Las Piñas Explained

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Pushpin Map:Philippines
Pushpin Label Position:left
Pushpin Map Caption:Location within the
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Philippines
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Type2:Province
Subdivision Name2:none
Nickname:Home of the Bamboo Organ
Motto:Las Piñas, Our Home
Subdivision Type3:District
Established Title:Founded
Established Date:1762 or 1797
Established Title2:Annexation to Parañaque
Established Date2:October 12, 1903
Established Title3:Chartered
Established Date3:March 27, 1907
Established Title4:Cityhood and HUC
Established Date4:March 26, 1997
Parts Type:Barangays
Parts Style:para
P1: (see Barangays)
Leader Name:Imelda Aguilar (NP)
Leader Title1:Vice Mayor
Leader Name1:April T. Aguilar-Nery (NP)
Leader Name2:Camille Lydia A. Villar (NP)
Leader Title3:Councilors
Leader Title4:Electorate
Leader Name4: voters (electorate_point_in_time}}|)
Elevation Max M:119
Elevation Min M:0
Population Blank1 Title:Households
Population Density Km2:auto
Population Demonym:Las Piñero
Timezone:PST
Utc Offset:+08:00
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Demographics Type1:Economy
Demographics1 Title2:Poverty incidence
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Demographics1 Title3:Revenue
Demographics1 Title4:Revenue rank
Demographics1 Title5:Assets
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Demographics1 Title8:IRA rank
Demographics1 Title9:Expenditure
Demographics1 Title10:Liabilities
Demographics Type2:Service provider
Demographics2 Title1:Electricity
Demographics2 Title2:Water
Demographics2 Info2:Maynilad Water Services
Demographics2 Title3:Telecommunications
Demographics2 Title4:Cable TV
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Blank2 Name Sec1:Crime index
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Las Piñas (in Tagalog las ˈpiɲɐs/, officially the City of Las Piñas (Filipino; Pilipino: Lungsod ng Las Piñas), is a 1st class highly urbanized city in the National Capital Region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 606,293 people.

Las Piñas was sixth in MoneySense Philippines "Best Places To Live" report in 2008.[1] Attractions include Evia Lifestyle Center, SM Southmall, Robinsons Place Las Piñas and Las Piñas - Parañaque Wetland Park.

Etymology

The story about the true origin of the city's name, "Las Piñas", varies. One version mentioned, that traders from the province of Cavite and Batangas shipped their first piñas (Spanish for pineapples) for sale to this town before they were distributed to nearby markets. Another version related that it was "Las Peñas" (the rocks), evident by the quarrying of stones and adobe which were used to construct buildings and bridges. The old church bell from St. Joseph Parish Church founded by Diego Cera has been preserved inside the church museum. An inscription on the bell states, "Siendo cura del pueblo de Laspeñas el M.R.P. Padre Diego Cera se fundió este equilón año de 1820," showing that even during the time of Diego Cera, the town's first parish priest, the town was called "Las Peñas", for some time and eventually was renamed "Las Piñas".[2]

History

Spanish colonial era

See also: Salt industry in Las Piñas. Las Piñas was one of the earliest fishing settlements on the shores of Manila Bay. It was proclaimed as a province of Manila either in 1762 or 1797. Agustin,[3] a Spanish historian, and Fr. Juan de Medina[4] placed it at 1762. Las Piñas was formerly called "Las Pilas" due to its separation from Parañaque due to tribal conflicts. On the other hand, Manuel Buzeta recorded the date at 1797.[5] Felix Timbang was the first gobernadorcillo in 1762, while Mariano Ortiz was the first municipal president of the town of Las Piñas.[6]

Las Piñas is famous for its Bamboo Organ, which was built by Fr. Diego Cera and completed in 1824. In 1880, the city experienced an outbreak of cholera and smallpox leading to the loss of many lives. Years later, Las Piñas also became a central battleground between Spanish and Philippine forces during the Philippine Revolution.[7]

The town of Las Piñas was also a major war theater during the 1896 Philippine Revolution, as it was occupied by forces of General Emilio Aguinaldo.

