San Jose Del Monte City Bulacan Philippines

Brief History of San Jose del Monte

During the Spanish time, the idea of reduction was widely spread. This was the system used in order to spread religion especially in remote areas of Bulacan. Reduccion or reduction of population was being practiced in most populated area particularly in Meycauayan, Bulacan followed by settlers located in different parts of San Jose, Centro Da Baloges.

In other words, San Jose del Monte is a result of reduccion from the populated area of Meycauayan where the only residents are Itas and Dumagats. They usually brought wild pigs, deer, yantok and almasigan in exchange to rice, wine, nganga, salt, etc. in Lagulo now Malhacan, Meycauayan.

March 1750, in Lagulo church after the mass, a decree from the Archbishop of Manila regarding the creation of new municipalities was announced by the priest. This included the list of families who volunteered to be evacuated from the most populated area of Meycauayan going to the mountainous area of San Jose.

Solares were peacefully distributed to the new occupants after being measured and surveyed including the intended lot for main road. The population of the new municipality did not exceed to 200 people belonging to the family of farmers and stone cutters of Libtong and Meycauayan.

San Jose is a peaceful area and very ideal retreat from the noisy and crowded atmosphere. The people live a simple lifestyle, hardworking and prayerful, blessed with natural products like fish, root crops, vegetables and fruits. Under the American regime in 1901, on instruction of President T. Mckinley of the United States, William Howard of the Philippine, San Jose del Monte being less progressive, weak in leadership and not peaceful and orderly was placed under the political supervision of Sta. Maria, Bulacan.

In 1918 under American dispensation, San Jose del Monte became independent again with Honorable Ciriaco Gallardo as the first town Mayor. There were only four (4) barangays then with a rough population of 2,000.

With the passage of new local government code in 1991, came the reformulation of equal wealth sharing between the national and local units and the realization of the residents of having their own barangays. This move led to the creation of 59 barangays.

Consequently, a civic leader named Rodolfo Zamora made a research on January 1995 to properly establish the real foundation of San Jose del Monte.

Based on the document particularly the Errecion de Pueblo, Bulacan, Tomo Exp. 10 Fol 38.40b memoria de Bulacan, 1842 National Archive, the period of foundation of San Jose del Monte under the colonial government was March 2, 1752. An old documents can proved this date which was strengthened through Municipal Ordinance No. 03-02-95.

Year 2000, the new millenium, San Jose del Monte is now definitely experiencing a population increase. It registered a staggering 315,807 and still continue to grow as private subdivisions are mushrooming in the strategic area of the newly created City.