about the city
MAPS
The City of San Fernando, La Union is a coastal city with fifty-nine (59) barangays covering an area of 105.26 square kilometers. The city is a bustling commercial and administrative hub located in the geographical center of the Province of La Union. It serves as the gateway to trade and commerce to the North and the culture andheritage of Ilocandia.
The City is the regional and administrative capital of Region I, hosting several regional and field offices of national government agencies, regional branches of government financial institutions and some government owned and controlled corporations. It is the home to some of the region’s best educational and medical institutions and facilities including the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC), which is acknowledged as the heart of public health and medical care in Region 1.
In 2018, the City has a projected population of 131,250. Daytime population increases to about 38% due to the influx of workers, students and people doing business or government transactions in the city. San Fernando is a transient city that caters to a working and student population that commutes home to nearby municipalities and provinces, and passing travelers.
The City’s populace is the central focus of development especially the poor, disadvantaged and marginalized groups. This is in line with the City’s strategic vision to become a People’s City. To attain this, the City identified and incorporated four pillars into its inter-sectoral plans and thrusts. These are (1) Social Development Sector; (2) Economic Development Sector; (3) Environmental Management Sector; and (4) Administrative Governance Sector.
The City of San Fernando, La Union is a coastal city with fifty-nine (59) barangays covering an area of 105.26 square kilometers. The city is a bustling commercial and administrative hub located in the geographical center of the Province of La Union. It serves as the gateway to trade and commerce to the North and the culture andheritage of Ilocandia.
The City is the regional and administrative capital of Region I, hosting several regional and field offices of national government agencies, regional branches of government financial institutions and some government owned and controlled corporations. It is the home to some of the region’s best educational and medical institutions and facilities including the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC), which is acknowledged as the heart of public health and medical care in Region 1.
In 2018, the City has a projected population of 131,250. Daytime population increases to about 38% due to the influx of workers, students and people doing business or government transactions in the city. San Fernando is a transient city that caters to a working and student population that commutes home to nearby municipalities and provinces, and passing travelers.
The City’s populace is the central focus of development especially the poor, disadvantaged and marginalized groups. This is in line with the City’s strategic vision to become a People’s City. To attain this, the City identified and incorporated four pillars into its inter-sectoral plans and thrusts. These are (1) Social Development Sector; (2) Economic Development Sector; (3) Environmental Management Sector; and (4) Administrative Governance Sector.
Hosting regional offices of national government agencies, the City of San Fernando serves as the regional and administrative capital of Region 1. The City is also home to a state university and some prominent medical institutions, serving clients, not only from the city but also from neighboring municipalities. As of 2016, the City has a projected day time population of 179,095 people and drops to about 129,095 after office hours.
Hence, it is a transient city that caters to a working and student population, together with passing travelers, that commutes to and from nearby municipalities and provinces. Furthermore, urban services, trade, commerce, and agriculture continue to be the primary drivers of the City’s economy. As such, it is imperative for the City Government of San Fernando to formulate socio-economic and development plans that would ensure safety and security of its constituents through the preparation of various types of land use map to have a larger perspective on planning for the overall development of the City.
San Fernando also boasts its geographical advantage and administrative position in Region 1 as it links the Province of Pangasinan to the two provinces of Ilocos. With agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and trade and commerce as primary sources of income for the household, its growth as component City is fast and unstoppable.
*as of 2023 report from CPDO
| Political Boundaries | |
|---|---|
| North: | Municipality of San Juan |
| South: | Municipality of Bauang |
| East: | Municipalities of Bagulin and Naguilian |
| West: | West Philippine Sea |
| Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Terrain: | Predominantly hilly |
| Climate: | Type I (Dry and Wet Season) Wet Season starts from the middle part of May to the end of October and Dry Season falls on the month of December to the early part of May. |
| Barangay: | Rural: 34 Urban: 25 Coastal: 14 Inland: 31 Upland: 14 |
| Demographics | |
|---|---|
| Growth Rate: | 1.19% (PSA 2015) |
| Population Density: | 11.86 or at most 12 person per hectare (PSA 2015) |
| Major Dialects / Language: | Ilokano, Bisaya, Bicol, Ilonggo, Cebuano, Chinese, Bago (PSA 2010) |
| Religions | |
|---|---|
| Roman Catholic, Iglesia ni Cristo, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Pentecostal Church of God Asia Mission, Bible Baptist Church, Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, Islam, United Church of Christ in the Philippines, Seventh Day Adventist (PSA 2010) | |
