Alaminos, officially the City of Alaminos (Pangasinan: Siyudad na Alaminos; Ilocano: Siudad ti Alaminos; Sambal: Babali nin Alaminos; Filipino: Lungsod ng Alaminos), is a 4th class component city in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines, and is known for being the home of the Hundred Islands National Park, which is composed of 124 islands and is located off the coast of Barangay Lucap. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 99,397 people. The city is named after Juan Alaminos y de Vivar, a former governor-general of the Philippines.

In 2009, it was announced that Alaminos Airport would be built near the city as a commercial airport for Pangasinan province. However, the timeline for construction of the airport has repeatedly slipped; as of 2015, the project is in limbo.

Etymology

Alaminos is named after the Spanish general Juan Alaminos y Vivar, who served as Governor-General of the Philippines from 1873 to 1874 and was much loved by locals as he visited to the then-town in 1860. Previously named Sarapsap, it was renamed in his honor in 1872.

History

Alaminos was formerly part of Bolinao, tracing its roots to a barrio named Casborran (present-day barangay Baleyadaan), formerly part of Zambales. It eventually grew when people from Suyang (present-day barangay Zaragosa in Bolinao) relocated to the area in 1737.

In 1747, Casborran became an independent town. In 1758, it was attacked by fire due to a political and economic conflict. In 1764, inhabitants tried to rebuild the town but another conflict happened, making them leave for Nansangaan (present-day Barangay Inerangan). Two years later, they found refuge at a plateau that is now the poblacion of Alaminos and renamed it Sarapsap. It was renamed to Alaminos in 1872, twelve years after the visit of the future Governor-General Juan Alaminos y Vivar, who was well loved by residents, to the thriving town. In 1903, Alaminos was annexed to Pangasinan by virtue of Act No. 1004.

The Communist Party of the Philippines was founded by Jose Maria Sison in the remote barangay of Dulacac on December 26, 1968.

Cityhood

By virtue of Republic Act 9025, signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on March 5, 2001, Alaminos was converted into a city after 85% of the voters favored the ratification in a plebiscite held on March 28, 2001.

Contemporary era

Alaminos was badly hit in May 2009 by Typhoon Emong which damaged many houses in the city, including the roof of the main church. Due to this, several organizations had requested donations and aid to help in restoring the town back to its former self.

Geography

Alaminos City is 42 kilometres (26 mi) from Lingayen and 248 kilometres (154 mi) from Manila.

Barangays

Alaminos City is politically subdivided into 39 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Climate

Demographics

Population census of Alaminos

Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1903 11,834 —     1918 14,353 +1.29% 1939 19,960 +1.58% 1948 26,240 +3.09% 1960 30,250 +1.19%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1970 38,773 +2.51% 1975 42,496 +1.86% 1980 47,715 +2.34% 1990 59,363 +2.21% 1995 65,130 +1.75%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 2000 73,448 +2.61% 2007 79,788 +1.15% 2010 85,025 +2.34% 2015 89,708 +1.03% 2020 99,397 +2.04%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

Economy

Poverty incidence of Alaminos

5 10 15 20 25 30 2006 24.80 2009 19.86 2012 8.61 2015 12.39 2018 7.75 2021 17.53 Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

Government

Local government

Alaminos, belonging to the first 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 Alaminos City Council (2019–2022)

Position	Name
District Representative (1st Legislative District the Province of Pangasinan)	Arnold F. Celeste
Chief Executive of the City of Alaminos	Arth Bryan C. Celeste
Presiding Officer of the City Council of Alaminos	Vice Mayor Jose Antonio M. Yatco
Councilors of the City of Alaminos	Apple Joy D. Bacay
	Carolyn D. Sison
	Michelle S. Segundera
	Joselito D. Fontelera
	Cirilo B. Radoc
	Verna S. Rabago
	Oscar A. Boling
	Froebel A. Ranoy
	Dahlia M. De Leon
	Alfred Feliz E. De Castro

Media

AM Stations:

• DZIN 801 (Vanguard Radio Network)
• DZWM Radyo Totoo 864 (Catholic Media Network)

FM Stations:

• 99.3 Spirit FM (Catholic Media Network)
• 100.1 Radyo Natin (Manila Broadcasting Company)
• 102.7 Big Sound FM (Vanguard Radio Network)

Cable & Satellite TV Providers

• Pangasinan Educational Cable TV (PECTV)
• USATV
• Cignal TV
• G Sat

Festivals

The Galila Hundred Islands Festival is held from March 16 to 21 every year. Galila means “come” in the vernacular, and the festival includes the 100 Islands Adventure Race.

Transportation

Accredited Transport Cooperative as of January 2021:

• Alaminos, Bani, Agno, Anda, Bolinao Operators and Drivers Transport Service Cooperative (ABAABOD TSC)

Sister cities

• Marikina, Metro Manila

Images

• 
  Welcome sign
• 
  Alaminos City Hall (Poblacion)
• 
  Legislative Building (Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall)
• 
  Colegio San Jose de Alaminos (Poblacion)
• 
  Cathedral of Saint Joseph (Poblacion)
• 
  Remote view of Alaminos City skyline