rice-based farming systems, rice engineering and mechanization, rice chemistry and food science, social science and policy research and technology transfer.
BUREAU OF FISHERIES AQUATIC RESOURCES-NATIONAL FRESHWATER FISHERIES TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CENTER (BRAR-NFFTRC)
Located on the 25-hectare site within Central Luzon State University. It helps provide the policy framework on fisheries; extend the support services necessary to make fishery and fishery based enterprises profitable; and formulate plans and undertake studies for the proper management, accelerate development and proper use of the country's fishery and aquatic resources.
BUREAU OF POSTHARVEST RESEARCH AND EXTENSION (BPRE)
BPRE is an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture and located within the CLSU compounds. Its R&D; efforts are geared towards the following areas of concern: wet grain handling; aflatoxin contamination in corn and peanut; pest infestation in storage; facilities development and utilization; policy issues; post harvest entrepreneurship; and training and extension.
PHILIPPINE CARABAO CENTER (PCC)
Located at Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija. The PCC operates as an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture and is mandated to conserve, propagate and promote carabao as a source of draft animal power, meat, milk and hide to benefit the rural farmers. Its program has four major components: strengthening of the gene pool; wide scale upgrading; enterprise development; and research and development.
CENTRAL LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY (CLSU)
It started as an Agricultural School in 1907 and has now become a comprehensive university with multiple functions on administration, instruction, research, extension, training and production.
FRESHWATER AQUACULTURE CENTER (FAC)
Its main responsibility is aquaculture with tilapia as its major commodity responsibility. Some of FAC breakthroughs in research: 1. Development of a synthetic strain of Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia; Sex reversal of tilapia; integrated live-stock fish system; mass fingerling production.
FRUITS AND VEGETABLE SEEDS CENTER (FVSC)
Also located in Science City of Munoz, the FVSC is established by the Nueva Ecija Provincial Government with the support of the Department of Agriculture and CLSU to develop quality fruits and vegetable seeds. The center has 10-hectares area for production with pressurized irrigation system green houses, laboratories, conference rooms and modern farm machineries.
PHIL-SINO CENTER FOR AGRICULTURE & TECHNOLOGY
Situated in a 9.78 hectare area inside the CLSU campus, PhilSCAT is the first collaborative project between the Republic of the Philippines and the People's Republic of China through their respective departments and ministry. It was envisioned to make the Filipino farmers prosperous through the adoption of modern and appropriate agricultural technologies such as hybrid rice and mechanization jointly developed and evaluated by Filipino and Chinese scientists. PhilSCAT shall provide quality products and services to modernize the rice industry and maximize the benefits for the various stakeholders.
Cultural Destinations
VIRGEN DIVINA PASTORA NATIONAL SHRINE, Gapan City
On February 13, 1986, the Three Kings Chruch of Gapan City was declared as the National Shrine of Virgen Divina Pastora.
The miraculous image of Divina Pastora believed to be the protector of the people of Gapan City. Unending stories of miracles of the Virgen Divina Pastora trethened the faith of the people. Hence, every May 1 of each year, people from different town and nearby provinces visit the church to pay homage to the miraculous Divina Pastora.
SCHEDULE OF TOWN FIESTAS
DISTRICT I
Aliaga February 8 & April 6
Cuyapo October 29
Guimba March 23-25
Licab February 24-25
Nampicuan December 8
Sto. Domingo April 23-24
Quezon February 1-3
Talavera May 14-15
Zaragosa April 4-5
DISTRICT II
Carranglan April 13-14
Llanera May 10-11
Lupao April 6-9
Munoz December 9
Pantabangan May 27-29
Rizal March 18-20
San Jose City April 20-23
Talugtug Last week of February
DISTRICT III
Bongabon April 8-9
Cabanatuan City February 1-3
Gabaldon 1st Friday of March
Gen. Natividad June 22
Laur 1st Saturday of April
Palayan City December 6-7
Sta. Rosa May 14-15
DISTRICT IV
Cabiao May 15-16
Gapan City January 6/May 1
Gen. Tiño May 10-12
Jaen May 4-5
Peñaranda last Sunday of May
San Antonio January 16-17
San Isidro May 14-15
San Leonardo May 23-24/Aug 24
Parks, Farms and Other Interests
Diamond Park
Location: Kampo Kuatro, San Jose City
Description:
The site features landscaped hills and pagodas. On top of the hill, the panoramic view of Northern part of the province can be seen.
