Socio-Economic and Physical Profile (Sepp) Brief Profile of Taal

Republic of the Philippines Province of Batangas Municipality of Taal

SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND PHYSICAL PROFILE (SEPP) BRIEF PROFILE OF TAAL

BRIEF HISTORY

Legend has it that Taal Lake was settled late in the 13th century by Southeast Asian Moslems from Borneo and Brunei. Previous to the 16th century, the town of Taal was known to have been located at Balangon. The second site as then at the area which is presently known as San Nicolas. By 1575, Fray Diego Espinas founded the town. However, by 1754, the year of the great eruption, the municipality was displace to its present at Caysasay overlooking Balayan Bay.

The origin of the name Taal is not actually positively known. Paulina Gahol Orlina in the book Taal states a few possible speculations:

An anecdote talks of a native Taaleño, who was asked what the town was called, thought the question has reference to what he was hiding and he replied, ta-ad, which is the Batangueños word for sugarcane points. From ta-ad, according to the same storytellers, came TAAL.

Places in the Philippines usually get their names from the plants or trees that grow in profusion near or around it. Tal-an trees have always been identified with Taal settlers and livelihood of the people. This makes the appellation tal-an (where the tal-an trees grew) much more relevant than ta-ad. Perhaps it was Datu Puti who coined the name shortly following their landing amidst the Tal-an trees at the mouth of the Pansipit River but time and the people have a way of corrupting words, hence Tal-an became Taal. Perhaps, too, with the establishments of the Catholic missions, some friars from the region around Barcelona, Spain, must have found the sound Tal- an almost the same as his native Catalan. Cherishing sentiments from the province of his birth, he must have given preference to Tal-an rather than ta-ad with the native propensity of skipping syllables or slurring them with Catalan was shortened to Taal and the name has stuck ever since.

Linking the town to its past is the existence of terra cotta and Chinese potteries excavated along the banks of the Pansipit River. These archeological pieces have been documented by local and foreign anthropologists and are now exhibited at the National Museum. Taal, by 1732, being the pride of Southern Tagalog, became the capital of the new Taal Province. The 1754 eruption however forced the relocation of the town from San Nicolas, leaving only 900 residents. The title of provincial capital was then transferred to Batangas, together with its name. A few know of this short-lived Taal province which unfortunately fell prey to the force of nature.

During the Spanish revolution, the sons and daughters of the town as any Filipino nationalist in their struggle against the regime. From the revolution of 1896 until the Treaty of Paris in 1898, the people of Taal made their mark in the annals of Philippine History. Such examples of heroes with Taal blood are in the likes of Felipe and Marcela Agoncillo, Feliciano Joson, Vito Belarmino. Miguel Malvar , Elueterio Marasigan and Felipe Calderon, used the town as one of their transient residences.

The History of Taal further reveals that the municipality had contained a much larger area. The political coverage included five other towns along its periphery. These are the towns of Sta. Teresita, San Nicolas, San Luis, Lemery, and Agoncillo. During this century, however, growth of the municipality and the power of legislation created these towns.

The culture being inscribed in the townsfolk must have been the source of keeping the look and feel of the Poblacion. Furthermore, the indigenous trades, such as jusi embroidery and balisong making, have been kept alive, adding to the present treasures. There are number towns left in the world, much less in the country, which shows more than a century of history through the preservation of its architecture. This alone makes Taal included in to the World Heritage List.

To understand TAAL is to understand its history.

Taal, a heritage village is located in the northwestern part of the province about 131 kilometers distance from Manila via Tagaytay City, 134.50 kilometer from Manila via Lipa City and 23.8 kilometers away from the Provincial Capitol.

Taal was founded by Spanish friars in 1575 somewhere in Pansipit River. During that time, the Provincial Capitol was situated in Taal but because of frequent eruptions of Taal Volcano, the Capitol was transferred to Batangas now Batangas City in 1754. According to records, the most violent eruptions took place on August 11, 1749 and January 27, 1911.

Taal is a mixture of hills and slopes with only small portion of the area as level or plain. Barangay Butong is the only coastal barangay out of the forty-two (42) barangays comprising the whole municipality.

Taal has two distinct seasons: the dry and the rainy reasons. Stormy weather usually occurs during the rainy reason starting in the month of June to December. During the said weather condition, the people are usually experiencing heavy rainfall, gusty winds and floods in the low-lying areas. Taal main source of livelihood generally derives from agricultural endeavor like sugar cane plantation, cattle rising, poultry and swine rising. Other services include jusi embroidery and balisong making.

Taal is not only known here in our country but also in other parts of the world because of its local products and historical landmarks.

The embroidered barong tagalog and the homemade knife or balisong are being sold here to local and foreign tourists. The church of Taal, which is considered to be, the biggest in Asia is included in the list of top tourist attraction up to the present.

HUMAN RESOURCE

The first censal year 1903 recorded a total population of 17,525. The steady increase in population up to 1948 may be due to the growth of economic activities in the area. The average growth rate from 1903 to 1948 is 2.24%.

The decrease in population in censal year 1960 was due to the creation of the Municipality of San Nicolas on August 9, 1955 under Republic Act No.1229 and House Bill No.3407, taken from Taal and Lemery.

The minimal increase by 1,907 in the year 1970 was due to the creation of the Municipality of Sta Teresita on December 28, 1962 under executive Order No.454, taken from Taal, San Nicolas and San Luis.

The municipality’s growth rate showed an increasing trend from 1.40% to 2.15% between the periods 1970-1975 and 1975-1980, respectively.

Total population almost doubled in 1990. By 1995, with a growth rate of 2.09%, total population is 38,722 and continued to increase in censal year 2000 registering a total population of 43,455 and a growth rate of 2.33%. The municipality’s growth rate is lower compared to that of the province at 2.78%. As projected, current population (2005) is 48,759.

These figures are shown on Table No. 1 Historical Growth of Population.

Table No. 1 HISTORICAL GROWTH OF POPULATION Municipality of Taal 1903-2005 Average Increase or Year Population Growth (Decrease) Rate 1903 17,525 1918 21,155 3,630 1.26 1939 23,004 1,849 0.40 1948 26,044 3,040 2.51 1960 23,000 (3,044) (1.03) 1970 24,907 1,907 0.80 1975 26,705 1,798 1.40 1980 29,699 2,994 2.15 1990 34,925 5,226 1.63 1995 38,722 3,797 2.09 2000 43,455 4,733 2.33 *2005 48,759 5,304 2.33 Source: National Statistics Office *Projection

Of the total population of 48,759, about 19% or 9,270 reside in the urban areas while the remaining 81% or 39,489 reside in the rural areas.

With an Average Household Size (AHS) of 5.17 total household for the current year is 9,413. Of this figure, 1,812 are urban households while 7,601 are rural households.

The thickly populated barangays in the rural areas are Butong, Buli and Balisong. Butong is a coastal barangay while Buli and Balisong are near the central business district.

