City Government of Pasig

There are many legendary tales and theories explaining the origin of the name Pasig. However, the most convincing theory comes from the late Dr. Jose Villa Panganiban – a linguist, polyglot, professor, and former director of the Institute of National Language. He said that “Pasig” is an old Sanskrit word referring to a “river flowing from one body of water to another,” in the case of Pasig River, from Laguna de Bay to Manila Bay.

Pasig is one of the oldest towns in the Philippines. The Augustinians created it in 1572. In June 1901, Act No. 137 of the Philippine Commission incorporated Pasig in the newly created Province of Rizal. It became the Provincial Capital of Rizal until 1975 when the Metro Manila Commission was created under Presidential Decree No. 824.

On 26 July 1994, the Senate and the House of Representative enacted Republic Act 7829 converting the Municipality of Pasig into a highly urbanized city. The, on 8 December 1994, President Fidel V. Ramos signed it into law. The people of Pasig ratified this through a plebiscite on 21 January 1995.