Doña Aurora National Park
Location: Brgy. Labi, Bongabon, Nueva Ecija
Description:
Located 100 meters away from the boundary arch of Nueva Ecija and Aurora, the park has ravines and cliffs that are ideal for adventure activities.
Ostrich Farm
Description:
Ostrich production in Nueva Ecija is considered the first in Central Luzon. Its farm features ostrich production from breeding to meat production.
Gross Ostrich Farm; Located in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija
NEPG Ostrish Farm; Located in Boyscout Compound, Palayan City
Mount Olivete religious Sects Community
Location: Bongabon, Nueva Ecija
Description:
Climbing a hundred steps of curved stone, one reaches the church built by the Adarnista Spiritual Community on a hilltop. Downhill, the community gathers in a clear, bubbling spring that believed to be medicinal and miraculous. At night, fireflies enchant the evening in the barrio.
Different religious sects live harmoniously in the enchanted community.
Sideco House
Location: San Isidro, Nueva Ecija
Description:
The Sideco house was built in the 19th century by Crispulo Sideco. It typifies the houses of the Floral period in the Philippine colonial architecture, where ogee arches, filigreed wooden panels, grilles wrought in curlicues and floral and foliate designs abound in the house as basic structural elements or as ornaments.
It had been the seat of General Emilio Aguinaldo's First Philippine Republic when he established it as his headquarters in San Isidro during the last part of his odyssey from the American forces.
NUEVA ECIJA IN FOCUS
The Provincial Capitol of Nueva Ecija
The Nueva Ecija Sports Complex, the future site of Palarong Pambansa
The Mayor Basilio B. Manuel Sr. Memorial Swimming Pool and Aquatic Training Center is ready to serve the swimming enthusiasts, while the other facilities such as oval, baseball field, archery range, grandstand are still under construction and set to be finished on 2006.
The Nueva Ecija Convention Center, a promising venue, which is equipped with latest lights and sounds technology, caters for all convention, incentives, congress and entertainment activities. The NECC is the provincial center of culture and arts
To support the convention activities and tourism industry, the Provincial Government will establish and operate the Nueva Ecija Grang Hotel in Palayan City.
The Aquino-Diokno Shrine
Fort Magsaysay, one of the biggest military camps in Asia and the training ground of the finest military generals of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. This is also the site of the Aquino-Diokno Memorial Shrine, established to commemorate the struggle of Senators Benigno S. Aquino Jr. and Jose W. Diokno during Martial Law and to dedicate to the spirit of freedom and the triumph of human spirit
Pangatian Shrine, located in Cabanatuan City, is one of the historical landmarks in the province. The POW memorial shrine is maintained and managed by the American Battles and monument Commission, while the Pangatian Heroes shrine is owned and being developed by the Nueva Ecija Provincial Government. Soon, the Hour of the Great Rescue, Sundial Monument and World War II museum will rise in Pangatian Shrine
Museo Novo Ecijano, the Provincial Museum, located at the ground floor of the Provincial Capitol in Palayan City. Established to feature the history and culture of Novo Ecijano people, the museum is serving students and visitors from different parts of the region.
Soon, the Provincial Museum will be transferred to its new designed to exhibit inter-active and educational dioramas using lights and sounds technology and life-sized moving figurines.
