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Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga

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Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga
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In a land area of 2,045 square kilometers, the diocesan territory covers the Civil Povince of Pampanga, City of San Fernando and Angeles City. The province of Pampanga is bounded on the west by Zambales, northwest by Tarlac, northeast by Nueva Ecija, east by Bulacan and south by Manila Bay. It is one of 7 provinces that compose the so-called Central Plain of Luzon.

The terrain is relatively flat with Mount Arayat as the only distinct mountain.

Pampanga is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon, Region III. Its capital is the City of San Fernando Pampanga.

Pampanga is composed of 20 municipalities and two cities. It is subdivided into four political districts, as follows:

First District: Angeles City, Mabalacat, and Magalang.
Second District: Floridablanca, Guagua, Lubao, Porac, Sasmuan, and Sta. Rita.
Third District: Arayat, Bacolor, Mexico, Sta. Ana and the capital City of San Fernando.
Fourth District: Apalit, Candaba, Macabebe, Masantol, Minalin, San Luis, San Simon, and Santo Tomas.

Population

In the diocesan territory, the population is 2,524,699 at the end of 2017, 89% are Catholics. Most residents are Aeta.

Language

Kapampangan, English, and Tagalog are widely spoken and understood in the province. Although Tagalog, Ilocano, Lineyte-Samarnon (Waray), Pangasinan, Cebuano, Bicol, English, and Hiligaynon (Ilonga) are also used.

History

Created Diocese: Dec. 11, 1948
Elevated to Archdiocese: March 17, 1975
Erected: June 25, 1975
Comprises the Civil Province of Pampanga, City of San Fernando and Angeles City
Suffragans: the Diocese of Balanga, Iba and Tarlac
Titular: St. Ferdinand, King
Secondary Patron: Our Lady of the Assumption.

The Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga comprises the entire civil province of Pampanga and includes the Dioceses of lba (Zambales), Udac (Tarlac) and Balanga (Bataan) within its metropolitan province as suffragans. It was created a diocese on Dec. 11, 1948, and was elevated to an archdiocese on March 17, 1975. Its titular patron is St. Ferdinand, King, and its secondary patron is Our Lady of the Assumption.

The Augustinian Missionaries were the first to settle in Lubao, a town in Pampanga, in 1571. From there they established mission centers in Candaba, Macabebe, Bacolor, Arayat, Mexico, Guagua and other towns.

Eventually the diocese was dismembered when provincial boundaries became more pronounced. Zambales was established as a prelature on Oct. 18, 1955, Nueva Ecija as a diocese on Feb. 16, 1963, Tarlac as a diocese on May 10, 1963, and Bataan as a diocese on March 17, 1975.

Father Emilio A. Cinense, DD, a native of Guimba, Nueva Ecija, became the second bishop of San Fernando on March 15, 1957. 

On March 17, 1975 the Diocese of San Fernando, Pampanga was elevated to an archdiocese comprising the entire province of Pampanga with three suffragan dioceses, namely, the Diocese of Tarlac, the Diocese of Iba (Zambales) and the Diocese of Balanga (Bataan). The local ordinary, Bishop Emilio Cinense became its first archbishop. 

He was succeeded in 1978 by Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz, a native of Balanga, Bataan and at the time rector of San Carlos Seminary. The second Archbishop of San Fernando was appointed on May 22 that year; he resigned on Oct. 24, 1988. 

On Jan. 31, 1989, Father Paciano B. Aniceto of Sta. Ana, Pampanga former rector of the Mother of Good Counsel Seminary and Bishop of Iba, was appointed third (and first Pampanga-born) Archbishop of San Fernando; he was formally installed on March 14, 1989.

Political

A Philippine province is headed by a Governor. A Provincial Council (Sangguniang Panlalawigan) is composed of a Vice Governor (Presiding Officer) and Provincial Board Members. A Philippine city or municipality is headed by a Mayor. A City Council (Sangguniang Panlungsod) or Municipal Council (Sangguniang Bayan) is composed of a Vice Mayor (Presiding Officer) and City or Municipal Councilors. A barangay is headed by a Barangay Captain, who is also the presiding officer of the barangay council. The Barangay Council is composed of seven (7) Barangay Kagawads. A similar unit called a Youth Council (Sangguniang Kabataan) is headed by an SK Chairperson with a similar rank to a Barangay Captain. The council is composed of SK Members.

Transportation

The Clark civil aviation complex encompasses 2,367 hectares of the sprawling 4,400-hectare Clark Freeport Zone where the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) is located.

Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (formerly Clark International Airport) lies at the heart of Central Luzon, making it a most viable and convenient airport of choice for travelers in the North-Central Luzon and the northern Metro Manila area who want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the city streets. It is easily accessible by shuttle bus from various points in Metro Manila and North Luzon.

