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Naguilian | |
|---|---|
| Municipality of Naguilian | |
   Naguilian Municipal Hall, Downtown proper and Naguilian orBalili River | |
 Flag .png) Seal | |
| Nickname(s): The True Heart of La Union Home of the Original Basi | |
| Motto: Tattan Naguilian! | |
 Map of La Union with Naguilian highlighted | |
OpenStreetMap  | |
.svg)  Naguilian Location within thePhilippines | |
| Coordinates:16°32′N120°24′E / 16.53°N 120.4°E /16.53; 120.4 | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Region | Ilocos Region |
| Province | La Union |
| District | 2nd district |
| Founded | February 18, 1839 |
| Barangays | 37 (seeBarangays) |
| Government | |
| • Type | Sangguniang Bayan |
| • Mayor | Hon. Nieri T. Flores |
| • Vice Mayor | Hon. Reynaldo J. Flores |
| • Representative | Hon. Dante S. Garcia |
| • Municipal Council | Members
|
| • Electorate | 36,646 voters (2025) |
| Area | |
• Total | 104.60 km2 (40.39 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 95 m (312 ft) |
| Highest elevation | 495 m (1,624 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 7 m (23 ft) |
| Population (2020 census)[3] | |
• Total | 52,189 |
| • Density | 500/km2 (1,300/sq mi) |
| • Households | 12,915 |
| Demonym | Naguilianon |
| Economy | |
| • Income class | 1st municipal income class |
| • Poverty incidence | 9.00 |
| • Revenue |  PHP 307,477,249.26 million (28.02%) (2022) |
| • Assets | PHP 1,153,571,103.05 billion (25.73%) (2022) |
| • Equity | PHP 947,824,505.09 million (17.71%) (2022) |
| • Expenditure | PHP 166,800,843.74 million (20.64%) (2022) |
| • Liabilities | PHP 205,746,597.96 million (83.33%) (2022) |
| Service provider | |
| • Electricity | La Union Electric Cooperative (LUELCO) |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (PST) |
| ZIP code | 2511 |
| PSGC | |
| IDD : area code | +63 (0)72 |
| Native languages | Ilocano Tagalog |
| Major religions | Roman Catholic |
| Patron saint | Saint Augustine of Hippo |
| Notable Festival | Basi Festival |
| Website | www |
Naguilian, officially theMunicipality of Naguilian (Ilocano:Ili ti Naguilian;Filipino:Bayan ng Naguilian), is amunicipality in theprovince ofLa Union,Philippines, According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 52,189 people.[3]
It is renowned as the Home of the OriginalBasi,[5] a traditional fermented sugarcane wine. Naguilian is located at the geographical center of La Union and has a total land area of 10,086.85 hectares, making it the third-largest among the 19 towns and cities in the province.[6] As of 2020, the town has 36,150 registered voters.
The name "Naguilian" is derived from theIloco wordnagilian, which is based on the rootíli, meaning "town." The prefixnag- indicates the present or past tense, while the suffix-an expresses a perfective aspect, signifying a completed action or state. Together,nag-ili-an can be interpreted as"towned by people" or"a place that has been established or settled by people."
The name is also thought to originate from the Ilocano phraseNagilian dagiti gangganaet, which translates to"a place where people from other places come to stay." This highlights the town's historical function as a settlement or gathering point for individuals from other regions. Over time, the name "Naguilian" became associated with the town, reflecting its significance as a center for migration and community formation.[5]
In its early history, Naguilian was originally a settlement ofCordilleran tribes, particularly theKankanaey andIbaloi people, who established themselves along theBalili River and the foothills of theCordillera Central.[7] These early inhabitants engaged in active trade along theAringay Trail, an ancient gold trading route that connected the southwestern Cordilleras to the lowlands of northwestern Luzon. The settlements traded goods such as gold, silk, textiles, rice, porcelain, wax, and earthenware with neighboring lowlandIlocano (Samtoy) andPangasinan communities, as well as foreign merchants fromChina,Japan, andMaritime Southeast Asia.[7]
During theSpanish colonization in the 1700s, Ilocano immigrants began settling in La Union's coastal areas, including the establishment of the town ofBauang. Due to population growth, settlers followed the river inland and established a colony in a fertile valley they named"Naguilian."[5] They cultivated the land, focusing on agriculture, particularly rice, corn, and sugarcane the primary ingredient in producing traditional wine called "basi" and vinegar. Initially, the settlement was under the jurisdiction of Bauang and governed through theencomienda system, where local inhabitants were entrusted to Spanish encomenderos,friars, and native nobles in exchange for tribute and governance.[8]
By 1739, the Catholic Church in Naguilian was constructed, solidifying the Spanish presence in the area.[5] In 1765, Naguilian, then abarrio of Bauang, became part of the province ofPangasinan and was officially recognized as a town. Don Francisco delos Reyes served as its firstgobernadorcillo.[8]
In February 18, 1839, Naguilian separated from Bauang, coinciding with the centennial celebration of its Catholic Church.[5] Portions ofBurgos andBagulin were originally part of Naguilian, including “Disdis” (later called “Stancia” by the Spaniards) and areas along the southwestern bank of the Naguilian River, predominantly inhabited byIgorots.[8]
On October 29, 1849,Governor-General Narciso Zaldua Clavería issued a decree unifying eight towns fromPangasinan, three fromIlocos Sur, and territories in theCordillera to create a new province calledLa Union. On March 2, 1850, Governor-General Antonio María Blanco signed theSuperior Decreto, officially establishing La Union. Naguilian became one of its founding towns, alongside others likeSan Fernando (thecabicera),Santo Tomas,Rosario,TubaoAgoo,Aringay,Caba,Bauang,San Juan,Balaoan,Luna,Bangar andBacnotan.
