Murcia, officially the Municipality of Murcia, is a municipality in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 90,123 people.
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History
Murcia was founded by an Augustinian Recollect priest named Fr. Miguel Alvarez in 1860.
During World War II, the municipal hall of the town was used as a garrison by the invading Japanese. Due to resistance from Filipino guerillas, the Japanese withdrew from the municipality on April 21, 1945.
Geography
It is 17 kilometres (11 mi) east of Bacolod.
Barangays
Murcia is politically subdivided into 23 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
Economy
Poverty incidence of Murcia (%)
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority
Tourism
The Mambukal Resort, located in Barangay Minoyan, features bats as a key tourist attraction. The resort is home to three species: the Philippine flying fox (Philippine giant fruit bat), the Philippine bare-backed fruit bat, and the little golden-mantled flying fox, which is endangered. They produce a nitrogen-rich organic fertilizer called guano. Bats are included in the list of animals protected by Republic Act 9147 (Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act). In December 2007, the provincial government-owned resort opened its "Butterfly Garden". Live predators of butterflies like tarantula, wild geckos, scorpions, millipedes and centipedes were displayed.
Aside from the Mambukal Mountain Resort, Murcia is also famous for its Pandanon River Resort situated in the Murcia-Don Salvador Benedicto municipality border. A golf and country club is situated in Barangay Blumentritt.
Notable personalities
Donnie Nietes - Professional Boxing World Champion
Twin cities
Murcia, Spain
Baguio, Philippines