Silang, Cavite

Silang
Municipality
Flag Seal
Nickname(s): Food Bastion of Metro Manila
{{#property:P242}} Map of Cavite showing the location of Silang
Silang Location within the Philippines
Coordinates:
Country	[[{{#property:P17}}]]
Region	CALABARZON (Region IV-A)
Province	[[{{#property:P131}}]]
Congr. districts	5th District of Cavite
Incorporated	1917
Barangays	64
Government
• Mayor	Emilia Lourdes Poblete (Lakas-CMD)
• Vice Mayor	Rosalie B. Loyola (LP)
Area
• Municipality	209.43 km2 (80.86 sq mi)
Population (2015)
• Municipality	248,085
• Density	1,200/km2 (3,100/sq mi)
• Urban	65,844
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	{{#property:P281}}
Dialing code	{{#property:P473}}

The Municipality of Silang (Filipino: Bayan ng Silang) is a first class landlocked municipality in the province of Cavite, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 248,085 people in an area of 209.4 square kilometers (80.8 sq mi). Silang is located in the eastern section of Cavite.

It is the location of the Philippine National Police Academy, PDEA Academy, and International Institute of Rural Reconstruction head office.

With the continuous expansion of Metro Manila, the municipality is now part of the Manila's conurbation which spans southward toward Lipa City.

Geography

The municipality of Silang is approximately 45 kilometres (28 mi) south of Manila. General Trias, Dasmariñas and General Mariano Alvarez (GMA) bound it on the north and on the west by Amadeo, Tagaytay on the south. Silang is noted for its relatively cool and invigorating climate.

Barangays

Silang is politically subdivided into 64 barangays.

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Etymology

The name Silang was derived from the Tagalog word silanganan meaning "east", because the town is seated at the eastern portion of Cavite. A legend claims that it was coined from the Tagalog word isinilang or "given birth to", referring to the sudden and unusual emergence of the parish church. It may also refer to the new emergence of the land from the eruption of Taal Volcano on May 15, 1754. Whereas, three barangays of Silang are called Tubuan I, II & III.

History

Pre-Hispanic period

The roots are traced by tradition to the time when ten Bornean datus migrated northward on board balangays and ended in Silang through Taal Lake. Its first settlers were Gat Hingiw, his wife Gat Kaliwanag and their seven children. Their children moved to different places of the town and established their respective barangays. Gat Pandan stayed in the community and developed the area.

Spanish colonial era

During the start of the Spanish colonization in the Philippines, tracts of land were given by the monarch of Spain to the Spanish conquistadores and their descendants who collected tributes from the people residing in their acquired lands. Silang originally belonged to the encomienda (land grant) of Diego Jorge de Villalobos. His Silang territory extended to what is today the towns of Carmona, Amadeo, Indang, Alfonso, General Trias and Tanza.

The Silang territory was later purchased from King Ferdinand VI of Spain for 2,000 pesetas on March 9, 1746 to prevent it from becoming a "friar land" like the other towns of Cavite, executed through the representation of Bernabe Javier Manahan and Gervacio dela Cruz.

Demographics

Population census of Silang
Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1990	93,790	—
1995	124,062	+5.38%
2000	156,137	+5.05%
2007	199,825	+3.46%
2010	213,490	+2.44%
Source: National Statistics Office

Religion

The majority of the people in Silang, Cavite are Roman Catholics. Some are Iglesia ni Cristo, Baptist, Adventist, Jehovah's Witness, LDS Churches, Protestant/Christian churches, Islam, born again Christian fellowships (Jesus Is Lord, Victory, Word for the World, Community Harvest, Community of Praise, Jesus Christ Spreading the Good News, Lord's Vineyard Covenant Community etc.) and Members Church of God International (Ang Dating Daan) are also established in five Baranggay's.

Religion	Percent ( % )
Roman Catholic	80.5%
Protestant	7.5%
Evangelical	3.5%
Aglipay	2.5%
Islam	2.5%
Iglesia ni Cristo	1.5%
Others (specified)	2.5%

Economy

Premier Plaza Mall

Silang, like most of the towns in the province of Cavite, depends on a mainly agricultural economy. The primary crops grown in the area are coconut, coffee, corn, banana, pineapple, and tree crops like mango, lansones, caimito, santol, jackfruit, guava, and avocado. Fertile soils and abundant water sources make Silang suitable not only for common commercial crops but also for high value and exotic crops production. Most of the local farmers practice intercropping to increase land productivity and lessen soil erosion. Fruit production exceeds the demand of the municipality's population, thus, supply excesses are marketed to Metro Manila and neighboring urban centers. A number of poultry and swine farms are also located in some rural barangays.

Manufacturing and trade are Silang’s other major sources of income. Trade and investments grew tremendously with the influx of both Manila-based and foreign investors. Total investments were estimated at P2.5 billion between 1996 and 2004, which helped bring about the employment of 3,000 people. Despite the slow down of progress in 2004, Land Value still soared, allowing investors to infiltrate and start business. The investment trend resulted in the increase in the price of prime realty from P3,000 to P15,000 per square meter and from P150 to P500 per square meter for raw lots in interior barangays. Trade establishments in Silang include gasoline stations, convenience stores, lumber/hardware traders, groceries, resorts, and hotels.

