Rosario, officially the Municipality of Rosario (; ; ), is a coastal
municipality
A municipality is usually a single administrative division having municipal corporation, corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate.
The term ''municipality' ...
in the
province
A province is an administrative division within a country or sovereign state, state. The term derives from the ancient Roman , which was the major territorial and administrative unit of the Roman Empire, Roman Empire's territorial possessions ou ...
of
La Union
La Union (), officially the Province of La Union (; ; ; ; ; ), is a coastal province in the Philippines situated in the Ilocos Region on the island of Luzon. The province's capital, the San Fernando, La Union, City of San Fernando, is the most ...
,
Philippines
The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an Archipelagic state, archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. Located in the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of List of islands of the Philippines, 7,641 islands, with a tot ...
. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 60,278 people.
Located at the southernmost tip of La Union, Rosario is known as the ''"Gateway to Ilocandia"'' and serves as the terminus of the
Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway
The Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway (TPLEX), signed as E1 of the Philippine expressway network and R-8 of the List of roads in Metro Manila, Metro Manila arterial road network, is a Controlled-access highway, controlled-access toll expr ...
(TPLEX), making it a vital transit hub connecting Central Luzon to Northern Luzon.
Etymology
The origin of the name ''"Rosario"'' is explained through several legends. One of the most widely accepted theories suggests that the name derives from the phrase ''“rosas del río”'' ("roses of the river"), referring to the picturesque landscape observed by the Spanish explorers upon their arrival. This landscape was characterized by narrow valleys, wild animals, birds, rivers, brooks, dense forests, and a scenic riverscape.
Another version attributes the name to the sight of a range of foothills to the west of the Poblacion, which, from a distance, resemble large rosary beads, thus forming a long, rocky rosary.
[de los Reyes, Isabelo. (1887) Ilocandias.]
A third legend, first documented in 1887, connects the name of the town to an Ilocano mythical creature known as the ''
Marukos
The Marukos (alternatively spelled Marrukos, or Manrucos in colonial era texts) is a legendary crossroads demon in Ilocano mythology, associated with the dried up shrublands of western ilocos riverbeds, and known for waylaying large travelling grou ...
'' (referred to as ''manrukos'' in the 1887 text). According to this story, a group of youths were loitering near the floodplains of the
Bued River
The Bued River is a river in the island of Luzon in the Philippines with a total length of . It covers primarily the provinces of Benguet and Pangasinan, and a few parts of La Union. The river originates from the city of Baguio and joins with th ...
, situated between Rosario and
Sison, on a Sunday. They were confronted by an elderly man dressed in white, whose appearance resembled that of a corpse. The ''Marukos'' chastised them for engaging in leisure activities on a holy day and placed a curse upon them, causing them to lose their sense of direction. As a result, they failed to notice an impending flash flood.
Ultimately, only a young girl survived by clinging to a ''Balingkawanay'' (
''Pittosporum pentandrum'') tree.
Some versions of the legend claim that the girl survived by praying the Rosary, while others suggest her name was Rosario. Regardless of the variation, the tale of the ''Marukos'' became closely associated with the etymology of the town.
History
Early History
In its early history, the fertile coastal plains and valleys of the town were settled by the
Pangasinan people
The Pangasinan people (), also known as Pangasinense, are an ethnolinguistic group native to the Philippines. Numbering 1,823,865 in 2010, they are the tenth largest ethnolinguistic group in the country. In the 2020 census Pangasinan speaking h ...
and its neighboring areas.
In the highlands of town, in the foothills of the
Cordillera Central Central Cordillera refers to the New Guinea Highlands.
Cordillera Central, meaning ''central range'' in Spanish, may refer to the following mountain ranges:
* Cordillera Central, Andes (disambiguation), several mountain ranges in South America
** ...
and along the
Bued River
The Bued River is a river in the island of Luzon in the Philippines with a total length of . It covers primarily the provinces of Benguet and Pangasinan, and a few parts of La Union. The river originates from the city of Baguio and joins with th ...
, the
Cordillerans (Igorot), specifically the
Ibaloi people, established their communities. These settlements primarily engaged in rice cultivation and fishing, forming the foundation of their livelihoods.

The inhabitants of these settlements were actively involved in
trade
Trade involves the transfer of goods and services from one person or entity to another, often in exchange for money. Economists refer to a system or network that allows trade as a market.
Traders generally negotiate through a medium of cr ...
and
barter
In trade, barter (derived from ''bareter'') is a system of exchange (economics), exchange in which participants in a financial transaction, transaction directly exchange good (economics), goods or service (economics), services for other goods ...
, engaging with neighboring groups such as the
Ilocanos and
Tagalogs
The Tagalog people are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the Philippines, particularly the Metro Manila and Calabarzon regions and Marinduque province of southern Luzon, and comprise the majority in the provinces of Bulacan, Bataan, N ...
, as well as with foreign merchants from
Japan
Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...
and
China
China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. With population of China, a population exceeding 1.4 billion, it is the list of countries by population (United Nations), second-most populous country after ...
.
Trading activities were concentrated along the
Lingayen Gulf
Lingayen Gulf is a large gulf on northwestern Luzon in the Philippines, stretching . It is framed by the provinces of Pangasinan and La Union and sits between the Zambales Mountains and the Cordillera Central (Luzon), Cordillera Central. The Agno ...
and the early port of
Agoo
Agoo (), officially the Municipality of Agoo (; ; ), is a coastal municipality in the province of La Union, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 66,028 people.
Etymology
The name "Agoo" is believed to have originate ...
, which served as a significant trading hub.
Gold
Gold is a chemical element; it has chemical symbol Au (from Latin ) and atomic number 79. In its pure form, it is a brightness, bright, slightly orange-yellow, dense, soft, malleable, and ductile metal. Chemically, gold is a transition metal ...
, mined from the
Cordilleras (modern-day
Benguet
Benguet (), officially the Province of Benguet ('';'' ; ; ; ), is a landlocked Provinces of the Philippines, province of the Philippines located in the southern tip of the Cordillera Administrative Region in the island of Luzon. Its capital cit ...
), was the most prized commodity during this period.
