LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines — Malacañang has declared April 5 as a special non-working day in this province, which marks its 441st anniversary.
Under Proclamation 1127 signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea by authority of President Duterte, “it is but fitting and proper that the people of the province of Pangasinan be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies subject to community quarantine, social distancing and other public health measures.”
The proclamation states that the celebration of the Agew na Pangasinan shall be subject to existing national and local quarantine protocols and minimum public health standards.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed an ordinance declaring April 5, 1580 as the official foundation day of the province in 2010 after a research showed that it was on the day that it gained its status as a separate political unit.
Prior to the ordinance, Pangasinan celebrated its anniversary every Nov. 30.