MAYOR LEOCADIO CASINGAL DE VERA, JR. 1998-2007

MAYOR LEOCADIO CASINGAL DE VERA, JR. 1998-2007

A very viable chief executive of the town! This is the former mayor of Bayambang.

Leocadio Casingal De Vera Jr., of Leo Boy' for short. Early in the morning, the townsfolk could see him walking to the bakery to buy Pan de Sal which he munched while doing some rounds in the public market. In times of natural calamitics that affected Bayambang, he could be seen inspecting the damages, assessing the needs of his constituents, and making the necessary actions

Leo "Boy' started the great transformation of Bayambang when he caused the facelift of the town plaza with the aid of a benefactor, the local business mogul from Bayambang. Cezar T Quiambao. During his three consecutive terms from 1998 to 2007, the following infrastructure projects were completed construction of the municipal slaughterhouse with biogas system located in Barangay Telbang, construction of the rural Health Center through the assistance of PCSO, construction of the PNP Building through the LGU-PNP cost sharing scheme, construction of the Bayambang Sports Complex, and improvement/concreting of some Barangay roads. He also started the implementation of the Ecological Waste Management Act of 2000 known as Republic Act No. 9003, and created the municipal Waste Management Board Munch. He likewise created the Systematic Mobilization of Action and Response Technique (SMART) Center which is an extension office under the direct supervision of the mayor, manned by service- oriented personnel

Leo 'Boy's exemplary record made him a recipient of awards in anti Drug Abuse, in Nutrition Program Implementation, in Peace and Order in the Province of Pangasinan, in Revenue Collection, in Leadership, and in Resource Generation. He was also an awardee of the Gawad ng Pangulo sa Kapaligiran for 1999-2000

A holder of the degrees of Bachelor of Science in Commerce, Bachelor of Science in Management, Master of Public Administration, Leo 'Boy' was able to propel Bayambang as the official entry of Region I and successfully reached the final stage in the selection of a recipient of the Konrad Adenauer's Medal of Excellence (KAME) in 2003 KAME searches for creative local governments that have shown management innovations and exemplary performance in the field of local governance. Leo believes that learning never ends so he is still pursuing his Doctorate degree in Public Administration

The son of Leocadio Gloria De Vera, St and Teodora Casingal, Leo 'Boy' is and epitome of governance and administration for his performance as former chief executive of the Municipality of Bayambang.

MAYOR SALVADOR FERRER QUINTO 1955-1959

 MAYOR SALVADOR FERRER QUINTO 1955-1959

This former chief executive of Bayamhang chose a noble profession, teaching! He was the former mayor Salvador Ferrer Quinto who took up Education at the then Bayambang Normal School, now Pangasinan State University, Bayambang Campus After his graduation. he taught at the Bicol Region for seven and a half ycars, from 1937 to 1944 After the World War II, he resumed his teaching career in Luzon and taught from 1947 to 1955

His calling to serve the Bayambangueños made him enter politics. He was elected as the Mayor of Bayambang and faithfully and conscientiously served his constituents from 1955 to 1959. His record as chief executive of the municipality was never untarnished. After hus term, he worked in Manila as Executive Secretary of the Philippine Tobacco Administration. When he retired, he was appointed as the Personal Secretary of ex-mayor Calixto B. Camacho

Mayor Salvador F. Quinto was born on November 14, 1909. He married Corazon Dacasin of Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan. They were blessed with nine children two girls and seven boys. He passed away on March 7, 2002.

MAYOR MIGUEL C. MATABANG

 MAYOR MIGUEL C. MATABANG

1960-1963, 1986-1988

Former Mayor Miguel Carungay Matabang served the Municipality in various capacities before becoming the head of the town He started his political career as Municipal Councilor when he was elected twice for the position in 1947 1951, then in 1951 1955. He was appointed Municipal Secretary from 1956 1959 A

In 1960, he ran for Municipal Mayor and was elected. He served until 1963 for one term. During his term, Bayambang was in the limelight for having been chosen the seat of the famous Philippines UNESCO National Community Training Center (PUNCTC) In recognition of this honor for Bayambang, a day was set aside every town fiesta celebration as PUNCTC Day which consisted of a civic parade at day time and a PUNCTC Night in the evening.

Mayor Matabang's political world was in a hiatus during the Martial Law years. It bounced back in 1986 during President Cory's term when he was appointed officer-in-charge of the Municipality from 1986-1988.

He ran in the Municipal election of 1988. Unfortunately he lost.

