Alcala, Pangasinan

Alcala, officially the Municipality of Alcala (Pangasinan: Baley na Alcala; Ilocano: Ili ti Alcala; Tagalog: Bayan ng Alcala), is a municipality in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 48,908 people.^[3]

Alcala
Municipality
Municipality of Alcala
Santo Tomas-Alcala Highway
Flag Seal
Motto(s):  Kalinisan, Kalusugan, Karapatan (English: Environment, Health, Rights)
Map of Pangasinan with Alcala highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Alcala Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 15°50′48″N 120°31′19″E
Country	Philippines
Region	Ilocos Region
Province	Pangasinan
District	5th district
Founded	September 20, 1875
Barangays	16 (see Barangays)
Government  [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor	Jojo B. Callejo
• Vice Mayor	Rodolfo C. Rosquita
• Representative	Ramon V. Guico III
• Municipal Council	Members Eduardo B. dela Cruz Jr. Amor G. Espiritu Top Jigur M. Peregrino Amado D. Bauzon Johnny E. Carajay Reynaldo A. Catalan Camilo P. Cerezo Roberto S. Ramos
• Electorate	31,431 voters (2025)
Area [2]
• Total	45.71 km2 (17.65 sq mi)
Elevation	23 m (75 ft)
Highest elevation	53 m (174 ft)
Lowest elevation	15 m (49 ft)
Population  (2020 census)[3]
• Total	48,908
• Density	1,100/km2 (2,800/sq mi)
• Households	11,999
Economy
• Income class	3rd municipal income class
• Poverty incidence	17.11 % (2021)[4]
• Revenue	₱ 347.7 million (2022)
• Assets	₱ 653.4 million (2022)
• Expenditure	₱ 251.5 million (2022)
• Liabilities	₱ 46.84 million (2022)
Service provider
• Electricity	Central Pangasinan Electric Cooperative (CENPELCO)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	2425
PSGC	0105504000
IDD : area code	+63 (0)75
Native languages	Pangasinan Ilocano Tagalog
Major religions	Roman Catholic
Feast date	May 3(Feast of the Finding of the True Cross)
Catholic diocese	Roman Catholic Diocese of Urdaneta
Patron saint	Santa Cruz de Alcala

Alcala recently made the world record for longest grill measuring about 3 kilometres (9,840 ft).^{[citation needed]}

History

What is known now as Alcala was formerly a barrio of Bayambang, formerly called "Dangla", a vernacular term referring to a medicinal shrub which grows abundantly in the place. As a barrio, it was subdivided into several smaller units called sitios, namely: Bugyao, Bacud, Cupi, Bitulao, Cabicalan, Patalan, Camanggaan and Sinabaan

On April 1, 1873, the settlers established a community. They submitted a petition calling for the cessation of Dangla into a separate township, but it took more than two years for the Spanish Authorities to take notice of the settlers' demands.

Finally, on September 20, 1875, Royal Decree No. 682 was issued to officially establish the Municipality of Alcala, the name of the town in Spain from where the then Governor of Pangasinan hailed.

During the outbreak of the Philippine–American War, the place was the site of the field headquarters of General Malone of the United States Army.

When the Filipinos and Americans were fighting against the Japanese during World War II, the place was the site for the American Field Headquarters under the command of General Johnathan Wainwright. It was here that the first Guerrilla Combat Training School was established. The same school produced an Infantry Battalion composed mostly of Alcaleneans who played an important role in defending the whole of Northern Luzon from Japanese forces.^[5][6]

Geography

The Municipality of Alcala has a total land area of 5,508 hectares.

Alcala is situated 47.07 kilometres (29.25 mi) from the provincial capital Lingayen, and 183.46 kilometres (114.00 mi) from the country's capital city of Manila.

Barangays

Alcala is politically subdivided into 21 barangays.^[7] Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

• Anulid
• Atainan
• Bersamin
• Canarvacanan
• Caranglaan
• Curareng
• Gualsic
• Kisikis
• Laoac
• Macayo
• Pindangan Centro
• Pindangan East
• Pindangan West
• Poblacion East
• Poblacion West
• San Juan
• San Nicolas
• San Pedro Apartado
• San Pedro Ili
• San Vicente
• Vacante

Climate

Climate data for Alcala, Pangasinan
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	31 (88)	31 (88)	31 (88)	33 (91)	32 (90)	32 (90)	30 (86)	30 (86)	30 (86)	31 (88)	31 (88)	31 (88)	31 (88)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	21 (70)	21 (70)	22 (72)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	23 (73)	23 (73)	23 (73)	23 (73)	23 (73)	22 (72)	23 (73)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	5.1 (0.20)	11.6 (0.46)	21.1 (0.83)	27.7 (1.09)	232.9 (9.17)	350.8 (13.81)	679.8 (26.76)	733.1 (28.86)	505 (19.9)	176.6 (6.95)	67.2 (2.65)	17.7 (0.70)	2,828.6 (111.38)
Average rainy days	3	3	3	4	14	18	23	25	22	15	8	4	142
Source: World Weather Online (modeled/calculated data, not measured locally)[8]

Demographics

Population census of Alcala

Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1903 9,008 —     1918 9,054 +0.03% 1939 12,697 +1.62% 1948 17,064 +3.34% 1960 20,297 +1.46%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1970 22,208 +0.90% 1975 24,376 +1.89% 1980 24,993 +0.50% 1990 30,684 +2.07% 1995 31,974 +0.77%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 2000 35,734 +2.41% 2007 38,934 +1.19% 2010 41,077 +1.97% 2015 43,402 +1.05% 2020 48,908 +2.38%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[9][10][11][12]

Economy

Poverty incidence of Alcala

5 10 15 20 25 30 2000 27.39 2003 15.28 2006 24.40 2009 20.28 2012 13.64 2015 12.35 2018 12.24 2021 17.11 Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]

Government

Local government

Main article: Sangguniang Bayan

Alcala, belonging to the fifth congressional district of the province of Pangasinan, is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is being held every three years.