Table No. 2 Total Population Per Barangay As of May 1, 2010

Barangay Population *Household Area (Has.) A. Urban Barangays 97.27 Poblacion 1 401 77 Poblacion 2 323 66 Poblacion 3 918 155 Poblacion 4 395 63 Poblacion 5 1,710 316 Poblacion 6 828 122 Poblacion 7 258 45 Poblacion 8 761 202 Poblacion 9 925 200 Poblacion 10 760 135 Poblacion 11 355 70 Poblacion 12 249 39 Poblaci1on 13 449 80 Poblacion 14 529 90 B. Rural Barangays Apacay 1,955 439 145.82 Balisong 2,839 512 78 Bihis 572 140 25.09 Bolbok 1,027 215 54.96 Buli 3,460 803 260.65 Butong 4,627 1,031 119.01 Carsuche 669 133 123.36 Cawit 1,843 400 178.36 Caysasay 577 108 7.35 Cubamba 772 164 118.53 Cultihan 1,812 371 106.49 H. Gahol 1,060 200 100.71 Halang 1,250 270 93.5 Iba 2,633 640 217.78 Ilog 1,113 305 85.98 Imamawo 615 123 51.76 Ipil 712 159 125.65 Laguile 2,544 600 219.8 Latag 950 194 99.26 Luntal 1,186 244 104.21 Mahabang Ludlod 1,089 260 59.5 Niogan 341 64 2.55 Pansol 819 155 109.3 Pook 1,077 206 88.8 Seiran 2,678 610 51.24 Tatlong Maria 1,159 240 10.8 Tierra Alta 893 206 31.49 Tulo 2,370 465 209.2 TOTAL 51,503 10,917 (As of 2010 Census of Population & Housing)

Urbanization is defined as growth in the proportion of a population living in urban areas and takes place when there is development.

With an urban population of 9,270, Taal’s urbanization level is 19%.The urban area totals to 97.27 hectares, with an urban population of 9270, urban density is 95 persons per hectare. Thus, it is a low density area. There are 39,489 persons living in the rural barangays with an area of 2879.15 hectares, rural density is 14 persons per hectare.

Given the above figures, gross density is 16 persons per hectare.

Labor force or the economically active population refers to population 15 years old and over and who are either employed or unemployed. For 2005, the municipality has a total labor force of 28,656. Of this figure, about 50.59% are employed while 6.0% are unemployed. A total of 12,439 persons are not in the labor force as shown in Table No. ___

Employed persons refer to persons who work for pay in any government or private enterprise or those who work for a profit or with pay on the farm or business operated by a member of the same household related by blood, marriage or adoption regardless of the number of hours devoted to work. Also included are those who are temporarily absent from job or business because of such reason as temporary illness, vacation, strike or other valid reasons. Unemployed persons include all those who are reported wanting and looking for work on a full time basis. The desire to work must be sincere and the persons must be serious about working.

PHYSICAL FEATURES a. LOCATION

The Municipality of Taal is centrally located at latitude 13 – 53 – 00 N and longitude 120 – 56 – 00E. It is bounded on the north by the Municipality of San Nicolas; on the east by the Municipality of Sta. Teresita; on the south by the Municipality of San Luis; and on the West by the Municipality of Lemery.

The total land area of Taal is 2976.42 hectares. It consists of 42 barangays. There are 14 urban barangays and 28 rural barangays.

Table No. shows the distribution of population by barangay.

The urban areas occupy about 97.27 hectares while the rural areas occupy 2879.15 hectares. Among the rural barangays, Buli has the biggest land area at 260.65 hectares while Niogan has the smallest land area at 2.55 hectares.

PHYSICAL INFRASTRACTURE RESOURCES a. TRANSPORTATION NETWORK a.1 CIRCULATION SYSTEM Taal is accessible by land transportation. It is about 23.8 kilometers from Batangas City, the provincial capitol. One can reach Taal from Manila via the CALABARZON expressway passing through Lipa City and the municipalities of Cuenca, Alitagtag and Sta. Teresita. Another route is via Tagaytay City then turning left at the Boundary of Nasugbu passing through the Municipality of Lemery.

The national road serves as the main ingress and egress road linking the municipality to the municipalities of Sta. Teresita, Lemery, Agoncillo and San Nicolas. Connecting to the major road are the provincial roads linking to the municipalities of San Luis and San Nicolas and the Poblacion to Barangays. a.2 ROAD NETWORK

As of 2005, the road kilometerage totals to 76,688.67. Thus density is 30.39 kilometers per 100 hectares of land. This is above the standard of 1.5 km/100 hectares of land.

The road system is classified into national (9,182.30_kms), provincial (6,424.05 kms.), municipal (8,368.68 kms.) and barangay (52,707.64 kms.).

With regards to type of pavement, about 73.38% is concreted, 9.49% is asphalt, 1.56% is gravel and 15.59 % is earth-filled. Roads are presently being repaired and constructed through the municipal and barangay funds.

Urban road is 8,368.68 kilometers with a total of 9270 urban population, existing road urban population is 0.90 km/1,000 population.

Compared to the ideal 2.4km per 1000 population, Taal has inadequate urban roads.

While there are adequate rural roads, This shall not constrain the LGU to open barangay roads.

Table No. 5 INVENTORY OF ROADS Municipality of Taal 2005 Road Surface Road Name and Length Width Paved Unpaved Administrative (m.) (m) Concrete Asphalt Gravel Earthfill Classification Length Length Length Length A. National 9,182.30 7.00 2,465.52 6,716.78 0.00 0.00 B. Provincial 6,424.05 6.00 6,424.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 C. Municipal 8,368.68 4.00 8,073.55 0.00 0.00 295.13 D. Barangay 52,707.64 4.00 39,248.21 558.83 1,193.28 11,713.32 Total 76,688.67 56,211.33 7,275.61 1,193.28 12,008.45 Source: Municipal Engineering Office Table No. 6 INVENTORY OF ROADS Municipality of Taal 2005 Road Surface Road Name and Paved Unpaved Administrative Length (m.) Width (m) Concrete Asphalt Gravel Earthfill Classification Length Length Length Length A. National Balisong 782.92 7 672.56 110.36 Bihis 497.86 7 497.86 Buli 1,540.00 7 1,540.00 Carsuche 538.71 7 538.71 Cawit 1,024.39 7 1,024.39 Halang 554.88 7 554.88 Laguile 301.82 7 301.82 Latag 732.62 7 732.62 Mahabang Ludlod 1,274.06 7 513.10 760.96 Niogan 176.82 7 176.82 Tierra Alta 275.91 7 275.91 Tulo 655.18 7 655.18 Zone 4 598.17 7 598.17 Zone 7 58.23 7 58.23 Zone 11 170.73 7 170.73 Subtotal 9,182.30 7 2,465.52 6,716.78 - - B. Provincial Bihis 473.78 7 473.78 Butong 1,700.60 6 1,700.60 Cubamba 1,069.20 6 1,069.20 Cultihan 1,434.45 6 1,434.45 Zone 1 43.28 6 43.28 Zone 5 576.52 6 576.52 Zone 6 519.51 6 519.51 Zone 7 198.17 6 198.17 Zone 12 408.54 6 408.54 Subtotal 6,424.05 6 6,424.05 - - - C. Municipal Zone 1 746.74 5 746.74 Zone 2 824.08 5 688.71 135.37 Zone 3 387.80 5 387.80 Zone 4 291.16 5 239.03 52.13 Zone 5 876.52 5 876.52 Zone 6 785.67 5 785.67 Zone 7 414.33 5 414.33 Zone 8 742.69 5 635.06 107.63 Zone 9 769.51 5 769.51 Zone 10 616.77 5 616.77 Zone 11 521.04 5 521.04 Zone 12 78.05 5 78.05 Zone 13 639.93 5 639.93 Zone 14 674.39 5 674.39 Subtotal 8,368.68 5 8,073.55 - - 295.13 D. Barangay Apacay 4,349.98 4 2,657.61 1,692.37 Balisong 1,599.88 4 1,509.95 89.93 Bolbok 2,022.86 4 1,473.47 549.39 Buli 2,124.68 4 1,188.71 935.97 Butong 2,488.69 4 2,231.38 257.31 Carsuche 3,142.34 4 1,494.49 1,647.85 Cawit 2,267.66 4 1,785.65 482.01 Caysasay 443.58 4 443.58 Cubamba 1,932.61 4 1,847.25 85.36 Cultihan 810.97 4 810.97 H. Gahol 1,713.40 4 1,021.33 692.07 Halang 2,073.45 4 1,906.99 166.46 Iba 4,275.55 4 3,057.26 1,218.29 Ilog 2,717.97 4 2,105.17 146.95 465.85 Imamawo 1,819.70 4 1,801.10 18.60 Ipil 1,517.36 4 159.44 1,357.92 Laguile 1,598.77 4 1,488.41 110.36 Latag 1,882.00 4 1,872.86 9.14 Luntal 1,484.74 4 1,239.32 245.42 M. Ludlod 351.82 4 296.03 55.79 Pansol 2,755.47 4 1,091.46 1,664.01 Pook 1,849.99 4 1,275.60 574.39 Seiran 1,462.18 4 1,462.18 T. Maria 792.36 4 792.36 Tulo 5,235.63 4 4,235.64 999.99 Subtotal 52,713.64 39,248.21 558.83 1,193.28 11,713.32 GRAND TOTAL 76,688.67 56,211.33 7,275.61 1,193.28 12,008.45 Source: Municipal Engineering Office a.3 BRIDGES

