Pagsanjan


Pagsanjan, officially the Municipality of Pagsanjan, is a municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. According to the, it has a population of people.
It is known as the tourist capital of Laguna and is the home of the Bangkero Festival held every March. The bangkeros are tour guides who steer boats along the river to Pagsanjan Falls, for which the town is well known but is actually in neighboring Cavinti.
The municipality was the capital of the province of Laguna for 170 years during which the town prospered as the commercial, cultural and learning center of the province.

Etymology

Pagsanjan is located in the riparian delta formed by the confluence of the Balanac and Bumbungan rivers. Originally called Pinágsangahán, this was shortened to "Pagsanjan" by early Spanish colonists because they found the name very difficult to pronounce.

History

In 1668, eight Japanese and Chinese traders, who were highly impressed by the strategic location of the barrio at the juncture of Balanac and Bumbungan, rivers founded the town. They established a trading settlement and engaged in the betel nut industry. In time, the barrio became the flourishing trading center of eastern Laguna and attracted families from the surrounding communities of Cavinti and Pila. On December 12, 1668, then-Governor-General Juan Manuel de la Peña Bonifaz issued a decree elevating its status to a town. In 1688, Pagsanjan replaced Bay as the capital of the province. It remained such until 1858.

List of mayors

  • Juan L. Fabella
  • Fidelino C. Agawin
  • Quintin Cabrera
  • Gregorio F. Zaide
  • Adelina Becina Gabatan
  • Hernando Zaide
  • Augusto Kamatoy
  • Abner L. Afuang
  • Girlie Yulatic Javier-Ejercito
  • Peter Casius Trinidad
  • Cesar V. Areza
  • E. R. Ejercito

    Geography

Pagsanjan has a land area of 26.4 square kilometres. It is bounded on the east by the Balubad Mountain; on the west by the capital town of Santa Cruz; on the north by the San Isidro Hill and Laguna de Bay; on the north-east by the town of Lumban; on the southeast by the towns of Cavinti and Luisiana; on the south by Mount Banahaw; and on the south-west by the town of Magdalena.
Situated from Santa Cruz, southeast of Manila, and from Lucena, this town is reached via Manila East Road or SLEX.

Barangays

Pagsanjan is politically subdivided into 16 barangays, as indicated below and in the image herein. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
  • Anibong
  • Biñan
  • Buboy
  • Cabanbanan
  • Calusiche
  • Dingin
  • Lambac
  • Layugan
  • Magdapio
  • Maulawin
  • Pinagsanjan
  • Barangay I
  • Barangay II
  • Sabang
  • Sampaloc
  • San Isidro

    Climate

Demographics

In the 2024 census, the population of Pagsanjan was 45,602 people, with a density of.

Government

Economy

Culture

Pagsanjan March

The official song of the town is the "Pagsanjan March". The anthem was composed by Rogel Taiño, a native of Pagsanjan.

Bangkero Festival

Also known as "Pagsanjan Bangkero Festival", celebrated in a five-day annual event held every April in honor of The Patron of the town and the skilled local boatmen called Bangkeros. The festival features colorful boat races, street dancing, float parades, trade fairs, concerts, and sports events. Taking place in Bumbungan or Balanac Rivers to the famous Pagsanjan Falls using Bangkeros skills.

Education

The Pagsanjan Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools.

Primary and elementary schools