Caloocan

Highly urbanized city in Metro Manila, Philippines

Highly urbanized city in National Capital Region, Philippines
Caloocan
Kalookan
Flag of Caloocan
Flag
Official seal of Caloocan
Seal
Motto: 
Aksyon at Malasakit
Anthem: "Mabuhay ang Caloocan"
Location of Caloocan within Metro Manila
Location of Caloocan within Metro Manila
14°39′N 120°58′E / 14.65°N 120.97°E / 14.65; 120.97
CountryPhilippines
RegionNational Capital Region
Provincenone
District 1st to 3rd district
Founded1815
CityhoodFebruary 16, 1962
Highly urbanized cityDecember 22, 1979
Barangays188 (see Barangays)
Government
[1]
 • TypeSangguniang Panlungsod
 • MayorDale Gonzalo Malapitan (PDP–Laban)
 • Vice MayorAnna Karina Teh-Limsico (NP)
 • Representatives
 • City Council
Members
  • 1st District
  • Vincent Ryan Malapitan
  • Christopher Ray Adalem
  • Jacqueline Nubla
  • Leah Bacolod
  • Orvince Howard Hernandez
  • Alexander Caralde
  • 2nd District
  • Edgardo Aruelo
  • Luis Asistio III
  • Jose Lorenzo Almeda
  • Carolyn Cunanan
  • Emmanuel de Leon
  • Arnold Divina
  • 3rd District
  • Merwyn Lennon Abel
  • Kingjohn Ericson Echiverri
  • Patrick Prado
  • Aurora Henson Jr.
  • Carliza May Africa-del Rosario
  • Theresita Ceralde
 • Electorate700,279 voters (2022)
Area
 • Total55.80 km2 (21.54 sq mi)
Elevation
30 m (100 ft)
Highest elevation
514 m (1,686 ft)
Lowest elevation
−2 m (−7 ft)
Population
 (2020 census)[3]
 • Total1,661,584
 • Rank4th
 • Density30,000/km2 (77,000/sq mi)
 • Households
404,252
Economy
 • Income class1st city income class
 • Poverty incidence
4.66
% (2018)[4]
 • Revenue₱ 6,812 million (2020)
 • Assets₱ 21,772 million (2020)
 • Expenditure₱ 8,501 million (2020)
 • Liabilities₱ 9,939 million (2020)
Service provider
 • ElectricityManila Electric Company (Meralco)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
1400–1413, 1420–1428
PSGC
137501000
IDD:area code+63 (0)02
Native languagesTagalog
Websitecaloocancity.gov.ph

Caloocan, officially the City of Caloocan (Filipino: Lungsod ng Kalookan; IPA: [kalɔˈʔokan]), is a 1st class highly urbanized city in Metro Manila, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 1,661,584 people[3] making it the fourth-most populous city in the Philippines.

Caloocan is divided into two geographical locations with a total combined area of 5,333.40 hectares (13,179.1 acres). It was formerly part of the Province of Rizal in southern Luzon. It comprises what is known as the CAMANAVA area along with the cities of Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela.

South Caloocan is bordered by Manila, Quezon City, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela. The presence of commercial and industrial activities combined with residential areas make it a highly urbanized central business district and a major urban center in the Northern District of Metropolitan Manila.[5] North Caloocan shares its border with Quezon City and Valenzuela, Marilao, Meycauayan and San Jose del Monte in the province of Bulacan, and Rodriguez in the province of Rizal. It is composed of mostly residential subdivisions and extensive resettlement areas with scattered distribution of industrial estates mostly within road transit points and intersections.[5]

Etymology

Caloocan as a toponym comes from the Tagalog root word lo-ok; kalook-lookan (or kaloob-looban) means "innermost area". The city's name is colloquially spelled Kalookan.

There is a mixed preference over the preferred spelling of the city's name. Variation, and the apparent confusion over the spelling, came about during the early 1970s, when a resolution was adopted by the municipal board, requiring the city departments to use the name "Kalookan." The execution of the said resolution was interrupted when the country was placed under martial law in September 1972. After the restoration of city and municipal councils, in 1988, then-councilor Aurora Asistio-Henson filed Resolution No. 006, amending the previous resolution and seeking to promote Filipino nationalism by requiring all residents and all offices and establishments in the city, "whether public or private," to spell the name of the city as "Kalookan." According to Henson, the "Filipinized spelling" provides essence and significance to the city's history, and she added that it should be used "in the city hall, the barangay halls, public markets, and other places for the information and guidance of all concerned." Nevertheless, this change in spelling was denounced by the city residents, business owners, and officials. Former representative and mayor Virgilio Robles declared the move illegal because it lacked congressional approval. He added that the city's name is spelled as "Caloocan" as shown in the city charter.[6][7] The general inclination of spelling in the city is "Caloocan" and not "Kalookan," despite the existing city ordinance, although confusion has led to varied spelling choices of many businesses throughout the city. The official logo has the city's name spelled as "Caloocan," and such spelling is favored by many barangays and public and private schools in the city. "Kalookan" is preferred by the Makati-based Directories of the Philippines Corporation (DPC), while many national newspapers and magazines, and mapmakers like the Mandaluyong-based HYDN Publishing favor "Caloocan."[8][9]

History

The ammunition train and reserves of the 20th Kansas Volunteers, Col. Frederick R. Funston, marching through Caloocan at night after the battle of February 10.