By type of administration, two (2) are national bridges namely Butong and Balisong and one (1) provincial bridge that is Butong Bridge.

By type of construction, ten (10) are concreted and two (2) are of the steel type.

Table No. 6 INVENTORY OF BRIDGES Municipality of Taal 2005 Remarks/ General Concrete Steel Location Condition Bridge Name Barangay L L L W L W C C 1. Balisong Bridge Balisong 12 8 20 Good 2. Butong Bridge Butong 6 6 15 Good 3. Tatlong Maria Bridge Tatlong Maria 7 8 Good 4. Maugat Bridge Butong 22 8 15 Good 5. Seiran-Cawit Bridge Seiran-Cawit 10 7 Good 6. Seiran-Tatlong Maria Seiran-Tatlong Bridge Maria 30 11 15 Good 7. Imamawo Bridge Imamawo 12 4 15 Good 8. Iba bridge Iba 15 5 20 Good 9. Laguile Bridge Laguile 36 11 15 Good 10. Taal Poblacion Bridge Poblacion Zone 2 5 7 Good 11. Ilog bridge Ilog 22 8 10 Newly constructed 12. Buliran Bridge Pook 37 8 Newly constructed

Source; Municipal Engineering Office Legend: L - Length (in meter) W - Width (in meter) LC - Load capacity (in metric tons)

b. SOCIAL SERVICES

b.1 EDUCATION Education is important because it denotes the methods by which a society hands down from generation to the next, its knowledge, culture and values. The individual, being educated, developes physically, emotionally, mentally, morally and socially. Being so, the Municipal Government gives importance to it. For SY 2004-2005, Taal has a total of 21 schools, four (4) of which are private schools and the remaining 17 schools are public schools.

Table No. 7 INVENTORY OF SCHOOLS NAME, LOCATION AND AREA OF SCHOOLS Municipality of Taal 2005 Land Area Categor Course School Location (sq.m.) y Offered Aguedo Lota Asinas Caysasay, Taal 5,030.00 Public Pre Elem. & Elem. MES Apacay Elementary Apacay, Taal 3,891.00 Public Pre Elem. & Elem Balisong Elementary Balisong, Taal 5,000.00 Public Pre Elem. & Elem Buli Elementary Buli, Taal 5,001.00 Public Pre Elem. & Elem Butong Elementary Butong, Taal 6,565.00 Public Pre Elem. & Elem Carmino Biscocho MES Iba, Taal 5,030.00 Public Pre Elem. & Elem Cubamba-Gahol Elem. Cubamba, Taal 4,039.00 Public Pre Elem. & Elem Cultihan-Bolbok Elem. Cultihan, Taal 5,698.00 Public Pre Elem. & Elem Gov. Vicente Noble MES Laguile, Taal 5,454.00 Public Pre Elem. & Elem Halang Elementary Halang, Taal 4,242.00 Public Pre Elem. & Elem Isabelo Baleros MES Seiran, Taal 6,861.00 Public Pre Elem. & Elem Tulo Elementary Tulo, Taal 4,272.00 Public Pre Elem. & Elem Latag Elem Latag, taal 3,891.48 Public Pre Elem. & Elem Luntal Primary Luntal, Taal 965.00 Public Pre Elem. & Elem Cawit Primary Cawit, Taal 1,000.00 Public Pre Elem. & Elem Taal Central Calle G. Marella, 21,998.00 Public Pre Elem. & Elem San Martin St, Pre Elem. & Elem St. Martin Montessori 1,011.00 Private Taal Our Lady of Caysasay Poblacion, Taal, Pre Elem, Elem. & 8,383.00 Private Academy Batangas Secondary Fame Academy of A. Delas Alas St., 161.00 Private Secondary Science & Tech. Taal National High Public I. Ilagan St., Taal 7,183.00 Secondary School (Nat'l) G. Marella St., Secondary & Rizal Colege of Taal 8,750.00 Private Taal Tertiary TOTAL 114,425.48 Source: DECS - District Office & Schools St. Martin Montessori, a private school offers pre-elementary and elementary learning; Our Lady of Caysasay Academy (OLCA), also a privately categorized school, offers pre-elementary, elementary and secondary education; Rizal College of Taal, on the other hand offers secondary and tertiary learning and Fame Academy of Science and Technology (FAST) offers secondary education only. Of the 17 public schools, 16 offer pre-elementary and elementary educations where Taal Central School located at Calle G. Marella, occupies the largest land area of 21,998 square meters.

Taal National High School, one of the public schools, offers secondary education and occupies a total land area of 7,183 square meters. Refer to Table No.7. The table above shows that thirteen public schools have an administrative office, one has sports facilities, 9 have a shop/practical arts room, one with laboratory room, all have a playground area, 9 have clinic facilities, 14 have a H.E. Room, 2 have canteen, each one has a stage and as a necessity all have a comfort room.

All four private schools are equipped with laboratory, library, sports gym, administrative office, clinic, playground and canteen.

In SY 2005-2006 there is a total of 5,815 elementary students in Taal public schools, where 547 of this are pre-elementary students.

b.2 HEALTH RESOURCES, FACILITIES AND SERVICES

The Municipality of Taal now enjoys a two-store Rural Health Unit (RHU) located at Tierra Alta, Taal, Batangas rendering health services to the 42 barangays. Said RHU is composite of _____ personnel. There is only two (2) Public Health Nurse, 6 midwives, 2 sanitary inspectors, 1 dentist and 1 medical technologist. It has twenty eight (28) barangays under its care, Medical and Dental consultations are done daily.

Equipment available in the RHU’s are the basic tools for diagnosis of illness and detection of vital signs such as sphygmomanometer, stethoscope and the likes. And some tools needed for health programs; microscope (PTB Program), dental equipment (Dental Care Program). We likewise have autoclave, minor sets and instruments for pap smear. Most recent acquisition is the blood analyzer machine.

