Aguilar, Pangasinan
| Aguilar | ||
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| Municipality | ||
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 Map of Pangasinan showing the location of Aguilar |
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 Aguilar
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| Coordinates: 15°50′N 120°12′E / 15.833°N 120.200°ECoordinates: 15°50′N 120°12′E / 15.833°N 120.200°E | ||
| Country |
 Philippines
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| Region | Ilocos (Region I) | |
| Province | Pangasinan | |
| District | 2nd district of Pangasinan | |
| Founded | July 16, 1805 | |
| Barangays | 16 | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor | Eduardo T. Ballesteros | |
| • Vice Mayor | Roldan Caoile Sagles | |
| • Electorate | 23,781 voters (2016 election) | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 195.07 km2 (75.32 sq mi) | |
| Population (2015 census) | ||
| • Total | 41,463 | |
| • Density | 210/km2 (550/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | PST (UTC+8) | |
| ZIP code | 2415 | |
| 015502000 | ||
| IDD : area code | +63 (0)75 | |
| Income class | 3rd municipal income class | |
| Revenue | ₱ 9,550,248.44 (2016) | |
| Poverty incidence | 14.99 (2012) | |
| Website | www |
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Aguilar is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 41,463 people. The municipality was named after Spanish governor-general Rafael Maria de Aguilar, who ordered the establishment of an independent civil political unit on 16 July 1805
The Municipality of Aguilar had its early beginnings as cattle ranch founded by the Spaniards. The place was known then as Sitio Balubad, which was then still part of the town of Binalatongan (now San Carlos). On the western part were the Zambales Mountains with thick forests and verdant foliage. It was hunter's paradise with deer roaming here and there with an occasional wild boar making an appearance. The grass in the plains were succulent fare for fattening cattle and the water from the brooks and streams clear and sparkling. On the eastern part was the Agno River. At that time, there were no roads were yet established. There were footpaths which eventually roads providing access from one place to another. The river arteries constituted the main mode of transportation in the interior towns. Through these river systems, boats sailed from the Ilocos provinces in the North southwards to Dagupan, Calasiao, Lingayen and sometimes even as far as San Isidro De Labrador, Salasa, Aguilar and Camiling. Worth noting was the fossiliferous river bank in Camiling useful in making lime, while mineral waters consisting of ferruginous and alkaline waters were and are still found in Aguilar and Mangatarem. As a thriving place for cattle and bountiful rice harvests, it was natural for Aguilar to attract people from other towns to stay and settle in the place. The early settlers prospered and lived in peace and contentment. When the Spaniards in Lingayen heard of this flourishing village, they sent Spanish explorers through the town of Salasa to visit the place. Some Spanish soldiers and priest were left to organize a pueblo. In time, the clamor to convert the settlement into a town became popular. A petition was therefore, filed with the principales or municipal officials of Binalatongan to convert the village into a town. The petition was finally favorably endorsed.
The decree establishing Aguilar as an independent civil political unit was issued on 16 July 1805 by Governor General Rafael Maria de Aguilar, after whom the town was named. The decree in Lingayen on 1 August 1805. However, it was not until 19 January 1806 that the Provincial Governor of Pangasinan was able to make the trip to the sitio of Balubad, the site of the Poblacion, to carry out the provisions of the decree. The Governor inspected the area, chose the most appropriate site on which to erect the town center and listed the people who wishes to settle in the new town, together with their places of origin. The greatest number came from Lingayen, made up of 210 couples and 60 individuals from the "gremio de naturals" (native community) and 10 couples and 11 individuals from the "gremio de mestizos" (mestizo community). From the town of Salasa, there were 56 couples and 21 bachelors all of the rank of "Caylianes" (commoners), while from the town of San Carlos, there were 32 couples and 19 individuals, all "Caylianes". There were also Ilocano migrants consisting of 6 couples and 24 bachelors. Finally, there were some Negritos, consisting of both baptized Christians and Ynfieles (Non-Christians). All in all, the total number of inhabitants composed 401 tributes, for bachelors and unmarried women paid only half a tribute each. These excluded the unbaptized negritos. The town was formally inaugurated on 9 May 1806 when the first officials were elected and given their appointments by the Alcalde Mayor. The officials were headed by Don Francisco Zamuco as Gobernadorcillo and Don Juan Manguino as "Teniente Primero" (first lieutenant). The Alcalde Mayor then proceeded to mark the jurisdictional limits of the new town. With the town of Salasa, the boundary was the river Balubad (now Sobol) from the mountain where the river originated to the river Agno, running a direct line from west to east. With the town of San Carlos, the boundary was the Agno River in the east and the Bunlalacao River in the south. The necessary boundary markers were placed and operations were witnessed by the town officials of Salasa and San Carlos. Mangatarem as a town did not yet exist, having been founded only in 1837. Local folklores likewise maintained that Aguilar was identified with an eagle or agila that used to fly around the place at nighttime and would perch on a fence or alar when tired of flying, hence, agila and alar put together formed Aguilar.
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