San Fernando, La Union

San Fernando
Component city
City of San Fernando
San Fernando Skyline
Flag Seal
Nickname(s):  Prime Capital of Ilocandia Botanical Garden City
Map of La Union with San Fernando highlighted
OpenStreetMap
San Fernando Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 16°37′N120°19′E / 16.62°N 120.32°E / 16.62; 120.32
Country	Philippines
Region	Ilocos Region
Province	La Union
District	1st district
Founded	May 6, 1786
Cityhood	March 20, 1998
Named for	Ferdinand III of Castile
Barangays	59 (see Barangays)
Government   [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Panlungsod
•  Mayor	Hermenegildo A. Gualberto
•  Vice Mayor	Alfredo Pablo R. Ortega
•  Representative	Francisco Paolo P. Ortega V
•  City Council	Members Kyle Marie Eufrosito Y. Nisce Pablo C. Ortega Lucia Esperanza O. Valero Jonathan Justo A. Orros Edwin H. Yumul Janwell E. Pacio Rodolfo M. Abat Arnel A. Almazan Aldrine R. Jucar John H. Orros Mark Anthony A. Ducusin Quintin L. Balcita Jr.
•  Electorate	76,555 voters (2022)
Area [2]
• Total	102.72 km2 (39.66 sq mi)
Elevation	101 m (331 ft)
Highest elevation	1,124 m (3,688 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (2020 census) [3]
• Total	125,640
• Density	1,200/km2 (3,200/sq mi)
•  Households	32,184
Economy
•  Income class	3rd city income class
•  Poverty incidence	1.27 % (2018) [4]
•  Revenue	PHP 1,195,136,008.92 billion (22.11%) (2022)
•  Assets	PHP 2,661,462,427.51 billion (20.67%) (2022)
•  Equity	PHP 2,241,183,510.80 billion (15.89%) (2022)
•  Expenditure	PHP 891,095,816.44 million (-7.00%) (2022)
•  Liabilities	PHP 420,278,916.71 million (54.63%) (2022)
Service provider
•  Electricity	La Union Electric Company (LUECO)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	2500
PSGC	013314000
IDD  :  area code	+63 (0)72
Native languages	Ilocano Tagalog
Website	www.sanfernandocity.gov.ph

San Fernando, officially the City of San Fernando (Ilocano : Siudad ti San Fernando; Filipino : Lungsod ng San Fernando), is a 3rd class component city and capital of the province of La Union, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 125,642 people. ^[3]

San Fernando serves as a gateway to trade, commerce, culture and heritage of Ilocandia. The city is the financial, industrial, and political center of the province and the regional capital of Region 1 (Ilocos Region), hosting regional offices of national government agencies and some of the region's educational and medical institutions. The city is geographically located at the center of La Union.

History

Colonial History

Aerial view of San Fernando, circa 1940s

San Fernando, along with all the southern coastal towns of La Union, was once called Agoo in pre-colonial times.^{[ citation needed ]} Agoo was the northern part of Caboloan (Pangasinan), covering a large area that encompassed the towns of “Atuley” (San Juan), San Fernando, Bauang, Caba, “Alingay or Alinguey” (Aringay), Santo Tomas and Rosario.^{[ citation needed ]}

When Juan de Salcedo a Spanish, explored the area in June 1572, he and his men were involved in a skirmish with 3 Japanese ships. He discovered that there was a settlement in the area, occupied by Japanese and Chinese merchants. The incident earned Agoo the name “El Puerto de Japon,” the Japanese Port. Agoo was heavily involved in trade with other neighboring Southeast Asian countries. Agoo's role as an ancient port eventually deteriorated when the Spanish closed the Philippines to foreign trade. ^{[5] [6]}

The origins of the capital city of the province of La Union date back to the formal creation of the municipality or Ministerio de San Fernando which coincided with the founding of the Parish of San Fernando, Augustinian friar Jose Torres on May 6, 1786, in honor of King Ferdinand of Spain. San Fernando was formerly called “Pindangan” from the word “pindang” which was a traditional method of drying fish. Pindangan was formed in 1759 from the union of two sitios - “San Vicente de Balanac” and “San Guilermo de Dalangdang” - for mutual protection against marauding pirates from the sea and headhunters from the mountains. Augustinian friar Jose Torres also had the Pindangan church built but a massive earthquake in the 1760s left the church in total ruin - except for the massive buttresses that still stand today, known as the Pindangan Ruins.