Spanish colonial era

Originally, Caloocan was the area where the old town of Tondo and Tambobong met, located along the shores of Dagat-Dagatan, a crescent-shaped inland lagoon to the west. The settlement along the shore was called "Aromahan", or "Espina" to the Spaniards, and was separated from Manila Bay by a narrow ridge from Tondo towards an opening in Kinabutasan leading to the sea.[10]

By the late 1700s, the fishermen of Aromahan has expanded towards a hill east of Dagat-Dagatan. This naturally stony hill was called "Kaloogan", meaning "interior territory", which evolved from the old Tagalog word "loog" (synonymous with "loob" or "inside"). The "g" sound could have shifted to the "k" sound in Tagalog phonetics (e.g. baksak > bagsak) leading to the present name of the city. With Aromahan relegated to the periphery, this hilltop area was also settled by oppressed people from Tondo, becoming the new center of the community by 1802. To the east was a vast stretch of cogon-covered land. Eventually called "Kalaanan", meaning flat grassland in old Tagalog, this area is now generally known as Grace Park.[10]

Caloocan became a municipality when it was separated from Tondo in 1815. Its original territory extended to the foothills of Marikina, San Mateo and Montalban to the east; Tinajeros, Tanza, and Tala rivers to the north; San Juan del Monte, San Francisco del Monte, Sampalok, Santa Cruz and Tondo in the south; and Dagat-dagatan and Aromahan to the west.[11][12] The local government building was set up on the relatively well-settled portion just above Libis Espina. The old Aromahan chapel was finally abandoned and a new church was built facing the municipal hall. To escape the Spanish authorities, many from the area abandoned the town proper and sought refuge in the grasslands of Balintawak and Pugad-Lawin, in which the people fought the landlords of Hacienda de Maysilo for terrestrial rights, which went on for almost a hundred years.[10][11]

The Philippine revolution

Caloocan is historically significant because it was the center of activities for the Katipunan, the secret militant society that launched the Philippine Revolution during the Spanish occupation of the Philippines. In a house in Caloocan, secret meetings were held by Andrés Bonifacio and his men, and it was in the city's perimeters where the first armed encounter took place between the Katipunan and the Spaniards. The revolution erupted after the "Cry of Balintawak" led by Andres Bonifacio against their oppressors on August 30, 1896.

American invasion era

Aerial view of Caloocan, circa 1930s

In 1899, the people of Caloocan showed resistance to coming to terms with the Americans, who were bent on extending their supremacy over the country. The men of Caloocan fought the new invaders on February 23, 1899, however victory eluded the local troops on the pretext of Antonio Luna's rift with Emilio Aguinaldo's loyalists.[11] The city then saw heavy fighting in the Philippine–American War, at the Battle of Caloocan and the Second Battle of Caloocan.

In 1901, under the American regime, Caloocan, previously a part of the province of Manila, became one of the municipalities of the newly established province of Rizal.[13] Due to the consolidation of several municipalities in 1903, Novaliches, then an independent municipality, became part of Caloocan pursuant to Act No. 942,[14] as amended by Act Nos. 984 and 1008 of the Philippine Commission.

Japanese occupation era

In 1942, Caloocan was one of the municipalities of Rizal merged alongside Manila and Quezon City to form the City of Greater Manila as an emergency measure by President Manuel L. Quezon.[15][16] It regained its pre-war status as a municipality of Rizal when the City of Greater Manila was dissolved effective August 1, 1945.[17]

Cityhood

The old Caloocan City Hall in Poblacion district was the seat of local government for Caloocan from 1952 to 2017.

In 1961, after Republic Act No. 3278 was approved by the Philippine Congress, a plebiscite was conducted.[6] Caloocan was officially inducted into cityhood on February 16, 1962.[11]

Caloocan remained a city of the province of Rizal until November 7, 1975, when it became a part of the National Capital Region or Metro Manila, by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 824.[18]

Territorial changes

Territorial changes of Caloocan.
  Existing territorial boundaries
  Detached by Commonwealth Act No. 502 (1939)
  Detached by Republic Act No. 392 (1949)

Caloocan once encompassed a much larger, contiguous area. The districts of Balintawak, La Loma and Novaliches were once part of Caloocan. Balintawak is a historic district because it was the original site of the "Cry of Pugad Lawin" (Unang Sigaw sa Balintawak) at a location called "Kang-kong" near Tandang Sora's house. Novaliches was an expansive sector with some hillsides that served as meeting places and hideouts for Andrés Bonifacio and the Katipunan.