The main function of the RHU’s is the proper implementation of the various DOH programs aimed towards prevention of diseases. The DOH had devolved to the LGUs concerned public health programs and projects in

 Primary Health Care  Maternal and Child Health Care  Dental Health  Nutrition  Family Planning  Environmental Health  Communicable and non-communicable diseases control

In the absence of a municipal hospital, there are two (2) private hospitals in Taal. These are Taal Polymedic Hospital and Assumpta Medical Hospital. Both are considered as secondary hospitals and are accredited by the Philippine Health Insurance. They are equipped with modern hospital facilities and amenities. Other medical services are categorized as internal medicine, dental, optical and clinical services.

b.3 SOCIAL WELFARE

The Municipal Government of Taal extends its social welfare services to its constituents through the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO). Its office is located at the Municipal Hall and occupies an area of about 35.6 square meters and is being manned by three personnel headed by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer. Social Welfare programs/services include family, community welfare, women welfare and child development.

Table No. 8 DAY CARE CENTERS Municipality of Taal 2005

No. of Day No. of Day Day Care Center Care Care Worker Children Holy Trinity (Apacay) 1 17 Mary's Angel (Balisong) 1 12 Our Lady of Peace (Bihis) 1 17 St. Joseph (Bolbok) 1 10 St. Vincent (Buli) 1 30 St. Isidore (Carsuche) 1 10 Holy Rosary (Cawit) 1 13 Mary Immaculate (Cultihan 1 25 Lucky Home (Imamawo) 1 10 Holy Angels (Iba) 1 29 St. Peregrine (Ilog) 1 13 Our Lady of Fatima (Laguile) 1 17 Kerubin (Mabang Ludlod) 1 9 St. Roque (Pansol) 1 13 Our Lady of Caysasay (Zone 5) 1 15 St. Martin (Zone 6) 1 19 Little Angels (Zone 7) 1 64 Angelus (Zone 10) 1 10 St. Stephen (Tulo) 1 15 TOTAL 348 Source: Municipal Social Welfare Development Office

For the year 2005, the MSWDO maintains and supervises nineteen (19) Day care centers in nineteen barangays with seventeen (17) Day Care Workers conducting session at the same time act as surrogate parents to three hundred forty eight (348) Day Care children. See Table 47 on the List of Day Care Centers existing in the Municipality of Taal.

The Senior Citizens Office is located at the ground floor of the Municipal Building.

b.4 HOUSING

The NSO Census of 1990 recorded a total population of 34,925 and total households of 6,472. Average household size then is 5.39. In 1995, population increased to 38,722 with total households of 7,186. Censal year 2000 registered 43,455 total population and 8,381 total households. As projected, total population for 2005 is 48,759 and 9,413 households. Average household size is 5.18.

As per 1990 Census of Population and Housing, There are 6,595 housing units in the municipality; of which 97% or 6,369 are occupied. There are 226 vacant housing units at the time of survey. These are housing units with absentee owners living and working abroad or in other places of the country. Refer to Table No. 9

Table No. 9 HOUSING UNITS, OCCUPIED AND VACANT Municipality of Taal 1960, 1970 and 1990

Year Occupied Vacant Total 1960 4,115 102 4,217 1970 4,236 9 4,245 1980 5,202 145 5,347 1990 6,369 226 6,595 Source: National Statistics Office Table No. 10 NAME, LOCATION, AREA AND NUMBER OF LOTS IN PRIVATE HOUSING PROJECTS Municipality of Taal 2005

Area No. of Name of Subdivision Location (sq.m) Lots Hacienda Villas Subdivision Tierra Alta & Pooc, Taal 106,282 520 Arlene Ville Subdivision Butong,Taal 17,899 54 Arian Hill Subdivision Ipil, Taal 39,264 259 Villa Lolita Subdivision Butong, Taal 37,660 159 Buckingham Hills Subdivision Buli & Cultihan, Taal 133,543 372 Taal Bayview Estates Tulo 85,278 394 Villas del Pueblos Buli TOTAL 334,648 1,364 Source: Municipal Planning & Development Office

Considering the total households of 6,472 in 1990, it can be noted that there is an excess of 123 housing units with the occupancy of 97% of those housing units. It shows that the households of 6,472 were housed or living with each other in 6,369 occupied housing units. Housing units’ household occupancy ratio is 1:1.016, meaning 3% of the households are doubling up or doubled up households.

Subdivision development is booming in the municipality. There are five (5) residential subdivisions, one of which is a BP220 project. Refer to Table No. 10 on the listing of the different subdivisions.

With a total residential area of 346.82 hectares, residential density is 141 persons per hectare of residential area. The municipality is a low density area. Household density is 27 households per hectare of residential area. Given this figure, average lot size is 370 square meters.

Urban residential areas total to 61.15 hectares with an urban population of 9,270. Urban density is 30 households per hectare of residential area thus giving an average lot size in the urban areas at 333 square meters.

c. INFRASTRACTURE AND UTILITIES SECTOR c.1 WATER The Municipality of Taal is being served by three (3) different Municipal Systems. One located at Barangay Buli utilizing a deep well/pump/gravity serving Barangays M. Ludlod, Buli and Bihis. There is another one located at Barangay Seiran by means of spring/reservoir/pumps serving Barangay T. Maria, Caysasay, Seiran and the rest of the Poblacion area. Another one is in Balisong utilizing an existing reservoir and deep well. Under construction is another Municipal System located at San Martin St. Poblacion Zone 11.

There is a total number of 2,846 households being served by Taal Water District. Only twenty three (23) of the forty two (2) barangays are being served. The other barangays are being served by Barangay Water Works System operated by an association, funded by Barangay and is independent of the Municipal System.

The daily rate consumption by household and by other uses are _____ cubic meter per day. The rates of water service are Php110.00 per house connection for the first ten (10) cu.m. of consumption. Excess water usage thereof shall be charged ____ per cubic meter. c.2 POWER

Prior to May 7, 1984, electric service in the municipality is provided by the Taal Electric System (TELS) under a municipal franchise granted by the defunct Public Service Commission in 1957. Because of economic difficulties, inflation and rampant pilferage of electricity the local government thru the Intervention of the National Electrification Administration (NEA) turn-over the operation and management of TELS to Batangas I Electric cooperative, Inc. (BATELEC I). Both TELS and BATELEC I obtain and purchase electricity from the National Power Corporation (NPC) at its substation located in Butong, Taal, Batangas.

At present energization rate is 100% since the 42 barangays are all energized. The source of power supply is BCFTPP/Luzon Grid located at Calaca, Batangas. It has two (2) substations which serve the municipality. One is located in Palanas, Lemery and the other one is located in Barangay Butong. It has a total number of 9,232 connections consisting of residential, commercial, street lights and others with an average consumption of 1,102,777 kilowatt per month.

3.3 COMMUNICATION c.3.1 MASS MEDIA

Newspaper, magazines and other bulletins from the National Capital Region and local papers from Batangas City reaches the municipality. Radio programs and television shows aired in Metro Manila are clearly received in the locality. Cable television is also operational serving the urban and some rural barangays. The Municipal government acquired a time slot from this cable television airing the regular session of the Sangguniang Bayan and other municipal programs and projects and other information.

c.3.2 POSTAL SERVICES

Taal Post Office, under the administration of government run Philippine Postal Corp. is located at C. Ilagan St., Poblacion, manned by five (5) personnel headed by a postmaster.

