Dangling like jewels Northern Manila District is one of the four districts of Metro Manila. It organizes local government for fiscal and statistical reasons. Metro Manila is not composed of provinces. Instead, it has four geographic areas called districts.
Northern Manila District is also known as Camanava. It has its district center in Caloocan. Caloocan was one of the original four cities in Metro Manila.
Let’s dive into the details of this district. Northern Manila District had a population of 3004627 in 2020. The area spans 126.42 square kilometers.
Metro Manila has sixteen independent cities. These cities are classified as highly urbanized. There is also one independent municipality. That municipality is Pateros.
These cities and the municipality are divided into barangays. Barangay sizes range from under 1000 to over 200000 people. As of 2015 Metro Manila had 1710 barangays.
In terms of congressional representation the region has 32 congressional districts. Each city makes up one or more districts. Pateros shares a congressional district with Taguig’s first district.
For city council representation each city is divided into council districts. These districts are coextensive with the congressional districts. The cities that elect their representative at-large are exceptions. These exceptions include Las Piñas Malabon Mandaluyong Muntinlupa Navotas Pasay and Pasig. Their city council representation is divided into two districts.
Old districts also exist in Metro Manila cities. These include former municipalities that now make up Manila City. They also include historical municipalities and estates like Novaliches Balintawak San Francisco del Monte and Diliman. These were combined to form Quezon City. Neither division has its own government.
Some cities in Metro Manila are divided into gated communities also called subdivisions. These may or may not form their own barangays or low-level local government units. Examples include Dasmariñas Village in Makati Ayala Alabang in Muntinlupa and Greenhills in San Juan.
Before 1901 Manila Province covered most of Metro Manila and northern Rizal Province. It was divided into 24 municipalities with Intramuros as its capital.
Except for Manila City the Province of Manila was absorbed into Rizal Province in 1901. Pasig became Rizal’s provincial capital.
In January 1942 the City of Greater Manila formed. It combined Manila and Quezon City. Six other municipalities from Rizal also joined. These municipalities included Caloocan Makati Mandaluyong Parañaque Pasay and San Juan.
In 1947 the seven municipalities of the City of Greater Manila were restored. They were reorganized under Rizal Province.
Metro Manila was created in November 1975. It included four cities and thirteen municipalities. Twelve came from Rizal Province and Valenzuela came from Bulacan. In June 1978 it became the National Capital Region of the Philippines.
As you explore the Northern Manila District remember its role in Metro Manila’s story. From its administrative function to its historical divisions it is part of the region’s diverse tapestry. Its cities barangays and districts shape its identity.