American invasion era

In 1901, the municipality of Las Piñas, previously a part of the province of Manila, was incorporated to the newly created province of Rizal pursuant to the Philippine Commission Act No. 137. On October 12, 1903, in accordance with Act No. 942, it was combined with the town of Parañaque, with the latter as the seat of a new municipal government.[8]

It was separated from Parañaque to become an independent municipality again on March 27, 1907, by virtue of Philippine Commission Act No. 1625.[9]

Japanese occupation era

The town was occupied by the Japanese during World War II and liberated by the combined American and Filipino forces.

Philippine independence

On November 7, 1975, through Presidential Decree No. 824, Las Piñas was excised from the province of Rizal to form Metro Manila. Las Piñas became one of the municipalities making up the region.[10]

In the 1980s, economic growth erupted due to the advent of the construction of Coastal Road. Las Piñas currently serves as the proper gateway to Calabarzon.[7]

In the 1990s, Las Piñas was known for its rampant illegal drug trade.[11] [12] In an October 1989 privileged speech, Senator Ernesto F. Herrera shared the National Bureau of Investigation's findings that an estimated 40% of Las Piñas' police force was connected with a drug cartel.[13] In 1995, then-Councilor Yoyoy Villame criticized the town's image as the "Drug Capital of the Philippines",[14] while NCR Command Director Job Mayo alleged upon his appointment in early 1996 that the town's police force had the most drug-dependent police officers in the metropolis.[15]

Cityhood

See main article: Cities of the Philippines. On February 12, 1997, President Fidel V. Ramos signed the bill which elevated Las Piñas from municipality into a city. A plebiscite held a month after approved the city status by its residents, and Las Piñas became the 10th city of Metro Manila on March 26, 1997.[16] It has been a city for 27 years.

2024 plebiscite and later events

In 2023, the Sangguniang Panlungsod enacted City Ordinance No. 1941-23 Series of 2023 which sets the territorial boundaries of the 20 barangays Department of Environment and Natural Resources' based on the March 2015 Cadastre survey. Accordingly, the Commission on Elections scheduled the plebiscite for the Ordinance Ratification on June 29, 2024. It also set the gun control from May 28 until July 6, the alcohol ban on June 28 to 29, and the 20 barangays "pulong-pulong" from May 28 to June 27.[17] [18]

On June 30, the Commission on Elections reported that 41,493 (67%) registered voters voted “yes” while 19,498 said “no” against City Ordinance No. 1941-23. The City Plebiscite Board of Canvassers proclaimed the ratification by the majority of the votes cast on June 29. However, voter turnout was only 61,237 or 20% of the 308,059 registered voters.[19]

Geography

Las Piñas is bounded to the northeast by Parañaque; to the southeast by Muntinlupa; to the west by Bacoor; to the southwest by Dasmariñas; and to the northwest by Manila Bay. Half of its land area is residential and the remaining half is used for commercial, industrial and institutional purposes. The present physiography of Las Piñas consists of three zones: Manila Bay, coastal margin and the Guadalupe Plateau.

Districts and barangays

Las Piñas is politically subdivided into 20 barangays. These barangays are grouped into two legislative districts, each with its own set of representatives in the city council. District 1 comprises the northwestern half of the city while District 2, the remaining half.

