View source for Meycauayan

{{Short description|Component city in Bulacan, Philippines}}
{{Distinguish|Cauayan (disambiguation){{!}}Cauayan}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2013}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = {{PH wikidata|name}}
| image_skyline      = {{Photomontage
| photo1a  = Construction of the New Meycauayan City Hall 03.jpg
| photo1b  = Meycauayan Church, Bulacan, Mar 2024.jpg
| photo2a  = 
Three Bells, Meycauayan Church, Bulacan, Mar 2024.jpg
| photo2b  =
Meycauayan Poblacion Bridge, Bulacan, Mar 2024.jpg
| photo3a  = 
Meycauayan Poblacion, Bulacan, Mar 2024 (2).jpg
| photo3b  = JfMeycauayanWetDryPublicMarket20fvf.JPG
| size     = 260
| position = center
| spacing  = 1
| color    = transparent
| border   = 0
| foot_montage = (''From top, left to right'': Meycauayan City Hall • St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church • Meycauayan Church Three Bells • Poblacion Bridge • Meycauayan Poblacion • Meycauayan People's Market)
}}
| image_caption      = {{PH wikidata|image_caption}}
| image_flag         = Flag of Meycauayan.png
| flag_size          = 120x80px
| image_seal         = City of Meycauayan Seal.png
| seal_size          = 100x80px
| image_map          = {{PH wikidata|image_map}}
| map_caption        = {{PH wikidata|map_caption}}
| image_map1         = {{hidden begin|title=OpenStreetMap|ta1=center}}{{Infobox mapframe|frame-width=250}}{{hidden end}}
| pushpin_map        = Luzon mainland#Philippines
| pushpin_label_position = left
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within the {{PH wikidata|country}}
| coordinates        = {{PH wikidata|coordinates}}
| settlement_type    = {{PH wikidata|settlement_type}}
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = [[Philippines]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[Regions of the Philippines|Region]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{PH wikidata|region}}
| subdivision_type2  = [[Provinces of the Philippines|Province]]
| subdivision_name2  = {{PH wikidata|province}}
| official_name      = {{PH wikidata|official_name}}
| etymology          = <!--origin of name-->
| named_for          = <!--named after (if person or place)-->
| native_name        = 
| other_name         = 
| nickname           = ''The Fine Jewelry Center of the Philippines''
| motto              = "May Magandang Buhay sa Meycauayan"<br />{{small|[[English language|English]]: "There is a Beautiful Life in Meycauayan"}}
| anthem             = Awit ng Meycauayan<br />({{small|[[English language|English]]: Song of Meycauayan}})<div style="display:inline-block;margin-top:0.4em;">[[File:Awit ng Lungsod ng Meycauayan.ogg]]</div>
| subdivision_type3  = [[House of Representatives of the Philippines#District representation|District]]
| subdivision_name3  = {{PH legislative district}}
| established_title  = [[Date of establishment|Founded]]
| established_date   = October 4, 1578
| established_title1 = Cityhood
| established_date1  = December 10, 2006
| parts_type         = [[Barangay]]s
| parts_style        = para
| p1                 = {{PH barangay count | {{wikidata|label|raw}} }}  (see [[#Barangays|Barangays]])
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = [[Henry Villarica|Henry R. Villarica]] ([[Partido Federal ng Pilipinas|PFP]])
| leader_title1      = [[Vice Mayor]]
| leader_name1       = Josefina O. Violago ([[Partido Federal ng Pilipinas|PFP]])
| leader_title2      = [[House of Representatives of the Philippines#Current composition|Representative]] <!--congressman or congresswoman -->
| leader_name2       = [[Linabelle Villarica|Linabelle Ruth R. Villarica]] ([[Partido Federal ng Pilipinas|PFP]])
| leader_title3      = [[Sangguniang Panlungsod|City Council]]
| leader_name3       = {{PH Town Council
 | 1 = 
 | 2=Lester Henry R. Villarica 
 | 3=Ronald S. Palomares 
 | 4=Christian M. Velasco
 | 5=Catherine C. Abacan 
 | 6=Raoul M. Atadero
 | 7=Georgina Marie S. Dulalia
 | 8=Wilfredo D. Macatulad 
 | 9=Mary Christine Z. Paguio
 | 10=Larissa A. San Diego 
 | 11=Danilo B. Abacan Jr.
}}
| leader_title4      = [[Elections in the Philippines#Qualification|Electorate]]
| leader_name4       = {{PH wikidata|electorate}} voters ([[Philippine general election, {{PH wikidata|electorate_point_in_time}}|{{PH wikidata|electorate_point_in_time}}]])
| government_type    = {{PH wikidata|government_type}}
