MUN. OF NEW LUCENA

The Municipality of New Lucena, was formerly known as Jimanban, a very small barrio organized sometime in 1800, which was a part of the Municipality of Cabatuan.  In 1866 the boundary line separating the jurisdiction of Sta. Barbara and Cabatuan was defined and Jimanban was made part of The Sta. Barbara. Intermarriage among the people increased the area’s population.  

Lead by Bartolome Valenzuela, a prominent resident of the barrio (Jimanban) the residents organized themselves and petitioned to the Governor General that they be granted independence by putting up a church, convent, and a casa real (Municipal Building ). With the help of the Provincial officials and Captain Municipal of the Municipalities of Sta. Barbara , Cabatuan and Pototan, Lucena was separated from Sta. Barbara on October 9, 1877 in accordance with the Direction General De Administration Civil. The first Municipal Officials were elected and the first Captain Municipal was Bartolome Valenzuela known as Tan Abe, the grandfather of the late senator Tomas Confessor and Representative Patricio Confessor.  

It was not recorded when Jimanban was changed to Lucena but Lucena reportedly comes from the dialect Lu (Ulo) which means "head" and "cena" which is the short version for the flower azucena, which means pure and peaceful. Thus, Lucena means pure and peaceful leader.  

Another belief was that, Jimanban was changed to Lucena after the name of the Provincial Alcalde Mayor Pedro Gonzales Lucena, the 36^th executive of the Province of Iloilo in 1716-1717.  

When the American came, Pueblo de Lucena was again incorporated to the Municipal of Sta. Barbara in 1902 for economic security and facilitation of the government. In 1921, the prominent citizens of Lucena petitioned for its separation from Sta. Barbara. In January 1, 1947, Lucena became a new Town in the Province of Iloilo , thus it is now called New Lucena. 

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LOCATION AND ACCESSIBILITY

The Municipality of New Lucena is strategically located at the northern portion of the Province of Iloilo. It is Approximately twenty eight kilometers away from the heart of Iloilo City. The Municipality can be reached by jeepneys from Iloilo City in 45 minutes.

Transportation
New Lucena can be reached by jeepneys from Iloilo City within 45 minutes. There are 64 listed Public Utility Jeepneys, 24 motorcycles, 18 trucks, 36 private vehicles and 36 tricycles.

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POLITICAL SUBDIVISION

The Municipality consists of 21 barangays namely: Baclayan, Balabag, Badiang,Bilidan, Bita-og Gaja, Bololacao, Burot, Cabugao, Cagban, Calumbuyan, Damires, Dawis, General Delgado, Guinobatan, Janipaan Oeste, Jelicuon Este, Pasil, Poblacion and Wari-wari.

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RESOURCE PROFILE

Land Area – 4,412 hectares  

Land Use

Agriculture - 3,962.9928 hectares
Rice – 3,516.34 hectares
Vegetables, rootcrops, and fruit trees – 60 hectares

Topography

The slope of the municipality ranges from 0-15, which is best, described as broad to level land to moderately undulating and gently rolling land sloping in more than one direction.

Soil Types

• Alimodian Clay Loam - mostly found in barangays Janipaan Oeste and Badiang, Bita-og Gaja, Bilidan Bololacao, and small portions of Barangays Wari- wari, Cabugao and Guinobatan.
• Sta. Rita Clay Loam

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DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE

Population - 16,910 households (1990 NSO)

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ECONOMIC PROFILE

Major Industries

• Manufacturing industries
• Ricemills
• Furniture Making
• Metal Craft
• Toy Craft
• Bamboo Craft

Agriculture

• Farming
• Livestock and Poultry Production

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INFRASTRUCTURE AND UTILITIES

Roads (Total road network-98.32 km)

National – 11.3 km.
Provincial – 21.6 km.
Municipal – 4.151 km.
Barangay – 61027 km.

Bridges

National – One concrete
Provincial – Three concrete
Two overflows and three Timber/Bailey with a total of 50LM reinforce concrete
Barangay – two concrete with a total of 40 LM.

Communication Facilities

Post Office
Bureau of Post
Telegraph
TELECOM
PT&T

 

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