Lopez, Quezon
Encyclopedia
Lopez is a 1st class municipality in the province of Quezon, Philippines
. It is located in the southern part of the province, 220 kilometers away from Manila
, 83 kilometers away from Lucena
City, 25 kilometers to Camarines Norte
, 3 nautical kilometers to Alabat Island and bordered by the municipalities of Catanauan
and General Luna
on the south, Macalelon
on the southwest, Calauag
on the northeast, Gumaca
on the west, Buenavista
and Guinayangan
on the east.
It is one of the largest municipalities in the province and has a total land area of 395.1 square kilometers representing 4.53 % of the total land area of the province of Quezon. It is composed of 95 barangays, 7 of which are urban and 88 are rural.
The terrain generally ranges from 345 to 399 meters above sea level with rugged mountain areas. Coastal areas deviate from plain to hilly terrains. Rivers, streams and springs abound throughout the municipality, but the most prominent is the Talolong River.
The original location of the settlement was in the marshy mouth of a sedate river, which was founded by the descendants of Datu Dumangsil and Datu Balinsusa of the Kalilayan kingdom. Due to the frequent plundering and terrorism of the pirates, the colony was transferred to the present town’s location.
The settlement of Lakan Bugtali who founded the community of Gumaca was gone. Even a trace of its remains cannot be identified neither the vintages of the encomienda of Kalilayan nor a fraction of its 16th century glories. When it became a sitio through a papal bull, the village started to manage by her own.
Rice is also a major staple crop, the municipality is also a major banana producer in the region. Other crops grown in the municipality are citrus, root crops, vegetables and industrial crops. Majority of the farmers are also raising livestock and poultry.
and the Bicol
region. Very notable among these are the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Lopez
, Philippine Normal University-Quezon
, Eastern Tayabas College and the Lopez National Comprehensive High School. The Quezon Provincial Training Center of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is also located in the town. Once the talks are finalized, Lopez will also be home to Laguna State Polytechnic University
(LSPU) and Technological University of the Philippines
(TUP). Furthermore, preparatory, primary and secondary education is no longer a problem since several schools have already opened their doors in the far-flung areas to serve the rural youth as part of town's mission of bringing the schools closer to the people.
s.
as part of By Any Means 2
.
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. It is located in the southern part of the province, 220 kilometers away from Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
, 83 kilometers away from Lucena
Lucena City
Metro Lucena has an estimated population of 700,000 which is mostly concentrated in the flat south-central portion of Quezon, which includes the cities of Lucena and Tayabas, Sariaya, Candelaria, Lucban & Pagbilao . The people are often characterized as friendly and hardworking...
City, 25 kilometers to Camarines Norte
Camarines Norte
Camarines Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region in Luzon. Its capital is Daet and the province borders Quezon to the west and Camarines Sur to the south.-Demographics:...
, 3 nautical kilometers to Alabat Island and bordered by the municipalities of Catanauan
Catanauan, Quezon
The Municipality of Catanauan is a 1st class municipality in the province of Quezon, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 65,705.-Topography:...
and General Luna
General Luna, Quezon
The Municipality of General Luna is a fourth class municipality in the province of Quezon, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 23,379.-Barangays:...
on the south, Macalelon
Macalelon, Quezon
Macalelon is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Quezon, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 25,986.-Barangays:Macalelon is politically subdivided into 30 barangays.-External links:**...
on the southwest, Calauag
Calauag, Quezon
Calauag is a 1st class municipality in the province of Quezon, a part of CALABARZON Region in the Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 69,475..It is about 232 kilometers southeast of Manila and 95 kilometers away from Lucena, the Province's Capital.- Overview :Calauag...
on the northeast, Gumaca
Gumaca, Quezon
The Municipality of Gumaca is a 1st class municipality in the province of Quezon, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 63,778.-History:...
on the west, Buenavista
Buenavista, Quezon
Buenavista is a 10th class municipality in the province of Quezon, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 24,798..-Barangays:Buenavista is politically subdivided into 37 barangays.-External links:**...
and Guinayangan
Guinayangan, Quezon
Guinayangan is a 4th class municipality in the province of Quezon, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 39,074. Guinayangan came from a native word for cane "gayang", they "copied"---ginaya and adopted the name to become "ginayangan" or what is now known as "Guinayangan"...
on the east.
It is one of the largest municipalities in the province and has a total land area of 395.1 square kilometers representing 4.53 % of the total land area of the province of Quezon. It is composed of 95 barangays, 7 of which are urban and 88 are rural.
The terrain generally ranges from 345 to 399 meters above sea level with rugged mountain areas. Coastal areas deviate from plain to hilly terrains. Rivers, streams and springs abound throughout the municipality, but the most prominent is the Talolong River.
History
There was a flourishing coastal settlement somewhere in the southern part of the municipality of Gumaca called Talolong. The settlement’s name was derived from the name of sturdy trees abundant in the place locally called Talolong with scientific name Drypetes bordenii and widely known as Balikbikan.The original location of the settlement was in the marshy mouth of a sedate river, which was founded by the descendants of Datu Dumangsil and Datu Balinsusa of the Kalilayan kingdom. Due to the frequent plundering and terrorism of the pirates, the colony was transferred to the present town’s location.
The settlement of Lakan Bugtali who founded the community of Gumaca was gone. Even a trace of its remains cannot be identified neither the vintages of the encomienda of Kalilayan nor a fraction of its 16th century glories. When it became a sitio through a papal bull, the village started to manage by her own.
