Socio-Economic Profile

There are several stories attributed to the origin of the name Baler. Legend has it that the name originated from Lakan Balid, a chieftain of a prosperous and thriving village, when Spanish soldiers came to explore the northeastern coast of Luzon. The Spanish soldiers found it hard to utter the native word Balid, so they called him instead Lakan Baler.

Another story is about a certain Fray Valeriano, a priest once stationed in the village. He was very kind and people loved him so much. Villagers commonly knew him as Padre Valer. When he died, the village was named in his honor, later becoming Baler.

Another legend says Baler denotes a place to come home to, or Pinagbalikan. Aeta tribes are known for their nomadic character, but no matter where they roam, they always come back to a place along the coast which they called Balid.

Another legend is about a Spanish priest asking a native woman the name of the place. The woman replied Vale, mistaking him as asking for her name and giving her own name instead. Later the Spaniards called the place Baler, for they found it hard to utter Vale.

The most popular and accepted origin was recorded and defined in Vocabulario de la Lengua Tagala, a Spanish dictionary published in 1754 by Juan dela Noceda and Pedro de San Lucar. Accordingly, the name Baler originated from the word Balod, a large mountain dove (Paloma Montes) once abundant in this place. Tales handed down through generations also say that no matter where Balerians go in search of fame and glory, they always hope to go back home to Baler.

In 1609, seven intrepid Franciscan missionaries led by Fray Blas Palomino penetrated the thick forest of the Sierra Madre Mountains and found Baler as a settlement. This small settlement was improved and converted into a town by the Augustinians and the Recolletos in 1658. Due to scarcity of religious missionaries, the Franciscans again took over administration of the settlement in 1703. In 1856 Baler was the principal town of El Principe, a district of the province of Nueva Ecija. In 1901, under American administration, the district was incorporated into the Province of Tayabas, later named Quezon Province.

On June 14, 1951, by virtue of R.A. 648, Baler became the capital town of the sub-province of Aurora. The town served as the capital town when Aurora was officially created as an independent province by virtue of Batas Pambansa Blg. 07.

The town of Baler is most remembered in Philippine history as the last bastion of Spanish rule in the country, depicted in the epic story Siege of Baler.

It claims historic significance as well as being the birthplace of the late President Manuel L. Quezon, Father of the Filipino Language, Father of Social Justice and President of the Philippine Commonwealth.

Baler is the hometown of Senator Edgardo J. Angara, one of its illustrious sons, famed for his brilliant service to the country.

Baler has a total land area of 9,255 hectares (source: DENR, Land Management Bureau). However, several studies account for varying land area of the municipality. It ranges from 8,565 to 12,127 hectares, which could be attributed to boundary disputes, Baler being one of the oldest municipalities in the province where adjoining municipalities took from its territory.

Baler is the smallest among the municipalities in the Province of Aurora in terms of land area, comprising only about four percent (4%) of the province's land area. It is politically composed of thirteen (13) barangays: seven (7) urban barangays in the poblacion and nearby periphery, and six (6) barangays in the outlying areas.

Baler is situated on the eastern coast of Luzon, within the central part of Aurora province. It is 232 kilometers from Manila and geographically located at coordinates 121 degrees 35 minutes east longitude and 15 degrees 45 minutes north latitude. It is bounded by the municipality of Dipaculao in the north, Maria Aurora in the northwest, and San Luis in the southwest. The town faces the large expanse of the Pacific Ocean in the east.

Baler has almost equal areas of lowland and upland at 43% and 57% respectively. The upland is located in the southeastern part of the municipality. It consists of hills and mountains which form part of the great Sierra Madre Mountain Range. The northwestern part of the municipality is classified as lowland and serves as the drainage of the municipality, accommodating water discharges to two (2) of its main rivers, the Suklayin and Aguang Rivers.

In terms of elevation, Baler has an elevation range of 0 to 625 meters above sea level. The peak of Dibudalan Mountain is considered the highest point in the municipality and is found in the southwestern portion of the municipality.

Baler falls under Type IV climate of the Corona Classification, with no distinct dry and wet seasons. Significant rainfall (over 150 mm) generally occurs every month.

Rainfall: The wettest months are October and November, while the driest months are January and February. The mean total annual rainfall is 3,287 mm, and the mean monthly average is 276 mm. This high level of rainfall can be attributed to tropical cyclones that commonly strike eastern Luzon between July and November.

Temperature and relative humidity: The recorded lowest mean monthly minimum temperature was 20.3 degrees Celsius in January, while the highest mean monthly maximum temperature was 33.1 degrees Celsius in June. The annual average maximum was 31.1 degrees Celsius, the minimum was 22.3 degrees Celsius, and the annual mean was 26.7 degrees Celsius.

The annual mean temperature (26.7 degrees Celsius) changes with rise in elevation. The lapse rate of temperature in Baler at sea level is close to 0.5 degrees Celsius per 100-meter increase in elevation.

The most humid months in Baler, with relative humidity of 83%, were recorded during April, October, and November, while June, July, and August are the least humid months with 80%. On average, Baler has a mean relative humidity of 82%.

Wind: About 2 meters per second is the normal wind speed in Baler, or 7.2 kph. The prevailing wind direction is southwesterly during June and September, westerly in July and August, and easterly for the remaining months.