BarangaysDistrictPopulation[20]
(2015)
Area (km2)Density[21] (/km2)(2020)Zip Code[22]
Almanza Uno2nd30,4052.34115,4791748, 1750
Almanza Dos2nd37,5954.8497,7201750, 1751
C.A.A. – B. F. International1st77,2642.39434,150
Daniel Fajardo1st10,4250.320433,170
Elias Aldana1st10,4020.407725,205
Ilaya1st6,0550.140450,591
Manuyo Uno1st15,4051.09513,5111744
Manuyo Dos1st37,0071.69126,2341744, 1745
Pamplona Uno1st18,5770.822323,209
Pamplona Dos2nd10,7651.1278,1131741
Pamplona Tres1st35,6122.34314,9791740, 1746
Pilar Village2nd31,4591.93415,397
Pulang Lupa Uno1st31,4011.42826,8881742
Pulang Lupa Dos1st33,1711.98916,3331742
Talon Uno1st34,8211.19735,5021747
Talon Dos2nd53,0914.10010,7261747
Talon Tres2nd27,8741.49322,0741747
Talon Kuatro2nd21,4200.710329,2331747, 1749
Talon Singko2nd45,3741.76421,9331747
Zapote1st20,7710.597134,9201742

Demographics

Language

The native language of Las Piñas is Tagalog, but the majority of the residents understand and speak English.

Religion

See also: Religion in the Philippines and List of Roman Catholic churches in Metro Manila. People in Las Piñas are mainly Roman Catholic. Catholic churches in Las Piñas fall under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Parañaque. Las Piñas is home of the 2 prominent pilgrim Catholic Shrine: Diocesan Shrine of St. Joseph Parish and Diocesan Shrine of the Five Wounds of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Other religions in Las Piñas include Members Church of God International (MCGI)[23] various Protestant denominations, Jehovah's Witnesses, Iglesia ni Cristo, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam.

Government

Local government

See main article: Sangguniang Panglungsod. Las Piñas, like other cities of the Philippines, is a local government unit whose powers and functions are specified by the Local Government Code of the Philippines. In general, as a city, Las Piñas is headed by a mayor who heads the city's executive function and the vice mayor who heads the city's legislative function, which is composed of twelve councilors, six each from the city's two city council districts.[24] For representation, the city is considered as one district, and therefore one representative, in the country's House of Representatives.

Additionally, like other cities and municipalities, Las Piñas is subdivided into barangays.

List of mayors

See main article: Mayor of Las Piñas.

Education

There are a total of 14 colleges, 21 private high schools, 18 public high schools, and 22 elementary schools that were built to accommodate the growing number of the enrollees every year.

To date, there are 77 day care centers with feeding programs in 20 barangays within Las Piñas.

Colleges

Public high schools

Private high schools

Healthcare

See also: List of hospitals in Metro Manila.

Transportation

Railway

Las Piñas is part of the route of the extension of the LRT Line 1, the South Extension Project.[27] The actual construction officially started on Tuesday, May 7, 2019[28] because the Right-of-way is "free and clear" from obstructions. Once it is fully operational, Las Piñas will be served by the LRT Line 1 through the Las Piñas station and Zapote station. The extension is slated for partial operations by late 2024 or early 2025 and full operations by second quarter of 2027.[29]

Road network

The road network of Las Piñas are radial in nature, and primarily relies on the Alabang–Zapote Road (N411), which serves as the city's road network backbone. The Manila-Cavite Expressway (formerly Coastal Road, and numbered E3), a toll expressway serves as the major traffic route towards Manila. Daang Hari, which hugs near the boundary with Muntinlupa, and the Aguinaldo Highway (N62) are the major traffic routes toward Cavite. The Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX), which leads to South Luzon Expressway, supplements Daang Hari as an alternative to the congested Alabang-Zapote Road over Alabang and Ayala Alabang in Muntinlupa.

The road network in Las Piñas suffers from traffic jams, especially on the primary artery, Alabang-Zapote Road, which carried more than 70,000 vehicles daily as of 2016. Public transport, like buses and jeepneys, fill up Alabang-Zapote Road, therefore causing further congestion. The city government petitioned the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to suspend issuing of franchises on bus and jeepneys routes that uses Alabang-Zapote Road.

The Las Piñas Friendship Route network serves as the alternate routes on the congested routes, but motorists have to obtain and display a sticker on their vehicle to use these routes, as most roads of the network are located in privately owned subdivisions (gated communities), like BF Homes, Pilar Village, and BF Resort.

