About Better Mapandan

Before 1887: Southern barrios of Mangaldan

Before Mapandan existed as an independent pueblo, the area belonged to Mangaldan. The future municipality consisted of southern communities including Payapay, Baloling, Apaya and Amanoaoac.

The movement toward establishing a separate town was initiated by ten local leaders: Antonio Morales, Sabino Prado, Andres Bongato, Ambrosio Calimlim, Valeriano Tamondong, Tomas Aquino, Fulgencio Nato, Filomeno Sarmiento, Jose Lalas, and Florencio Datuin.

December 28, 1887: Mapandan becomes a pueblo

Mapandan was established as an independent pueblo through Direction General No. 39, Administration Civil No. 169-C, signed by Governor General Emilio Bravo. The new pueblo was initially composed of the southern barrios of Mangaldan: Payapay, Baloling, Apaya and Amanoaoac.

The first town center: Torres

The first center of the new pueblo was in what is now Barangay Torres. The area had abundant pandan plants and was associated with a church where Fr. Jose Torres served as parish priest. However, the location proved inconvenient—too close to the southern boundary and too far from communities to the north.

The center was eventually transferred to an area that had previously been a sitio of Apaya. Much of the land in the new Poblacion was owned by the Aquino family. Leon Hilario Aquino encouraged settlement by subdividing land into uniform lots and making them available to families.

1903: The epidemic

An epidemic severely affected Mapandan, causing major population depletion, residents leaving the town, declining municipal resources, and a financial crisis. The 1903 census recorded Mapandan’s population at 4,198.

1905–1908: Return to Mangaldan

Because of the population and financial problems caused by the epidemic, Mapandan was temporarily returned to its mother municipality, Mangaldan.

1909: Restoration

Mapandan was formally re-established as a municipality under Executive Order No. 10, signed by Governor General James F. Smith.

Agricultural foundations

Rice became the municipality’s principal crop and livestock raising developed as an important secondary livelihood. The municipality’s current seal still reflects these agricultural foundations through its rice, cattle, chicken and hog imagery.

1940s: War, occupation and rebuilding

The Second World War interrupted the development of communities across Pangasinan. In the postwar years, Mapandan’s communities entered a period of reconstruction and social and economic change. The decades following the war also brought changes in landholding, agriculture, education and local community organization.

Barangays begin taking shape

Instead of only telling municipal history, the history of how Mapandan’s communities formed tells an equally important story.

Sta. Maria — Formerly part of Luyan, developed from former hacienda land. Tenants gained opportunities to own the land they had been farming after the war. It became a separate barrio in 1965.

Golden — Formerly Amanoaoac North, a sitio of Amanoaoac. Its name was associated with the Golden Distillery, which operated after liberation. Golden became a separate barangay in 1967.

Torres — The first seat of Mapandan, which once contained several sitios that later developed into separate barangays.

1967–1973: Community development

Golden was officially approved as a separate barangay in 1967. The community then underwent substantial development including road improvement, waterworks, school construction, sports facilities, cooperative organization, agricultural training, and sanitation programs.

1972 — Golden was recognized as a SEATO/PACD Model Village, receiving a national-level award presented in Malacañang on September 8, 1972.

1972–1973 — Coral became a barangay through Municipal Council Resolution No. 87 (May 4, 1972), Provincial Board Resolution No. 155 (August 10, 1972), and Proclamation No. 11 (April 25, 1973), followed by a special election for barangay officials on May 6, 1973.

Population growth

Mapandan’s population grew steadily through the second half of the 20th century: 20,094 in 1980, 25,622 in 1990, and 30,775 in 2000.

Infrastructure and services

The municipality expanded roads, schools, health facilities, and public services. Community organizations grew alongside the population.

2002: A new municipal classification

Mapandan was elevated to a third-class municipality. The municipality credits then-Mayor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim Jr. with spearheading income and revenue-generation strategies that contributed to the municipality’s elevation.

2010s: Celebrating the Pandan heritage

The Pandan Festival developed into an important annual celebration of Mapandan’s identity, culture and community. The 9th Pandan Festival was held alongside the town fiesta from March 11–19, 2018.

2017–2018: Early digital government efforts

The municipal government began developing an online presence that made government information, public notices, disaster information and community announcements accessible through the web.

2022–2024: Expanding healthcare access

National health infrastructure funding supported the development of the Mapandan Super Health Center. The 2022 General Appropriations Act included ₱6.5 million for the project. Its first phase was inaugurated on March 15, 2024, expanding access to laboratory, dental and primary healthcare services for residents of Mapandan and nearby communities.

2020s: Government services go digital

Mapandan’s government information infrastructure increasingly incorporates digital channels, including information and access guidance for the national eGovPH platform.

2024: Mapandan today

More than 130 years after its establishment as a pueblo, Mapandan is a 15-barangay municipality with a population of 38,228. Its history has been shaped by migration, agriculture, community organization, local government, cultural traditions and continuing investment in public services.