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Aringay, officially the Municipality of Aringay (; ; ), is a coastal municipality in the province of La Union, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 50,380 people.
Known in Philippine History as the birthplace of revolutionary leader Diego Silang, its economy is based primarily on agriculture - producing rice, tobacco and fruit crops as economic staples. A nascent tourism industry is centered on its beach resorts. Its ethnic population is predominantly Ilocano people and Christians (Roman Catholic).
The first theory suggests that the name originated from an early settlement known as Alingay, Alinguey, or Aringuey, which thrived through gold trading along the coastal areas and the Aringay River during the 15th-16th century.
The second theory is rooted in local legend. In the early 16th century, two rival settlements existed on opposite sides of a river, each led by a chieftain. Aring, the daughter of the southern chieftain, and Ayong, the son of the northern chieftain, fell in love despite the disputes between their families.
The lovers met secretly at the river, and during one fateful meeting, Aring’s boat capsized during a storm. Ayong heroically saved her, shouting “Aring-ay!” as he did. This event led to the reconciliation of their families, the union of their settlements, and the naming of the town Aringay in honor of their story.
Aringay played a pivotal role as a coastal maritime trading center, serving as the terminus of the Aringay-Tonglo-Balatok gold trail. This route linked the gold mines of upland Tonglo (in present-day Benguet) to lowland Aringay, facilitating the transport of gold through the nearby port-settlement of Aroo (modern-day Agoo).
The settlement flourished through trade with neighboring groups such as the Samtoy (Ilocano people) communities to the north and Cordilleran (Igorot people) peoples like the Ibaloi people, Ifugao people, and Kankanaey people in the highlands of the Cordillera Central. (1974). 9789711000875, New Day Publishers. ISBN 9789711000875 Aringay also hosted foreign traders from China mainly from Fujian, Japan, and Maritime Southeast Asia, fostering a vibrant trade network. Goods exchanged in these transactions included porcelain, silk, cotton, beeswax, , , and precious minerals, particularly gold, which was highly valued both regionally and internationally.
The Spanish attempted to persuade the locals to pay tribute to the Crown and convert to Christianity. However, Salcedo did not establish a permanent foothold in the area, opting instead to continue his expedition northward to Vigan, which he later founded as Villa Fernandina de Vigan in honor of Prince Ferdinand, son of King Philip II. (2025). 9789719103097, Tower Book House. ISBN 9789719103097
Subsequently, Augustinian friars and Spanish authorities, led by Captain Alfonso Quirante, formally organized the settlement into a pueblo. The Spaniards imposed their authority by subjugating the locals and foreign merchants and converting them to Christianity. A visita (satellite mission station) was established in Aringay and placed under the jurisdiction of the larger church district in Agoo. New agricultural techniques and the Encomienda were introduced, entrusting native labor and resources to Spanish encomenderos, friars, and local elites in exchange for tribute and governance.
The gold trade in Aringay eventually declined as Spanish authorities centralized the precious metals industry. This shift disrupted the community’s traditional way of life and reoriented its economy toward agriculture under Spanish influence.
By the 18th century, population pressures and the oppressive conditions imposed by Spanish colonial rule prompted Ilocano migrants from Ylocos provinces and neighboring towns to settle in Aringay. These settlers established communities along the mouth of the Carayan Lucsin (Aringay River), dividing into settlements on the river's northern and southern banks. Over time, they eventually expanded eastward, forming prosperous villages in the surrounding valleys. The migration resulted in Aringay becoming predominantly inhabited by Ilocanos and Ilocanized Pangasinenses.
On December 16, 1741, the settlement was officially organized as a municipality and named Aringay. Don Pablo Vergara served as the first gobernadorcillo under the jurisdiction of Pangasinan and the Bishopric of Nueva Segovia. Following Spanish urban planning principles, early homes were constructed in a Renaissance grid pattern.
Under Spanish rule, Aringay thrived, with agriculture becoming the primary livelihood. The introduction of modern farming techniques improved productivity in the valleys and plains, while the fishing industry - supported by species like giant carp introduced by East Asian traders - flourished. A Chinese community also developed in the town, contributing significantly to the local economy.
Aringay was one of the founding towns, alongside San Fernando (the provincial capital), Agoo, Santo Tomas, Rosario, Tubao, Caba, Naguilian, Bauang, San Juan, Balaoan, Luna, Bangar, and Bacnotan. This formation was confirmed on April 18, 1854, by a royal decree ( real orden) from Isabella II.
The towns of Caba and Gallano (later placed in the province of Benguet and then abolished in 1900) were later carved out of Aringay's northern borders.