Population and settlements
Settlement areas in the municipality are highly scattered; population concentration is noticeable only within the poblacion, that is, the urban barangays of Burgos, Danlagan, Gomez, Magsaysay, Rizal, San Lorenzo Ruiz (Bocboc) and Talolong as well as the rural barangays of Mal-ay, Sugod, Pansol, Calantipayan, Manguisian, Del Pilar, Bebito, Canda Ibaba and Canda Ilaya which are traversed by the national highway. The rest of rural barangays are reached by other road networks which are accessible during dry and wet season. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 86,660., a quarter of which are in the urban areas and the rest are in the rural areas. Males outnumbered the females at a ratio of 105.34 : 100.Labor force and industry
Lopez had a labor force of 56.99% in 2000 or 44,849. About 9,474 of the employed labor force were engaged in primary industries such as farming and fishing. Its economy is basically engaged in agriculture, crops, poultry and livestock production. Around 17,778.57 has. representing 45% of the total land area planted to coconut trees, 2,300 has. are established to rice production, 628 has. to corn harvest. Growing around are natural materials for handicraft such as wild vines, buri, anahaw, tikiw, bamboo, cogon and talahib.Several cottage industries exist in the locality such as bamboo furniture, bolo, baskets, rattan, anahaw and buri fan making, buntal and tikiw. It also has rich fishing grounds in the Lopez Bay area and a number of inland fishponds. Fish, shrimps, prawns, crabs and other sea products are abundant.Rice is also a major staple crop, the municipality is also a major banana producer in the region. Other crops grown in the municipality are citrus, root crops, vegetables and industrial crops. Majority of the farmers are also raising livestock and poultry.
Education
Lopez is dubbed as the educational center of Southern Quezon. Several educational institutions operate in the town serving not just its citizens but also those coming from the Bondoc PeninsulaBondoc Peninsula
Bondoc Peninsula is a peninsula in Calabarzon Region, southern part of Luzon Island, Philippines, at ....
and the Bicol
Bicol Region
The Bicol Region or Bicolandia is one of the 17 regions of the Philippines. Its regional center is Legazpi City...
region. Very notable among these are the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Lopez
Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Lopez
The Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Lopez Branch also known as PUP-LQ is one of the four campuses of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Quezon province....
, Philippine Normal University-Quezon
Philippine Normal University-Quezon
The Philippine Normal University - Quezon campus is the fourth regional campus established by the university in the municipality of Lopez, Quezon as part of its vision of becoming "the primary source of high-quality teachers and education managers that can directly inspire and shape the quality of...
, Eastern Tayabas College and the Lopez National Comprehensive High School. The Quezon Provincial Training Center of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is also located in the town. Once the talks are finalized, Lopez will also be home to Laguna State Polytechnic University
Laguna State Polytechnic University
The Laguna State Polytechnic University is a state university in the Province of Laguna, Philippines. It has four regular campuses in three municipalities and a city of the province: LSPU-Main Campus in the capital town of Santa Cruz, LSPU-Host Campus in Siniloan, LSPU-San Pablo City Campus, and...
(LSPU) and Technological University of the Philippines
Technological University of the Philippines
The Technological University of the Philippines -History:The Technological University of the Philippines was established upon the enactment of Organic Act No. 74 by the Philippine Commission in 1901. TUP was known then as the Manila Trade School with the primary intention of developing the dignity...
(TUP). Furthermore, preparatory, primary and secondary education is no longer a problem since several schools have already opened their doors in the far-flung areas to serve the rural youth as part of town's mission of bringing the schools closer to the people.
Municipal Officials
- Mayor: Hon. ISAIAS BITOIN UBANA II
- Vice Mayor: Hon. CELSO ARELLANO ARIT
- Councilors:
- Hon. ALBINIO ARELLANO ARIT JR.
- Hon. SLYVIA YVONNE MASCARDO
- Hon. CENEZEO Q. CERILLA
- Hon. ARISTOTLE YUMUL
- Hon. TOYTOY OLANDA
- Hon. ALEX VERGARA
- Hon. EFREN PARAISO
- Hon. RICARDO RICO
Barangays
Lopez is politically subdivided into 95 barangayBarangay
A barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district or ward...
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Quick Facts
- Population - 86,660
- Population Density - 222 persons/km2.
- Number of Preparatory Schools
- Public - 56
- Private - 6
- Number of Elementary Schools
- Public
- West District - 27
- East District - 34
- Private - 5
- Public
- Number of Secondary Schools
- Public - 13
- Private - 5
- Number of Tertiary Schools
- State Universities - 2
- Private College - 1
- Number of Non-Formal Schools - 3
- Number of Technical School - 1
- Number of Hospitals
- Public - 1
- Private - 2
- Number of Private Health Clinics - 4
- Number of Brgy. Health Centers - 31
- Number of Police Personnel - 79
- Number of Fire Personnel - 18
- Communication and Transportation Facilities
- Number of Postal Offices - 2
- Number of Mobile Phone Companies - 3
- Number of Landline Phone Companies - 2
- Number of Telegraph Stations - 2
- Number of CATV Companies - 1
- Number of FM Radio Stations - 2
Sports
Lopez Sports Centre is noted for its cockfighting which is held every Sunday. In 2009 it was visited by Charley BoormanCharley Boorman
Charley Boorman is an English TV adventurer, travel writer and actor. He is well known for his association with motorcycles and enthusiasm for biking.-Education:...
as part of By Any Means 2
By Any Means 2
Right to the Edge: Sydney to Tokyo By Any Means, also known by the working title By Any Means 2 is a 2009 adventure series by Charley Boorman and is a sequel to the 2008 BBC travel series and book By Any Means in which Boorman travels one from one place to another by any mode of transport...
.