Do you see the bustling streets around us? This is the 6th District of Quezon City. It is more than just a residential area. It is a vibrant hub with a unique story to tell.
Quezon City’s 6th congressional district has been represented in the House of Representatives since 2013. Before that, it was part of the 2nd district. The 6th District includes barangays bordering Caloocan. This area is known as Balintawak. The Tandang Sora area is also included.
Ma. Victoria Pilar of the National Unity Party currently represents the 6th District in the 19th Congress. The district is primarily residential.
In 2011, Mayor Herbert Bautista created the Banlat Area. It consisted of several barangays in the second congressional district. This area included Apolonio Samson Baesa Balonbato Culiat New Era Pasong Tamo Sangandaan Sauyo Talipapa Tandang Sora and Unang Sigaw.
The Banlat Area was later called the Historical Banlat Area. This name highlighted a significant characteristic of the district. The goal was to promote unity.
The Action Office was created to help coordinate programs in the Banlat Area. They also prepared an Area Development Plan. This plan included budget estimates for activities.
In 2011, the Historical Banlat Area had a population of 573236. Sauyo had the largest population. Balonbato Unang Sigaw and New Era had the smallest. The Historical Banlat Area comprised about 18% of Quezon City’s population. It makes up close to 5% of the National Capital Region.
The Historical Banlat Area accounts for 13.6% of Quezon City’s land area. Pasong Tamo has the biggest land area among the barangays. Unang Sigaw Balonbato and New Era have the smallest.
The average density was 260 persons per hectare in 2011. In comparison the National Capital Region had an average density of 185 in 2010.
Balonbato and Unang Sigaw lacked accessible health facilities. They had neither a Health Center nor a private hospital. New Era has the New Era General Hospital but no functional Health Center.
Six barangays lacked public secondary schools. These were Apolonio Samson Baesa Balonbato Pasong Tamo Talipapa and Unang Sigaw. Several barangays also needed more classrooms.
Pasong Tamo had the most day care centers. New Era had none. Talipapa and Culiat had both police and fire stations. Unang Sigaw had neither.
The total number of informal settler families in the Historical Banlat Area was estimated at more than 37000. Sauyo and Culiat had the highest numbers. New Era had the least.
Almost half of licensed economic activity fell under Wholesale and Retail Trade. Residential uses took up the biggest portion of land area. Vacant land made up the next biggest portion.
Almost 593 hectares was made up of land parcels that may be considered idle land. Pasong Tamo had the biggest aggregate area of idle land. The Historical Banlat Area has a small number of developed parks and open spaces. Balonbato and New Era do not have even one.
Several points serve as entry points to Quezon City. These are the Balintawak and Tandang Sora Extension exits to NLEX. EDSA is another entry point to Caloocan.
Several physical challenges have been identified in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. These include an increase in residential area and informal settlements. There is also an intensification of commercial activities.
The Balintawak-Munoz Area is one of five growth areas of the city. Proposed interventions include linking the northern and southern parts of the growth area.
The Local Development Investment Program includes the development of the Balintawak Trading Center through public-private partnership.
The Local Tourism Development Plan aims to develop Quezon City as a hub for culture and the arts. This includes identifying preserving and promoting heritage houses and historical sites.
The 6th District of Quezon City continues to evolve. It balances residential needs with economic development. It strives to improve the quality of life for all its residents.