Municipal Profile

Bacnotan, Officially the Municipality of Bacnotan (Ilocano: Ili ti Bacnotan, Filipino: Bayan ng Bacnotan), is a First (1st) class municipality in the Province of La Union, Philippines. Bacnotan is also the seat of the beekeeping industry in the province.

Surfing has become quite popular as well, surfers having discovered that there is a surfable break beside the Holcim Cement Factory. While there are no surfboard rentals yet, instructors from the nearby town of Urbiztondo have been known to bring their students to Bacnotan for lessons. The sand bottom causes an inconsistency in wave quality but is usually reliable for learning.

Schools in Bacnotan include the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, the North Provincial High School(now known as Bacnotan National High School), the Bacnotan Elementary, other elementary schools located in various barangays, and a prep-school operated by the United Church of Christ in the Philippines. Home to the National Apiculture Research, Training and Development Institute (NARTDI), it has made Bacnotan a pilot area for support, instruction, research and production on beekeeping. Based at the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) Main Campus, it came into existence by virtue of RA 9151 which then La Union 1st District Congressman now Governor Manuel C. Ortega authored. Also located at DMMMSU is the Sericulture Research Development Institute which produces quality silk.

In Barangay Carcarmay stands the towering La Union Centennial Tree which was planted way back in 1896 as certified by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Like a giant green parachute, its long branches and large trunk never fails to wow visitors. For those looking for challenging adventure, the Arosip Ecotrail is the perfect place. After a 30-minute ride from poblacion and a descending hike, tourists are greeted by Zim-sim-ug Twin Falls, Pad-tok Falls and Tekdag-aso Falls. For those looking for more accessible swimming area, Guinabang Falls and Sa-pilang Falls and its pristine beaches can also be considered.

From May 1 to 8, the town celebrates its annual town fiesta which is highlighted by the Honey Festival. Parochial Fiestas include September 29, feast of St. Michael the Archangel and May 1, feast of St. Joseph the Worker.

Geography

Bacnotan is bounded on the north by Balaoan, on the east by San Gabriel, on the south by San Juan, and on the west by the West Philippine Sea. The western side of Bacnotan faces the West Philippine Sea and has a long stretch of black sand beaches, indicating a large amount of magnetite. Some portions of the seashore have pebble and limestone deposits. The beaches, stretching about 16 kilometers, are suitable for fishing, boating, swimming, snorkeling, diving, and surfing.

Although San Juan is a favorite place among serious surfers, the waves in Quirino have been discovered to be likewise excellent for surfing.
The Baroro River, located at the southern boundary of Bacnotan, provides freshwater fishing, aquaculture farming, and recreation.

Bacnotan is 283 kilometres (176 mi) from Metro Manila and 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) from San Fernando, the provincial capital.

Climate

The climate in Bacnotan is dry from November to May and wet from mid-May to October. The south-west monsoon brings an abundant rainfall experienced during the wet season. The relatively dry season is caused by the north-east monsoon passing over the Cordillera Mountain Range. Average temperature is 27.2 °C (81.0 °F).

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °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)
Average low °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 [6]
Barangay

Bacnotan is politically subdivided into 47 Barangays.

Poblacion

Agtipal

Arosip

Bacqui

Bacsil

Bagutot

Ballogo

Baroro

Bitalag

Bulala

Burayoc

Bussaoit

Cabaroan

Cabarsican

Cabugao

Calautit

Carcarmay

Casiaman

Galongen

Guinabang

Legleg

Lisqueb

Mabanengbeng I

Mabanengbeng II

Maragayap

Nagatiran

Nagsaraboan

Nagsimbaanan

Nangalisan

Narra

Ortega

Oya-oy

Paagan

Pang-pang

Pandan

Quirino

Raois

Salincob

San Martin

Sta. Cruz

Sta. Rita

Sapilang

Say-oan

Sipulo

Tammocalao

Ubbog

Zaragosa

Economic Activities

Mostly involve farming, fishing, bee-keeping, pebble extraction, tourism, and portland cement manufacturer.

Notable People

Bacnotan has produced notable personalities in various endeavors. Some of them are as follows:

Erlinda Fadera-Basilio - Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, Switzerland; first woman Vice President of the UN Human Rights Council. Currently Philippine ambassador to China, Mongolia and North Korea.

Fr. Bienvenido Nebres - longest - serving university president of Ateneo de Manila University.