And the new Rizal provincial capital is.....

Antipolo City!

Various media outlets this week reported that Rizal provincial capital will be in San Roque, Antipolo City. This after Ortigas & Company got back its land where the current provincial government seat is, in return they agreed to finance the new capital building in Antipolo.

Sorry Morong :(

Newslink here:

Editorial
Manila Times, June 20, 2008

FOR decades, Rizal Province could not claim self-respect. It was an oddity in the geographical and political sense. It was a big province that suddenly found itself dismembered. It also had no capital.

Comprising 24 towns and cities, the province named after the national hero was originally an economic heavyweight. Its first congressional district was one of the most coveted by politicians. The second district was a sleepy neck until its breakup. The capital, Pasig, named after the river favored by Pepe Rizal and Kiko Balagtas, was fabled and historic. The provincial government built its capital on its suburbs, where provincial chief executives ruled and governed, not unlike the presidents and governors-general who presided by the stately palace by the Pasig.

That is, until Ferdinand Marcos, created a Metropolitan Manila Commission that pulled away 12 towns from Rizal and one from Bulacan Province. Rizal ceded Mandaluyong, Makati, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Malabon, Pasay, Pasig, Parañaque, Caloocan, Las Piñas, Pateros, Navotas, San Juan, and Taguig to the commission.

A historic loss was the secession of Pasig. Rizal suddenly had no capital. The governor could hold office on the capitol grounds but he had lost an institution. His official stationery and letterhead lost the sheen of the office. Roadmaps and directional signs had to be changed.

The debate over Pasig’s replacement raged for sometime; many were the pretenders. Taytay said it was the most prosperous town. Morong claimed spiritual moorings. Rodriguez (formerly Montalban) on the northern fringe constitutes more than 26 percent of Rizal’s land area. Antipolo said it was unbeatable for its beauty, energy and religious ties.

After three decades, Rizal will have its capital on its own ground when it transfers its capitol building to San Roque, Antipolo City in December in a swap with Ortigas & Co. Ortigas shall build the capitol while the provincial government returns the land the building stands on. The deal took time but both parties are pleased with the results.

Come December, Gov. Casimiro Ynares 3rd will have the pleasure of having new Christmas cards printed and signing them under the letterhead of the new capital. It’s a good Christmas present he could share with his fellow Rizaleños.

Other news links:
Rizal Readies Transfer
Rizal Gets new Capitol
Rizal Capitol to be transfreed to Antipolo