By the 1920s, there was a consolidation of several municipalities. Caloocan annexed the neighboring town of Novaliches, as stated in the Act No. 942 of the Philippine Commission, bringing its total area to about 1,500 hectares (3,700 acres).[11] When Commonwealth Act No. 502 created Quezon City in 1939, Caloocan ceded 1,500 hectares of land from the barrios or sitios of Bagubantay (Bago Bantay), Balintauac (Balintawák), Balingasa, Kaingin, Kangkong (present-day Apolonio Samson), La Loma, Malamig, Matalahib (present-day Santo Domingo), Masambong, Galas, San Isidro, San José, Santol and Tatalon.[19] Instead of opposing the transfer, Caloocan residents willingly gave the land in the belief it will benefit the country's new capital city.[20]

However, in 1949, Congress passed Republic Act No. 392, which redefined the Caloocan–Quezon City boundary.[21] The barrios of Baesa, Sangandaan, Talipapâ, San Bartolomé, Pasong Tamó, Novaliches Proper (poblacion), Banlat (present-day Tandang Sora), Kabuyao, Pugad Lawin, Bagbag, Pasong Putik, which once belonged to Novaliches and had an area of about 8,100 hectares (20,000 acres), were excised from Caloocan. The remaining portion of the Novaliches is now called North Caloocan. This split Caloocan into two parts: a southern section that is more urbanized, and a northern section that became suburban-rural.[22]

Geography

Caloocan is divided into two non-contiguous areas with a total combined area of 53.334 square kilometers (20.592 sq mi). South Caloocan, with an area of 13.625 square kilometers (5.261 sq mi), is bordered on the south by Manila, on the east by Quezon City, and on the north-northwest by Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela. North Caloocan, with an area of 39.709 square kilometers (15.332 sq mi), shares its border on the south-southeast by Quezon City, on the southwest by Valenzuela, on the north by Marilao, Meycauayan and San Jose del Monte in the province of Bulacan, and on the northeast by Rodriguez in the province of Rizal.[11]

Topography

Elevation map of south Caloocan

South Caloocan, where most commercial and industrial establishments are found, lies on generally flat and highly accessible land, with slopes ranging from 0–3%. The topography gradually changes from gently to moderately sloping to rolling along the North Luzon Expressway, with slopes ranging from 3–18%. The highest point at 35.00 meters (114.83 ft) above sea level can be found in this area, while the lowest point is in the southern part of Dagat-Dagatan at about 0.993 meters (3 ft 3.1 in) above mean sea level.[23]

North Caloocan is characterized by gently to steeply undulating to rolling topography with slopes ranging from 3–18%, mostly seen in the northern and central portion, gradually transforming into a southward trend of flat lands down to the southwestern tip of the boundary. Being accessible to major roads, many industrial and residential subdivisions have been developed on this near-level land.[23]

Geology

The geologic formation of the two portions of Caloocan varies in type and characteristics. and are specifically classified as quaternary alluvium, tuff and tuffaceous sediment, pyroclastic flow deposit, and conglomerates. The formation on the eastern half of Metropolitan Manila extending to the coastline of Manila Bay and including a greater part of South Caloocan is the quaternary alluvium, which consists of unconsolidated stream‐deposited sediments that include sand, silt, clay and gravel.[23]

Eastward of South Caloocan, large areas consisting of tuff and tuffaceous sediment can be traced, spreading towards the whole eastern side of Metro Manila. Pyroclastic flow deposit or igneous rocks formed by the lithification of ash flow are likewise present in some northern fringes of South Caloocan and in most parts of North Caloocan. On the northeast borders of North Caloocan, conglomerate rocks were traced, crossing Tala Estate and extending to the province of Bulacan and the La Mesa Watershed.[23]

Soil found in both areas of Caloocan predominantly falls under the Novaliches Series, covering 96% of the total land area of the city. The Novaliches Series is composed of reddish brown soil, friable in consistency and granular in structure. Spherical concretions are present in the subsoil and underneath is tuffaceous material of varying degrees of disintegration and weathering. This tuffaceous material is exposed by extensive erosion in some places.[23]

Surface drainages

Caloocan has surface waters that either have natural courses (creeks and rivers) or were constructed to serve as drainages to remove excess water from soil surfaces. South Caloocan has about 5.0-kilometer-long (3.1 mi) open drainage canals that serve mainly the reclamation area comprising Kaunlaran Village (Dagat-Dagatan Development Project) and nearly 11.3-kilometer-long (7.0 mi) natural surface water coursing through the different natural river systems. These include the Tinajeros-Tullahan River along the Caloocan–Valenzuela boundary; Maligaya Creek within La Loma Cemetery and crossing Rizal Avenue Extension; Casili Creek which terminates in Estero de Maypajo, and Cantarilla/Panaca Creek along the Caloocan–Malabon boundary. In North Caloocan, all surface waters consist of natural streams, the longest being the Meycauayan-Marilao River dividing Caloocan and Bulacan. Others include the Bagong Silang River, Tala, Camarin, Pasong Malapad, and Bagumbong Creeks crossing multiple subdivisions, for 52.7 kilometers (32.7 mi) long within the city's territorial boundaries.[23]

Climate

Climate data for Caloocan
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 29
(84)
30
(86)
32
(90)
34
(93)
33
(91)
31
(88)
30
(86)
29
(84)
29
(84)
30
(86)
30
(86)
29
(84)
31
(87)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 20
(68)
20
(68)
21
(70)
23
(73)
24
(75)
25
(77)
24
(75)
24
(75)
24
(75)
23
(73)
22
(72)
21
(70)
23
(73)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 7
(0.3)
7
(0.3)
9
(0.4)
21
(0.8)
101
(4.0)
152
(6.0)
188
(7.4)
170
(6.7)
159
(6.3)
115
(4.5)
47
(1.9)
29
(1.1)
1,005
(39.7)
Average rainy days 3.3 3.5 11.1 8.1 18.9 23.5 26.4 25.5 24.5 19.6 10.4 6.4 181.2
Source: Meteoblue[24]

