Urdaneta, Pangasinan

In 1998, the Philippine Congress passed R.A. 8480, which converted the Municipality of Urdaneta into a component city of the Province of Pangasinan. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Amadeo R. Perez Jr., a congressman representing the province.

The passage of the bill was followed by a plebiscite, which was held on March 21, 1998. The people of Urdaneta overwhelmingly ratified the legislative act, with 26,222 in favor and only 142 against. As a result, Urdaneta was officially proclaimed as a city.[6]

Urdaneta is politically subdivided into 34 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral

The Urdaneta Cathedral or the 1858 Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Urdaneta is part of the Vicariate of Our Lady. Its vicar foranes are Rev. Fr. Alberto T. Arenos and Father Elpidio F. Silva Jr. Its feast day is December 8. Its head is Bishop Jacinto Agcaoili Jose, JCL, DD. Founded on January 8, 1858, it is under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, Roman Catholic Diocese of Urdaneta.[12]

The diocese is led by Bishop Jacinto Jose (born on October 29, 1950, in Mangato, Laoag City. He serves as vice chairman of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Episcopal Commission of Social Communications and Mass Media and member of the Episcopal Commission on Youth.

Previous ordinaries were Bishop Jesus Castro Galang (December 7, 1991 – September 16, 2004) and Bishop Pedro G. Magugat, M.S.C. (April 22, 1985 – May 5, 1990). Other diocesan officials hold office at the Bishop's Residence and Chancery of Obispado de Urdaneta Building, Dr. Jose Aruego Street, Urdaneta, Pangasinan. The Vicar General is Msgr. Lazaro P. Hortaleza and Chancellor, Father Teofilo L. Calicdan.[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]

The Aglipay Central Theological Seminary (ACTS) in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan is the regional seminary of the church dedicated to serve the North-Central and South-Central Luzon Dioceses. ACTS offers a Bachelor of Theology and Divinity Programs for those who aspire to enter the ordained ministry in the Church. It is a four-year study program with a curriculum focused on biblical, theological, historical and pastoral studies with reference to parish management and development and wider cultural and social context. Members of the Philippine Independent Church or Aglipayans has the second most members in the city.

Urdaneta has been selected as the site of the Urdaneta Philippines Temple, the third temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to be built in the Philippines (the other two being in Manila and Cebu City).[21]

Urdaneta City is the one of the Major Ecclesiastical District of the Church, comprised 12 locale chapel serves as brgy. chapel , the biggest of one is situated at Sison St., Poblacion Proper and the district office is located, and one Group Worship Service Chapel . INC Considered minority increasing members throughout the city.

Attractions include Museo de Urdaneta, Cabaruan, Sugcong and Oltama Rolling Hills, inter alia. The Sanctuary I.T. Building (Barangay Nancaysan, MacArthur Highway, the only Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) proclaimed I.T. Building in Pangasinan) houses the first two call centers: FFG Telemarketing (a Filipino-Canadian outbound call center) and EIE Inc. (Filipino-owned website services marketing firm).

Urdaneta, 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.

Urdaneta City celebrates Dumayo Festival annually March 18 – 31: Basbas ng Pag-iisang Dibdib (free mass wedding), bloodletting activity, tree planting for environment preservation, jobs fair and fun run for a cause.

The city celebrates fiesta every month of December. This is in remembrance of the city patron, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. Festivities are held December 1–8. Activities include a parade, drum and lyre competition, teachers' night, balikbayan night, ABC-SK night, ballroom, Miss Urdaneta City coronation night and many more events. A carnival is put up every December as a part of the event.[30]

In the 2012 yearly City Fiesta celebration (December 1–15), Fifth District Representative Kimi S. Cojuangco formally (December 1) opened the agro-industrial fair where “bahay kubo” booths of the city's barangays showcased their products at the Urdaneta City Cultural and Sports Complex. Cojuangco was assisted by Manila Economic and Cultural Office Chair Amadeo R. Perez Jr., Mayor Amadeo Gregorio “Bobom” Perez IV and members of the Sangguniang Bayan led by Vice Mayor Onofre C. Gorospe.