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City Profile
Alaminos is undeniably a growing trade, commercial and educational
center of Western Pangasinan. Owing to its strategic location and with
the presence of the world-famous Hundred Islands National Park, and with
its abundant natural resources, the municipality is one of the growth centers
in Region I. With such inherent strengths, traders and businessmen continue to
come to Alaminos. Investments propelled the economic development of the town.
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†Comprehensive Land Use Plan (1997-2204), p. 27
With a booming economy, Alaminos was reclassified from fourth to third
class municipality in July 1991, the only one in the province and one of the
five (5) municipalities in Region I. Its reclassification is based on the
provisions of Executive Order No. 249 and Finance Department Order No. 79-91
dated July 1991. Six years later, with continuous economic growth, Alaminos,
was again reclassified into a first class municipality in May 7, 1997 by virtue
of the Executive Order No. 294 and Finance Department Order No. 79-91 dated
July 1991.
However, it was in 1994 when then Mayor Alipio Fernandez, Mayor of Dagupan
City, first broached the idea to the then Mayor Leon M. Rivera, Jr., of
converting Alaminos into a city due to its strategic location in Western
Pangasinan.
In July 1997, Mayor Rivera convened the Municipal Council led by the
then Vice Mayor Eduardo F. Fontelera, who later became City Mayor, where
conversion of Alaminos into becoming a city was seriously discussed. After its
deliberations, with an overwhelming support from the Sangguniang Bayan, Kgd.
Orlando R. Go sponsored a resolution converting the municipality into a city.
Rep. Hernani Braganza, then congressman representing the First District
of Pangasinan in the 10th Cogress, filed House Bill No. 10275 in November 1997.
Unluckily, particular bill was not calendared for reading in January 1998
because of time constraints brought about by the forthcoming national elections
scheduled in May.
In the 11th Congress, with Congressman Romeo Candazo as the Chairman of
the Local Government Committee, the local officials lost no time in securing
and updating all reference materials that they have prepared previously. After
all the requirements were properly complied with, Congressman Braganza,
then in his second term, immediately filed House Bill No. 4898 on October 21,
1998.
Last public hearing conducted for this purpose was held in October 21, 1991 at
the Don Leopoldo Sison Auditorium which was participated in by a huge crowd
representing the pro and anti citihood movement.
It is in December 1999 when House Bill No. 4898 was finally approved by
the House of Representatives during its third and final reading.
In February 8, 2001, consolidated House Bill No. 4898 and Senate Bill No. 2257
was passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate. To be enacted was RA
9025, an Act Converting the Municipality of Alaminos, Province of Pangasinan
into a Component City to be known as the City of Alaminos.
And so, in March 5, 2001, at the Kalayaan Hall in Malacañang, the local
government officials have witnessed the signing of RA 9025, the law converting
Alaminos into a city by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. But it is
only in March 28, 2001 when finally, more than 85% of Alaminians voted
affirmatively in making Alaminos into becoming the fourth city of the Province
of Pangasinan.
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