Leopoldo Frias Aquino, Sr 1943-1944 1948-1951

 Leopoldo Frias Aquino, Sr 1943-1944 1948-1951

Former Mayor Leopoldo F Aquina, Sr was born November 1904 in Bayambang. Pangasinan. His parents were Pedro Kabola Aquino of Lungog, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur and Raymunda Frias of Bayambung, Pangaunan

He was married to Ma. Esperanza Najera Bañez, a barrio lass from Nagpalangan, Bunalcy Ther marriage was blamed with eleven children. The eight saviving children are all successful in their chosen line of endevours

A Leopldo Sr. was finit elected mayor under the Nationalsta Party before the war. He continued to be the mayor during the war and after the war. He accepted the postion if only to protect the people from the abuses of the Japanese and alleviate their sufferings at the same time huuson with these occupiers. He walked a tightrope working with the Japanese and working underground as a guerrilla under the command of a serta Major Ramsey of the United States Armed Proces in the Far East (USAFFE)

Mr. Aquino's bravery and exploits were known in his tume. One most memorable event was when the Japanese summoned all male popolation and herded them in the town plaza Surrounded by machine guns, the General threatened to gun down all the people if no one will identify the guerrillas from among the throng The people were wailing and crying everywhere Mayor Aquino went to the plaza tagging along his wife and two children. He went up the kiosk

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MAYOR SALVADOR FERRER QUINTO 1955-1959

This former chief executive of Bayamhang chose a noble profession, teaching! He was the former mayor Salvador Ferrer Quinto who took up Education at the then Bayambang Normal School, now Pangasinan State University, Bayambang Campus After his graduation. he taught at the Bicol Region for seven and a half ycars, from 1937 to 1944 After the World War II, he resumed his teaching career in Luzon and taught from 1947 to 1955

His calling to serve the Bayambangueños made him enter politics. He was elected as the Mayor of Bayambang and faithfully and conscientiously served his constituents from 1955 to 1959. His record as chief executive of the municipality was never untarnished. After hus term, he worked in Manila as Executive Secretary of the Philippine Tobacco Administration. When he retired, he was appointed as the Personal Secretary of ex-mayor Calixto B. Camacho

Mayor Salvador F. Quinto was born on November 14, 1909. He married Corazon Dacasin of Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan. They were blessed with nine children two girls and seven boys. He passed away on March 7, 2002.

Mayor Eligio C. Sagun

Mayor Eligio C. Sagun

1946-1947, 1952-1955

Don Eligio C. Sagun marked the history of Bayambang as the first Municipal Mayor of the town upon the proclamation of the whole archipelago of the Philippines as a Republican State on July 4, 1946. He acquired the position by virtue of an appointment made by the first President of the Philippine Republic, Manuel A. Roxas.

Don Eligio Sagun enjoyed his appointment for one year, 1946-1947, after which he was succeeded by other appointive mayors, likewise, for one-year term cach

In 1952, Don Eligio Sagun was put back to the position, this time as the first mayor-elect of Bayambang on the basis of election by the people, He then enjoyed the position as the first mayor-elect for a term of three years that was from 1952-1955. He then governed the municipality in an historic period of rehabilitation and transition/adjustment from a long period of foreign rule to the new era of complete independence from colonial subservience.

Engr. Ricardo M. Camacho

Honorable Ricardo M. Camacho is the incumbent mayor of the municipality. He assumed office in June 2007. He is now on his third and final term, completing a full term of nine years as Chief Executive of Bayambang. He is, so far, the youngest to become the town's mayor, and is a holder of a degree in civil engineering.

Under his administration, now on its third term, Bayambang has apparently transformed into a re-energized municipality, as evidenced by the emergence of bigger business establishments, infrastructure development, and agricultural productivity, all of which are contributory to the town's economic progress, making Bayambang a more attractive investment destination.

Other priority concerns of Mayor Camacho's administration include the enhancement of health and educational services, cultural and historical heritage development, peace and order, and external linkages. More specifically, the incumbent mayor's administration has entered into a Sisterhood Agreement with the City of Makati. Moreover, the present administration has likewise put a premium on the application of information technology in its operations.

There are a lot more of the Mayor's accomplishments that can be accounted for, inspired by his favorite wisdom which states that we do not only act but also dream, we do not only plan but also believe, and we do not only follow but also lead.

Noteworthy to mention is the Mayor's supportive wife, Mrs. Zenaida Barrogo Camacho, who is the woman behind his success, along with their children: Kris Carlo and his wife Diane Caguion, and their child Carliana Zen; Kelvin Jay; Krizza Anne; and Kendric Vincent.