| government_footnotes = {{thinsp}}<ref>{{DILG detail}}</ref>
| elevation_m        = {{PH wikidata|elevation_m}}
| elevation_max_m    = 93
| elevation_min_m    = -5
| elevation_max_rank = 
| elevation_min_rank = 
| elevation_footnotes = {{PH wikidata|elevation_footnotes}}
| elevation_max_footnotes = 
| elevation_min_footnotes = 
| area_rank          = 
| area_footnotes     = {{PH area}}
| area_total_km2     = {{PH wikidata|area}}
| population_footnotes = {{PH census|current}}
| population_total   = {{PH wikidata|population_total}}
| population_as_of   = {{PH wikidata|population_as_of}}
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_blank1_title = [[Household]]s
| population_blank1  = {{PH wikidata|household}}
| population_blank2_title = 
| population_blank2  = 
| population_demonym = 
| population_rank    = 
| population_note    = 
| timezone           = [[Philippine Standard Time|PST]]
| utc_offset         = +8
| postal_code_type   = [[List of ZIP codes in the Philippines|ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = {{PH wikidata|postal_code}}
| postal2_code_type  = {{PSGCstyle}}
| postal2_code       = {{PSGC detail}}
| area_code_type     = {{areacodestyle}}
| area_code          = {{PH wikidata|area_code}}
| website            = meycauayan.gov.ph
| demographics_type1 = [[Economy of the Philippines|Economy]]
| demographics1_title1 = {{PH wikidata|income_class_title}}
| demographics1_info1 = {{PH wikidata|income_class}}
| demographics1_title2 = [[Measuring poverty|Poverty incidence]]
| demographics1_info2 = {{PH wikidata|poverty_incidence}}% ({{PH wikidata|poverty_incidence_point_in_time}}){{PH wikidata|poverty_incidence_footnotes}}
| demographics1_title3 = [[Revenue]]
| demographics1_info3 = {{PH wikidata|revenue}} {{PH wikidata|revenue_point_in_time}}
| demographics1_title4 = Revenue rank
| demographics1_info4 = 
| demographics1_title5 = [[Assets]]
| demographics1_info5 = {{PH wikidata|assets}} {{PH wikidata|assets_point_in_time}}
| demographics1_title6 = Assets rank
| demographics1_info6 = 
| demographics1_title7 = [[Internal Revenue Allotment|IRA]]
| demographics1_info7 = 
| demographics1_title8 = IRA rank
| demographics1_info8 = 
| demographics1_title9 = [[Expenditure]]
| demographics1_info9 = {{PH wikidata|expenditure}} {{PH wikidata|expenditure_point_in_time}}
| demographics1_title10 = [[Liability (financial accounting)|Liabilities]]
| demographics1_info10 = {{PH wikidata|liabilities}} {{PH wikidata|liabilities_point_in_time}}
| demographics_type2 = Utilities
| demographics2_title1 = Electricity
| demographics2_info1 = [[Meralco]]
| demographics2_title2 = Water
| demographics2_info2 = 
| demographics2_title3 = Telecommunications
| demographics2_info3 = 
| demographics2_title4 = Cable TV
| demographics2_info4 = 
| demographics2_title5 = 
| demographics2_info5 = 
| demographics2_title6 = 
| demographics2_info6 = 
| demographics2_title7 = 
| demographics2_info7 = 
| demographics2_title8 = 
| demographics2_info8 = 
| demographics2_title9 = 
| demographics2_info9 = 
| demographics2_title10 = 
| demographics2_info10 = 
| blank_name_sec1    = {{PH wikidata|climate_title}}
| blank_info_sec1    = {{PH wikidata|climate_type}}
| blank1_name_sec1   = [[Languages of the Philippines|Native languages]]
| blank1_info_sec1   = {{PH wikidata|language}}
| blank2_name_sec1   = [[Crime index]]
| blank2_info_sec1   = 
| blank3_name_sec1   = 
| blank3_info_sec1   = 
| blank4_name_sec1   = 
| blank4_info_sec1   = 
| blank5_name_sec1   = 
| blank5_info_sec1   = 
| blank6_name_sec1   = 
| blank6_info_sec1   = 
| blank7_name_sec1   = 
| blank7_info_sec1   = 
| blank1_name_sec2   = Major religions
| blank1_info_sec2   = 
| blank2_name_sec2   = Feast date
| blank2_info_sec2   = 
| blank3_name_sec2   = Catholic diocese
| blank3_info_sec2   = 
| blank4_name_sec2   = Patron saint
| blank4_info_sec2   = 
| blank5_name_sec2   = 
| blank5_info_sec2   = 
| blank6_name_sec2   = 
| blank6_info_sec2   = 
| blank7_name_sec2   = 
| blank7_info_sec2   = 
| short_description  = 
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''Meycauayan''' {{IPA|tl|meɪkɐˈwajan|}}, officially the '''City of Meycauayan''' ({{langx|fil|Lungsod ng Meycauayan}}), is a 1st class [[Cities of the Philippines#Legal classification|component city]] in the [[Provinces of the Philippines|province]] of [[Bulacan]], [[Philippines]]. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 225,673 people.{{PH census|current}}