| Literacy Rate | |
|---|---|
| 1.85% from the total population of those who are studying in the City of San Fernando have no grade completed (PSA 2010) | |
| Employment and Development Finance | |
|---|---|
| Poverty Incidence: | 3.8% (Small Area Estimates, PSA 2012) |
| Classification: | Third Class Component City |
| City Government Revenue: | Php 778,822,666.43 (2018) |
| City Government Expenditures: | Php 608,973,969.57 (2018) |
| Number of Banks: | 47 (Universal and Commercial, Thrift, Rural, Microfinance Rural-including branches) (BSP 2018) |
| Number of Cooperatives: | 47 |
| Agriculture / Food Sufficiency | |
|---|---|
| Rice: | 31.91% |
| Corns: | 47% |
| Root Crops: | 87.73% |
| Legumes: | 106.75% |
| Fruits: | 60.49% |
| Vegetables: | 127.55% |
| Livestock Production | |
|---|---|
| Hog: | 3,584 (kgs) |
| Cattle: | 2,266 (kgs) |
| Carabao: | 1,545(kgs) |
| Goat: | 2,060(kgs) |
| Chicken: | 21,644 (heads) |
| Infrastructures and Utilities | |
|---|---|
| Road Network: | 237.4168 km |
| Airport: | 1(Domestic) |
| Seaport: | 1(International) |
| Power: | All barangays electrified |
| Water: | 1 water district |
| Telecommunications: | 4 telecom companies/ mobile service providers |
| Social Services | |
|---|---|
| Number of Hospitals: | Public: 1 Private: 4 |
| Number of Clinics: | Public: 79 Private: 203 |
| Education Sector | |
|---|---|
| Number of Tertiary Schools: | Public: 1 Private: 10 |
| Number of Tech Voc Schools: | Public: 1 Private: 13 |
| Number of Secondary Schools: | Public: 16 Private: 34 |
| Number of Elementary Schools: | Public: 18 Private: 26 |
| Number of Preschools: | Public: 26 Private: 25 |
| Number of Public Day Care Centers: | 64 |
We started out to be a community uniting together to protect one another. This values still lives as we ensure that we put the welfare of the people at the center of our governance.
Spanish Regime
Juan de Salcedo, nephew of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, was sent up north of Manila. He reached Agoo where he saw Japanese traders and thus called the place Puerto de Japon. He went further up north, and when he saw natives in the area now called City of San Fernando, he asked for tribute to the Queen of Spain. The natives asked to go tp the mountains to get what they could give as a tribute but did not come down again. Thus, Juan de Salcedo continued up north and went inside a big river called "Purao", the Ilocano term which means white, because the river was pristinely white. When he asked tribute from the natives, they refused and so the first battle in the Ilocos ensued. The first Ilocano blood flowed in their refusal to pay tribute to a foreign ruler. The river "Purao" was renamed "Darigayos" for "dara" which is Ilocano for blood and "ayos" which is Ilocano for flowed - and means where blood flowed. The Municipality was called "Namacpacan", an Ilocano term that means the place where a battle was fought. Later, the municipality was renamed Luna. Juan de Salcedo then went further up north and was welcomed in a place now called Vigan, which was made an encomienda of the Queen.
Early Settlements
Headhunting Igorots attacked San Guillermo de Dalangdang, a village at the foothills of Cordillera Mountains, every time that the fire trees were in bloom, to appease the gods which they thought wanted a sacrifice to be offered.
San Vicente de Balanac, a coastal village of about 200 people, was attacked and plundered by Moro pirates taking their women and children.
Father Jose Torres, An Augustinian Priest who convinced the remaining populations of San Vicente de Balanac and San Guillermo de Dalangdang to come together for their common protection.
The Birth of Pindangan and San Fernando
1762
The remaining population of San Vicente de Balanac and San Guillermo de Dalangdang gathered together for their common protection thus Pindangan was born. Pindangan was derived from the Ilocano word Pindang, which means to dry fish, thus Pindangan means the place where one dries fish.
1764
Don Santiago Olarte, Appointed Pindangan's First Gobernadorcillo, a position equivalent to present-day Mayor.
May 6, 1786
Pindangan was founded as Ministerio de San Fernando in Honor of King Ferdinand of Spain by Fr. Fernando Rey.
(Construction of the Church, employing forced labor of the population, was finished and symbolized the union of San Vicente de Balanac and San Guillermo de Dalangdang)
1831
Father Juan Soralla, He became the first resident priest of Pindangan (San Fernando).
The Birth of a Capital - San Fernando
Declared the Town of San Fernando as the Cabecera (Capital) of the Province of La Union.
The Philippine Revolution in San Fernando
September 10, 1896
Two weeks after the cry of Pugadlawin, an alleged conspiracy plot against Spain was discovered in San Fernando.
The Spanish officials led by Fray Rafael Redondo, Vicar Forane at San Fernando, swoop down upon the alleged revolutionists. The first to be picked up was Dr. Lucino Almeida who was then the highest-
September 17, 1896
Three native coadjutor priests of La Union including Padre MAriano Gaerlan of San Fernando were tagged as conspirators with an alleged conspiracy plot against Spain.
July 31, 1898
The Stiff resistance of the Spanish Power ended in the Actas de Capitulaciones (Acts of Surrender). Out of 29 towns and cities that witnesses the surrender of the Spaniards, San Fernando was the 13th.
The San Fernando Acta de Capitulacion (capitulation document) was signed as between the Spaniards and the Filipino Revolutionists in it, the Revolutionists gracefully agreed to spare the lives of the vanquished and respect their property. For the first time since March 2, 1850, a Filipino ascended the Casa Real.