Barangays

South Caloocan
Barangays of South Caloocan with corresponding area names
North Caloocan
Barangays of North Caloocan with corresponding area names

Currently, Caloocan has 188 barangays divided into 3 legislative districts.[25] The 1st District is composed of 59 barangays, which include Barangays 1 to 4, 77 to 85, 132 to 164 in South Caloocan and Barangays 165 to 177 in North Caloocan. The 2nd District is composed of 118 barangays, which include Barangays 5 to 76 and 86 to 131, all in South Caloocan. 3rd District, which was created in 2021, includes 11 barangays in North Caloocan that were formerly part of the 1st District, which include Barangays 178 to 188.[26]

The city uses a hybrid system for its barangays, further dividing the cities into 16 zones. Among the cities in Metro Manila, only Manila, Pasay and Caloocan implement the so-called "Zone Systems". A zone is a group of barangays in a district. Although a zone is considered a subdivision in the local government units, the people do not elect a leader for the zone in a popular election similar to the normal barangay or local elections as the system is merely for statistical purposes. Furthermore, all barangays have corresponding numbers but only a few—mostly in Caloocan's northern part—have corresponding names. However, the names of barrios and districts do not necessarily coincide with the perimeters of barangays. The barangays in southern Caloocan are generally smaller compared to their northern counterparts.

In 1989, Republic Act No. 6714 called for reducing the 70 barangays constituting the first congressional district of Caloocan to only thirty (30) barangays, while the 118 barangays composing the second congressional district of Caloocan were to be reduced to thirty (30) barangays. It was presumably defeated in the plebiscite that followed.[27]

Barangay 176 or Bagong Silang is the most populous barangay in the country with a population of 246,515 people or 16% of the total population of Caloocan.[28] This was due to the continuous influx of informal settler families through relocation programs since the 1970s. As a result, there have been calls by residents to subdivide the Bagong Silang into seven distinct barangays.[29]

Barangay 76, meanwhile, is the least populous barangay in Metro Manila with a population of 2. It used to be an informal settlement and its entire 2.8-hectare (6.9-acre) area is now predominated by retail buildings like Puregold Monumento and Araneta Square Mall.[30]

In 1957, the sitio of Bagbaguin was separated from the barrio of Caybiga (Kaybiga) and converted into a distinct barrio known as Barrio Bagbaguin.[31]

