Nueva Ecija is a landlocked province in Central Luzon (Region III) in the Philippines. It covers about 5,751.33 square kilometers and is composed of 27 municipalities and 5 cities, subdivided into 849 barangays. The capital of the province is Palayan City, while Cabanatuan City serves as its largest urban center and economic hub. Known as the 'Rice Granary of the Philippines,' Nueva Ecija plays a vital role in the country’s rice production, reflecting its rich agricultural heritage and contribution to national food security.

History

Nueva Ecija was originally part of Pampanga during the Spanish colonial period. It was established as a separate province in 1705 by the Spanish authorities, with its capital first set in Baler (now part of Aurora). Later, the capital was moved to Cabanatuan, and today it is Palayan City. During the Philippine Revolution (1896–1898), Nueva Ecija played an important role as a revolutionary center. The famous Battle of San Isidro took place here, and the province also hosted the Nueva Ecija Revolutionary Government under General Mariano Llanera. In the American period, the province continued to develop as a key agricultural hub. During World War II, Nueva Ecija became a significant battleground. It was the site of the famous Raid at Cabanatuan in 1945, where American and Filipino forces rescued more than 500 Allied prisoners of war from a Japanese camp, an event celebrated worldwide for its success. Today, Nueva Ecija remains one of the leading rice-producing provinces in the country and is central to the agricultural economy of Central Luzon.