Post office lacks postal facilities such as mail boxes, stamping machine, and money order machine but there are two (2) transport facilities, motorbicyle. These are used in the delivery of mails in rural barangays while the mails within Poblacion and other nearby barangays were delivered by foot.

c.3.3 TELEGRAPH FACILITY

The only telegraph facility in the municipality is owned and operated by the Bureau of Telecommunications with office at the Ground Floor, Municipal Building near the Taal Police Station The old system of transmittal and poor obsolete transmission lines make the government telegraph system very unreliable and inefficient, thus, the people tend to avail the services of private telegraph system.

c.3.4 TELEPHONE SYSTEM

DIGITEL, Globe, PLDT and Western Batangas Telephone System (WBTS) are the telephone companies in the municipality. Some telephone companies also operate cellular mobile telephone. These are Globe and Smart, so communication in the municipality is effective.

c.4 WASTE MANAGEMENT

c.4.1 Solid Waste Disposal

The existing dumpsite is in Buliran, Brgy. Pook where the municipality’s 3 mini dump trucks are unloading the segregated garbage collected from the Poblacion areas. Meanwhile in the barangays, residents differ in disposing their solid wastes either by background pit, burning, some throwing them at the creeks and roadside. To conform with the provisions of R.A. 9003 and the Municipal Ordinance No. 01 Series of 2004 the Buliran Dumpsite had been constructed with gate and fence to prevent the people from throwing their garbage at this site and it is right now being used as the material recovery facility in segregating the garbage.

The solid wastes in this site are being treated with chemicals purchased to control foul odor at the same time disinfecting it and eliminating flying and crawling insects

At present the local government has purchased a lot with an area of 9000 square meters in Barangay Gahol for the proposed material recovery facility. A solid waste machine capable of grinding the collected garbage which are eventually converted into decorative bricks had been purchased. The municipality has a waste collection system. Biodegradable wastes are collected separately from non-biodegradable. In 2005, there is no landfill but wastes are dumped in a creek between the boundary of Poblacion and Barangay Pook. There are three (3) garbage trucks being utilized.

For most folks, they resort to either burning or burying their household wastes.

Table No. 9 HOUSEHOLDS BY TYPE OF TOILET FACILITY BEING USED Municipality of Taal 1990 and *2005 % to Usual Manner of Garbage Disposal 1990 Total *2005 Picked-up by Garbage Truck 118 1.82 171 Dumping in Individual Pit (Not Burned) 432 6.67 628 Burning 5675 87.69 8254 Composting (Later Used as Fertilizer) 123 1.9 179 Burying 115 1.78 168 Feeding to Animals 0 0 0 Others 9 0.14 13 TOTAL 6472 100% 9413 Source: NSO *Projection c.4.2 Sanitary Toilet Facilities

As to type of toilet facilities, 6108 households have sanitary toilet facilities while 1656 households do have sanitary toilet facilities. Households without any toilet facility total to 1649 households. These are mostly in the rural areas.

Table No. 10 HOUSEHOLDS BY USUAL MANNER OF GARBAGE DISPOSAL Municipality of Taal 1990 and *2005 Kind of Toilet facility 1990 % to Total *2005 Water-sealed, sewer/septic tank used exclusively by the HH 3156 48.76 4590 Water-sealed, sewer/septic tank shared with other HH 289 4.47 421 Water-sealed, Other Depository used Exclusively by the HH 518 8 753 Water sealed, Other Depository shared with other HH 237 3.66 344 Closed Pit 456 7.05 664 Open Pit 652 10.08 949 Others (Pail System, etc.) 30 0.46 43 None 1134 17.52 1649 TOTAL 6472 100% 9413 Source: NSO *Projection c.4.3 Hospital Wastes

Both toxic and non-toxic wastes are also being collected by the municipal garbage truck.

c.4.4 Cemeteries and Burial Grounds

The municipality has two (2) cemeteries and a memorial park adjacent to each other and all are located in Barangay Tierra Alta.It take care the interment requirements not only to Taal but also the neighboring towns of San Luis, San Nicolas and Sta.Teresita. Both the Roman Catholic Cemetery and Municipal Cemetery are already congested. A private memorial park, Holy Land Memorial which offers a modern trend for burial practice is available to those who can afford its price. Aggregate area occupied by those burial grounds is 38,461 square meter.

ECONOMIC SECTOR a. AGRICULTURE

Taal aside from being a Heritage town is also an agricultural community. The main sources of income include farming, livestock and poultry raising and fishing. Of the municipality’s total land area of 2976 hectares, 2523.22 hectares or 84.77% is classified as agricultural. Of these 1119.43 hectares or 44.36% are devoted to crop production. a.1 Crop Production

Table No. 11 AREA DEVOTED TO AGRICULTURAL CROP PRODUCTION AND VALUE PRODUCTION Municipality of Taal 2005 % to Total Production % to Total of Area Agricultural Value of Crops Land Devoted Municipality's Total (Hectares) Production to Crop Land Area (MT) Production (Million P) 1. Rice 1.1 Partially Irre 10.83 0.97 0.36 48.73 0.41 1.2 Upland 2.00 0.18 0.07 4.00 0.03 2. Corn 2.1 Yellow 2.00 0.18 0.07 6.00 0.06 2.2 Green 2.10 0.19 0.07 8.40 0.06 3. Sugarcane 865.00 77.27 29.07 69.20 2.16 4. Coconut 185.00 16.53 6.22 23.23 0.35 5. Mango 36.00 3.21 1.21 540.00 10.8 6. Others 1.50 0.13 0.05 12.00 0.18 7. Vegetables 7.1 Fruit 3.00 0.27 0.1 24.00 0.36 vegetables 7.2 Root 8.00 0.71 0.27 64.00 1.08 vegetables 7.3 Legumes 4.00 0.36 0.13 5.20 0.15 TOTAL 1119.43 100 37.62 804.76 15.64 Source: Municipal Agricultural Office

The agricultural land devoted to crop production in 2005 total to 1119.43 hectares or about 37.62% of the total land area. Sugarcane is planted to 865 hectares or 77.27% of the total agricultural land devoted to crop production. Coconut ranks second occupying 185 hectares or 16.58% of the total crop production area. Mango is planted to 36 hectares. Other crops planted by farmers include fruit vegetables, root vegetables, legumes, among others. Refer to table No. 11 on the area devoted to Agricultural Crop production.

a.2 Livestock and Poultry

Livestock farming in Taal consists of swine, cattle, horse and goat raising. A good number of hog farms are in Taal. A lane horse ranch is located in Barangay Bolbok. Some families are into background raising of swine, cattle and goat. Tapa making is a major source of income in Taal and this explains why some families engage in the swine raising activity.