The place got its name from the [[Tagalog language|Tagalog]] words ''may kawayan'' which is literally translated to [[Philippine English|English]] as ''there is bamboo''. It was formerly known as ''Mecabayan'' {{IPA|pam|mekəˈbajən|}}, a Kapampangan name, and alternatively as ''Meycawayan''.<ref>{{cite map |author = |title = Santa Maria - Sheet 3164 II |trans-title = |map = |map-url = |date = |year = 1964 |url = https://maps.lib.utexas.edu/maps/ams/luzon_50k/txu-pclmaps-oclc-10282124-santa-maria.jpg|scale = 1:50,000 |series = |publisher =U.S. Army Map Service |cartography = |page = |pages = |section = |sections = |inset = |edition = |location = |language = |format = |isbn = |id = |access-date = April 20, 2025 |archive-url = |archive-date =}}</ref>

== History ==
During the Spanish colonization of the country, the town of Meycauayan was established as a settlement by a group of Spanish priests belonging to the Franciscan Order. In 1578, its early inhabitants came into contact with Christianity. In that same year, Father Juan de Placencia and Diego Oropesa built the first church structure, which was believed to be made of nipa and bamboo. Common to all Spanish settlements in that period was the adoption of a patron saint for the newly opened town. Meycauayan has [[St. Francis of Assisi]] as the Patron Saint. It was only in 1668, however, that a concrete church structure was erected.

Meycauayan was then one of the largest towns in the province of Bulacan. The towns, which fell under its political jurisdiction, were [[San Jose del Monte]], [[Bocaue]], [[Valenzuela, Metro Manila|Valenzuela]] (formerly Polo), Obando, [[Marilao]], [[Santa Maria, Bulacan|Santa Maria]] and [[Pandi, Bulacan|Pandi]]. It was also regarded as the unofficial capital of the province, being the hub of activities brought about by the establishment of the market center and the presence of the Spanish military detachment. During the [[Philippine Revolution|revolution]], which was set off by the execution of Dr. Jose Rizal in 1896, Meycauayan contributed its share in the fight against the Spanish conquistadores. Among her sons who figured prominently in the revolution were: Andres Pacheco, Ciriaco Contreras, Guillermo Contreras, Guillermo Bonque, Tiburcio Zuela, and Liberato Exaltacion. There were many others who had joined the revolution and had displayed their exceptional heroism until 1898, when the country gained its independence from [[Spain]].

Between 1901 and 1913, [[Marilao]] became part of Meycauayan.<ref>{{cite PH act|chamber=Act|number=932|date=October 8, 1903|url=https://issuances-library.senate.gov.ph/legislative%2Bissuances/Act%20No.%20932|title=An Act Reducing the Twenty-five Municipalities of the Province of Bulacan to Thirteen|accessdate=July 3, 2023|website=Senate of the Philippines Legislative Digital Resources}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bulacan.gov.ph/cities-and-municipalities/marilao|title=Marilao|website=Provincial Government of Bulacan|accessdate=July 3, 2023}}</ref>

In 1949, a big fire razed the market center and several business establishments in the town, causing setbacks to the development of the municipality. It took several years to recover from the destruction and property losses. However, in the 1960s and early part of 1970s, new hope for the development was ushered in. Reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure facilities were made possible through the assistance of the provincial and national governments. A more sound economic base was established and crop production more than doubled.

=== Cityhood ===
{{Main|Cities of the Philippines}}
Meycauayan twice attempted for cityhood.<ref name="2c1212tPS" /> The first was filed by [[House of Representatives of the Philippines|district representative]] [[Angelito Sarmiento]],<ref name="2c1210tPS" /> seeking the conversion of the then-municipality of Meycauayan into a component city, which was signed by [[President of the Philippines|President]] [[Gloria Macapagal Arroyo]] on March 5, 2001 as ''[[Republic Act]] No. 9021''.<ref>{{cite PH act |title=Charter of the City of Meycauayan |chamber=RA |number=9021 |date=March 5, 2001 |url=https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/2/5852 |access-date=November 2, 2023}}</ref>

The plebiscite for the ratification, along with that of [[Cauayan, Isabela|Cauayan]], [[Isabela (province)|Isabela]] (by virtue of ''RA No. 9017'' dated February 28), was scheduled by the [[Commission on Elections (Philippines)|Commission on Elections]] on March 30.<ref>{{cite PH act |title=Declaring Friday, March 30, 2001, as a special day in the municipality of Cauayan, Isabela, and in the municipality of Meycauayan, Bulacan |chamber=PP |number=22, s. 2001 |date=March 28, 2001 |url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2001/03/28/proclamation-no-22-s-2001/ |access-date=November 2, 2023}}</ref> The bid however failed, and Meycauayan remained a municipality.<ref name="2c1210tPS" /> (Meanwhile, affirmative votes won in the separate plebiscite in Cauayan.)

