Opportunities for Investment in Gapan, Nueva Ecija

Gapan City in Nueva Ecija: “Footwear Capital of the North”

Gapan is a 4th class component city located in the southern part of the landlocked province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines. It is bounded by Peñaranda and San Leonardo to the north, General Tinio to the east, San Isidro to the west, and the south by San Miguel of the province of Bulacan.

According to a 2020 census by the Philippine Statistics Authority, Gapan City has a population of over two million Novo Ecijanos. It is about 23 kilometers from Cabanatuan City, 27 kilometers from Palayan, and 93 from Metro Manila.

Gapan City has earned the moniker “Footwear Capital of the North” owing to the thriving footwear-making industry preferred by the industrious Novo Ecijanos. It is also popularly called as the Rice Bowl of the country being one of the biggest rice producers in the Philippines.

An investment in Gapan City and generally in the province of Nueva Ecija will gain you access and connect you to other notable towns and municipalities in Nueva Ecija like Santa Rosa, San Jose, San Antonio, San Isidro, San Leonardo, Santo Domingo, Munoz, and Zaragoza – as well as other provinces in the central Luzon region like Aurora, Rizal, and Quezon.

Planning on your investment in Gapan City

An investment is an essential part of our life as it helps us utilize and grow our wealth. However, it takes a lot of planning and consideration before making an investment. Here are some of the things you should consider before investing.

Amount of money you are willing to invest

Saving up money is one thing, but budgeting and allocating your money is another. For first-time investors, since investing is risky, aside from thinking about how much you want to invest, you also have to consider how much you are willing to lose.

Your comfort zone when taking risks

Investing comes with a risk of losing some or all of your money. First-time investors should be aware of the risks and manage how much they can tolerate so they can make a better judgment if ever their investment starts to decline.

Also, it has been observed that you’re likely to be rewarded with more money when making riskier investments like stocks than the ones with less risk.

Taking this into account, it is better to be prepared and well-knowledgeable about investments before making any decisions.

The location where you are going to invest

This applies primarily when you plan to invest in real estate. Location is one vital factor when it comes to real estate investments because this will affect your life and the value of your investment. A site tour with your family and children is essential for you to experience what kind of community the home development has to offer.

Location is not limited to choosing which real estate property you should choose; it includes the city where you want to invest. A lot of research should be done before choosing a real estate property. It also depends on what kind of life you want, a bustling city life, a calm suburban life, or a combination of both.

If you want a peaceful suburban life with just a splash of an on-the-go lifestyle, the province of Nueva Ecija is a great option for you to consider.

Nueva Ecija, located in Central Luzon Region, is where you can see grand historic architecture and scenic views. According to the 2020 census, the total population is 2,310,134. This province has 5 cities and 27 municipalities, to name some, Cabanatuan, San Jose, Santa Rosa, San Isidro, Santo Domingo, San Antonio, and Gapan City.

This province is called the Rice Granary of the Philippines, as its city, Gapan City, is known because it is one of the biggest rice producers in the country.

Gapan City offers several great features and opportunities that make it a great choice for investment.

History of Gapan City

Gapan City in Nueva Ecija was originally called Ibon. When emissaries from Spain came to our shores, they encountered locals crawling through the bushes. Knowing nothing about the Spanish, the locals thought they were being asked what they were doing, so they answered, “Gumagapang gapang kami.”

The Spaniards then named it was called Pueblo Gapang, in reference to what the locals said to the Spaniards. Eventually, the “g” at the end was dropped, and this city has been called Gapan since then.

This city was founded in 1595, which makes it the oldest city in Nueva Ecija. It has a rich historical heritage and vibrant culture.

To know more about Gapan, let us explore these interesting tourist spots that Gapan City can offer.

Important Landmarks

Some historical landmarks can be found in Gapan City that showcase its rich history. These include The Parish of Three Kings, Gapan City Hall, and Lumang Gapan.

The Parish of Three Kings

The Parish of Three Kings is one of the oldest, biggest, and most significant churches in Nueva Ecija. It was built by Augustinian friars in the 1800s. It withstood a lot of calamities like the 1990 earthquake.

This church holds the National Shrine Of La Virgen Divina Pastora. The locals connected their bountiful harvest to her arrival, which is where the devotion of the locals started. La Virgen Divina Pastora was then made the secondary patroness in The Parish of Three Kings in the 1800s.

Lumang Gapan

Lumang Gapan is a replica of the old city of Gapan, letting you experience how the city was centuries ago.

What you can see in this park are ancestral houses, a small replica of the National Shrine of La Virgen Divina Pastora, the old town hall of Gapan, and the Old Casa Municipal, which serves as a museum and public library of the community.

