Roman Catholic Diocese of Laoag
The Diocese of Laoag () is a Latin Church ecclesiastical jurisdiction or diocese of the Catholic Church in the Philippines. The diocese was erected in 1961 from the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia. It was sede vacante from June 15, 2011, to October 11, 2012. On October 12, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Most Rev. Renato P. Mayugba, then Auxiliary Bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, as the sixth bishop of the diocese. Ordinaries Pre-Hispanic Ilocos Long before the coming of the Spaniards, there already existed an extensive region (consisting of the present provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra and La Union) renowned for its gold mines. Merchants from Japan and China would often visit the area to barter beads, ceramics and silk with gold. The inhabitants of the region believed to be of Malay origin, called their place Samtoy from , which literally meant "language spoken in this place". Like other parts of the Philippines, Ilocos Norte before the advent of Spanish colonization was inhabited by different tribes. Settlements were located along the river systems. Most people preferred to settle down near their farming or hunting grounds. Trade between seashore communities and nearby China must have been present considering the proximity of the place with mainland Cathay. Religion was mainly animistic with the belief in Supreme Being like "Kabunian" and other minor spirits which were collectively known as "di-kataotao-an". Colonization of Ilocos Norte and Christianization Christianity came to this part of the country in June 1572 during Northern Luzon "pacification" campaign led by the Spanish conquistador Juan de Salcedo and his Augustinian chaplain Alonzo de Alvarado. It is said that the cross was first planted on top of what is now known as Ermita Hill in Laoag. However, it was not until 1575 when Vigan was finally "pacified" by the Castilians that effective evangelization campaign reached this part of the newly established Province of Ilocos. During this last quarter of the 16th century, mission centers were established in Laoag, Bacarra, San Nicolas, Batac and Dingras. Towards the end of Spanish rule in the Philippines, there were 13 towns. The evangelization of this northern part of Ilocos province was done by the Augustinian friars, where they did their apostolate until the end of Spanish rule in 1898. Like the other parts of the country, which were pacified and claimed for the Castilian standard, the Ilocos was soon divided into encomiendas, which were awarded to deserving colonizers. The encomienda was more of a grant of jurisdiction than ownership. The encomendero was granted jurisdiction over a land of its people. He had the rights to exact tributes from the people and was privileged to get services from them. However, he had the duty to protect them and to give them religious instruction. But very soon the encomienda system lost its luster in favor of the more lucrative China trade with the galleon system plying from Manila to Acapulco and vice versa. Towards the end of the Spanish Regime, of the