16 Facts About Olongapo

Olongapo, officially known as the City of Olongapo, is a 1st class highly urbanized city in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines.

Olongapo grew in direct proportion to the growth of the naval station.

Olongapo impressed its visitors as being one of the finest communities in the country.

Olongapo was set aflame by the local Filipinos in anticipation of Japanese troop arrival.

Olongapo was one of the principal naval bases retained by the United States.

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Olongapo was built on a new undeveloped site a couple of miles north of its former location.

Gradually, Olongapo evolved into a new community: new businesses were established, housing projects were planned and civic facilities were restored.

Zoning of Olongapo was patterned after American practice where streets are constructed along straight lines.

Unlike the rest of the Philippines which gained independence from the United States after World War II in 1946, Olongapo was governed as a part of the United States naval reservation.

Olongapo was the last piece of Philippine territory surrendered by the United States to the country in the 1950s.

Olongapo surged to national prominence during the incumbency of Mayor Richard Gordon, who, like his father before him, was against the departure of US military forces, yet lobbied for the turnover of the facility and its conversion into a freeport in 1992.

The majority of the people of Olongapo are Roman Catholics, followed by members of the Iglesia ni Cristo.

Ten Roman Catholic Parishes of Olongapo City is grouped as the Vicariate of San Jose and is under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Iba.

Olongapo is served by the Port of Subic Bay, operated and managed by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

Olongapo is accessible through the National Highway from Hermosa and Dinalupihan, Bataan.

Olongapo has since upgraded the city's obsolete and dilapidated distribution network and has made significant improvements to the city's electricity services.