INTRODUCTION
GEOPHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT
Location
Mandaluyong City lies at the heart of Metro Manila, the 18th largest metropolitan area in the world. It is bounded on the north by the municipality of San Juan, on the northeast by Quezon City, on the east by Pasig City, on the south by Pasig River and Makati City, and on the west by San Juan and Pasig Rivers and the City of Manila. (See Map 1 - Mandaluyong Base Map)
A quick survey of its perimeter will show its varied urban characteristics, from low to medium density residential subdivision on the north, medium-scale commercial districts on the west, heavy industries lining its river coast on the south, and emerging commercial activities of regional scale on the east.
Noticeable upon entrance to the city are transportation landmarks such as the Sevilla, Lambingan, and Makati-Mandaluyong Bridges, the Guadalupe Bridge and Cloverleaf, the Pioneer Underpass, and the Ortigas Interchange.
Land Area
Mandaluyong has a total land area of 1,124.97 hectares. This constitutes 1.77 % of the 636 sq. km. total land area of Metro Manila which is composed of 15 cities and 2 municipalities. The city is composed of 27 barangays, divided into two (2) political districts. The four (4) largest barangays are Wack-Wack which comprises one-fourth (294.48 has) of the city’s total land area, followed by Brgy. Addition Hills at about fifteen percent (162 has), third and fourth in the list are Brgys. Plainview and Highway Hills at about ten percent each, or 115.92 and 105.12 has., respectively (see table 1.01).
Land Characteristic
The city’s terrain is partially flat on its southwest portion and mostly rolling with gentle slopes the rest of the area. Its river coast spreads at an elevation of three (3) meters and is supported by concrete embankments. Its higher slopes on the northeast provide an ideal setting for a world-class golf course. Ironically, the lowest point lies a little bit inland and is most often affected by flash floods (See Map 2- Slope Map).
While its surface area is mostly covered with loose to granular clay loam and granular clay, Mandaluyong is actually lying on a solid foundation of compact and massive adobe. These soil characteristics define soil types nos. 17 and 18, commonly called Novaliches Clay Loam Adobe, and Guadalupe Clay (See Map 3 - Soil Map).
Water Characteristics
Mandaluyong is underlain with water tables which are still good sources of underground water for domestic uses. Water pumps and deep wells are still being used in many parts of the city to augment water supply from the Manila Water Company. Surface waters, such as the famous Pasig River and its tributary San Juan River running along the southern and western perimeters of the city, and six creek traversing inland serve as natural drainage and, in the case of Pasig River, as part of Metro Manila water transportation network.
Climatological Characteristics
Mandaluyong City experiences the same climatic conditions prevailing over the whole of Metro Manila which are being monitored by Station 430 of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) located at Science Garden in Quezon City.
There are two pronounced seasons: one dry from November to April, the other wet during the rest of the year. PAGASA observations covering the period 1971-2000 reveal that the months of June to October normally had the most number of rainy days, with the month of August having the highest amount of rainfall at 526.8mm. Temperature is highest in April and lowest in January at 34.9ºC and 20.4ºC, respectively.
Generally speaking, the main Philippine air currents are divided into three groups: (a) the northern (loosely called Northeast Monsoon); (b) the equatorial air (loosely called the Southwest Monsoon); and (c) the trade winds, reaching the island from a generally easterly direction and coming from the tropical high pressure areas of the Pacific. Because of topography and decided mountain ranges in the east shielding Metro Manila and all the regions on the western part of the islands of Luzon, Mindoro, Negros and Palawan from the northern and in good part the trade winds, these regions are open only to the southwest monsoon and cyclonic storms A summary of climatological observations recorded by PAGASA from 1961 to year 2000 are shown in Table 1.02.
Vulnerability to Geohazards
Earthquakes
An earthquake can be an imperceptible ground shaking to a violent movement caused by the sudden displacement of rock materials below the surface of the earth. Two types of earthquakes may occur (tectonic or volcanic), but only tectonic earthquakes caused by sudden displacement along faults in the earth’s construction may affect Mandaluyong which is near the West Valley Fault. Fortunately, Mandaluyong sits on an adobe bedrock covered by a thin layer of soil and is classified as within a Very Low Risk area least likely to be affected by high intensity earthquakes.
