Quezon City

Quezon City is the most populous city in the Philippines, with a population of 3,084,270 people recorded in the 2024 census. Founded on October 12, 1939, and named after the second Philippine president Manuel L. Quezon, the planned city served as the national capital from 1948 until 1976.

How did a historical turning point reshape the capital?

A major historical turning point occurred on June 24, 1976, when Presidential Decree No. 940 was enacted. This decree officially reverted the national capital status to Manila while designating the entirety of Metro Manila as the seat of government. Prior to this shift, the municipality had expanded northward to incorporate Novaliches from Caloocan and parts of San Mateo and Montalban to accommodate government departments and institutions moving out of congested Manila. Following the 1976 decree, the city transitioned into a regional center of Southern Tagalog and later developed into a prominent hub for commerce, education, research, politics, art, sports, and the national media and entertainment industry.

Quezon City is the most populous city in the Philippines, located within the National Capital Region with coordinates at latitude 14.6488 and longitude 121.0509. According to the 2024 census, the city has a population of 3,084,270 people.

How did a historical turning point reshape the capital geography of the Philippines? In the 1930s, the urban center of Manila faced severe challenges including overcrowding, a lack of housing, poor sanitation, and traffic congestion. To solve these municipal crises, the Philippine government initiated a planned urban development to replace Manila as the national capital. Founded on October 12, 1939, through the enactment of Commonwealth Act No. 502, the new municipality was named after Manuel L. Quezon, the second president of the Philippines. The land for the new city was carved out from several existing towns, including Caloocan, Marikina, San Juan, and Pasig, alongside eight vast estates purchased by the government.

This historical pivot moved administrative functions away from congested districts prone to naval bombardment risks toward a newly designed inland area. American architect William Parsons initially advised locating the National Government Center in Diliman rather than Wallace Field, and after his death in December 1939, lead planner Harry T. Frost, alongside Juan M. Arellano, Alpheus D. Williams, and Welton Becket, completed the master plan approved in 1941. Quezon City officially became the national capital on October 12, 1949, serving in that capacity until June 24, 1976, when Presidential Decree No. 940 returned national capital status to Manila while designating the broader metropolitan area as the seat of government.

Covering a total area of 161.11 square kilometers, Quezon City is politically subdivided into six congressional districts and 142 barangays. The city features major government infrastructure, including the Batasang Pambansa Complex and national government centers in Diliman and Batasan Hills. Major broadcasting headquarters are also situated within its boundaries, earning it recognition as the City of Stars.

For further reference, consult the Quezon City entry or review the GeoNames record for Quezon City.