PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND FEATURES
Geographic Location
The town is located
on the western part of Pampanga along the Zambales mountain ranges and is bounded by the municipalities of Porac on the north,
Lubao on the south, Guagua on the east, Dinalupihan, Bataan on the west. It is approximately 23 kilometers from the town of San Fernando
and 90 kilometers from Manila. The town has an elevation of 12 feet above the
sea level.
Topography
The relief varies
from level, rolling and hilly to mountainous especially in the south and northwestern sections of the town fringing the mountain
ranges of Zambales.
Geology
Geologically,
the area is part of the inter-mountainous area of the Central Plains of Luzon, which is almost level
plain only a few meters above sea level.
Deposits of non-metallic
minerals like construction materials and other metallic minerals are found in Floridablanca, Pumice with a volume of 1,500,000
metric tons is known to exist in barangay Pabanlag. C.M. Dizon gold mines and Kalahi Investment Incorporated identifies gold
(38.38 short ton), a very precious metal, to exist in Pabanlag with 0.056 grade or analysis (oz.An/St.)
Abundant supply of
boulders, gravel and sand abound in the riverbeds of Porac, Gumain and Caulaman rivers. These quarry sites are believed to
be supplying a significant volume of the construction needs of the province and other projects in the region and Metro-Manila.
Land Area by Barangay
Floridablanca
has a total land area of 17,548 hectares. It has thirty-three (33) barangays composing of 31 lowland and 2 upland barangays.
It has four cultural minorities settlements; namely Nabuclod, Mawacat, Malabni and Camatchiles. The Department of Interior
and Local Government (DlLG) recognizes only Nabuclod and Mawacat as Barangays due to technicalities when Malabni and Camatchiles
failed to field candidates and therefore participate in the 1982 barangay elections.
Soil Classification
According
to the Bureau of Soils in San Fernando, Pampanga the soil series in Floridablanca
are composed of Angeles Coarse soil, Angeles Fine Soil, Angeles Soil Undifferentiated, and La Paz Silt Loam.
The soils of the Angeles
series consist of pale brownish gray or ash gray to nearly whitish gray in the surface layer. The subsoil is brownish-gray
to light reddish-brown sand with gravel. These soils have been developed from the continual deposition of soil materials from
the surrounding hills and uplands by flowing rivers like the Porac Caulaman and Gumain
Rivers. The relief ranges from nearly level to slightly level to slightly undulation
and the natural drainage condition is good.
Angeles fine sand and Angeles
coarse sand consist the Angeles series. The soils of the La Paz series are quite
extensive, covering the vicinities of Lubao, Floridablanca, between Porac and Sta. Rita, Angeles and San
Fernando. The surface soil is brownish gray and a pale-gray to yellowish-gray porous, loose and friable
sandy subsoil. La Paz fine sand, La Paz
silt loam was mapped.
Water Resources
The Porac-Gumain-Caulaman
Rivers constitute a network of irrigation systems on the area and provide irrigation water to the farm and some of the out-lying
municipalities. These also serve as the drainage of Floridablanca with the inclusion of numerous rivers, streams and creeks.
There are 3 known creeks in Floridablanca; the Santo/ creek, Sapang Bayabas creek and the San Ramon or Tugtugan creek.
A study
of the artesian aquifers in Floridablanca showed that the aquifers were sand deposits which ranged in size from very fine
to very coarse, with granule sand pebbles up to one cm. generally sub-angular to rounded, of quarts, adesite, decite, feldspar,
chet and hornblendes and these aquifers cropped out along the eastern slopes of the Zambales mountains.
Climate
The most
important climatic factor in Floridablanca is rainfall, It is well known that the amount of rainfall at any given place and
time is dependent upon several factors. These factors include exposure, topography, altitude, prevailing winds, ocean currents
and latitude effects. During the months of December, January, February, March and April rain fall in the municipality is almost
negligible. It has two distinct seasons. One season is characterized by being relatively dry from December to April and wet
during the rest of the year.
POPULATION
Population size and Growth
As per
result of the survey done by the enumerators hired by the Municipal Government of Floridablanca to gather data in the preparation
of this Comprehensive Land Use Plan, Floridablanca has a total population of 84,052. About 53.11 % of this is accounted for
in the urban areas while those living in the rural barangays comprise 46.89% of the total population of Floridablanca.