Caloocan (South)
Barangay District Area/Name [32][33]
Zone 1
Barangay 1 1st Sangandaan
Barangay 2
Barangay 3
Barangay 4
Barangay 5 2nd
Barangay 6
Barangay 7
Barangay 8 Dagat-Dagatan
Barangay 9 Poblacion
Barangay 10
Barangay 11
Barangay 12 Dagat-Dagatan
Zone 2
Barangay 13 2nd Poblacion
Barangay 14 Dagat-Dagatan
Barangay 15 Poblacion
Barangay 16
Barangay 17
Barangay 18
Barangay 19
Barangay 20 Kaunlaran Village (C-3 Road)
Barangay 21
Barangay 22
Barangay 23
Barangay 24
Zone 3
Barangay 25 2nd Maypajo
Barangay 26
Barangay 27
Barangay 28 Dagat-Dagatan
Barangay 29 Maypajo
Barangay 30
Barangay 31
Barangay 32
Barangay 33
Barangay 34
Barangay 35
Zone 4
Barangay 36 2nd Marulas
Barangay 37
Barangay 38 Grace Park West
Barangay 39
Barangay 40
Barangay 41
Barangay 42
Barangay 43 Grace Park West (3rd Avenue)
Barangay 44
Barangay 45
Barangay 46 Grace Park West (4th Avenue)
Barangay 47
Barangay 48
Zone 5
Barangay 49 2nd Grace Park West (5th Avenue)
Barangay 50
Barangay 51
Barangay 52 Grace Park West (7th Avenue)
Barangay 53
Barangay 54
Barangay 55 Grace Park West (6th Avenue)
Barangay 56 Grace Park West (8th Avenue)
Barangay 57
Barangay 58
Zone 6
Barangay 59 2nd Grace Park West (8th Avenue)
Barangay 60
Barangay 61
Barangay 62 Grace Park West (10th Avenue)
Barangay 63
Barangay 64
Barangay 65
Barangay 66
Barangay 67
Barangay 68
Barangay 69 Grace Park West
Barangay 70
Zone 7
Barangay 71 2nd Grace Park West
Barangay 72 Grace Park West (Victory Compound)
Barangay 73 Grace Park West (PNR Compound)
Barangay 74 Grace Park West (Heroes Del 96)
Barangay 75
Barangay 76 Grace Park West (Monumento)
Barangay 77 1st University Hills (Samson Road)
Barangay 78 University Hills (Monumento)
Barangay 79 University Hills (Caimito Road)
Barangay 80 University Hills (UE Caloocan)
Zone 8
Barangay 81 1st Morning Breeze Subdivision
Barangay 82
Barangay 83
Barangay 84 Morning Breeze Subdivision (MCU)
Barangay 85 Morning Breeze Subdivision
Barangay 86 2nd Grace Park East (EDSA)
Barangay 87
Barangay 88 Grace Park East (11th Avenue)
Barangay 89
Barangay 90
Barangay 91
Barangay 92
Barangay 93
Zone 9
Barangay 94 2nd Grace Park East (Biglang-Awa)
Barangay 95 Balintawak
Barangay 96 Grace Park East (EDSA)
Barangay 97 Grace Park East (11th Avenue)
Barangay 98
Barangay 99 Balintawak (Dorotea Compound)
Barangay 100 Grace Park East (11th Avenue)
Barangay 101 Grace Park East (Barrio Galino)
Barangay 102 Grace Park East (9th Avenue)
Barangay 103 Grace Park East (8th Avenue)
Barangay 104
Barangay 105
Zone 10
Barangay 106 2nd Grace Park East (10th Avenue)
Barangay 107
Barangay 108
Barangay 109 Grace Park East (8th Avenue)
Barangay 110 Grace Park East (7th Avenue)
Barangay 111
Barangay 112
Barangay 113 Grace Park East (6th Avenue)
Barangay 114
Barangay 115
Barangay 116
Barangay 117 Grace Park East (5th Avenue)
Barangay 118 Grace Park East (La Loma Cemetery)
Barangay 119 Grace Park East (4th Avenue)
Barangay 120 Grace Park East (2nd Avenue)
Zone 11
Barangay 121 2nd Grace Park East (7th Avenue)
Barangay 122
Barangay 123 Grace Park East (5th Avenue)
Barangay 124
Barangay 125
Barangay 126 Barrio San Jose
Barangay 127
Barangay 128
Barangay 129
Barangay 130
Barangay 131
Zone 12
Barangay 132 1st Bagong Barrio West
Barangay 133
Barangay 134
Barangay 135
Barangay 136
Barangay 137
Barangay 138
Barangay 139
Barangay 140
Barangay 141
Zone 13
Barangay 142 1st Bagong Barrio West
Barangay 143
Barangay 144
Barangay 145
Barangay 146
Barangay 147
Barangay 148
Barangay 149
Barangay 150
Barangay 151
Barangay 152
Barangay 153
Barangay 154
Barangay 155
Zone 14
Barangay 156 1st Bagong Barrio East
Barangay 157
Barangay 158 Libis Baesa (Eternal Gardens Memorial Park)
Barangay 159 Libis Baesa
Barangay 160
Barangay 161 Libis Reparo
Barangay 162 Santa Quiteria
Barangay 163
Barangay 164 Talipapa
Caloocan (North)
Barangay District Area/Name [32][33]
Zone 15
Barangay 165 1st Bagbaguin
Barangay 166 Kaybiga
Barangay 167 Llano
Barangay 168 Deparo
Barangay 169 BF Homes Caloocan
Barangay 170 Deparo 2
Barangay 171 Bagumbong
Barangay 172 Urduja Village
Barangay 173 Congress
Barangay 174 Camarin (Central)
Barangay 175 Camarin
Barangay 176 Bagong Silang[32]
Barangay 177 Camarin (Cielito)
Barangay 178 3rd Camarin (Kiko)
Zone 16
Barangay 179 3rd Amparo
Barangay 180 Tala
Barangay 181 Pangarap Village, Tala
Barangay 182
Barangay 183 Tala
Barangay 184
Barangay 185
Barangay 186
Barangay 187
Barangay 188

Demographics

Population census of Caloocan
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 7,847—    
1918 19,551+6.27%
1939 38,820+3.32%
1948 58,208+4.60%
1960 145,523+7.93%
1970 274,453+6.54%
1975 397,201+7.70%
1980 467,816+3.33%
YearPop.±% p.a.
1990 763,415+5.02%
1995 1,023,159+5.64%
2000 1,177,604+3.06%
2007 1,381,610+2.23%
2010 1,489,040+2.76%
2015 1,583,978+1.18%
2020 1,661,584+0.94%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[28][34][35][36]

As of 2020, the city has a population of 1,661,584 people, which makes it the fourth largest city in the Philippines in terms of population.[3] Under the same census year, Caloocan South (Barangays 1 to 164) was recorded as having a population of 585,091, and Caloocan North (Barangays 165 to 188) was recorded with a population of 998,887. If the two districts were treated as separate cities, they still would have been among the largest in the country as of the 2015 census year, ranking fourth and 17th respectively in terms of population.

The population density of Caloocan (30,000 inhabitants per square kilometer or 78,000 inhabitants per square mile) surpasses that of the National Capital Region as a whole.[3]

The 1st district of Caloocan was once the country's most populous legislative district, with 1.19 million persons as of 2015,[28] prior to the creation of the 3rd district that was excised from it.

Most residents speak Filipino (Tagalog) and English, with considerable numbers speaking other languages and dialects of the Philippines.

Like many other places in the country, Caloocan is predominantly Roman Catholic. It is home to the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kalookan in its southern part, while its northern part is under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Novaliches. There is also a significant presence of Iglesia ni Cristo and other Protestant churches in the city.


Economy

Poverty Incidence of Caloocan
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.
999 Shopping Mall Caloocan

Caloocan's 10th Avenue area is well known for its clusters of motorcycle dealers and motorcycle spare parts dealers. Among the major and famous streets are P. Zamora Street and A. Mabini Street.