Named after Saint Ferdinand III of Castile , San Fernando was founded in 1786. That same year, instead of rebuilding the Pindangan church, the Franciscans decided to build a new one in honor of San Guillermo. This is now the Cathedral of St. William the Hermit situated at the center of San Fernando City.

On October 29, 1849, Governor General Narciso Zaldua Claveria issued a “promovido” combining the eight northern towns of Pangasinan, three southern towns of Ilocos Sur due south of the Amburayan River , and 8 western settlements of Benguet or EasternPais del Igorotes in the  Cordilleras into the province La Union. On March 2, 1850, Governor General Antonio Maria Blanco signed the “Superior Decreto” of La Union, with San Fernando as the “cabecera,” the capital, and with Captain Toribio Ruiz de la Escalera as the first Gobernador Militar y Politico. Its creation as a province was formally approved by a Royal Decree issued by Queen Isabela II of Spain on April 18, 1854.  Scores of settlers from the Ilocos provinces pushed their way south so that by the end of the 19th century, San Fernando was home to mostly Ilocano and Ilocanized Pangasinenses.

From 1896 until 1898, during the Philippine Revolution , the Spanish garrison of San Fernando was attacked by Filipino revolutionaries under Manuel Tinio y Bundoc and Mauro Ortiz. Spanish administration ceased; a short while later, The Spanish ceded the country to the Americans in the 1890s. The United States acquired control over the country by the Treaty of Paris following the events of the Spanish–American War.

From its inception as the capital of La Union up to the Second World War , San Fernando experienced monumental transformations in the socio-cultural and politico-economic aspects. After World War II, rehabilitation and reconstruction were done, eventually propelling the city as the center of commerce and trade and the administrative center of Region I.

World War II

In the Second World War, the last battle of San Fernando was fought during the Japanese occupation at Barangay Bacsil. The Bacsil Ridge Monument was built on the site in the city, the north-eastern portion of the town plaza. The victory enabled the establishment of the United States Army Base, Base M at Poro Point (a buildup area for the Japan invasion) and a US Navy Base. ^[7] The town was liberated in 1945. ^[8]

The Battle of Bacsil Ridge

The Battle of Bacsil Ridge which was fought in March 1945 was one of the main battles of the Philippines Campaign of the Second World War between the Filipino soldiers under the 121st Infantry Regiment, Philippine Commonwealth Army, USAFIP-NL, under the command of Russell W. Volckmann, and the Japanese Imperial forces under General Tomoyuki Yamashita. ^[9]

The Battle of Bacsil Ridge ended the month-long battle for control of San Fernando. The Japanese defenders called the Hayashi Detachment, composed of 3,000 armed troops and 2,000 unarmed support forces, took hold of San Fernando and its surrounding areas and denied entry to the port of the city and a road leading to Baguio. As part of the San Fernando-Bacsil Operations, the 1st Battalion of 121st Infantry were sent to loosen the enemy positions starting late February with the assistance of the Allied Air Force.

The 1st Battalion made a general attack to the ridge on March 16, 1945 and fought the Japanese defenders until the capture of Bacsil on March 19. On the same day, the 3rd battalion captured Reservoir Hill. The Battle of Bacsil Ridge between the Filipino guerrillas and the Japanese Forces resulted in the recapture of the city of San Fernando, La Union. which resulted in the capture of San Fernando, La Union on March 23, 1945, and Bacnotan, La Union and the military offensive throughout the province ended on March 24 after two months of fighting. ^[10]

Martial law era

Main articles: Martial law under Ferdinand Marcos and Human rights abuses of the Marcos dictatorship

Although Ilocanos are perceived to have been largely silent about the authoritarian practices of Ferdinand Marcos' administration, ^{[11] [12]} there were still San Fernando residents willing to express their objections its various abuses. ^[13] This included San Fernando-raised student activists Romulo and Armando Palabay, UP Students and La Union National High School alumni who were imprisoned for their protest activities in San Fernando, tortured at Camp Olivas in Pampanga, and later separately killed before the end of Martial Law. ^{[14] [15]} The respective martyrdoms of Romulo (age 22) and Armando (age 21) were later honored when their names were etched on the Wall of Remembrance at the Philippines’ Bantayog ng mga Bayani, which honors the heroes and martyrs who fought the authoritarian regime. ^[13]

