Jose Panganiban, officially the Municipality of Jose Panganiban (), is a municipality in the province of Camarines Norte, Philippines. According to the , it has a population of people.
Etymology The municipality was formerly known as Mambulao, a word taken from "mambulawan", meaning bountiful in gold. On November 30, 1934, it was renamed to honor its native José María Panganiban by the virtue of Act 4155.
History Originally known as Mambulao, the town began as a thriving pre-Spanish indigenous community supported by agriculture and fishing before enduring centuries of Spanish colonial rule. Following resistance against Japanese occupation during World War II, the town was rebuilt and later renamed Jose Panganiban, after a native revolutionary hero.
On January 30, 1988, 25-year-old mayor-elect Ronaldo Padilla, brother of actor Robin Padilla, died when the vehicle he was driving along a national highway in Libmanan, Camarines Sur hit a ten-wheeler truck; he had been the winning substitute candidate for his brother Roy Padilla Jr., who was forced to take the place of their father, Roy Padilla Sr., when he was assassinated 13 days earlier.
Geography Barangays Jose Panganiban is politically subdivided into 27 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
Bagong Bayan Calero Dahican Dayhagan Larap Luklukan Norte Luklukan Sur Motherlode Nakalaya Osmeña Pag-Asa Parang Plaridel North Poblacion South Poblacion Salvacion San Isidro San Jose San Martin San Pedro San Rafael Santa Cruz Santa Elena Santa Milagrosa Santa Rosa Norte Santa Rosa Sur Tamisan
Climate
Climate in the Philippines is classified into four types. Camarines Norte's climate is classified under Type II, which is characterized by the absence of a dry season, with maximum rain period occurring between December and February, and minimum monthly rainfall occurring between March and May.
The northeast monsoon moves mainly north and northeast trending to easterly towards the end of the season. Average temperature ranges from 20 degrees Celsius to 28.3 degrees Celsius. Wind averages 15 to 20 miles per hour and is steadiest during January. The southeast monsoon is prevalent from June to September and is steadiest during the months of July and August, with wind speeds averaging from 10 to 15 miles per hour. The hottest months are from March to June, while the coolest months are from November to January.
Occurrences of rainfall in Jose Panganiban are more frequent during the predominance of the northeast monsoon between the months of October and May with maximum occurrence in November and December.
The highest rise in temperature occurs during the months of May and June, averaging between 28.9 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius. The coolest months are between December and February, with average ranging between 26.0 degrees Celsius and 26.4 degrees Celsius.
Relative humidity is the amount of water vapour present in the air. The municipality's normal relative humidity is at its highest and the steadiest between the months of September and December, while it is at its lowest between the months of April and June, the hottest months per year.EIS Larap Integrated Development gov.ph
Demographics The earliest available demographic data was the Census of the Philippine Islands conducted by the United States Bureau of Census in 1903. The then municipality of Mambulao, comprising nine barrios, has a total population of 1,370. The nine barrios are Poblacion (458), Del Rosario (60), San Antonio (33), San Isidro (99), San Jose (287), San Rafael (163), Santa Cruz (75), Santa Elena (81) and Santa Rosa (114).
In the 2024 census, the population of Jose Panganiban was 60,626 people, with a density of .
Economy
Mining It is known that even before the colonizers came, Mambulao was already a flourishing mining town. It was the Spaniards, drawn by the rumor of immense gold deposits in the Mambulao-Paracale district, who mastered in exploring the gold mining potentials of these towns.
From the 1750s to 1800s, Paracale held the major Spanish mines, but due to its closure in the 1790s, its people were living in desultory gold washing, fishing and selling betel nut to Mambulao, which has now become the mining center. During that time, there were plenty of small shops but there's no rice fields and vegetable gardening. All necessities came from Ambos Camarines and Tayabas (Quezon). Fifteen years later, the mines of Mambulao were no longer open. There was still some haphazard gold washing by women of Indio Class whose husbands, it was alleged, gambled away their meager earning in card games run by the town mayor. But by 1818, the population was back to the levels of the 1790s and by the mid-1820s annual gold production levels ran as 3,200 ounces (90.7 kg.) worth Php. 44,000 at prevailing prices. By 1829, Camarines Norte was considered to be wealthy and populous enough to warrant separation as province of its own for the first time. But after the 1840s the mining and population declined. Dr. Fedor Jagor (in his book Travels in the Philippines and The former Philippines thru Foreign Eyes), a well known German traveler who visited Mambulao in 1859, reported that it was thinly populated and that the mining mania was already ruined."Travels in the Philippines" (English) Reisen in den Philippinen. Chapman and Hall, London 1875 From 1837 to 1876 the population of Mambulao and Paracale decreased by 30%.
From 1900 until the early twenties, Mambulao was a sleepy town, isolated from the other towns of Camarines Norte. During the gold bloom, it was dubbed as "Little Manila", due to flourishing business operated by Filipinos, Chinese, Japanese, Syrians and many others. Dutch-born Filipino citizen Jan Hendrik Marsman operated two rich mines during the American occupation, a substantial dredging operation and the Philippines only smelter located in the Mambulao- Paracale district. The population quadrupled between 1918 and 1938. One of the most notable mining company to operate in this municipality is the Philippine Iron Mines, then the largest iron mine in Asia.
