Narvacan

Narvacan
Municipality

Seal

Map of Ilocos Sur showing the location of Narvacan
Narvacan

Location within the Philippines

Coordinates: 17°25′N 120°29′E / 17.417°N 120.483°ECoordinates: 17°25′N 120°29′E / 17.417°N 120.483°E
Country Philippines
Region Ilocos (Region I)
Province Ilocos Sur
District 2nd District
Barangays 34
Government[1]
 • Mayor Zuriel S. Zaragoza
Area[2]
 • Total 122.21 km2 (47.19 sq mi)
Population (2010)[3]
 • Total 42,803
 • Density 350/km2 (910/sq mi)
Time zone PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code 2704
Dialing code 77
Income class 2nd class

Narvacan is a second class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it had a population of 42,803 people.[3]

Barangays

Narvacan is politically subdivided into 34 barangays.[2]

  • Abuor
  • Ambulogan
  • Aquib
  • Banglayan
  • Bantay Abot
  • Bulanos
  • Cadacad
  • Cagayungan
  • Camarao
  • Casilagan
  • Codoog
  • Dasay
  • Dinalaoan
  • Estancia
  • Lanipao
  • Lungog
  • Margaay
  • Marozo
  • Nanguneg
  • Orence
  • Pantoc
  • Paratong
  • Parparia
  • Quinarayan
  • Rivadavia
  • San Antonio
  • San Jose
  • San Pablo
  • San Pedro
  • Santa Lucia
  • Sarmingan
  • Sucoc
  • Sulvec
  • Turod

History

Narvacan was discovered by a Spanish expeditionary force sent from Vigan by the military officer and navigator, Captain Juan de Salcedo. The Spanish expeditionary force was shipwrecked along the town's coast. When they were being rescued by the natives, the Spaniards asked the natives what was the name of their place. The resident's leader replied in an Ilocano dialect by asking the Spaniards "Nalbakan?" (Are you shipwrecked?). The Spaniards thought this to be the answer to their question, and from then on the place was referred to as Narvacan.

Salcedo befriended the small tribe of indigenous valley peoples that resided in the area while Spanish families established a township in 1576. As part of the modern township, a Roman Catholic parish was established by the Augustinian religious order on 25 April 1587. The Narvacan parish would become one of the first Roman Catholic parishes in present-day Ilocos Sur.

Narvacan was organized under the traditions of the royal government of Spain. The Habsburg royal family served as the heads of state which in turn appointed Santiago de Vera as President of the Royal Audiencia – governor over the region in which Narvacan was situated. In 1589, Governor Vera appointed Nicolas de Figueroa as the first Encomendero de Narvacan – principal administrator of the town and its neighbors in the encomienda system. His role eventually evolved into the office of alcalde —

Demographics

Population census of Narvacan
YearPop.±% p.a.
1990 35,153—    
1995 35,489+0.18%
2000 38,435+1.72%
2007 41,578+1.09%
2010 42,803+1.06%
Source: National Statistics Office[3][4]

Its residents are largely Roman Catholic. A sizeable minority of Methodist Christians are present. The local language is Ilocano.

Economy

Situated near the western coastline of the island of Luzon, Narvacan is nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains. A fertile region with a cool tropical climate, the principal crops of Narvacan are corn, cotton, indigo, rice, sugarcane and tobacco.

Tourism

The Sulvec beach is a popular lounging spot for vacationers and is near the Narvacan Tourism Lounge.[5] Tourists also visit the Sulvec Watchtower, a brick tower that was built by Spaniards to warn the town of pirates coming from offshore.[6] The municipality is also home to the Bigbiga Protected Landscape.

Education

The Narvacan School of Fisheries, a branch of the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC), has been located in Sulvec since 1964.[7] It is also the base of operations of the Philippine Army’s 503rd Infantry Brigade which oversees the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Units.[8]

List of former mayors

During the Spanish regime, the municipal government was headed by Gobernadorcillos. The title of the town chief executive, however, metamorphosed to Capitan, Military President Alcalde Mayor, Military Mayor, then Municipal Mayor.

When a military government was established by the Americans, Don Severino Cordero was installed as the Military President in the Municipality. When the civil government was established, Don Severino Cordero became the first Alcalde Mayor. Others who followed him are as follows:

Municipal mayors since WWII:

Famous Narvacaneos

References

  1. ↑ "Official City/Municipal 2013 Election Results". Intramuros, Manila, Philippines: Commission on Elections (COMELEC). 1 July 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Province: ILOCOS SUR". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010". 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  4. ↑ "Province of Ilocos Sur". Municipality Population Data. LWUA Research Division. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
  5. ↑ "Explore Philippines >> Ilocos Sur >> Things to Do". WOW Philippines. Retrieved 9 December 2008.
  6. ↑ "The Official Website of the Province of Ilocos Sur – Ecohistourism". Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur. 2003. Retrieved 9 December 2008.
  7. ↑ "Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College, Brief History". Retrieved 9 December 2008.
  8. ↑ "Rebel ‘abuses’ driving people to join Cafgu". Manila Bulletin. 27 December 2007. Retrieved 9 December 2008.

External links