Bauang

Bauang, officially the Municipality of Bauang (Ilocano: Ili ti Bauang; Filipino: Bayan ng Bauang), is a 1st class municipality in the province of La Union, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 75,032 people.[5] In Philippine Literature and History, it is known for being the homeplace of literary icon[7] and World War II martyr Manuel Arguilla.[8][9]

Bauang
Municipality
Municipality of Bauang
Approaching the Bauang town center along the National Highway
Seal
Nicknames: 
Fruit Basket of the North[1][2]
Motto(s): 
Sulong Bauang 2030 and Vineyard City of the North by 2030
Map of La Union with Bauang highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Bauang
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 16°32′N 120°20′E
Country Philippines
RegionIlocos Region (Region I)
ProvinceLa Union
District2nd District
FoundedJanuary 5, 1586
Barangays39 (see Barangays)
Government
 [3]
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • MayorMenchie L. de Guzman
 • Vice MayorHenry A. Bacurnay Jr.
 • CongressmanSandra Y. Eriguel
 • Electorate46,174 voters (2019)
Area
 [4]
 • Total73.15 km2 (28.24 sq mi)
Population
 (2015 census)[5]
 • Total75,032
 • Density1,000/km2 (2,700/sq mi)
 • Households
16,577
Economy
 • Income class1st municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence5.71% (2015)[6]
 • Revenue (₱) PHP 387,175,743.76 million (43%) (2018)
 • Assets (₱) PHP 871,490,364.36 million (17.3%) (2018)
 • Expenditure (₱) PHP 249,379,640.01 million (22.7%) (2018)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
2501
PSGC
013307000
IDD : area code +63 (0)72
Climate typetropical monsoon climate
Native languagesIlocano
Tagalog
Websitewww.bauang.gov.ph

The MacArthur Highway runs through the town which junctions with Naguilian Road, one of the mountain roads leading to Baguio.

Etymology

Bauang originated from either two Ilocano language words: baoang (meaning "garlic") or buang also means "river split into two" flowing into the sea (in reference to the delta that divides an eponymous river into two).

History

In 1590, Bauang started as a settlement. Spanish Friar Agustin Mino was appointed its first minister. In 1765, it became a town and formed part of Pangasinan. Don Francisco delos Reyes sat as its first gobernadorcillo. With the creation of La Union in 1850, Bauang became one of its twelve towns.

Like other towns in the province, Bauang also had its share in the devastating invasions of Moro pirates ("tirong") made series of invasions in Bauang, hence, the rise of watchtowers (baluarte, by the Gobernadorcillo Don Juan Mallare). In 1890, Bauang revolucionarios led by Remigio Patacsil and Mauro Ortiz ousted the Spanish colonizers (cazadores or Spanish soldiers) and the revolucionarios (Filipinos).

In 1913, however, Bauang barrios were given to San Fernando: Pagudpud, Pagdalagan, Sevilla, Bungro, Tanquigan and Sibuan-Otong. In the Pacific War, heroes of Bauang fought in its beaches, in Lingayen Gulf, Bataan and Corregidor (as USAFIP-NL). The Japanese executed Manuel Arguilla, poet and journalist, Major Alberto O. Fenit (USAFFE) and Bauang Mayor Ambrosio Rimando. A town plaza monument today honors these Bauang heroes.

Bauang is known as the Beach Capital of the Philippines (1970, the shorelines of Baccuit Sur to Pagdalagan Sur). Bauang has a treasure: Research Reef (a dive spot for local and foreign scuba divers).

Bauang regularly hosts the South China Sea Regatta (led by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club.)[10]

Geography

Bauang is located about 259 kilometres (161 mi) from Metro Manila, and 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from San Fernando, the provincial capital. Bauang is also lying west of Baguio via Kennon Road.

Climate
Climate data for Bauang, La Union
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 30
(86)		 31
(88)		 33
(91)		 33
(91)		 32
(90)		 31
(88)		 30
(86)		 30
(86)		 30
(86)		 31
(88)		 31
(88)		 31
(88)		 31
(88)
Average low °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)
Average precipitation 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 [11]