HEADS OF THE TOWN THROUGH THE YEARS

 HEADS OF THE TOWN THROUGH THE YEARS

According to written records, the first executive of the town during the Spanish regime was Vicente Cayabyab, and the last gobernadorcillo was Julio Gloria, who was elected by the highest taxpayers and the cabezas de barangay of the town on April 5, 1891. Gloria served as gobernadorcillo for three years (1891–1893).

From 1893 (passage of the Maura Law) to the end of Spanish rule, the town head became known as capitan municipal. The capitan municipal was elected by a board of electors of the town for a term of four years. Mauricio De Guzman became the first capitan of the municipality, and his successors were Honorato Carungay, Lorenzo Rodriguez, a Spaniard, and Julian Mananzan, the last of the capitanes.

During the revolutionary period, Saturnino Junio was appointed as Chief Executive. When the Americans inaugurated the military government, Evaristo Dimalanta was appointed President. At the inauguration of the civil government, Lauriano Roldan was appointed as the first civil president of the town.

The succeeding presidents were Albino Garcia, Gavino De Guzman, Mateo Mananzan, Marciano Fajardo, Agustin Carungay, Demetrio Mananzan, Eusebio Camacho, Eustaquio Bautista, and Emetrio Camacho. Enrique Roldan, who held office for three terms, followed him. In 1937, Gerundio Umengan took over the office. Up to the outbreak of World War II in December 1941, Faustino Van Bush was the municipal mayor.

During the Japanese occupation, sometime in 1943, Leopoldo Aquino, Sr. was named municipal mayor and served up to the middle of 1944, until Mariano Fernandez took over as acting mayor up to Liberation. Then the PCAU of the U.S. Army appointed Ambrocio Gloria as the next mayor of the town for several months, until Bernardo Lagoy took over as municipal mayor.

When President Manuel Roxas assumed office, he appointed Eligio Sagun as municipal mayor. He held office up to the 1947 election when Leopoldo Aquino won. Aquino, however, resigned from office to run for provincial board member. In his place, Numeriano de Castro was appointed acting municipal mayor by President Elpidio Quirino.

In the 1951 election, Eligio Sagun won and held the position of mayor for one term. He was followed by Salvador Quinto in 1955. In the 1959 local elections, Miguel C. Matabang won and served from 1960 to 1963. He ran for re-election in November 1963 but lost to Atty. Jaime P. Junio.

LEOPOLDO FRIAS AQUINO, SR. (1943–1944; 1948–1951)

 LEOPOLDO FRIAS AQUINO, SR. (1943–1944; 1948–1951)

Former Mayor Leopoldo F. Aquino, Sr. was born in November 1904 in Bayambang, Pangasinan. His parents were Pedro Kabola Aquino of Lungog, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, and Raymunda Frias of Bayambang, Pangasinan.

He was married to Ma. Esperanza Najera Bañez, a barrio lass from Nagpalangan, Bunaley. Their marriage was blessed with eleven children. The eight surviving children are all successful in their chosen endeavors.

Aquino was first elected mayor under the Nacionalista Party before the war. He continued to serve during and after the war. He accepted the position to protect the people from the abuses of the Japanese and alleviate their sufferings, while at the same time maintaining relations with the occupiers. He walked a tightrope—working with the Japanese while also working underground as a guerrilla under Major Ramsey of the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE).

Mr. Aquino’s bravery and exploits were well known in his time. One of the most memorable events was when the Japanese summoned all male residents and herded them into the town plaza. Surrounded by machine guns, the general threatened to execute them if no one identified the guerrillas. As people cried and panicked, Mayor Aquino went to the plaza with his wife and two children. He went up the kiosk and told the general through an interpreter:

“There is no guerrilla in our midst. If you can find even one guerrilla, you can kill me first and my family.”

After a while, the general seemed convinced and ordered his soldiers to stand down and release the people. He is remembered as having helped save Bayambang.

Another event occurred when the Japanese were nearing defeat. Mayor Aquino commandeered a cargo truck, went to Capas, Tarlac, and negotiated for the release of guerrilla prisoners from Bayambang. His request was granted, and he transported them to safety.

After the war, he was recognized as a USAFFE veteran with the rank of lieutenant and received benefits under the GI Bill of Rights.

He was later re-elected under the Liberal Party. During his term, lawlessness was rampant, but he enforced discipline strictly. Criminals were not tolerated, and even his relatives were not spared from punishment. He helped open Bayambang High School and assisted in reopening the Pangasinan Normal School. The Dr. Jose Rizal Monument was constructed during his administration, and the Bayambang Municipal Library was established in 1950.

He died of cancer on January 26, 1965, at the age of 60, but his legacy lives on.