Our City
The City of San Pablo, a first class city in the province of Laguna, Philippines, is one of the country's oldest cities. The City of San Pablo lies in the southern portion of Laguna province. This city is otherwise known as the "City of Seven Lakes" because it has seven lakes -- Sampalok, Palakpakin, Yambo, Bunot, Pandin, Muhikap, and Calibato. San Pablo City was once part of the Archdiocese of Lipa since 1910 but on November 28, 1967 it became an independent diocese and became as the Diocese of San Pablo.
San Pablo City's earliest historical record dates back to pre-Spanish times when four large barrios bounded by Mt. Makiling composed "Sampalok". In 1521, the first Spanish troops under Captain Juan de Salcedo arrived in the upland village of Sampaloc, which became a parish in 1586, and then a municipality in 1647, and was renamed "San Pablo de Los Montes" in honor of St. Paul, the First Hermit. In 1756 it was placed under the jurisdiction of Batangas Province but was returned in 1883 to Laguna. In 1899, a municipal government was established, with Inocente Martinez as Municipal President. Marcos Paulino was elected Municipal President in 1902 when the civil government was set up. From 1926 to 1940, the people of San Pablo worked for its independence from the province of Laguna. On May 7, 1940, the Charter Bill sponsored by Congressman Tomas Dizon was approved. The bill became known as the City Charter of San Pablo or Commonwealth Act No. 520. The city was inaugurated on March 30, 1941, with Dr. Potenciano Malvar as the appointed city mayor.
"Sampaloc Lake" which is located behind the city hall, is the largest of the seven lakes. The lake has for many generations provided food and livelihood, leisure and respite for the citizens of the city. A bustling city of trade and commerce, it is also a center of education and learning with schools, colleges, and training institutions.
However, at the end of the 20th century and the start of the 21st century, economic development seemed to have left and completely ignored San Pablo. While San Pedro, Biñan, Santa Rosa City, Cabuyao, Calamba City, Los Baños, and Santa Cruz experienced rapid economic development brought about by local and foreign investments, the rapid growth of industrial estates and export processing zones, and the placement of major institutions in those areas, San Pablo City was left behind and remained as a semi-developed residential community.
Despite the fact that the city was partly touched by economic development, San Pablo City boasts itself as a potential eco-tourism destination in the province. However, given its human and land resources, various BPO companies are seriously looking at developing the city into the ICT hub of Southern Luzon. SM Prime Holdings is planning to open SM Supercenter San Pablo (a downsized SM mall) in 2008. This was shot down due to political pressure.
San Pablo also claims the title "City of Buko Pie" (Coconut Pie) which is a disputed title as other neighboring towns are also known for producing the delicacy. "Colettes' Buko Pie", based in San Pablo, was known for experimenting with different variants of the delicacy, though the first buko pie store is in Los Baños, "D' Original Buko Pie" store. Buko pie is acknowledged to have originated from Los Baños as an invention of a Food Technologist from UPLB. Thus the more popular term; "Los Baños Buko Pie." The supply of coconut in San Pablo, though, makes it an ideal spot for putting up buko pie shops. - Source: Wikipedia
This site is dedicated to my hometown, the City of Seven Lakes, San Pablo City.
San Pablo City's earliest historical record dates back to pre-Spanish times when four large barrios bounded by Mt. Makiling composed "Sampalok". In 1521, the first Spanish troops under Captain Juan de Salcedo arrived in the upland village of Sampaloc, which became a parish in 1586, and then a municipality in 1647, and was renamed "San Pablo de Los Montes" in honor of St. Paul, the First Hermit. In 1756 it was placed under the jurisdiction of Batangas Province but was returned in 1883 to Laguna. In 1899, a municipal government was established, with Inocente Martinez as Municipal President. Marcos Paulino was elected Municipal President in 1902 when the civil government was set up. From 1926 to 1940, the people of San Pablo worked for its independence from the province of Laguna. On May 7, 1940, the Charter Bill sponsored by Congressman Tomas Dizon was approved. The bill became known as the City Charter of San Pablo or Commonwealth Act No. 520. The city was inaugurated on March 30, 1941, with Dr. Potenciano Malvar as the appointed city mayor.
"Sampaloc Lake" which is located behind the city hall, is the largest of the seven lakes. The lake has for many generations provided food and livelihood, leisure and respite for the citizens of the city. A bustling city of trade and commerce, it is also a center of education and learning with schools, colleges, and training institutions.
However, at the end of the 20th century and the start of the 21st century, economic development seemed to have left and completely ignored San Pablo. While San Pedro, Biñan, Santa Rosa City, Cabuyao, Calamba City, Los Baños, and Santa Cruz experienced rapid economic development brought about by local and foreign investments, the rapid growth of industrial estates and export processing zones, and the placement of major institutions in those areas, San Pablo City was left behind and remained as a semi-developed residential community.