From
1990 to 1995, Floridablanca registered an annual growth rate of3.57%. In 1995, Barangay Pabanlag, Palmayo, Cabangcalan, San
Pedro, and Sta. Monica registered lower growth rates primarily because of migration of residents to other barangays or to
resettlement areas after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo
in 1991. Barangay Apalit is the most thickly populated. In
1995 with a population of
9,628 registered because of Mt. Pinatubo
victims who transferred in resettlement center. The Floridablanca Resettlement
Center, Barangays Anon, Mawacat and Nabuclod showed quite abnormal increases in
population in 1995. As compared to other barangays due to the integration of Sitio Culubasa (Sto. Nino) to Barangay Anon,
from Sitio Camachiles to barangay Nabuclod and Sitio Malabni to barangay Mawacat.
In the
result of 1999 Surveys, Barangays Pabanlag, Palmayo and Sta. Monica registered higher growth rates because of the BALIK BARANGA
Y PROGRAM which was in preparation for the May 2000 Census of Housing and Population.
Rural- Urban Distribution
Although
the Municipality of Floridablanca is
still predominantly rural is 3.11 % or 44,636 persons are residing in the urban area. Its rural population constitutes 46.89%
or about 39,416 persons.
Number of Households
The Surveys
in 1999 show a total of 16,422 households. Taking into consideration the annual population growth rate of 1.02 in the municipality,
the projected number of households will increase to 19,729 by the year 2005.
Population Density
The population
density of the municipality in 1995 and 1999 is registered at 408 persons per sq. kilometer and this would escalate to 586
persons by the year 2005.
Age-Sex Structure
Like
the rest of the country, the young population in Floridablanca exhibits a pyramidal age structure. The population between
ages under 1 year old to 14 years account for 26,994 or 32.12% of the population aged under 1 year old up to 75 years old
and above in 1999. On the other hand, 49,366 or 58.73% belong to the 15-69 years old age bracket and only 1,795 or 2.14% are
in the age bracket of 70 years old and above.
Dialect/Language
As expected
Pampango (Kapampangan) is spoken generally in Floridablanca. The rest of the non-Pampango speaking
Households readily understand the dialect.
The remaining 788% of the populace is spread about evenly. A sizeable 95.17% of its
total population has Kapampangan (Pampango) as their mother tongue. Its Kapampangan speaking population has gradually.
Accommodated the increasing share of the segments of the population speaking other dialects on account of municipal population
increase constantly subjected to migration
Religion
The Roman
Catholic religion has remained deeply rooted in the municipality of Floridablanca
ever since its propagation in 1823. Per survey in 1999, 90.25% of its total population is Roman Catholics.
Other Christian faiths that
have found their way in the municipality with a sizeable group of followers are Iglesia ni Kristo and Protestant / Methodist
/ Born Again Christian.
Literacy Rate
The literacy
rate in the municipality of Floridablanca
in 1999 is pegged to a significant 98.60%. That means out of its 43,979 school population with highest grade completed in
1999. At least 43,363 attended formal schooling ranging from pre-school to academic
degree holders.
A breakdown
of such figures show that 30.73% have completed the 6th grade, 29.85 % are high school graduates,
8.32 % are academic degree
holders and a measly 0.01% has post baccalaureate degrees.
Poverty
incidence refers to the percentage of total poor population viz. total population of the local government unit. Poverty magnitude
refers to the actual number of households who are poor. In Floridablanca it was assessed that 5,748
Households or 35% of the
total household belongs to poverty magnitude.
2.8 Literacy Rate
The literacy rate
in the municipality of Floridablanca
in 1999 is pegged to a significant 98.60%. That means out of its 43,979 school age population with highest grade completed
in 1999, 43,363 have at least attended formal schooling ranging from pre-school to academic degree holders.
A breakdown
of such figures shows that 30.73% have completed the 6 grade, 29.85 % are high school graduates, 8.32 % are academic degree
holders and a measly 0.01% has post baccalaureate degrees.
Poverty Incidence Magnitude
Poverty
incidence refers to the percentage of total poor population viz. total population of the local government unit.