Alongside gold, items such as
beeswax
Bee hive wax complex
Beeswax (also known as cera alba) is a natural wax produced by honey bees of the genus ''Apis''. The wax is formed into scales by eight wax-producing glands in the abdominal segments of worker bees, which discard it in o ...
,
porcelain
Porcelain (), also called china, is a ceramic material made by heating Industrial mineral, raw materials, generally including kaolinite, in a kiln to temperatures between . The greater strength and translucence of porcelain, relative to oth ...
,
silk
Silk is a natural fiber, natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be weaving, woven into textiles. The protein fiber of silk is composed mainly of fibroin and is most commonly produced by certain insect larvae to form cocoon (silk), c ...
,
cotton
Cotton (), first recorded in ancient India, is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants of the genus '' Gossypium'' in the mallow family Malvaceae. The fiber is almost pure ...
,
gemstones
A gemstone (also called a fine gem, jewel, precious stone, semiprecious stone, or simply gem) is a piece of mineral crystal which, when cut or polished, is used to make jewelry or other adornments. Certain rocks (such as lapis lazuli, opal, a ...
,
rice
Rice is a cereal grain and in its Domestication, domesticated form is the staple food of over half of the world's population, particularly in Asia and Africa. Rice is the seed of the grass species ''Oryza sativa'' (Asian rice)—or, much l ...
, and
beads
A bead is a small, decorative object that is formed in a variety of shapes and sizes of a material such as stone, bone, shell, glass, plastic, wood, or pearl and with a small hole for threading or stringing. Beads range in size from under 1 ...
were exchanged. These goods were traded for luxury items, tools, and other valuable commodities brought by foreign merchants, reflecting a vibrant and interconnected economy.
Spanish Colonization
In 1572,
Spanish forces arrived at the ancient port of
Agoo
Agoo (), officially the Municipality of Agoo (; ; ), is a coastal municipality in the province of La Union, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 66,028 people.
Etymology
The name "Agoo" is believed to have originate ...
and successfully brought 1,000 natives and
Japanese merchants under the authority of the
Spanish Crown
The monarchy of Spain or Spanish monarchy () is the constitutional form of government of Spain. It consists of a Hereditary monarchy, hereditary monarch who reigns as the head of state, being the highest office of the country.
The Spanish ...
and the
Christian faith
Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion, which states that Jesus in Christianity, Jesus is the Son of God (Christianity), Son of God and Resurrection of Jesus, rose from the dead after his Crucifixion of Jesus, crucifixion, whose ...
.
This effort was led by conquistador
Juan de Salcedo
Juan de Salcedo (; 1549 – 11 March 1576) was a Spanish conquistador. He was the grandson of Spanish general Miguel López de Legazpi. Salcedo was one of the soldiers who accompanied the Spanish conquest to the Philippines in 1565. He joined th ...
. By 1578, the
Franciscans
The Franciscans are a group of related organizations in the Catholic Church, founded or inspired by the Italian saint Francis of Assisi. They include three independent religious orders for men (the Order of Friars Minor being the largest conte ...
had established a permanent settlement in the area, constructing a ''visita'' (a small mission chapel) made of
bamboo
Bamboos are a diverse group of mostly evergreen perennial plant, perennial flowering plants making up the subfamily (biology), subfamily Bambusoideae of the grass family Poaceae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family, in th ...
. They introduced Catholic
catechism
A catechism (; from , "to teach orally") is a summary or exposition of Catholic theology, doctrine and serves as a learning introduction to the Sacraments traditionally used in catechesis, or Christian religious teaching of children and adult co ...
to the local population and incorporated the ''visita'' into the larger ecclesiastical district centered in Agoo. The present-day towns of Rosario,
Santo Tomas,
Tubao,
Pugo, and
Aringay were originally part of Agoo's territorial jurisdiction.
By the 17th century, the Spanish colonial administration had established multiple ''pueblos'', ''
barrios'', and ''
rancherías'' across the region. Rosario, at this time, was part of the vast territory of
Mangaldan, which fell under the jurisdiction of
Pangasinan province.
In 1764, the town of
Santo Tomas was officially separated from Mangaldan through a Spanish Royal Decree, becoming a ''pueblo'' (town). ''Concepción'' (modern-day Rosario) was designated as a ''barrio'' of Santo Tomas.
Don Lorenzo de los Reyes was appointed as the first ''
gobernadorcillo
The (, literally "little governor") was a municipal judge or governor in the Captaincy General of the Philippines, Philippines during the History of the Philippines (1565–1898), Spanish colonial period, who carried out in a town the combined ...
'' of Santo Tomas, responsible for local governance under the Spanish colonial system. However, dissatisfaction with his administration led to the re-incorporation of Santo Tomas into Agoo. In 1785, Santo Tomas regained its status as an autonomous town, following a 21-year period as a ''barrio'' of Agoo.
During the 19th century, Rosario remained a ''barrio'' of Santo Tomas and was inhabited by a mixture of Igorot ''rancherías'', Pangasinenses, and Ilocano settlers.
Increasing population pressures, combined with the harsh conditions under Spanish rule, led to a significant migration from
Ylocos provinces from
Magsingal,
Vigan
Vigan, officially the City of Vigan (; ), is a Cities of the Philippines#Legal classification, component city and capital of the Provinces of the Philippines, province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a populatio ...
,
Candon
Candon, officially the City of Candon (; ), is a Cities of the Philippines#Legal classification, component city in the Provinces of the Philippines, province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 61, ...
, and nearby towns such as Agoo, Santo Tomas, Tubao, and San Fernando. The growing population and economic activity prompted calls for Rosario to be converted into a separate town.
Rosario was once part of
Pangasinan
Pangasinan, officially the Province of Pangasinan (, ; ; ), is a coastal Provinces of the Philippines, province in the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region of Luzon. Its capital is Lingayen, Pangasinan, Lingayen while San Carlos, Pangasi ...
.
