DAGUPAN CITY -- Malacañang has declared June 20 (Monday) a special non-working day in this city in celebration of the city’s 75th founding anniversary.
By authority of President Rodrigo Duterte, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea signed Proclamation No. 1398 on June 17 declaring June 20 (Monday) as a special non-working day.
“It is fitting and proper that the City of Dagupan be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies, subject to the public health measures of the national government,” read the proclamation signed by Medialdea.
Dagupan City was made a charter city by virtue of Republic Act 170 authored by then House Speaker Eugenio Perez and which was signed into law by then President Manuel Roxas on June 20, 1947.
Dagupan City was originally named Bacnotan by the Augustinian missionaries a few years after the establishment of the Spanish encomienda in Pangasinan in 1583, according to the official website of Pangasinan.
“In 1660, Andres Malong, a local chieftain, led a revolt against the Spaniards for imposing forced labor. After the revolt, the people rebuilt the town. To commemorate the gathering forces under Malong, the place was renamed to ‘Nandaragupan’ which means ‘where people meet.’
In 1780, the name of the town was simplified to Dagupan. It was followed by the end of Spanish rule on July 23, 1898 when the Spanish troops surrendered to the Katipunan leader, General Francisco Makabulos.
The first civil government was established on February 16, 1901 with the holding of the first elections through ‘viva voce.’
Dagupan became a city on June 20, 1947 by virtue of Republic Act No. 170, a law known as the City Charter of Dagupan.
It is known as the home of the tastiest milkfish in the world and the birthplace of Philippine Modern Art and National Artist Victorio Edades.