For the second time, in another attempt for conversion, district representative [[Reylina Nicolas]] authored ''House Bill 4397'' (dated July 24, 2006), which was later signed into law by President Arroyo as ''RA No. 9356'' on  October 2, 2006.<ref name="2c1210tPS">{{cite news |last=Balabo |first=Dino |date=December 10, 2006 |title=Meycauayan bids for cityhood |url=https://www.philstar.com/nation/2006/12/10/374311/meycauayan-bids-cityhood |newspaper=[[The Philippine Star]] |access-date=December 10, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite PH act |title=Charter of the City of Meycauayan |chamber=RA |number=9356 |date=October 2, 2006
|url=https://republicact.com/docs/statute/5677/ra-9356-charter-city-meycauayan |access-date=November 2, 2023}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right; line-height:1.25em; font-size:100%;"
|+Meycauayan cityhood plebiscites
|-
! rowspan="2" | Choice !! colspan="2" | 2001<br />{{small|1st attempt}} !! colspan="2" | 2006<br />{{small|2nd attempt}}
|-
! Votes !! % !! Votes !! %
|-
| '''''Yes''''' || 8,109 || {{percentage |8,109|22,897|2}} || '''8,247''' || '''{{percentage |8,247|13,975|2}}'''
|-
| '''''No''''' || '''14,788''' || '''{{percentage |14,788|22,897|2}}'''  || 5,728 || {{percentage |5,728|13,975|2}}
|-
| Total (valid) votes || 22,897 || 100% || 13,975 || 100%
|-
| Registered voters/turnout || {{N/A}} || {{N/A}} || 118,339 || {{percentage | 13,975|118,339|2}}
|-
| Result
| colspan="2" {{No}}
| colspan="2" {{Yes}}
|-
| align="left" | {{small|Sources}} || colspan="2" align="left" | {{small|<ref name="2c1210tPS" />}} || colspan="2" align="left" | {{small|<ref name="2c1212tPS" />}}
|}

A plebiscite was held on December 10, where the cityhood was eventually ratified and the proclamation was made in the evening. It was noted that compared to the first plebiscite, the second showed that only more than a hundred voters were added to those in favor of the conversion, as well as a sharp decline in the number of those who were against.<ref name="2c1212tPS" />

With the ratification, Meycauayan became Bulacan's third component city, following [[San Jose del Monte]] in 2000, and [[Malolos]], whose loss in its cityhood bid in 1999 was reversed following a recount.<ref name="2c1212tPS">{{cite news |last=Balabo |first=Dino |date=December 12, 2006 |title=Bulacan now has 3 cities |url=https://www.philstar.com/nation/2006/12/12/374596/bulacan-now-has-3-cities/ |newspaper=[[The Philippine Star]] |access-date=November 2, 2023}}</ref>

=== Contemporary ===
Today, the city of Meycauayan has transformed into a major economic and industrial hub in the Province of Bulacan and the rest of Region III.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofmeycauayanbulacan.gov.ph/?page=cityInfo|title= Everything about City of Meycauayan (History)|publisher= City of Meycauayan Official Website|location= City of Meycauayan, Bulacan|access-date= July 29, 2018}}</ref>

== Geography ==
The City of Meycauayan is generally surrounded with plain land and gentle rolling hills. Meycauayan is named to Filipino phrase ''may kawayan'' that means "with bamboo". Comfortably above sea level, this terrain is an interweaving of greenery and concrete road network. The slope of the land dips towards a west to north westerly direction. River, natural lake and drainage waterways envelope and criss-cross the area.

The city is located {{convert|19|km|sp=us}} north of [[Manila]] and {{convert|26|km|sp=us}} south of [[Malolos City]], the provincial capital city. It is bounded by the town of [[Marilao, Bulacan|Marilao]] to the north, the two [[Metro Manila]] cities of [[Valenzuela, Metro Manila|Valenzuela]] to the south and [[Caloocan]] (North) to the east, and the town of [[Obando, Bulacan|Obando]] to the west.

=== Barangays ===
Meycauayan is administratively subdivided into 26 urban [[barangay]]s, as shown in the matrix below. Each barangay consists of [[purok]]s and some have [[sitios]].

<!-- arranged by PSGC for easier updates in the future -->
{{PH brgy table lite|top}}
{{PH brgy table lite|031412001| Bagbaguin       |  7760|  6908}}
{{PH brgy table lite|031412002| Bahay Pare |  11568|  10221}}
{{PH brgy table lite|031412003| Bancal       |  12589|  14242}}
{{PH brgy table lite|031412004| Banga       |  2913|  2911}}
{{PH brgy table lite|031412005| Bayugo        |  18560|  17982}}
{{PH brgy table lite|031417026| Caingin        | 5443| 4763}}
{{PH brgy table lite|031412006| Calvario       |  5317|  5009}}
{{PH brgy table lite|031412007| Camalig      |  8972|  8042}}
{{PH brgy table lite|031412008| Hulo        |  1675|  1636}}
{{PH brgy table lite|031412009| Iba       |  8032|  7450}}
{{PH brgy table lite|031412010| Langka      |  3871|  3179}}
{{PH brgy table lite|031412011| Lawa  |  12854|  13392}}
{{PH brgy table lite|031412012| Libtong       |  10552|  10190}}
{{PH brgy table lite|031412013| Liputan |  1584|  1546}}
{{PH brgy table lite|031412014| Longos         |  3412|  3300}}
{{PH brgy table lite|031412015| Malhacan      |  22205|  20914}}
{{PH brgy table lite|031412016| Pajo    |  6166|  5168}}
{{PH brgy table lite|031412017| Pandayan    | 15264| 14703}}
{{PH brgy table lite|031412018| Pantoc         |  11804|10554}}
{{PH brgy table lite|031412019| Perez        | 17251| 15779}}
{{PH brgy table lite|031412020|
Poblacion      | 348| 239}}
{{PH brgy table lite|031412021| Saluysoy        | 10347| 10603}}
{{PH brgy table lite|031412022| Saint Francis (Gasak) | 1288| 1286}}
{{PH brgy table lite|031412023| Tugatog        | 4407| 4288}}
{{PH brgy table lite|031412024| Ubihan        | 2225| 2279}}
{{PH brgy table lite|031412025| Zamora        | 5443| 2570}}
{{PH brgy table lite|bottom|199154}}