Get to witness the rich history of Gapan by visiting the “Little Vigan” of Nueva Ecija.

Other Interesting Things to Know About Gapan City

Longganisa Festival

Gapan City is famous for its annual Longganisa Festival, which celebrates the local longganisa, a Filipino sausage made from pork, garlic, and various spices. The festival features street dances, food fairs, and other cultural activities.

Tourism in Nueva Ecija

Generally, Nueva Ecija’s tourism is centered on gatherings in churches, parks, and festivals. The local government units as well as the provincial government allocate significant budget and manpower to ensure the maintenance and management of these national treasures. Here are some of the noteworthy places of interest and tourism destinations which should be part of any adventurer’s bucket list:

Churches and Monuments

Gapan Church

Built between 1856 to 1872, Gapan Church features Byzantine architecture and has been declared as a National Cultural Treasure – the first in the entire province of Nueva Ecija.

The Centuries-old brick walls of the Tabacalera

Located in San Isidro, Nueva Ecija, the structure remains  witness to the 100-year oppression of the Novo Ecijanos 1782 to 1882). Raising crops in the area was restricted when the province became the primary area of the tobacco monopoly in Central Luzon.

Antonio Luna Monument

When Philippine Hero General Antonio Luna was assassinated in Nueva Ecija in 1899, the province erected a monument honoring the brave general on the exact spot where he was killed.

Dalton Pass and World War ii Monument

The five-hectare Dalton Pass located  in Capintalan, Carrangalan, Nueva Ecija. The area features the monument of General Dalton  including a tower that borders Nueva Ecija and  Nueva Vizcaya. The area also houses the World War II memorial where a historical account of the war between Filipinos and invading Japanese army had been etched in English and Japanese.

Natural Attractions

Minalungao National Park

The Minalungao national park is popular for its enchanting high limestone formations sculpted by the Penaranda river.

Capintalan Reserve

The Capintalan Reserve located in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija is known for its WWII tunnels, forests, rivers, and artifacts and has been maintained by the only Ifugao community in Nueva Ecija.

Gabaldon Falls

Gabaldon Falls in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija, within the Sabani Estate Agricultural College

Pantabangan Dam

The Pantabangan Dam is the first and only rubber dam in the whole of Asia which was built in 1947.

Notable Academic Institutions

The Wright Institute

The Wright Institute of San Isidro, one of the first schools established by the Americans outside of Metro Manila.

CLSU : Central Luzon State University

Central Luzon State University, popular for academic excellence in the province and the sole Novo Ecijano university to be declared a cultural property of the nation.

Why Make An Investment in Gapan City?

Proximity to Metro Manila

While Gapan City is not as densely urban as Metro Manila, its accessibility to major highways like the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) allows convenient travel to and from the Metro. Gapan City is easily accessible by road from major cities in the Philippines.

Because it is along the NLEX and other major highways, this creates an easy access for travelers and commuters. This is beneficial for those who work or plan to work in Metro Manila as Gapan City doesn’t limit you from work opportunities from the capital region.

Growing Economy

Through the years, Gapan City in Nueva Ecija has been experiencing growth and development, which opens up various investment opportunities. The current main sources of income in Gapan City are agriculture, fisheries, and slipper making.

This city is known as the “Footwear Capital of the North” or “Tsinelas Capital of the North” because of its thriving slipper-making industry at present. Slippers have been an essential part of Gapan City that they created a festival to celebrate its importance to the city, The Tsinelas Festival, which is celebrated every 25th of August.

Investment Opportunities for You

Business

Based on the major sources of income for locals, agriculture, slipper-making industry, and tourism are some of the areas where it is best to make an investment.

If you want to explore the possible investments in tourism, establish businesses like souvenir shops, convenience stores, or food stalls selling the local cuisine of Gapan.

For the slipper-making industry, you can help disseminate these locally made slippers by building a small store to sell these local products at a discounted price.

Real Estate

Consider investing in residential properties found in areas with a potential for development and urbanization. Rental properties could also be a good idea, given Gapan City’s increasing population and economic activities.

Compared to other cities, Gapan City offers a more affordable cost of living. Housing, utilities, and daily expenses may be more budget-friendly, allowing residents to manage their finances more efficiently. An added bonus is that it is in close proximity to the Metro via NLEX and other major highways.

Camella Gapan

Out of the possible real estate choices in Gapan City, Camella Gapan is the best choice for you. Camella has been recognized as the biggest homebuilder in the Philippines, known for its quality homes for close to five decades now.

Camella Gapan is a Mediterranean-inspired community located at Brgy. Sto Cristo Sur, Gapan City, Nueva Ecija. It is an ideal community for those wanting a peaceful life, away from the bustling on-the-go way of living in the Metro. Make Camella Gapan your future home!