[Demetrio, Francisco R., Ed. (1991) Encyclopedia of Philippine Folk Beliefs and Customs Volume II. Cagayan de Oro: Xavier University Press] On October 29, 1849,
Governor-General Narciso Zaldua Clavería issued a decree creating the province of
La Union
La Union (), officially the Province of La Union (; ; ; ; ; ), is a coastal province in the Philippines situated in the Ilocos Region on the island of Luzon. The province's capital, the San Fernando, La Union, City of San Fernando, is the most ...
by merging eight towns from Pangasinan, three from
Ilocos Sur
Ilocos Sur (), officially the Province of Ilocos Sur (; ), is a Provinces of the Philippines, province in the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Located on the mouth of the Mestizo River is the capital of Vigan, while Candon is ...
, and 40–45 ''rancherías'', including those in Rosario. San Fernando was designated as the provincial capital. This new provincial structure was formalized on March 2, 1850, through a ''Superior Decreto'' signed by Governor-General Antonio María Blanco and confirmed on April 18, 1854, by a royal decree (''Real Orden'') from
Queen Isabella II of Spain.
Formation of Rosario
The official establishment of Rosario as a town began on August 7, 1869, when liberal Governor-General Carlos de la Torre issued a decree converting the ''barrio'' of Concepción into a civil town, renaming it Rosario.
However, the town remained ecclesiastically dependent on Santo Tomas. This conversion was initiated by a formal petition from local leaders, including Don Mariano Posadas, Don Mariano Narcelles, and Don Gavino Ordoña.
Sixteen days later, on August 23, Gobernador Político-Militar Francisco Paula de Ripoll received a copy of the decree and promptly scheduled the election of Rosario’s ''
gobernadorcillo
The (, literally "little governor") was a municipal judge or governor in the Captaincy General of the Philippines, Philippines during the History of the Philippines (1565–1898), Spanish colonial period, who carried out in a town the combined ...
'' (town governor) and ''ministro de justicia'' (minister of justice). The municipal leadership was guided by a tribute payer list provided by Santo Tomas.
Despite this administrative progress, the local
Catholic bishop
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an Holy orders in the Catholic Church, ordained Minister (Catholic Church), minister who holds the fullness of the Sacraments of the Catholic Church, sacrament of holy orders and is responsible for teachin ...
expressed concerns about assigning an assistant priest to Rosario, citing the diminished stipends caused by the town’s separation from Santo Tomas.
Consequently, Rosario became La Union’s 13th civil town but remained spiritually dependent on its former ''matriz'' (mother parish) in Santo Tomas. The parish priest continued to oversee both towns, ensuring his income was not affected.
On June 9, 1884, an ''expediente'' issued by the provincial government documented the dialects spoken by Rosario’s inhabitants. Both Pangasinan and Ilocano were widely spoken, reflecting the town’s geographical proximity to Pangasinan. Ilocano, however, emerged as the lingua franca of Rosario.
On February 26, 1891, Governor José de la Guardia described the residents of Rosario’s heavily populated ''
rancherías'' as "peace-loving" (''son de carácter pacífico'').
The majority of the population maintained strong ties to their ancestral lands and primarily engaged in agriculture and commerce, cultivating crops such as rice, tobacco, corn, sweet potatoes, and
sibucao (a type of wood used for dye).
In 1894 and 1896, the province published a master list of ''barangays'', ''barrios'', and ''rancherías''. Rosario, along with the towns of
Naguilian,
Balaoan
Balaoan, officially the Municipality of Balaoan (; ), is a coastal municipality in the province of La Union, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 40,339.
Etymology
The name "Balaoan" is derived from the Iloco words ...
, and
Tubao, recorded a significant
Igorot
The indigenous peoples of the Cordillera in northern Luzon, Philippines, often referred to by the exonym Igorot people, or more recently, as the Cordilleran peoples, are an ethnic group composed of nine main ethnolinguistic groups whose domains ...
population. Rosario alone had 1,774 Igorot inhabitants across nine ''rancherías'', with Ranchería Sapid hosting the largest population of 269 individuals. Don Pioc served as the ''gobernadorcillo'' overseeing these communities.
Philippine Revolution

During the initial phase of the
Philippine Revolution
The Philippine Revolution ( or ; or ) was a war of independence waged by the revolutionary organization Katipunan against the Spanish Empire from 1896 to 1898. It was the culmination of the 333-year History of the Philippines (1565–1898), ...
in early 1897, the people of Rosario did not immediately take up arms but instead expressed sympathy for the uprising. Rosario contributed five volunteers to the Spanish effort to suppress the revolution. Despite the town's relatively passive involvement, Spanish authorities enacted harsh reprisals, including torture and false accusations, targeting local elites,
clergy
Clergy are formal leaders within established religions. Their roles and functions vary in different religious traditions, but usually involve presiding over specific rituals and teaching their religion's doctrines and practices. Some of the ter ...
, and suspected rebels among the town’s population.
However, by May 22, 1898, a small uprising in
Santo Tomas sparked the revolution in Rosario and the entire province of La Union. The people of Rosario actively participated in the fight for independence against Spanish colonial rule. Under the leadership of
General Manuel Tinio y Bondoc, a close ally of
President Emilio Aguinaldo, the locals engaged in significant resistance efforts in Northern Luzon. They attacked Spanish garrisons in several towns of La Union, particularly the convents in Agoo and San Fernando. Spanish authorities and priests were forced to flee to
Vigan
Vigan, officially the City of Vigan (; ), is a Cities of the Philippines#Legal classification, component city and capital of the Provinces of the Philippines, province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a populatio ...
and
Manila
Manila, officially the City of Manila, is the Capital of the Philippines, capital and second-most populous city of the Philippines after Quezon City, with a population of 1,846,513 people in 2020. Located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay on ...
.
By August 18, 1898, La Union achieved final victory, marking the collapse of Spanish resistance in the province.
American Colonization
Following the surrender of
General Manuel Tinio's brigade to American forces in
Sinait, Ilocos Sur, on May 1, 1901, the
Philippine-American War in La Union came to an end.
Under American colonization, the town of Rosario underwent administrative changes. Through Act No. 935, passed on October 9, 1903, the 15 ''pueblos'' of La Union were reduced to 12, with the towns of Santo Tomas and Rosario combined into one municipality, with Santo Tomas serving as the ''centro de administracion'' (administrative center). However, on October 25, 1907,
Governor-General James Francis Smith issued a mandate reinstating Rosario as a regular municipality, restoring the original boundaries of the 12 towns established during the
Spanish period.