During thePhilippine Revolution, Naguilian residents joined the nationwide struggle for independence from Spain. Under the leadership ofGeneral Manuel Tinio y Bondoc, allied withEmilio Aguinaldo, locals fought against Spanish forces inNorthern Luzon. Revolutionary leaders from Bauang, such as Remigio Patacsil and Mauro Ortiz, played significant roles in the liberation efforts, which led to the eventual withdrawal of Spanish forces from La Union.
During thePhilippine-American War, the town became a center of resistance led by Guerrilla Unit No. 1, under the leadership of a certain Captain Rivera. The unit operated in Naguilian and its neighboring areas, including Cava (now Caba) and Galiano (which later became Bagulin and Burgos). These guerrilla efforts were instrumental in resisting American forces and defending the town's autonomy during the conflict.
By the early 1900s, during the American colonial period, the town of Naguilian underwent territorial adjustments. The municipality was divided into three parts: one that remained as Naguilian, another that became part of Burgos, and the third that was incorporated into Bagulin.[8]
During theJapanese occupation of the Philippines (1941–1945), Naguilian served as a key route for Japanese soldiers traveling between lowland camps and the Cordillera region, particularlyBaguio. The town became a stronghold forguerrilla fighters who resisted Japanese control. Despite strict military rule, forced labor, food shortages, and violence, the people of Naguilian persevered until the liberation of La Union following theBattle of Lingayen Gulf inWorld War II, which marked the return ofAmerican forces.
On the quiet morning of January 23, 1945, the small sitio ofMangkaeng, nestled in the forested hills of Guising Norte, became the site of an unimaginable tragedy. Over 400 residents, who had sought refuge from the advancing Japanese forces, fell victim to a brutal and unprovoked massacre. Japanese soldiers stationed in the town proper of Naguilian were part of the rear guard forGeneral Tomoyuki Yamashita, retreating toward theCordillera mountains as Allied forces pressed on.[9][10]
Determined to eliminate any potential resistance or witnesses, the soldiers moved into Mangkaeng, where families from nearby villages such as Imelda, Natividad, and Ortiz had gathered, believing they had found safety in the remote sitio. The attack came suddenly, without warning. Gunfire (bayonet) shattered the morning stillness as Japanese troops unleashed their assault on the unarmed villagers. Men, women, and children fell where they stood, unable to escape the onslaught. Some attempted to flee into nearby creeks, hoping the dense forest would offer cover, but the soldiers were relentless, pursuing and killing those who tried to escape. The massacre left Mangkaeng silent, its forest floor stained with the lives lost in one of the darkest days in the town's history.[9][10]
The Municipality of Naguilian is characterized by its gently rolling hills and mountains, bordered by theCordillera Mountains to the east. The town's landscape features rolling plains in narrow strips framed by mountain slopes andriverbanks, with streams and springs flowing from the mountains. The soil varies fromclay loam tosandy loam, with traces ofgold in some areas.[6]
The approximate elevation of the municipality is 165 meters above sea level. It has the ninth highest approximate average elevation among the twenty (20) towns of the province. The portion with the highest elevation is 544 meters above sea level while the lowest is 10 meters.[6] The slopes range from 2–7% in barangays like Mamat-ing Sur and Bancagan, 15–25% in areas like Tuddingan and Casilagan, and 0–2% in Lioac Norte and Lioac Sur.
