Mangatarem, officially the Municipality of Mangatarem, is a 1st class municipality in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 79,323 people. The Municipality is home to the Manleluag Hot Spring Protected Landscape located in Barangay Malabobo near the southern boundary of the municipality. Mangatarem is 29 km from provincial capital Lingayen and 177 km from Manila.

Etymology

Mangatarem is a Pangasinan word for "mango plantation". The town's name also came from the Ilocano phrase “mangga ken tirem”, which means "mango and oyster".

History

Mangatarem was first established as a visita of San Carlos. It became an independent parish in 1835, with Don Ambrocio Gutierrez as its first gobernadorcillo. The Dominicans accepted the administration of Mangatarem in 1837.

Geography

Barangays

Mangatarem is politically subdivided into 82 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Climate

Demographics

Economy

In terms of economic activities, Mangatarem is primarily driven by agriculture. The municipality has the biggest land area in the entire Pangasinan province. A big percentage of its households also have family members who are working or have migrated abroad. The town's poblacion area continues to attract major food, retail, and service establishments from Metro Manila and nearby cities within the province of Pangasinan. Service establishments include banks, courier, pawnshops, auto/motorcycle service shops, These include Metrobank, Land Bank of the Philippines, and many others. The town's public market serves not only the local residents but also the residents and farmers or entrepreneurs from the adjoining towns of Urbiztondo, Aguilar, and San Clemente, Tarlac, especially on weekends. This is one of the reasons that major commercial establishments started to take notice of the municipality and decided to set up their branches here.

Government

Local government

Mangatarem, belonging to the second congressional district of the province of Pangasinan, is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is being held every three years.

Elected officials

Tourism

Mangatarem's tourist attractions are mostly natural (hot springs, waterfalls). These are frequented by local tourists during weekends and especially during summer. A number of local property owners have also developed their own pocket resorts outside of the poblacion area and opened these to the general public.

Government

Mangatarem, belonging to the second congressional district of the province of Pangasinan, is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is being held every three years.