Silang 城镇

Silang (Tagalog: [ˈsi.lɐŋ]), officially the Municipality of Silang (Filipino: Bayan ng Silang), is a municipality in the province of Cavite, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 313,145 people. Its land area is 209.43 km2 (80.86 sq mi), making it the largest municipality in Cavite.

It is known for its scenic landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Also renowned for its agricultural produce particularly sweet mangoes, which are regarded as some of the best in the country.

Etymology

The name of Silang (originally called Silan) originates from Tagalog silang, meaning "mountain pass".

History

Precolonial period

The traditional origins of the town are attributed to ten Bornean datus who sailed northward on board balangays and ended in Silang through Taal Lake. Its first settlers were Gat Hingiw, his wife Gat Kaliwanag, and their seven children, who later moved to different parts of the town and established their respective barangays. Gat Pandan stayed in the original community and developed the area.

Spanish colonial era

At the onset of Spanish colonization in the Philippines, the King of Spain granted tracts of land to conquistadores and their descendants, who in turn collected tributes from the inhabitants. Silang was originally part of the encomienda (land grant) of Diego Jorge de Villalobos, whose jurisdiction included the present-day towns of Carmona, Amadeo, Indang, Alfonso, General Trias, and Tanza. On February 3, 1595, the parish of Silang was formally established, marking the official creation of the town.

For many years, Silang was one of the biggest towns, by the 20th century its land area was reduced to its current size, as some of its former villages later became independent towns. Indang was the first to be granted town status in 1655. By the 19th century, the town lost land to the towns of Carmona and Amadeo, and by 1938, the town's southern lands were ceded to become part of the city of Tagaytay.

The Silang encomienda was later purchased from King Ferdinand VI of Spain for 2,000 pesetas on March 9, 1746, to prevent it from becoming a "friar land" like the other towns of Cavite, executed through the representation of Bernabe Javier Manahan and Gervacio dela Cruz. The 1818 Spanish census showed the area had 2,255 native families and 6 Spanish-Filipino families and once included Tagaytay.

Contemporary history

On January 22, 2023, the municipality was certified by Guinness World Records as volunteers from the municipal government and the Catholic parish church successfully lit 621 candles in a world record attempt for longest line of candles lit in relay, surpassing 366 set in India in 2016.

Geography

The municipality of Silang is 23 kilometers (14 mi) from Imus and 43 kilometers (27 mi) south of Manila. It is bounded by General Trias, Dasmariñas, General Mariano Alvarez, and Carmona to the north, Biñan, Santa Rosa, Cabuyao to the east, Tagaytay to the south, and Amadeo to the west.

Silang is located in the eastern section of Cavite. It is home to the Philippine National Police Academy, PDEA Academy, and International Institute of Rural Reconstruction head office, the Adventist University of the Philippines, and the Philippine Publishing House Headquarters.

With the continuous expansion of Metro Manila, the municipality is now part of the Manila's conurbation which spans southward toward Lipa, Batangas.

Barangays

Silang is politically subdivided into 64 barangays, as indicated below.

Climate

Silang has a tropical savanna climate (Aw in the Köppen climate classification) with a pronounced dry season from November to April. Its nearness to Tagaytay is the reason for its near-winter like cold temperatures during the early dry season, especially in the villages straddling the Tagaytay border and the town proper.

Demographics

In the 2024 census, the population of Silang was 313,145 people, with a density of 1,500 inhabitants per square kilometer or 3,900 inhabitants per square mile.It has a land area of 209 km².

Religion

The majority of the people in Silang are adherents of the Christian Faith, composed of Roman Catholics, Members Church of God International, Protestants, and members of independent Christian groups. Majority of the Christian population is composed of Roman Catholics under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Imus.

Adherents of the Philippine Independent Church, also known as the Aglipayan Church, under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Cavite.

Other Christian groups in the town include mainstream Protestants, congregations of Mormons, and other churches are also present in the town.

With the influx of migrants from other provinces, other non-Christian faiths, particularly Islam, is practiced in the town.

