Solano (Nueva Vizcaya)

Solano is the largest town in Nueva Vizcaya. It is a major commercial center, a boom town, and a major stopover on the way from Manila going to Banaue or Tuguegarao. It has a population of about 60,000.

Understand
Solano originated as the village of Bintauan, and was first inhabited by the indigenous Gaddang people. In 1767, a Spanish Dominican mission was set up, and in 1768, the town was renamed to Lungabang, from a Gaddang word for cave; the Spaniards soon respelled it to Lumabang for convenience.

For a year, between 1851, Lumabang is downgraded to a barrio of Bayombong due to its small population size. The Governor General of the Philippines of that time, Antonio Urbiztondo soon made the town independent again, which is followed by the entry of the first Ilocano settlers arrived in 1853. In 1889, Lumabang was renamed to Solano after another Spanish Governor General, Ramón Solano y Llanderal.

Solano municipality used to be the largest municipality of Nueva Vizcaya until the barrios of Caliat and Bintawan was separated and made their own municipalities, renamed Villaverde and Quezon. With its large population and commercial activity, Solano is eyed to become the next city in Cagayan Valley, and the first for Nueva Vizcaya.

Solano poblacion or town center is a planned town, with streets laid out in a grid and blocks measuring a hectare in size. It is then divided into six barangays. The central Catholic church, the plaza, the public market and the transport terminal is at the rough center of town. Commercial activity is concentrated along Maharlika Hwy (Rte 1/AH26), which passes through town as Rizal and Aquino avenues.

By bus


For buses not terminating at Solano, stops are at the Total gas station (northbound) and Solano East Central School (southbound).

By jeepney
Solano Transport Terminal is served by jeepneys running from Bagabag, Bambang, Banaue, Lamut, Quezon, Santa Fe, Santiago City, and Villaverde with the services from Bambang and Quezon served by modern jeepneys.

Get around
Solano is a large town with wide streets, but is walkable. The main sights are within walking distance, so is the public market and the commercial area.

There are tricycle stands around the bus and jeepney station, the church and the public market.

Buy


Solano has two banks with ATMs that accept foreign cards, Metrobank and PNB.

Cope
St. Louis Beltran Parish holds Mass in English, Ilocano and Tagalog at 6AM daily, 6PM every Wednesday and the first Friday of every month, and 6AM, 8AM, 4:30PM, and 6PM every Sunday.