Naguilian, officially the Municipality of Naguilian (; ), is a municipality in the province of La Union, Philippines. According to the , it has a population of people.

It is renowned as the Home of the Original Basi, a traditional fermented sugarcane wine. Naguilian is located at the geographical center of La Union and has a total land area of 10,086.85 hectares, making it the third-largest among the 19 towns and cities in the province. As of 2020, the town has 36,150 registered voters.

Etymology

The name "Naguilian" is derived from the Iloco word nagilian, which is based on the root íli, meaning "town." The prefix nag- indicates the present or past tense, while the suffix -an expresses a perfective aspect, signifying a completed action or state. Together, nag-ili-an can be interpreted as "towned by people" or "a place that has been established or settled by people."

The name is also thought to originate from the Ilocano phrase Nagilian dagiti gangganaet, which translates to "a place where people from other places come to stay." This highlights the town's historical function as a settlement or gathering point for individuals from other regions. Over time, the name "Naguilian" became associated with the town, reflecting its significance as a center for migration and community formation. These early inhabitants engaged in active trade along the Aringay Trail, an ancient gold trading route that connected the southwestern Cordilleras to the lowlands of northwestern Luzon. The settlements traded goods such as gold, silk, textiles, rice, porcelain, wax, and earthenware with neighboring lowland Ilocano (Samtoy) and Pangasinan communities, as well as foreign merchants from China, Japan, and Maritime Southeast Asia.

By 1739, the Catholic Church in Naguilian was constructed, solidifying the Spanish presence in the area.

Determined to eliminate any potential resistance or witnesses, the soldiers moved into Mangkaeng, where families from nearby villages such as Imelda, Natividad, and Ortiz had gathered, believing they had found safety in the remote sitio. The attack came suddenly, without warning. Gunfire (bayonet) shattered the morning stillness as Japanese troops unleashed their assault on the unarmed villagers. Men, women, and children fell where they stood, unable to escape the onslaught. Some attempted to flee into nearby creeks, hoping the dense forest would offer cover, but the soldiers were relentless, pursuing and killing those who tried to escape. The massacre left Mangkaeng silent, its forest floor stained with the lives lost in one of the darkest days in the town's history.

Rivers

Naguilian is traversed by two major rivers. The Naguilian River, located in the western portion of the town, originates from the province of Benguet and flows westward through La Union, eventually emptying into the Lingayen Gulf and South China Sea. This river drains the valleys of Barangays Bimmotobot, Mamat-ing Sur, Mamat-ing Norte, Tuddingan, Gusing Sur, Gusing Norte, Baraoas Norte, Daramuangan, Dal-lipaoen, Cabaritan Sur, Ortiz, Natividad, Suguidan Norte, and Suguidan Sur. It stretches approximately 67 kilometers (42 miles) with a basin area of 658 square kilometers (254 square miles).

center|thumb|768x768px|Gatchalian Sr. Bridge along Barangay Tudingan

The upper reaches of the river are classified as Class A by the Environmental Management Bureau, indicating suitability as a water source for drinking, while the lower reaches have lower water quality and are categorized under Class C.

The second major waterway springs from the Municipality of Burgos and flows through the valleys of Barangays Aguioas, Sili, Al-alinao Norte, Nagsidorisan, Angin, Suguidan Norte, and Natividad. These two rivers converge at the poblacion, forming a delta that flows through the center of Naguilian before emptying at the river's mouth in Bauang.

Climate

Naguilian is classified under the 1st Climatic Type of the Corona Climate Classification, which is characterized by two distinct seasons: a dry season from November to April and a wet season from May to October. The Southwest Monsoon (SWM) brings heavy rainfall during the wet season, while the Northeast Monsoon (NEM) causes relatively dry conditions as it passes over the Cordillera Mountains. Rainfall is not evenly distributed throughout the year, with the peak rainfall occurring from July to September.

| date = 26 April 2020

Barangays

Naguilian is politically subdivided into barangays. With upland and lowland barangay which each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios. Among these barangays, Casilagan has the widest land area of 903.38 hectares and Imelda the smallest with only 46.09 hectares.