On February 18, 1914,
Governor-General Francis Burton Harrison transferred jurisdiction over Camp One from
Benguet
Benguet (), officially the Province of Benguet ('';'' ; ; ; ), is a landlocked Provinces of the Philippines, province of the Philippines located in the southern tip of the Cordillera Administrative Region in the island of Luzon. Its capital cit ...
to La Union. The boundary between Rosario, La Union, and Alava, Pangasinan, was defined by the
Bued River
The Bued River is a river in the island of Luzon in the Philippines with a total length of . It covers primarily the provinces of Benguet and Pangasinan, and a few parts of La Union. The river originates from the city of Baguio and joins with th ...
.
During the American period,
public schools were established in Rosario to promote
Americanization
Americanization or Americanisation (see spelling differences) is the influence of the American culture and economy on other countries outside the United States, including their media, cuisine, business practices, popular culture, technology ...
through the teaching of English. The former Spanish convents were repurposed as classrooms, and the
Thomosites, a group of American teachers, were assigned to educate the Philippines. Rosario, along with other southern towns, was one of the first to receive instructional supplies.
In addition to education, the American government set up public hospitals to combat
cholera epidemic
Seven cholera pandemics have occurred in the past 200 years, with the first pandemic originating in India in 1817. The seventh cholera pandemic is officially a current pandemic and has been ongoing since 1961, according to a World Health Organi ...
, with Rosario establishing a one-man health board.
In the 1920s, Rosario became embroiled in a territorial dispute with Benguet over a new boundary line. This conflict led to several petitions for intervention from the governors of both provinces, including a visit from Governor Zandueta of La Union. The dispute was resolved after the abolition of the
Lepanto-Bontoc sub-provinces, and Rosario's territorial boundaries were restored.
Japanese Occupation
On December 8, 1941, Japanese forces attacked Rosario by bombing several residential areas and U.S. military installations, including Camp One. On December 22, 1941, the Japanese 4th Tank Regiment and the 47th Infantry Regiment, under the command of Colonel Isamu Yanagi, supported by a flotilla of navy ships, attempted to land in
Agoo
Agoo (), officially the Municipality of Agoo (; ; ), is a coastal municipality in the province of La Union, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 66,028 people.
Etymology
The name "Agoo" is believed to have originate ...
. Their objective was to establish one of three major beachheads for the Japanese
invasion of the Lingayen Gulf. However, inclement weather dispersed their forces, forcing them to land over a wide stretch of beach, ranging from
Poro Point (San Fernando) to as far south as Damortis.
The Japanese forces later encountered the
Philippine Commonwealth
The Commonwealth of the Philippines (; ) was an unincorporated territory and commonwealth of the United States that existed from 1935 to 1946. It was established following the Tydings–McDuffie Act to replace the Insular Government of the Phi ...
defense forces, which included the
26th Cavalry Regiment (Philippine Scouts), the 21st and 11th Divisions of the
Philippine Army
The Philippine Army (PA) () is the main, oldest and largest branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), responsible for ground warfare. , it had an estimated strength of 143,100 soldiers The service branch was established on December ...
, and the newly formed 71st Division. This encounter led to the ''Battle of Rosario.''
The Japanese occupation of the town ended after the
Battle of Bacsil Ridge in
San Fernando, marking a significant turning point in the liberation of La Union.
Geography
The Municipality of Rosario is a
coastal
A coast (coastline, shoreline, seashore) is the land next to the sea or the line that forms the boundary between the land and the ocean or a lake. Coasts are influenced by the topography of the surrounding landscape and by aquatic erosion, su ...
town located at the southernmost point of La Union, situated on a narrow plain between the foothills of the
Cordillera Central mountain range and the
Lingayen Gulf
Lingayen Gulf is a large gulf on northwestern Luzon in the Philippines, stretching . It is framed by the provinces of Pangasinan and La Union and sits between the Zambales Mountains and the Cordillera Central (Luzon), Cordillera Central. The Agno ...
or
South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean. It is bounded in the north by South China, in the west by the Indochinese Peninsula, in the east by the islands of Taiwan island, Taiwan and northwestern Philippines (mainly Luz ...
. It spans a land area of 7,312.2725 hectares (73.122 square kilometers), which constitutes 4.93% of La Union’s total land area. Rosario is bordered by several municipalities:
Tubao to the north,
Santo Tomas to the northwest,
Pugo to the east, and
Sison (in Barangay Agat) to the southeast, where it meets the
Bued River
The Bued River is a river in the island of Luzon in the Philippines with a total length of . It covers primarily the provinces of Benguet and Pangasinan, and a few parts of La Union. The river originates from the city of Baguio and joins with th ...
,
San Fabian to the southwest along the Rabon River, both in Pangasinan, and the
Lingayen Gulf
Lingayen Gulf is a large gulf on northwestern Luzon in the Philippines, stretching . It is framed by the provinces of Pangasinan and La Union and sits between the Zambales Mountains and the Cordillera Central (Luzon), Cordillera Central. The Agno ...
to the west.
The
Kennon Road
Kennon Road, also known as the Rosario–Baguio Road, is a two lane roadway in Benguet province in the Philippines connecting the mountain city of Baguio in Benguet to the lowland town of Rosario in La Union province. Originally called Benguet ...
originates in this town and leads to
Baguio City. Rosario is accessible via the
MacArthur Highway
The MacArthur Highway, officially the Manila North Road (MNR or MaNor), is a , two-to-six lane, national primary highway and tertiary highway in Luzon, Philippines, connecting Caloocan in Metro Manila to Aparri in Cagayan at the north. It is t ...
or through the NLEX (
North Luzon Expressway), SCTEX (
Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway), and TPLEX (
Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway
The Tarlac–Pangasinan–La Union Expressway (TPLEX), signed as E1 of the Philippine expressway network and R-8 of the List of roads in Metro Manila, Metro Manila arterial road network, is a Controlled-access highway, controlled-access toll expr ...
), with the northernmost terminus in Rosario.