Barangays
The 39 barangays of the Municipality of Bauang[12]
Rank Barangay Population Rank Barangay Population Rank Barangay Population
1 Central East (Poblacion) 4,249 15 Dili 1,674 29 Lower San Agustin 1,123
2 Acao 4,233 16 Payocpoc Norte Oeste 1,633 30 Bagbag 1,121
3 Central West (Poblacion) 3,951 17 Ballay 1,608 31 Casilagan 1,085
4 Paringao 3,850 18 Cabalayangan 1,537 32 Upper San Agustin 1,053
5 Quinavite 3,417 19 Pudoc 1,455 33 Bawanta 998
6 Santiago 3,373 20 Urayong 1,455 34 Palintucang 973
7 Pugo 2,703 21 Nagrebcan 1,443 35 Guerrero 967
8 Pagdalagan Sur 2,553 22 Santa Monica 1,373 36 Disso-or 946
9 Payocpoc Sur 2,528 23 Palugsi-Limmansangan 1,357 37 Cabisilan 693
10 Calumbaya 2,381 24 Bucayab 1,279 38 Carmay 466
11 Baccuit Norte 2,244 25 Pottot 1,237 39 Pilar 379
12 Baccuit Sur 2,095 26 Payocpoc Norte Este 1,212 Bauang Total 70,735
13 Parian Este 1,905 27 Boy-utan 1,177
14 Taberna 1,868 28 Parian Oeste 1,141

Demographics
Population census of Bauang
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 10,032—    
1918 12,952+1.72%
1939 16,304+1.10%
1948 22,441+3.61%
1960 26,142+1.28%
1970 33,307+2.45%
1975 37,917+2.63%
YearPop.±% p.a.
1980 41,859+2.00%
1990 51,573+2.11%
1995 56,189+1.62%
2000 63,373+2.61%
2007 69,837+1.35%
2010 70,735+0.47%
2015 75,032+1.13%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[5][13][14][15]

In the 2015 census, the population of Bauang was 75,032 people,[5] with a density of 1,000 inhabitants per square kilometre or 2,600 inhabitants per square mile.

Local government

Just as the national government, the Bauang's municipal government is divided into three branches: executive, legislative and judiciary. The judicial branch is administered solely by the Supreme Court of the Philippines. The LGUs have control of the executive and legislative branch.

The executive branch is composed of the mayor and the barangay captain for the barangays.[16] The legislative branch is composed of the Sangguniang Bayan (town assembly), Sangguniang Barangay (barangay council), and the Sangguniang Kabataan for the youth sector.

The seat of Government is vested upon the Mayor Menchie L. de Guzman who holds office since June 30, 2019 at the Bauang Town Hall. The Sangguniang Bayan is the center of legislation.

Elected municipal officials 2019-2022
  • Mayor: Menchie L. de Guzman
  • Vice Mayor: Henry A. Bacurnay Jr.
  • Councilors:
    • Tanya Roberta A. de Guzman
    • Angelo "Bong" S. Aquino
    • Lorie Ann G. de Guzman
    • Warlito "Wally" B. Daus Jr.
    • Gabriel "Gabby" A. Sotto
    • George "Kulot" B. Picardal
    • Donny Caezar D. Baradi
    • Danilo "Puto" P. Abuan
    • Noel "Wowie" T. Gallardo - ABC President
    • Demieliz E. Nudo - SK Federation President

Tourism

Festivals and local events
Date Name
January 5Foundation Anniversary
Holy WeekElectric Fluvial Parade (Stations of the Cross)
April (First Friday)Kalgaw Summer Beach Sports Festival
June 29Patronal Fiesta (Sts. Peter and Paul)
First Saturday of OctoberOktoberFest
October 31Panagkakararua Festival
December 16 to January 5Baggak Festival

The natives, who are predominantly Roman Catholic, speak Iloko, Filipino, and English. The primary industries are farming, fishing, power plant and quarrying.

Bauang's main products are rice, corn, guapples and native grapes (barangays Payocpoc, Santiago, Bagbag and Urayong), mango, lowland vegetables, livestock, tobacco, marine products, saltwater fish politically.

Guapple by-products are also sold in Bauang: bread, buchi, chunky, cocktail, cookies, cupcake, dried, empanada, espasol, flan, guinataan, gulaman, inipit, jam, jelly, juice, kutsinta, pastilles, maja, marmalade, oatmeal, pie, yema, polvoron, preserved, rolls, siopao, tarts, turrones, macaroons, bars, and fingers as pasalubongs.

Panorama of Bauang beach at Barangay Taberna

Beaches and sunsets of Bauang
Bauang sunset

Bauang is known for its fine-sand beaches, including Taberna, Baccuit Sur and Norte, Paringao, and Pagdalagan Sur beaches.