Poverty magnitude refers
to the actual number of households who are poor. In Floridablanca it was assessed that 5,748
Households or 35% of the
total household belongs to poverty magnitude.
ECONOMY
Economy
The economy
of Floridablanca is principally anchored on agricu1ture. It is estimated that 40% of the total households rely on farming
as their means of livelihood. All of the 33 barangays are basically agricultural areas; twenty (20) of these are covered by
CARP and represents the Floridablanca Agrarian Reform Community. The Floridablanca ARC is composed of 1,998 farm households.
Crops
that are predominantly produced are rice, sugarcane, vegetables and root crops. Aside from farming, there are farm families
and individuals engaged in agro-based industries such as poultry and livestock raising, fishpond and other related small scale
agro-based business endeavors.
As of
1998, there are 167 registered piggeries, 44 poultry and duck raisers, 177 fishpond operators, 7 orchard and 19 orchid growers,
34 rice mills and mini-conos.
Since Mt.
Pinatubo erupted, quarrying of sand and gravel has also become a major source of
income both for the population and the government. There are at least 31 quarry operators registered in Floridablanca and
four (4) stone crashers industries.
Other
related business is 18 hollow-blocks and concrete products manufacturers.
Floridablanca has also a
potential in timber production owing from its considerable forest area of 1,228.36 hectares along the mountainous region in
the Floridablanca and Bataan-Zambales boundary.
Employment Rate
Among
those are gainfully employed are seasonal laborers, which comprise the biggest number. Seasonal labor is mainly agricultural
in nature, depending on the labor requirements of some agricultural activities such as planting, cultivation and harvest of
different types of crops. This type is closely followed by the regular laborers at about 17.2% comprising fanners at 14.99%.
The town boasts of 21 doctors and 6 lawyers. Others include overseas contract workers (OCWs), drivers, employees, vendors,
teachers etc. There are 2,409 business commercial/industrial establishments in the municipality when the survey was conducted.
Labor Force
Floridablanca
has a young population with 53.73% of its 84,052 population belonging to the 1-24 years of age. About 61.71% of its 84,052
total inhabitants are between the ages of 15 to 60 years old; these figures represent the potential labor force.
SWOT Assessment (Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunity and Threats)
In the
preparation of this CLUP, a combination of suitable techniques such as graphical and SWOT analysis is particularly found suitable
since the distinct comparative advantage of the municipality could be determined in relation with its neighboring towns by
assessing its Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunity and Threats.
An analysis of the special
advantages of Floridablanca for development was based from its existing physical condition, characteristics and the current
state and utilization of its resources.
The strength and development
advantage of Floridablanca lies on its vast agricultural lands suitable for food production. Floridablanca is the second largest
producer of rice in Pampanga; this could be attributed to its wide area of irrigated farmlands. Aside from this distinct advantage
of being the food basket of the province, it is also a source of abundant high quality of gravel and sand materials.
Among
the major threats and weaknesses is erosion, undirected mining activities and land grabbing.
SETTLEMENTS
Urban/Rural Settlements
Floridablanca
in terms of area is largely classified as rural based although 53.11 % of its population is residing in the urban barangays.
Considered urban barangays are Apalit, Bodega, Basa, Fortuna, Mabical, Paguiruan, Palmayo, Pandaguirig, Poblacion, San
Jose, San Nicolas, Solib and Valdez. All the remaining
barangays including the four upland barangays/sitios are considered rural areas.
Row settlements are
located along roads and arterial roads. The main settlements are those clustered around the Poblacion namely barangay Solib,
Del Carmen, San Nicolas, Maligaya, Valdez and San Antonio.
The second cluster of barangays is those surrounding the Basa Air Base namely: Pandaguirig, Apalit, Palmayo, Consuelo and
San Jose. This area experienced a sudden rise in population after the Mt.
Pinatubo eruption due to the transfer of Mt.
Pinatubo victims in the Floridablanca Resettlement Area. The Floridablanca Resettlement
Area is within the boundaries off our (4) barangays: Basa, Palmayo, Pandaguirig and Apalit.
The Basa
Air Base is the home of the Philippine Air Force in the province of Pampanga.