Dining Facilities
While in Cabanatuan City
PLAZA LETICIA
Contact Person: MRS. LETICIA UY
Tel. No.: (044) 463-7595
**FAST FOOD CHAINS (Jollibee, Mc Donald's, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Chowking, Kenny Roger's Roaster) are available at NE Pacific Mall and Mega Center the Mall
While in Gapan City
LUZ KITCHENETE
Contact Person: MRS. LUZ TORRES
Tel. No.: (044) 486-0103
Hotels and Resorts
LA PARILLA HOTEL
Address: Zulueta St., Melencio Corner Cabanatuan City
Facilities: 44 rooms; fine-dining restaurant; function rooms for meetings, conferences, banquets and other special events
Contact Person: MR. PABLO PADILLA
Tel. No.: (044) 463-1810
VILLAGE INN
Address: Mabini Homesite, Cabanatuan City
Facilities: 36 rooms; swimming pool; function room
Contact Person: DR. WILSON VENERACION
Tel. Nos.: (044)463-1056; 600-2986
DELUXE HOTEL
Address: Burgos Avenue, Cabanatuan City
Facilities: 21 rooms; Chinese Restaurant; function room
Contact Person: MR. IZZY YEE
Tel. Nos.: (044) 600-0614
FRED'S APARTELLE
Address: 0728 Victoria Mansions, Bitas, Cabanatuan City
Facilities: 20 rooms; coffee shop
Contact Person: ENGR. LUALHATI B. AGUNOY
Tel. No.: (044) 464-1746
PRIME RESORT AND HOTEL
Address: Mampulog Bitas, Cabanatuan City
Facilities: 20 rooms, swimming pool
Contact Person: MS. CARMI BERNARDO
Tel. No.: (044) 463-5872
HUNTER VALLEY PLANTATION & RESORT
Address: Brgy. Cabu, Cabanatuan City
Facilities: 3 swimming pools; function rooms for meetings, conferences, seminars; 2 2-storey villas; 20 rooms; mini-zoo; camping facilities; butterfly sanctuary; horse back riding and fishing amenities
Contact Person: MRS. FILIPINAS M. MAGTALAS
Tel. No.: (044) 600-2524
ACROPOLIS NORTH WATER CAMP & COUNTRY CLUB
Address: Cabanatuan City
Email Add: [email protected] Facilities: swimming pool, restaurant; basketball court; badminton court; billiard tables; executive suite rooms and villas
Contact Person: MR. RUBEN TINIO
Tel. Nos.: (044) 965-2296 to 97
GENERAL INFORMATION
Region: CENTRAL LUZON (Region III)
Province: NUEVA ECIJA
Capital: PALAYAN CITY
Number of Municipalities: 27
Number of Cities: 5
Number of Barangay: 849
Land Area: 550,718 has.
Climate: Type II
Mean annual temperature: 21.8˚C-34.1˚C
Population: (2000 Census) 1,659,883 persons
(Projection: 2005) 1,836,882 persons
Household: 340,158
Population Density: 301 person per square kilometer
Annual population growth: 2.11%
Annual life span: 71
Literacy rate: 96.3
Working age population
(15 yrs-above): 1,665,000
Employed: 63.29% or 609,000
Unemployed: 36.71% or 391,000
Employment Distribution:
Agriculture: 46.7% or 285,000
Services: 42.2% or 257,000
Industry: 11.1% or 68,000
Highly populated areas:
Cabanatuan City Gapan City
San Jose City Talavera
Guimba
Least populated areas:
Nampicuan Licab
Talugtog Pantabangan
Major dialects spoken: Tagalog, Ilokano
Local Officials
Governor: TOMAS N. JOSON III
Vice-Governor: MARIANO CRISTINO N. JOSON
Board members
1st District: CESAR V. CUCIO
IRENEO S. DE LEON
JOSE BERNARDO V. YANGO
2nd District: BELLA AURORA A. DULAY
ALFREDO M. VENDIVIL
3rd District: Senior BN. EDWARD THOMAS F. JOSON
MELCHOR M. MORALES
4th District: J.M. MAXIMINO L. VILLAREAL
RUDY J. DE LEON (deceased)
NAPOLEON G. INTERIOR
ABC President: LEONARDO DC. GARCIA
PCL President: ALLAN XYSTUS A. GAMILLA
SK President: MARK ALVIN V. DIAZ
Secretary: ATTY. TOMAS F. LAHOM
List of Mayors
District I
Aliaga MARCIAL R. VARGAS
Cuyapo GRACE U. CORPUZ
Guimba JOSE LUCIUS POCHOLO M. DIZON
Licab NOLI N. CO
Nampicuan LUISITO S. VERAYO
Sto. Domingo JIMMY I. DOMINGO
Quezon EDUARDO BASILIO M. JOSON
Talavera NERITO L. SANTOS
Zaragoza TEODORICO CORNES JR.
District II
Carranglan LUZVIMINDO C. OTIC
Llanera ARSENIO P. NATIVIDAD
Lupao ALEX A JOANINO
Munoz Science City NESTOR L. ALVAREZ
Pantabangan LUCIO B. UERA
Rizal EUGENIO L. PLACIDO JR.
