Calamba Travel Guide, Philippines

Calamba City is one of Philippines’ historic and cultural treasures. This first-class and progressive city is seated in the province of Laguna in the country’s southern region. The city contains vital industrial centers and blissful places to relax and enjoy.

Geography

Just an hour away from bustling Manila, it lies on the northern quiescent volcano slopes of Mt. Makiling. The southern end of the South Luzon Expressway is located in Calamba, which makes it a strategic gateway to other southern Luzon provinces. Bordering the city’s north is the Cabuyao municipality, to its south is the Santo Tomas and Talisay municipalities of Batangas province; the east is bordered by Los Baños and Calamba’s west is bounded by the municipality of Silang in Cavite province. Laguna De Bay, the largest lake in the Philippines also forms Calamba’s northwest border.

The city is famed for its craggy planes and rugged mountain terrains, but more so because of its numerous hot spring resorts and recreational venues like the Canlubang Golf and Country Club. Calamba is also known for its historic significance, being the native land of Dr. Jose Rizal, the country’s national hero, and other prominent historical figures as well. The city has been a popular tourist location over the years.

Economy

Agriculture and fisheries remain the top sources of income for Calamba. It boasts of its abundant resources that are well in demand.

Calamba City is a vital and progressive industrial hub in the CALABARZON region. Identified as one of the key growth centers in the CALABARZON Industrial Program, Calamba’s economy continues to thrive. The city’s location and proximity is a contributing factor for its industrialization.

The Silangan Industrial Park and the Carmelray Indistrial Park are two industrial estates situated in Calamba. These industrial structures are distinguished by large foreign export oriented firms and huge domestic firms.

The heavy industries support a major percentage of the city’s economy. Businesses are mostly focused on commercial establishments like retail, wholesale and manufacturing industries like garments and handicrafts. There are also a significant number of small-scale or cottage industries in Calamba.

Real estate is also a blooming industry since Calamba is home to numerous first-class residential neighborhoods that cater upper and middle class families.

Transportation

Local modes of city transportation within the municipality include tricycles, jeepneys, and pedicabs. Provincial linkages are provided by several bus companies like BLTB Co., Tritran, Kapalaran, Jam Liner and St. Rose Transit.

Passenger trains of the Philippine National Railways South Line also serve commuters in Calamba to Manila. Daily trips to Manila can be accessed twice a day.

Education

Public schools in pre-elementary, elementary and secondary levels provide free education to Calamba’s youth. There is one vocational school run by the government’s Department of Social Welfare and Development and several privately owned institutions offering vocational training.

The city has satellite campuses of two of the country’s highly recognized colleges, the Colegio de San Juan de Letran, a private Catholic University in Manila and Lyceum Institute of Technology, a private non-sectarian institution associated with Lyceum of the Philippines University, also in Manila. Both offer degree programs in several fields. The city also has several private tertiary educational institutions.