Jaen

The town of Jaen was originally known as “Ibayong Ilog,” a name associated with its geographic location and its role as a bustling river port along the Pampanga River. Before its formal establishment, the area was a barrio under the jurisdiction of Gapan and later became part of San Isidro and San Antonio.

By 1865, the growing river settlement had reached a population of more than 5,000 residents. Recognizing the community’s development and increasing importance, local leaders Kabesang Prudencio Esquivel and Kapitan Antonio Embuscado petitioned for the establishment of the settlement as an independent town.

On June 18, 1865, Jaen was officially established as a municipality. When the approval document reached Manila, the Vice-General of the Philippines, Archbishop Gregorio Martínez, personally signed the decree. He subsequently renamed the town Jaen, after his historical birthplace of Jaén, Spain.

Over the years, Jaen continued to develop as an important agricultural and trading center in the province. Its growing population and expanding economic activity have contributed to its continued progress and development. Following recent national income reclassifications by the Department of Finance, the municipality’s financial classification was upgraded, reflecting its robust agricultural economy, active trading sector, and substantial population of 83,895 residents.