Settlement Framework

Table 8 shows the existing hierarchy of centers where the municipalities of Mariveles, Dinalupihan
and Orani and the City of Balanga are the Primary Urban Center B (Large Town). Secondary Urban
Center B (Medium Town) are the Municipalities of Limay, Hermosa, Orion and Morong. Small town
or Secondary Urban Center B are the Municipalities of Pilar, Abucay, Samal and Bagac

Orion and Morong will remain as Secondary Urban Center A even with the increasing population
because their functions are the same throughout the plan period. Pilar, Abucay, Samal and Bagac
will also be in the level of small towns although an increase in population is expected. These
municipalities will serve as agri-processing and service centers.

Protection Framework
For non-NIPAS category decision zone areas include the extent of human intrusions or settlements
in buffer zone areas of mangrove forests and its conversion to fishponds particularly in the
municipalities of Orion, Pilar, City of Balanga, Abucay, Samal and Orani.

Production Framework
With regards to sustainable production land, the province has a total of 849.33 sq.km. sustainable
production lands which may decrease or increase sustainability depending on the pressure imposed
by the growth of population. The municipalities of Mariveles, Dinalupihan, Limay, Hermosa and the
City of Balanga yielded the highest increase in population, however, in terms of land requirement,
Mariveles and Morong have the biggest additional land required for settlement expansion. Map 28
shows the production framework of the province. All municipalities and city except Limay and
Mariveles have NPAA zones. Orani, Samal, Abucay, Pilar and Orion require lesser additional lands.
Dinalupihan settlements are surrounded by NPAA zones such that expansion should be directed
towards the western portion of the municipality. There are also patches of settlements located
within the forest areas and these are found in Dinalupihan, Samal and Mariveles

Transport/Infrastructure Framework
To improve inter-provincial access and to support the future expansion of the economic zones,
industrial estates, tourism industry, expansion of housing projects and other real estate
development as well as provide safe and convenient travel of motorists up to their destinations, the
Bataan Expressway, upgrading and improvement should be prioritized. It will cover the whole
stretch of the expressway from Hermosa to Mariveles. The Gov. J.J Linao Road connecting the
eastern and western portion of the province from the Municipality of Pilar to the municipality of
Morong leading to Mt. Samat Tourism Enterprise Zone in Pilar and tourist destinations in the
Municipalities of Bagac and Morong should also be improved. Sinages should be provided for road
safety and convenience.

Alternative transport mode should also be provided either by sea or air in the event that land travel
would be difficult. An existing port in Orion is designed for roll on roll off and passenger vessels
aside from high speed ferry boats for passenger that operates the Bataan-Manila-Bataan route.
With the vision that Bataan Province will be a preferred location for eco- industrial investments, the
influx of investors is expected to locate at the different industrial estates and economic zones in the
province. There is a need to improve the port facilities in preparation for the operation of high
speed roll-on-roll-off passenger and cargo ferry which can accommodate hundreds of trucks,
delivery vans and other transport services.

Overall Physical Framework

On the other hand, agricultural production will be concentrated in the municipalities of Orion,
Pilar, Balanga City, Abucay, Samal, Orani, Bagac, Hermosa and Dinalupihan, where a large portion of
the area is devoted to agriculture. Aqua-culture and marine based activities are suited to all the
eleven coastal municipalities and city in the province, particularly the western portion with the West
Philippine Sea as the fishing ground.

An equally important component of the plan is the maintenance and preservation of the
environment. Economic activities will be supported by providing a sustainable sense of rich; diverse
and renewable resources by promoting environmentally sound industrial development. The
watershed areas located in these forest cover in the municipalities of Morong, Hermosa, Orani,
Samal, Bagac, Pilar and Mariveles will be maintained and preserved.

Tourism industry will be focused on the western portion of the province comprising the
municipalities of Bagac and Morong as well as the south eastern portion of the Municipality of
Mariveles. Inland, Orani and Pilar are also tourism areas due to their naturally exciting topography.
Mt. Samat Tourism Enterprise Zone in Pilar is presently being developed wherein the preparation
of the master plan is undertaken. Tala in the municipality of Orani is also being developed as a
tourist spot however, the necessary precautions on built-up components should be strictly observed
in order to prevent encroachment in protected zones.

Hazard prone areas (colored red) identified in the map show the settlements susceptible to flooding
and storm surge particularly the eastern portion of Dinalupihan, Hermosa, Orani, Samal, Abucay,
Orion, Pilar and City of Balanga. On the other hand, portions of production forest are susceptible to
rain induced landslide. Areas safe for settlement/built-up expansion are the constraint free areas
(white portion) found in all parts of the province and mostly below 18% slope. Colored green are
areas restricted to urban development (ARTUD) classified as production forest and NPAAS. Buffer
zones should be established along these portions which extend approximately, 30 to 40 kilometers
from the existing built-up areas (EBU). Urban expansion is expected to be along established major
access roads as manifested by a number of sprouting commercial establishments and residential
areas or subdivisions. A number of proposed housing projects are identified in every municipality
and city which are located in constraint free areas.

Access roads leading to development opportunity areas and identified settlement expansion areas
will be constructed consistent with the Provincial Road Network Development Plan (PRNDP). Farm
to market roads and access roads leading to tourism and other development opportunity areas
will be constructed in Hermosa, Orani, Samal, Morong, Bagac, Orion and Limay. Complementary to
PRNDP, is the implementation of the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) to enhance
agricultural production and uplift economic living of the upland farmers.
f. Shipping and Navigational Zone
This zone covers areas for port and shipping operations and lanes for ships and fishing vessels.
The shipping lanes are those used for vessels calling at, departing from, or docking at the Port of
Orion, Port of Lamao and private ports of large industrial companies along the coastal areas of Limay
and Mariveles. The fishing vessel lanes are intended for fishing boats/bancas. This area will be
applied to all coastal city/municipalities of Bataan. Port operation areas are designated areas
adjoining the shipping lanes and adjacent to the shore lines that are being utilized or reserved for
anchorage, maneuvering of ships, cargo passenger transport and other related operations in the
different ports of Bataan.