Las Piñas (Tagalog: [las ˈpiɲɐs]), officially the City of Las Piñas (Filipino: Lungsod ng Las Piñas), is a highly urbanized city in the National Capital Region of the Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 615,549 people.
Las Piñas was sixth in MoneySense Philippines "Best Places To Live" report in 2008. 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 claims the original name was Las Peñas (“the rocks”), as the area was a quarry for stone and adobe used to construct buildings and bridges. The old church bell of Saint Joseph Parish Church founded by Diego Cera has been preserved inside the church museum. An inscription on the bell reads, "Siendo cura del pueblo de Laspeñas el M.R.P. Padre Diego Cera se fundió este equilón año de 1820", showing even during Cera’s day as the first parish priest, the town was called "Las Peñas" and eventually renamed "Las Piñas".
History
Spanish colonial era
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, a Spanish historian, and Fr. Juan de Medina 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. Felix Timbang was the first gobernadorcillo in 1762, while Mariano Ortiz was the first municipal president of the town of Las Piñas.
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.
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.
It was separated from Parañaque to become an independent municipality again on March 27, 1907, by virtue of Philippine Commission Act No. 1625.
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.
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.
In the 1990s, Las Piñas was known for its rampant illegal drug trade. 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. In 1995, then-Councilor Yoyoy Villame criticized the town's image as the "Drug Capital of the Philippines", 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.
Cityhood
On February 12, 1997, President Fidel V. Ramos signed the bill which elevated Las Piñas from municipality into a city. A plebiscite was 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. It has been a city for 29 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.
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.
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, the 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.
Las Piñas was historically divided into 8 barrios which later became the 9 original barangays: Almanza, Daniel Fajardo, Elias Aldana, Ilaya, Manuyo, Pamplona, Pulanglupa, Talon, and Zapote. They were later reorganized by former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in 1978 through Presidential Decree Nos. 1130-1140.
Barangays Pulang-Lupa, Manuyo, Pamplona, Talon, and Almanza were the "original" barangays that later became 16 barangays while barangays Daniel Fajardo, Elias Aldana, Ilaya, and Zapote remained unchanged. Below is the list of original barangays, their new names, and their respective extensions:
- Pulang-Lupa was renamed to Pulang-Lupa Uno while the newly created one was named Pulang-Lupa Dos.
- Manuyo was renamed to Manuyo Uno while the newly created one was named Manuyo Dos.
- Pamplona was renamed Pamplona Uno while the newly created ones were named Pamplona Dos and Pamplona Tres.
- Talon was renamed Talon Uno while the newly created ones were named BF International Village, Talon Dos,Talon Tres, Talon Kuatro, and Talon Singko.
- Almanza was renamed Almanza Uno while the newly created ones were named Almanza Dos and Pilar Village.
Demographics
As of the 2024 census, Las Piñas has a population of 615,549, with a density of 18,830 inhabitants per square kilometre or 48,770 inhabitants per square mile.
Demonym
The demonym of Las Piñas is Las Piñero.
Language
The native language of Las Piñas is Tagalog, but the majority of the residents understand and speak English.
Religion
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 to 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) various Protestant denominations, Jehovah's Witnesses, Iglesia ni Cristo, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam.
Economy
Coconuts
Coconut shells and husks, which were discarded by coconut vendors, previously blocked the rivers of Las Piñas and Zapote. Currently, coco coir nets are being utilized for lining the riverbanks.
This efficient natural alternative for flood prevention is 80% more cost-effective than traditional riprap techniques such as cement and stone and is also effective for stopping soil erosion.
Like a beehive comb, the net is woven to create openings for plant growth within the cells, allowing their long roots to help secure the soil. The coco coir net is more resistant to sun and water damage compared to plastic nets, making it more durable. Additionally, it is eco-friendly because the material breaks down gradually into tiny pieces that enrich the soil.
Additional applications for coir fiber involve utilizing it as a potting material for horticulture purposes, in hydroponic systems, and for managing erosion.
The different ways in which it is used have led to a higher need for the coconet, providing a means of income for several Las Piñas locals who turn coconut husks into nets through weaving.
The Las Piñas city officials have given out twining and weaving tools and offered electrical assistance to its residents who have turned coconet weaving into their personal family venture.
Salt-making industry
During the 18th century, the fishing village of Las Piñas adopted salt-making techniques with the use of solar dry beds. Over the years, numerous hectares encircling the ancient town were transformed into salt beds named "irasan".
Afterwards, clay tiles or gibak were transported from as distant as Vigan to cover the salt beds. This kept the salt from touching the ground, resulting in the salt turning as white as snow and making Las Piñas known as a hub for salt production.
At the time of harvesting, Las Piñas was adorned with small white crystal pyramids. The salt was sorted and categorized into tertia, segunda, and primera grades.
Tertia salt was the darkest in color and had the highest amount of impurities. Dry ice was combined with this salt to keep ice cream fresh.
Segunda salt was utilized for the purpose of preserving fresh fish. Navotas and Malabon were the primary purchasers of segunda salt among the wholesale seafood trading communities.
However, Las Piñas was renowned for its high-quality salt, also known as primera, rumored to be as white as snow. The initial batch of salt was delivered to every public market in Manila and utilized to enhance the taste of gourmet meals.
The bay area's restoration and the resulting Coastal Road construction caused interference with salt production. The dredging and construction activities hindered fishermen from venturing out into the ocean. Most of the salt being produced started entering the cheaper segunda and tertia categories. Salt that was brought in from countries such as China and India was available for purchase at reduced costs. The salt production industry in Las Piñas has come to an end and is now just a reminiscence of the past.
In 2005, an Irasan Center was constructed where visitors could view a salt bed demonstration in commemoration of Las Piñas’ once much celebrated industry.
Poverty incidence
Poverty incidence of Las Piñas (%)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
2000 7.31
2003 3.40
2006 3.90
2009 2.75
2012 1.37
2015 2.92
2018 1.69
2021 2.50
2023 1.30
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority
Government
Local government
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. For representation, the city is considered as one district, and therefore one representative, in the country's House of Representatives.
Like other cities and municipalities, Las Piñas is subdivided into barangays.
As of January 5, 2025, the mayor of Las Pinas is Imelda Aguilar and the vice mayor is April Aguilar.
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 enrollees every year.
To date, there are 77 day care centers with feeding programs in 20 barangays within Las Piñas.