Consequently, the risk of liquefaction, which is closely associated with earthquakes and loosely packed soils and saturated sediments, is very minimal in Mandaluyong. (See Map 4 Foundation Engineering and Map 5 Landslide Prone Areas)
Typhoons
Typhoons during the wet season greatly affect the city and the rest of Metro Manila. Damage to property and risk of lives are among the major effects of typhoon. Secondary to these are the flash floods that severely affect the lowland areas.
Flooding
Heavy rains, even of short duration, results to flooding in some areas of Mandaluyong. Most prone to flooding are barangays Planview along Maysilo Circle, New Zaniga along P. Cruz and Boni Ave., Hagdang Bato Ibaba along Shaw Blvd. and Acacia Lane. However, for 2-10 years flood cycle, these areas expand to cover barangays lining the coasts of Pasig and San Juan Rivers. These correspond to areas shown yellow in Map 6 (Flood Prone Areas).
Biological Environments
Flora
Once abundant with trees that provided wood for furniture-making, the natural vegetation in the city has been reduced to rows of full-grown acacia trees lining the shoulders of Acacia Lane and spare stands of trees in private lots, subdivisions and school compounds.
Urban forestry has been introduced along sidewalks and center-island of roads, in spare yards around public buildings and pocket and linear parks along Pasig River. These cultivated vegetation are mostly ornamental plants, a few fruit-bearing trees and flowery shrubs.
Wack-Wack, home to an 18-hole golf course, is covered in green ornamental grass and cultivated trees.
Fauna
There are no record of fauna species in Mandaluyong except for domesticated animals such as dogs and cats and other household pets like rabbits, white mice and love birds. Common birds and insects could also be found in the periphery such as maya, a variety of butterflies and other garden insects.
Common species of fish can be found in the Pasig River such as the janitor fish, kanduli, gurami, etc. However it is not ascertained whether these are edible considering probability of lead content and other toxic chemicals on these fishes.
LEGENDS, FOLKLORE AND THE RECENT PAST
Inhabited for centuries and rich in culture, Mandaluyong City has lots of stories to tell — heroic undertakings, cultural and supernatural beliefs, romance and more. The following stories tell of unusual names of places and features that inspire curiosity among inhabitants (old and new), researchers, and passers-by.
The Origin of “Mandaluyong”
There are different stories on the origin of the ancient name “Mandaluyong”. One tells of the early days when the place abound with a kind of tree called luyong from which beautiful canes and home furniture were made. Another claimed that the Spaniards named the place Mandaluyong based on the report of what a navigator named Acapulco saw that the rolling hills were frequently lashed at by daluyong (“big waves from the sea”). This seems to give credence to traditional stories before the coming of the Spaniards that giant waves from the sea lashed at the adjoining hills of the vast lowland, referred to as “Salpukan ng Alon”. Father Felix dela Huerta, a Franciscan Historian, observed that the rolling topography of this land resembled giant waves of the sea. Hence, natives replying to the question of strangers as to what the place was called, used to answer Madaluyong, later hispanized by Spanish writers into Mandaluyong by affixing the consonant “n” to the first syllable.
Romantic residents, however, peddled the story of a Maharlika named Luyong who fell in love with Manda, the lovely daughter of a barangay chieftain. The chieftain had no personal liking for Luyong and forbade his daughter’s marriage to him. Luyong overcame the objection of Manda’s father by winning a series of tribal contests which was the custom at the time. The couple settled thereafter in a place which was later called “Mandaluyong” literally named after “Manda” and “Luyong”.
The Evolution of Local Barrios
According to Pedro Patricio in his book (Mandaluyong: 1837-1975), Mandaluyong has five (5) original barrios as per the first recorded census in 1903. From these five (5) evolved 22 sub-barrios which, like the original barrios, then became independent barangays.
Poblacion
This place used to be called “Buhangin” (sand) before it was named Poblacion because the whole stretch of the area, from F. Blumentritt corner of New Panaderos Extension up until the Catholic Church and the cemetery, was topped with sandy soil of about 2-3 inches thick.