Public transport

Jeepneys and buses form the major public transport system, and most of their routes follow the Alabang-Zapote Road. Most jeepneys through Las Piñas travel between Alabang and Zapote, within the city, or Baclaran, in Parañaque. Buses usually form routes between Alabang or SM Southmall and destinations in Manila. Buses and jeepneys are blamed for the worsening congestion on Alabang-Zapote Road.

Culture

See also: List of Cultural Properties of the Philippines in Metro Manila. On February 22, 1995, then President Fidel V. Ramos signed Republic Act 8003 into a law – declaring Las Piñas Church and Bamboo Organ, Las Piñas Bridge, Asinan Area, Father Diego Cera Bridge, and Old District Hospital as tourist spots of Las Piñas.[30] [31]

Las Piñas is famous for its Bamboo Organ located inside the St. Joseph Parish Church in the old district of the city. Built in 1824 by a Catholic priest, Fr. Diego Cera, it is the only organ of its kind in the world with organ pipes mostly made out of bamboo.

Las Piñas is also the home of the only church dedicated to the Five Wounds of Jesus Christ in the Philippines and in Asia. The Diocesan Shrine of the Five Wounds of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the first Diocesan Shrine in Las Piñas is located in District 2 of the City.

Las Piñas Historical Corridor

The Las Piñas Historical Corridor Project was a program laid to restore the Old Town of Las Piñas. It was launched at the Malacañan Heroes' Hall on November 13, 1997. The project aims to educate the people of Las Piñas along the tourist corridor.

Las Piñas Town Fiesta

The town fiesta of Las Piñas is celebrated every first Sunday of May each year to honor its patron saint, Saint Joseph. Saint Joseph's Day celebration is centered in St. Joseph Parish Church in the old poblacion of Las Piñas in Barangay Daniel Fajardo on Padre Diego Cera Ave. (Quirino Ave.). Las Piñas was also the home of Mary Immaculate Parish Church, popularly known as the Nature Church, designed by Architect Francisco "Bobby" Mañosa.[32]

Las Piñas is also home to unique festivals such as:

