April 16, 1902
Revolutionary Gen. Miguel Malvar surrendered to Franklin Bell, head of the American forces in Batangas province.
Severe exhaustion, dwindling men and lack of resources took a toll on revolutionary forces’ struggle.
Malvar was one of the last generals to surrender to the Americans.
He took command of Filipino forces after the capture of President Emilio Aguinaldo at Palanan town in Isabela province in March 1901 to continue the fight for independence.
Malvar established his headquarters in the vicinity of Taal Volcano.
April 18, 1998
Republic Act No. 8593, which converted the municipality of Tarlac to a component city, was ratified by an overwhelming majority vote in a plebiscite.
A day later, the Commission on Elections declared Tarlac the lone city in Tarlac province.
The law, also called the “Charter of the City of Tarlac,” was signed by then President Fidel Ramos in March 1998.
In 2017, the agricultural city’s assets stood at P3.95 billion in 2017, while it earned P1.43 billion.
Tarlac City’s population was 342,493 in 2015.
Compiled by Kathleen de Villa, Inquirer Research
Sources: Inquirer Archives, DOT, officialgazette.gov.ph, malacanang.gov.ph, nhcp.gov.ph, coa.gov.ph, pia.gov.ph, Siquijor Tourism Facebook page