On June 16, 1898, a fierce battle took place in the town plaza, where 96 Katipuneros lost their lives in the struggle for freedom. After months of resistance, Aringay was finally liberated from Spanish control, contributing to the Philippines’ eventual declaration of independence in 1898.
By 1901, La Union, including Aringay, was fully under American control. During this period, the Americans continued a railway project initially started by the Spanish colonizers. The Ferrocarril de Manila-Dagupan, which aimed to stimulate economic growth in the countryside and reduce demands for independence, was renamed the Manila Railroad Company under American management. The railway line reached Aringay in 1912. to extend the railway from Aringay to Baguio began shortly thereafter, with the Aringay segment completed in 1913. However, the project was abandoned due to financial constraints faced by the Manila Railroad Company. The tunnel constructed in Aringay remains as a historical landmark, having stood for over 105 years. Additionally, a railway bridge connecting Sta. Rita West and Poblacion in Aringay was built as part of the Manila-to-San Fernando, La Union line.
By the 1910s, the American colonial government introduced several public services in the area. A public education system was established, with American teachers known as Thomasites sent to assimilate Filipinos into American culture. Public hospitals were also built, and a local governance system was introduced, allowing Filipinos to elect their own leaders for the first time. These developments marked significant changes in Aringay’s social, educational, and political landscape during the American occupation.
During this period, the town faced strict control under the Imperial Japanese government, leading to widespread abuses, including torture, Comfort women, and of local residents. These atrocities left a lasting impact on the community and the region as a whole.
By January 1945, American forces launched a successful campaign in the Battle of Lingayen Gulf, which marked the turning point in liberating northern Luzon from Japanese control. Aringay was officially freed in March 1945 following the Battle of Bacsil Ridge in San Fernando, La Union, which signified the full liberation of the province from Japanese occupation.
Aringay is traversed by several creeks and rivers, the largest being the Aringay River, which flows into the Lingayen Gulf. The Aringay River watershed is a significant river basin in southern La Union, spanning 45 kilometers in length with a drainage area of 469 square kilometers. It is classified as a Class B River Basin, suitable for primary contact activities such as swimming, bathing, and skin diving. It also has a drainage area of 469sqm. Apart from La Union, it also caters to the Province of Benguet. The river runs along the Aringay fault line, which can produce rumbling sounds during seismic activity caused by movements in the fault.
The municipality is bordered by the Lingayen Gulf and the South China Sea to the west, providing access to coastal resources and contributing to its strategic geographical location. Aringay shares its borders with several municipalities, including Caba to the north, Agoo to the southwest, Tubao to the southeast, and Sablan and Tuba in Benguet to the east.
Aringay is situated from the provincial capital San Fernando, and from the country's capital city of Manila.
Among the 24 barangays of Aringay, San Eugenio was the most populous, constituting 8.28% of the total municipal population. San Benito Sur was the second most populous barangay with a 7.40% share, followed by Dulao (7.23%), Santa Rita West (7.23%), and Poblacion (6.96%). The least populated barangay in the municipality was San Juan East, which accounted for 1.99% of the population.
The number of households in Aringay, La Union increased from 10,817 households in 2015 to 12,237 households in 2020. The average household size decreased from 4.4 persons in 2015 to 4.1 persons in 2020.
The Literacy of Aringay, La Union in 2020 was 98.98%, with 50.34% of literate individuals being males and 49.66% being females. Among the total household population aged 5 years old and over, 28.96% attended or completed elementary education, 41.68% reached or finished Secondary school, 8.16% were college undergraduates, and 13.04% attained academic degrees. Among those with academic degrees, 57.79% were females, while 42.21% were males. Similarly, 65.38% of post-baccalaureate degree holders were females. The municipality has 22 public elementary schools and 3 public secondary schools providing education to children and young adults in the area.
As according to Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index, Aringay ranks 369th in Economic Dynamism among 512 municipalities with a score of 3.9693. It excels in Local Economy Growth (19th) and Safety Compliant Business (3rd). The municipality performs well in Cost of Living (25th). However, it struggles in Cost of Doing Business (385th) and Financial Deepening (280th). It shows moderate performance in Productivity (229th) and Presence of Business and Professional Organizations (81st). Aringay ranks low in Local Economy Size (238th).
In Infrastructure, Aringay ranks 328th out of 442 municipalities with a score of 2.0936. It performs strongly in Road Network (45th), Information Technology Capacity (39th), and Financial Technology Capacity (50th). Challenges exist in Distance to Ports (296th) and Transportation Vehicles (286th). Its rankings are moderate in Health (282nd), Education (238th), and Accommodation Capacity (160th). It shows relatively low performance in Local Government Unit Investment.
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