Agoo La Union

Agoo derived its name from the “aroo” tree that used to bound along the banks of the small river that traverses the town.

Agoo is now a picture of economic, religious, cultural and political development. The town is now an educational center in this part of the province. Agoo has one state university (Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University), 2 National High School (Elpidio Quirino National High School and San Miguel National High School); a private college (Congress Collge), 3 private technical school (PAMETS and Agoo Computer School and Parisienne Learning Center and Vocational Institute), 3- privately owned High School (Agoo Academy, Congress College High School and Saint Mary’s Academy); 23 elementary school and 70 pre-schools. This was further boosted by the establishment of day care centers in almost all of the town’s barangays.

The town is also identifies as trade and commerce center. The accelerating development of trade and commerce could be seen by the fruition of business establishment, banking institutions, industrial and influx of traders and businessman from the neighboring towns.

Considering other resources which contributes in the development of the town such as transportation, communication, tourism and other health services which plays a vital role in the development of the town. For transportation the accessibility of roads to note six (6) major roads the Manila-North National Highway, Marcos Highway, Agoo beach Road, San Julian-Tucoc-Sto. Tomas and San Francisco-Ambitacay road which provides access to the breadth of the Agoo Damortis National Seashore Park from the west and to the periphery of Agoo Katayagan Mountain from the east both of their leading to the municipality of Sto. Tomas, La Union and the Macalva road which connects two towns, Tubao and Aringay, La Union and other farm-to –market roads which have been development to support the economic development of the town.

The municipality now has five (5) banking institutions, thirteen (13) drug store, eight (8) construction supplies, three (3) gasoline station, eleven (11) tobacco trading centers, ten (10) education and office supplies, two (2) freed mills, eighteen (18) rice mills, one (1) movie theater, twenty(20) apartments, boarding houses, one (1) class “AAA” restaurant and eighty-eight (88) other restaurants/canteens/fastfood/carenderias/refreshments, and 423 other different commercial and industrial establishments. For communication services, Agoo Postal Service Office serve as one transient office of the towns of Aringay., Tubao, Pugo, Sto. Tomas and Rosario, because all mails are being dispatch in Agoo Postal Office, other communication service facilities. With regards to health services, Agoo has the Provincial Hospital which serves the entire province especially the towns in the second district. Complementing the health services of the municipality are the twelve (12) barangay health centers located in 12 different barangays and the main rural health center which is located at Poblacion, eight (8) medical clinics and thirteen (13) dental clinics. Tourism has also progressively developed through the continous support of Congressman Jose D. Aspiras, the construction of the Agoo Basilica, Shrine of our Lady Charity, Grotto of Our Lady Lourdes, Eagle of the North, Agoo National Seashore Park, Museo Iloco, Processional street lights and other. Tourism facilities have been established through the participation of the past and present local chief executives, local officials and not to be over looked the participation of the town people.

Through this inter-related economic venture of the town and political and administrative management of the present administration the municipality was elevated from 4th to 3rd class status.

Agoo’s overall development may not be completed without mentioning the continuing devotion of the people to their faith. Just like the miracles that happened in the early years of the town; the resurrection of a dead five-year old girl and the earthquake of 1892 where the image of Nuestra Senora de Caridad was not damaged, Agoo was again a center of religious miracle. On March of 1993, millions of people flocked to Agoo to watch the apparition of Mother Mary.

Banking on the strong political unity and religious faith, Agoo’s quest for development continues.

The development activities of the town are geared to continuing implementation contributing to the central form of public service – the People Empowerment ! Thus, intented to ensure an orderly progress and integral growth of the town itself. With all these perceived directions, it is expected that the programs for the next coming years will approximate the ideal pace and degree for development of the local community and hopefully bring about a happy realization of the dreams of her forebears and ensure the full attainment of the visions of her offspring !

In the Regional Physical Framework Plan for Region I, The Municipality of Agoo is identified as a minor urban center. It shall be a trade and commerce center, administrative district, higher education center, eco-tourism center and hub of inter-regional transport route.