With its strategic location within the region and the locality, the DMIA is only one and a half to four hours flying time away from most major Asian cities and less than an hour away from Metro Manila and the Subic Bay Freeport. Its location within the Clark Freeport also ensures investors that they receive the utmost support in terms of manpower, customer service and tax incentives.

Pampanga also has five existing municipal ports which function as fish landing centers. These are situated in the municipalities of Guagua, Macabebe, Masantol, Minalin, and Sasmuan.

Power
Almost 99.04% of the province is energized. This is brought about by the existing major power transmission lines providing electric power in the province. The largest is the Pampanga Electric Cooperative (PELCO), the Pampanga Rural Electric Service Cooperative, Inc. (PRESCO).

The Angeles Electric Corporation (AEC), San Fernando Electric Company (SFELAPCO), and Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) also extend services to certain parts of Pampanga.

Water
There are 26 Level III systems (pressure pumps) distributed in 13 municipalities and Angeles City. Eleven are being managed by the Local Water and Utilities Administration (LWUA) water distri

Economy

Annual per capita income (in Philippines Pesos, exclude Angeles City and San Fernando) 31,140 (USD691 as of May 2010).

Farming, fishing, manufacturing, handicrafts, poultry, swine, and food processing industries are the chief sources of livelihood in Pampanga. The fertile plains are suitable to sugar cane, rice, corn, vegetables, and fruit trees. Rivers, streams, and fishponds abound with milkfish (bangus), carps, catfish, shrimps, crabs, and other marine products.

In addition, the province manufactures garments, furniture, gift items, and toys for export. Pampanga is equally famous for its wood carvings and exquisite and unique Christmas lanterns.

Telecommunication

Pampanga has excellent telecommunication facilities with almost all the companies operating in the province having international and national direct dial facilities.

There are six telephone companies providing telephone services to the municipalities and cities of San Fernando and Angeles City.

Service companies include the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, the Angeles City Telephone System, Dau Telephone Corporation, Digitel, Smart Communications, and PilPhone: +63 45 

These local telecommunication facilities are augmented by the presence of America Online, a locator inside Clark Special Economic Zone.

Several Internet Service Providers such as the Angeles Computer Network Specialist, Information Resources Network System, Inc., Mosaic Communications Inc., Net Asia Angeles City and Phil World On Line provide Internet Access.

There are 3 postal district offices and 35 post office stations distributed in the 20 municipalities and 2 cities within the province.

Pampanga has four radio stations: the DWRWFM of the Radio World Broadcasting Corp. of the Philippines in San Fernando; DWGV-FM of the GV Broadcasting System in Angeles City; DWGVAM also of the GV Broadcasting System in Angeles City; and the DWCI-FM of the Love Radio Network in San Fernando. It has only one television station, the K-TV 12 of the Love Radio Network in Sindalan, San Fernando.Other communication facilities operating in the province are cable television networks.

Education

As of February 2009 literacy rate (simple literacy) is 93.94 percent in the diocesan territory.

Culture

January to February- Bird Watch in Candaba Swamp
Every year, bird watchers troop to the famous Candaba swamp to get a glimpse of the exotic migratory birds from all over the world. As many as 10,200 birds, belonging to some 35 various water bird species, are believed to visit the swamps every year.

February- Hot Air Balloon Festival, Clarkfield
A much-anticipated annual three-day event on Clarkfield featuring various aerial tricks, air shows, and a display of colorful hot air balloons.

March/ April- Lenten Rites (Mal a Aldo), City of San Fernando
A tourist-drawing lenten attraction featuring a re-enactment of Christ's crucifixion and a parade of flagellants

May- Sabat-Santacruzan
"Moro-moro" is a feature of the Santacruzan that occurs at certain places. During the procession, the "goydo," said to be a non-Christian knight confronts St. Helena and her handmaidens and tries to stop their search for the holy cross. After armed skirmishes between the two groups and a series of dramatic dialogues in vernacular joust, the "goydo" and his men are finally won over and converted to Christianity.

June 28- Apung Iru Fluvial Parade, Apalit
A boat transfer of Apalit's patron saint from its shrine in Capalangan to the Poblacion. Thousands of devotees line both sides of the river throwing packed food, waving leaves and flowers and splashing in frenzy as the layered pagoda, which bears the statue, passes by.

October- Tugak Festival
A festival celebrating Pampanga for its traditional frog cuisine where participants are enjoined to catch frogs, cook frogs, and eat frogs.

October- La Naval Fiesta, Bacolor
In commemoration of the Virgin of the Holy Rosar

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