Namayan
The first settlers of this place were Muslim Filipinos. They were later driven away by the Spanish colonizers who came to the place. Still unnamed till then, the inhabitants called it “Namayan” in memory of the original settlers of the place.
Hulo (San Pedrillo)
Hulo means “outer part” or “external” location of a barrio or town. When Barangka was still a sloping forest, Hulo was already a sitio with a few inhabitants. Early inhabitants of Mandaluyong used to call the place as such because of its remoteness of location. This place continued to be called as such until the name was officially adopted when it eventually became a barrio.
Buayang Bato
Located at the southeast shoreline of Mandaluyong is a small barangay called Buayang Bato. Its legend tells of an old Chinese man long time ago who, despite conversion to Christianity of his fellow Chinese nationals residing in this place, ridicules the religion.
One day, while the old man was on a boat crossing the Pasig River, the Devil decided to take him to hell. Transforming into a crocodile, the Devil swam towards the boat. The old man, who had never seen such a huge crocodile, was terribly shaken. Realizing that the god he worships is too far away in China, he began to call on Saint Nicholas, whose statue he saw in Guadalupe Church, to save him.
Miraculously, the creature turned into a stone. Shortly after, the old man embraced Christianity. And the stone crocodile, it is said, could be found during low tide at the bank of the river near the Tawiran (ferry station). The place came to be known because of this stone crocodile, ‘buayang bato’ in Filipino.
Wack-Wack
At the northern part of the city is Barangay Wack-Wack, known internationally for the Golf and Country Club it hosts. Stories tell that many years ago, the place was a vast grassland which was home to numerous large glossy black birds called “uwak” (crow). It was from this “uwak” that the name “Wack-Wack” was derived.
Barangka
Alongside Brgy. Buayang Bato is Barangka, then a single barangay but later divided into four (4) during the time of Municipal Mayor Bonifacio Javier: Barangka Ilaya (uptown), Barangka Itaas (Upper) Barangka Ibaba (Lower), and Barangka Drive.
It was said that at the time when the Philippines was under the Spanish Regime, there lived an old woman named Barang who had a young daughter. The daughter was in the rice fields when she was attacked by a man. As she was calling her mother for help “Ka Barang, Ka Barang!” the surrounding hills echoed her cry which was heard by the Spaniards. And as the story goes, the place came to be called Barangka.
Hagdang Bato
This place is located on the uplands where steps are carved in its rocky hills and used as stairways. However, this place is more popular for its historical significance because of the role it played during the Spanish occupation.
It was in this place, where, on August 28, 1896, Andres Bonifacio issued a proclamation setting Saturday, August 29, as the date of the attack on Manila. At 7:00 o’clock on Saturday evening, Supremo Andres Bonifacio held a meeting which was attended by more or less 1000 “Katipuneros”. Weapons were distributed during this meeting and the revolution began as church bells tolled.
Zaniga
Lying on the lowlands adjoining Hagdang Bato is Saniga which used to be a marshland teeming with various fruit-bearing and hardwood trees. The place was home to many local heroes who gallantly fought during the Spanish, American and Japanese occupations, thus, some of its streets are named after them like Capt. Magtoto St., Capt. Gabriel St., and Pvt. E. Reyes St. During the 1960’s and 70’s, progress gave way to concrete roads and houses sprouted in neighboring areas. This neighborhood was called New Zaniga Subdivision, while the original Saniga was renamed Old Zaniga.
Plainview
As the name implies, this place is a vast plain used to be planted with rice and corn. The place abounded with trees and was popular to bird hunters. Once it was a private property developed by its owner, Ortigas, Madrigal and Company, into a subdivision providing a site for the municipal center. Afterwards, it was made a separate barangay through a Presidential Decree. Its original name, Plainview, was retained and at present, it hosts the Mandaluyong City Hall and other public institutions.