Numerous banks have branches in the city such as BDO, EastWest Bank, MetroBank, PSBank, Maybank, Chinabank, Bank of the Philippine Islands, UnionBank, Philippine National Bank, Philippine Business Bank, Bank of Makati, Security Bank, Land Bank of the Philippines, Sterling Bank of Asia, Bank of Commerce, Philtrust Bank, Malayan Bank, Bank One Savings & Trust Corporation, WealthBank, Rural Bank of Caloocan, and Our Lady of Grace Credit Cooperative.

The city also has a number of shopping malls and stand-alone supermarkets and hypermarkets including SM City Grand Central (on the former site of Ever Gotesco Grand Central), Puregold Monumento, Victory Central Mall, Araneta Square, Uniwide Warehouse Club Monumento, LRT Caloocan Mall, SM Hypermarket Monumento, SM Center Sangandaan, 999 Shopping Mall Caloocan, and Walter Mart Caloocan which are in the southern part. In the north, there are five shopping malls serving the residents of Bagong Silang and Camarin, namely, Zabarte Town Center, Holiday Island Mall, Metroplaza Mall, Primark Town Center Deparo, and Primark Town Center Brixton. Savemore Market has three branches which are located in Kiko Camarin (Barangay 178), Zabarte inside Zabarte Town Center, Kaybiga and Primark Deparo. Puregold Price Club also opened seven branches in North Caloocan which are located in Zabarte, Bagong Silang, Deparo, Langit Road, Quirino Highway, Camarin, and Champaca and five in South Caloocan which are located in Rizal Avenue (Caloocan branch), 3rd Avenue, Monumento, Maypajo, and Langaray. SM City Caloocan is currently under construction in Deparo.[44]

Factories and industrial areas have also been built in various parts of Caloocan. Manufacturers are concentrated in the northern part, particularly in Bagumbong, Kaybiga, Llano, and Tala, while plastic and steel industries are concentrated in the southern part. Tala hosts the Victoria Wave Special Economic Zone, a 25-hectare (62-acre) registered zone under the Philippine Economic Zone Authority.[45]

NLEX Corporation, the concession holder of the North Luzon Expressway, is headquartered in Caloocan. The expressway's main section, NLEX Harbor Link, and NLEX Connector traverse through South Caloocan. Planned expressways such as the North Luzon East Expressway and North Access Link Expressway are slated to traverse Caloocan.

Government

Caloocan City Hall in Grace Park
Caloocan City Hall North in Camarin, prior to its 2023 upgrade[46]
The city halls of Caloocan

Local government

Caloocan, like other cities of the Philippines, is a local government unit whose powers and functions are specified by the Local Government Code of the Philippines. In general, as a city, Caloocan is headed by a mayor who heads the city's executive function and the vice mayor who heads the city's legislative function, which is composed of eighteen councilors, six from each of the city's three city council districts. For representation, the city has three districts, and therefore three representatives, in the country's House of Representatives.[26]

Elected officials

Members of the Caloocan City Council (2022–2025)
Designation First district Second district Third District
Representatives Oscar G. Malapitan
(Nacionalista)
Mary Mitzi Cajayon-Uy
(Lakas)
Dean Asistio
(Lakas)
Mayor Dale Gonzalo R. Malapitan
(PDP-Laban)
Vice Mayor Anna Karina R. Teh-Limsico
(Nacionalista)
Councilors Ray Christopher C. Adalem
(Nacionalista)
Jose Lorenzo T. Almeda
(NUP)
Merwyn Lennon D.C. Abel
(Nacionalista)
Leah M. Bacolod
(PDP-Laban)
Edgardo N. Aruelo
(PDP-Laban)
Theresita M. Ceralde
(Nacionalista)
Alexander M. Caralde
(Nacionalista)
Luis O. Asistio III
(Nacionalista)
Carliza May A. Del Rosario
(Lakas)
Orvince Howard A. Hernandez
(Lakas)
Carolyn C. Cunanan
(Nacionalista)
Kingjohn Ericson M. Echiverri
(Aksyon)
Vincent Ryan R. Malapitan
(Nacionalista)
Emmanuel S. De Leon
(Aksyon)
Aurora A. Henson Jr.
(Nacionalista)
Jacqueline Z. Nubla
(Aksyon)
Arnold T. Divina
(Nacionalista)
Patrick L. Prado
(Nacionalista)
ABC President Vergel J. De Vera (Barangay 67, Grace Park West)
SK President Bea Cruz-Hedreyda (Barangay 35, Maypajo)

List of mayors and vice mayors

Infrastructure

Transportation

The Balintawak Toll Barrier of the North Luzon Expressway
The north end of EDSA in Caloocan
A train of the LRT Line 1 serving the Monumento area

The LRT Line 1 has two stations in the southern part of the city, namely: Monumento and 5th Avenue. Philippine National Railways (PNR) also has a line, with its terminal at Samson Road, and passes through Caloocan railway station (the first railway station built in the city), 10th Avenue railway station, and 5th Avenue railway station. The currently under construction MRT Line 7 has also two under-construction stations located at the northern part of Caloocan, namely: Sacred Heart and Tala. The North–South Commuter Railway, another currently under construction rail transit system, will replace the existing PNR Metro Commuter Line and will have one station at Caloocan.

