San Ildefonso, officially the Municipality of San Ildefonso (Tagalog: Bayan ng San Ildefonso) is a 1st class municipality in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 115,713 people.^[3]

Quick Facts Country, Region ...

San Ildefonso
Municipality
Municipality of San Ildefonso
Welcome Arch
Flag Seal
Map of Bulacan with San Ildefonso highlighted
OpenStreetMap
San Ildefonso Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 15°04′44″N 120°56′31″E
Country	Philippines
Region	Central Luzon
Province	Bulacan
District	3rd district
Founded	1875
Named for	Saint Ildefonsus
Barangays	36 (see Barangays)
Government  [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor	Fernando S. Galvez Jr.
• Vice Mayor	Rocky G. Sarmiento
• Representative	Lorna C. Silverio
• Municipal Council	Members Teemee I. Miguel Genaro I. Galvez Alexander J. Galvez Andrea Lindsay B. Duran John Paul S. Magbitang Kriziel Jewel V. Silverio Mark Anthony P. Mananghaya Michael D. Angeles
• Electorate	76,231 voters (2022)
Area [2]
• Total	128.71 km2 (49.70 sq mi)
Elevation	19 m (62 ft)
Highest elevation	51 m (167 ft)
Lowest elevation	7 m (23 ft)
Population  (2020 census)[3]
• Total	115,713
• Density	900/km2 (2,300/sq mi)
• Households	29,301
Economy
• Income class	1st municipal income class
• Poverty incidence	5.54 % (2018)[4]
• Revenue	₱ 512.8 million (2020)
• Assets	₱ 1,222 million (2020)
• Expenditure	₱ 460.7 million (2020)
• Liabilities	₱ 642.3 million (2020)
Utilities
• Electricity	Meralco
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	3010
PSGC	031419000
IDD : area code	+63 (0)44
Native languages	Tagalog Kapampangan

Close

With the continuous expansion of Metro Manila, the municipality is the northernmost part of Manila's built-up area.

San Ildefonso is 43 kilometers (27 mi) from Malolos and 66 kilometers (41 mi) from Manila.

The early inhabitants called this town Bulak because of the abundant 'kapok' trees ('bulak' in vernacular) growing on the hill where the town is now.

Bulak was then a barrio of San Rafael. There were only about 3,000 inhabitants. The early inhabitants were people from neighboring towns and provinces who preferred to settle in this place because of its good agricultural prospects.

When the Spaniards came, the name Bulak was changed to Hacienda San Juan de Dios because 15,500 hectares of grazing and farming grounds were claimed by the friars. The people were told to pay tribute. Proceeds from the rentals were used to finance the operation of the San Juan de Dios Hospital in Manila. The Spanish friars, though antagonistic toward the Filipinos, admired the beauty of the natural scenery. They changed the name to Hacienda Buenavista (which means beautiful scenery in Spanish).

As the population grew, a chapel was constructed under the parochial jurisdiction of San Rafael. In 1809, Father Juan dela Rosa was named the first Filipino priest of the town. He held the position until 1811. He was responsible for changing the name Bulak to San Ildefonso in honor of Alfonso XII, then the king of Spain, and San Ildefonso, its patron saint. By the time it was given this name, a tribunal was created finally making it a town in 1877. Between 1903 and 1906, San Ildefonso was merged with San Miguel due to its low income and inability to finance its expenditures in operating the local government.^[5]

As years went by, more and more people were induced to live in the town. The growth of population promoted an increase of income. The town became capable of meeting its expenses so it ceased being a barrio of San Miguel and became once again an independent town.^[6]

During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in 1942 the mansion Bahay na Pula of the Ilusorio family was confiscated by the Imperial Japanese Army and used as barracks and became a place where local so-called comfort women were forced to work.^[7]

In the 2020 census, the population of San Ildefonso, Bulacan, was 115,713 people,^[3] with a density of 900 inhabitants per square kilometer or 2,300 inhabitants per square mile.

• Yuka Saso – 2021 U.S. Women's Open Golf Champion. Filipino Japanese amateur golfer. Two-time Asian Games gold medalist in individual and team events.
• Paula Carla Galvez-Tan – former town Mayor (2010-2013, 2016-2022) who grew popularity because of her efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Cardozo Luna – politician; Undersecretary of Department National Defence.
• Joyce Ching – Filipino-Chinese actress

• Municipal hall
• Sanguniang Bayan Session Hall
• San Ildefonso (MPS) - PNP Police Regional Office 1
• St. Ildephonsus of Toledo Church (Poblacion)