=== Climate ===
{{Weather box
| location     = Meycauayan City, Bulacan
| width        = auto
| metric first = Yes
| single line  = Yes
| Jan high C = 29
| Jan low C  = 20
| Feb high C = 30
| Feb low C  = 20
| Mar high C = 32
| Mar low C  = 21
| Apr high C = 34
| Apr low C  = 23
| May high C = 33
| May low C  = 24
| Jun high C = 31
| Jun low C  = 25
| Jul high C = 30
| Jul low C  = 24
| Aug high C = 29
| Aug low C  = 24
| Sep high C = 29
| Sep low C  = 24
| Oct high C = 30
| Oct low C  = 23
| Nov high C = 30
| Nov low C  = 22
| Dec high C = 29
| Dec low C  = 21
| Jan precipitation mm = 7
| Feb precipitation mm = 7
| Mar precipitation mm = 9
| Apr precipitation mm = 21
| May precipitation mm = 101
| Jun precipitation mm = 152
| Jul precipitation mm = 188
| Aug precipitation mm = 170
| Sep precipitation mm = 159
| Oct precipitation mm = 115
| Nov precipitation mm = 47
| Dec precipitation mm = 29
| Jan rain days        = 3.3
| Feb rain days        = 3.5
| Mar rain days        = 11.1
| Apr rain days        = 8.1
| May rain days        = 18.9
| Jun rain days        = 23.5
| Jul rain days        = 26.4
| Aug rain days        = 25.5
| Sep rain days        = 24.5
| Oct rain days        = 19.6
| Nov rain days        = 10.4
| Dec rain days        = 6.4
| source 1 = Meteoblue<ref name="met_norms">{{cite web
| url = https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/historyclimate/climatemodelled/meycauayan_philippines_1699802
| title =  Meycauayan: Average Temperatures and Rainfall
| publisher = Meteoblue
| access-date = May 12, 2020 }}</ref>
| date = May 12, 2020
}}

== Demographics ==
{{Philippine Census
| align= right
| title= Population census of {{PH wikidata|name}}
| 1903 = {{PH census population|1903}}
| 1918 = {{PH census population|1918}}
| 1939 = {{PH census population|1939}}
| 1948 = {{PH census population|1948}}
| 1960 = {{PH census population|1960}}
| 1970 = {{PH census population|1970}}
| 1975 = {{PH census population|1975}}
| 1980 = {{PH census population|1980}}
| 1990 = {{PH census population|1990}}
| 1995 = {{PH census population|1995}}
| 2000 = {{PH census population|2000}}
| 2007 = {{PH census population|2007}}
| 2010 = {{PH census population|2010}}
| 2015 = {{PH census population|2015}}
| 2020 = {{PH census population|2020}}
| 2025 = 
| 2030 = 
| footnote= Source: [[Philippine Statistics Authority]]{{PH census|2015}}{{PH census|2010}}{{PH census|2007}}{{LWUA population data}}
}}

In the 2020 census, the population of Meycauayan was 225,673 people,{{PH census|current}} with a density of {{convert|{{sigfig|225,673/32.10|2}}|PD/km2|disp=or|sp=us}}.
{| style="font-size:94%;vertical-align:top;margin:0 auto;"
|  {{#invoke:Chart
 | bar chart
 | height    = 280
 | width     = 500
 | group 1   = 123982 : 137081 : 163037 : 196569 : 199154 : 209083 : 225673
 | x legends = 
  1990<br />{{rnd|  123982/32.10| -1}}/km{{sup|2}} :
  1995<br />{{rnd|  137081/32.10| -1}}/km{{sup|2}} :
  2000<br />{{rnd|  163037/32.10| -2}}/km{{sup|2}} :
  2007<br />{{rnd|  196569/32.10| -2}}/km{{sup|2}} :
  2010<br />{{rnd|  199154/32.10| -2}}/km{{sup|2}} :
  2015<br />{{rnd|  209083/32.10| -2}}/km{{sup|2}} :
  2020<br />{{rnd|  225673/32.10| -2}}/km{{sup|2}}
 | colors      = DarkGray
 | group names = City of Meycauayan
 }}
|}

== Government ==
=== Local government ===
{{Main|Sangguniang Panglungsod}}
The [[Sangguniang Panlungsod]] is the legislature of the government of Meycauayan. As defined by the Local Government Code of 1991, the legislatures have legislative and quasi-judicial powers and functions. The members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, often referred to as councilors are either elected or ex-officio and includes a city's vice mayor who serves as the presiding officer.

