General Tinio

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages) This article contains wording that promotes the subject in a subjective manner without imparting real information. Please remove or replace such wording and instead of making proclamations about a subject's importance, use facts and attribution to demonstrate that importance. (November 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this message) This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "General Tinio" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (October 2012) (Learn how and when to remove this message) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

General Tinio
Municipality
Welcome Arch
Seal
Map of Nueva Ecija with General Tinio highlighted
OpenStreetMap
General Tinio Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 15°21′N 121°03′E / 15.35°N 121.05°E / 15.35; 121.05
Country	Philippines
Region	Central Luzon
Province	Nueva Ecija
District	4th district
Founded	1921
Named for	Manuel Tinio
Barangays	13 (see Barangays)
Government  [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor	Engr. Isidro T. Pajarillaga
• Vice Mayor	Melvin S. Pascual
• Representative	Emerson D. Pascual
• Municipal Council	Members June B. Abesamis Ma. Charmaine Dayupay Mario P. delos Santos Eric E. Serrano Luther A. Pajarillaga Marvin G. Pajarillaga Lazaro B. Gonzales Maximo S. de Guzman
• Electorate	39,556 voters (2022)
Area [2]
• Total	245.29 km2 (94.71 sq mi)
Elevation	56 m (184 ft)
Highest elevation	113 m (371 ft)
Lowest elevation	32 m (105 ft)
Population  (2020 census)[3]
• Total	55,925
• Density	230/km2 (590/sq mi)
• Households	13,137
Economy
• Income class	1st municipal income class
• Poverty incidence	12.61 % (2021)[4]
• Revenue	₱ 242.3 million (2020)
• Assets	₱ 433.3 million (2020)
• Expenditure	₱ 213.8 million (2020)
• Liabilities	₱ 238 million (2020)
Service provider
• Electricity	Nueva Ecija 2 Area 2 Electric Cooperative (NEECO 2 A2)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	3104
PSGC	034910000
IDD : area code	+63 (0)44
Native languages	Southern Alta Tagalog Ilocano
Website	www.generaltinio.gov.ph

General Tinio, formerly known as Papaya, is a first-class^[5] municipality in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines with an area of 68,229.29 hectares, the second biggest in the province. It lies at the foot of the Sierra Madre Mountains and encompass parts of its mountain range and rugged foothills. General Tinio is bounded at the north by Sta. Rosa (25 km), Laur and Gabaldon municipalities. In East by Quezon (formerly Tayabas), in South by Gapan (20 km), Nueva Ecija and San Miguel, Bulacan and in West by Penaranda municipality (5.0 km).

Due to its river boundaries, streams, thick vegetation, rolling hills and mountains, the town served as a tactical rallying point (Tagalog: ilíhan or taguan) for various resistance movements throughout history—starting with the Katipunan during the Philippine Revolution, followed by Filipino insurgents during the American period, the Hukbalahap during the Japanese occupation, and later, communist rebels—making it a key refuge for patriots and insurgents across multiple eras of struggle. Renamed in 1957 to honor of General Manuel Tinio y Bundoc, the youngest general of the revolution, the town holds stories of heroism and resilience that remain largely untold and forgotten by many today. While its historical significance is quietly embedded in its landscapes and traditions, the present generation has yet to rediscover and appreciate its remarkable contributions to the country's fight for independence. General Tinio includes portions of the Sierra Madre mountain range and its rugged foothills while being bordered by the Peñaranda River at the south. It is traversed by several rivers and streams including Rio Chico River. The town's hilly terrain and dense wild vegetation made it a natural strategic refuge for insurgents resisting colonization during the Spanish, American, Japanese occupations; and other rebel groups. These physical barriers allowed freedom fighters to rest and regroup, contributing to the absence of major battles within the town.

The town has since developed into a thriving agricultural hub known for its rich cultural festivals - like the Kalamay Festival - and natural attractions like Minalungao National Park. The town's inspiring history, resilient leaders, and strong sense of community across its barangays continue to shape its legacy and drive its progress. The town is still locally referred to as Papaya but officially called the Municipality of General Tinio (Tagalog: Bayan ng Heneral Tinio, Ilocano: Ili ti Heneral Tinio). It posted an income of 260 M Php in 2020.^[6] According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 55,925 people.^[3]

To the northeast side is the Fort Magsaysay Army Reservation, wherein the national hero Ninoy Aquino and former Senator Jose Diokno were incarcerated during Martial Law in the 1970s. On the north are the towns of Gabaldon and Laur, named after Laureana Quijano, the wife of General Manuel Tinio.

The town is part of the great Sierra Madre Mountains to the East where the indigenous people of Agta or Dumagat live; and where patriots and rebels hid; further to the east and over the mountains is the beach town and the next tuna capital of the Philippines,^[7] Dinggalan.

To the West are the historic towns of Sta. Rosa (25 km), Peñaranda (5.0 km) and the old city of Gapan where you will find the first minor basilica in Nueva Ecija, the National Shrine of La Virgen Divina Pastora, also known as the Three Kings Parish, or simply known as Gapan Church. To the south are the Peñaranda River that leads to the Minalungao National Park and; the town of Doña Remedios Trinidad, named after the former First Lady Imelda Marcos.