Morong
A Brief History of Morong
Legend
The town of Morong was originally known as “Bayandati” which was within the jurisdiction of Nagbalayong. Because the land to be cultivated is too small, the people decided to transfer to other places where there is big and wide land to cultivate. When the Spaniards came to the Philippines, some of them arrived at this place. Morong was established by the Franciscan friars in 1578.
Background
At early times, the main source of income of the people of Morong was fishing, farming and selling in Olongapo and Manila using boats and “paraw”. But when Joaquin J. Linao was elected governor of Bataan before World War II, the dream of the people to have a road from Morong to Balanga became a reality in 1969.
PRESENT
Little by little Morong is becoming a progressive town thanks to the men and women of this town who showed their diligence for the improvement and development of Morong.
FAST FACTS
Lies in the western part of the province of Bataan, bounded on the west by South China Sea, Baga in the south, Abucay, Samal, and Orani in the east, Hermosa and Dinalupihan in the northwest and Zambales in the north.
It is approximately 50.48 kilometers from the capital town of Balanga and about 174 kilometers from Manila.
Its total land area is 21,920.00 hectares or 15.96% of the total land area of Bataan (2021 SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE 2023). It is the second largest municipality, next to Bagac.
Has about 7,983 hectares included in the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) reservation area and 9,694.99 hectares identified as water shed-primary growth forest area. Has a total population of 35,394 as of May, 2020 (2021 SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE 2023), comprising about 3.41% of the total population of the province of Bataan; it is the least populated among the twelve municipalities.
UTILITIES AND AMENITIES
Power distribution is administered by the Peninsula Electric Cooperative (PENELCO), supplied by the National Power Corporation which operates three large power plants in the province.
The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, which was supposed to generate 620 MW of power before it was mothballed is likewise located in Morong, Bataan. This power plant if converted and operated will provide sufficient power supply not only in Bataan but also for the rest of Luzon.
The Municipal Water District within the Poblacion administers water distribution while other barangays derive their water from either private or public artesian wells. However, there are still some families situated in the upland areas who get their water from natural springs in the mountainous areas.
There is one Postal Office servicing the municipality while the Bureau of Telecommunications services telegrams and telegraphs. At present, there is no existing telecommunication system within the municipality. The means of communication is through two-way radios and cellular phones.
The region under consideration is home to a single banking institution (2021 SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE 2023), Card SME Bank, Inc. As far as educational facilities are concerned, there exist 18 schools within its boundaries, 14 of which are publicly funded and the remaining 4 being privately owned. The medical landscape is comprised of a single Rural Health Facility, along with 2 Medical and Laboratory Clinics, and a single Dental Clinic. With regard to recreational opportunities, the area is replete with a multitude of options, including 2 inland resorts, 6 beach resorts, and 3 tourist destinations that attract visitors from near and far.
MAJOR INDUSTRIES
Existing industries in Morong include mango/cashew production, vinegar making from nipa palm nuts and basketry from jungle vines. The tourism industry is also on an upswing with the beautiful and untapped beaches of Morong being developed.
PALAY PRODUCTION
As of the year 2021 (2021 SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE 2023), the extent of the area utilized for palay cultivation was 1,126.25 hectares, which yielded an estimated 4,705.97 metric tons, or 102,304 cavans, of rice. The average production per hectare was calculated to be 4.18 metric tons of rice, or 91 cavans. Given its low population density and substantial yield, the municipality of Morong can boast of self-sufficiency in its rice supply, with a sufficiency level of 104.31%.
FISHERIES
A community of 1,810 individuals engages in full-time fishing pursuits in the area, with an additional 50 individuals participating in fishing activities on a part-time basis. These fishermen make use of a total of 700 motorized boats and 100 non-motorized boats. The fishing community shares access to a single fish port, which serves the post-harvest needs of the industry, including smoking and drying the catch (2021 SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE 2023).
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
A few comfortable hops away from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Morong is known for its mountains and coastline where several tourist attractions are situated such as the Pawikan Conservation Center and Bataan National Park. Untouched gems of nature are located here.
Investing in tourism-related businesses such as hotels, resorts, and travel agencies is always a good opportunity here. As the town continues to develop, the demand for residential and commercial properties are increasing. Its location also makes it an ideal destination for investing in sustainable energy generation and educational institutions, among others.
The Bunker
@ The Capitol Compound
Tenejero, Balanga City, Bataan 2100
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