The Filipino revolutionists were led by Colonel Manuel Tinio and Major Joaquin Alejandrino.
American Regime
August 1, 1899
The United States merchant streamer Saturmus tried to dock at the San Fernando port. The revolutionary army captured based on international law. The prisoners were treated well and delivered to General MacArthur.
August 7, 1899
In retaliation to the humiliation, the US Navy ships berthed at the San Fernando bay. They bombarded San Fernando anew, "ejecting thousands of projectiles from the mouths of their cannon". The towns was reduced to ruins.
November 16-21, 1899
President Emilio Aguinaldo undertook an "odyssey" through La Union.
November 21, 1899
General Samuel M.B. Young of the US Expeditionary Forces invaded San Fernando. Marked the American occupation in La Union.
May 1, 1901
Signaled the General Tinio Brigade's surrender to the Americans thus ending the Fil-Am war in the province of La Union.
American Regime
August 14, 1901
Governor General William Howard Taft arrived in San Fernando Harbor on the "Aldecoa" a small coasting vessel of Compania Maritima. He was greeted by a band formed by Don Joaquin Ortega and other officials of San Fernando. That night, Governor General Taft stayed on board the vessel.
August 17, 1901
Eventful day for the Commission and the Province of La Union, declaring Don Joaquin Ortega of San Fernando as the first Civil Governor of La Union.
After the inaugural ceremony, a meeting was held to discuss what to do with the prisoners of war, issues on sanitation and education.
Agriculture and Education thrived well under the hands of the American Teachers.
Democratic Government of the United States replaced the Government of Spain.
November 8, 1901
Colonel Juan M Gutierrez, a native son of La Union was the last top-ranked officer publicly hanged by Americans in San Fernando.
Japanese Regime
December 8, 1941
World War II broke out and Japanese Planes bombed San Fernando.
1941 - 1944
Japanese Occupation
September 21, 1945
American Planes reappeared over San Fernando and destroyed Japanese installations.
March 19, 1945
Battle of Bacsil Ridge
March 21, 1945
Complete liberation of the town.
Guerilla units became active and fighting continued to the celebrated war to the last Bastion of the retreating Japanese Imperial in Bacsil Ridge.
Post - War Administration
1946
Francisco I. Ortega, Representative of the First District of La Union, was appointed as Speaker Pro - Tempore of the First Congress of the Philippines
1946 - 1955
Mayor Lorenzo Dacanay undertook the main bulk of reconstruction of public buildings, roads and bridges with the support of Speaker Pro-Tempore Francisco I. Ortega.
1956 - 1959
Mayor Godofredo G. Rilloraza has its share in the growth of San Fernando. Among other thins, the construction of the town hall.
1960 - 1971
Mayor Lorenzo Dacanay with the support of Speaker Pro - Tempore Francisco I. Ortega, has completed the town hall that serves as the seat of the Municipal Government and temple of justice of its people. Designed by a well respected artist in the person of Architect Filipe Mendoza.
1972 - 1979
Mayor Antonio T. Feraren intensified activities in infrastructure development, especially on the construction of roads and bridges.
1980 - 1987
Judge Justo O. Orros Jr. was the first town Mayor unanimously selected as the Most Outstanding Mayor of Region I for three (3) consecutive years.
May 11, 1987
Representative Victor F. Ortega was given a fresh mandate to represent the First District of La Union.
Junuary 18, 1988 - June 30, 1998
Col. Manuel C. Ortega, a young dynamic and dedicated leader became the first elected Mayor after the OIC deluge.
Post - Edsa Administration
1998
The year 1998 unshered forth the fulfillment of the vision of cityhood of the Municipality of San Fernando by the late Speaker Pro - Tempore Francisco "Pacoy" Ortega. Through the initiative and sponsorship of Hon. Victor F. Ortega, Representative of the 1st District of La Union to the House of Representatives and the fulfillment for requirements under the administration of Mayor Manuel C. Ortega, House Bill 7594 was realized prescribing therein the City Charter covering the "Act Converting the Municipality of San Fernando, La Union into a City to be known as the City of San Fernando".
January 15, 1998
House Bill 7594 was unanimously approved in the Senate Committee Meeting.
February 13, 1998
Republic Act 8509 was signed into law by His Exellency, President Fidel V. Ramos witnessed by the soon to be city officials and employees, Barangay Officials, representatives of Non-Government Organizations, People's Organizations and other townspeople.
March 20, 1998
The Foundation Day of the City of San Fernando with the resounding approval of the residents on a plebiscite, which ratified Republic Act 8509 converting the municipality into a component city.
Manuel C. Ortega was again sworn into office as the city Mayor, earning him the title as the first City Mayor and the last Municipal Mayor of San Fernando.
June 30, 1998
Mayor Mary Jane C. Ortega, a leader and manager, overwhelmingly gain the support of the general electorate to became the First Lady Mayor and the First Elected City Mayor for the City of San Fernando.
Reference: The Making of La Union by Adriel Obar Meimban PhD. and Hon. Mary Jane Ortega