HISTORY OF BONGABON

BONGABON, is an old town of Nueva Ecija and was the Second Capital of
Nueva Ecija, after Baler, (which is now the capital of Aurora Province).

Looking back at History, before the creation of the province of Nueva Ecija in
1705, Bongabon was part of the province of Pampanga.

During the seventeenth century, 1637 to 1700, the Augustinian missionaries

were given the task of establishing missions to bring the Catholic Faith to the people of
Central and Northern Luzon from Manila to the Pacific coasts. They followed the routes
to these part of Luzon along the Pampanga and Santor Rivers. ( Santor is at present a
barrio of Bongabon). The Missionaries followed the route along the river banks from
Bacolor, to Sexmoan, Macabebe, Arayat, Gapan and Santor. In 1638. Fray Gaspar
Lopez an eminent orator, was brought to a mission of the Augustinian in Santor and
Gapang in 1641. Finding Santor to be an ideal site for the headquarters of the missions,
they constructed a church and convent in the place. From this base, the missionaries
worked for the conversion of the people of Gapang (now Gapan), Pantabangan and
Baler. In 1700, the missions were quite successful and they established the village of
Bongabon which was three kilometers from Santor.

BONGABON was quite populous and it was not long after that it became
municipality making Santor one of its barrios. In 1760 and the Parish Patron become
Saint Francis of Assisi became the Parish Patron since then. Years Later, Bongabon
became the Capital of Nueva Ecija.

Obviously, Bongabon got its name from the botel nut palms (bunga) that abound
in the place. Up to this time, botel nuts are plentiful in the poblacion and in the barrios,
most especially in Santor.

At this age of pre-stressed concrete structures and the pre-fabricated buildings,

still some brick houses and brick wall yards are a common sight in Bongabon. They are
the mute testimonies of the glorious past.

Basic information. Bongabon is chiefly an Agricultural town. Its soil is fertile and
mostly sandy loam. It is very much suited to rice, corn, onions, cabbage, pechay and
other vegetables. Asides from rice and corn, vegetables like onions, cabbage and
pechay are raised in large commercial scale and sold in Manila and neighboring
provinces. Bongabon onions are well known in the markets of Metro Manila. The
GMTFM (Greater Manila Trade and Food Market) has station in Bongabon wich helps
the farmers sell their products at good price.
 Many residents of the municipality, are also engaged in Poultry and Swine
Reaising, in which are the potential markets of livestock production sold in Cabanatuan
City and Manila

BONGABON, a typical municipality of 28,352.90 hectares may delight tourists

for its plenty of scenic views. It is primarily an agricultural town with vast fertile soil
suited to almost all kinds of crops, Onions, palay and other crops. have reached the
public markets as far as Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Bongabon is a 2nd class
municipality with a population of 64,173 based on 2015 Census of Population. It has an
Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) of P 176,397,056.54 for the fiscal year 2017.

The Municipality has twenty six(26) public elementary schools and three (3)
National High School, with total enrolment of 9649 and 4911, respectively as of 2017.

NUEVA ECIJA has five emergency hospitals stationed in five towns and one of
this Hospitals is in Bongabon, the Bongabon District Hospital. It has fifty bed capacities
with staff of Twenty-four. Ordinary ailments and minor surgery are attended to in the
hospital.

TAGALOG is generally the language spoken by many residents. One third of the
population speaks Ilocano, and a minor portion speaks Kapampangan and
Pangasinense. With exception of the few very old people, English is understood by
many Local residents.

Majority of the people of the municipality are Catholics. An imposing Catholic

church is located in the heart of the poblacion. The edifice is the remnant of the old
church constructed during the Spanish times, as evidenced by its brick walls and two
huge bells. The church had been renovated and remodelled many times since the pre-
war days, and finally, five years ago, it was completed with a touch of both ancient and
modern concepts.

Members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) are growing in number as well, and are
second to the Catholic in membe. Some Religoius Sects also boast big imposing
churches with the characteristic style and architecture of their respective churches.

Other sects in the municipality include the Methodist, Iglesia Ng Dios, Seventh
Day Adventists, the Adarnistas, and the Samahan ng Amang Kaama Amahan at Inang
Kaina Inahan, the last two being subjects of studies.

Obviously, Bongabon got its name from the borel nut palms (bunga) that abound
in the place. Up to this time, botel nuts are plentiful in the poblacion and in the barrios,
most especially in Santor.
Topography and Land area. Bongabon is one of the twenty-seven municipalities in
Nueva Ecija and lies at the eastern portion of the province. It is twenty-seven kilometers
from Cabanatuan City and 145 kilometers from Manila. It is bounded in the east by the
Municipality of Gabaldon and Aurora province; Palayan City and Laur in the South,
General Natividad in the west and Rizal and Pantabangan in the north, and the other
way Bongabon is accessible through Various National Roads.
Municipal Planning And Development Office