POLITICAL HISTORY
1300s
Residents of Mandaluyong have always been known for their industry. Men did the laundry to the amusement of non-residents until shortly after the war, while the women ironed the clothes. These industrious people trace their roots to Emperor Soledan (also known as “Anka Widyaya” of the Great Madjapahit Empire) and Empress Sasaban of the Kingdom of Sapa whose son Prince Balagtas ruled as sovereign of the kingdom in about the year 1300. More than a century later, in about the year 1470, it expanded and was called the “Kingdom of Namayan” with “Lakan Takhan” as sovereign. The vast Kingdom comprised what are now Quiapo, San Miguel, Sta. Mesa, Paco, Pandacan, Malate and Sta. Ana in Manila, and Mandaluyong, San Juan, Makati, Pasay, Pateros, Taguig, Parañaque, and portions of Pasig and Quezon City up to Diliman that were then part of Mandaluyong.
1800s
Mandaluyong was first known as a barrio of Sta. Ana de Sapa which was part of the District of Paco, Province of Tondo. Named San Felipe Neri by the Spaniards in honor of the Patron Saint of Rome, it was separated civilly from Sta. Ana de Sapa in 1841. On September 15, 1863 San Felipe Neri established its own parish and under the administration of the Congregation “Dulcisimo Nombre de Jesus”, it constructed its own church, convent and school.
The Parish of San Felipe Neri played a significant role as a relay station for propagating the Katipunan during the 1896-1898 Revolution. It was in Barangay Hagdang Bato on August 28, 1896 where Andres Bonifacion issued a proclamation setting Saturday, August 29, 1896 as the date of the attack on Manila. It was also in this town that the revolutionary paper, “La Republika”, was established on September 15, 1896.
1900s
During the American regime, San Felipe Neri was raised to a first class municipality with five (5) barrios, namely: Poblacion, Barangka, Hagdang Bato, Namayan and Hulo. Under Presidential Act No. 942, it was consolidated with the municipality of San Juan del Monte and became the seat of government. For several months in 1904, San Felipe Neri became the capital of the province of Rizal.
San Felipe Neri was separated from San Juan and became an independent municipality on March 27, 1907. It was renamed the Municipality of Mandaluyong by virtue of House Bill No. 3836 which was authored and sponsored by Assemblyman Pedro Magsalin, then the Representative of the District of Rizal.
During World War II, Mandaluyong lost many of her people, among them were Catholic priests and civilians. Destruction was felt all over, but with the timely arrival of the American Liberation Forces on February 9, 1945, the municipality was saved from further damages. That day became a red calendar day for Mandaluyong marking its liberation from the Japanese Imperial forces by the Americans.
In the 60’s, Mandaluyong became a component municipality of Metropolitan Manila. Together with other component cities and municipalities, it has undergone significant physical and economic transformation. From a forestal town to a progressive municipality, Mandaluyong is now a highly urbanized city known to host most of the country’s best companies and corporations, shopping malls and hotels which are certainly world class in status.
Listed in Table 1.04 are persons who have served as mayors of Mandaluyong from the 20th century to the new millennium.
Mandaluyong and the municipality of San Juan used to be represented in congress by a single Congressman. As it entered cityhood in 1994, Mandaluyong became a lone district with its own Representative in Congress.
2000s
Mandaluyong at the turn of the century was proclaimed by the city’s grand dads as the Millennium City, having come a long way from being a forested rolling hill to a bustling city of vibrant economic activities. It was recently named the new tiger city of Metro Manila, among other accomplishments.
Mandaluyong today is composed of 27 barangays divided into two political districts mainly by Boni Avenue and G. Aglipay Street (Map 1). As of January 9, 2002, it has 1,238 voting precincts and a total of 166,037 registered voters (Table 1.05).
MILESTONES AND BREAKTHROUGHS
The transformation of Mandaluyong from a forestal and agricultural town to a highly urbanized city is highlighted by the following key events:
Adoption of RA 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991
This revolutionary legislation has given Local Government Units greater authority and flexibility in chartering the development of their communities. Local government units are empowered to be self-reliant, generate their own incomes and allocate their resources according to their own priorities. In addition, LGU’s are given the responsibility of fostering wider participation of people’s, NGO’s, and other private organizations in the pursuit of local development.
