HISTORY OF BARANGAY 3, NULATULA

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VISION

          Barangay 3, a progressive resettlement community with high moral obligation, respects the right of people and preserves the dignity of nature in attaining sustainable development.

MISSION

Construct/Improve Barangay buildings, roads, drainages, water system and reforest the hillside so that the community will be clean and beautiful and people will attain sustainable progress.

A. Social and Political Development

     The ending of year 1975 started the planning to eject the squatter residents along extension road of Sto. Niño Street, Paterno Street and Magsaysay Boulevard where the UP Tacloban and Bulwagan ng Katarungan Building  are now located. These were Barangay 3, Chairmaned by Mrs. Emilia Domingo, and Barangay 3A, Chairmaned by Mr. Elpedio Asaldo. The Mayor at that time was Atty. Felomino Arteche. These two Barangays were from different towns of Samar and Leyte provinces seeking jobs for better future.  

      The Plan was to settle in Upper Nulatula, five kilometers from the Provincial Capitol Building towards northern part of Tacloban City, West of Barangay 74, Lower Nulatula, about two hundred meters from the national highway road. This lot was sold by Mr. Abdon Aguirre to the City Government under transfer certificate of title no. 2727 and the southern portion was owned by the Tacloban Chinese Community headed by Zenon Lee intended for a Chinese Cemetery but was donated to the City Government to accommodate the squatters. The boundaries in the north, east and south were Barangay 74 and the west is the mountain range. The total area is more than ten hectares and its vegetations are cogon, talahib and small trees.
     By repeated dialog between the Barangay Officials and constituents with the City Government Officials especially Ms. Liliosa Baltazar from the Ministry of Social Services and Development, the agreement was concluded that peaceful ejection from the squatter area, Barangay 3 and 3A, will be done by themselves under conditions:

• the City Government will clean the area and prepare the individual lot for them to construct their houses
• the City Government will transport their household properties and materials for building their houses
• that school building be constructed for their primary school children
• that financial support be given while transferring and constructing their houses
• that the settlers will follow the rules impose by the City Government

       No other written conditions for legal basis signed between the City Government  and the Barangay Officials according to Chairwoman Domingo. But the name of the Barangay 3 and 3A with their officials will be carried to Nulatula Resettlement.   
      April 30, 1976 started the first batch settlement in Nulatula. Barangay 3 at the northern side and Barangay 3A at the southern along mountain side. You could just imagined how these people feel at first year adjustment without good houses, roads, no electric light which was enjoyed in the city and no livelihood in the place! the coolness and silence threatened them! But all these were conquered hoping a better life in the future.

     In 1989, Barangay 3 and 3A merged and named it Barangay 3, Upper Nulatula by a plebesite  supervised by the Local Government  under a new elected Barangay Chairman Cresencio Mendigo.
       In 1994, another survey was conducted by the DSWD under Mayor Uldarico Mate and issued Certificate of Award and Occupancy as Recipient of Residential Lot signed by him.
        Recently, a memorandum to the newly elected Barangay Chairman, Pablo T. Peque, dated November 8,2007 from the City Planning and Development, reminding the stakeholders to follow or implement the guidelines or rules of the City Government on Occupancy.
      However, reference can traced up according to Ordinance No. 46 (as amended by Ordinance No. 64, series 1973) and Ordinance N0. 2004-8-243 ( an Ordinance Redefining the Boundaries in the City of Tacloban.

B. Educational Attainment

            The elementary school children of Barangay 3 and 3A were in Panalaron Central School (North District) and Rizal Central School (East District). Because of the agreement that school building be constructed at once and teachers be assigned so that their primary school children can continue in that year while transferring to the Nulatula Resettlement, a teacher was sent to enroll grade one and two on July 2, 1976. The teacher, (Pablo T. Peque) was able to enroll 54 and 22 pupils respectively. Classes started in the vacated Marcos type building, constructed not as school building but a shelter house for the transferred families while constructing their houses. The building has no walls, partitions and level ground as flooring. The teacher organized the PTA to help him prepared the rooms. The organization and some children gathered materials like bamboos from the southern part of Nulatula and help constructing the walls, partitions and leveling the flooring. The first school year ended without proper classroom, no chairs or desks for teachers and pupils.  Chalkboards and few books were the only teaching materials given by Panalaron Central School supervisor. Mrs. Vicentica Villanueva handled Grade II while Mr. Pablo T. Peque handled Grade I.

            In the second year (1977-78), Grade III was organized and in 1978-79, Grade IV and Grade V were added. The first Elementary Graduation of 33 pupils was in the school year 1979-80.

           

            Most teachers were given the privilege to reside in Nulatula Resettlement or Barangay 3. The school year 2007-2008 gave a change to the school site because of the Brigada Eskwela Program and increase of teachers and pupils.

            To mention the Brigada Eskwela Program of 2008, Nulatula Elementary School under Mr. Edgar Y. Tenasas, the Principal, won the First Place in regional Level, Small Category. And the first Elementary Alumni Homecoming was held on May 31, 2008 after the Barangay Fiesta.

            But what is not to be forgotten is the school bell donated by Mrs. Pacencia Morrero during the start of classes on July 1976 which is still use at this time.

C. Economic Development

            Barangay 3 and 3A as situated in the squatter area of Tacloban City is considered a poor community. Few are government employees and no professionals like Doctors and Lawyers. Most were market vendors, laborers, fishermen and retired in military services.

            When these two barangays transferred to Nulatula, some do not have work and engaged in garden farming. In 1978, the Bureau of Forest Development (BFD) personnel came to Nulatula Community School to introduce a project reforestation uphill at the back of the school. A meeting on the following Sunday was scheduled and many attended. At that time, the area was newly burned because the vegetation was cogon and talahib with small trees.