Naguilian is situated 18.48 kilometres (11.48 mi) from the provincial capitalSan Fernando, and 264.53 kilometres (164.37 mi) from the country's capital city ofManila.
The Municipality of Naguilian has a total land area of 10,086.85 hectares, making it the third largest among the nineteen towns and cities in the province of La Union. It is situated at the center of La Union and is located at 120°25’ longitude and 16°2’ latitude. Naguilian is bordered to the northwest by City of San Fernando, the capital of La Union; to the northeast by the town ofBagulin; to the east by the town ofBurgos; to the southwest by the town ofCaba; to the west by the town ofBauang; and, to the southeast by the town ofSablan in the province ofBenguet.
Naguilian is 40 kilometres (25 mi) fromBaguio via theNaguilian Road, 17 kilometres (11 mi) from the provincial capital,San Fernando, and 266 kilometres (165 mi) fromManila.
The built-up areas of Naguilian are generally spread along barangay roads. Of the total land area, 50 hectares (120 acres), or 0.50%, are classified as built-up areas. Urban built-up areas cover 18.90 hectares (46.7 acres), constituting 11.22% of the total urban land area.
Meanwhile, rural built-up areas total 31.10 hectares (76.8 acres), equivalent to 0.31% of the total rural area. A portion of Barangay Casilagan, with an area of 897.26 hectares (2,217.2 acres), has been designated as a watershed area under Proclamation No. 52 by the Bureau of Forestry. This area accounts for approximately 0.10% of the total land area of Naguilian.
The town has a total of 3,498.80 hectares of wooded land. Among this, 84.41 hectares are classified as open forest, while 363.91 hectares are considered unclassified public forest. The Naguilian Watershed Forest Reserve covers 89.96 hectares. Additionally, the town has 1,460.21 hectares of grasslands and pasture, and 368.15 hectares of barren land.[11]
Naguilian is traversed by two major rivers. TheNaguilian River, located in the western portion of the town, originates from the province ofBenguet and flows westward through La Union, eventually emptying into theLingayen Gulf andSouth China Sea. This river drains the valleys of Barangays Bimmotobot, Mamat-ing Sur, Mamat-ing Norte, Tuddingan, Gusing Sur, Gusing Norte, Baraoas Norte, Daramuangan, Dal-lipaoen, Cabaritan Sur, Ortiz, Natividad, Suguidan Norte, and Suguidan Sur. It stretches approximately 67 kilometers (42 miles) with a basin area of 658 square kilometers (254 square miles).
The upper reaches of the river are classified as Class A by theEnvironmental Management Bureau, indicating suitability as a water source for drinking, while the lower reaches have lower water quality and are categorized under Class C.
The second major waterway springs from the Municipality of Burgos and flows through the valleys of Barangays Aguioas, Sili, Al-alinao Norte, Nagsidorisan, Angin, Suguidan Norte, and Natividad. These two rivers converge at the poblacion, forming a delta that flows through the center of Naguilian before emptying at the river's mouth in Bauang.
Naguilian is classified under the 1st Climatic Type of the Corona Climate Classification, which is characterized by two distinct seasons: a dry season from November to April and a wet season from May to October. TheSouthwest Monsoon (SWM) brings heavy rainfall during the wet season, while theNortheast Monsoon (NEM) causes relatively dry conditions as it passes over the Cordillera Mountains. Rainfall is not evenly distributed throughout the year, with the peak rainfall occurring from July to September.[6]
The average temperature in the municipality is 27.5°C, with a maximum of 29.2°C in May and a minimum of 25.8°C in January. Prevailing winds generally blow from the south to the west, and from the southwest to the east, with both the North and South Monsoons influencing the area. The municipality is susceptible tohydro-meteorological hazards, including flooding, rain-induced landslides, and tension cracks, particularly during intense typhoons brought on by heavy monsoon rains.[6]
| Climate data for Naguilian, La Union | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 30 (86) | 31 (88) | 32 (90) | 33 (91) | 32 (90) | 31 (88) | 30 (86) | 30 (86) | 30 (86) | 31 (88) | 31 (88) | 31 (88) | 31 (88) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 21 (70) | 22 (72) | 23 (73) | 25 (77) | 26 (79) | 26 (79) | 26 (79) | 25 (77) | 25 (77) | 24 (75) | 23 (73) | 22 (72) | 24 (75) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 42 (1.7) | 48 (1.9) | 74 (2.9) | 110 (4.3) | 269 (10.6) | 275 (10.8) | 362 (14.3) | 325 (12.8) | 330 (13.0) | 306 (12.0) | 126 (5.0) | 61 (2.4) | 2,328 (91.7) |