Citihood
On April 10, 1994, following a series of legislative procedures including the signing of Republic Act 7675 by President Fidel V. Ramos on February 9, 1994, a plebiscite confirmed the conversion of Mandaluyong from municipality to a highly urbanized city. This brought additional income to Mandaluyong through an increase in share from the national internal revenue allotments and other development benefits of being a city.
Development of Pioneer-EDSA-Shaw (PES) Quadrangle
The passing of City Ordinance 164 Series of 1997 paved the way for the development of a formerly industrial area into a full-scale Central Business District also dubbed as the newest emerging golden quadrangle in the metropolis. This area is bounded by EDSA, Shaw Blvd., the Mandaluyong-Pasig boundary, and the Pasig River.
Approval of the City Comprehensive Development Plan and Zoning Ordinance
Mandaluyong City is known for being the first among the LGUs in Metro Manila to have a newly approved Comprehensive Development Plan and Zoning Ordinance approved per Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board Resolution No. 693 S-2001. The plan provides more room for commercial expansion, housing development and other environmental projects while the Zoning Ordinance ensures that the carrying capacity of the city within the planning period is not exceeded.
Named as the “New Tiger City of Metro Manila, and the Second Most Vibrant City Economy in the Country” by the Department Of Trade and Industry and the Asian Institute of Management Policy Center (May 2002)
According to the Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking Project 2002 conducted jointly by the DTI and the AIM Policy Center, Mandaluyong ranked second among 11 metro cities and third among 33 major urban centers nationwide on the local economy factor. The competitiveness ranking gave the city a new moniker - the New Tiger City of Metro Manila, Second Most Vibrant City Economy in the Country, for its unprecedented leap to progress, having become the haven of industrial giants and business conglomerates in a short span of 15 years.
The survey asked the cities’ respective business sectors to determine their economic competitiveness and measure their effectiveness in providing an environment conducive for business and industry, and to quantify their ability to promote a better standard of living for its constituents. The award was attributed to the strength of the city administration’s equally active and able leadership, pioneering efforts and outstanding achievements in addressing squarely the city government’s top agenda – employment, health, education, infrastructure, urban planning and renewal, tourism, social welfare and development.
Awarded as the Most Outstanding LGU (City Level) in the 2003 Metro Manila Literacy Awards of the Department of Education (May 2003)
In recognition of the city’s efforts in improving its literacy programs, the city recently bagged the top honors of DepEd’s Literacy Awards. Mandaluyong won the Metro Manila Literacy Awards on the strength of Mayor Abalos’ initiatives in support of various educational programs, including enhanced computer literacy skills for high school students and the development of a unique literacy program for children with disabilities.
Site of the Cleanest Barangay (January 2004)
Barangay Vergara was voted the cleanest barangay in Metro Manila by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), besting 16 other barangays in the MMDA’s search for the Cleanest and Dirtiest Barangay in the area. The evaluation for the cleanest barangay was done for at least two months by the board of judges composed of representatives from the DILG, DOH, DPWH and DENR.
Ranked 2nd in Quality of Life Competitiveness Driver in the 2003 Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking project (PCCRP) of DTI and AIM Policy Center (January 2004)
According to the PCCRP 2003, Mandaluyong come in second to Marikina in the Quality of Life category. Fifty (50) metro cities were judged according to their peace and order situation, their status of residents’ well-being and their environmental preservation initiatives. This recognition is a timely affirmation of the city’s unprecedented leap to progress.
Endnotes
- POPCOM NCR Wallsheet for Metro Manila 1997
- 1978 Philippine Yearbook, Chapter 1: Physiography and Related Characteristics
- Mines & Geosciences Bureau, DENR:”Vulnerability of Metro Manila to Geohazards: First Level of Estimation Mapping & Compilation”
- There are no formal studies or accepted sampling methods to determine and describe the biological environment of Mandaluyong. This data relied on random sightings and second hand information from residents.
- Based on a report from the office of the Election Officer, Commission on Elections, Mandaluyong City
- The Manila Bulletin Vol. 282 No. 30, June 30, 1996
