by Leonardo Micua
The City of Alaminos honored former officials and their families with Plaques of Highest Recognition, acknowledging their pivotal roles in achieving cityhood for the former town of Pangasinan 25 years ago.
These awards were presented during the festivities commemorating the 25th anniversary of Alaminos City on March 28, in accordance with Resolution No. 2026-41, authored by Vice Mayor Jose Antonio Miguel Y. Perez and sponsored by Councilors Kelvin Theus Humilde and Jan Marionne Fontelera.
In his speech preceding the passage of the measure, Vice Mayor Perez emphasized that the cityhood of Alaminos was the result of vision, courage, and unwavering determination from leaders who believed in the city’s potential for greatness.
Among those honored were former First District Representative and Mayor Hernani Braganza, former Mayor and Vice Mayor Eduardo Fontelera, and former Vicr Mayors Leon Rivera Jr. and Teofilo Humilde Jr. (both deceased), along with former members of the Sangguniang Bayan (July 1998 to June 2001) and the Sangguniang Panlungsod (July 2002 to July 2004).
Former Representative Braganza played a crucial role in advocating for Alaminos’ cityhood in Congress. He initially introduced a bill to convert the town into a city during the 10th Congress, which did not pass. He reintroduced the proposal as House Bill No. 4898 during the 11th Congress, which later became Senate Bill No. 2257. This legislation was approved on February 8, 2001.
On March 5, 2001, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed the measure into law as Republic Act No. 9025, officially designating Alaminos as a component city of Pangasinan, a move that was overwhelmingly ratified by the residents on March 28, 2001.
The Fourth Sangguniang Bayan (1998-2001), under Mayor Eduardo Fontelera and Vice Mayor Leon Rivera Jr., along with the First Sangguniang Bayan (2001-2004), played essential roles in ensuring the continuity of governance throughout the transition.
In the midst of his tenure as Congressman for the first district of Pangasinan, Braganza was appointed by President Arroyo as Agrarian Reform Secretary and later as Malacañang spokesperson. He ultimately returned to Alaminos City, serving as mayor for three consecutive terms.