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Las Piñas | |
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    Left to right from top: Las Piñas church,Alabang–Zapote Road,Bamboo Organ, Plaza Rizal Las Piñas | |
 Seal | |
| Nickname: Home of the Bamboo Organ | |
| Motto(s): Las Piñas, Our Home | |
 Map of Metro Manila with Las Piñas highlighted | |
OpenStreetMap  | |
.svg)  Las Piñas Location within thePhilippines | |
| Coordinates:14°27′N120°59′E / 14.45°N 120.98°E /14.45; 120.98 | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Region | National Capital Region |
| Province | none |
| District | Lone district |
| Founded | 1762 or 1797 |
| Annexation toParañaque | October 12, 1903 |
| Chartered | March 27, 1907 |
| Cityhood and HUC | March 26, 1997 |
| Barangays | 20 (seeBarangays) |
| Government | |
| • Type | Sangguniang Panlungsod |
| • Mayor | April T. Aguilar (NPC) |
| • Vice Mayor | Imelda Aguilar (NPC) |
| • Representative | Mark Anthony Santos (Independent) |
| • Councilors | List
|
| • Electorate | 318,542 voters (2025) |
| Area | |
• Total | 32.69 km2 (12.62 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 25 m (82 ft) |
| Highest elevation | 119 m (390 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Population (2024 census)[3] | |
• Total | 615,549 |
| • Density | 18,830/km2 (48,770/sq mi) |
| • Households | 156,899 |
| Demonym | Las Piñero |
| Economy | |
| • Income class | 1st city income class |
| • Poverty incidence | 2.5 |
| • Revenue | ₱ 4,131 million (2022) |
| • Assets | ₱ 13,299 million (2022) |
| • Expenditure | ₱ 3,133 million (2022) |
| • Liabilities | ₱ 4,034 million (2022) |
| Service provider | |
| • Electricity | Manila Electric Company (Meralco) |
| • Water | Maynilad Water Services |
| Time zone | UTC+08:00 (PST) |
| PSGC | |
| IDD : area code | +63 (0)02 |
| Native languages | Filipino |
| Website | www |
Las Piñas (Tagalog:[lasˈpiɲɐs], officially theCity of Las Piñas (Filipino:Lungsod ng Las Piñas), is ahighly urbanized city in theNational Capital Region of thePhilippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 615,549 people.[5]
Las Piñas was sixth inMoneySense Philippines "Best Places To Live" report in 2008.[6] Attractions includeEvia Lifestyle Center,SM Southmall,Robinsons Place Las Piñas andLas Piñas - Parañaque Wetland Park.
The story about the true origin of the city's name, "Las Piñas", varies. One version mentioned, that traders from the province ofCavite andBatangas shipped their firstpiñas (Spanish forpineapples) for sale to this town before they were distributed to nearby markets. Another version claims the original name wasLas Peñas (“the rocks”), as the area was a quarry for stone andadobe used to construct buildings and bridges. The oldchurch bell of Saint Joseph Parish Churchfounded 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".[7]
Las Piñas was one of the earliest fishing settlements on the shores ofManila Bay. It was proclaimed as a province ofManila either in 1762 or 1797. Agustin,[8] a Spanish historian, and Fr. Juan de Medina[9] 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.[10] Felix Timbang was the firstgobernadorcillo in 1762, while Mariano Ortiz was the first municipal president of the town of Las Piñas.[11]
Las Piñas is famous for itsBamboo 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 thePhilippine Revolution.[12]
The town of Las Piñas was also a major war theater during the 1896 Philippine Revolution, as it was occupied by forces of GeneralEmilio Aguinaldo.
In 1901, the municipality of Las Piñas, previously a part of theprovince of Manila, was incorporated to the newly created province ofRizal pursuant to thePhilippine Commission Act No. 137. On October 12, 1903, in accordance with Act No. 942, it was combined with the town ofParañaque, with the latter as the seat of a new municipal government.[13]
It was separated from Parañaque to become an independent municipality again on March 27, 1907, by virtue of Philippine Commission Act No. 1625.[14]
The town was occupied by theJapanese duringWorld War II and liberated by the combined American and Filipino forces.
On November 7, 1975, through Presidential Decree No. 824, Las Piñas was excised from the province ofRizal to formMetro Manila. Las Piñas became one of the municipalities making up the region.[15]
In the 1980s, economic growth erupted due to the advent of the construction ofCoastal Road. Las Piñas currently serves as the proper gateway toCalabarzon.[12]
In the 1990s, Las Piñas was known for its rampant illegal drug trade.[16][17] In an October 1989 privileged speech, SenatorErnesto F. Herrera shared theNational Bureau of Investigation's findings that an estimated 40% of Las Piñas' police force was connected with a drug cartel.[18] In 1995, then-CouncilorYoyoy Villame criticized the town's image as the "Drug Capital of the Philippines",[19] 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.[20]
On February 12, 1997,PresidentFidel V. Ramos signed the bill which elevated Las Piñas frommunicipality into acity. 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.[21] It has been a city for 27 years.