Table No. 12 INVENTORY OF LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY FARMS Municipality of Taal 2005

Production Area Employm Name of Farm Location Total Value (Has.) ent Size (MT)) (P.M.) 1. Hog Farm 1.1 Alberto Heath Iba 2.50 5 64.00 8.57 1.2 Urbamo Capul Iba 0.25 1 6.40 0.85 1.3 Evelyn de Castro Iba 0.15 1 12.80 1.71 1.4 Roberto Samson Imamawo 2.00 3 19.20 2.57 1.5 Virgilio Villanueva Apacay 0.30 1 4.40 0.60 1.6 Isidoro Maligaya Ilog 0.20 1 12.80 1.71 1.7 Felizardo Mangubat Ilog 0.25 2 12.80 1.71 1.8 Valeriano Panganiban Ilog 0.15 1 9.60 1.28 1.9 Gaudencio Banaag M. Ludlod 0.04 1 12.80 1.71 1.10 Lita Maligaya M. Ludlod 0.25 1 19.20 2.57 2. Horse ranch Paz magt Services Inc. Bolbok 11.00 5 45.00 3. Backyard raising 3.1 Swine (5,125 heads) 0.40 27.47 3.2 Cattle raising (612 heads) 91.80 14.69 3.3 Goat (1,420 heads) 1.40 0.25 TOTAL 17.09 Source: Municipal Agricultural Office

a.3 Fisheries

Fishing is another source of income of residents along the coastal barangay of Butong. a.3.1 National Fisheries Biological Center

A research center of the National Fisheries Research and Development Facilities is existent in Barangay Butong. It is the research area of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). It sits in a 2.56 hectare lot adjacent to pansipit River and Balayan Bay. There are 12 ponds measuring 600-2000 sq.m. with a total water area of 1,820 sq.m. There are nine (9) permanent and seven (7)contractual employees who man the center.

Services being rendered include:  Tarinings on ornamental and indigenous fishes  Technical assistance  On-the-job training (students)  Site evaluation and monitoring

Primary Functions of the NFBC:  Undertake R and D programs for the improvement and upliftment of the ornamental and indigenous fish industry  Conduct biological studies of freshwater and marine ornamental fishes and indigenous fishes  Develop suitable technologies on the breeding and production of ornamental and indigenous species  Stocks assessment, biological and population studies of indigenous species  Resource and ecological assessment of inland bodies of water especially Taal Lake and Pansipit River  Coordinate and collaborate with universities, other research institutions, LGUs, fisherfolk organizations and other agencies on fisheries research and development

Facilities of NFBC:  Administrative Building  12 research and production ponds 600-2,000 sq.m./pond; total water area of 1,800 sq.m.  Fish biology laboratory  Lecture room, air-conditioned (25 seating capacity)  Dormitory (15 persons capacity)  Research tanks (9 units)  Natural food (Artemia) room  Freshwater pumping system  Marine pumping system  Dirty kitchen  Working sheds

Highlights of Accomplishments (R and D Projects) Jan-June 2006: 1. Experimental Breeding of Caranx ignobilis, Maliputo  3 breeding trials conducted (March, April, May 2006)  Succesful spawning occurred in all the 3 breeding trials conducted  Successful hatching of eggs occurred in April 2006 (2nd breeding trial)  Maliputo larvae survived for 7 days in the larval earing tanks  Succeeding experiments will focs on larval rearing  Marine hatchery facility is now in the process of bidding, spawning tanks are expected to be constructed this year  NFBC ia collecting/purchasing fingerlings and juveniles for broodstock development  72 juveniles (11 months – 1 year old)  130 fingerlings (4 months old)

2. Selective Breeding and Induced Spawning of Popular Freshwater Ornamental Fishes

A. Line-crossing system for selective breeding now at F2 generation (goldfish, angelfish, fighting fish, guppy)

 F2 generation offsprings are now being reared to maturity for subsequent production of F3 generation  Percentage of good quality offsprings were higher in F1 than in F0 (more than 50% in F1 compared to less than 30% in FO)  In goldfish, body roundness index (body length over body depth) has improved in F1 (1.46) compared to(1.73) B. Induced Breeding of artificially-spawned ornamental fishes

 Tinfoil barb, rainbow shark, red pacu  Have conducted induced breeding at NFBC for these 3 species  Refinement of breeding method already done and packaging of technology  Continue induced breeding experiments this August to September 2006 (comparison of different hormones)

3. Experimental Breeding of Clownfish (Amphiprion sp.)

 3 species being studied (tomato clown, false percula clown, African clown)  273 breeders  Clownfishes are reared to maturity in ponds, matured fishes are set in aquariums (in pairs)  No spawning activity yet in fishes being bred in aquarium as of the present  Positive spawning and hatching occurred in pond-reared clown fishes  On March 2006, one tiny tomato clownfish (1 cm length) was observed/recovered from the pond  On June 2006, another two tiny African clownfish was recovered from the pond (1.5 cm length)

On-Going Research Projects:

 Experimental Breeding of Caranx ignobilis Maliputo  Selective Breeding and Induced Spawning of Freshwater ornamental fishes  Experimental Breeding of clownfish Amphiprion sp.

Fishes at NFBC:

 Marine fin fish (for breeding) . Maliputo (Caranx ignobilis) . Mangrove red snapper (Luftanus argentimaculatus) . Milk fish,bangus (Chanos chanos) . Spadefish, kitang (Scatophagus argus)  Ornamental Fishes

. Freshwater ornamentals o Live-bearers (guppy, swordtail, molly, platy) o Goldfish, koi carp, angelfish, fighting fis, gourami, cichlids o Red pacu, tinfoil barb, rainbow shark, hammerhead shark . Marine ornamentals o Clownfish, blue tang

a.4 Carpable Areas

Data from the Municipal Agrarian Reform Office revealed that about 35.4238 hectares are considered CARPable areas. These can be found in portions of Barangays Butong, Cawit, Iba, Pook, Halang and Imamawo. There are 39 benefeciaries of the programs.

Table No. 13 AREA, NUMBER AND LOCATION OF CARPABLE AREAS Municipality of Taal 2005 No. of Location Area (Has.) Beneficiaries Butong 8.7853 12 Cawit 1.6071 7 Iba 4.7273 5 Pook 12.1524 7 Halang 7.2214 7 Imamawo 0.9303 1 TOTAL 35.4238 39 Source: MARO

Table No. 14 AREA, NUMBER AND LOCATION OF LEASEHOLD SCOPE Municipality of Taal,2005 Farmer Location Area (Has.) Beneficiaries Apacay 3.0000 1 Bihis 2.1000 3 Bolbok 9.9000 5 Buli 16.4413 8 Butong 4.5000 3 Carsuche 8.0000 9 Cawit 21.2700 26 Cubamba 10.7300 8 Gahol 5.0000 4 Iba 7.0000 10 Laguile 6.9300 10 Luntal 40.2528 36 Mahabang Lodlod 1.9500 3 Pansol 10.3900 10 Pook 3.8000 2 Tierra Alta 4.5000 3 Tulo 15.0185 6 TOTAL 170.7826 147 Source: MARO 1.2.6 EXISTING LAND USE

GENERAL LAND USE

The general land uses of the total land area of 2976.42 hectares are categorized into built-up, agricultural, special use.

a. BUILT-UP AREAS

The built-up areas are the contiguous areas occupied by a cluster of at least ten (10) structures with land use categories such as residential, commercial, institutional, open space, and roads occupying an aggregate area of 435.71 hectares or 14.64% of the total land area. In the urban barangays or Poblacion, the built-up areas total to 75.53 hectares or 17.34% of the total built-up area. The remaining 82.66% or 360.17 hectares are rural built-up areas.

Gross built-up density is 112 persons per hectare; urban built-up density is 123 persons per hectare and rural built-up density is 110 persons per hectare.

The breakdown of existing built-up areas: Urban and rural are shown on Table No. 12.