Elected officials

Members of the Municipal Council (2022–2025):^[21][22]

• Congressman: Ramon V. Guico III
• Mayor: Jojo B. Callejo
• Vice-Mayor: Rodolfo C. Rosquita
• Councilors:
  • Eduardo B. dela Cruz Jr.
  • Amado D. Bauzon
  • Marcelino B. Tercias
  • Mark Ryan C. Catalan
  • Johnny E. Carajay
  • Cherry Beth C. Mamitag
  • Gerardo G. Ablao
  • Top Jigur M. Peregrino

Tourism

A tilapia dispersal and barbecue are part of the attractions in Alcala.^[23]

The Municipality received an 8-time Awardee for practicing good governance through the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) since its first implementation given by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Alcala celebrating its annual founding anniversary every September 20.

Alcala celebrating its Town Fiesta on May 1–3 every year.

San Vicente, Alcala has its Backpack Project.

Holy Cross Parish Church

Facade of the Holy Cross Parish (F-1881) Parish Church

The 1881 Holy Cross Parish Church is a Vicariate of Sacred Heart. Its Feast Day are May 3 is the Feast of the Finding of the True Cross and September 14 is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, with the present Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Christopher Elisar "Ralphie" M. Itchon under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Urdaneta.

The January 4, 1881 Spanish Royal Decree of the Spanish Government created the Parish of the Holy Cross and accepted by the Dominicans (House of the Order) on November of 188. Padre Eduardo Saamaniego, O.P., was appointed first parish priest on February 21, 1882. The convent was erected under Fr. Revilla and Fr. Casamitjana but the same was destroyed.^[24]

In 1950, Padre Jose V. Ferrer caused the destruction of the old church and instead built a semi-concrete edifice. Aided by Bishop Jesus Sison and Archbishop Mariano Madriaga, the Priest founded the Holy Rood Academy. Fr. Amado Lopez continued the rehabilitation of the Church and school but the 1967 and 1968 Casiguran earthquake annihilated the Church. Thus, Fr. Eusebio Vigilia and Fr. Johnny Tagalicud (1972-1977) rehabilitated the present new Church. (Source, 2007 Fiesta Yearbook of Bani, Pangasinan Church).

Education

The Alcala Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public elementary and high schools.^[25]

Primary and elementary schools

• Academy of St. Anthony of Padua
• Alcala Central School
• Alcala Brookside School
• Anulid Elementary School
• Archdiocesan School of San Fabian
• Aura Vista Montessori School & High School (Elementary)
• Bersamin Elementary School
• Bethel Christian Learning Center of Mangaldan Baptist Church
• Blessed Angels Achievers Academy
• Cherished Moment School
• Christian Life Learning Center
• Divine Grace Montessori and High School of Tayug (Elementary)
• Divine Grace Montessori and High School of Pozorrubio (Elementary)
• Divine Shepherd Montessori and High School (Elementary)
• Eylim Christian Academy
• Family Child Development School
• Gods Favor Learning Center
• Golden Seeds Guidance Montessori School
• Good Shepherd Christian School
• Gualsic Elementary School
• Guinawedan Elementary School
• Holy Child Academy
• Holy Family Educational Institution
• Immaculate Conception Catholic School
• Joyland School
• King's Kid Christian School
• Laoac Adventist Mission School
• Laoac Elementary School
• Little Learners Guided Educational Center
• Livingstone Christian Academy
• Kingsville Academy
• Manaoag Adventst School
• Mangaldan Achievers Academy
• Mary Help of Christians Boarding School
• Math Excellence Academy
• Movers Academy
• Our Lady of Manaoag Innovative School
• Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Academy
• Pao Christian Learning Center
• Pindangan East Elementary School
• Pindangan West Elementary School
• Quezon Memorial Academy
• Remnant International School
• Rosales Adventist Multigrade School
• Rosales Christian Learning Center
• Rosales Wesleyan Academy
• San Jacinto Catholic School
• San Juan Elementary School
• San Pedro Apartado Elementary School
• San Pedro Ili Elementary School
• San Vicente Elementary School
• South Central School
• St. Louis Bertrand School
• Saint Rose Academy
• St. Mary's Dominican School
• St. Philomena's Academy
• Sunrisers Merryland School
• Tayug Foundational Christian Academy
• The Right Formation School
• The Salvation Army Educational Services
• The United Methodist Church Kiddie Kollege
• The United Methodist Learning Center
• Vacante Elementary School
• VFV Christian Academy

Secondary schools

• Arboleda National High School
• Atainan-Caranglaan Integrated School
• Atainan Integrated School
• Aura Vista Montessori School & High School
• Bersamin Agro-Industrial National High School
• Canarvacanan National High School
• Cipriano P. Primicias National High School
• Divine Grace Montessori and High School of Tayug
• Divine Grace Montessori and High School of Pozorrubio
• Divine Shepherd Montessori and High School
• Macayo Integrated School
• Palm Springs Montessori Integrated School
• Pindangan National High School
• Red Arrow High School
• San Pedro Apartado National High School
• San Quintin High School Foundation
• St. Mary's Integrated School
• The Little Shoe Integrated School

Higher educational institutions

• Colegio de San Juan de Letran
• Hope of Melbourne Colleges Foundation
• Luna Colleges
• Northern Luzon Adventist College
• Panpacific University North Philippines
• St. Camillus College of Manaoag Foundation
• University of Luzon