Despite the fact that the city was partly touched by economic development, San Pablo City boasts itself as a potential eco-tourism destination in the province. However, given its human and land resources, various BPO companies are seriously looking at developing the city into the ICT hub of Southern Luzon. SM Prime Holdings is planning to open SM Supercenter San Pablo (a downsized SM mall) in 2008. This was shot down due to political pressure.
San Pablo also claims the title "City of Buko Pie" (Coconut Pie) which is a disputed title as other neighboring towns are also known for producing the delicacy. "Colettes' Buko Pie", based in San Pablo, was known for experimenting with different variants of the delicacy, though the first buko pie store is in Los Baños, "D' Original Buko Pie" store. Buko pie is acknowledged to have originated from Los Baños as an invention of a Food Technologist from UPLB. Thus the more popular term; "Los Baños Buko Pie." The supply of coconut in San Pablo, though, makes it an ideal spot for putting up buko pie shops. - Source: Wikipedia
This site is dedicated to my hometown, the City of Seven Lakes, San Pablo City.
City Government Officials
- Mayor: Vicente B. Amante (Lakas-Kampi-CMD)
- Vice Mayor: Angelita E. Yang (PDSP)
City Councilors:
- Angelo L. Adriano (Partido ng Bagong San Pablo)
- Dante B. Amante (Lakas-Kampi-CMD)
- Richard C. Pavico (NPC)
- Rondel A. Diaz (Independent)
- Edgardo D. Adajar (Independent)
- Eduardo O. Dizon (Independent)
- Leopoldo M. Colago (NPC)
- Arnel C. Ticzon (Independent)
- Enrico B. Galicia (Partido ng Bagong San Pablo)
- Alejandro Y. Yu (NPC)
- Gener B. Amante (ABC President)
- Kristine Amante Picazo (SK Federation President)
Department Heads
- Administrator's
- Office Loreto Amante
- Mayor's Office
- Marius Zabat (Head Executive Assistant)
- Rodelo Laroza (Secretary)
- Legal Office
- Eleno Mendoza
- Population Office
- Victoriano Mercado
- Prosecutor's Office
- Dominador Leyros
- Fire Protection Services
- Alejandro Austria (Fire Marshall)
- General Services Office
- Ubaldo Ciabal
- Local Civil Registrar's Office
- Benedicto Danila
- Veterinarian's Office
- Fara Jane Orsolino
- Information Office
- Leonides Abril Jr.
- Cooperative Office
- Concepcion Biglete (Acting)
- Accounting Office
- Lolita Cornista
- Social Welfare & Development
- Office Grace Adap
- Police Department
- Joel Pernito (Chief of police)
- Planning & Development Office
- Rolando Bombio
- Melinda Bondad (Assistant)
- Environment & Natural Resources Office
- Ramon de Roma
- Human Resource Management Office
- Elvira Celerio
- Auditor's Office
- Elena Luarca
- Assessor's Office
- Celerino Baroenas
- Yolanda Catipon
- Health Office
- Job Brion
- City Agriculture Office
- Alex Dionglay (OIC)
- Alex Dionglay
- City Budget Office
- Dormelita Ignacio
- Lavinia Nunag
- Dalubhasaan ng Lunsod ng San Pablo
- Benilda Dumaraos (Education Consultant)
- Edelito Panaligan (Acting College Administrator)
- Sangguniang Panglunsod
- Elenita Capuno (Secretary)
- Imelda Lagrimas (Asst. Secretary)
- City Library
- Rona Remojo (Librarian)
- City Engineering Office
- Jesus de Leon (Acting) Herbert Cartabio
- City Treasurer's Office
- Fredalyn Rubio Lucio Geraldo Ciolo
- Lilia Tolentino
- Public Safety Assistance Force
- Roberto Cuasay (Chief)
Presently the economic strategy of San Pablo City comes from gamblings, drugs, second hand commodity business like appliances, cannibalise car spare parts, ukay ukay which not attractive for tourism due to this bad image, security, unclean city and traffic congestion.Promoting coco festival while the coconut plantation almost no more to this place is propaganda only. Better to promote agro-industrial by products, fish and animal byproducts, mineral and natural resources.
ReplyDeleteI like the long term of economic strategy promoting agro-industrial development, heritage preservation of the city, upgrade city infrastructure, environmental protection, mineral and natural resources, security of populations, site for research and developments, then tourism will prosper.
Compare to the economy of the city during mid 50's till end of 70's their economy was very healty even the population continue to grow. Before it was called San Pablo City but now only San Pablo it is backward in development resulting the flight of people originated to this place due to the frustration.
Thank you for the comment. I was planning to buy a farm property in San Pablo, build a house and to live off the land; however, if drugs and gambling exists I am going to abandon my idea of living there. I am from Dallas, Texas.
DeleteYou can live in San Pablo City once the Ampatuan clan alike was not the ruler of this city. This place was prosperous and peace to llive during late 50's until mid 80's.
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