Rosario is situated from the provincial capital
San Fernando, and from the country's capital city of
Manila
Manila, officially the City of Manila, is the Capital of the Philippines, capital and second-most populous city of the Philippines after Quezon City, with a population of 1,846,513 people in 2020. Located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay on ...
.
The flight distance between Manila and Rosario is approximately 189 kilometers (117 miles).
Topography
The
topography
Topography is the study of the forms and features of land surfaces. The topography of an area may refer to the landforms and features themselves, or a description or depiction in maps.
Topography is a field of geoscience and planetary sci ...
of Rosario is characterized by a valley with mountainous terrain, predominantly shaped by the sharply sloping mountains of the
Cordillera Central Central Cordillera refers to the New Guinea Highlands.
Cordillera Central, meaning ''central range'' in Spanish, may refer to the following mountain ranges:
* Cordillera Central, Andes (disambiguation), several mountain ranges in South America
** ...
range, which runs parallel to the coast of the
South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean. It is bounded in the north by South China, in the west by the Indochinese Peninsula, in the east by the islands of Taiwan island, Taiwan and northwestern Philippines (mainly Luz ...
. To the west, the land features narrow plains and
valleys
A valley is an elongated low area often running between hills or mountains and typically containing a river or stream running from one end to the other. Most valleys are formed by erosion of the land surface by rivers or streams over a ve ...
, interspersed with shallow rivers and streams. Approximately 8% of the land is level or gently sloping, while 18% is undulating to rolling. Another 30% of the land is rolling to moderately steep, and 50% is steep.
The town is home to a 149.70-hectare
forest reserve Forest reserve(s) may refer to:
* Nature reserve
A nature reserve (also known as a wildlife refuge, wildlife sanctuary, biosphere reserve or bioreserve, natural or nature preserve, or nature conservation area) is a protected area of importan ...
, which is part of the
Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University
Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU ; ) is the State Universities or Colleges of the Philippines, state university system serving the province of La Union in the Philippines. Its main autonomous unit is in Bacnotan. It was creat ...
(DMMMSU) campus in Barangay Alipang, as well as areas in the barangays of Cadumanian, Casilagan, Cataguingtingan, Inabaan Norte, Marcos, Parasapas, Subusub, and Vila. Rosario is traversed by several rivers, creeks, and brooks, with the three principal rivers being:
*
Bued River
The Bued River is a river in the island of Luzon in the Philippines with a total length of . It covers primarily the provinces of Benguet and Pangasinan, and a few parts of La Union. The river originates from the city of Baguio and joins with th ...
– flowing through Barangays Bangar, Udiao, and Camp One.
* Malicnao River – flowing through Barangays Alipang, Poblacion East, and Poblacion West.
* Nilangoyan River – flowing southwestward between Barangays Tabtabungao and Cataguingtingan.
Rosario is rich in mineral resources, including metallic deposits of iron magnetic sand in Lingayen Gulf and Barangay Damortis, with an estimated volume of 2,031,400 metric tons. The Bued River has metallic deposits of placer gold, estimated at 816,222 metric tons with 0.30 grams of gold per metric ton. The river is also a major source of sand and
gravel
Gravel () is a loose aggregation of rock fragments. Gravel occurs naturally on Earth as a result of sedimentation, sedimentary and erosion, erosive geological processes; it is also produced in large quantities commercially as crushed stone.
Gr ...
, with an estimated volume of 160,000 cubic meters. Other barangays in Rosario are known to have mineral deposits, including
lime in Inabaan Norte,
coal
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock, formed as rock strata called coal seams. Coal is mostly carbon with variable amounts of other Chemical element, elements, chiefly hydrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen.
Coal i ...
in both Marcos and Parasapas.
Climate
Rosario experiences a Type I climate as defined by the
Köppen Climate Classification
The Köppen climate classification divides Earth climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on patterns of seasonal precipitation and temperature. The five main groups are ''A'' (tropical), ''B'' (arid), ''C'' (te ...
, which features a clear division between
wet and
dry seasons. The wet season typically starts around mid-May and continues until late October, while the dry season lasts from December through early May. Heavy rainfall is brought by the
Southwest Monsoon
A monsoon () is traditionally a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation but is now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with annual latitudinal oscil ...
(SWM) during the wet season, whereas the
Northeast Monsoon
A monsoon () is traditionally a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation but is now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with annual latitudinal oscill ...
(NEM) leads to drier conditions as it moves over the Cordillera Mountains.
Barangays
Rosario is politically subdivided into
barangay
The barangay (; abbreviated as Brgy. or Bgy.), historically referred to as ''barrio'', is the smallest Administrative divisions of the Philippines, administrative division in the Philippines. Named after the Precolonial barangay, precolonial po ...
s with 30 inland 3 coastal. Each barangay consists of
purok
A ''purok'' () is an informal division within a barangay in the Philippines. While not officially considered a local government unit (LGU), a ''purok'' often serves as a unit for delivering services and administration within a barangay. ''Pur ...
s and some have
sitios
A ''sitio'' (Spanish language, Spanish for "site") in the Philippines is a territorial enclave that forms part of a barangay. Typically rural, a ''sitios location is usually far from the center of the barangay itself and could be its own bar ...
.
* Alipang
* Ambangonan
* Amlang
* Bacani
* Bangar
* Bani
* Benteng-Sapilang
* Cadumanian
* Camp One
* Carunuan East
* Carunuan West
* Casilagan
* Cataguingtingan
* Concepcion
* Damortis
* Gumot-Nagcolaran
* Inabaan Norte
* Inabaan Sur
* Nagtagaan
* Nangcamotian
* Parasapas
* Poblacion East
* Poblacion West
* Puzon
* Rabon
* San Jose
* Marcos
* Subusub
* Tabtabungao
* Tanglag
* Tay-ac
* Udiao
* Vila
Demographics
Rosario, La Union's population in 2020 stood at 60,278 as according to
Census of Population and Housing marking an increase of 4,820 people compared to 2015. The town has seen a steady rise, with an average annual population growth rate (PGR) of 1.77%, meaning approximately 18 people are added per year for every 1,000 residents. This growth rate suggests that, if sustained, the population could double in the next 40 years. In comparison, the population 60 years ago in 1960 was just 18,045, indicating significant growth over the decades.