| Average rainy days | 11.2 | 12.0 | 17.1 | 21.2 | 27.1 | 26.8 | 28.1 | 27.0 | 26.0 | 24.5 | 17.7 | 12.4 | 251.1 |
| Source: Meteoblue[12] | |||||||||||||
Naguilian is politically subdivided into 37barangays. [13] With upland and lowland barangay which each barangay consists ofpuroks and some havesitios. Among these barangays, Casilagan has the widest land area of 903.38 hectares and Imelda the smallest with only 46.09 hectares.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1903 | 11,885 | — |
| 1918 | 14,828 | +1.49% |
| 1939 | 15,933 | +0.34% |
| 1948 | 15,227 | −0.50% |
| 1960 | 19,528 | +2.09% |
| 1970 | 25,177 | +2.57% |
| 1975 | 27,114 | +1.50% |
| 1980 | 29,304 | +1.57% |
| 1990 | 36,328 | +2.17% |
| 1995 | 39,989 | +1.82% |
| 2000 | 43,501 | +1.82% |
| 2007 | 45,232 | +0.54% |
| 2010 | 48,407 | +2.50% |
| 2015 | 54,221 | +2.18% |
| 2020 | 52,189 | −0.75% |
| Source:Philippine Statistics Authority[14][15][16][17] | ||
As of the 2020Philippine Statistic AuthorityCensus report, the population of Naguilian, La Union was recorded at 52,189,[3] showing a decrease of 2,016 from the 54,159 reported in 2015. The number of households in 2020 was 12,915, marking an increase of 754 households from the 12,161 reported in 2015.[18]
The average household size (AHS) in Naguilian decreased from 4.5 persons in 2015 to 4.0 persons in 2020. This trend continued from 2010 when the AHS was also recorded at 4.5. Seventeen of the 37 barangays had an AHS greater than the municipal average.[18]
Among the 37 barangays of Naguilian, Baraoas Sur had the highest number of households in 2020 with 844, followed by Natividad (Pob.) with 744, Ortiz (Pob.) with 706, and Bariquir with 539. These four barangays comprised 21.94% of the total households in the municipality. The barangay of Cabaritan Norte had the fewest households, with only 127.[18]
Of the 51,943 persons whose births were registered with the Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO), 50.56% were male, totaling 26,262 persons, and 49.44% were female, totaling 25,681 persons. This resulted in a sex ratio of 102 male births for every 100 female births.[19]
In 2020, the household population of Naguilian was composed of 50.57% males and 49.43% females, resulting in asex ratio of 102 males for every 100 females. This sex ratio was consistent with the one recorded in 2015.[19]
In 2020, children aged 0 to 14 years made up 25.65% of the population, with a sex ratio of 108 males for every 100 females in this group. The working-age population, ages 15 to 64 years, represented 66.44% of the population, with a sex ratio of 105 males for every 100 females. Those aged 65 and over made up 7.91% of the population, with a sex ratio of 72 males for every 100 females.[19]
Themedian age of the household population in 2020 was 29.17 years, an increase from 27.58 years recorded in 2015. Children aged 15 to 19 years comprised the largest age group at 9.22%, followed by those in the 10 to 14 years group at 9.04% and 20 to 24 years group at 8.66%. Males outnumbered females in the age groups up to 54 years, while females outnumbered males in the older age groups, particularly those 55 years and older.[19]
In 2020, the town has 36,150 registered voters, the voting-age population (18 years and over) accounted for 68.82% of the total household population, up from 66.96% in 2015. Among the voting-age population, 50.01% were female and 49.99% were male.[19]
In 2020, the overall dependency ratio was 49 dependents per 100 working-age persons, a decrease from 51 dependents per 100 working-age persons in 2015. Of the total population, 25.65% were young dependents (ages 0 to 14), while 7.91% were old dependents (ages 65 and over). The working-age population (ages 15 to 64) made up 66.44% of the total population.[19]
Among the household population aged 10 years and older, 43.48% were married, 36.64% were never married, 5.72% were widowed, 12.35% were in a common-law or live-in marital arrangement, and 1.81% were divorced or separated. Among those who had never been married, 55.32% were male and 44.68% were female.[19]
Naguilian had aliteracy rate of 99.17% among the household population aged 5 years and older. Males had a slightly higher literacy rate at 50.50%, compared to 49.50% for females.