Bauang's beaches are accessible from several resorts: Bali Hai Beach Resort (Paringao), Long Beach Resort, Coconut Grove Beach Resort and San Luis del Mar (Baccuit Norte), inter alia.[17]

Saints Peter and Paul Parish Church
The 1587 Sts. Peter and Paul Parish Church

The Sts. Peter & Paul Parish Church (canonically erected on 25 April 1587 by the Augustinian missionaries) celebrates its fiesta every June 29. It is under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic 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). It has been headed by the Most Rev. Rodolfo F. Beltran, D.D., bishop since 18 January 2013. The Church is under a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines from the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia.[18][19] The Church is also under the pastorship of Rev. Fr. Perpetuo Concepcion. Its Parochial Fiesta is on April 26.[20][21][22]

The Saints Peter and Paul Church is one of the oldest church in the Philippines. Damaged by the 1892 earthquake, the Church was restored in 1895. Damaged again in 1944, the stone convent was destroyed in 1955. The Sacred Heart School now stands from the old Convent.

The Church has a rectangular four-storey bell tower (with two bells, restored with cement and hollow blocks in 1973). The Church interior was painted in 1978. The 16 July 1990 quake destroyed the facade which was later rebuilt. In 1901 US Army's (then) Lt. Col. Thomas Barry, who was chasing Emilio Aguinaldo during the Philippine-American War, took the bell as a "token souvenir" and later gave the bell to his alma mater, the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, where it was housed for over a century. The bell was ceremoniously returned to the Philippines in May 2016 to be reinstalled in the Peter and Paul Church.[23][24][25]

The Grotto of our Lady of Lourdes is at the foot of the Church.

400-year old San Pedro Bell
San Pedro Bell Returned to Bauang on May 23, 2016

On May 23, 2016, the 400-year old "San Pedro" bell made from alloy of gold, silver and copper has been returned to the Saints Peter and Paul Parish Church, after American soldiers during the Philippine-American War in 1901 took it from the church to West Point Academy in New York.[26]

Infrastructure

1590 Energy Corporation The Bauang Diesel Power Plant formerly owned by the Bauang Private Power Corporation (BPPC) is a diesel-fired power plant which commenced operations in July 1995 with a 215 MW-capacity. State-owned National Power Corporation and the First Private Power Corp. (FPPC) entered into a Build-Operate-Transfer Agreement for the BPCC for a period of 15 years.

On July 26, 2010, after the BOT expiration, it was turned-over to the NAPOCOR and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) and later to the Provincial Government of La Union. Both Viviant Energy Corporation and Gigawatt Power, Inc. under the 1590 Energy Corp. operates the Bauang power facility provide the additional supply to the Luzon grid.

Major facilities inside the plant include a substation, two 100,000 bbl steel fuel storage tanks, sludge treatment plant, and five auxiliary buildings consisting of an administration building (812 sq.m), maintenance building (981 sq.m), warehouse building (591 sq.m), guest house (583 sq.m), bunk house (660 sq.m), and a canteen (550 sq.m).

The world's largest medium speed power station in Bauang maintains an IMS certification for ISO 9901:2000, ISO 14001:2004, and OHSAS 18001 from Certification International.

PLDT Asia-Pacific Cable Network (APCN) in Baccuit Sur A Digital Optical Cable System for telecommunications services linking Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines is strategically located at the coastline barangay of Baccuit Norte in Bauang, La Union.

The facility, owned by the Philippine Long Distance Telecommunications Company, aims to benefit the users of telecommunications services and consequently stimulate the rapid expansion of business and government intercourse between the Philippines and the foreign countries to be served.

Education

Elementary schools:

  • Acao Elementary School - Barangay Acao
  • Baccuit Elementary School - Barangay Baccuit Sur
  • Bagbag Elementary School - Barangay Bagbag
  • Ballay Elementary School - Barangay Ballay
  • Baratao Elementary School - Sitio Baratao, Barangay Acao
  • Bauang North Central School - Barangay Central East
  • Bawanta Elementary School - Barangay Bawanta
  • Bigbiga Elementary School - Sitio Bigbiga, Barangay Lower San Agustin
  • Boy-Utan Elementary School - Barangay Boy-Utan
  • Bucayab Elementary School - Barangay Bucayab
  • Cabalayangan Elementary School - Barangay Cabalayangan
  • Calumbaya Elementary School - Barangay Calumbaya
  • Casilagan Integrated School - Barangay Casilagan
  • Guerrero Elementary School - Barangay Guerrero
  • Palugsi-Limmansangan Elementary School - Barangay Palugsi-Limmansangan
  • Parian Este Elementary School - Barangay Parian Este
  • Parian Oeste Elementary School - Barangay Parian Oeste
  • Paringao Elementary School - Barangay Paringao
  • Payocpoc Elementary School - Barangay Payocpoc Sur
  • Pudoc Primary School - Barangay Pudoc
  • Pugo Elementary School - Barangay Pugo
  • Quinavite Elementary School - Barangay Quinavite
  • Saint Anthony Montessori Educational Network, Inc. (Private) - Barangay Central East
  • Saints Peter and Paul Learning Center (Private) - Barangay Central East, beside the Church
  • San Agustin Elementary School- Barangay Upper San Agustin
  • Santiago Elementary School - Barangay Santiago
  • Santa Monica Elementary School - Barangay Santa Monica