Cityhood

Main article: Cities of the Philippines

San Fernando became a city by virtue of Republic Act No. 8509 signed into law on February 13, 1998, and ratified on March 20, 1998, by a plebiscite. ^[16]

Geography

The city is bounded by San Juan to the north, Bauang to the south, Bagulin and Naguilian to the east, and the South China Sea to the west. It has a land area of 10,272 hectares (25,380 acres).  ^[17]

San Fernando is 269 kilometres (167 mi) from Metro Manila.

Barangays

San Fernando is politically subdivided into 59 barangays.  ^[17] These barangays are headed by elected officials: Barangay Captain, Barangay Council, whose members are called Barangay Councilors. All are elected every three years.

• Abut
• Apaleng
• Bacsil
• Bangbangolan
• Bangcusay
• Barangay I (Poblacion)
• Barangay II (Poblacion)
• Barangay III (Poblacion)
• Barangay IV (Poblacion)
• Baraoas
• Bato
• Biday
• Birunget
• Bungro
• Cabaroan (Negro)
• Cabarsican
• Cadaclan
• Calabugao
• Camansi
• Canaoay
• Carlatan
• Catbangen
• Dallangayan Este
• Dallangayan Oeste
• Dalumpinas Este
• Dalumpinas Oeste
• Ilocanos Norte
• Ilocanos Sur
• Langcuas
• Lingsat
• Madayegdeg
• Mameltac
• Masicong
• Nagyubuyuban
• Namtutan
• Narra Este
• Narra Oeste
• Pacpaco
• Pagdalagan
• Pagdaraoan
• Pagudpud
• Pao Norte
• Pao Sur
• Parian
• Pias
• Poro
• Puspus
• Sacyud
• Sagayad
• San Agustin
• San Francisco
• San Vicente
• Santiago Norte
• Santiago Sur
• Saoay
• Sevilla
• Siboan-Otong
• Tanqui
• Tanquigan

Climate

Climate data for San Fernando City, La Union
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	31 (88)	31 (88)	33 (91)	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)	26 (79)	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 (modeled/calculated data, not measured locally) [18]

Demographics

Population census of San Fernando

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1903	16,095	—
1918	19,881	+1.42%
1939	23,366	+0.77%
1948	28,742	+2.33%
1960	37,836	+2.32%
1970	52,597	+3.34%
1975	61,166	+3.07%
1980	68,410	+2.26%
1990	84,949	+2.19%
1995	91,943	+1.49%
2000	102,082	+2.27%
2007	114,813	+1.63%
2010	114,963	+0.05%
2015	121,812	+1.11%
2020	125,640	+0.61%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [19] [20] [21] [22]

In the 2020 census, the population of San Fernando, La Union, was 125,640 people, ^[3] with a density of 1,200 inhabitants per square kilometre or 3,100 inhabitants per square mile.

Economy

San Fernando is mainly agricultural (rice, legumes, leafy vegetables, root crops, fruit trees, corn, and tobacco). But residents treat fishing in coastline and seashore areas as secondary means of livelihood. The natives also have inabel hand-woven cloth, baskets, shell crafts, including foods, such as kilawen and papaitan , basi , sukang Iloko and paslubong such as guapples, longganiza, honey and native rice cakes, puto, suman, and bibingka.

“Patupat” is an Ilocano San Fernando's native delicacy, made from "agdapil" (sugarcane, a tall tropical Southeast Asian Grass ( Saccharum officinarum ). ^[30]

San Fernando has many class A hotels and resorts and night clubs such as Aureo La Union Thunderbird Resorts and Casinos Poro Point

Government

Local government

Main article: Sangguniang Panglungsod

City hall

San Fernando, belonging to the first congressional district of the province of La Union, is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a city 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.

The mayor and other elected officers hold office at the city hall of San Fernando. The city council, the Sangguniang Panlungsod, is housed in the Don Mariano Marcos Building beside the city hall.

