San Jose del Monte City (or simply San Jose) is a 2nd class urban component city in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. It is bordered by Caloocan City and Quezon City, both in Metro Manila, in the south; by Rodriguez, Rizal in the east; Santa Maria and Marilao, both of Bulacan, in the west and Norzagaray, Bulacan in the north. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 439,090 inhabitants (315,807 people in 66,179 households in census 2000).

San Jose del Monte has experienced serious economic development, evidenced by the presence of major commercial banks, fast food chain outlets, real estates, and wide coverage of landline and cellular phone services.

It has its own representative to the House of Representative having been separated from the fourth district of Bulacan in 2004.

"Super City in Bulacan"

On September 4, 2007, Mayor Eduardo V. Roquero announced that a “super city” will rise (following the construction of the US$ 1.2-billion "Metro Rail Transit 7 MRT" in the next 2 years) at the 200-hectare lot in Tungkong Mangga, San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan where the first intermodal terminal will be constructed (the last terminal of the 20.7-kilometer MRT-7 line from SM City North EDSA in Quezon City, MRT-2 north). Light Rail Transit Corp. (Manila Metro Rail Transit System) will be built in late 2008 and early 2009 and completed by around 2010. The 40-kilometers Circumferential Road 6 (C-6) will also start and branch out of the North Luzon Expressway between its Malolos and Marilao segments and after passing it, it will pass until it reaches Cavite City. At least 20,000 workers will be employed.

The MRT 7 proposal is a combined 45-km of road and rail transportation project from Bocaue exit North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) to MRT3 at North Avenue-EDSA. The 22-km, 6-lane asphalt road will connect the NLEX to the major transportation hub development in Tala, San Jose del Monte. The 23-km mostly elevated MRT starts from Tala and ends at the integrated MRT 3/MRT7 station at EDSA.

The construction period is expected to last 3-1/2 years starting in 4th Quarter of 2007 until 2010. The Proponent will operate and manage the system on behalf of the government over 25 years while gradually transferring ownership of the system to government in proportion to payments of annual capacity fees.

The Project is estimated to cost US$ 1.20 Billion, including interest during construction. Project cost will be financed by a combination of debt (75%) and equity (25%).

The Project offers investors excellent financial rewards, with substantial upside profitability and limited downside risk. Under a build-Gradual Transfer-Operate and Maintain (BGTOM) arrangement with the government, investors are expected to reap a 16.8% after tax, return of equity over the 25-year project life. Schedule of MRT-7 Project

Built up area

With the continuous expansion of Metro Manila, the city is now included in Manila built up area which reaches San Ildefonso in its Northernmost part.

Economy

Agriculture

• Major agricultural crops are leafy vegetables, root crops (ube and cassava) pineapple, mango and coffee beans.

Livestock and Poultry

• Major income earner of the city is still the swine production, large and small scale.
• Major poultry producers are RFM, Vitarich and FELDAN.
• There are a total of 60 commercial livestock and poultry farms in the city.
• Modern "Double AA" slaughterhouse starts construction.

Trade and Commerce

• The city has 3 major business located in Tunkong Mangga, Muzon and Sampol Market. They are into wholesale and retail trade.
• Commercial and Thrift Banks, Pawnshop and Cooperatives provide the financial requirements of the city.

Major Fast Food Chains

• Jollibee Tungkong Mangga- Quirino Highway Cor. Bocaue-San Jose Road, Tungkong Mangga (044) 691-1507
• Jollibee Sapang Palay- Bagong Buhay Road., Sampol Market, Sapang Palay (Unknown)
• Greenwich Tungkong Mangga- Quirino Highway Cor. Bocaue-San Jose Road, Tungkong Mangga (044) 815-5555
• Chowking Tungkong Mangga- Robes Bldg., Quirino Highway, Tungkong Mangga (044) 691-3170

Shopping

• Susana Supermarket
• EVER Supermarket
• Mercury Drug Sampol
• Mercury Drug Tungkong Mangga
• Mansons Drug Sampol
• Mansons Drug Tungkong Mangga
• Mofar Supermarket Sampol
• Mofar Supermarket Muzon
• Almimark Mall
• SMm (Sampol Market-mall)
• Edesco Public Market
• Sampol Market
• South Triangle Market
• Muzon Public Market
• SARAMAVEMPCO (Area-H)
• Nolasco Public Market
• Igay Wet & Dry Market
• Towerville Wet & Dry Market

Industry

• Major industries are iron and marble works, furniture, handicrafts, food processing, housing, etc.

