BALAS

🏘️ Location & Geography

Municipality: Bacolor, Pampanga, Central Luzon
Coordinates: ~14.9876° N, 120.6402° E
Elevation: Approximately 7.3 m (23.9 ft) above sea level

📊 Demographics (2020 Census)

Population: 2,950 residents (~6.1% of Bacolor’s total population)
Households (2015): Approximately 670 households; average size ~4.4 members
Growth: Grew from 2,665 in 2015 to 2,950 in 2020 — ~2.02% annual growth

👶 Age & Dependency (2015)

Median Age: 27.6 years
Youth Dependency: ~41%
Old-age Dependency: ~7%
Total Dependency Ratio: ~48%

📂 Administrative & Subdivisions

Barangay Balas is organized into several puroks that support community governance and barangay-based programs.
Borders key barangays:

• Cabalantian

• San Vicente

• Sta. Ines

• Sapang Maisac (Mexico)
  
  

🏛️ Infrastructure & Services

• Barangay Hall: Administrative hub for local governance, community services, and civic coordination
  
  

• Chapel: A spiritual center for regular masses, devotions, and the barangay fiesta
  
  

• Covered Court: Multipurpose venue for sports, assemblies, relief distribution, and cultural activities
  
  

• Health Station & Day Care Center: Provide primary health care services and early childhood education
  
  

• Well-connected to the Jose Abad Santos Avenue (JASA) and inner barangay roads, linking to downtown Bacolor and neighboring municipalities

⛪ Nearby Landmarks

• Within ~2 km of the San Guillermo Parish Church (partially buried from Mt. Pinatubo lahar)
  
  

• Near the Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU) and Bacolor Municipal Hall

🌧️ Environment & Flood Management

Barangay Balas sits on low-lying terrain (~7.3 m AMSL) and is historically affected by flooding and lahar deposition, particularly after the 1991 Mt. Pinatubo eruption. Continued efforts are made to manage seasonal flooding through drainage ditches, river embankments, and disaster preparedness trainings led by the barangay and MDRRMO.

🔍 Summary

Barangay Balas is a steadily growing and resilient community in Bacolor with close to 3,000 residents. It features key facilities like a barangay hall, chapel, covered court, health station, and day care center. Positioned near educational, religious, and administrative landmarks, Balas is focused on recovery, disaster resilience, and sustainable community development—living up to Bacolor’s legacy of strength in the face of natural disasters.