Elected officials

Members of the San Fernando City Council
(2019–2022) ^[31]

Position	Name
District Representative (1st Legislative District of the Province of La Union)	Francisco Paolo P. Ortega V
Chief Executive of the City of San Fernando	Mayor Hermenegildo A. Gualberto
Presiding Officer of the City Council of San Fernando	Vice Mayor Alfred Pablo R. Ortega
Members of the City Council	Kyle Marie Eufrosito Y. Nisce
	Pablo C. Ortega
	Lucia Esperanza O. Valero
	Jonathan Justo A. Orros
	Edwin H. Yumul
	Janwell E. Pacio
	Rodolfo M. Abat
	Arnel A. Almazan
	Aldrine R. Jucar
	John H. Orros
	Mark Anthony A. Ducusin
	Quintin L. Balcita Jr.

List of chief executives

• 1895–1898 — Paulino Alviar
• 1899–1901 — Blas Tadiar
• 1901–1903 — Urbano Martínez
• 1904–1905 — Edilberto Aquino
• 1906–1907 — Francisco Z. Flores
• 1908–1909 — Angel Salanga
• 1910–1911 — José Hidalgo
• 1912–1914 — Anastacio Casuga
• 1915–1918 — Juan Salanga
• 1919–1921 — Ulpiano Flores
• 1922–1928 — Pedro R. Flores
• 1928 — Francisco Galvez
• 1928–1930 — Evaristo Galvez
• 1931–1933 — Gaspar Flores
• 1934–1936 — Lauro Casuga
• 1936–1939 — Paulino Flores
• 1942–1944 — Juan Salanga
• 1945–1946 — Modesto Aquino
• 1946–1955 — Lorenzo L. Dacanay
• 1956–1959 — Godofredo G. Rilloraza
• 1960–1971 — Lorenzo L. Dacanay
• 1972–1980 — Antonio Feraren
• 1980 — Joaquin T. Ortega
• 1980–1987 — Justo O. Orros Jr.
• 1987 — Rufo T. Colisao
• 1987–1988 — Angel Salanga
• 1988–1998 — Manuel C. Ortega
• 1998–2007 — Mary Jane C. Ortega
• 2007–2016 — Pablo C. Ortega
• 2016–Present — Hermenegildo A. Gualberto

Annual community events

The city has a yearly fiesta, celebrated from January 28 to February 15, where a trade fair is opened near the city hall.

Celebrations are also done around March, in celebration of Cityhood.

The following events happen annually: Annual City Fiesta, February 10; Bacsil Ridge Celebration, March 19; Pindangan Festival, March 20; Ma-tzu Festival, September 16. ^{[32] [33]}

Tourism

Thunderbird Resort Poro Point

Cathedral of St. William the Hermit

• Poro Point
  • Poro Point Special Economic and Freeport Zone (formerly American Military Base – Wallace Air Station)
  • Thunderbird Resorts
  • Boardwalk
• The La Union Botanical Garden (8 kilometers from the city) – is a 10 hectare garden (Barangay Cadaclan), the home of various species of rare plants and a sanctuary of wild animals.
• Battle of Bacsil Ridge Marker
• Pindangan Ruins (Barangay Parian)
• Hobbitat Forest Park
• Poro Point Baywalk (Barangay Poro)
• Seven Hills
  • Capitol Hill (Barangay II) home of the Provincial Capitol
  • Pagoda Hill also known as Filipino-Chinese Friendship Park or Chinese Pagoda (Barangay II)
  • Heroes’ Hill & Freedom Park Stairway (153 steps) located at the eastern portion of Capitol Hill
  • Bethany Hill (Barangay II)
  • Mirador Hill (Barangay II)
  • Mariner's Hill (Barangay Catbangen)
  • Miracle Hill (Barangay Pagdaraoan)
• Christ the Redeemer (25-foot statue, Reservoir Hill, Barangay I)
• Poro Point Lighthouse
• Moro Watch Tower (Barangay Carlatan)
• La Union Science Centrum & Museum (LUSCM has 5 Galleries: Kadaklan Burial Site and Environmental Gallery, Museum, Dark Room, Main Science Gallery and Portable Planetarium (Barangay Cadaclan)
• Ma-Cho Temple
• Tomb of Unknown Soldier (Barangay Madayegdeg)
• Cathedral of St. William the Hermit (Barangay II, Poblacion)
• Kasay Marine Sanctuary: 30 hectares MPA, featuring the 50 years old Giant clam or Tridacna gigas (Barangay Canaoay)
• Children's Park (Barangay II, City Plaza)
• 10.6 hectares Engineered Sanitary Landfill (Barangay Mameltac) ^[34]
• La Union Trade Center (beside the City Hall)