Economy

Poverty incidence of Silang (%)

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

Silang’s economy is predominantly agricultural, reflecting the pattern of many Cavite towns. Key crops include coconut, coffee, corn, banana, pineapple, and various tree crops such as mango, lanzones, caimito, santol, jackfruit, guava, and avocado. The town’s fertile soil and abundant water resources support both common commercial crops and high-value or exotic crop production. Many local farmers practice intercropping to boost land productivity and reduce soil erosion. Fruit production often exceeds local demand, with surplus marketed to Metro Manila and nearby urban centers. Additionally, several poultry and swine farms operate in rural barangays, supplementing the town’s agricultural economy.

Manufacturing and trade are Silang's other major sources of income. Trade and investments grew tremendously with the influx of both Manila-based and foreign investors. Total investments were estimated at ₱2.5 billion between 1996 and 2004, which helped bring about the employment of 3,000 people. Despite the slowdown of progress in 2004, Land Value still soared, allowing investors to infiltrate and start business. The investment trend resulted in the increase in the price of prime realty from ₱3,000 to ₱15,000 per square meter and from ₱150 to ₱500 per square meter for raw lots in interior barangays. Trade establishments in Silang include gasoline stations, convenience stores, restaurants, lumber/hardware traders, shopping malls, groceries, resorts, and hotels.

The dry goods section of the Silang Public Market can now accommodate 228 stalls.

Silang houses the Maguyam Industrial Complex and the Daichi Industrial Complex, in addition to a total of ten factories operating outside the export processing zone.

Transportation

Silang can be reached by bus or jeepney from most nearby towns, with multiple bus lines serving the area. Taxi service and Grab rides (a Philippines service similar to Uber) are somewhat limited in the Silang area. The center of Silang is about 1 hour or so from the Manila airport, the PITX landport and about 2 hours drive to downtown Manila. Major road networks to and from Laguna and Batangas. The municipality has a road network of approximately 187.83 km (116.71 mi). Major roads include Aguinaldo Highway, Santa Rosa–Tagaytay Road, Governor's Drive (along the municipal boundary with General Mariano Alvarez), and Cavite–Laguna Expressway. Six major road projects were completed in 1996, being the Bulihan Resettlement Area Road, the 8 km (5.0 mi) Kaong-Maguyam Road, the Caramanzana Drive connecting the Silang Public Market with Aguinaldo Highway, the 2 km (1.2 mi) Sabutan-Iba Road, the DPWH funded Santa Rosa-Silang-Tagaytay Road, and the Malabag Road. The proposed Cavite–Tagaytay–Batangas Expressway will have its eastern end built in Silang.

Landmarks

Lucsuhin Natural Bridge or Cabag Caves

Our Lady of Candelaria Parish Church

Government

Incumbent municipal officials

Mayor: Gen. Edward "Ted" Carranza

Vice Mayor: Cris "Kidlat" Reyes

Sangguniang Bayan Members:

Ronnie "Isang Bagsak" Doneza

Ivan Chester Amutan

Allan Tolentino

Ara Loyola

Eric "Cokiat" Garcia

Aristides "Ari" Velazco

Romeo "Ohmie" Toledo

Carlo Madlansacay

Liga ng mga Barangay President: Luciano "Jun" De Jesus Jr.

Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President: Neil Buso

List of chief executives

Gobernadorcillo (leader of 'pueblo' or bayan during Spanish era):

As the effect of the Maura Law in 1893, the tribunal del pueblo was changed to tribunal municipal and leaders of municipalities were called Capitan Municipal:

Victor Belardo 1893–1894

Nicolas Montoya 1895–1896

Martin Medina 1896

Isidoro Montoya 1896–1897

Marcelo Madlansacay (former gobernadorcillo) 1897

Vicente Poblete 1897–1898

Jose Kiamzon 1898–1901

During the American period, the 2nd commission passed the municipal code (Act No. 82) that created municipalities. The leaders were called Presidente Municipal:

The first elections were held in 1903. (Silang Historical Society)

Municipal mayor(s):

Health care

Estrella Hospital

Velazco Hospital

Silang Specialists Medical Center

Mazenod Hospital

Education

There are two schools district offices which govern all educational institutions within the municipality. They oversee the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools. These are the Silang I Schools District Office, and Silang II Schools District Office.

Notable people

Bayani Agbayani (b. 1969), comedian

Kiko Pangilinan (b. 1963), senator