Abucay, officially the Municipality of Abucay,, is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Bataan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 42,984 people. It is 5 km from Balanga and 119 km from Manila, accessible via the Bataan Provincial Expressway, off Exit 25, or the parallel National Road in Bataan. Its westernmost elevated section is located within the Bataan National Park.

History

The first printing press in the Archipelago was found in this town. Tomas Pinpin, the first Filipino printer, learned the art from Fray Francisco Blanca de San Jose and Juan de Vera, a Chinese printer at the University of Santo Tomas. On June 23, 1647, a fierce battle was fought between the Dutch invaders and the Pampango defenders in the near the Abucay church area. Nearly 200 Pampangos were put to death and 40 others together with Pampanga’s Spanish alcalde mayor (town mayor) Antonio de Cabrera. Dominican priests Father Geronimo Sotomayor and Father Tomas Ramos were taken to Batavia.

Geography

Abucay borders Balanga (the capital city) to the south, Samal to the north and northwest, Morong to the west, and Manila Bay to the east. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 79.72 km2 constituting NaN% of the 1,372.98 km2 total area of Bataan. Topography of Abucay varies from the mountainous terrain of Mount Natib caldera in the west to the coastal areas of the province along the shore of Manila Bay. Six rivers with a combined length of 37 km originate from the mountain flowing in the west-to-east direction.

Climate

Barangays

Abucay is politically subdivided into 9 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Demographics

In the 2020 census, Abucay had a population of 42,984. The population density was undefined PD/km2. Most of the people of Abucay speak the Tagalog language. There are also residents who speak "Kapampangang Hilaw," a dialect variation of the Kapampangan language, in Barangay Mabatang.

Economy

The mainly agricultural and fishing town is situated on the northeastern portion of the Bataan Peninsula, along Manila Bay, with a total land area of 79.72 km2. It is basically an agricultural and fishing town. Besides Manila Bay, existing fishponds cover an area of 1521 ha of which 319 ha are under intensive use while the rest are non-functioning but available for utilization. These fishponds are rich with commercial species like milkfish, tilapia, pla-pla and shrimps. Agricultural lands in Abucay produces rice, corn, root crops, legumes, vegetable and various kinds of fruits as well as forest-grown bamboo and buho. Most of the walis tambo (local brooms) sold in Baguio come from Abucay.

Government

The political seat of the municipal government is located at the Municipal Hall (also called Town Hall). During the Spanish colonial period, the Gobernadorcillo was the chief executive who held office at the town hall, then called the Presidencia. During the American period from 1898 to 1946, the elected Mayor and local officials, including the appointed ones hold office at the Municipal Town Hall. The executive and legislative departments perform their functions at the Sangguniang Bayan (Session Hall) and Municipal Trial Court, respectively, which are located at the Municipal Hall. Members of the Abucay Municipal Council (2022-2025): The eight Sangguniang Bayan members led by the Vice Mayor hold office at the Abucay Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall.

Tourism

Saint Dominic de Guzman Parish Church

One of the oldest in the Philippines, the first Abucay Church was established in 1587 and was administered by the Dominicans in 1588. The present church was built sometime in the early 1600s, the exact year is still unknown. The Church was badly damaged by the earthquake of September 16, 1852, and again by a fire in 1870. Father Jose Diego Pelaez rebuilt the church. The church still houses the bells donated in 1839 and 1859. The five bells of the Abucay Church were restored on January 17, 1978, by U.S. Naval Base Facility in Subic Bay, Zambales province according to a historical marker in the church. The Parish of Saint Dominic de Guzman has a population of 19,501 Catholics. Its patron saint is Saint Dominic de Guzman and the town's feast day is August 8. The present parish priest is Rev. Fr. Milver R. Cruz succeeding Rev. Fr. Josue Enero in June 5, 2023. The church belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Balanga under the Vicariate of Saint Dominic de Guzman.

Other attractions

Landmarks include the following:

Infrastructure

Electric power for Abucay is served by the Peninsula Electric Cooperative (PENELCO). A 10 ha sanitary landfill in Sitio Macao in Barangay Capitangan is the first of its kind in the province of Bataan.

Education

Universities and colleges