The city has an extensive network of roads, the most prominent being Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, which begins in the Monumento area. Quirino Highway, which connects Quezon City and eastern Bulacan, also traverses the northern part of Caloocan. The North Luzon Expressway's Operations and Maintenance Center and the motorway's Balintawak toll barrier are in the southern part of Caloocan. NLEX Harbor Link, its extension that connects it towards Navotas and Port of Manila, and the NLEX Connector project that connects Harbor Link with the City of Manila and Skyway also traverse Caloocan. The northern end of Skyway, which connects the North and South Luzon Expressways, is also found near NLEX's Balintawak toll plaza, with a possible connection to a future toll road leading to New Manila International Airport.

Bus line Victory Liner Incorporated has its headquarters and terminal along Rizal Avenue Extension near the Monumento station.

Landmarks

Thai To Taoist Temple

The city's most celebrated landmark is the monument to the revolutionary Andrés Bonifacio, which stands on a roundabout where EDSA, MacArthur Highway, Samson Road, and Rizal Avenue Extension intersect. The memorial was erected in 1933 and consists of an obelisk with sculptures by National Artist Guillermo Tolentino. The monument marks the very first battle of the Philippine Revolution on August 3, 1896. Recent renovations have been made on the environs of the monument, including the Bonifacio Circle, its former site, and the Caloocan stretch of EDSA, which is 100 meters (330 ft) away from the landmark. The whole area is known as 'Monumento'.

The new Caloocan City Hall stands in a rectangular lot bordered by 8th and 9th Streets and 8th and 9th Avenues in Grace Park East in the southern part of the city. It replaced the old Caloocan City Hall, built in 1952, that stood at A. Mabini Street in the southern part across from San Roque Cathedral-Parish.[47][48][49] There is also the Caloocan City Hall North serving the northern part of the city, located along Zapote Street in Camarin. The city's District Office of the Bureau of Internal Revenue is along EDSA.

Other sites of historical importance identified by the city government include a lot in P. Zamora Street where the wife of Katipunan leader Andrés Bonifacio once resided; the heritage house of Gertrudes Sevilla, the owner of which is the nephew of Gregoria de Jesús;[50][47] Santa Quiteria Church in Baesa; and Our Lady of Grace Parish in 11th Avenue; La Loma Cemetery, the oldest cemetery in Manila; and Thai To Taoist Temple along 6th Avenue.

Police

The Caloocan City Police Station is under the parent agency National Capital Region Police Office's Northern Police District of the Philippine National Police. They were once recognized as the best police station for their contribution to the drug war during the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

However, the whole Caloocan city police force was recently sacked after a series of crimes, including killings and robberies, were committed by its members. However, instead of dismissing the erring police officers, they were scheduled to be retrained by then Philippine National Police Chief Ronald dela Rosa.[51]

Education

Caloocan High School

The city's lone public university is the University of Caloocan City (formerly Caloocan City Community College in 1971 and Caloocan City Polytechnic College in 1975). Other educational institutions offering tertiary education include University of the East Caloocan, Manila Central University, La Consolacion College-Caloocan, and La Consolacion College-Novaliches, Access Computer College Caloocan, AMA Computer College-Caloocan, STI Academic Center Caloocan, among others.

There are also several public and private schools catering to K–12, such as:

  • Caloocan National Science and Technology High School (North Caloocan's first-ever science and technology high school; its students are admitted if they pass a competitive examination)
  • Caloocan City Science High School
  • Caloocan City Business High School
  • Caloocan High School
  • Amparo High School
  • Maria Clara High School
  • Philippine Cultural College (Annex)
  • Holy Infant Montessori Center
  • Northern Rizal Yorklin School
  • St. Mary's Academy of Caloocan City
  • Notre Dame of Greater Manila
  • Antonio Luna High School (formerly Bagumbong High School-Annex)
  • Camarin High School
  • Tala High School
  • Manuel Luis Quezon High School
  • Sampaguita High School
  • Cielito Zamora High School
  • Bagong Silang High School
  • National Housing Corporation High School (NHC HS)
  • Genesis Christian Academy of Caloocan
  • Kalayaan National High School
  • Deparo High School
  • Escuela de Sophia of Caloocan, Inc.
  • Escuela San Gabriel de Arcangel Foundation, Inc.
  • Colegio de San Gabriel of Caloocan, Inc.
  • Guardian Angel School
  • Horacio Dela Costa Elementary School
  • Horacio Dela Costa High School
  • Antonio Uy Tan Senior High School
  • Saint Benedict School of Novaliches
  • Saint Dominic Savio School of Caloocan City
  • Academy of Saint Andrew Caloocan Inc.
  • Immaculada Concepcion College
  • Systems Plus Computer College
  • St. Gabriel Academy
  • Asian Institute of Computer Studies – Caloocan
  • St. Clare College of Caloocan
  • Mystical Rose School of Caloocan, Inc.
  • Holy Angel School of Caloocan, Inc.
  • St. Agnes Academy of Caloocan, Inc.
  • St. Therese of Rose School,
  • Young Achievers School of Caloocan
  • St. Joseph College of Novaliches
  • St. Raphaela Mary School of Caloocan
  • Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School
  • Maranatha Christian Academy of Caloocan (Camarin)
  • Ridgewood School of Caloocan
  • Grace Park Elementary School
  • Sampalukan Elementary School
  • Libis Talisay Elementary School
  • Kaunlaran Elementary School
  • Lerma Elementary School
  • Pag-Asa Elementary School
  • Camarin Elementary School
  • La Consolacion College
  • Samaria Senior High School

