Gabaldon

Gabaldon is a municipality in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines. It is a local government unit rather than a commercial brand, and its official website is the municipal government portal at gabaldon.gov.ph. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 40,223 people. The town is located in a valley at the foot of the Sierra Madre to its east and the Caraballo Mountains to its west, about 39 kilometres from Palayan, 169 kilometres from Manila, and 141 kilometres from Baler. It is bounded by Bongabon to the north, Laur to the west, General Tinio to the south, and San Luis and Dingalan in Aurora to the east. The area was historically the site of the Sabani Estate, the largest hacienda in Nueva Ecija during the latter half of the 19th century, which was then part of Laur. The estate included 3,000 heads of cattle and occupied more than 6,000 hectares. Settlers from Ilocano, Pangasinese, Tagalog, and Kapampangan groups arrived from neighboring provinces such as Tarlac, Pangasinan, and Pampanga. On May 10, 1920, the national government, through the National Development Company, took over administration of the estate and developed it for rice production. A group of local businessmen leased the estate until 1935, after which it was returned to the Sabani Estate Development Company, and the government then converted the estate into a homestead. On June 12, 1950, by virtue of Republic Act No. 496, several barrios were separated from Laur to constitute the new municipality of Bitulok. On June 20, 1953, by virtue of Republic Act No. 949, the municipality's name was changed from Bitulok to Sabani. On June 16, 1955, the municipality's name was changed from Sabani to Gabaldon by virtue of Republic Act No. 1318, to honor former provincial governor and Philippine Resident Commissioner Isauro Gabaldón. Agriculture is the main economic source of the municipality, with 56% of its land area used for farming. Rice is the primary crop cultivated in the lowlands, while secondary crops such as onion, corn, garlic, ampalaya, and other crops are cultivated in the uplands. The municipality is one of the top onion producers in the province. Limited livestock, poultry, and fish production are also present. The municipality has nearly 300 commercial establishments mostly centered along the national road and around the municipal public market, as well as 6 agri-based industrial establishments including 5 rice mills and a commercial poultry operation, and 20 cottage industry establishments. Due to its proximity to the coastal town of Dingalan, Aurora, and its scenic valley location, Gabaldon has several ecological tourist spots, including the Dupinga Water Reservoir, the Sierra Madre, Cabangcalan Lake, and multiple waterfalls in the southeastern part of the Sierra Madre. Numerous resorts are in the municipality, including the Ecopark located inside the Gabaldon campus of the Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology. The Gabaldon Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality, overseeing public and private primary and secondary schools. Tagalog is the main language, with Kapampangan and Ilocano also spoken.

During the latter half of the 19th century, Gabaldon was the site of the Sabani Estate, the largest hacienda in Nueva Ecija, which was then part of Laur. The estate included 3,000 heads of cattle and occupied more than 6,000 hectares. Over time, Ilocano, Pangasinese, Tagalog, and Kapampangan settlers arrived from different places like the neighboring provinces of Tarlac, Pangasinan, and Pampanga. On May 10, 1920, the national government, through the National Development Company, took over the administration of the estate and developed it for rice production. A group composed of local businessmen leased the estate until 1935, after which it was returned to Sabani Estate Development Company. The government then converted the estate into a homestead. On June 12, 1950, by virtue of Republic Act No. 496, the barrios of Bitulok, Bantug, Bitulok Saw Mill, Cuyapa, Macasandal, Pantok, Calumpang, Malinao, Tagumpay, Bugnan, Bagong Sicat, Ligaya, Calabasa, Bateria and Pintong Bagting were separated from Laur to constitute the new municipality of Bitulok. Like Laur, barangays that became Bitulok were also part of Bongabon, which in turn were part of Pantabangan. On June 20, 1953, by virtue of Republic Act No. 949, the municipality's name was changed from Bitulok to Sabani. On June 16, 1955, the municipality's name was changed from Sabani to Gabaldon by virtue of Republic Act No. 1318, to honor former provincial governor and Philippine Resident Commissioner Isauro Gabaldón. Today, Gabaldon is a municipality in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 40,223 people. The municipality is located in a valley situated at the footstep of the Sierra Madre to its east and the Caraballo Mountains to its west. It lies 39 kilometres from Palayan, 169 kilometres from Manila, and 141 kilometres from Baler. Gabaldon is bounded by Bongabon to the north, Laur to the west, General Tinio to the south, and San Luis and Dingalan in Aurora to the east. It is politically subdivided into 16 barangays. Agriculture is the main economic source of the municipality, with 56% of its land area being used for farming. Rice is the primary crop being cultivated in the municipality's lowland while secondary crops such as onion, corn, garlic, ampalaya, and other crops are cultivated in the uplands. The municipality is one of the top onion producers in the province. Limited livestock, poultry, and fish production are also present. The municipality has nearly 300 commercial establishments mostly centered along the national road and around the municipal public market. Moreover, there are 6 agri-based industrial establishments within the city, including 5 rice mills and a commercial poultry, and 20 cottage industry establishments. Due to Gabaldon's proximity to the coastal town of Dingalan, Aurora and its scenic location in the valley, there are several ecological tourist spots found in the municipality, including the Dupinga Water Reservoir, the Sierra Madre, Cabangcalan Lake, and multiple waterfalls dotting the southeastern part of the Sierra Madre. Numerous resorts are in the municipality, including the Ecopark located inside the Gabaldon campus of the Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology. The Gabaldon Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools. Tagalog is the main language in Gabaldon. Kapampangan and Ilocano are also spoken.

• 2024

  According to the 2024 census, Gabaldon had a population of 40,223 people.

• 1955

  By virtue of Republic Act No. 1318, the municipality's name was changed from Sabani to Gabaldon to honor Isauro Gabaldón.

• 1953

  By virtue of Republic Act No. 949, the municipality's name was changed from Bitulok to Sabani.

• 1950

  By virtue of Republic Act No. 496, several barrios were separated from Laur to constitute the new municipality of Bitulok.

• 1935

  The estate was returned to the Sabani Estate Development Company after a lease by local businessmen ended.

• 1920

  The national government, through the National Development Company, took over administration of the Sabani Estate and developed it for rice production.

A rural agricultural municipality and local government unit in Nueva Ecija, Philippines, known for rice and onion production and eco-tourism near the Sierra Madre.

Product categories. Rice · Onion · Corn · Garlic · Ampalaya · Livestock · Poultry · Fish

1. 1Municipality of Gabaldon | Gabaldon, Nueva Ecijagabaldon.gov.ph
2. 2Brief History | Municipality of Gabaldongabaldon.gov.ph
3. 3About Us | Municipality of Gabaldongabaldon.gov.ph
4. 4Services | Municipality of Gabaldongabaldon.gov.ph
5. 5Gabaldonwikidata.org
6. 6Gabaldon, Nueva Ecijaen.wikipedia.org