Secondary schools:

  • Baccuit National High School - Barangay Baccuit Sur
  • Ballay National High School - Barangay Ballay
  • Bawanta National High School - Barangay Bawanta
  • Casilagan Integrated School - Barangay Casilagan
  • Don Eulogio de Guzman Memorial National High School - Barangay Calumbaya
  • Eulogio Clarence de Guzman Junior Memorial National Vocational HS (formerly Acao National High School) - Barangay Acao
  • Paringao National High School - Barangay Paringao
  • Sacred Heart School (Private) - Barangay Central East
  • Saint Anthony Montessori Educational Network, Inc. (Private) - Barangay Central East

Tertiary:

  • La Union Colleges of Science and Technology (Private) - Barangay Central West
  • Saint Louis College Development Center (Private)

Bauang in Literature

Bauang, specifically Barangay Nagrebcan on the shores of the Balili River, features prominently in the works of Philippine literary icons Manuel Arguilla and F.Sionil Jose.[27][28]

Notable people
  • Manuel Arguilla, one of the Philippines' most influential English writers, grew up in Bauang's Barrio Nagrebcan[29][8]
  • Municipal hall
  • Police station and Legislative building
  • The landmark Bauang Farmers‑Fisher's Monument
  • Bauang Commercial Center (public market)
  • Town plaza overlooking Sts. Peter & Paul Parish Church

References
  1. Garcia, William June (8 April 2015). "Grape-picking an attraction in Bauang". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on 6 January 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  2. "DOLE-1 infuses P1-M worth of livelihood assistance to Bauang, La Union's carabao-based enterprise". Department of Labor and Employment Ilocos Region. 21 July 2015. Archived from the original on 15 February 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  3. "Municipality". Quezon City, Philippines: Department of the Interior and Local Government. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  4. "Province: La Union". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  5. Census of Population (2015). "Region I (Ilocos Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. PSA. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  6. "PSA releases the 2015 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Quezon City, Philippines. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  7. "Taboan Writers Festival set in La Union". Philippine Information Agency Website. 2017-11-21. Retrieved 2020-07-06.
  8. José, Francisco Sionil (December 8, 2003), "A Sense of Time and Place", Philippine Graphic
  9. Sotelo, Yolanda (2017-06-04). "House in literary classic defies time". The Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 2020-07-06.
  10. "Municipality of Bauang, La Union Philippines". Archived from the original on 2012-12-19. Retrieved 2012-12-08.
  11. "Bauang: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  12. "2010 Census of Population and Housing: Population Counts - Cordillera Administrative Region" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority, April 4, 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  13. Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region I (Ilocos Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. NSO. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  14. Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region I (Ilocos Region)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. NSO.
  15. "Province of La Union". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  16. Local Government Code of the Philippines, Book III Archived 2009-03-26 at the Wayback Machine, Department of Interior and Local Government official website
  17. "Municipality of Bauang, La Union Philippines". Archived from the original on 2012-12-18. Retrieved 2012-12-08.
  18. "Catholic Directory of the Philippines - Claretian Communications Foundation, Inc". Archived from the original on 2013-12-31.
  19. David M. Cheney. "San Fernando de La Union (Diocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]".
  20. Local Government Units: Municipality of Bauang - Province of La Union :: Official Website Archived July 10, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  21. Charmaine (5 October 2017). "[RMM] Instituto Nuestra Senora de la Merced de Barcelona".
  22. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-11-06. Retrieved 2012-12-08.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  23. "San Pedro bell returned to PH after 101 years at West Point chapel". balitangamerica.tv. May 2, 2016.
  24. "US returns La Union's 400-year-old bell". The Philippine Star. May 19, 2016.
  25. "West Point, NY chapel returns San Pedro bell to Bauang, La Union church". Asian Journal. May 6, 2016. Archived from the original on May 29, 2016. Retrieved May 29, 2016.
  26. Beleo, Erwin G. (23 May 2016). "400-year old San Pedro bell returns to its original home". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  27. Dalisay, Butch. "Handfuls of fragrant hay". Retrieved 2020-07-06.
  28. Remoto, Danton. "From Nagrebcan to never-never land". Retrieved 2020-07-06.
  29. José, Francisco Sionil (2005), Alejandro Padilla (ed.), Termites in the Sala, Heroes in the Attic:Why We Are Poor, Ermita, Manila: Solidaridad Publishing House, ISBN 971-8845-41-0

Sources
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