BARANGAY ZONE VI
by Prof.
Romulo Velasquez
By direct testimonies of its early residents,
Zone VI was first known as “Palandey” (a Pangasinan term for “mountain” when
actually it was only a “hilly area”) because of its relatively higher elevation
and for being a thickly forested area. Contrary to earlier claims, this area
had not been a part of the vast Cojuangco estate nor of the college campus (the
former Bayambang Normal School) established in 1922 -- now Pangasinan State
University Bayambang. Instead it was considered as “an extra part left when slicing
a cake of irregular shape,” to mean that this area was a result of territorial
subdivision between the two parties as mentioned. It was even believed that
this area used to be part of the existing cemetery and that it was under the territorial
jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Church. The thick forest that used to exist
made it so difficult for the first group of residents to establish a better
road line. When settlers cleared a relatively large area of the place, they planted
various crops and trees such as mango, kamoteng kahoy and bamboos which they cultivated
for a living.
The main road line of Zone VI was only a trail
going to Bical Norte during the early years. The trail was actually widened into
a road when the Philippine Constabulary Headquarters, then called “military
barracks,” was constructed in the late 1940s. All the towering and aging acacia
trees proudly standing today in almost two perfect columns leading to the 153
PC Headquarters were all planted and cultivated by early the soldier occupants
of the said barracks. From that time on, “Palandey” was better known as the
“Campsite.”
Meanwhile, early leaders of the place were
said to have been appointed by the Municipal Administration or elected by viva
voce. Mr. Bernardino “Narding” de Gusman, now 73 years old, once served as its
Teniente de Barrio. Other leaders followed like the late PC Lieutenant Vicente
Guillano who served in the late 60s up to early 70s. His service coincided with
the official adoption of its present name – Zone VI – as a result of zoning
initiatives of the Municipal Administration. The succeeding Capt. Romulo G.
Soriano served the longest, from 1982 to 1994. Barangay Captain Arturo M. Lopes
served from 1994 to 1997. The 1997 May election paved the way for the reelection
of Brgy. Captain Soriano, who served
from July 1997 up to the time of his death on May 4, 1998 due to vehicular
accident at Barangay Malimpec, Bayambang. By law of succession, Alejandro B.
Patungan Jr., the first Barangay Kagawad, was sworn in as the next Brgy.
Captain.
Zone VI prides itself as a seat of at least
four very important institutions -- others would consider it jokingly as the
only barangay with “four campuses,” referring to Pangasinan State University
Bayambang Campus, the 153 PNP Mobile Force Campus, the Methodist Campus and the
“Camposanto” or the Bayambang Public Cemetery. As of 1995, Zone VI has a total
population of 826. It is one of the barangay Laboratory Development Centers of
Pangasinan State University here in Bayambang. With the dynamic leadership of
the officials and the strong cooperation of barangay residents, Zone VI has
been adjudged as Second Placer for Model Barangay Award during the Bayambang
Pista’y Baley & Expo ’99. The said award was doubly significant considering
that it happened for the very first time and that Brgy. Captain Alejandro
Patungan Jr. had only served his first 11 months in office.
Mrs. Cesaria de Guzman (75 years old at the
time of interview), and her brother, Mr. Bernardino “Narding” de Guzman, gave these
testimonies. Their family was among the first to settle at Zone VI.
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