San Jose del Monte

History

Early accounts on the founding of this town, as gathered from the old people, yielded information that it was formerly a part of the town of Meycauayan. The town reportedly got its name from Saint Joseph whose statue was found was a veritable forest; the hunters called it San Jose Del Monte. In all probability, the hunters reported their find to the parish priest of Meycauayan. It was said that the priest built a stone church at the site where the town proper is now located. The statue was installed in the new church. Extant Catholic Church records reveal that the first parish priest was Father Antonio de Moral. He took charge of the parish in 1845. The first town inhabitants came from Meycauayan. During the revolt against Spain, the town became a battleground between the Katipuneros and the Spain forces. The revolutionists lost and the vengeful Spanish soldiers burned down the settlement. The town people fled for their lives to nearby towns. At the advent of the American rule, it was made a part of Sta. Maria until 1918 when the town was created and Ciriaco Gallardo was appointed the first municipal president. Public schools were opened at the start of the American regime but due to the scarcity of the population, the highest grade organized was the fourth grade.

During the Japanese occupation, the town became an ideal hiding place of the local recognized guerrillas because of the town's hilly and wooden terrain. When the combined Filipino and American troops were came, peace reigned but not for long. At the height of the Huk activity, the town was raided on October 10, 1950. The Huks burned down the town hall. The town was raided for the second time on March 21, 1951. The Huks did not succeeded because of the precautionary measures instituted by the town officials. The Huk menace was gradually eliminated until the town became peaceful and progressive as we find it today. With the coming of recent settlers to San Jose Del Monte, its population increased tremendously. In the past few years several residential subdivisions have been established here to accommodate the spilled-over population of Metro Manila. Its proximity to Manila and Quezon City had made San Jose del Monte an ideal place for a quite and peaceful living. The place is hilly with a mountain background, the Sierra Madre that provides a panoramic backdrop to the town. San Jose del Monte promises to become one of the industrial sites in this part of the province with the way things are going.

Barangays

San Jose del Monte is divided into two districts for representation purposes. It is politically subdivided into 59 barangays of which 23 barangays comprise the first district while 36 compose the second district.

Demographics

In the 2015 census, the population of San Jose del Monte was 574,089 people, with a density of 5,400 inhabitants per square kilometre or 14,000 inhabitants per square mile.

Agriculture

Major agricultural crops are leafy vegetables, root crops (cassava as its OTOP ), pineapple, mango and coffee beans.

Livestock and poultry

The major income earner of the city is large- and small-scale swine production. There are 60 commercial livestock and poultry farms in the city. The major poultry producers are RFM, Vitarich and FELDAN.

A modern "Double AA" slaughterhouse started its operation in Pakulis, Bgy. Poblacion

Trade and commerce

The city has three major business district growth areas: Tungkong Mangga, Muzon and Sapang Palay (Sampol). They are in wholesale and retail trade.

The minor business districts include Towerville in Minuyan Proper, Palmera in Kaypian, Northgate in Sto. Cristo, Citrus, Poblacion I, Grotto in Graceville, Francisco Homes, Gumaoc and San Rafael III

Commercial and thrift banks, pawnshops and cooperatives provide financial services for the city.

Income

The city has experienced increased revenues in the past few years. The P607,782,085.98 gross income surpassing the gross income of Meycauayan City and Malolos City (capital) reported by the city treasury office and Commission on Audit for the 2008 fiscal year represented an increase of 15.96% from the 524,135,505.09 total in 2007.

The income in 2008 is comparable to the major cities and municipalities in Bulacan, such as Meycauayan, Malolos, Baliuag, Santa Maria and Marilao.

City government

Like other cities in the Philippines, San Jose del Monte is governed by a mayor and vice mayor elected to three-year terms. The mayor is the executive head and leads the city's departments in executing the city ordinances and improving public services. The vice mayor heads a legislative council consisting of 12 members 6 from District I and 6 from District II. The council is in charge of creating the city's policies.

San Jose del Monte, being a part of the Bulacan province, has its mayor in the city council headed the Area Integrated Development Authority (AIDA), AIDA is a special committee created during the term of former mayor Hon. Eduardo V. Roquero, M.D. through an executive order to concentrate on the improvement of 3 highly commercialized areas such as, Tungkong Mangga, Muzon, and Sampol areas.. This council formulates development plans that seeks to solve the problems and improve the conditions in the metropolis.

The city is divided into 59 barangays, which handle governance in a much smaller area. These barangays are grouped into two districts and the city has Lone District, which is represented by a congressman in the country's House of Representatives.

The city aims to continuously provide its constituents with basic services such as social services, health services, economic services, environmental protection, tourism, peace and order, infrastructure and human resources development.

Tourism

San Jose del Monte is part of and promotes "There is more fun in the Philippines" campaign Department of Tourism (Philippines).

Mount Balagbag and Kaytitinga Falls in Barangay San Isidro are the main tourist attractions in the city. A portion of the Angat Watershed Forest Reserve also extends to San Jose del Monte.

