Tarlac City

This article is about the Philippine city. For the province, see Tarlac. For the river, see Tarlac River.

Tarlac City
Component City
Tarlac City Hall
Flag
Motto: Tuloy ang Sigla, Tarlac City
{{#property:P242}} Location in the province of Tarlac
Tarlac City Location within the Philippines
Coordinates:
Country	[[{{#property:P17}}]]
Region	Central Luzon (Region III)
Province	[[{{#property:P131}}]]
District	2nd District
Founded	1788
Cityhood	April 18, 1998
Barangays	76
Government
• Mayor	Gelacio R. Manalang
Area
• Total	274.66 km2 (106.05 sq mi)
Population (2010)
• Total	318,332
• Density	1,200/km2 (3,000/sq mi)
Time zone	PHT (UTC+8)
ZIP code	{{#property:P281}}
Dialing code	{{#property:P473}}
Income class	1st class ; component city
Website	tarlaccity.gov.ph

Tarlac City, officially the City of Tarlac (Kapampangan: Lakanbalen ning Tarlac; Pangasinan: Siyudad na Tarlac; Ilocano: Ciudad ti Tarlac, Tagalog: Lungsod ng Tarlac), is a first class and capital city of the province of Tarlac in the Philippines. According to the 2010 census, Tarlac City has a population of 318,332 people.

The city was proclaimed as a Highly Urbanized City during the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, but the decision was opposed by the provincial government.

Geography

The city is situated at the center of the province. To its north is Gerona and Santa Ignacia, west is San Jose, south is Capas and Concepcion and eastern boundaries are Victoria and La Paz. This is also the location of Tarlac River.

Tarlac City is approximately 24 metres (79 ft) above sea level on some parts but reaching even 50 metres (160 ft) on large western portions. Tarlac City was historically a part of what is now Porac, Pampanga. Parts of Tarlac city are claimed to be among the few portions of land in the province which was not created by ancient eruptions from Mount Pinatubo.

Barangays

Tarlac City is politically subdivided into 76 barangays.

4

Demographics

Population census of Tarlac City
Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1903	15,044	—
1918	24,460	+3.29%
1939	55,682	+3.99%
1948	64,597	+1.66%
1960	98,285	+3.56%
1970	135,128	+3.23%
1975	160,595	+3.52%
1980	175,691	+1.81%
1990	208,722	+1.74%
1995	230,459	+1.87%
2000	262,481	+2.83%
2007	314,155	+2.51%
2010	318,332	+0.48%
Source: National Statistics Office

Religion

According to statistics compiled by the Philippine government, the most dominant religion in the city is Christianity with 73% of the population adhering to the faith. The majority of Christians are Roman Catholics followed by a large concentration of Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ). Other Christian groups belong to various Protestant denominations. The remaining 27% being non-Christian such as Muslims, etc.

Transportation

MacArthur Highway in Tarlac

Tarlac City is the usual bus stop for commuters travelling to the Ilocos Region and Cordillera provinces. Bus companies that take a route through the city include Philippine Rabbit, Victory Liner, Five Star, Partas, Baliwag Transit, Farinas Transit, Genesis, Santrans, de Leon Express and GV Florida, etc. Baliwag Transit is just about the only bus company aside from Golden Bee that takes a route through the rest of the Central plains instead of the Ilocos Region and Cordilleras.

The MacArthur Highway goes through the southern to north end of the city, there are a series of roads leading to Zambales and Pangasinan as well as Baguio City.

Shopping

There are several shopping malls established within the city. To name a few, there is the SM City Tarlac, which is the first SM Supermall in the Tarlac Province, located along McArthur Highway in San Roque; Plaza Luisita Mall, which is the first shopping center in Central Luzon (now Robinsons Luisita; the Magic Star Mall along Romulo Blvd. in Brgy. Cut-cut; My MetroTown Mall in Brgy. Sto Cristo; Palm Plaza Mall located along McArthur Highway corner F. Tanedo St. Brgy. Matatalaib; CityWalk also located in Brgy. San Roque and the Double Dragon's CityMall (u/c) located in Brgy. San Rafael.

Festivals

The Malatarlak Festival, celebrated every January in Tarlac City, is one of the most remarkable festivals in the province. In 2011, the City Mayor then changed the name of the festival to Melting Pot Festival, but it is still remembered by its former name. The festival is a commemoration to the first people who built civilization in the province, the Aetas.

Sister cities

• Angeles City, Pampanga
• Taguig City, Metro Manila
• Baguio City, Benguet
• Bauan, Batangas

External links

• Tarlac Province Official Portal
• Philippine Statistics Authority