Mabitac

Etymology

Mabitac was an excellent hunting ground for wild game three centuries ago. Native hunters used numerous cave-ins or trap-ins called "bitag" in the local language. Hence, the place was referred to as "Mabitag" meaning "a place with many traps".

History

The first Spaniards who came to this place were the friars who established the first Spanish settlement in the area and began to Christianize the local population. The Spaniards, having difficulty in pronouncing the "G" consonant, called this place "Mabitac" whenever they mentioned this place. Eventually, the name found its way in the official records and maps of Laguna made by Spanish cartographers and mariners who chartered the coastal areas of Laguna de Bay.

This town was formerly a barrio of Siniloan, an immediate neighboring town. It became an independent municipality in 1611, not by legislation, but by mutual agreement between the Spanish friars of both towns who were then the influential ruling class.

Mabitac was the site of a battle in the Philippine–American War, when on September 17, 1900, Filipinos under General Juan Cailles defeated an American force commanded by Colonel Benjamin F. Cheatham.

World War II and Japanese occupation

In 1942, Japanese soldiers entered and occupied Mabitac. In 1945, the Philippine guerrillas defeated the Japanese and liberated Mabitac.

Geography

Mabitac is 30 km from Santa Cruz, 76 km from Manila, and 59 km from Antipolo.

Barangays

Mabitac is politically subdivided into 15 barangays, as indicated below: Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

• Amuyong
• Lambac (Poblacion)
• Lucong (Poblacion)
• Matalatala
• Nanguma
• Numero
• Paagahan
• Bayanihan (Poblacion)
• Libis ng Nayon (Poblacion)
• Maligaya (Poblacion)
• Masikap (Poblacion)
• Pag-Asa (Poblacion)
• Sinagtala (Poblacion)
• San Antonio
• San Miguel

Climate

| access-date = 11 May 2020 }}

Demographics

In the 2024 census, the population of Mabitac was 21,748 people, with a density of {{sigfig|21,748/80.76|2}} PD/km2.

Economy

Education

The Famy-Mabitac 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

• E.W. De Vela Elementary School
• Eugenia Games Olarte Reyes Elementary School
• Mabitac Elementary School
• Matalatala Elementary School
• Nanguma Elementary School
• Numero Elementary School
• Paagahan Elementary School

Secondary schools

• Mabitac National High School
• Paagahan Integrated National High School
• Matalatala Integrated National High School

Gallery

File:MabitacSiniloan,Lagunajf1370 14.JPG|Welcome marker Mabitac,LagunaChurchjf1234 19.JPG|Hilltop view of Mabitac File:Mabitac,Lagunajf1094 17.JPG|Town hall File:MabitacChurchjf1168_21.JPG|Nuestra Señora de Candelaria Parish Church

Notable personalities

• Juan Cailles (born Juan Cailles y Kauppama; November 10, 1871 – June 28, 1951) was a Filipino of French-Indian descent. A member of the revolutionary movement Katipunan, he was a commanding officer of the Philippine Revolutionary Army who served during the Philippine Revolution and Philippine–American War. He later served as a provincial Governor of Laguna and a member of the Philippine Legislature.

References

References

1. {{DILG detail
2. (January 15, 2021). "Masterlist of Schools".