In 2023, theSangguniang Panlungsod enacted City Ordinance No. 1941-23 Series of 2023 which sets theterritorial boundaries of the 20 barangaysDepartment of Environment and Natural Resources' based on the March 2015Cadastresurvey. Accordingly, theCommission on Elections scheduled theplebiscite for the OrdinanceRatification on June 29, 2024. It also set thegun control from May 28 until July 6, thealcohol ban on June 28 to 29, and the 20barangays "pulong-pulong" from May 28 to June 27.[22][23]
On June 30, theCommission 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 theratification 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.[24]
Las Piñas is bounded to the northeast byParañaque; to the southeast byMuntinlupa; to the west byBacoor; to the southwest byDasmariñas; and to the northwest byManila 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.
| Climate data for Las Piñas | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 29 (84) | 30 (86) | 32 (90) | 34 (93) | 32 (90) | 31 (88) | 29 (84) | 29 (84) | 29 (84) | 30 (86) | 30 (86) | 29 (84) | 30 (87) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 21 (70) | 20 (68) | 21 (70) | 22 (72) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 23 (73) | 22 (72) | 21 (70) | 23 (73) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 10 (0.4) | 10 (0.4) | 12 (0.5) | 27 (1.1) | 94 (3.7) | 153 (6.0) | 206 (8.1) | 190 (7.5) | 179 (7.0) | 120 (4.7) | 54 (2.1) | 39 (1.5) | 1,094 (43) |
| Average rainy days | 5.2 | 4.5 | 6.4 | 9.2 | 19.7 | 24.3 | 26.9 | 25.7 | 24.4 | 21.0 | 12.9 | 9.1 | 189.3 |
| Source: Meteoblue[25] | |||||||||||||
Las Piñas is politically subdivided into 20barangays. 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.
| Barangays | District | Population[26] (2020) | Area (km2) | Density[27] (/km2) (2020) | Zip Code[28] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Almanza Uno | 2nd | 36,232 | 2.341 | 15,479 | 1748, 1750 |
| Almanza Dos | 2nd | 37,432 | 4.849 | 7,720 | 1750, 1751 |
| BF International Village | 1st | 81,739 | 2.394 | 34,150 | |
| Daniel Fajardo | 1st | 10,629 | 0.3204 | 33,170 | |
| Elias Aldana | 1st | 10,275 | 0.4077 | 25,205 | |
| Ilaya | 1st | 7,103 | 0.1404 | 50,591 | |
| Manuyo Uno | 1st | 14,794 | 1.095 | 13,511 | 1744 |
| Manuyo Dos | 1st | 44,351 | 1.691 | 26,234 | 1744, 1745 |
| Pamplona Uno | 1st | 19,085 | 0.8223 | 23,209 | |
| Pamplona Dos | 2nd | 9,141 | 1.127 | 8,113 | 1741 |
| Pamplona Tres | 1st | 35,098 | 2.343 | 14,979 | 1740, 1746 |
| Pilar | 2nd | 29,780 | 1.934 | 15,397 | |
| Pulang Lupa Uno | 1st | 38,405 | 1.428 | 26,888 | 1742 |
| Pulang Lupa Dos | 1st | 32,485 | 1.989 | 16,333 | 1742 |
| Talon Uno | 1st | 42,505 | 1.197 | 35,502 | 1747 |
| Talon Dos | 2nd | 43,978 | 4.100 | 10,726 | 1747 |
| Talon Tres | 2nd | 32,963 | 1.493 | 22,074 | 1747 |
| Talon Kuatro | 2nd | 20,763 | 0.7103 | 29,233 | 1747, 1749 |
| Talon Singko | 2nd | 38,684 | 1.764 | 21,933 | 1747 |
| Zapote | 1st | 20,851 | 0.5971 | 34,920 | 1742 |
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1903 | 2,762 | — |
| 1918 | 2,872 | +0.26% |
| 1939 | 6,822 | +4.21% |
| 1948 | 9,280 | +3.48% |
| 1960 | 16,093 | +4.69% |
| 1970 | 45,732 | +11.00% |
| 1975 | 81,610 | +12.32% |
| 1980 | 136,514 | +10.83% |
| 1990 | 297,102 | +8.09% |
| 1995 | 413,086 | +6.37% |
| 2000 | 472,780 | +2.94% |
| 2007 | 532,330 | +1.65% |
| 2010 | 552,573 | +1.37% |
| 2015 | 588,894 | +1.22% |
| 2020 | 606,293 | +0.61% |
| 2024 | 615,549 | +0.36% |
| Source:Philippine Statistics Authority[29][30][31][32][33] | ||
The native language of Las Piñas isTagalog, but the majority of the residents understand and speakEnglish.
People in Las Piñas are mainly RomanCatholic. Catholic churches in Las Piñas fall under the jurisdiction of theDiocese 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 includeMembers Church of God International (MCGI)[34] variousProtestant denominations,Jehovah's Witnesses,Iglesia ni Cristo,The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,Hinduism,Buddhism andIslam.
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.[35]
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.[36]
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 Source:Philippine Statistics Authority[37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44] |
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Las Piñas, like othercities of the Philippines, is a local government unit whose powers and functions are specified by theLocal 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.[45] For representation, the city is considered as one district, and therefore one representative, in the country'sHouse of Representatives.
