Pangasinan generally has a laidback vibe which is typical of rural areas. Houses stand on vast land and are usually just a stone’s throw away from the town proper. For those looking for secluded properties, there are also houses for rent that are far from the hustle and bustle of the busy town. |
The province sits on the western area of Luzon along the Lingayen Gulf and West Philippine Sea. As such, Pangasinan boasts of serene white sand beaches that draw tourists all year round. The city of Alaminos is most famous for the Hundred Islands while the municipality of Bolinao is well-known for the Patar Beach. |
Pangasinan has a population of almost three million. It is subdivided into 44 municipalities and four cities. The most populous barangay, Bonuan Gueset, is found in the provincial capital Dagupan City. As of 2010, it recorded over 22,000 inhabitants. |
The province is said to be the richest in the Ilocos region given its bustling economic activity. Pangasinan is a major supplier of milkfish and salt in the country. Vast areas of fishponds and salt ponds can be found almost everywhere. Other major crops include rice, corn, mangoes, sugarcane and watermelons. In fact, a huge chunk of the total land area of Pangasinan is dedicated to agricultural production. |
Due to its economic boom and high tourist arrivals, Pangasinan is fully-equipped in terms of medical facilities, educational institutions and recreational sites. The province has over 50 hospitals and clinics, with the major medical centers found in Urdaneta, San Carlos and Dagupan. There are thousands of public and private schools for primary and secondary education across the province. However, most pursue higher education in nearby Baguio or in Metro Manila.
There are at least two major malls in the province, the 60,000 square meter Robinsons Place Pangasinan in Calasiao and SM City Rosales. They both offer supermarkets, department stores, retail spaces and cinemas.
There are over 500 banking and financing institutions scattered across Pangasinan.
The province has a labor force of over 1 and a half million –majority of which are involved in agriculture, farming and fishing.
Since Pangasinan sits along a coastal line, seafoods is abundant throughout the year. In fact, Pangasinan is almost synonymous to the ‘boneless bangus’, its most famous seafood product. You can also expect a fresh catch of yellowfin tuna, squid, shrimps, crabs and shellfish from the local fishermen.
Another well-loved product of Pangasinan is the puto calasiao, a type of rice cake made in the municipality of Calasiao. Here you can find a long line of stalls selling puto in various colors and flavors.
There is so much to see and experience in Pangasinan. The province is rich in natural wonders with its white sand beaches such as Patar, Tambobong and Abagatanen. In recent years, more tourists have discovered the so-called ‘Death Pool’, a lagoon found at Cabongaoan beach in Burgos.
In 2017, the first-ever Sunflower Maze Farm in the country was opened in the municipality of Tayug. Be prepared to get lost in the labyrinth of towering sunflower and other ornamental plants.
The Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag, or simple called the Manaoag Church, is also a must-visit destination. Many devotees flock here because of miracles attributed to the church. Other notable churches in the province include Saint James the Great Parish Church in Bolinao and Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Calasiao.
Pangasinan also houses the 1,200-megawatt Sual coal-fired power plant, one of the largest power plants in the Philippines. You can catch a glimpse of the power plant via boat during island/beach hopping.
Parks, museums and other cultural places can also be found here.
Renting a house in Pangasinan is a great option for those looking for the amenities of city life but want to be closer to nature. You can rent houses in the town proper or look for properties closer to the beach. Either way, electricity and water will not be a problem. You can also expect good road connections for fast road travels. Traveling to other parts of Luzon is also fairly easy due to the North Luzon Expressway and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.