San Jose City ALEXANDER S. BELENA
Talugtug PACIFICO MONTA
District III
Bongabon AMELIA A. GAMILLA
Cabanatuan City JULIUS CAESAR V. VERGARA
Gabaldon DOMINADOR MANDIA
General Natividad CARLOS A. PASCUAL
Laur BLAS A. CANLAS
Palayan City REMEO V. CAPINPIN
Sta. Rosa MARLON J. MARCELO
District IV
Cabiao GLORIA C. CONGCO
Gapan City ERNESTO L. NATIVIDAD
General Tinio ISIDRO T. PAJARILLAGA
Jaen ANTONIO PROSPERO L. ESQUIVEL
Peñaranda FELIX A. CORPUZ
San Antonio JOSE L. SALONGA
San Isidro SONIA R. LORENZO
San Leonardo MARVIN MARTIN
Distance of Growth areas to Manila
Cabanatuan City 114 kms.
San Jose City 160kms.
Guimba 153kms.
Gapan City 94kms.
Palayan City 132kms.
Sta. Rosa 109kms.
Munoz Science City 147kms.
Talavera 130kms.
Approximate Travel Time (by land transportation)
Cabanatuan City - Manila 3-4 hours
Cabanatuan City - CLARK (via Tarlac) 2 hours
Cabanatuan City - CLARK (via San Fernando City) 2-3 hours
Cabanatuan City - Angeles City (via San Fernando City) 3 hours
Cabanatuan City - SUBIC 4-5 hours
There are six (6) major buses stationed in the province namely: Baliwag Transit, Five Star, R.L. Transport, Arayat Express, RAM Transit and Sierra Madre Transit plying the rough Manila as far as Appari. Baliwag Transit is the major bus company serving the different municipalities in the province, in support of other forms of public utility vehicles that bound along the countryside.
Forest-based Natural Resources
FOREST PRODUCTS LOCATION
Major Products:
A. Trees/timber Bongabon, Pantabangan
(Almaciga, Narra, Red/white Lauan, Carranglan,
Palosapis, Apitong, Dao, Bagtikan) General Tinio
Benguet Pine, Teak Carranglan
Minor Products:
A. Bamboo Usually found in riverbanks
B. Rattan found at thickly forested area
C. Vines (labtong, anito) found at thickly forested area
D. Grasses (cogon, napier, tiger grass)
Tree sap
A. Resins(sap of almaciga)
B. Tennins (sap of unknown tree)
C. Oil (sap of selected Pinnacea and Burseracea species)
Wild life: Orchids, ferns, mushrooms, birds, deer, wild pigs, snakes
Mineral Resources
LOCATION APP. VOLUME
Placer Gold Palayan City
Manganese Carranglan Undetermined
Pantabangan Undetermined
Gabaldon Undetermined
Red Clay Talugtug Undetermined
Munoz Science City Undetermined
San Jose City Undetermined
Palayan City Undetermined
White Clay Laur, Carranglan Undetermined
Ball Clay Carranglan Undetermined
Bentonite General Tinio 1,135,500 M.T.
Palayan City 318,500 m3
Limestone General Tinio
Feldspar Laur 51,581,250 M.T.
Carranglan Undetermined
Marbles General Tinio 4,000,000 CBM
Quartz sand Carranglan Undetermined
Copper General Tinio Undetermined
Talc San Isidro, Laur Undetermined
Gravel & Sand Abundant in all river systems
SUPORT FACILITIES
Roads and Bridges
Marketing and overall mobility of goods and services are facilitated through the opening and improvement of farm to market roads, upgrading of national highways and other arterial networks and improvements of rehabilitation of bridges.
At present, the road network in the provinces has a total length of about 5,384 kilometers. The breakdown of which is:
DESCRIPTION TOTAL LENGTH in Kms.
National Roads 482.5570
Provincial Roads 696.962
Municipal Roads 449
Barangay Roads 3,740.69
There are 104 concrete and 2 temporary bridges. The total length of bridges along Provincial Roads is 9,972 linear meters.