Mining companies operating in Jose Panganiban include: Philippine Iron Mines (defunct) 1925 to 1975, then biggest iron mine in Asia San Mauricio Mining Company (defunct) 1933 Benguet Gold Mining Corporation (defunct) Motherlode Mining Company (defunct) J. G. Realty and Mining Company (defunct) 1987-1997 Johson Gold Mining Corporation Investwell Mining (mining arm of Isabelo Fonacier Mining) Ferro Management and Consultancy Group Inc. (FMCGI) 2008
Jose Panganiban Special Economic Zones JP-SEZ (1): Jose Panganiban SEZ, located in Barangay Osmeña, is a special economic zone created through Proclamation No. 1106 by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on July 20, 2006. It consists of a total land area of three hundred sixty-one thousand seven hundred eleven (361,711) square meters and has its own private port registered at the Philippine Ports Authority. Magna-Kron Realty Philippines, Inc. is the current registered operator of the economic zone since 2018, succeeding Camnorte Ezone Realty, Inc. Magnakron Oleo Philippines, Inc. is a manufacturer of coconut-based ingredients and natural oil derivatives used for personal care (beauty and cosmetic products), consumer products, lubricants, fluids and oilfield, plastics, food and pharma, and, coatings, paints and inks. Primo Oleochemicals, Inc. and Pan Century Surfactants Inc. under the Aditya Birla Group formerly operated in the area. JP-SEZ (2): The second economic zone, located in Barangay Larap, was created under Proclamation No. 508 by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on December 2, 2003. It is operated by the municipal government of Jose Panganiban under the name Global Industrial/Maritime ComplexManufacturing and has a total area of 30 hectares. In February 2018, the municipal government of Jose Panganiban made a lease contract agreement with Penson & Company, Inc. to develop the area as a model community and jewel of urban development in the Bicol region. The area, expanded to a total of 230 hectares, will house the Larap Integrated Development Project. The Larap Integrated Development Project will be divided into four (4) major components which include the Airport Zone, Aero Entertainment Park, Town Center, and Industrial Zone. The project site is 5 kilometers away from the town proper. The project cost is estimated at PHP2,244,000,000.00. Resettlement issues such as loss of livelihood opportunities are the main concern about the project raised by the residents of Purok 7 of Barangay Larap. It is estimated that about 200 households will be affected by the project. The LGU of Jose Panganiban implemented a resettlement program to address the issue. The Larap Integrated Development Corporation (LIDC) has granted the LGU PHP20 million for the resettlement of the affected households.
Tourism Historical landmarks
Jose Maria Panganiban Monument - installed on February 1, 1985, by the National Historical Institute which contains the remains of the home-grown hero Roy Padilla Sr. Monument - located inside Doña Ponay park, is a monument installed as a remembrance to Governor Casimero Ruiz Padilla, father of famous and political personalities in the Philippines today. Known for his excellent leadership skill, he was undefeated in all of his political campaigns. He was assassinated in Labo, Camarines Norte at the age of 61.
Islands and beach destinations Parola Island - a popular island destination in Jose Panganiban famous for its pink sand shoreline, powdery beach, and clear blue water. The island got its name from a small light tower found in the island which guides fishermen at night. Tourists are advised to contact the Municipal Tourism Office when planning to visit the island. Calalanay Island - This small island is a 30-minute boat ride from Larap Port. It is locally known for its white sand beach and clear blue water coming from the Philippine Sea. Tourists are advised to contact the Municipal Tourism Office when planning to visit the island. Isla ni Cion - Aside from its long stretch of white sand beach, Isla ni Cion boasts of its mangrove eco-park which the locals proudly take care of. A bamboo walkway will lead tourists through this dense mangrove forest. Visitors can take a boat ride from Larap port to reach this area. Pag-asa Beach - located in Barangay Pag-asa, this popular beach destination for locals is heavily visited during the months of March, April, and May. Small cottages and a public restroom are maintained by locals. Bulalacao Beach - a 30-minute travel, via motorcycle, tricycle, jeepney or your own vehicle, from the town proper, will get you to Bulalacao Beach in Barangay Luklukan Sur. The beach is named after meteor sightings by locals. Scenic views along the road will welcome tourists on their way to the beach. Bringing your own tent (tolda) or picnic table is advisable for groups visiting the area.
Other local spots Fil-Nippon Fountain of Friendship Park - located in Barangay North Poblacion, Fil-Nippon Fountain of Friendship Park (or simply known as Fountain) is a park built as a symbol of friendship between Filipinos and Japanese and as a remembrance of the town's rich history with the Japanese during the time of Philippine Iron Mines. Doña Ponay Park - located in Barangay South Poblacion, Doña Ponay park is built as a remembrance to Doña Apolinaria de los Reyes, popularly known as Doña Ponay, a former resident of Monte Calogcog (now known as Barangay Luklukan Norte). Her most popular story was her gift to Queen Isabella of Spain; a life-size hen with 12 chicks standing on a platter made of solid gold. Mambulao Boardwalk - located in Barangay North Poblacion, adjacent to Fil-Nippon Fountain of Friendship Park, Mambulao Boardwalk is a popular spot for locals to see the sun setting over Mambulao Bay.