{|class=wikitable
|+ 2025-2028 Meycauayan City Officials<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.bulacan.gov.ph/meycauayan/government.php|title="Meycauayan City Officials"|publisher=Provincial Government of Bulacan Official Website
|location=City of Malolos,Bulacan
|access-date=June 29, 2018}}</ref>
|-
!Position !!Name !!colspan=2|Party
|-
| '''Mayor'''
| [[Henry Villarica|Henry R. Villarica]]
| {{party name with colour|Partido Federal ng Pilipinas}}
|-
| '''Vice Mayor'''
| Josefina O. Violago
| {{party name with colour|Partido Federal ng Pilipinas}}
|-
| rowspan=10| '''Councilors'''
| Lester Henry R. Villarica
| {{party name with colour|Partido Federal ng Pilipinas}}
|-
| Ronald S. Palomares
| {{party name with colour|Partido Federal ng Pilipinas}}
|-
| Christian M. Velasco
| {{party name with colour|Partido Federal ng Pilipinas}}
|-
| Catherine C. Abacan 
| {{party name with colour|Partido Federal ng Pilipinas}}
|-
| Raoul M. Atadero
| {{party name with colour|Partido Federal ng Pilipinas}}
|-
| Georgina Marie S. Dulalia 
| {{party name with colour|Partido Federal ng Pilipinas}}
|-
| Wilfredo D. Macatulad 
| {{party name with colour|Partido Federal ng Pilipinas}}
|-
| Mary Christine Z. Paguio
| {{party name with colour|Partido Federal ng Pilipinas}}
|-
| Larissa A. San Diego 
| {{party name with colour|Partido Federal ng Pilipinas}}
|-
| Danilo B. Abacan Jr
| {{party name with colour|Partido Federal ng Pilipinas}}
|-
! colspan=4| ''Ex Officio'' Municipal Council Members
|-
| '''[[Liga ng mga Barangay|ABC]] President'''
| Carlito O. Magno (Tugatog)
| {{party name with colour|Nonpartisan|no_link=y}}
|-
| '''[[Sangguniang Kabataan|SK]] Federation President'''
| Jin Marie Eugenie L. Misuse (Malhacan)
| {{party name with colour|Nonpartisan|no_link=y}}
|}

=== Past officials ===
{| class="wikitable" style="float:center; "
|+ List of mayors of Meycauayan<ref>{{cite web|url=http://meycauayanculture.blogspot.com/2012/03/mayors-of-meycauayan.html?m=1|title=Mayors of Meycauayan|access-date= July 29, 2018}}</ref>
|-
! No.
! Presidente Municipal
! style="text-align:center;"|Took office
! Left office
|-
|1 || Tomas Testa || style="text-align:center" | 1902|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1903}}
|-
|2 || Aquedo Noriega|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1903}}|| style="text-align:center" | 1905
|-
|3 || Dalmacio Ferrer|| style="text-align:center" | 1906|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1907}}
|-
|4 || Aquedo Noriega|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1907}}|| style="text-align:center" | 1909
|-
|5 || Cedistino Juson || style="text-align:center" | 1910|| style="text-align:center" | 1916
|-
|6 || Liberato Exaltacion|| style="text-align:center" | 1917|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1921}}
|-
|7 || Jose Peñas|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1921}}|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1922}}
|-
|8 || Hermogenes Lim|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1922}}|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1925}}
|-
|9 || Maximo Albaño|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1925}}|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1928}}
|-
|10 || Moises Buñing|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|}}1928|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1931}}
|-
|11 || Hermogenes Lim || style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1931}}|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1934}}
|-
|12 || Perfecto Reyes Lim || style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1934}}|| style="text-align:center" | 1937
|-
! No.
! Alcalde
! style="text-align:center;"|Took office
! Left office
|-
|1 || Enrique Legaspi|| style="text-align:center" | 1938|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1942}}
|-
|2 || Dr. Restituto Calaguas|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1942}}|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1945}}
|-
|3 || Patricio Alcaraz || style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1945}}|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1945}}
|-
|4 || Marcelo Lucero|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1945}} || style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1945}}
|-
|5 || Jacinto Legaspi || style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1945}}|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1945}}
|-
! No.
! Municipal Mayors
! style="text-align:center;"|Took office
! Left office
|-
|1 || Dr. Lope Daez|| style="text-align:center" | 1946|| style="text-align:center" | 1951
|-
|2 || Dr. Lope Daez|| style="text-align:center" | 1956|| style="text-align:center" | 1959
|-
|3 || Pedro Carreon|| style="text-align:center" | 1960|| style="text-align:center" | 1963
|-
|4 || Celso Legaspi|| style="text-align:center" | 1964|| style="text-align:center" | 1978
|-
|5 || Jose Catajan|| style="text-align:center" | 1980|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1982}}
|-
|6 || Adriano Daez || style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1982}}|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1986}}
|-
|7 || Ernesto Cabigas || style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1986}}|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1987}}
|-
|8 || Oscar Legaspi || style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1987|}}|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1987}}
|-
|9 || Rolando Liwanag|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1987}}|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1988}}
|-
|10 || Florentino Blanco|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1988}}|| style="text-align:center" | 1992
|-
|11 || Edgardo Nolasco|| style="text-align:center" | 1995|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1998}}
|-
|12 || Eduardo Alarilla|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|1998}}|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|2006}}
|-
! No.
! City Mayors
! style="text-align:center;"|Took office
! Left office
|-
|1 || Eduardo Alarilla|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|2006}}|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|2007}}
|-
|2 || [[Joan Alarilla]]|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|2007}}|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|2016}}
|-
|3 || [[Henry Villarica]]|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|2016}}|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|2019}}
|-
|4 || [[Linabelle Villarica]]|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|2019}}|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|2022}}
|-
|3 || [[Henry Villarica]]|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|2022}}|| style="text-align:center" | {{tooltip|incumbent}}
|}

