Distrito de La Infanta

On May 23, 1855, the alcalde mayor of Nueva Ecija wrote to the Gobernador General of the Philippines, proposing the division of the towns of contracosta to their respective provinces. He cited the considerable distances of these towns from their provincial capitals, which made it difficult for government authorities to effectively administer and promote development in the area. Subsequently, on March 18, 1858, the Superior Government, under the direction of Governor-General Fernando de Norzagaray, issued a decree creating two military commandancies in the eastern Luzon. The first commandancy, El Príncipe, was carved out of territory that formerly belonged to Nueva Ecija. The second, La Infanta, was organized within the jurisdiction of La Laguna. Felix Huerta's book Estado, refers to the creation of the district as having taken place in 1856.{{cite book == Description ==

According to the Estado geográfico, topográfico, estadístico, histórico, the District of Infanta occupies an estimated area of 1,900 square kilometers, encompassing within its jurisdiction the Polillo Archipelago, consisting of twenty-six islands. Though separated from the mainland district by a distance of approximately twenty-four miles, these islands are administratively attached to it. The district is bounded as follows: to the north, by Nueva Ecija; to the east, by the Pacific Ocean; to the south, by the province of Laguna; and to the west, by both Laguna and Bulacan. The population, at the time of reporting, does not exceed 9,000 inhabitants. Of these, approximately 8,700 are Tagalogs, while the remainder are Dumagat Negritos, indigenous peoples who inhabit the mountainous interior regions, particularly in the environs of Binangonan de Lampon. The Banatangan mountain range, running from west to south, forms a formidable natural barrier between Infanta and its neighboring provinces. The range is characterized by steep precipices, torrential ravines, and a complete lack of developed infrastructure. As of the date of the report, there exists no road worthy of the name. The only passage is a treacherous and rugged trail traversing deep ravines and fast-flowing rivers—some over twenty fathoms deep—making communication with the town of Siniloan (Laguna) extremely difficult and perilous. Economically, the primary agricultural product of the district is palay (rice), while its principal industry is the distillation of nipa wine. On Polillo Island, there is limited timber exploitation, along with a more significant trade in balate (sea cucumber) and beeswax, both of which are found in relative abundance. The capital of the district is Binangonan de Lampon, located approximately three kilometers inland from the coast. Here lies Puerto Real, a port of historical significance that, during the 16th century, was highly esteemed by Spanish galleons as one of the finest harbors for trans-Pacific communication with New Spain. Binangonan de Lampon and the town of Polillo, located on the island of the same name, are the only notable settlements within this modest yet strategically situated province. ==Development==

According to an article published in El Estado on July 12, 1859—, as well as reports from various newspapers of the time, the district capital, the town of Binangonan de Lampon, had undergone a complete transformation. What was once a disordered and forest-like settlement had been thoroughly renovated and systematically arranged to resemble a proper colonial town. The streets, formerly irregular and overgrown, were neatly aligned, following a deliberate urban plan. Each plot of land was enclosed with elegant hedges made of mangrove wood, all constructed in uniformity according to an established model. Significant improvements in local infrastructure were also noted. Sturdy wooden bridges had been erected to replace the former makeshift crossings made merely of coconut or palm trunks, greatly enhancing both accessibility and safety. In the vicinity of Puerto Real de Lampon, extensive works were also carried out. These included land clearing, the systematic spacing of terrain, and the extraction of stone from nearby quarries as part of the Spanish colonial government's commitment to developing the eastern frontier of Luzon. ==List of District Politico-Militar Comandante==

==Under Revolutionary Government and First Philippine Republic==

The Philippine Revolution, which erupted in August 1896, quickly spread beyond the central provinces of Luzon. By September 1896, signs of unrest had already reached the Distrito de La Infanta. During that month, Rafael Luna, the District Politico-Militar Comandante, issued a public announcement indicating concern over the presence of revolutionary activity in the area. On 1 July 1898, the same informant discreetly delivered a written note identifying the structure of the local Katipunan organization. The note named Rafael Rutaquio (president), Rufino Ortiz (vice-president), Tomás Ramírez (treasurer), and Manuel Rutaquio. Pablo Astilla was identified as jefe del distrito (district chief) and expected to arrive in the district with approximately 100 rifles purchased through locally collected funds. According to the account of Fr. Félix Ángel, they were sent to the convent under orders to confer with Spanish authorities. The revolutionaries delivered a letter demanding surrender, stating that resistance was futile. Following deliberations, Spanish officers agreed to capitulate and drafted formal terms of surrender. ==Revolutionaries from District of Infanta==

Though the names of many revolutionaries from the district have been unaccounted, a few individuals who have been identified in AFIO 66/24 narrative of Fr. Felix Angel and P.I.R. documents include: • Pablo Astilla, Colonel • Rufino Ortiz, Major • Rafael Rutaquio • Tomas Ramirez • Manuel Rutaquio • Isidro Meraña • Azcárraga • Mariano Portales • Estevan Juntereal • José Garin ==Dissolution==

Following the end of the Philippine-American War and the establishment of American sovereignty, the new colonial administration undertook a reorganization of provincial and district boundaries. One such change came with the passage of Act No. 417 by the United States Philippine Commission on June 11, 1902. This act formally dissolved the Politico-Military Districts of Infanta, as well as the administrative separation of the Islands of Polillo. These areas, once semi-autonomous under the Spanish colonial system—and whose status was retained during the Revolutionary Government and the First Philippine Republic—were annexed and reverted under the jurisdiction of the Province of Tayabas (now known as Quezon Province), effective June 12, 1902. Subsequently, on July 16, 1902, the civil commission approved a law changing the name of the town of Binangonan de Lampon, located in the Province of Tayabas, to Infanta. ==News and Events==

October 13, 1860: Boletín Oficial de Filipinas {{blockquote | {{multiple image January 10, 1870: Simon de Anda Monument 1877: January 23-31, 1880: Visit and report of French Naturalist and Explorer Alfred Marche at Binangonan de Lampon July 14-20, 1880: Luzon Earthquake of 1880 December 22, 1880: Jose Centeno y Garcia arrived at Infanta District capital- Binangonan de Lampon. August 13, 1884: August 23, 1884: La Oceania Española June 18, 1891: La Oceanía Española 1895: July 11, 1896: El Comercio (Manila) ==References==