The dry goods section of the Silang Public Market can now accommodate 228 stalls.

Silang houses the Maguyam Industrial Complex and the Daichi Industrial Complex in addition to a total of ten factories operating outside the export processing zone.

Transportation

Silang can be reached by bus, or by jeepney. Coming from Manila, it will take 2 hours to reach the town proper. Silang is accessible by land transportation. Major road networks to and from Laguna and Batangas traverse it making the town a potential trading center for agricultural products while enjoying an environment that is free of traffic and pollution problems. Commuters are assured of smooth travel within the borders of the municipality with of its good road networks of approximately 187.83 km. Six major road projects were completed in 1996. These are the Bulihan Resettlement Area Road, the 8-km Kaong-Maguyam Road, the Caramanzana Drive connecting the Silang Public Market with Aguinaldo Highway, the 2-km Sabutan-Iba Road, the DPWH funded Sta. Rosa-Silang-Tagaytay Road, and the Malabag Road

Places of worship

Other denominations

Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4th Watch)	J.P.Rizal Street, Brgy. Tubuan 1
Iglesia ni Cristo	Brgy. Biga, Brgy. Biluso, Brgy. Bulihan, Brgy. Imperial, Brgy. Lalaan, Brgy. Malabag, Brgy. Pasong Langka, Brgy. Pooc
Church of God International	Brgy. Biga 2, Brgy. Bulihan, Brgy. Kaong, Brgy. Malabag, Brgy. Tartaria

Places of interest

Our Lady of Candelaria Parish Church

• Lucsuhin Natural Bridge or Cabag Caves
• National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Brgy. Biga along Aguinaldo Highway
• Cavite State University
• Gen. Vito L. Belarmino Monument
• Infant Jesus Academy of Silang
• Jose Ignacio Paua
• Our Lady of Candelaria Parish Church of Silang: The Silang parish was established by Franciscan fathers on February 3, 1585. It was passed on to the Jesuits in 1611 who constructed the parish church of Silang from 1637 to 1639. It was dedicated to Our Lady of Candelaria in 1640. When the Jesuits were expelled from the Spanish colonies in 1788, the parish was taken over by the secular clergy then Augustinian Recollects and other religious orders have successively taken over the parish thereafter. It is now administered by the secular clergy since 1978. The Vicariate of Our Lady of Candelaria is part of the Diocese of Imus.
• Riviera Golf and Country Club: it has two 18-hole championship courses designed by Fred Couples and Bernhard Langer and a 9-hole compact course
• Premier Plaza Mall
• Estrella Hospital

Local government

Silang Town Hall

Elected officials:

• Mayor: Emilia Lourdes "Omil" Fule Poblete
• Vice Mayor: Rosalie "Gigi" Batingal Loyola
• Sangguniang Bayan Members:
  • Belamide, Aidel Paul Garcia
  • Amutan, Ferdinand Cabrera
  • Batingal, Luis Jr. Valdez
  • Patawe, Nestor Vicente
  • Tolentino, Allan Amon
  • Toledo, Alfredo Lait
  • Doneza, Ronnie "Isang Bagsak" Aracacap
  • De Jesus, Luciano Jr. Palmero
• ABC President: Crisostomo, Paolo Poblete

List of former executives

Gobernadorcillo (Leader of 'pueblo' or bayan during Spanish Era):

2

As the effect of the Maura Law in 1893, the tribunal del pueblo was changed to tribunal municipal and leaders of municipalities were called Capitan Municipal:

1. Victor Belardo 1893-1894
2. Nicolas Montoya 1895-1896
3. Martin Medina 1896
4. Isidoro Montoya 1896-1897
5. Marcelo Madlansacay (former gobernadorcillo) 1897
6. Vicente Poblete 1897-1898
7. Jose Kiamzon 1898-1901

During the American Period, the 2nd commission passed the Municipal Code (Act No. 82) that created Municipalities. The leaders were called Presidente Municipal: First Elections were held 1903. (Silang Historical Society)

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Municipal Mayor(s):

2

Education

Public elementary schools:

2

Government high schools:

• Kaong National High School (Barangay Kaong)
• Lumil National High School (Barangay Lumil)
• General Vito L. Belarmino National High School (Barangay Kalubkob)
• Malabag National High School (Barangay Malabag Toledo)
• Munting Ilog National High School - Main (Barangay Munting Ilog)
• Bulihan National High School (Barangay Old Bulihan)
• Munting Ilog National High School - Silang West Annex (Barangay Poblacion 5)

Private schools:

2

Catholic schools:

• The Sisters of Mary School - Boystown (Adlas Campus)
• The Sisters of Mary School - Girlstown (Biga Campus)
• Father Michael Donoher Memorial School
• Rogationist College
• Sacred Heart Villa School
• St. Scholastica's College - Westgrove
• Infant Jesus Academy of Silang
• Risen Christ Catholic School (Ipil Dr.)

Colleges, state colleges and universities:

2

Cavite State University panorama

Images

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  Welcome arch

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  Town hall facade

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  Downtown

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  PNP

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  Auditorium

External links

• General Ignacio Paua Park