It has an estimated area of 623.1230 hectares and could be regarded as an independent community owing to the presence of basic
facilities such as hospital, primary to tertiary class schools and a chapel
There
are four (4) existing upland settlements in Floridablanca which are inhabited by Aetas. These are
Nabuklod, Mawacat, Camachile
and Malabni. These settlements have a total population of 2,037 individuals as of 1999 and are principally located at the
hilly portions of Floridablanca.
Some barangays were
buried by lahar after Mt. Pinatubo erupted
in 1991. These are the barangays along the Caulaman and Gumain River
namely: Pabanlag, Carmencita, parts of San Ramon) Nabuklod, Apalit, Pandaguirig, Palmayo, San Jose,
Consuelo, Sta. Monica and Cabangcalan. The famous Sitio Palakol resort which was once a natural park and resort was also deeply
buried by lahar changing its once lush vegetation into Virtual seashore.
Accessibility Analysis
Floridablanca is accessible
to Guagua the nearest urban center with a travel time of 20 minutes, to San Fernando
by 40-45 minutes. Mode of public transportation to these places is by jeepneys which are a regular scene in the province.
SECTORAL PROFILE
ECONOMIC SECTOR
Agriculture
The Municipality
of Floridablanca is predominantly an agriculture area. Most of the farmers are
engaged in planting rice, yellow and green com, root crops, legumes, vegetables and fruit trees, etc. They adopt the modem
package of technology especially under MAKAMASA, which results to a bountiful harvest and surplus of harvest for the whole
year. Some of the problems are limited number of reliable marketing outlets and the standard price support of different farm
products and higher cost of production inputs and fuel.
Farmers
begin to use a combination of two or more compatible practices to minimize pest production to non-destructive level without
the use of farm chemical. Establishment of observation stations serve as early detection of the presence of pests and diseases.
So farmers use a system known as Integrated Pest Management.
Establishment of Techno
Farm
Demonstration for production and distribution was done and selection of adapted and high yielding varieties and viable seeds
is one factor being considered to increase farm income.
Responsibility
in the initiation, promotion, organization and supervision is strengthening the cooperative movement. Livestock production
and dispersal through loans and grant contributed a lot in the integrated system of farmers which give additional income to
clientele.
Increase
of fishpond areas gave a dynamic increase of farm income.
Farming
The methods
of farming being used by the farmers in the Municipality of Floridablanca
are a combination of the traditional and scientific modern way of farming. The total productive agricultural area devoted
to crops in 1999 is 6,631 hectares. This is 37.79% of the total land area of Floridablanca which is 17,548 hectares.
Palay
being the main crop is cultivated both in irrigated and rainfed fields. The total area devoted to this crop is 3,780.36. Irrigated
fields constitute 3,446.36 hectares while rainfed fields have 334 hectares for its real share. Other secondary agricultural
crops having a real share of hectares include root crops, fruit trees and sugarcane with the latter as a basic commercial
crop in the municipality. On the other hand, com and such vegetables as fruit vegetables, legumes, and leafy vegetables are
planted extensively to the area on an intercropping basis in between rice planting and harvesting.
The total
yield I production of palay in 1999 is pegged at 340,250 cavans. The average yield per hectare is 90 cavans for the irrigated
fields and 80 cavans for the rainfed ones. Likewise, the total yield for all its secondary crops both regular and rotational
in the same year is 13,205.43 metric tons. In terms of existing irrigation facilities the sources include an irrigation canal
(NIA), communal well, rivers, creeks and private deep wells.
Fishing
Fishing
is another lucrative industry in the municipality of Floridablanca.
The total fishpond area at present is 102.33 hectares. This is .58% of the municipality's total land area.
Total yield in this endeavor
in 1999 is pegged at 122.80 metric tons. These include tilapia, hito and dalag
LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY
Livestock
and poultry is relatively a thriving and promising enterprise in the municipality. The number of livestock in 1999 includes
carabao with 2,300 heads, cattle with 780 heads, goats and sheep with 2000 and 2,700 heads and hogs with 17,785 heads.
Likewise
poultry production in the same year include chicken (broilers and layers) with 362,500 heads, ducks with 3,000 heads, dogs
and cats with 4,500 and 12,000 heads, horse with 12 heads, dove with 1,500 heads and turkey with 500 heads.