The majority of Naguilian's population isIlocano, with indigenous groups such as theKankanaey andIbaloi primarily residing in the upland areas.Iloco is the primary language spoken, withFilipino andEnglish used in government and business. English is also the primary medium of instruction in schools.[19]
Naguilian is predominantlyRoman Catholic, though various otherChristian denominations, includingIglesia ni Cristo,Protestant groups, andJehovah's Witnesses, are also present. Smaller communities practicingIslam andBuddhism can also be found in the town.
Naguilian is served by the Naguilian District Hospital, which was established on March 23, 1972, and serves as the main healthcare facility for the town and its neighboring areas.
The Naguilian 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.[20]
Among the household population aged 5 years and older, 21.65% had attended or completedelementary education, 43.29% had reached or completedhigh school, 9.70% werecollege undergraduates, and 14.89% held academic degrees. Among those with academic degrees, 58.06% were female and 41.94% were male. Additionally, 67.05% of individuals pursuing post-baccalaureate courses were female, while 32.95% were male.[19]
The municipality has 26 public elementary schools, 6 public secondary schools and 1state university mainlyDon Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-East La Union Campus (DMMMSU-ELUC), providing education to children and young adults in the area.[21][22]
Generally, the agricultural lands in the town consist of narrow strips situated in the valleys, extending from the lower slopes of the mountains to the banks of rivers, brooks, and streams. These fertile areas benefit from the natural irrigation provided by the water sources, making them ideal for various forms of agriculture. Additionally, the rolling terrain of the mountain and hilltops is also harnessed for the cultivation ofrice,corn,tobacco,sugarcane,root crops,fruits, lowlandvegetables and a variety of other crops. The agricultural landscape reflects a diverse range of farming practices that contribute significantly to the local economy.
The area devoted to agricultural purposes totals 9,859.71 hectares (24,363.9 acres), accounting for 97% of the total land area of the town. This extensive agricultural expanse supports both subsistence and commercial farming, providing livelihoods for many of the town’s residents. The dominance of agricultural land highlights the importance of farming in the region’s cultural and economic identity. In recent years, efforts have been made to improve farming practices, enhance irrigation systems, and diversify crops in order to boost productivity and sustainability in the agricultural sector.
The town is renowned as the home of the originalBasi wine-making industry, a traditional Ilocano wine made fromsugarcane juice that dates back to theWorld War II era. With the support of the local government, this industry has been revived and is now one of the main sources of income for the province. In addition to Basi, Naguillian is also known for its thrivingwoodcraft industry, with notable areas in Cabaritan Norte and Sur, Dallipaoen, and Al-alinao Norte. Barangays Bancagan and Daramuangan are also recognized for theirbamboocraft industry. Other industries include metal craft,ceramics or brick-making, concrete hollow block production, andfurniture making and upholstery. Currently, 28% of the town's total land area is dedicated to industrial purposes.[23]
The town has 19.41 exiting area for Commercial.[11] The center of commercial activities is the public market located in Barangay Ortiz. There are, however, other commercial establishments found in the different barangays, the most common of which are sari-sari stores. The area devoted to commerce constitutes .03% of the total land area of the town.
Fishing specificallyaquaculture is done in almost all barangays traversed by the rivers, namely, Barangays Bimmotobot, Mamat-ing Sur, Mamat-ing Norte, Gusing Norte, Gusing Sur, Baraoas Norte, Baraoas Sur, Ortiz, Cabaritan Norte, Cabaritan Sur, Dal-lipaoen, Nagsidorisan, Suguidan Norte, Suguidan Sur, Guesset, Sili, Al-alinao Norte, Al-alinao Sur, Aguioas, and Ribsuan.
Poverty incidence of Naguilian
10 20 30 40 2000 30.45 2003 26.17 2006 27.00 2009 21.90 2012 5.06 2015 5.94 2018 2.81 2021 9.00 Source:Philippine Statistics Authority[24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] |
Naguilian, belonging to thesecond congressional district of the province ofLa Union, is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is being held every three years.
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Congressman | Dante S. Garcia |
| Mayor | Nieri T. Flores |
| Vice-Mayor | Reynaldo J. Flores |
| Councilors | Ruperto A. Rillera Jr. |
| Diomedes F. Hipol | |
| Georgina F. Estepa-Flores | |
| Helen C. Casuga-Obispo | |
| Danilo T. Soriano | |
| Hulgar Redentor R. Rimando | |
| Aurelio F. Flora | |
| Roger A. Floresca |
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Places adjacent to Naguilian, La Union | |
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