Social Services

Housing

• The city hosts four (4) resettlement projects of the national government and more than fifty residential subdivisions.

Health

• The Ospital ng Lungsod ng San Jose del Monte, a secondary hospital, is now being managed operated by the city government, with subsidy from the provincial government.
• 5 Rural Health Units and sub-centers for the immediate health care needs of the community.

Education

• To serve the educational needs of the city, there are128 schools offering elementary, secondary and tertiary education
• The city has now its own school division in compliance with R.A. 8797.
• Bulacan State University - Sarmiento Campus The city has a tie-up with Bulacan State University to operate a branch in San Jose del Monte.
• The city has new Polytechnic College known as Bulacan Polytechnic College located at San Jose del Monte National Trade School

Social Welfare

• The city complies with R.A. 6972, requiring every barangay to have a day care center. A total of 71 day care centers are operating in the city.
• Aside from the social welfare service accessible through the local government, various 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 sitting capacity of 2,500. This is the venue for Monday Program of the city as well as the other activities like conventions, seminars and concerts.
• The Cattle Creek and Country Club which is a favorite hub among retirees and business executives.

Protective Services

• The 59-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 vigorously the peace and order in their respective places.
• The City Police Station maintains eight (8) Kabayan Action Centers manned by police officers acting as supervisors providing bond between police and community.
• The fire station has five (5) fire trucks to serve the city and other neighboring towns.

Transportation

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

Infrastructure

Roads

San Jose del Monte's road network has a total length of 211.43 km (except the 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.

a. Quirino Highway - a vital national road which stretches from the town of Norzagaray to North Caloocan City.
b. Sta. Maria - Tungkong Mangga Road - a vital provincial road which links the city to the town of Sta. Maria and to the North Luzon Expressway.
c. San Jose - Marilao Road - links the city with theMunicipality of Marilao and to the North Luzon Expressway. This is now a permanent full exit.
d. Sapang Palay Road- links the Sapang Palay Resettlement Project to Quirino Highway and in the opposite end to Sapang Palay Proper.
e. Igay Road - links the upper barangay to Quirino Highway and Rodriguez, Rizal.
f. Bulacan-Rizal-Manila-Cavite Regional Expressway - the expressway that is under construction. It can go to Rizal, Metro Manila, and Cavite.

Water

The bulk of water requirement of the city is being served by the San Jose del Monte City Water District while some subdivisions have their own independent water supply system.

Power

Power distribution in the city is being undertaken by the Manila Electric Company MERALCO. The city also hosts the biggest Transco (Napocor) sub-station in the country located in Barangay Dulong Bayan

Telecommunications / Communications

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

Mobile telephony services are provided by Smart, Globe Telecom & Sun Cellular.

Two(2) Postal Codes

3023 San Jose del Monte City
3024 Sapang Palay District

Two(2) Television Cable Provider

Home Cable Bulacan
SPC Cable TV / New World CATV

Barangays

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

District I

Dulong Bayan Gaya-gaya Kaypian Kaybanban Muzon Poblacion Santo Cristo Tungkong Mangga Ciudad Real Francisco Homes-Guijo Francisco Homes-Mulawin Francisco Homes-Narra Francisco Homes-Yakal

Graceville Gumaoc Central Gumaoc East Gumaoc West Maharlika Paradise III Poblacion I San Isidro San Manuel San Roque