== Economy ==
{{PH poverty incidence}}
The City of Meycauayan is the economic, industrial, commercial, financial and educational center of southern Bulacan. The city is known for its jewelry and leather industries. For years, Meycauayan has been the hub of jewelry production in the Philippines and in Asia. It is known for its low-priced jewelries. The locality also produces leather goods. Shoes, bags and every kind of leather product has been traditionally manufactured here. A number of leather tanneries still operate in Meycauayan, which over the years have converted the city into a hub for leather goods.

In 2016, the total net income for Meycauayan is worth Php 6.875 billion, making it the richest in the province of Bulacan and 18th-highest-income city in the Philippines.

=== Industrial compounds and parks ===
The City of Meycauayan is also home to many industrial parks and compounds.

*Meycauayan Industrial Subd. I, II, III & IV
*Meridian Industrial Compound
*Muralla Industrial Park
*First Valenzuela Industrial Compound
*Sterling Industrial Park Phase I, II, III & IV

== Education ==

[[File:Meycollegejf.JPG|thumb|right|Meycauayan College building]]

Meycauayan City have its own division of schools since January 2013. The City Schools Division of Meycauayan has two districts, Meycauayan West District and Meycauayan East District.

There are 24 public elementary schools and 4 public high schools as well as 11 private schools in the city. There are also tertiary schools in Meycauayan. Polytechnic College of the City of Meycauayan is under the funding and management of the City Government, currently located at Pag-asa Street, Barangay Malhacan. [[Meycauayan College]] is a private educational institution in Barangay Calvario and Malhacan. It was established in 1925 as Meycauayan Institute. Other than tertiary education, it also offers primary and secondary education.

== Religion ==
[[File:Meycauayan Church at noon.jpg|thumb|Meycauayan Church, also known as St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church]]
{{Main|Meycauayan Church}}

[[File:Pagoda ng Mahal na Señor ng Liputan (4).jpg|thumb|Decorated fluvial float (pagoda) carrying the image of the Mahal na Señor of Liputan, Meycauayan City on its feast day every May.]]

Saint Francis of Assisi Parish Church, commonly known as the Meycauayan Church, is a Roman Catholic church located in Meycauayan, Philippines. It is one of the oldest parishes in Bulacan which even predates the Malolos Cathedral established in 1580 and the Barasoain Church established in 1859. It is also the province's largest parish with an estimated population of about 80,000 parishioners. The church is the seat of the vicariate of St. Francis of Assisi in the Diocese of Malolos.

=== Feasts ===

'''Liputan Barrio Fiesta'''

This festival takes place every 2nd Sunday of May in Barangay Liputan. After a nine-day novena, the fiesta culminates with a colorful fluvial procession in honor of the "Mahal na Señor", an image of the Crucified Christ venerated on the island of Liputan. The image, along with those of the Virgin and St. Joseph, are placed on a ''pagoda'', a makeshift bamboo bier constructed on boats and decorated with buntings. The images are then taken to the old church in the town center of Meycauayan for a mass.

'''Feast of St. Francis of Assisi'''

It is a celebration held in the oldest church in Meycauayan, the St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church in Barangay Poblacion, which commemorates the foundation of the city in 1578 by the Franciscans. Before, it has come to be known as the "Kawayanan Festival", and includes an animal parade, street dancing, and other related cultural activities. It is held every fourth of October.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofmeycauayanbulacan.gov.ph/?page=cityInfo|title=Everything about the city of Meycauayan (Festivals)|publisher=City of Meycauayan Official Website|access-date= July 29, 2018}}</ref>

=== Religious organizations/denominations ===
Like other cities and municipalities in the Philippines, Meycauayan hosts no official religion as the [[1987 Constitution]] mandates that there shall be no state religion and that it provides for the separation of church and state.

Church buildings and related structures from various sects and denominations are scattered in Meycauayan. They come mostly from [[Christians]] with their religious denominations and orders like the [[Catholic Church]], the [[Born-again]], the [[Baptists]], the Jehovah's Witnesses and the [[Iglesia ni Cristo]], while the city also has [[Mosque|mosques]] and centers for [[Islam]]. 

There are [[Light Church Meycauayan]] and [[Jesus Is Lord Church]] Meycauayan Chapter as well.

== Issues and controversies ==

=== Mayoralty dispute (1995–2008) ===
The succession of the city's administration was put into question by a series of legal cases between two then-Mayors.<ref>[http://www.supremecourt.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/june2008/180164.htm supremecourt.gov.ph, Blanco v. Comelec and Alarilla, G.R. No. 180164, June 17, 2008] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080707041755/http://www.supremecourt.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/june2008/180164.htm |date=July 7, 2008 }}</ref> Florentino Blanco, town mayor from 1987 to 1992, ran in 1995 but was disqualified by the [[Supreme Court of the Philippines|Supreme Court]] for [[Electoral fraud#Vote buying|vote buying]] on July 21, 1997. Blanco was replaced by Vice Mayor Eduardo Nolasco in an acting capacity, serving out the remainder of his term.

