The National Archives of the Philippines (NAP) takes great pride in preserving a significant Spanish heritage collection spanning the 16th to the 19th century. This vast collection, consisting of over 47,443 bundies and more than 2,700 record series, is divided into two sections. Of the 2,700 series, it is Ereccion de los Pueblos that sheds light on the establishment of towns, and barrios as well as parishes.

To facilitate easy and efficient access to these records, the NAP has made the catalog cards of Ereccion de los Pueblos available online. The digital catalog comprises 8,834 images that were digitized from the original cards of the Erección de los Pueblos Spanish Documents Section’s (SDS) Seccion 1. The catalog includes 238 bundles of manuscripts, illustrations, plans, and maps. These records offer invaluable insight into Spanish political and ecclesiastical activities in the Philippine Archipelago.

Erección de los Pueblos is the most commonly requested record series, with researchers coming from different parts of the Philippines and from abroad. Making the digital format of Erección de los Pueblos available on the NAP website will increase accessibility and convenience for all researchers in the Philippines and around the world who are interested in studying these records.

Copies of the records described in the catalog and finding aids can be requested through the NAP’s official email address nationalarchives@nationalarchives.gov.ph or personally through:

NAP Reference Service Unit (RSU) located at the ground floor of PPL Building, UN Avenue corner San Marcelino Street, Paco, Manila.

NAP Reading Room Unit (RRU) located at 1765 Paz M. Guazon St., Paco Manila City