Population by Barangays
Among the 33
barangays
The barangay (; abbreviated as Brgy. or Bgy.), historically referred to as ''barrio'', is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines. Named after the precolonial polities of the same name, modern barangays are political subdivisio ...
in Rosario, ''Concepcion'' had the largest population, comprising 6.36% of the total municipal population, followed by ''Tabtabungao'' (5.40%), ''Camp One'' (5.38%), ''Subusub'' (4.92%), and ''Tay-ac'' (4.78%). Other populous barangays included ''Cataguingtingan'' (4.73%), ''Damortis'' (4.26%), ''Udiao'' (4.24%), ''Poblacion East'' (4.13%), and ''Amlang'' (3.92%). The remaining barangays each contributed less than 3.50%. The least populated barangay in 2020 was ''San Jose'', with only 1.14%, while in 2015, ''Ambangonan'' had the smallest share at 1.05%.
Sex Ratio
The municipality’s
sex ratio
A sex ratio is the ratio of males to females in a population. As explained by Fisher's principle, for evolutionary reasons this is typically about 1:1 in species which reproduce sexually. However, many species deviate from an even sex ratio, ei ...
in 2020 remained balanced at 102 males for every 100 females. Males made up 50.48% of the total population, while females accounted for 49.52%. This indicates a slight male majority, a common trend in many populations, though the gender distribution is nearly equal.
Median Age
The
median age
A population pyramid (age structure diagram) or "age-sex pyramid" is a graphical illustration of the distribution of a population (typically that of a country or region of the world) by age groups and sex; it typically takes the shape of a pyramid ...
of the population in 2020 was 27.02 years, an increase from 25.62 years in 2015. This suggests that the population is aging slowly, with a significant portion of the population being relatively young. Children aged 10-14 years made up the largest age group (9.98%), followed by those aged 5-9 years (9.76%) and 15-19 years (9.32%). The age structure reveals a youthful population with a growing number of young dependents.
Dependency Ratio
Rosario’s
dependency ratio
The dependency ratio is an age-population ratio of those typically not in the labor force (the ''dependent'' part ages 0 to 14 and 65+) and those typically in the labor force (the ''productive'' part ages 15 to 64). It is used to measure the press ...
stood at 55 in 2020, which means that for every 100 working-age individuals (ages 15-64), there are 55 dependents—44 young dependents (ages 0-14) and 11 old dependents (ages 65 and over).
This represents a slight improvement from 2015, when the ratio was 58. A lower dependency ratio indicates that a larger proportion of the population is of working age, which could help boost economic productivity.
Marital Status
Among individuals aged 10 years and older, 40.41% were
married
Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...
, while 38.40% had never married.
A significant portion of the population (13.84%) was in common-law or live-in relationships, reflecting changing social norms. Notably, more males (54.20%) than females (45.80%) were classified as never married, suggesting different patterns in marital trends between genders.
Household Size
In 2020, the municipality had a total of 60,203 people living in 14,433 households. The average household size remained steady at 4.2 persons, reflecting a slight increase from 2015. This suggests that while the population is growing, household sizes have not decreased significantly, pointing to continued family-based living structures.
Birth Registration
Birth registration
A birth certificate is a vital record that documents the birth of a person. The term "birth certificate" can refer to either the original document certifying the circumstances of the birth or to a certified copy of or representation of the en ...
in Rosario was almost universal, with 99.41% of the population having their births officially recorded. Of those with registered births, 50.49% were male and 49.51% were female, maintaining the general population's sex ratio.
High birth registration rates indicate effective civic engagement and administrative systems in the region.
Voting Population
In the 2022 elections, the municipality has 36,528 registered voters. The
voting-age population (18 years and older) represented 65.65% of the total population in 2020, an increase from 63.55% in 2015. This means that the majority of residents are eligible to vote, with more females (50.16%) than males (49.84%) in the voting-age group. This demographic shift may have implications for political engagement and representation in future elections.
Ethnicity and language
The majority of Rosario's population belongs to the
Ilocano ethnolinguistic group, making
Iloco the predominant language spoken in the municipality. Smaller populations include
Pangasinans,
Tagalogs
The Tagalog people are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the Philippines, particularly the Metro Manila and Calabarzon regions and Marinduque province of southern Luzon, and comprise the majority in the provinces of Bulacan, Bataan, N ...
, and indigenous groups such as the Bago and
Ibaloi. In addition to Iloco,
Filipino and
English are widely used for communication and as mediums of instruction, reflecting the linguistic diversity of the area.
Religion
Rosario is predominantly
Roman Catholic
The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2025. It is among the world's oldest and largest international institut ...
, with a large portion of the population adhering to this faith. Significant numbers of residents also belong to various
Christian denominations
A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the world. The words '' Christ'' and ''C ...
, including the
Church of Christ Church of Christ may refer to:
Church groups
* Christianity, the Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ
* Christian Church, an ecclesiological term used by denominations to describe the true body of Christia ...
,
Iglesia Ni Cristo
The (INC; ; ) is an independent Nontrinitarianism, nontrinitarian Christianity, Christian Christian denomination, church founded in 1913 and registered by Felix Manalo, Félix Manalo in 1914 as a corporation sole, sole religious corporation ...
,
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a nontrinitarian restorationist Christian denomination and the largest denomination in the Latter Day Saint movement. Founded durin ...
,
Evangelicals
Evangelicalism (), also called evangelical Christianity or evangelical Protestantism, is a worldwide, interdenominational movement within Protestant Christianity that emphasizes evangelism, or the preaching and spreading of the Christian g ...
,
United Church of Christ in the Philippines,
National Council of Churches in the Philippines, Bible Baptist Church,
Jehovah’s Witnesses
Jehovah's Witnesses is a Christian denomination that is an outgrowth of the Bible Student movement founded by Charles Taze Russell in the nineteenth century. The denomination is nontrinitarian, millenarian, and restorationist. Russell co- ...
,
United Pentecostal Church,
Jesus is Lord Church, and the Evangelical Christian Outreach Foundation. Additionally, smaller groups follow
Islam
Islam is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the Quran, and the teachings of Muhammad. Adherents of Islam are called Muslims, who are estimated to number Islam by country, 2 billion worldwide and are the world ...
and the
Union Espiritista Cristiana de Filipinas Inc., reflecting the religious diversity within the municipality.