Irrigation
Nueva Ecija has one of the biggest irrigation systems in the country, the Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System (UPRIIS), which is served by the Pantabangan Dam and Reservoir. The breakdown of total service areas by irrigation systems are given below:
SYSTEM # OF SYSTEM Has. IRRIGATED
National Irrigation System 1 92,382
Communal Irrigation System 9 22,527
Small Water Impounding 21 1,329
Projects
Pump Irrigation Projects 30 1,313
Shallow Tube Wells 7,327
Small Farm Reservoir 870 870
Diversion Dam 3 85
Power Supply
The power generating capacity of the province's Hydro-Power Plant in Pantabangan is 112 MW and an additional 150 MW is supplied by the Casecnan Multi-Purpose Irrigation and Power Project. The power supply of the province is enough even if the demand increases.
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES THAT SERVE 633 BARANGAY OF THE PROVINCE:
Nueva Ecija Electric Cooperative
San Jose Electric Cooperative
Cabanatuan City Electric Corporation
Communication
Telecommunication services in the province are provided mostly by the private sector.
SYSTEM PROVIDED BY:
Telephone PLDT, RCPI, DIGITEL, BUTEL, & PT&T; (Private franchise Operators)
Telegraph 32 Telegraphic offices of TELECOM
Postal Office 32 Postal offices and postal stations
Radio Station 5 Radio Stations
Courier LBC, DHL, Kabayan Forwarders, FEDEX, JRS Express and ABOITIZ Express
Internet 8 Internet Service Providers:
JVC (Mozcom) and Worldlink
Cellsites Mobiline (40), SMART (12), GLOBE (18)
Banks & Financing Institutions
The commercial, industrial and agricultural financing needs of the province are being served by 57 rural banks, 48 commercial banks, 2 specialized commercial banks and 47 lending institutions. Central Bank has also a branch in Cabanatuan City.
These banking and financing institutions extend loans for agricultural, real estate, commercial, income-generating a livelihood projects.
Water Facility
Industrial, commercial and domestic water consumption largely depend on ground water supplied by privately-owned deep well, hand pumps and local water utilities. There are 19 water districts operating in the province covering 56 percent of the cities and municipalities:
Cabanatuan City Gen. Tinio
San Jose City Gen. Llanera
Palayan City Pantabangan
Munoz Science Community San Antonio
Sta. Rosa Talavera
Aliaga Jaen
Gapan City San Isidro
Guimba Cabiao
Peñaranda San Leonardo
Cuyapo
Food Control Facility
Some 89,198 linear meters of flood control structures are in place at present at the following cities and municipalities:
Bongabon Zaragoza
Laur Aliaga
San Isidro Llanera
San Leonardo Rizal
Gen. Tinio Talavera
Gabaldon San Jose City
Jaen Cabanatuan City
San Antonio Palayan City
Cabiao
Hospitals
DESCRIPTION NUMBER
Regional Hospitals 1
Provincial Hospitals 3
District Hospitals 6
Medical Community 3
Private Hospital 12
Rural Health Units 52
Main Health Centers 30
Barangay Health Stations 270
Military Hospitals 1
The Provincial Government continually pursues improving school facilities. A total of 86 units of school buildings were constructed in year 2003-2004 to facilitate the increasing number of students every school year. Gyms, multi-purpose halls and pathways are just some of the infrastructure programs that are implemented to provide conducive environs for better learning
To make education accessible to Novo Ecijanos, the Provincial Government established and operated its own college, the EDUARDO L. JOSON MEMORIAL COLLEGE, in Palayan City. The ELJMC serves the poor but deserving students who dream to pursue college degree programs.
Sports Complex
To support the sports development program of the Provincial Government of Nueva Ecija, a sports complex equipped with state-of-the-art facilities is constructed. The complex has swimming pool, rubberized oval and grandstand.
KABABAIHANG MASIGLA NG NUEVA ECIJA
Address: Joson's farm. Ilog Baliuag, Quezon
Contact person: MRS. VILMA JOSON
Product: preserved fruits and candies, rice wines
NEFEDCO DAIRY PRODUCTS
Address: San Ricardo, Talavera
Tel. No.: (0918) 906-3729
Product: Carabao's milk, pastillas, white cheese
PAPEL NUEBA ECIJA
Address: 48 Maharlika Highway, Bantug Science City of Munoz
Contact person: MR JOSE ALONZO JR
Tel. No.: (0919) 392-8314
Product: Handmade papersheets, papercraft lanterns, frames and boxes
Contact