The establishment of Hospicio de San Jose was made possible y the charitable legacy of Don Francisco Gomez Enriquez and his wife Doña Barbara Versoza. In gratitude for having been cured of a fever, Don Francisco donated four thousand pesos (P4,000) in 1778 for the establishment of a Hospicio General for the poor of Manila. It was said that several others followed the first sum during the couple's lifetime. Unfortunately, they did not live long enough to see the actual foundation of this home they envisioned to take care of the city's poor and unwanted children.
The initial purpose of the establishment of the institution was mainly to respond to the urgent need of the indigent clientele and the mentally/physically handicapped people during those times. Since its foundation in October 1778, Hospicio de San Jose has continued to meet the needs of the indigent people including the physically handicapped and the elderly people.
The institution was first known as Hospicio General and was later changed to its present name Hospicio de San Jose. The newly established welfare institution was then named after St. Joseph, its present saint.
Hospicio de San Jose was formerly located at Pandacan, Manila. From there, it was transferred to Intramuros, followed by the move to three other locations, namely Binondo, Nagtahan, and Echague. In 1810, Hospicio de San Jose found a permanent home at the Isla de Convalecencia (Island of Convalescents), the only island that divides the Pasig River.
From December 27, 1810 and by Royal Decree, Hospicio de San Jose was governed by a Board of Directors chaired by the Archbishop of Manila. In June 1, 1866, through the suggestion to the Governor-General of the Philippines by one of the institution’s benefactor and one of Manila's prominent ladies, Doña Margarita Rojas, the operation of the hospice became the responsibility of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. She suggested to the Governor General to invite the good sisters of charity to come to the Philippines to take care of the island's poor, sick, handicapped and abandoned.
Hospicio de San Jose was formerly located at Pandacan, Manila. From there, it was transferred to Intramuros, followed by the move to three other locations, namely Binondo, Nagtahan, and Echague. In 1810, Hospicio de San Jose found a permanent home at the Isla de Convalecencia (Island of Convalescents), the only island that divides the Pasig River.
From December 27, 1810 and by Royal Decree, Hospicio de San Jose was governed by a Board of Directors chaired by the Archbishop of Manila. In June 1, 1866, through the suggestion to the Governor-General of the Philippines by one of the institution’s benefactor and one of Manila's prominent ladies, Doña Margarita Rojas, the operation of the hospice became the responsibility of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. She suggested to the Governor General to invite the good sisters of charity to come to the Philippines to take care of the island's poor, sick, handicapped and abandoned.
Hospicio de San Jose provides an outreach program and a Christian, social and work oriented formation program. It is committed in assisting the abandoned people to experience quality life with the aim of making them “agents of social transformation”.
Address:
Ayala Bridge, Quiapo, Manila
Tel: 734-2367; 734-2368
Telefax: 734-2366
