HISTORY
The terrain formerly belonging to Pangasinan and Pampanga makes the territory of what is now
the Tarlac province. This Central Luzon province was the last to be organized under the Spanish Regime.
In 1874, its nuclei were the towns of Concepcion, Capas, Bamban, Mabalacat, Magalang, Porac,
Floridablanca, Victoria and Tarlac (now City) which constituted the military "Commandancia". Some of
these municipalities were returned to Pampanga but the rest were incorporated into the new province
of Tarlac, together with municipalities from the province of Pangasinan. Tarlac became briefly the seat
of the Philippine Republic headed by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo when he abandoned Malolos, Bulacan in the
face of the advancing American Forces. Pacification was considered complete when civil government
was instituted by the Americans in the whole Archipelago on February 18, 1901. It was in Tarlac that
President Aguinaldo issued the now famous "Rosena Verdica de la Revolucion Fajardo. This was the first
history of the revolution ever published, and it gained significance because it contained an indictment
against the abuses of the American Expeditionary Forces in the country. It was in this province that
Apolinario Mabini was appointed Foreign Minister of the Philippines, and on the same year, Msgr.
Gregorio Aglipay , protesting against the abuses of the Friar Church, established a local church that was
to become the Philippine Independent Church. Likewise, the first paper money and the first coins of the
Independent regime were issued in Tarlac. The province was again much in the public eye in 1942 when
thousands of wounded, sick and starved American and Filipino soldiers marched on foot after their
surrender in Bataan across rough, sun-drenched roads resulting in the death of hundreds on their way to
Capas. Camp O’Donnell became so overcrowded that many Allied prisoners died of hunger and disease.
The infamous "Death March" of World War II ranks high among the most inhuman acts committed by
the Japanese Imperial Army.
Early in the dawn, of history,what come to be known as Tarlac today once a thickly-forested
area, people by roving tribes of nomadic Aetas said to be the aboriginal settlers of the Philippines.The
name 'Tarlac' was derived from a 'Talahib'like weed called by the Aetas"Matarlac". Along the year, the
word 'MALA' was removed and shortened to 'TARLAC' Tarlac was the last province in Central Luzon
created by Spanish Colonial Goverment.Tarlac started as a Spanish Commandancia Militar(establish in
Tarlac town in 1860} which policed the towns of Mabalacat,Porac,Magalang, Florida Blanca, Bamban,
Concepcion, Capas, Tarlac and Victoria, all town of Pampanga, In 1871, ny virtue of a royal decree,the
above named town were grouped together to form newly created province of Tarlac. In 1873, further
reorganization was made.Mabalacat, Porac, Magalang and Florida Blanca were separated from Tarlac
Province and returned to mother provincce Pampanga.On the other hand,then the Pangasinan town of
Anao, Gerona, Camiling and Paniqui were transferred to Tarlac.On May 28,1873, Tarlac was inaugurated
as an 'ALCALDIA' or a regular province Philippines In Beweeb the year 1874 and 1874 a margin of 23
years Sta Ignacia and Mayantoc and San Clemente, all barios of Camiling, became independent towns,
O'Donnell and Murcia, from Capas, Moriones of the town of )'Donell, Pura of Gerona, Moncada of
Paniqui, nad Lapaz of Tarlac.These added to the existing nine towns. The new set-up did not last long.On
recommendation of the Philippines Commision 0f 1902 (American Administration{ the smaller town
were turned barios to be made integral parts of town close to them.With this reconversion, important
record and documnets of the respective towns were turned over to town they were attached. In 1907
and 1922, San Manuel (bario of Moncada)and Ramos (of Paniqui) became towns, respectively. With the
exception of O'Donell. Moriones, and Murcia, all towns reconverted into barios by the Philippines
Commision of 1902 were to regain their township. In January 05 1990, by the virtue of Republic Act. No.
6842 The Municipality of San Jose was created. The province was subsequently divided into three
congressional district. In April 1998, by virtue of R.A. No. 8593, the capital town of Tarlac was converted
into a componnet City. Thus, the Province has the "Melting Pot of Central Luzon"