Education
The Rosario Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public elementary and high schools.
In terms of education, females outpaced males in higher educational attainment. Among those aged five and over, 25.04% completed
elementary education
Primary education is the first stage of formal education, coming after preschool/kindergarten and before secondary education. Primary education takes place in ''primary schools'', ''elementary schools'', or first schools and middle schools, de ...
, 43.68% finished
high school
A secondary school, high school, or senior school, is an institution that provides secondary education. Some secondary schools provide both ''lower secondary education'' (ages 11 to 14) and ''upper secondary education'' (ages 14 to 18), i.e., ...
, and 13.05% held an
academic degree
An academic degree is a qualification awarded to a student upon successful completion of a course of study in higher education, usually at a college or university. These institutions often offer degrees at various levels, usually divided into und ...
. Additionally, 9.58% were college
undergraduates
Undergraduate education is education conducted after secondary education and before postgraduate education, usually in a college or university. It typically includes all postsecondary programs up to the level of a bachelor's degree. For example, ...
. Of those with
academic degrees
An academic degree is a qualification awarded to a student upon successful completion of a course of study in higher education, usually at a college or university. These institutions often offer degrees at various levels, usually divided into un ...
, 57.37% were female, highlighting gender disparities in higher education, with more women completing tertiary education.
The
literacy rate
Literacy is the ability to read and write, while illiteracy refers to an inability to read and write. Some researchers suggest that the study of "literacy" as a concept can be divided into two periods: the period before 1950, when literacy was ...
in Rosario was a high 99.26%, with males (50.27%) slightly outperforming females (49.73%). This near-universal literacy rate is indicative of strong educational initiatives and access to education across the municipality.
Rosario has 16 public elementary schools, 6 public secondary schools and 1 College under the
Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University
Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU ; ) is the State Universities or Colleges of the Philippines, state university system serving the province of La Union in the Philippines. Its main autonomous unit is in Bacnotan. It was creat ...
-South La Union Campus.
Primary and elementary schools
* Achievers Haven Learning School
* Amlang Elementary School
* Bani Elementary School
* Cadumanian Elementary School
* Carunoan Elementary School
* Casilagan Elementary School
* Cataguingtingan Elementary School
* Don Jose B. Bernal Elementary School
* Gumot Elementary School
* Harvester Bible Baptist Theological College & Academy
* Inabaan Elementary School
* Marcos Elementary School
* Parasapas Elementary School
* Sapilang Elementary School
* St. Mary's Academy
* Tanglag Elementary School
* UCCP Nursery Kindergarten
* Udiao Elementary School
* Vila Elementary School
Secondary schools
* Amlang-Nagtagaan National High School
* Alipang National High School
* Parasapas National High School
* Rosario Integrated School
* Tanglag National High School
Higher educational institutions
* Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University
* La Union Christian Comprehensive College
Economy
Rosario is a 1st class municipality in terms of income, effective since July 29, 2008, as per Memorandum Circular 01- No. M(40)-08 issued on November 12, 2008, by the Bureau of Local Government Finance. The municipality has a poverty incidence rate of 10.67% as of 2021. In 2020, the revenue of Rosario was ₱261.7 million, while its assets amounted to ₱522.2 million. The municipality's expenditure for the same year was ₱175.3 million, and its liabilities stood at ₱141.4 million.
Over the past three years, Rosario's average annual income has been ₱334,279,452.80 from the General Fund and ₱6,377,559.53 from the Special Education Fund. The total estimated Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) for the municipality in the calendar year 2022 was ₱227,487,888.00, which was also the actual IRA received for 2022.
Agriculture
Rosario is primarily an agricultural municipality, with a land area of 1,422 hectares. The major crops grown in the area include rice, corn, peanuts, tobacco, as well as various fruits such as mango, banana, and papaya, and vegetables like tomato, ampalaya (bitter melon), okra, eggplant, string beans, and root crops such as cassava, sweet potatoes, and tugui.
The municipality benefits from five major irrigation systems, including the Bued I Communal Irrigation System, Bued II Communal Irrigation System, Malicnao Irrigation System, Campa Irrigation System, and the non-functional Apangat Irrigation System. The Bued Communal Irrigation System (CIS II) received international funding support in 1998 from the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project (ARISP) through the government of Japan, which directly benefited the PUSUNANGTATAY Agrarian Reform Community (ARC) encompassing six clustered barangays: Puzon, Udiao, Subusub, Nangcamotian, Tabtabungao, and Tay-ac.
Livestock
Livestock farming is a vital component of Rosario’s economy, supporting livelihoods and food security for many residents. As of 2022, the municipality’s livestock population includes 1,114 carabaos used for farm labor and milk production, 1,328 cattle raised for meat and dairy, and 5,187 goats providing milk and meat. The poultry industry thrives with 146,556 commercial poultry, 23,500 commercial layers producing eggs, and 20,422 native poultry raised in backyard farms. Swine production contributes significantly with 1,095 hogs raised for meat.
Fishing
In terms of fisheries and aquaculture, Rosario has a freshwater fishpond area of 4.841 hectares, producing 13.654 metric tons. The municipality also has a communal water area of 65.00 hectares, producing 78.00 metric tons with a productivity rate of 1.20 metric tons per hectare. The municipality has 128 motorized bancas involved in municipal fishing, which produce 320 metric tons with a productivity rate of 2.50 metric tons per banca, and 72 non-motorized bancas producing 86.40 metric tons with a productivity rate of 1.20 metric tons per banca.
Commerce & Industry
The Rosario Public Market is located in Barangay Subusub along McArthur Highway, occupying a total area of 9,781 square meters. It consists of six existing buildings, five additional buildings for ambulant vendors, and two newly constructed buildings along the National Highway. The municipality has also designated areas for non-polluting light industries, particularly in the barangays of Rabon, Bani, and Damortis (RaBaDam), which are situated along the Lingayen Gulf, and in Barangays Tabtabungao and Udiao. These areas are part of the local efforts to encourage industrial development that aligns with the municipality's environmental goals.
