www.dioceseofalaminos.org
LABRADOR
(F - 1767) 2402 Pangasinan
Tel. (075) 549-5055
Population: 19,115
Titular: St. Isidore the Farmer, May 15
Parish Priest: Fr. James Sheehy, MSSC
St. Isidore the Farmer Parish - Labrador
The Parish of Labrador was erected in 1755 and the priest was Fr. Antonius Ruiz, O.P. The church and convent of wood and river stone was built by Fr. Domingo deSan Juaquin in 1771 and complete in 1786. The town hall was built at the same time of the same materials. The population of the town at the time, 1,004. During the early days of Spanish Conquistadores, the municipalities of Sual and Labrador were but a single Spanish Pueblo, the seat of the government having been at what is now barangay Uyong. In the year 1756 a political rivalry between the east and west of the town caused an agitation achieved in 1809 but separation into 2 parishes did not occur until 1837. In 1865 major repairs were done to the Church of Labrador. Its dimensions (interior) are: Length 57.40 meters, Breadth 16.15 meters.
The new cemetery on the west of the town was built by Fr. Rufino Irazabal just before the revolution and the chapel in the cemetery had to left without a roof because of the interruption.
Fr. Manuel Escrich built a barrio chapel dedicated to San Pedro but it was destroyed by members of another order who taught that the territory belonged to Zambales; however a civil authority in manila settled the matter in favor of the Dominicans. A school begun by Fr. Villanova about 1850 and enlarged in 1894 by Fr. Irazabal. In 1842 Fr. Cassanova constructed a bridge of stone and bricks over the brook of Uyong. This was destroyed by flood leaving only the pillars which were used as the foundation of a later bridge. Fr. Soarez built a bridge in Bongalon.
In April 1949 the parish was placed under the administration of the Columban Fathers and has been staffed by them until the present time. After the World War II when the Columban Fathers took over the administration of the parish in April 1949, the Church was in very bad condition, due to war damage.
On October 30, 1950, the dissidents (HUKS) raided the municipality and looted and burned the Municipality Building along with several other private houses and massacred many civilians including a Columban priest Fr. Thomas Flynn. This caused the total evacuation of the place leaving Labrador a ghost town during the night time.In June, 1954, the first year class was admitted, and since thten the attendance has grown each year, requiring additional rooms and gradually forcing him to leave the rectory entirely to the school and to build another rectory nearby for himself and his assistant. In 1960 the administration of the school was placed in the hands of the Missionary Sisters of St. Columban. Many new buildings have been constructed by the Sisters.
Labrador, is a 6th class municipality with an approximate area of 165 sq. kms., about two thirds of which is mountainous, partly covered by forest. The narrow plain is located along the Agno River and Lingayen Gulf with fertile soil suited for agriculture. By the Agno river banks are nipa swamps which are now being converted to fishponds. The population is more or less 16,706 hard working, peaceful, hospitable, religious and law-abiding people. This municipality is composed of 10 barangays, namely: Poblacion, Dulig, Bolo, Bongalon, Magsaysay, San Gonzalo, San Jose, Laois, Uyong and Tobuan, all situated along the National and Provincial Roads.The Labradenos, as they call the people of Labrador, are proud to be one among the few people of Pangasinan who speak pure Pangasinan dialect.
Rice farming is the primary means of livelihood of the people. Fishing and lumber are the two secondary industries, especially bangus and prawn cultivation. Some people are engaged in salt-making, sawali making and salted fish manufacturing. Fishponds are increasing in this municipality and there is an abundant supply to bangus and prawn, which are being exported to the neighboring towns and to Dagupan City and Baguio. Peanuts and coconuts are also cultivated.
As the northwestern part of Labrador is Located along the mouth of the Agno River and Lingayen Gulf, fishing is becoming one of its most profitable industries. Along the Uyong-Tobuan beach you can find about 150 small motor boats locally called “carcar” for catching “alamang”. Aside from these, there are more or less one hundred various kinds of fishing boats used by the operators of fishing apparatus locally known as “parigdig” and “batikwas”. These in additional to the bangus and prawn industries make Labrador a very active fish-producing center.