Development Context

The Science City of Muñoz is one of the five (5) cities of Nueva Ecija, which is one of the six (6) provinces comprising the central plains of Luzon or Region 3. the City is the first and only Science City of the country. As such, it is expected to contribute widely on the fast growth and development not only of the region but the nation through the technologies developed by the R&D centers based within its territorial jurisdiction.

Muñoz belongs to the “W” growth corridor of region 3. through its R&D centers, Muñoz is tasked to provide the needed technologies to farmers to increase production.

Muñoz is home to the prestigious Central Luzon State University (CLSU) the chosen/declared agro-tourism center for Luzon. The university is now fast becoming a prime tourist destination/an object of “lakbay-aral” groups.

The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), which was formerly the Maligaya Rice Research and Training Center (MRRTC), is also found in Muñoz, as well as the Central Office of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC). The main offices of the Philippine Center for Post-Harvest Development & Mechanization (PhilMech) and the National Freshwater Fishery Technology Center, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-NFFTC) are also based in Muñoz.

The local government of Muñoz has established direct linkage with these centers of excellence, as well as with the other agencies and action groups and mobilizes them to unite and act toward the realization of the Science City’s vision.

The total land area of the city is 14,793.42 hectares comprising of the 37 barangays, four of which compose the city proper. Barangays Bantug and Maligaya and the Central Luzon State University community are also considered as urban areas.


Tabulated below is the city’s present land utilization.
Present Land Utilization

LAND UTILIZATIONAREA_HECTARES
Agri-Industrial118.18
Agricultural11,967.80
Agro-Industrial6.64
Cemetery10.54
Commercial29.38
Infrastructure322.22
Institutional564.13
Open Space8.97
Parks and Recreation2.01
Residential856.39
River432.40
Tourism4.92
Disputed Area469.84
Total Land Area14,793.42

Aside from the fertile lands that constitute large portions of the farmlands there exist bodies of water like the Baliwag River, which bisects the city lengthwise, the Panlasian and Cumabol rivers, the Sibul and balante creeks and lake-like watersheds such as the Matingkis, Dibabuyan and Pinac. The Baliwag River serves as steady source of sand and gravel for the various infrastructure projects of the city government. There are also hilly areas where reforestation is being undertaken.

The types of soil in Muñoz consist of Maligaya clay loam, Maligaya clay and Quinqua silt loam.

The topography of the land is generally flat and is equivalent 0-3% slopes.


Environmentally/Legally Constrained Areas

Muñoz has at least 62 hectares of public land located in the hilly northern portion of the city. The city government contemplates to make this area a lush forest and the site of the proposed National Tissue Culture Center of the Philippines where at least 500,000 seedlings of dipterocarps will be produced annually. It will also be the site of the proposed Science City Theme Park.