Marilao

Marilao, officially the Municipality of Marilao , is a 1st class urban municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 254,453 people. It is 22 km from Manila and 23 km from the provincial capital Malolos City.

With the continuous expansion of Metro Manila, Marilao is part of Manila's built-up area which reaches San Ildefonso on its northernmost part.

History
Long before the establishment as an independent town, Marilao traces its origin as little as a barrio. It was initially a barrio of its neighboring town Meycauayan and the Franciscan missionaries from Meycauayan built a visita (chapel) dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel.

Marilao, just like Pangil, a town in Laguna, Philippines, was under the stewardship of the Franciscan order.

On April 21, 1796, the Barrio of Marilao was established as a pueblo as approved by the Alcalde Mayor of Bulacan and the Franciscan friars of Meycauayan, with the approval of Archbishop of Manila, the visita of San Miguel Arcangel became a town church where Padre Vicente de Talavera served as its parish priest. Between 1901 and 1903, it was consolidated with Meycauayan. In 1913, Marilao completely became an independent town.

Barangays
Marilao is politically subdivided into 16 barangays, all classified as urban. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Most populous
Barangay Loma de Gato is now holds the most populous village both in the province of Bulacan and in Central Luzon region upon the division of barangay Muzon in the neighboring city of San Jose del Monte after the successful plebiscite approving the proposal in March 2023.

Pollution and flooding
In 2007, Marilao, along with neighboring Meycauayan, share a slot in the list of the world's 30 most polluted places in the developing world drawn up by a private New York-based institute. In its report, “The World’s Worst Polluted Places” for 2007, the Blacksmith Institute 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” the Meycauayan-Marilao area.

Marilao is also notorious for frequent flooding during the monsoon season. A section of MacArthur Highway near SM City Marilao is in particular, prone to floods.

Demographics
In the 2020 census, the population of Marilao, Bulacan, was 254,453 people, with a density of undefined PD/km2.

Education
The Pambayang Dalubhasaan ng Marilao Municipal College of Marilao is a public college in Marilao. The public primary and secondary schools in Marilao are governed by the Department of Education-Provincial Schools Division of Bulacan. Several private schools in Marilao also provide education services.


 * Public High Schools
 * Assemblywoman Felicita G. Bernardino Memorial Trade School (AFGBMTS)
 * Prenza National High School (PNHS)
 * Marilao Central Integrated School (MCIS (JHS founded in 2022) formerly Marilao Central School founded in 1920)

National Shrine of the Divine Mercy
It was elevated to the status of National Shrine by Archbishop Orlando Quevedo of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. The first mass was held at the site on February 2, 1992, the Feast of the Presentation. Located in Barangay Santa Rosa I.

On the occasion of the World Apostolic Congress on Mercy in 2017, a 38-meter Statue of Merciful Jesus was built here.

San Miguel Arcangel Parish Church
The Parish celebrates its patronal feasts on May 8 and September 29. Its 28th Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Alberto D.J. Santiago succeeded Fr. Avelino G. Santos. Under Parochial Vicar, Fr. Francis Protacio S. Cortez III, OSA. It is hundred years old spiritual edifice in Poblacion I considered as “place marker” and serve as “point of orientation” to the local residents and visitors. Located in Barangay Poblacion I.

Our Lady of Fatima Parish Church
Located in Barangay Loma de Gato.

Our Lady of Mercy Quasi-parish Church
Located in Barangay Loma de Gato.

Other religions
There are also a presence of other religions in Marilao such as the Iglesia ni Cristo, Jehovah's Witnesses, Evangelical Christians, Members Church of God International, etc.

Radio

 * (PA) 1422 kHz (Advanced Media Broadcasting System) (Planned)