FURTHER southeast of Mexico town is the bucolic town of San Luis, named after St. Aloysius Gonzaga, the patron saint of the youth, whose feast is celebrated every 21st of June.
Local historians associate this town to the late Luis M. Taruc, perceived as a local hero and a defender of the rights of farmers and workers and a founder of the Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa mga Hapon or Hukbalahap.
One of the largest towns in Pampanga in terms of land area, San Luis is a prime agricultural municipality in Pampanga.
Now headed by its current mayor, Dr. Jayson Sagum, a popular figure in this town, San Luis struggles to make a name in the province's race for economic recognition. Previously, it was Asyong Macapagal who held the mayorship.
Dr. Sagum also was a former member of the Sangguniang Bayan before he staged a comeback for the mayoralty. Now, he seems to stay long in this post.
Per the profile provided this writer by the Mayor's Office, San Luis is bounded on the north by Sta. Ana, northwest by Mexico, northeast by Candaba, southwest by San Simon, all in Pampanga and southeast by Baliuag, Bulacan.
It has 17 barangays over a total area of 5,683 hectares which is composed of 4,423 hectares of agricultural land, 647 hectares residential, 16 hectares commercial and industrial, 444 hectares of fishponds and 42 hectares of vegetable plantation, 70 hectares of orchard, 15 hectares of livestock area, 2 hectares of root crops plantation and 25 hectares of institutional establishments.
As of 2015, San Luis has a population of 54,106. By this time, this has grown considerably, with the average growth rate pegged at 1.36 percent for the period 2007-2010 and 1.78 percent from 2010-2015. The population increase for five years is estimated at about 4,795.
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There are 10,945 households in San Luis as of 2015 with an average household size of 4.94 persons. It has 17 elementary schools, 8 secondary schools and 1 tertiary school. It has 2 rural health units as of 2015: one in Santa Cruz Poblacion and another in Barangay Sta. Monica. There are 17 barangay health centers and one district hospital in Barangay Sta. Lucia.
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Induction of PTA officers at Santos Ventura National Senior High School was held last August 9, 2019. Also, the student leaders/officers were inducted by some barangay officials.
The classroom PTA officers and those in the mother PTA were inducted. Closing remarks was rendered by the school's punong guro Madam Aileen Dizon. Afterwards, sandwiches and soft drinks were served the attendees. Ms. Dizon asked for the parents' help in making the school fully equipped with amenities conducive to the learning of the students.