            During the meeting, many attended and District Forester Pedro B. Cebuano explained the objective and purpose:

1.      to prevent landslide during heavy rain

2.      to conserve water supply

3.      to supplement income

Since most have economic problem, the plan was accepted. Clearing and surveying started and division of one hectare was done. July 1, 1979 was the formal launching of the project with 22 members for 22 hectares. A technician was assigned and rootcrops were planted (cassava, sweet potato and vegetables).

On December 14, 1979, the first anniversary celebration was held in Plaza Rizal together with other C.T.F. project in Tacloban City. Our project was awarded first prize with P4,000.00 as regional winner of SIKAP 1979 and a trophy to the Barangay Chairman.

While working in the C.T.F. project the organization planned to secure loan from KKK. The BFD as led support agency helped in accomplishing the requirement.

July 2, 1981 was the second anniversary. This time was held in the Nursery and participated by representatives from BFD. In 1982, the first release of the loan was released and so almost all the 22 hectares were planted with rootcrops and ipil-ipil tree as recommended by BFD.

On July 2, 1983, the project CTF was changed to (ISFP) Integrated Social Forestry Program and awarded the Certificate of Stewardship by Secretary Pena in Nulatula Community School. The project was progressing with protection from illegal cutting. The area was covered with green ipil-ipil trees and the yearly burning of the area was prevented. But typhoon came in 1984 resulting damage then followed by infestation of the ipil-ipil leaves. Worse when the farmers were told that the area is owned by certain Engr. Magno and were told to stop the operation.

In 1986-87, Mila by nickname founded the Fatima Foundation, occupying the area. The farmers could not prevent the members of the foundation and the problem was brought to CENDRO Office. Mr. Rudolfo Jaca, the officer, told the farmers that the project is stopped because the area is A & D, owned by Engr. Magno and is donated to the Fatima Foundation. June 22, 1989, the Regional Executive Director gave the same order. Until now the Fatima Foundation is in possession of that area. Trees are diminishing because people are cutting it.

D. Spiritual Development

            These Barangays (3 & 3A), before the ejection were religious people. In fact about 98% are Catholics and when they were already in Nulatula Resettlement, they missed their “Kapilya” and their religious activities, especially the Santa Cruzan de Mayo. So with that yearing, the temporary chapel was constructed led by Chairman Domingo. The first Sta. Cruzan was in May 1977.

            In December 1977, a group was organized for caroling and bought an image of “Our Lady of Perpetual Helped” and was placed in the Chapel.

            The actual construction of the present Chapel was done by the group of Rural Service assigned to Barangay during the Marcos Administration, pursuant to “Paglilingkod Lipunan Program.” Not only the chapel was constructed but also improved the school and streets of the whole Barangay.

            The team of Rural Service Workers, 6^th batch headed by Engr. Romualdo Baltazar from DPWH started the construction of the Chapel on December 1-15, 1977 who solicited cement and other materials. Batch 7, on December 16-30 and Batch 8 on Jan 1-15, 1978. All materials were solicited from DPWH, City of Tacloban and Pajara Construction.

            When the chapel was about to be finished, Atty. Domingo Ballon from Barangay San Joaquin, Palo, Leyte donated the Image of Queenship of Mary, the present Patroness of Barangay 3 on May 1980. In that year, the Medalla Milagrosa Association, Nulatula 3 Chapter was organized to support and maintain the improvement of the Barangay Chapel. The MMA sustained their yearly Feast Day on November 27 and is incharged in chapel maintenance. When typhoon Undang destroyed the chapel on November 5, 1984, materials was delivered on December 16, 1984 by Phillip Romualdez and the late City Mayor Abdulia R. Cinco. When Mrs. Corazon Corda was the Hermana in November 27, 1987, the funds raising for the search of the “Most Popular Matron”, Mrs. Lily S. Kierulf was crowned. The proceeds were able to finance the left and right wing widening of the chapel. Mrs. Corda also donated the Chapel Bell. 

            Mrs. Fe S. Mendigo, wife of Barangay Chairman Cresencio Mendigo, was the first Hermana Mayor of the Queenship of Mary on May 31, 1990, the Patron Saint of Barangay 3. Mr. and Mrs. Buenaventura Cuartela in 1991; Mrs. Pelagia Escalante in 1992; Mrs. Corda in 1993; Mrs. Paller in 1994; Mrs. Billones in 1995; Mrs. Abuda in 1996; Mrs. Badion in 1997; Mrs. Peque in 1998; Mrs. Bacolod in 1999; and Mrs. Sabusap in 2000 and so on.

            The primary purpose of the Annual Fiesta Hermanidad is to care the chapel until turnover to the next Hermana. From the start, the caretaker of the chapel was the Medalla Milagrosa Association when the Barangay 3 was under the St. Jude Parish. In 2004, Barangay 3 was transferred to Blessed Sacrament Parish and the Annual Fiesta was transferred to May 30 instead on May 31. In 2007, under the same Parish, created the Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC) who took charge the Chapel Administration starting this year 2007 the Community celebrated the Fiesta Day of the Queenship of Mary on August 22. May 30 is still celebrated as Fiesta of Barangay 3, Upper Nulatula.

E. Why Nulatula?

            Even before World War II, this area between Barangay Tigbao in the north and Barangay Anibong was called “Kanulatula-an” named after the growing trees along the creeks – “Nulatula tree.” Barangay 74 before was only a sitio and PHHC all belong to Nulatula Area, with creeks flowing from the mountain to the sea. Farmers from Barangay Tigbao and Anibong brought their carabaos here for gracing and shelter. But sad to speak today, you can hardly find these trees along the creeks because people cut these for firewood and for housing materials. So only the name remains to be remembered accoprding to a prominent resident of Nulatula, Mr. Policarpio Abella.