Twin towns – sister cities

Local

International

Gallery

  • Bonifacio Monument
  • Shrine of Our Lady of Grace
    Shrine of Our Lady of Grace
  • Sto. Niño de Bagong Silang Church
    Sto. Niño de Bagong Silang Church
  • View of Grace Park from the new city hall
    View of Grace Park from the new city hall
  • View of Barangays 15 and 16 from the old city hall
    View of Barangays 15 and 16 from the old city hall
  • Caloocan Judicial Complex
    Caloocan Judicial Complex
  • Ung Siu Si Buddhist Temple
    Ung Siu Si Buddhist Temple
  • Schools Division Office of Caloocan
    Schools Division Office of Caloocan
  • Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital in Tala
  • Kalookan Cockpit Arena in Kaybiga
    Kalookan Cockpit Arena in Kaybiga
  • Glorieta Park
  • Caloocan City North Medical Center in Camarin
    Caloocan City North Medical Center in Camarin

References

  1. ^ City of Caloocan | (DILG)
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  3. ^ a b c d Census of Population (2020). "National Capital Region (NCR)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  4. ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Comprehensive Land Use Plan Report, City of Caloocan (1995-2020) - Free Download PDF". kupdf.net.
  6. ^ a b Republic Act No. 3278 (June 17, 1961), An Act Creating the City of Caloocan, retrieved May 6, 2022
  7. ^ Republic Act No. 5502 (June 21, 1969), An Act Revising Republic Act Numbered Thirty-Two Hundred and Seventy-Eight Otherwise Known as the Charter of the City of Caloocan, retrieved May 6, 2022
  8. ^ "Confusion over spelling: Caloocan or Kalookan?". The Manila Times. October 19, 2004. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
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  27. ^ Republic Act No. 6714 (February 28, 1989), An Act merging, dividing, and/or reviving the different barangays in Caloocan City and for other purposes, retrieved July 26, 2019
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  30. ^ Lopez, Elyssa (October 28, 2023). "Barangay with 2 residents prepares for elections; it has 210 voters". Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism.
  31. ^ Republic Act No. 1713 (June 21, 1957), An Act to Convert the Sitio of Bagbaguin, Municipality of Caloocan, Province of Rizal, into a Barrio to be known as Barrio Bagbaguin of the Same Municipality and Separating it from the Barrio of Caybiga of the Same Municipality, retrieved June 12, 2012
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  35. ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "National Capital Region (NCR)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  36. ^ "Province of Metro Manila, 3rd (Not a Province)". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
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  40. ^ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. August 3, 2012.
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  42. ^ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 10, 2019.
  43. ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021.
  44. ^ "SM CITY DEPARO Location" (PDF). EMB - National Capital Region. February 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  45. ^ "Victoria Wave Special Economic Zone". Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  46. ^ Dioquino, Aaron Homer (August 11, 2023). "Caloocan LGU to build new city hall". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  47. ^ a b "CALOOCAN CITY MEDIUM TERM". yumpu.com.
  48. ^ Melican, Nathan (November 3, 2013). "Caloocan City eyes new building to replace 61-year-old city hall". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  49. ^ Garcia, Danilo (December 17, 2017). "Caloocan City Hall lilipat na ng bagong gusali". Pilipino Star Ngayon (in Tagalog). Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  50. ^ Cayabyab, Marc Jayson (June 16, 2019). "Caloocan elderly remember Bonifacio's wife". The Philippine Star. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
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  52. ^ "Sister cities". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved August 30, 2016.

External links

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Caloocan.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Caloocan.
  • Official website
  • Philippine Standard Geographic Code
  • History of Caloocan, Philippines
  • Geographic data related to Caloocan at OpenStreetMap
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PSA Census May 2020
Rank Name Region Pop. Rank Name Region Pop.
Quezon City
Quezon City
Manila
Manila
1 Quezon City National Capital Region 2,960,048 11 San Jose del Monte Central Luzon 651,813 Caloocan
Caloocan
Antipolo
Antipolo
2 Manila National Capital Region 1,846,513 12 Makati National Capital Region 629,616
3 Caloocan National Capital Region 1,661,584 13 Las Piñas National Capital Region 606,293
4 Antipolo Calabarzon 887,399 14 Muntinlupa National Capital Region 543,445
5 Taguig National Capital Region 886,722 15 Calamba Calabarzon 539,671
6 Pasig National Capital Region 803,159 16 Imus Calabarzon 496,794
7 Valenzuela National Capital Region 714,978 17 Angeles Central Luzon 462,928
8 Dasmariñas Calabarzon 703,141 18 Marikina National Capital Region 456,059
9 Parañaque National Capital Region 689,992 19 General Trias Calabarzon 450,583
10 Bacoor Calabarzon 664,625 20 Pasay National Capital Region 440,656
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