Valencia City is a 4th class city in the province of Bukidnon, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 162,745 people in 28,425 households.

History

The territory that now comprises the City of Valencia was formerly the thirteen (13) barrios of the Municipality of Malaybalay, Bukidnon. The earliest inhabitants in the area, now comprising part of the Poblacion, were Bukidnon natives who founded a settlement along the banks of Pulangui River. The pioneers were led by Datu Sebastian Manangkila.

Barrio Panlibatuhan, is derived from a Binukid word, "pangyohan ho kayu ha malibato" which means the supply of Malibato wood materials for home building. Malibato, the hardest wood in the Province of Bukidnon, was found in Valencia - a landmark of the Panlibatuhan Bridge. The first site of settlement was in a sitio named "Panglibatuhan" because the area was thickly forested with Malibato trees.

When the first one-room barrio school was opened in 1911, its first teacher was Mr. Jaime Galorport. That school site was approximately the present location of Valencia National High School. Mr. Jaime Galorport came from Valencia, Bohol. So when the Southern portion of Malaybalay was separated as a new municipality, the settlers agreed to name it "Valencia" and it is now known as the poblacion.

The rich natural resources found in the territory eventually attracted Christian settlers from Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon. The Immigration settlers in the area started in the middle of 1930's. During the World War II, the migration started to increase such that between 1960 and 1975, the population increased by 4.46 times or from 13,898 to 64,541. Today, Valencia is composed of 31 barangays and has a population of 162,745 (2007 Censal Year).

The prime mover in the creation of Valencia into a town were the late Mr. Teodoro N. Pepito, the first appointed Mayor and late Mr. Ernesto Garcia, The first appointed vice-Mayor, who led the petitions to convert Valencia into a municiplaity. By virtue of Executive Order No. 360 issued by then President Carlos P. Garcia, Valencia was officially born on January 16, 1961. Since the creation of the municipality in 1961, the municipal government had been headed by five (5) appointed and elected Municipal Mayors.

With the concerted efforts of the Municipal officials, Employees and constituents spearheaded by Mayor Berthobal R. Ancheta and Congressman Reginaldo N. Tilanduca, Valencia was converted into a City through Republic Act (R.A.) No. 8985 to be known as the City of Valencia in the Province of Bukidnon approved by then President Joseph E. Estrada. The City of Valencia is dubbed as the City of Golden Harvest.

The phenomenal rise of Valencia as an urban center in the Province of Bukidnon gave way to the fulfillment of its vision. Consequently, the conversion of Valencia into a City resulted to the improvement of its peace and order condition, traffic management, infrastructure, sports and cultural facilities.

The Mayor, Honorable Leandro Jose H. Catarata became the fifth elected Mayor and the Second City Mayor of Valencia when he won the Year 2007 Mayoral Race defeating the former mayor in a slim margin of votes.

Geography

Location



The City of Valencia is located at the heart of Mindanao. It is bounded on the North by the Municipality of Lantapan and the City of Malaybalay; in the south by the Municipalities of Maramag and Quezon and in the east by the Municipalities of Pangantucan and Talakag. The City comprises 31 barangays. Barangay Poblacion, which is the seat of the City of Malaybalay. It is 118 kilometers southeast of Cagayan de Oro City or two-hour ride by land transportation; 169 kilometers from Davao or five-hour ride and 234 kilometers from cotabato City or six-hour drive.

Elevation

At 373 meters above sea level, the City is characterized as generally wet throughout the year with a short and slight dry spell lasting likely within the months of December to April, except January, which is sometimes a rainy month. The Valencianos enjoy a good climate year-round since the City is outside the typhoon belt.

Climate

The climate condition of Valencia holds under the third intermediate Type A with rainy season from June-December. Its average monthly rainfall is 190.60 mm.

Soil Type

The soil texture in Valencia is mainly clay dominated by maapag clay followed by antoyon clay with average soil pH of 5.6.

Topography

The City of Valencia has a generally flat topography and is partly rolling.

Facilities and Resources

Valencia is a fourth class city. It has a land area of 62,163 hectares or 621.63 km². The place has quarries for sand and gravel, limestone, and guano deposits for clay production.

Facilities

Tennis court, basketball courts, skating rink, public markets (Valencia Central Market and Valencia Farmer's Market), public plaza, integrated bus terminal, gymnasium, hotel and restaurants, slaughter house, lodging houses, private hospitals and clinics, public and private schools, pharmacy, business establishments and City Social Hall.

Health Environment

The LGU goes into cleaning and greening to make the City sanitary at all times. The City's Anti-smoking, Anti-littering Ordinances and the Oplan Kalinis Drive every Fridays help in keeping the City clean.

Water Facilities and Supplies

The water system of the City is administered by the Valencia City Water District (VCWD) that caters five barangays namely Poblacion, Lumbo, Bagontaas and Mailag.

Power Supplies

29 Barangays enjoy Power supply by the First Bukidnon Electric Cooperative (FIBECO). 1 Barangay enjoys Power supply by Bukidnon Second Electric Cooperative (BUSECO).

Trade Environment



2,566 Business establishments, 13 Banks, 20 Lending Institutions, 12 Major Pharmacies, 2 Shopping Malls, 20 Appliance Centers, and14 Jewelry Shops/Pawnshops are located all over the city.

There are lots of new establishments in the city. One is the NVM Mall which houses lots of boutiques, fast food restaurants, telecommunication centers like Smart and Globe, gaming centers, a pharmacy, small stall shops, and a lot more. Jollibee now has a branch located in the city. Even Chowking and Greenwich Pizza are now in Valencia.

Transportation

Valencia City is accessible by land transportation. The existing land transportation in the city consists of jeepneys, buses, tricycles, and private vehicles facilitate the movement of people and goods to and from all places in the city. Travelling from Poblacion (City Proper) is mainly by land through all kinds of vehicles.

Communication

Telecommunication services are provided by the following utilities: Philcom, Sotelco, RCPI, Smart, Mobiline, Globe, Extelcom, PT&T, Philippine Postal, JRS Express, Xemex, G&A Carrier, Radio Stations: DXCR, DXMV and DXWB-FM , Cable TV Companies, and National and Local Newspapers.

 BEAUTIFUL PLACE IN VALENCIA CITY
  One good place in valencia that people need too see is the beautiful scenic spot Lake Apo situated in barangay Guinoyoran.

Education

7 Colleges of Valencia City

The following colleges are located in the City of Valencia.

School	Location
Mountain View College	MVC Complex, Mt. Nebo, Valencia City, Bukidnon
Valencia Colleges , Inc.	Valencia City, Bukidnon
San Agustin Institute of Technology	Valencia City, Bukidnon
Philippine College Foundation	Valencia City, Bukidnon
STI Learning Center	Valencia City, Bukidnon
AMA Computer Learning Center	Hagkol, Valencia City, Bukidnon
Dagat Kidavao Central College	Valencia City, Bukidnon

Barangays

Valencia City is politically subdivided into 31 barangays.

Bagontaas Banlag Barobo Batangan Catumbalon Colonia Concepcion Dagat-Kidavao Guinoyuran Kahapunan Laligan

Lilingayon Lourdes Lumbayao Lumbo Lurogan Maapag Mabuhay Mailag Mt. Nebo Nabago

Pinatilan Poblacion San Carlos San Isidro Sinabuagan Sinayawan Sugod Tongantongan Tugaya Vintar

External links

• "Bagangbangan Ha Velencia": The Official Website of the City Government of Valencia
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• 2000 Philippine Census Information