Table No. 12 DISTRIBUTION OF BUILT-UP AREAS Municipality of Taal 2005

Total Built-up Areas Urban Built-up Rural Built-up % to % to % to % to Land Use Total Total Area Total Total Area Area Built- Built- Categories (Has.) Land Built-up (Has.) (Has.) up up Area Area Area Area Residential areas 346.81 11.65 79.60 61.15 14.04 285.66 65.56 Commercial Areas 6.14 0.21 1.41 2.46 0.57 3.68 0.84 Institutional Areas 17.64 0.59 4.05 5.32 1.22 12.32 2.83 Functional Open Spaces 14.12 3.24 0.79 13.33 -Park & Playground 3.95 0.13 11.7 0.78 1.33 3.17 0.73 -Cemetery 8.36 0.28 1.92 - - 8.36 1.92 -Dumpsite/Utilities 1.81 0.06 0.42 0.01 0.002 1.80 0.41 Roads 50.99 1.71 11.70 5.81 1.33 45.18 10.37

Total 435.71 14.64 100.00 75.53 17.34 360.18 82.66 Source: Offices of the Municipal Engineer/Mun Assessor/MPDC a.1 RESIDENTIAL AREAS

Residential areas total to 346.81 hectares or 79.60% of the total built- up areas and about 11.65% of the total land area. Of these residential areas, 285.66 hectares or 65.56 % are in the rural areas. With the total households of 9413 distributed to 1812 urban households and 7601 rural households, the residential area household density is 141 households per hectare of residential area.

In the rural areas, residential areas are usually on the roadside and others are adjacent to farmlands where people tend to flock or settle together.

Residential density in the urban area is 152 persons per hectare of residential area. Household density is 30 households per hectare of residential area. Average lot size per household is 333 square meters.

For the rural areas, residential density is 138 persons per hectare of residential area. Household density is 27 households per hectare of residential area. Average lot size is 370 square meters per household. a.2 COMMERCIAL AREAS

Commercial areas total to 6.14 hectares, which constitute about 1.41% of the total built-up area. The center of commerce is concentrated in the Poblacion barangays particularly along M.H. Del Pilar Street and other commercial establishments scattered in different parts of the Poblacion. In most residential blocks, sari-sari stores, eateries and the like are interspersed with residential houses.

a.3 INSTITUTIONAL AREAS

Institutional areas include the location of the Municipal Building, churches, chapels, educational institutions, health institutions and other institutional establishments.

There is a total institutional area of 17.64 hectares or 4.05% of the total built-up areas. Urban institutional areas total to 5.32 hectares while rural institutional areas total to 12.32 hectares.

a.4 FUNCTIONAL AREAS

Functional open spaces include parks and playground, cemetery and dumpsite with a total of 14.12 hectares or 3.24% of the total built-up area. The urban functional open spaces with an aggregate area of 0.79 hectare are occupied by the covered court, church, patio and playfields.

The municipal cemetery is located in Barangay Tierra Alta occupying 8.36 hectares.

The dumpsite with an area of 0.93 hectares is located in Barangay Gahol.

a.5 ROADS

The road network of Taal covers an area of 50.99 hectares; of which, 5.81 hectares are urban roads. The rural roads occupy about 45.18 hectares. The total area is about 11.70 % of the built-up area. These include the national, provincial, municipal and barangay roads.

b. AGRICULTURAL AREAS

The municipality is primarily agricultural with 2523.22 hectares or about 84.77% of the total land area. Agricultural lands are predominantly planted to sugarcane, the major crop of the town. Food crops include coconut, corn, banana, root crops, coffee, vegetables, fruit trees and other agricultural product.

Other agricultural activities include fisheries and livestock/poultry production.

c. SPECIAL USE AREAS

Special use areas include agro-industrial, industrial and tourism with a total area of 17.50 hectares or 0.5880 % of the total land area.

d. WATERBODIES

The various water bodies that traverse the municipality are considered intermittent rivers only.

The distribution of the different general land uses is shown on Table No. 13.

Table No. 13 GENERAL LAND USE DISTRIBUTION Municipality of Taal 2005 Percent to Land Use Categories Area Occupied Total Built-up Area 435.71 Urban 75.53 2.5376 Rural 360.17 12.1008 Agricultural Area 2523.22 84.7736 Special use 17.50 0.5880 Agro-industrial 7.19 0.2416 Industrial 1.56 0.0523 Tourism 8.75 0.2941

Total 2976.42 100.0000 Source: Offices of the Municipal Engineer/Mun Assessor/MPDC

URBAN LAND USE

The poblacion of Taal is composed of fourteen (14) barangays, Zones 1 to 14. It has a total land area of 97.27 hectares.

It is the center of major and minor activities in the municipality. The terrain is relatively flat with slopes ranging from 0-3%. The poblacion is bounded on the North by Barangay Caysasay, on the south by Barangay Butong, on the East by Barangay Niogan, and on the west by Pansipit River.

The poblacion is accessible by land transport. It is served by public utility jeepneys and buses as well as tricycles.

As of 2005, the total urban population is 9270. With an area of 97.27 hectares, the urban density is 95 persons per hectares classifying the Poblacion as a low-density area. There is a marked concentration of residential, commercial, and institutional establishments.

Breakdown of the different urban land uses is shown on Table No. 14.

Table No. 14 EXISTING URBAN LAND USES Municipality of Taal 2005 Area Percent to Total Land Use Categories (Hectares) Urban Area Built-up Area Residential 61.15 62.87 Commercial 2.46 2.53 Institutional 5.32 5.47 Functional Open Space: P/P 0.79 0.81 Roads 5.81 5.97 Agricultural 21.20 21.80 Tourism 0.54 0.55

Total 97.27 100.00 Source: Offices of the Municipal Engineer/Mun Assessor/MPDC

A. RESIDENTIAL AREAS

The core of the Poblacion is predominantly utilized for residential purposes. As per foot survey conducted, residential area accounts to 61.15 hectares, which is about 62.87% of the total urban area. Residential blocks are usually interspersed with small commercial establishments, institutional structures.

As to type of dwelling units, mostly are low or medium structural quality made of light mixed and semi-concrete building materials wherein majority are single detached although other types are present in considerable quantities. Most buildings along the busy Poblacion roads are two-storey, the second floor of which is being utilized as residences and the ground floor as commercial spaces.

b. COMMERCIAL AREAS

Commercial areas occupy 2.46 hectares or about 2.53% of the total urban area. The center of the municipality’s commercial activities is the temporary public market, which is located at Poblacion Zone 7. A fire in 2004 gutted the public market; hence traffic was closed to give way to the constructed stall which will serve as temporary public market.

Minor and major commercial establishments are mostly lined-up along M.H. Del Pilar Street and other light commercial establishments are scattered in the different parts of the Poblacion. In most residential blocks, sari-sari stores, eateries and the like are interspersed with residential houses. c. INSTITUTIONAL AREAS

Urban institutional areas include the location of the Municipal Building, churches and chapels, educational institutions, health institutions and other spaces occupied by institutional establishments. There is a total institutional area of 5.32 hectares. This constitutes about 5.47% of the total urban area. The largest share on the institutional area is taken by the educational sector. d. FUNCTIONAL OPEN SPACES The areas occupied by parks, the church patio and playfields are classified as functional open spaces. These are located along the institutional districts. The area occupied by this use accounted to 0.79 hectares which is about 0.81% of the total urban area. e. ROADS

Municipal streets have a total of 83.69 kilometers having an average width of 5.0 meters. The land area occupied by the urban road network is about 5.81 hectares or 5.97% of the total urban area. f. AGRICULTURAL AREAS

Agricultural areas found in the urban core total to 21.20 hectares or 21.80% of the total urban area. g. TOURISM AREA

Tourism urban lots within the Poblacion account to 0.54 hectares about 0.55% of the total urban area. These lots are in between the residential lots within the core.