Notable personalities

Sister cities

Local

International

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: moneysense. April 1, 2008. Best places to live. January 9, 2021. MoneySense Philippines. en-US.
  2. Pransism (2011-11). "Las Piñas (St. Joseph Church): Home of the Bamboo Organ". Back Trails. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
  3. Book: Cavada y Méndez de Vigo. Agustín de la. Historia geográfica, geológica y estadiśtica de Filipinas. Con datos geográficos, geológicos y estadiśticos de las islas de Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao y Joló; y los que corresponden a las islas Batanes, Calamianes, Balabac, Mindoro, Masbate, Ticao y Burias, situadas al n. so. y s. de Luzon. 1876. Imp. de Ramirez y Giraudier. Manila.
  4. Book: de Medina. Juan S.. Historia de los sucesos de la Orden de N. gran P. S. Agustín, de estas Islas Filipinas... / compuesta por el venerable Fray Juan de Medina. Sucesos que los religiosos de la Orden de N. P. S. Agustín han tenido en las Islas Filipinas... / compuesta por el Padre Pedro del Viva. 1893. Tipo-Litografía de Chofré y Comp.. Manila. 486.
  5. Book: Buzeta. Manuel. Diccionario geográfico, estadístico, histórico de las Islas Filipinas ... / por Manuel Buzeta y Felipe Bravo. 1851. Imprenta de José C. de la Peña. Madrid.
  6. Book: Salonga, Isayas R.. Rizal Province Directory: History, Government and General Information with the Full Text of the Philippine Independence Law, Volume One . 1934. General Printing Press.
  7. Web site: A Brief History of Las Pinas. Alabang Bulletin. May 31, 2012. December 26, 2020.
  8. An Act Reducing the Thirty-Two Municipalities of the Province of Rizal to Fifteen.. 942. October 12, 1903. April 24, 2022.
  9. https://lawyerly.ph/laws/view/l4d28. 1625. March 27, 1907. April 24, 2022.
  10. PD. 824. Creating The Metropolitan Manila And The Metropolitan Manila Commission And For Other Purposes . November 7, 1975. June 5, 2022.
  11. News: Evangelista. R. A.. Narcs arrest six drug dealers. December 6, 2022. Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp.. September 25, 1994. 7. Las Piñas town became known as the drug trade center in Metro Manila....
  12. News: Burdeos. B.. Navarro relieves 2 officers. July 5, 2022. Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp.. January 20, 1996. 14. Bocalvos' relief, according to Navarro, was due to the DEU's failure to arrest any suspected drug pusher for the past several months despite persistent reports that drug-related activities are rampant in Las Piñas..
  13. News: Herrera. Ernesto F.. Ernesto Herrera (politician). Extent of the drug problem in Metro Manila. November 7, 2022. Manila Standard. Kagitingan Publications, Inc.. July 1, 1990. 6.
  14. News: Yoyoy vows to lead anti-drug campaign. December 29, 2021. Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp.. April 29, 1995. 16.
  15. News: Calalo. Arlie. Las Piñas has biggest number of drug-using cops, says Mayo. July 5, 2022. Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp.. January 24, 1996. 14.
  16. Web site: Las Pinas City Annual Audit Report. July 29, 2019. Commission on Audit. https://web.archive.org/web/20190729195140/https://www.coa.gov.ph/phocadownloadpap/userupload/annual_audit_report/LGUs/2015/NCR/Cities/LasPinasCity_ES2015.pdf. July 29, 2019. July 29, 2019.
  17. News: Fernando. Jean. Comelec to hold plebiscite for territorial boundaries in Las Piñas on June 29. June 8, 2024 . . June 8, 2024.
  18. News: Ferreras . Vince . June 29 plebiscite to determine territorial boundaries of 20 Las Piñas barangays. June 8, 2024 . GMA Integrated News. June 7, 2024.
  19. News: Patinio. Ferdinand. Las Piñas residents favor ordinance setting barangay boundaries. July 1, 2024 . . June 30, 2024.
  20. Web site: Total Population by City, Municipality and Barangay: as of 1 August 2015.
  21. Population density as of 2020
  22. Web site: New ZIP Code 2019. July 29, 2019. PHLPOST: Philippine Postal Corporation, Philippines, Service, Stamps, Parcel. July 29, 2019. July 29, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190729203348/https://www.phlpost.gov.ph/files/archive/new_zip_code_2016.pdf. dead.
  23. News: Rivera . Jerah May . April 14, 2021 . LOOK: Las Piñas store gives free groceries to residents . live . May 8, 2024 . Inquirer.net.
  24. http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno7166.htm Synchronized National and Local Elections Law – Republic Act No. 7166, Section 3.c.
  25. Web site: Westfield Science Oriented School – #1 STEM School in Las Pinas | Top School in Las Pinas City.
  26. Web site: APEC Schools.
  27. News: Start of LRT-1 extension moved to May. The Philippine Star. July 29, 2019.
  28. News: Construction on LRT-1 extension to Cavite starts. Manabat. Jacque. ABS-CBN News. July 29, 2019.
  29. News: Construction of LRT1 Cavite extension 'full steam ahead'. Rey. Aika. Rappler. en. July 29, 2019.
  30. Book: Crisanto, Joyce & De la Torre, Visitacion. Las Piñas: A City with Heritage. 2006. Villar Foundation. 1st.
  31. Web site: Republic Act No. 8003. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. April 22, 1995 . en-US. July 29, 2019.
  32. http://laspinascity.gov.ph/home/article?cat=ls&sub=Nature+Church "Nature Church"
  33. http://www.bambooorgan.org/news.html "Festival Program"
  34. http://laspinascity.gov.ph/articles/9-water-lily-festival "Water Lily Festival"
  35. Tribune (January 6, 2013). "Las Piñas's 7th Parol Festival". The Daily Tribune. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
  36. Web site: Sister cities of Las Piñas — sistercity.info.