Batangas City, Batangas History

Related Articles

DOST Celebrates GlowCorp as 100th SETUP Beneficiary

October 13, 2022

Kalakal Batangas : Likha at Galing ng Batangueño

September 27, 2022

Maginhawa Community Pantry inspired Community Pantry sa Probinsya ng Batangas

April 20, 2021

Visit Batangas City page for all information on Batangas City.

Historical Background

Spanish missionaries first set foot in Batangas City in 1572. The settlement was founded in 1581 and named “Batangan” because of the numerous big logs that abounded the Calumpang River. The logs were called “batang” by the natives who settled near the river and called the settlement “Batangan”. This name was modified and became Batangas in 1601. Don Agustin Casilao was appointed as the first Gobernadorcillo. Since 1754, the city has been the capital and administrative center of the province. Batangas became a city in 1969 through Republic Act. No. 5495.

The following dates marked the significant events/activities which shaped the growth and development of Batangas City.

1581 – the first Roman Catholic Church was built

1902 – Batangas High School was established which is now known as the Batangas National High School.

June 19, 1909 – The Batangas Municipal Hall was inaugurated.

July 04, 1909 – Civil Government was established under the American Regime.

June, 1910 – The Batangas Trade School was formally opened. Known now as the Batangas State University formerly Pablo Borbon Memorial Institute of Technology.

July 25,1915 – Plaza Mabini was inaugurated.

Dec. 12, 1941 – Japanese planes bombed and totally destroyed the Batangas Airport in Barangay Alangilan.

Feb. 13, 1948 – Batangas Catholic Church was elevated to the status of Basilica Minor of Infant Jesus and Immaculate Conception.

June 21, 1969 – The late President Ferdinand Marcos signed Republic Act No. 5495 creating Batangas City into law.

July 23, 1969 – Batangas City Government was formally organized.

About Batangas City
CITY OF BATANGAS – Known as the “Industrial Port City of CALABARZON” and classified as one of the most competitive citiess in the country today and the home of approximately 324,116 peace-loving, hospitable and hard working inhabitants. It was proclaimed as a City on July 23,1969 which became the accelerating point of trading, commercial and industrial activities in the locality. The city is presently classified as a Regional Growth Center and identified as one of the sites for the Regional Agro-Industrial Center and Special Economic Zone as mandated by the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan and the Ecozone Act of 1995. This capital city is one of the nation’s top revenue earning cities and the site of one of the biggest refineries in the Philippines. The city is also hosting the first three power plants using natural gas with a combined capacity of 2,700MW. It is located approximately 108.00 kiometers south of Manila.

The city’s fine harbor was declared as an International Port and an alternate port of Manila. The city is the land of historical places, of fresh fruits and marine resourcesand of great opportunities for social and economic advancement.

All information and history came from Batangas City Government website.

Last Updated: September 05, 2013