Like other cities andmunicipalities, Las Piñas is subdivided intobarangays.
As of January 5, 2025[update], the mayor of Las Pinas isImelda Aguilar and the vice mayor isApril Aguilar.
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.
| School | |
|---|---|
| ABE International Business College - Las Piñas | |
| Bernardo College | |
| Centro Escolar Las Piñas | |
| Don Carlo Cavina School | |
Dr. Filemon C. Aguilar Memorial College of Las Piñas-Talon Tres Campus
| |
Dr. Filemon C. Aguilar Memorial College of Las Piñas-Pamplona Tres Campus (formerly Dr. Filemon C. Aguilar Information Technology Training Institute or DFCAITTI)
| |
| Philippine Merchant Marine School | |
| AMA Computer College, Las Piñas | |
| STI College Las Piñas | |
| Saint Francis of Assisi College | |
 | Southville International School and Colleges |
| University of Perpetual Help System DALTA | |
| International Electronics and Technical Institute - Las Piñas | |
| Southville International School affiliated with Foreign Universities |
Each legitimate inhabitant is eligible for complimentary medical care valued at PhP 30,000 supported by the municipal administration. The hospitalization plan covers small surgeries and stays approved at Las Piñas Doctors Hospital, San Juan De Dios Hospital, and Philippine General Hospital and Medical Center. This is in addition to being able to receive free medical and dental care at 30 state-of-the-art health centers in the city. The Las Piñas Maternity Clinic provides superior maternal and child health care for mothers and their children.
The Green Card Program started in 2000 and currently has over 80,000 Green Card holders. It has greatly helped in making health care more accessible to the city's residents and improving their overall quality of life.
The city government's prioritization of health care, which includes improving health facilities and implementing sustainable health programs, was acknowledged by the Department of Health (DOH) with the Sentrong Sigla Award.[49]
Las Piñas is part of the route of the extension of theLRT Line 1, the South Extension Project.[50] The actual construction officially started on Tuesday, May 7, 2019[51] because theRight-of-way is "free and clear" from obstructions. Once it is fully operational, Las Piñas will be served by the LRT Line 1 through theLas Piñas station andZapote station.[50]
As of January 5, 2025[update], phase 1 is 100% complete.[52] The Department of Transportation Executive Assistant, Jonathan Gesmundo, announced the successful completion of Phase 1 of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension. This milestone has added eight new stations to the existing 20 stations, significantly enhancing the transportation network.
Looking ahead, the Department of Transportation has confirmed that work on Phases 2 and 3 of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension is progressing. These subsequent phases are expected to further expand the line and improve transit services in the region, with operations slated to begin by 2031.
The road network of Las Piñas is radial in nature, and primarily relies on theAlabang–Zapote Road (N411), which serves as the city's road network backbone. TheManila-Cavite Expressway (formerly Coastal Road, and numbered E3), a toll expressway serves as the major traffic route towardsManila.Daang Hari, which hugs near the boundary withMuntinlupa, and theAguinaldo Highway (N62) are the major traffic routes towardCavite. TheMuntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX), which leads toSouth Luzon Expressway, supplements Daang Hari as an alternative to the congested Alabang-Zapote Road overAlabang andAyala Alabang in Muntinlupa.
The road network in Las Piñas suffers fromtraffic 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 theLand 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), likeBF Homes, Pilar Village, and BF Resort.
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, orBaclaran, in Parañaque. Buses usually form routes between Alabang orSM Southmall and destinations in Manila. Buses and jeepneys are blamed for the worsening congestion on Alabang-Zapote Road.
On February 22, 1995, then President Fidel V. Ramos signed Republic Act 8003 into a law – declaringLas Piñas Church andBamboo Organ,Las Piñas Bridge,Asinan Area, Father Diego Cera Bridge, andOld District Hospital as tourist spots of Las Piñas.[53][54]
Las Piñas is famous for itsBamboo Organ located inside theSt. Joseph Parish Church in the old district of the city. Built in 1824 by aCatholic priest, Fr. Diego Cera, it is the only organ of its kind in the world with organ pipes mostly made out ofbamboo.
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.
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.[53]
Thetown fiesta of Las Piñas is celebrated every first Sunday of May each year to honor itspatron saint,Saint Joseph.Saint Joseph's Day celebration is centered inSt. Joseph Parish Church in the oldpoblacion of District 1, Las Piñas in Barangay Daniel Fajardo on Padre Diego Cera Ave. (Quirino Ave.). Since 1985 in District 2 Las Piñas, the people of Talon joyously celebrated every third Sunday of Easter the feast of Five Wounds of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Las Piñas was also the home of Mary Immaculate Parish Church, popularly known as theNature Church, designed by architect Francisco "Bobby" Mañosa.[55]
Las Piñas is also home to unique festivals such as:
Las Piñas town became known as the drug trade center in Metro Manila...
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.
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Geographic data related toLas Piñas atOpenStreetMapPlaces adjacent to Las Piñas | |
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