Banzon, Beatriz, A.

2012-46538 HISTORY OF HOMETOWN

History 1 Sir Bernard Karganilla

Balanga is the capital of Bataan. It was formerly a visita of Abucay (one of the towns in Bataan) before it was established as a Dominican Order in the Provincial Charter of April 21, 1714 and later declared vicariate on April 18, 1739, under the patronage of Saint Joseph. In 1754, the establishment of the province, under governor General Pedro Manuel Arania chose Balanga to be the capital because of it is at the heart of the new territorial location. However, Balanga lost its capital title to Orani from 1906 up to 1911. Balanga came from the word banga (a claypot), which the town used to produce and which was known to be among the best that can be found in the country. In the1898 Revolution, the Fall of Bataan, rebels in Balanga were able to regain their independence when the military chief surrendered because of the lack of food and help. From there, up to the last years of the American period, Balanga continued to be progressive but ended in 1941 when the Japanese bombarded Bataan into bits and pieces. Balanga was gravely destroyed because it was the center of living and learning. Reconstruction of the province, specifically Balanga, became a monumental task immediately after the war. Little by little, Balanga has risen from the rubbles. Cityhood came to Balanga on December 30, 2000. Today, it serves as a catch basin for industrial growth areas in the province due to its vast resources and services. The city also saw a high level of residential growth and has extended its urban fringe. The government of the City of Balanga plans to undertake a Master Planning exercise and to propose various developmental projects that would make Balanga a well-established community with quality and character that is innovative and special.