VS Orchids Farm (Sto. Cristo) is the biggest orchids nursery and ornamental plants farm in Bulacan (owned by Ms. Rolita Spowart, 3 Manila Seedling Bank Foundation, Quezon City)[1] Hundreds of orchids species are nurtured in this 1.8 hectares flora haven.[2]

There are a variety of resorts where people can choose from if they are after a quick escape from the busy streets of Metro Manila.

Churches

San Jose Churches include the 1936 Iglesia ng Diyos kay Kristo Hesus Haligi at Suhay ng Katotohanan (Church of God in Christ Jesus, Pillar and Support of the Truth), as well as:

San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila Parish Church

From 1986-2000, the Pleasant Hill community has been a sub-parish of St. Peter Parish, Tungkong Mangga under Rev. Fr. Manuel M. Manicad as the Parish Priest. On July 3, 2000, Rev. Fr. Mario Jose C. Ladra was appointed parish priest. On January 2004, some parish leaders and staff together with Fr. Mar prepared documents for the change of status of the parish from a quasi– parish to a full-pledged parish. Bishop Jose F. Oliveros, DD, Apostolic Administrator,Diocese of Malolos approved the request on January 27, 2004, Tuesday, the day when St. Joseph Healing Masses are held in honor of the parish’s Second Patron Saint. Immediately afterwards, the Canonical Establishment and Solemn Proclamation of the Parish of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila was set on March 14, 2004. Rev. Fr. Mario Jose C. Ladra was likewise installed as its First Parish.[4]

Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto Shrine

The six hectares Lourdes Shrine Complex [5] (Church and the Grotto of the Blessed Virgin Mary) with the 'Miracle Spring' is a popular Holy Week destination for Catholic devotees. Inaugurated on February 11, 1965, owner Anita Guidote-Guanzon decided to build the Grotto for she was cured of cancer upon her return from a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, in 1961. The Grotto also features a Calvary Hill with life-size statues that depict the 14 Stations of the Cross, and a Rosary Hill with 155 giant concrete beads. The complex is now run by Marietta Guidote-Guanzon Picache vda. de Holmgren, Anita’s eldest child, after the matriarch died on March 31, 1990.It is an exact replica of the Lourdes Grotto in France [6][7][8][9][10]

Transportation

The city is serviced by bus routes going to and from, among others, Sapang Palay, Baclaran district in Parañaque, Muntinlupa (Alabang), Taguig (FTI), Makati, Quiapo and Sta. Cruz districts in Manila, Novaliches district in Quezon City and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport or NAIA. Jeepney routes also ply the roads between the city and neighboring cities and towns in Metro Manila and Bulacan province.

San Jose del Monte's road network has a total length of 211.43 km. (not including the Bulacan-Rizal-Cavite Regional Expressway/BRMCREx). The following are the main arteries of San Jose del Monte's road network which link the 59 barangays with Metro Manila and the rest of Bulacan.

Water

The bulk of the city's water requirement is being served by the City Water District, while some subdivisions have their own independent water supply system.

Power

Power distribution is being undertaken by the Manila Electric Company (Meralco). The city hosts the biggest National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) sub-station in the country in Barangay Dulong Bayan.

Telecommunications/communications

Landline telephone systems are provided by the Digitel, PLDT, BayanTel and Globelines.

Internet service is available through SmartBro, Digitel, PLDT myDSL and Globe Broadband.

Mobile telephone services are provided by Smart Communications, Globe Telecom and Sun Cellular.

Housing

The city hosts 40 NHA resettlement projects of the national government and more than 150 residential subdivisions.

Health

The Ospital ng Lungsod ng San Jose del Monte, a public hospital, is managed and operated by the city government, with subsidy from the provincial government. Five rural health units and sub-centers service the immediate health care needs of the community.

Programs addressed by city health officials include campaign drives against dengue, rabies, malnutrition, and smoking in public. There is a drive for regular garbage collection .

Education

There are 2 schools offering elementary, secondary and tertiary education.

The city has now its own school division in compliance with R.A. 8797.

Bulacan State University operates a branch in San Jose del Monte. The city has a polytechnic college (Bulacan Polytechnic College, commonly known as BPC),located in Barangay Graceville. The town is also home of Sto. Rosario Sapang Palay College, a Catholic School located in Sapang Palay.

Social welfare

The city complies with R.A. 6972, requiring every barangay to have a daycare center; 71 daycare centers are operating in the city.

Aside from the social welfare service accessible through the local government, non-government organizations provide social services to the socially, economically and physically disadvantage sectors in the city.

Recreational facilities

The newest addition to the city's sport facility is the "Covered Court" with a seating capacity of 2,500. This is the venue for Monday Program of the city government as well as the other activities, such as conventions, seminars and concerts. Not being used for days, thus it was used by Colegio de San Jose del Monte, for its foundation day. The last foundation day was in August 24, 2016, on which it was the 20th foundation day, with a theme 20 Years of Faithful Servant Leadership.

The Cattle Creek Golf and Country Club is a favorite hub among retirees and business executives.

Protective services

The 65-man police force of San Jose del Monte is reinforced by other law enforcement groups such as Bantay Bayan, barangay police, private security guards another vigilant residents pursuing peace and order. The city Police Station maintains eight Kabayan Action Centers manned by officers acting as supervisors providing bond between police and community.

The fire station has five fire trucks to serve the city and other neighboring towns.