“Kaban ng Ligtas na Yaman” or from
“Kabatuan”, a local Tagalog word meaning
“stone-filled place” due to the abundant stones along the Pampanga
River. In 1750, Cabanatuan was formally established as a barrio of
Gapan before becoming a separate town and the provincial capital of
Nueva Ecija from 1780 to 1850, and later from 1912 to 1965. It holds
a prestigious place in Philippine history as the tragic location
where General Antonio Luna was assassinated in 1899 and for the
historic 1945 “Raid at Cabanatuan,” which freed
over 500 Allied prisoners of war. The town officially attained
cityhood on June 15, 1950, through Republic Act No. 526.
Local Officials
Mayor: Myca Elizabeth R. Vergara
Vice Mayor (SB Presiding Officer): Joselito “Bunso” C. Roque
City Councilors:
- Jo-Mario Angelo “Jojo” E. Matias
- Jean Yasmin D. Cruz
- Marius A. Garcia (Jolly Garcia)
- Aldwin Joseph “Bok” V. Diaz
- Oscar “Peewee” M. Mendoza (Peewee Manahan Mendoza)
- Jojo B. Valino
- Epifanio G. Posada
- Medel R. Seeping
- Christian Jan G. Cecilio
- Emmanuel D. Liwag II
