*93. Pampanga Towns: SAN SIMON

Catalino Ibanez (municipal president), Fernando Galang (vice presidente), Braulio Gonzales, Ramon Ibanez, Abdon Sichon, Virgilio Cortes, Venancio Bagtas (consejales), Agustin M. Ses (secretary), Zoilo Cunanan (treasurer), Vicente D. Leuterio (juez de paz), Vidal Guevara (jefe de policia), Dr. Miguel Morales (president, sanitary division).

San Simon’s origins can be traced back to 1771, the town’s founding year. It was so named to honor the one time Governor General of the Philippines (July 1770-Oct. 30, 1776) during the Spanish Regime—Simon de Anda y Salazar. He had earlier left Manila in 1762 at the height of the British invasion and established the capital of the Philippines in Bacolor and had himself proclaimed as governor. He ruled with characteristic energy, foresight and honesty. The town’s titular patron is San Simon Apostol.

But legend say that the town was formerly known as Del Pilar, taken from that of Mariano del Pilar de los Reyes, considered as the founder of the town, whose patroness is the Virgin of the Pillar, thus the October 12 date of the fiesta. The town was carved out from the lands of San Luis in the north and Apalit in the South. Consolidated with San Luis in 1904, it became a separate municipality in 1907, by virtue of Act 1719 of the Philippine Commission. Sometime in 1920, San Simon acquired additional hectares of marshland when town boundaries were re-set by the Provincial Government.

The first inhabitants of San Simon were the Puyats, Macapagals, Simbulans and Guarins. From 8 barrios in 1835, san Simon now has 14 barangays: Concepcion, De La Paz, San Isidro, San Miguel, San Nicolas, San Pablo Libutad, San Pedro, Santa Cruz, San Juan, San Jose, Santo Nino, San Pablo Matwa, San Agustin and Santa Monica.

San Simon in the 1930s had for its principal products, rice, buri hats, petate mats and bayong bags. The town has since made great strides, rising from a 6th class municipality to 4th class, with an annual income of over 3.5 M Pesos towards the beginning of the new millennium. A modern commercial market and a new town hall has risen in barangay San Agustin, making the town more accessible and attractive to investors.

Many progressive enterprises have set up offices here—from producers of construction materials, animal feeds, ceramic tiles to industrial parks and resorts—have further enhanced this town’s reputation as a favored enterprise haven. The Comprehensive Municipal Development and Land Use Plan, as well as the town’s inclusion in the “W” growth corridor of Central Luzon, has made San Simon a force to contend with, with resources and people ready to meet headlong the challenges of an emergent Pampanga