Tourism
Rosario's tourism potential is significant, with its diverse landscapes of mountains, rolling hills, valleys, and beaches providing ample opportunities for development.
Eco-tourism sites in the municipality include Rocapor Farm, where visitors can enjoy organic fruit and vegetable picking, nature appreciation, picnics, and animal feeding. Vaughn’s Eco Farm offers tractor rides, nature appreciation, and picnic spots, while Albay Carabao Farm provides an opportunity for visitors to feed high-bred carabaos, harvest Napier grass, and experience manual milking. Luna Cacao Farm offers nature tours, cacao planting and harvesting activities, and animal feeding experiences, while Mount Kawawingan is a popular hiking and trekking destination known for its "Sea of Clouds," wild fruit picking, and picnicking opportunities. These initiatives highlight the municipality's commitment to sustainable agriculture, aquaculture, and tourism development, contributing to economic growth.
Government
Local government
Just as the national government, the municipal government of Rosario, is divided into three branches: executive, legislative, and judiciary. The judicial branch is administered solely by the
Supreme Court of the Philippines
The Supreme Court (; colloquially referred to as the ' (also used in formal writing), is the highest court in the Philippines. It was established by the Taft Commission on June 11, 1901, through the enactment of Act No. 136, which abolished th ...
. The LGUs have control of the executive and legislative branches.
The executive branch is composed of the mayor and the barangay captain for the barangays.
The legislative branch is composed of the ''Sangguniang Bayan'' (town assembly), ''Sangguniang Barangay'' (barangay council), and the
Sangguniang Kabataan
A Sangguniang Kabataan (abbreviated as SK; ) is a community council that represents the youth in a barangay in the Philippines. Established to provide young people with a platform for civic engagement and participation in Local government in ...
for the youth sector.
The seat of Government is vested upon the Mayor and other elected officers who hold office at the RosarioTown hall. The Sangguniang Bayan is the center of legislation, stationed in Rosario Legislative Building or Town hall.
Elected officials
Tourism
Rosario has the following landmark attractions:
* Beach resorts
* Zoo
* The Queen of Peace Priory
* The Tree House
* World War II Vintage Canons located at the Town Plaza
* The Rosario Nature Park is hectares of lush green (
La Union
La Union (), officially the Province of La Union (; ; ; ; ; ), is a coastal province in the Philippines situated in the Ilocos Region on the island of Luzon. The province's capital, the San Fernando, La Union, City of San Fernando, is the most ...
’s biggest camping site. It is the venue of the Boy and Girl Scouts of the Philippines' Jamborees. It is also the meeting place of Air Soft Enthusiasts' War Games.
*
Agoo–Damortis Protected Landscape and Seascape
The Agoo–Damortis Protected Landscape and Seascape is located on the eastern side of Lingayen Gulf in southern La Union, Philippines. It was established in 2000 to protect of coastal area, including mangrove swamps, seagrass beds and stretches ...
* Public Market (near the Rosario-Pugo Junction Road and a new Slaughter House which, unlike its predecessor, was built away from residential areas.
* Yearly, on December 8, the Feast of Immaculate Concepcion, the town celebrates its fiesta. But it centers on the Linubian Festival (local cassava and banana cake) held from April 17 to 19. Rosario holds an Agri Trade Fair, showcasing its harvests topped by street-dancing competitions.
Local Government Units: Municipality of Rosario - Province of La Union :: Official Website
/ref>
Gallery
1869 Immaculate Concepcion Parish Church
The Immaculate Concepcion Parish Church was canonically erected in 1869. It is under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of San Fernando de La Union (Dioecesis Ferdinandopolitana ab Unione, Suffragan of Lingayen – Dagupan, which was created on January 19, 1970, and erected on April 11, 1970, comprising the Civil Province of La Union, under the Titular, St. William the Hermit, February 10). The church is under a diocese
In Ecclesiastical polity, church governance, a diocese or bishopric is the ecclesiastical district under the jurisdiction of a bishop.
History
In the later organization of the Roman Empire, the increasingly subdivided Roman province, prov ...
of the Latin Catholic Church
The Latin Church () is the largest autonomous () particular church within the Catholic Church, whose members constitute the vast majority of the 1.3 billion Catholics. The Latin Church is one of 24 Catholic particular churches and liturgical ...
in the Philippines
The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an Archipelagic state, archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. Located in the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of List of islands of the Philippines, 7,641 islands, with a tot ...
from the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia
The Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia is an archdiocese of the Catholic Church in the Philippines. It covers the province of Ilocos Sur, on the island of Luzon. The see of the archdiocese is the city of Vigan.
The archdiocese was erected in 1595 in ...
.
The Rosario Church is under the Vicariate of St. Francis Xavier with Vicar Forane, Fr. Joel Angelo Licos.
Its Parish Priestis Fr. Raul S. Panay.
The church is located on the eastern side fronting the National Highway and the Municipal Building. It has an access road to the Rosario-Pugo-Baguio Road.
File:RosarioLaUnionjf946.JPG, Church gate
File:ImmaculateConcepcionChurchjf932.JPG, Convent and Parish rectory
File:ImmaculateConcepcionChurchjf938.JPG, Interior and choir
Gallery
File:RosarioLaUnionjf905.JPG, La Union Welcome Arch at Rosario
File:RosarioLaUnionjf954.JPG, Municipal hall
File:RosarioLaUnionjf915.JPG, Town Proper
File:03199jfRosario La Union Sison Pangasinan Roads Church Landmarksfvf 06.JPG, Old Acasia Treehouse
File:9444Camp One Subusub, Rosario, La Union 56.jpg, Rosario Tricycle Terminal
File:02960jfRosario Welcome La Union Sison Pangasinan Roads Landmarksfvf 19.JPG, World War II Monument
File:RosarioLaUnionjf914.JPG, Public Market
File:02960jfRosario Welcome La Union Sison Pangasinan Roads Landmarksfvf 15.JPG, Town Plaza
File:RosarioLaUnionjf912.JPG, Rosario intersection
References
External links
Rosario, La Union Website
* Philippine Standard Geographic Code
Philippine Census Information
Local Governance Performance Management System
{{Authority control
Municipalities of La Union