Baler, Aurora
Baler [bɐˈleɾ], officially the Municipality of Baler (Tagalog: Bayan ng Baler; Ilocano: Ili ti Baler), is a 3rd class municipality and capital of the province of Aurora, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 43,785 people.
Baler | |
|---|---|
| Municipality of Baler | |
Baler Municipal Hall | |
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Flag Seal | |
Map of Aurora with Baler highlighted | |
OpenStreetMap | |
Baler Location in the Philippines | |
| Coordinates: 15°45′30″N 121°33′45″E | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Region | Central Luzon |
| Province | Aurora |
| District | Lone district |
| Founded | August 19, 1609 |
| Barangays | 13 (see Barangays) |
| Government | |
| • Type | Sangguniang Bayan |
| • Mayor | Rhett Ronan T. Angara |
| • Vice Mayor | Pedro M. Ong Jr. |
| • Representative | Rommel Rico T. Angara |
| • Municipal Council | Members |
| • Electorate | 28,138 voters (2022) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 92.55 km2 (35.73 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 118 m (387 ft) |
| Highest elevation | 1,306 m (4,285 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Population (2020 census) | |
| • Total | 43,785 |
| • Density | 470/km2 (1,200/sq mi) |
| • Households | 10,197 |
| Demonym(s) | Balereño, Balerino Baleriano (colloquial) |
| Economy | |
| • Income class | 3rd municipal income class |
| • Poverty incidence | 7.34 |
| • Revenue | ₱ 175.9 million (2020) |
| • Assets | ₱ 403.7 million (2020) |
| • Expenditure | ₱ 172.7 million (2020) |
| • Liabilities | ₱ 137.8 million (2020) |
| Service provider | |
| • Electricity | Aurora Electric Cooperative (AURELCO) |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (PST) |
| ZIP code | 3200 |
| PSGC | |
| IDD : area code | +63 (0)42 |
| Native languages | Tagalog Ilocano |
| Website | www |
Baler is located 231 kilometres (144 mi) north-east of Manila via a mountain pass accessible by bus and private vehicles. It is host to spectacular geographic formations and is situated on a vast plain at the south end of Baler Bay, a contiguous segment of the Philippine Sea.
It became the capital of Aurora on June 14, 1951, under Republic Act No. 648 signed by President Elpidio Quirino. It remained the seat of government of Aurora on November 21, 1978, under Batas Pambansa Blg. 7 signed by President Ferdinand Marcos.
On August 6, 2023, Republic Act No. 11957, also known as “An Act Recognizing the Municipality of Baler in the Province of Aurora as the ‘Birthplace of Philippine Surfing,” became law without President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s signature.