The National Historical Institute (NHI) declared portions of the urban area as Taal Heritage Village bounded by Calle G. Marella, Calle Tomas Cabrera and Calle Dr. M. Castillo on the North, Calle A. De Joya, Calle Marcela Agoncillo and Calle Justice Ramon Diokno on the west, Calle Rizal on the South and Calle San Martin on the East.

COMPARATIVE/COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES

Taal is an interim-municipality which is mainly approached from the Province of Cavite passing through Tagaytay City and from the Southern Tagalog Access Road (STAR) passing through Lipa City.

A certification from CENRO revealed that all lands within Taal are alienable and Disposable (A and D).

The people of Taal are peace-loving people which makes them contribute to the internal strengths of Taal. They are very industrious hence the embroidery industry continue to flourish over the years. The home made knife or balisong is another industry in Taal.

Other internal resources contributing to development are the urban and rural linkages in the area. Good roads link the municipality to its adjoining municipalities as well. Taal has a rich culture. From the revolution of 1896 until the Treaty of Paris in 1898, the people of Taal made their mark in the annals of Philippine History. Such example of heroes with Taal block are Felipe and Marcela Agoncillo, Feliciano Jocon, Vito Belarmino, Miguel Malvar, Eleuterio Marasigan and Felipe Calderon.

Linking Taal to its past is the existence of terra cotta and Chinese potteries excavated along the banks of the Pansipit River. The same are now exhibited at the National Museums.

The national Historical Institute declared portions of the urban area as Taal Heritage Village. To preserve the aesthetic character of the town, the local government unit created the Tourism Committee to monitor the structures on this area.

EXISTING LAND USE

GENERAL LAND USE

The general land uses of the total land area of 2976.42 hectares are categorized into built-up, agricultural and special use.

E.1.a BUILT-UP AREAS

Gross built-up density is 112 persons per hectare; urban built-up density is 123 persons per hectare and rural built-up density is 110 persons per hectare.

The breakdown of existing built-up areas: Urban and rural are shown on Table No. 14. Table No. 15 DISTRIBUTION OF BUILT-UP AREAS Municipality of Taal 2005

Total 435.71 14.64 100.00 75.53 17.34 360.18 82.66 Source: Offices of the Municipal Engineer/Mun Assessor/MPDC

E.1.a.1 RESIDENTIAL AREAS

Residential areas total to 346.81 hectares or 79.60% of the total built- up areas and about 11.65% of the total land area. Of these residential areas, 285.66 hectares or 65.56 % are in the rural areas. With the total households of 9413 distributed to 1812 urban households and 7601rural households, the residential area household densities are 141 households per hectare of residential area.

In the rural areas, residential areas are usually on the roadside and others are adjacent to farmlands where people tend to flock or settle together.

E.1.a.2 COMMERCIAL AREAS

E.1.a.3 INSTITUTIONAL AREAS

Institutional areas include the location of the Municipal Building, churches, chapels, educational institutions, health institutions and other institutional establishments.

There is a total institutional area of 17.64 hectares or 4.05% of the total built-up areas. Urban institutional areas total to 5.32 hectares while rural institutional areas total to 12.32 hectares.

E.1.a.4 FUNCTIONAL OPEN SPACE AREAS

Functional open spaces include parks and playground, cemetery and dumpsite with a total of 14.12 hectares or 3.24% of the total built-up area.

The urban functional open spaces with an aggregate area of 0.79 hectare are occupied by the covered court, church, patio and playfields.

The municipal cemetery is located in Barangay Tierra Alta occupying 8.36 hectares.

The dumpsite with an area of 0.93 hectares is located in Barangay Gahol.

E.1.a.5 ROADS

E.1.b AGRICULTURAL AREAS

The municipality is primarily agricultural with 2523.22 hectares or about 84.77% of the total land area. Agricultural lands are predominantly planed to sugarcane, the major crop of town. Food crops include coconut, corn, banana, root crops, coffee, vegetables, fruit trees and other agricultural product.

Other agricultural activities include fisheries and livestock/poultry production. E.1.c SPECIAL USE AREAS

Special use areas include agro-industrial, industrial and tourism with a total area of 17.50 hectares or 0.5880 % of the total land area.

E.1.d WATERBODIES

The various water bodies that traverse the municipality are considered intermittent rivers only.

The distribution of the different general land uses is shown on Table No. 15.

Table No. 16 GENERAL LAND USE DISTRIBUTION Municipality of Taal 2005

Percent to Land Use Categories Area Occupied Total Built-up Area 435.71 Urban 75.53 2.5376 Rural 360.17 12.1008 Agricultural Area 2523.22 84.7736 Special use 17.50 0.5880 Agro-industrial 7.19 0.2416 Industrial 1.56 0.0523 Tourism 8.75 0.2941

Total 2976.42 100.0000 Source: Offices of the Municipal Engineer/Mun Assessor/MPDC

E.2 URBAN LAND USE

The poblacion of Taal is composed of fourteen (14) barangays, Zones 1 to 14. It has a total land area of 97.27 hectares.

Breakdown of the different urban land uses is shown on Table No. ___.

Table No. 16 EXISTING URBAN LAND USES Municipality of Taal 2005 Area Percent to Total Land Use Categories (Hectares) Urban Area Built-up Area Residential 61.15 62.87 Commercial 2.46 2.53 Institutional 5.32 5.47 Functional Open Space: P/P 0.79 0.81 Roads 5.81 5.97 Agricultural 21.20 21.80 Tourism 0.54 0.55

Total 97.27 100.00 Source: Offices of the Municipal Engineer/Mun Assessor/MPDC E.2.a RESIDENTIAL AREAS

As to type of dwelling units, mostly are low or medium structural quality made of light mixed and semi-concrete building materials wherein majority are single detached although other types are present in considerable qualities. Most buildings along busy Poblacion roads are two- storey, the second floor of which is being utilized as residences and the ground floor as commercial spaces.

E.2.b COMMERCIAL AREAS

Commercial areas occupy 2.46 hectares about 2.53% of the total urban area. The center of the municipality’s commercial activities is the temporary public market, which is located at Poblacion Zone 7. A fire in 2004 gutted the public market; hence traffic was closed to give way to the construction of stalls which will serve as temporary public market.

E.2.c INSTITUTIONAL AREAS

E.2.d FUNCTIONAL OPEN SPACES

The areas occupied by parks, the church patio and playfields are classified as functional open spaces. These are located along the institutional districts. The area occupied by this use accounted to 0.79 hectares which are about 0.81 of the total urban area.

E.2.e ROADS

Municipal streets have a total of 83.69 kilometers having an average width of 5.0 meters. The land area occupied by the urban road network is about 5.81 hectares or 5.97% of the total urban area.

E.2.f AGRICULTURAL AREAS

Agricultural areas found in the urban core total to 21.20 hectares or 21.80% of the total urban area.

E.2.g TOURISM AREA

Tourism urban lots within the Poblacion account to 0.54 hectares about 0.55% of the total urban area. These lots are in between the residential lots within the core. The National Historic Institute (NHI) declared portion of urban area as Taal Heritage Village bounded by Calle G. Marella, Calle Tomas Cabrera and Calle Dr. M. Castillo on the North, Calle A. De Joya, Calle Marcela Agoncillo and Calle Justice Ramon Diokno on the west, Calle Rizal on the South and Calle San Martin on the East.