Pilar, Bataan

Etymology

The town was named in the honor of the image of the Our Lady of the Pillar, hence the town was called "Pilar".

History

One of the oldest towns of Bataan, Pilar was previously part of Pampanga. Spaniards in the galleon landed in a sitio of Balanga and were greeted by the natives.

Geography

Pilar is located in eastern part of Bataan Peninsula, bordering Balanga (the provincial capital) to the north, Orion to the south, Bagac to the west, and Manila Bay to the east. It is 1 km from Balanga and 125 km from Manila.

The Bataan Government Center and the historic Mount Samat National Shrine (Dambana ng Kagitingan) are both situated within the municipality in Barangays Diwa and Ala-uli, respectively.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 37.60 km2 constituting of the 1,372.98 km2 total area of Bataan.

Climate

Barangays

Pilar is politically subdivided into 19 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Demographics

In the 2024 census, Pilar had a population of 47,107 people. The population density was {{sigfig|47,107/37.60|2}} PD/km2.

Economy

Government

Local government

Main article: Sangguniang Bayan

Pursuant to the Local Government Code of the Philippines", the political seat of the municipal government is located at the Municipal Hall. In the Spanish period, the Gobernadorcillo was the Chief Executive who held office in the Presidencia. During the American rule (1898–1946), the elected Mayor and local officials, including the appointed ones held office 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

Pilar, Bataan's elected officials are Mayor Alice D. Pizarro (National Unity) and Vice Mayor Marino Caguimbal (National Unity).

The eight Sangguniang Bayan Members led by the Vice Mayor hold office at the Pilar Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall.

Tourism

Landmarks and festivals of Pilar include:

• Mount Samat Zipline — longest zipline in Luzon
• Veterans Park — located in Poblacion, Piazza Della Virgen del Pilar
• Mount Samat National Shrine — 92 m War Memorial Cross some 555 m above sea level.
• The Flaming Sword — located at Panilao, is a landmark depicting a hand holding a flaming sword up in the air, which symbolized the Filipino patriots' courage and gallantry as they face the adversary and threats to their democracy and freedom. The ESPADA was inaugurated on April 8, 1967.
• Dunsulan Falls
• Araw ng Kagitingan — celebrated every April 9

Our Lady of the Pillar Parish Church

The 1801 Our Lady of the Pillar Parish Church (Nuestra Señora del Pilar Parish Church, belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Balanga It is under the Ecclesiastical Province of San Fernando, Pampanga.

Education

The Pilar 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.

Primary and elementary schools

• Alauli Elementary School
• Bagumbayan Elementary School
• Balut Elementary School
• Diwa Elementary School
• J.S. Herrera Sr. Memorial Elementary School
• Jobinas Learning Center
• Liyang Elementary School
• Nagwaling Elementary School
• Northridge Montessori School of Bataan
• Panilao Elementary School
• Pantingan Elementary School
• Pilar Elementary School
• Sta. Rosa Elementary School
• Wakas Elementary School

Secondary schools

• Bataan Christian School
• Dr. Victoria B. Roman Memorial High School
• P. Roman National High School

Notable personalities

• Mel Tiangco — Barangay Santa Rosa - news Anchor of GMA7
• Manuel C. Herrera — lawyer, an instructor in the University of the Philippines

Gallery

File:Flaming Sword of Bataan, Pilar, Bataan, Feb 2024.jpg|The Flaming Sword Shrine File:Pilar Church, Bataan, Feb 2024.jpg|Our Lady of the Pillar Parish Church Museo ng Kagitingan, Pilar, Bataan, Feb 2024.jpg|Museo ng Kagitingan File:Pilar,Bataanjf3772_06.JPG|Health center File:PilarBataanjf3804_01.JPG|Light house File:Pilar,Bataanjf3783_10.JPG|Port and bancas

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. (2012-01-09). "Longest zipline sa Luzon, pinasinayaan sa Pilar, Bataan | Video". GMA News.
5. "WW2 historical markers remind Pinoys of Bataan's role on Day of Valor | Lifestyle". GMA News.
6. "Welcome to Pilar Parish".
7. "ParishesV1".
8. "Diocese of Balanga".
9. "Diocese of Balanga".
10. "Olp-pilar.org - HOME".
11. (January 15, 2021). "Masterlist of Schools".