Panganiban Piglets Project

Original Name: Mambulao
Geographical Location: Camarines Norte, Region 5, Philippines
Geographical Coordinates: 14° 5' 0" North, 123° 2' 0" East

Brief History….

Formerly named Mambulao, which means bountiful with gold. Jose Panganiban is an agro-industrial municipality and is one of the most important mining towns in Bicol Region. The gold and iron mines in Camarines Norte are found in this municipality. Relative to this, jewelry production is one of the major sources of income of the constituents.

Contrary to Western accounts, there were already native settlements in the region with inter-baranggay commerce when the Spaniards arrived. The flourishing towns of Mambulao and Paracale were two of them. Indan and Daet were the other settlements, besides Capalonga and others. But Mambulao and Paracale remained the most sought after, the most prosperous, because of its gold mines.

The towns were chiefly inhabited by Tagalogs; the rest were of Visayan strain. However, most of the immigrants were from Mauban, Quezon. The Spanish missionaries did not falter in their mission to christianize the natives.

By virtue of Act 2809 of March 3, 1919 Governor General F.B. Harisson separated Camarines Norte from Camarines Sur, later appointing Don Miguel R. Lukban as its first Governor. At present it has 12 towns: Basud, Capalonga, Daet, Jose Panganiban, Labo, Mercedes, Paracale, San Lorenzo Ruiz, San Vicente, Sta. Elena, Talisay, and Vinzons. Daet remained as its capital town.

Mambulao and its People

Population growth rate at 0.37 percent ….. The total population of Jose Panganiban, as of May 1, 2000, was 46,064 persons. If the current rate continues, the population will double in 146 years. A corresponding increase in the number of households was also observed, from 8,031 households registered in 1995 POPCEN to 8,331 in Census 2000. However, a slight decrease in the average household size was recorded, from 5.19 persons in the 1995 to 5.12 persons in 2000.

Sex ratio was recorded at 105.29 …..In Jose Panganiban, there are more males (24,744) than females (23,194). This figure resulted to a sex ratio of 105.29 males for every 100 females.The concentration of males were in the age bracket 0 to 54 years while in the 55 years and above age bracket for the females.

More than half belonged to the voting population …..The voting population aged 18 years and above comprised 52.99 percent (25,567 persons) of the total population, of which 51.11 percent were males (13,069 persons) and 48.49 percent were females (12,497 persons).

Two out of five females in childbearing ages …..The childbearing or reproductive age group (15 to 49 years) comprised 47.05 percent of the total female population.

Dependency ratio was 79.52 ……In Jose Panganiban, 55.71 percent of the population or 26,875 persons comprised the economically active population (15 to 64 years old). Population aged 0 to 14 years constituted 40.51 percent of the total population while those 65 years old and over made up 3.78 percent. The overall dependency ratio in 2000 was 79.52, lower than the 1995 ratio of 84.91.

One-half of the population had elementary education ….Out of the total household population five years old and over, 49.93 percent had attended/finished elementary education; 28.60 percent, high school and 2.40 percent, post secondary studies. Those who had achieved a higher education comprised 10.42 percent. There were a higher percentage of females (60.76 percent) than males among those with post baccalaureate studies. The same is true among academic degree holders and college undergraduates (61.13 percent and 53.40 percent, respectively).

Almost 79 percent were Bicolanos ….About 78.81 percent of the household population classified themselves as Bicolanos while the rest were either Tagalog (19.12 percent) or belonged to other ethnic groups (2.07 percent).

More males among single individuals …. Of the total household population 10 years and over, 45.41 percent comprised the married persons; 43.15 percent, never married persons; 4.32 percent, widowed; 5.57 percent, other marital arrangements; and 0.95 percent, separated/divorced. Among single persons, the proportion was higher for males (55.55 percent) than females (44.45 percent). The same was true among married persons, 50.25 percent for the males and slightly lower for the females (49.75 percent).

Mineral Resources

Metallic minerals are found in abundance here with total estimated reserves in metric tons (see table). These metallic minerals are found in various baranggays in and around the  municipality of Jose Panganiban                                 .

Mining and Quarrying

Gold panning is an underground industry supporting thousands of people in the province. The good performance of the mining and quarrying industry in the province is attributed to the billions of MT of metallic and Non-Metallic reserves.

There are four producing mines and quarries in Jose Panganiban but temporary stopped its operation. However, thousands of small scale gold panniers have operated and produced kilos of gold daily. Mumble’s rich gold deposits support its fine jewelry manufacturers. The pieces made here are handcrafted gold filigree in distinctive designs. The skill necessary in this delicate craft is passed on from generation to generation, a legacy from the people's Spanish and Chinese forebears. The market for the product is currently limited to local buyers in neighboring provinces and in Metro Manila. The average production capacity of small scale producers is three kilogram (3.0 kls.) per week while the micro-scale producers has an average production of 100 grams per week

Fisheries & Aquatic Resources

As one of nine provincial municipalities located along the Lamon and San Miguel Bays, considered major fishing grounds in the country. Estimated fish production in 2003 posted a total of 3,795 metric tons. Of this figure, 1,809 metric tons were from brackish water fishpond, 1,650 metric tons for municipal fishing and 336 metric tons or commercial fishing.

Commercial and municipal fishing increased by 15.43 percent and 38.17 percent respectively. The production gain was attributed to the increase in fishing days/trips as favorable weather prevailed most of the time in 2003. Of 241.39 hectares of brackish water fishpond areas, about 161.93 hectares or 66.8 percent are developed or in operation with total production of 1,809.10 metric tons.

The Fisheries Division under the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist has identified sites suitable for seaweeds culture. The proposed site are located in Basud, Capalonga, Jose Panganiban, Mercedes, Paracale and Sta. Elena with total physical area of 1,342.34 hectares. Currently test plots are being established in the targeted municipalities.

Places to go, things to do

Potpourris

Nightlife Spot: everywhere along main street. If the locals ask you over for a drink....only accept the invite if you are prepared to try and drink them under the table. Leaving before passing out is not liked!
Dress Code: no code

Getting To/Around: Sandals or a good pair of sneakers. For the sophisticated, bicycle or motorbike will make  your life a bit easy!