Valenzuela (Tagalog Lungsod Ng Valenzuela, English and Spanish Valenzuela) is a city in the Philippines, one of the 16 cities that form the Metro Manila Capital Region. It borders on the cities of Caloocan (in the south and northeast), Malabon (in the southwest), Quezon City (in the east). With a population of 575,356, it is the sixth largest city in the Capital Region, and the tenth largest in the country.

Name
Valenzuela in Spanish means the diminutive form of Valencia. It is also the name of Pio Valenzuela, a Filipino physician and leader of the Katipunan, after whom the city was renamed in 2008. The original name of the city is Polo. Name Polo Tagalsk. pulô means “island”, despite the fact that this area has never been an island. The original Polo was surrounded by rivers to the north and the Tullahan River to the south.

Geography
The city is located 14 kilometers north of the country’s capital, Manila, and 16 kilometers from Manila Bay, the commercial and industrial port of the capital. Valenzuela borders the cities of Obando and Meicahuayan to the north, Navotas to the west, Malabon to the south, and Quezon and northern Caloocan to the east. In addition to administrative boundaries, Valenzuela and Malabon are separated by the Tullahan River.

The highest point of the city is 38 meters above sea level. The surface gradient is 0.55%. A gentle slope gives way to a hilly landscape in the industrial part of the city – Kanumei. The average height above sea level is 2 meters.

Due to climate change associated with global warming, periods of heavy rainfall and high tides have increased, which in turn leads to stagnant water remaining on the surface for up to a month due to insufficient drainage and improper disposal of solid waste. Houses during these periods often become flooded and residents are exposed to waterborne diseases such as dengue fever or leptospirosis. Early warning systems are needed to mitigate the risks associated with increased rainfall.

Sights
Residence of Dr. Pio Valenzuela;
Belfry of the church of San Diego de Alcala;
Stone arch of Arkong Bato;
Museum of Valenzuela;
Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Fatima.