Notable personalities

• Armando Palabay - Human rights activist and martyr honored at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani
• Ashley Ortega Ashleigh Marguerretthe Krystalle Nordstrom Samson, known as Ashley Ortega (born December 26, 1998), is a Filipino-German actress well known for her roles in Dormitoryo and My Destiny on GMA Network. She is formerly a co-host of the variety show Wowowin .
• Roger Casugay – Filipino surfer and National Hero.
• Lucrecia Kasilag — Composer, Dean of the Philippine Women's University College of Music and Fine Arts (1953-1977), President of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (1976-1986) Awardee of the Order of National Artists of the Philippines
• Jessica Soho - Multi-awarded broadcaster journalist; narrator and magazine TV host

Sister cities

• Ansan, South Korea
• Coatzacoalcos, Mexico
• Naga, Camarines Sur
• Valenzuela City

References

1.   City of San Fernando | (DILG)
2. "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN   0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
3. Census of Population (2020). "Region I (Ilocos Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved July 8, 2021.
4. "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
5. Mendoza-Cortes, Rosario (1974). Pangasinan, 1572-1800. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press.
6. Scott, William (1974). The Discovery of the Igorots. Quezon City: New Day Publishers. p. 58. ISBN   9711000873.
7. "Battle of San Fernando Marker in San Fernando (La Union)". localphilippines.com. Archived from the original on June 2, 2014. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
8. "History". Official Website of San Fernando, La Union. Archived from the original on January 27, 2015. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
9. Volckmann, R., 1954, We Remained, New York:W.W.Norton & Company, Inc., ISBN   9780393350227
10. "Battle of Bacsil Ridge - PVAO" . Retrieved September 29, 2021.
11. "From 1987: 'A Damaged Culture' in the Philippines - The Atlantic". The Atlantic . Archived from the original on October 28, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
12. Manila Today. Mula Sigwa hanggang Commune hanggang EDSA: mga kabataangmartir at bayani ng UP.2016-01-27 https://manilatoday.net/fqs-martyrs/
13. Burgonio, TJ Museum puts a face on little-known martial law martyrs Philippine Daily Inquirer September 21, 2008 https://barangayrp.wordpress.com/2008/09/21/museum-puts-a-face-on-little-known-martial-law-martyrs/
14. "PALABAY, Armando D. – Bantayog ng mga Bayani". bantayog.org. January 18, 2017. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
15. Armando Palabay (YouTube Video). Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines. Archived from the original on December 12, 2021.
16. "Republic Act No. 8509 – An Act Converting the Municipality of San Fernando, La Union, Into a Component City To Be Known As the City of San Fernando". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. February 13, 1998. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
17. "Province: La Union". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved November 12, 2016.
18. "San Fernando: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
19. Census of Population (2015). "Region I (Ilocos Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved June 20, 2016.
20. Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region I (Ilocos Region)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office . Retrieved June 29, 2016.
21. Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region I (Ilocos Region)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
22. "Province of La Union". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
23. "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
24. "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. November 29, 2005.
25. "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. March 23, 2009.
26. "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. August 3, 2012.
27. "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. May 31, 2016.
28. "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 10, 2019.
29. "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
30. Madrid, Myla B. (July 6, 2010). ""Patopat", A Native Delicacy". Official Website of San Fernando, La Union. Archived from the original on August 11, 2010. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
31. San Fernando City Council
32. Flores, Anne Hazel F. (July 6, 2010). "City celebrates feast of St. William the Hermit". Official Website of San Fernando, La Union. Archived from the original on January 28, 2011. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
33. Madrid, Myla B. (July 6, 2010). "Pindangan Festival 2010". Official Website of San Fernando, La Union. Archived from the original on October 19, 2010. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
34. "Tourist Attractions". Official Website of San Fernando, La Union. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2012.

External links

• Official website
• R.A. 8508 – "Charter of the City of San Fernando."
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Local Governance Performance Management System