San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija

History

During World War II, Imperial Japanese forces sacked San Leonardo during the opening stages of the Japanese Occupation. Novo Ecijano and Hukbalahap Communist guerrilla resistance groups from 1942 to 1944 in the town fought the invaders, until the town's liberation in 1945.

From January to April 1945, the combined military force of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, Philippine Constabulary, and the United States Army recaptured and liberated the town. The joint forces assisted the Novo Ecijano and Hukbalahap Communist resistance groups in defeating the soldiers and officers of the Imperial Japanese armed forces and the Makapili soldiers. Thus began the Battle of San Leonardo and the Battle of Gapan between the Japanese and the combined American and Philippine Commonwealth troops on January to April 1945.

Geography

The municipality has a land area of 151.90 square kilometers or 58.65 square miles which constitutes 2.67% of Nueva Ecija's total area. This represented 2.97% of the total population of Nueva Ecija province, or 0.55% of the overall population of the Central Luzon region. Based on these figures, the population density is computed at 451 inhabitants per square kilometer or 1,169 inhabitants per square mile.

San Leonardo is located between Gapan and Santa Rosa along the Maharlika Highway. It is 15 km from Cabanatuan, 29 km from Palayan, and 101 km from Manila.

Barangays

San Leonardo is politically subdivided into 15 barangays, as shown below. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

• Bonifacio (Población)
• Burgos (Población)
• Castellano
• Diversion
• Magpapalayoc
• Mallorca
• Mambangnan
• Nieves
• Rizal (Población)
• San Anton
• San Bartolomé (Población)
• San Roque
• Tabuating
• Tagumpay
• Tambo-Adorable

Climate

Demographics

Religion

A majority of the populace is Roman Catholic. Other religious groups, mostly Christian, have churches and places of worship in the municipality.

• St. Bartholomew the Apostle Parish Church
• St. John Marie Vianney Parish
• St. Jude Thaddeus of Nueva Ecija
• Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Chapel - Magpapalayoc
• Bethel United Methodist Church
• Iglesia Ni Cristo - Lokal ng Castellano
• Iglesia Ni Cristo - Lokal ng Nieves
• Iglesia Ni Cristo - Lokal ng San Leonardo
• Iglesia Ni Cristo - Lokal ng Magpapalayok
• Iglesia Ni Cristo - Lokal ng Tabuating
• Iglesia Ni Cristo - Lokal ng Balanga Extension
• Iglesia Ni Cristo - Lokal ng San Anton
• Iglesia Ni Cristo - Lokal ng San Roque
• Jesus Christ to God be the Glory Church International
• Leap of Faith Christian Church
• Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4th Watch)
• United Pentecostal Church - San Leonardo
• Victory Churches of Asia, Incorporated

Economy

Primarily depends on rice cultivation, vegetable production, poultry, piggery & commercial fishery. The area has a farming economy. San Leonardo has vast rice fields and land for growing vegetables and poultry products.

Education

The San Leonardo 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.

Public elementary schools

• C.I. Villaroman ES (Formerly Magpapalayok Elementary School)
• Castellano Elementary School
• Clever Lane Montessori School
• Lasaltech Academy
• Mallorca Elementary School
• Mambangnan Elementary School
• Nieves Elementary School
• San Anton Elementary School
• San Leonardo Academy
• San Leonardo Central School
• San Lorenzo Ruiz Diocesan Academy
• San Roque Elementary School
• Seraphin Learning Center
• Tagumpay Elementary School
• Tambo North Elementary School
• Tambo South Elementary School
• Trinity Christian School

Secondary schools

• Magpapalayok National High School
• Mallorca National High School
• Mambangnan National High School
• San Anton National High School
• San Leonardo National High School
• Tagumpay Nagaño High School
• Tagumpay Integrated School

Higher educational institutions

• Akarui Technical School Foundation
• Colegio de San Leonardo
• Dr. Gloria D. Lacson Foundation Colleges
• Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology - San Leonardo Campus

Healthcare

Hospitals and clinics can be found for their check up and treatment.

• Dr. Gloria D. Lacson General Hospital
• Nueva Ecija Medical Center
• South Ecija Doctors Hospital

Gallery

File:San Leonardo Town Hall in Nueva Ecija.jpg|Town hall File:San Leonardo Nueva Ecija covered gymjf.jpg|Municipal covered courts File:St. Bartholomew Parish Church San Leonardo Nueva Ecijajf.jpg|St. Bartholomew the Apostle Church File:San Leonardo Public Market in Nueva Ecija.jpg|Public market File:San Leonardo Nueva Ecija gymnasiumjf.jpg|Biggest gymnasium in Nueva Ecija

References

References

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