District II

Sapang Palay Proper Minuyan Proper Area-A Minuyan I Minuyan II Minuyan III Minuyan IV Minuyan V Area-B Bagong Buhay I Bagong Buhay II Bagong Buhay III Area-C San Martin I San Martin II San Martin III San Martin IV Area-D Sta. Cruz I Sta. Cruz II Sta. Cruz III Sta. Cruz IV Sta. Cruz V Area-E Fatima I Fatima II Fatima III Fatima IV Fatima V

Area-F San Pedro Area-G Citrus Area-H San Rafael I San Rafael II San Rafael III San Rafael IV San Rafael V Area-I Assumption Sto. Niño I Sto. Niño II Lawang Pare San Martin De Porres

Subdivisions

Andrew Village Avanceña Subdivision Bahay Bayanihan Pabahay 2000 Carissa Homes North Carissa Homes Carissa North City Homes North Cityville Homes Ciudad Real Subdivision (also a barangay) Del Monte Realty Corp. Del Valle Heights Dela Costa Homes Diamond Crest Village Don Bernardo Heights Estrella Homes 3 Evergreen Heights Fil-invest Land Inc. Francisco Homes Subdivision Graceville IV Harmony Hills Hossana Community Jose Avanceña Subdivision Kabahay-Guro Ville Kingswell Construction La Poblacion Malaue Homes Marcela Village Melody Plains Merco Riverside Ville Metro Asia Resources Moldex Morning Glory Morning Star Mountain View Subdivision Nayong Lourdes Subdivision Noel Village North Diamond Subdivision

Northridge Heights Northridge Prime Estate Northridge Royal Northwinds VIII Northwinds Palmera Homes Northwind City Palmera Northridge Palmera Northwind City Pecsonville Subdivision Pleasant Hills Subdivision RSG Urban Homes Rosario Village San Jose Complex San Jose Village Sea-Horse Executive Stateland Invest Corp. Sunrise Village Tierra Del Sueño Executive Tower Grotto Ville Townville Subdivision Verde Heights Villa Muzon Subdivision

Schools

The city is host to numerous schools in the primary, secondary and tertiary level, among which includes the government-funded Paradise Farm National High School, the San Jose del Monte High School and Sapang Palay National High School.

Sto. Rosario Sapang Palay College (formerly Assumption Sapang Palay College) is a Catholic school whose rector is appointed by the bishop of the Diocese of Malolos. The city is also home for two Catholic congregational schools: Siena College (under the Dominican order) and Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Bulacan (under the Franciscan order), both are administered by nuns.

Some schools in Pleasant Hill Subdivision are Jesus the Greatest Name Christian College, Spirit of Joy School, Hillsdale Academy, Sun Heaven Academy, and Our Lord's Glory Academy.

The Bulacan State University Sarmiento Campus, was established in 1998. Cong. Angelito M. Sarmiento donated a 2-hectare lot in Kaypian, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan to the Bulacan State University that shall serve as an extension campus of the University. In June of the same year, BSU-SJDM opened its extension classes at the Sarmiento Garments bldg. In Poblacion. Through the act of generosity, BSU-SJDM was named after the Sarmientos, BSU-Sarmiento Campus. This endeavor, further enhanced a vision in the making, an institution that would offer quality education geared towards the vision of the University.

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 where 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 Filipino soldiers and guerillas because of the town's hilly and wooden terrain. When the Americans 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.

San Jose del Monte is gradually transforming from an agricultural area to a residential suburb, with farms shrinking as more land is converted to subdivisions to provide housing.

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 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.

It became a city in 2000 through the efforts of Hon. Angelito M. Sarmiento the author of Republic Act 8797 which is formerly Representative of 4th District of Bulacan, City Mayor Eduardo V. Roquero M.D. and the city government of San Jose del Monte.

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• 2000 Philippine Census Information
• Local Government Unit: City of San Jose del Monte
• San Jose Del Monte High Schools
• MRT-7 San Jose del Monte
• SM City San Jose del Monte

References