Blanco ran again in 1998 but lost to Eduardo Alarilla; Blanco attempted to file an election protest against Alarilla but the [[Commission on Elections (Philippines)|COMELEC]] dismissed the case. He attempted to run again in 2004 but later withdrew his candidacy. In 2007, he ran once more but lost to Eduardo Alarilla's wife, Joan Alarilla (Mr. Alarilla has then reached the three-term limit imposed by law). The then Mayor Alarilla then attempted to disqualify Blanco; the COMELEC ruled in favor of Alarilla, but the Supreme Court reversed this decision, stating that Blanco is still eligible to run for public office.

=== Heirs of Anacleto Nieto vs. Meycauayan, Bulacan ===
On December 13, 2007, the [[Supreme Court of the Philippines]] ordered Meycauayan, [[Bulacan]] to surrender peaceful possession to the Heirs of Anacleto Nieto, and vacate the 3,882 square meters lot, at Poblacion, Meycauayan, TCT No. T-24.055 (M) which it used and even constructed an extension of the public market therein. Meycauayan was also ordered to pay the reasonable value of the property and P 1,716,000.00 as reasonable compensation for the use of the property from 1966 until the filing of the complaint on December 28, 1994.<ref>[http://www.supremecourt.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/december2007/150654.htm supremecourt.gov.ph, HEIRS OF ANACLETO B. NIETO vs. MUNICIPALITY OF MEYCAUAYAN, BULACAN, 3rd Div., G.R. No. 150654] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071220215403/http://www.supremecourt.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2007/december2007/150654.htm |date=December 20, 2007 }}</ref>

=== Pollution ===
In 2007, The Meycauayan and the neighboring town of Marilao in Bulacan province shared a slot in the list of the world's 30 most polluted places in the developing world drawn up by the private New York-based institute [[Pure Earth]]. In its report, "The World’s Worst Polluted Places" for 2007, Pure Earth said: "Industrial waste is haphazardly dumped into the Meycauayan, Marilao and Obando River system, a source of drinking and agricultural water supplies for the 250,000 people living in and around"<ref name="dirty">[http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view_article.php?article_id=89091 Inquirer.net, Meycauayan, Marilao in world’s ‘Dirty 30’-- report] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090607035342/http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view_article.php?article_id=89091 |date=June 7, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worstpolluted.org/reports/file/2007%20Report%20updated%202009.pdf|title=The World's Most Polluted Places|date=September 2007|publisher=The Blacksmith Institute|page=8}}</ref> the Meycauayan-Marilao area. Meycauayan also shares border with Caloocan.

== Gallery ==
<gallery widths="200" heights="150">
File:Meycauayan Church decorated for the opening of its jubilee door.jpg|The [[Parish Church of St. Francis of Assisi]]
File:9891Photos taken during 2020 coronavirus pandemic Meycauayan City 34.jpg|Meycauayan Heritage Bells
File:Municmeycjf.JPG|2005 Meycauayan City Hall (Camalig)
File:Old Municipal Hall of Meycauayan, Bulacan.jpg|Old Municipal Hall in Poblacion (later demolished and replaced by Meycauayan Convention Center)
File:Rivermeycjf-cr.JPG|Meycauayan River
File:Mangroves in Ubihan, Meycauayan City.jpg|Mangroves in Barangay Ubihan
File:Pagoda ng Mahal na Señor ng Liputan (1).jpg|Pagoda ng Mahal na Señor ng Liputan
File:JfMalhacan9081MeycauayanCityHwayChurchfvf 23.JPG|Old Meycauayan Train Station
</gallery>

== Notable people ==
* [[Lydia de Vega]] – track and field athlete, [[Asian Games]] medalist
* [[Rans Rifol]] – actress, former member of [[MNL48]]
* [[Roel Cortez]] – singer, songwriter
* [[Chelsea Manalo]] – beauty pageant titleholder, [[Miss Universe Philippines 2024]]
* [[Rey Valera]] – singer, songwriter
* [[Euwenn Mikaell]] - child actor

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Wikivoyage}}
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.meycauayancity.bulacan.ph/ Meycauayan Bulacan]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160303185309/http://www.senate.gov.ph/republic_acts/RA%209356.pdf Charter of the City of Meycauayan (RA 9356)]
* [{{NSCB detail}} Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20131004104825/http://census.gov.ph/ Philippine Census Information]

{{Geographic location
 | Centre    = Meycauayan
 | North     = [[Bocaue, Bulacan|Bocaue]] / [[Marilao, Bulacan|Marilao]]
 | East      = [[Caloocan]]
 | South     = [[Valenzuela, Philippines|Valenzuela]]
 | Southwest = [[Obando, Bulacan|Obando]]
 | West      = [[Bulakan]]
}}

{{Navboxes
|title = Articles Related to Meycauayan
|list  =
{{Bulacan}}
{{Central Luzon}}
{{Philippine cities}}
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}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Meycauayan| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Bulacan]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1578]]
[[Category:1578 establishments in the Philippines]]
[[Category:Contaminated farmland]]
[[Category:Component cities in the Philippines]]