Pangasinan now has official birthdate after 430 years

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan , Philippines  – Finally, after 430 years, officials of the province made history yesterday when provincial board members passed an ordinance declaring and citing April 5, 1580 as the official foundation day of Pangasinan which was signed immediately by Gov. Amado Espino Jr.

“This is Agew na Pangasinan (Day of Pangasinan), the real Pangasinan birthdate,” lawyer Gonzalo Duque said who is the chairman of the Research and Study Committee created by Espino through an executive order composed of representatives from the provincial government, historical and cultural organizations, academe and media.

The committee found out that it was on April 5, 1572 when Pangasinan was made an encomienda by the Spanish royal crown to receive instructions on the Catholic faith, which means that Pangasinan was organized under one leadership and has identity before the Spanish royal court.

Eight years later, in 1580, Pangasinan was organized into a political unit under an alcalde mayor who at that time has authority as head of the province or provincial government with judicial function indicating that Pangasinan has become a province. However, there are no records found by the committee to establish the exact date in 1580.

The approved ordinance said that the Research and Study Committee unanimously recommends the declaration of April 5, 1580 as the official founding day of the province of Pangasinan to commemorate two historic events in its existence. The date April 5 is to commemorate the day when Pangasinan became an encomienda and 1580 to commemorate the year it became a province.

The declaration of April 5, 1580 as the official foundation day of the province of Pangasinan will further enhance the cultural and historical enlightenment and social consciousness of our people, the ordinance added. 

“Such declaration will usher in the celebration of the 430th Foundation Day of the Province of Pangasinan on April 5, 2010,” it added.   – With Cesar Ramirez