Palayan City is the capital of Nueva Ecija Province. In terms of population, it is the smallest city in the Philippines.
Profile of Palayan City (Geography)
Location –> Nueva Ecija Province in Central Luzon, Philippines (See map below)
*Distance from Manila –> 179 Kilometers
Neighboring Towns –> Bongabon, Laur, Gabaldon, Cabanatuan City, and Gen. Mamerto Natividad
Area –> 101.40 km2 (39.15 sq mi)
Population –> 41,041 (2015 Census)
No. of Barangays –> 20
Terrain –> Flat with hills and mountains in the east
Industries –> Agriculture, Trading, Tourism
Major Products –> Rice, Vegetables, Poultry, Handicraft
People/Language –> Tagalog, English
Revenue (2016) –> 294,775,353.80
City Officials
Representative (3rd District) –> Rosanna V. Vergara
Mayor –> Adrianne Mae Joson Cuevas
Vice Mayor –> Florante Gonzales Mercado
City Councilors (Sangguniang Panlungsod Members):
Julius Bautista
Romaric Capinpin
Pacifico Fajardo
Rosalia Merez
Prince Joen Estavillo
Antonio Malang
Edwin Pineda
Victorino Rullan
Larry Manapol
Julius Santa Maria
History
Palayan used to be a government stock farm. In 1952, a proposal to create a new town or city to serve as the new capital of Nueva Ecija was approved. On June 19, 1965, the Philippine Congress enacted Republic Act 4475 creating Palayan City as the new capital. The name Palayan was chosen to reflect the status of Nueva Ecija as the “Rice Granary of the Philippines”.
Elpidio O. Cucio was appointed as the first mayor of Palayan with Felipe Bautista as the Vice Mayor.
In 1969, the young city of Palayan became the host of the National Jamboree attended by thousands of scouts from different countries. In 1993, the Asianwide Green Scouts Movement was organized in the city.
Economy, Business and Investment
As the provincial capital, many residents are employed in government service. Still, agriculture remains the main economic activity for a majority of the population. There is a proposal to create a Technology Business Park but it has yet to get off the drawing board.
Tourist Spots
Provincial Capitol and Provincial Museum
Santa Cecilia Parish Church
BSP Jamboree Site
Mount Taclang Damulag
Festival
RELATED: Profile of San Jose City
See also: List of Philippine Cities by Region and Province
Map of Palayan City