Baler has 4,777 hectares of forestland: 16.2% are residual forest while 28.5% are sub-marginal forest. Brushland and grassland cover 695 hectares.

The present forest condition of Baler is attributed to the logging concessions in the timberland area in the 1979 to 1980s. Such massive logging operations resulted in access to forestland by kaingeros (slash-and-burn farming) and charcoal makers.

During the years of the logging industry, the major forest product of the municipality was timber. Today, minor forest products include rattan, bamboo, lukmoy, nito, tikiw, coco-midrib, and banban, mostly found in upland areas. The famous sabutan (Pandanus sabotan) also abounds in the area, found mostly in lowlands intercropped between coconuts. These raw materials grow extensively and are used as major raw materials for different craft industries, especially handwoven manufacturing.

Wildlife resources: The vast forest areas in Baler were a refuge to different species of flora and fauna. Though there are no available records on wildlife, the Philippine deer, Philippine hawk eagle, large species of bats, water monitor lizards, and butterflies are known to have existed in the municipality. Population pressure has disturbed wildlife resources not only in Baler but also in the whole province of Aurora, particularly in areas where the kaingin system is practiced. This system drives wild animals and birds away from the areas.

Fishery: Baler has vast marine fishery resources, however the fishing industry is still underdeveloped. Baler Bay, which is part of the great Pacific Ocean, serves as a marine fishing ground that supports local marginal fishermen. Common species caught in Baler Bay are blue marlin, yellowfin tuna, salmon, and other local species like talakitok and lapu-lapu. In addition, a number of estuaries and considerable expanses of brackish water are sources of milkfish (bangus) fry transported to other provinces.

Agriculture: The municipality is predominantly an agricultural area. A majority (51%) of its population is engaged in different agricultural activities. Its major crops are coconut and palay. Other crops like citrus, banana, coffee, and root crops are planted in relatively smaller areas.

Livestock and poultry raising in the municipality are largely backyard in nature. This includes hogs, having the biggest share, goats, carabao, and cattle. Poultry population is composed of chicken, ducks, turkey, quail, pigeons, and geese.

According to the 2010 NSO Census of Population, Baler has a total population of 36,010, with an average annual growth rate of 0.84 percent in urban and 2.22 percent in rural areas for the last seven years. Projected population for 2013 is 38,309.

The census recorded a total of 7,231 households. The average household size is computed at 4.6 members per household.

The mean population density of Baler in 2007 was 323 persons per sq. km. Distribution of population by barangay land area shows that the poblacion is the most densely populated area.

Most inhabitants in Baler are native Tagalog-speaking people (82%). Ilocano is the next most frequently spoken dialect, particularly among families originating from the Ilocos Region who permanently reside in Baler. Other minority dialects are also spoken, rooted in their families' place of origin, like Bisaya, Bikolano, and Ilonggo. The native Dumagat people also have their own native vernacular.

Local financing institutions include Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), Aurora Bank, Rural Bank of Maria Aurora (RBMA), Producer's Bank, and Maria Aurora Development Cooperative Inc. (MADECO).

The insurance agency present in Baler is a branch of PhilAm Life, Inc.

Airport: One regular commercial air transport service flies to Baler Airport in Brgy. San Isidro in the nearby Municipality of San Luis, about seven (7) kilometers away from the town proper. It is a feeder airport that can accommodate light chartered flights.

Seaport: Baler has one (1) fishport and a small wharf at Sitio Cemento, Zabali and Sitio Duongan, Brgy. 5 Poblacion, respectively. Baler Port, eight (8) kilometers from the town, has a total length of 250 meters and is primarily used for shipment and unloading of agricultural and fishery products and for docking of sea vessels coming from neighboring coastal municipalities in the province. The port is used by small and medium-scale commercial fishers and fish traders. The wharf is utilized for loading and unloading of passengers and light cargoes. It is also used as a place of refuge for small vessels during poor weather conditions and typhoons.

Means of transportation: Within the poblacion and neighboring barangays, tricycles are the most commonly used public transport. Tricycles also run from Baler to adjacent municipalities and vice versa. Some passenger jeepneys also run from Baler to Maria Aurora and vice versa. Jeepneys, vans, and buses are used to transport travelers coming in and going out of the province. Traders use cargo trucks for overland shipment of their products.

Bus lines plying to various parts of Luzon are operated by companies such as Genesis, Joy Bus, Aurora Bus, D' Liner, and Lizardo Bus. Public utility vans covered by informal franchise also augment public transport services plying the Baler-Pantabangan and Baler-Bongabon national roads.

Normally, scheduled departure of buses from Baler is as early as 5:00 a.m. up to late morning. Public utility vans usually leave in the afternoon.

TV station: There is no regular local TV channel broadcasting in the municipality. Two national TV channels have a relay station in the town; however, almost all national and international cable TV channels are accessible through the available private local cable TV company.

Radio stations: Three regular local radio broadcast stations are DZJO-FM 101.7 (CMN), DZRA 92.1, and DZRH 88.5 (MBC).

Courier: LBC is the only courier company operating in Baler, which also caters to the other municipalities in Aurora.