Hermosa, Bataan

History

Historically, the town was established in 1756 by Dominican priests. At that time, it was known as Llana Hermosa and composed of Mabuco and Mabuyan. It was then still part of Pampanga, like the rest of Bataan. It became an independent missionary center in 1756 with Saint Peter de Verona as its patron saint.

The town of Hermosa was very peaceful and progressive before World War II. When the war broke out, their quiet routine was disturbed. During the Bataan Death March, civilians of Hermosa risked the ire of the Japanese by secretly passing food to Filipino and American soldiers.

Geography

Hermosa is located directly south of Dinalupihan and south-southwest of San Fernando, Pampanga (the regional city center). Hermosa borders the province of the Pampanga to the northeast, with Manila Bay to the east.

Hermosa is home to the Roosevelt Protected Landscape and Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ; along with Morong also in the province of Bataan, and Olongapo and Subic in Zambales), and is accessible via the Bataan Provincial Expressway, off Exit 10 and Jose Abad Santos Avenue. It is 19 km from Balanga and 105 km from Manila.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 157.00 km2 constituting of the 1,372.98 km2 total area of Bataan.

Climate

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Barangays

Hermosa is politically subdivided into 23 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Demographics

In the 2024 census, Hermosa had a population of 80,557 people. The population density was {{sigfig|80,557/157.00|2}} PD/km2.

Economy

Existing industries in Hermosa are garments, handpainted jars, balut and salted egg making. Today, fruit processing particularly of mangoes and bananas, handicrafts, and stuffed toys are the major produce of this town. Probably less known, but existing for a long time is the aquaculture industry, traditionally for bangus, tilapia and crabs, but more recently for prawns, which was found more lucrative.

Hermosa Rural Bank serves the banking needs of the municipality. Major bus lines and mini-bus coming from Manila, San Fernando and Olongapo pass through the town of Hermosa while the most common type of transport within the municipality are jeepneys and tricycles. The newly established Hermosa Public Market in barangay Palihan has also the terminal of vehicles going to Clark and Mabalacat in Pampanga via SCTEX. The town has a total of 1 bank, 21 schools, 15 medical clinics/health centers, and 2 recreational facilities.

Hermosa Special Economic Zone

The Zone is adapted for building light to medium industries, recreational and housing facilities for industry and residents inside the zone investments in fruit processing utilizing the abundant supply of mangoes and banana in the province. The Subic Hermosa Cybercity is a 93-hectare Special Economic Zone which will host locator Businesses dealing in Information Technology (IT), manufacture of electronic products, IT research and development, and multi-media industries.

Government

Local government

Main article: Sangguniang Bayan

Pursuant to the Local government in the Philippines", the political seat of the municipal government is located at the Municipal Hall. The legislative and executive departments perform their functions in the Sangguniang Bayan (Session Hall) and Municipal Trial Court, respectively, and are located in the Town Hall.

Elected officials

Infrastructure

Telecommunications

Digitel is the major provider of telecommunication services in the municipality.

Cable TV is provided by the Hermosa Cable, Destiny and Malasimbu. Internet connection is also provided by Digitel, and Smart (SmartBro).

CONVERGE ICT.

Electricity

Hermosa is 100% electrified and is being served by the Peninsula Electric Company (PENELCO).

Two substations of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) are located along Jose Abad Santos Avenue just before entering Pampanga which are Hermosa and Balsik EHV substations. It also provides power to the municipality other than Penelco through its transmission lines.

Water service

Major source of water for domestic use is ground water. Existing water systems are artesian and open wells, pumps and pipeline with tanks. Two barangays are being served by a common facility through the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA). In addition, a new facility was installed in barangay Mabuco, which now served the whole poblacion.

Education

The Hermosa Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools.

Elementary schools

• Almacen Elementary School
• Bacong Elementary School
• Balsik Elementary School
• Bamban Elementary School
• Bethany Methodist Learning Center
• Culis Elementary School
• Divine Miracle Christian Academy
• Hermosa Elementary School
• Mabiga Elementary School
• Maite Elementary School
• Mambog Elementary School
• Pandatung Elementary School
• Parapal Elementary School
• Pastolan Elementary School
• Pulo Elementary School
• Saba Elementary School
• Tipo Elementary School

Secondary schools

• Balsik National High School
• Hermosa National High School
• Hermosa National High School-Annex
• Jesus Saves Integrated School Foundation
• St. Peter of Verona Academy, Inc.

References

References

1. {{DILG detail
2. "the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines".
3. "The Local Government Code Of The Philippines - Chan Robles Virtual Law Library".
4. (January 15, 2021). "Masterlist of Schools".