  • Aguioas
  • Al-alinao Norte
  • Al-alinao Sur
  • Ambaracao Norte
  • Ambaracao Sur
  • Angin
  • Balecbec
  • Bancagan
  • Baraoas Norte
  • Baraoas Sur
  • Bariquir
  • Bato
  • Bimmotobot
  • Cabaritan Norte
  • Cabaritan Sur
  • Casilagan
  • Dal-lipaoen
  • Daramuangan
  • Guesset
  • Gusing Norte
  • Gusing Sur
  • Imelda
  • Lioac Norte
  • Lioac Sur
  • Magungunay
  • Mamat-ing Norte
  • Mamat-ing Sur
  • Nagsidorisan
  • Natividad
  • Ortiz
  • Ribsuan
  • San Antonio
  • San Isidro
  • Sili
  • Suguidan Norte
  • Suguidan Sur
  • Tuddingan

Demographics

Population

As of the 2020 Philippine Statistic Authority Census report, the population of Naguilian, La Union was recorded at 52,189, showing a decrease of 2,016 from the 54,159 reported in 2015. The number of households in 2020 was 12,915, marking an increase of 754 households from the 12,161 reported in 2015.

Household Size

The average household size (AHS) in Naguilian decreased from 4.5 persons in 2015 to 4.0 persons in 2020. This trend continued from 2010 when the AHS was also recorded at 4.5. Seventeen of the 37 barangays had an AHS greater than the municipal average.

Sex Distribution

In 2020, the household population of Naguilian was composed of 50.57% males and 49.43% females, resulting in a sex ratio of 102 males for every 100 females. This sex ratio was consistent with the one recorded in 2015.

Among the household population aged 5 years and older, 21.65% had attended or completed elementary education, 43.29% had reached or completed high school, 9.70% were college undergraduates, and 14.89% held academic degrees. Among those with academic degrees, 58.06% were female and 41.94% were male. Additionally, 67.05% of individuals pursuing post-baccalaureate courses were female, while 32.95% were male.

Primary and elementary schools

  • Al-Alinao Elementary School
  • Al-alinao Sur Elementary School
  • Amadeo Florendo Florendo Rimando Elementary School
  • Ambaracao Sur Elementary School
  • Balecbec Elementary School
  • Bancagan Elementary School
  • Baraoas Norte Elementary School
  • Baraoas Sur Elementary School
  • Bariquir Elementary School
  • Bato Elementary School
  • Bimmotobot 2 Upper Primary School
  • Casilagan Elementary School
  • Don Tomas R. Mendoza Elementary School
  • Dr. Hermogenes T. Belen Elementary School
  • Guesset Elementary School
  • Gusing Elementary School
  • Lioac Elementary School
  • Lower Bimmotobot Elementary School
  • Mamat-ing Norte Elementary School
  • Mamat-ing Sur Elementary School
  • Mangkaeng Primary School
  • Nagsidorisan Elementary School
  • Naguilian Baptist Christian School
  • Naguilian Central School
  • San Antonio Elementary School
  • San Isidro Elementary School
  • St. Augustine School of Naguilian
  • Tuddinggan Elementary School

Secondary schools

  • Cabaritan Sur Integrated School
  • Daramuangan Integrated School
  • Eastern Naguilian National High School
  • Naguilian Learning Center
  • Naguilian National High School
  • Naguilian Senior High School
  • Northern Naguilian National High School
  • Southern Naguilian National High School
  • Suguidan Integrated School

Higher educational institutions

  • Colegio de La Union
  • Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University

Economy

Agriculture

Generally, the agricultural lands in the town consist of narrow strips situated in the valleys, extending from the lower slopes of the mountains to the banks of rivers, brooks, and streams. These fertile areas benefit from the natural irrigation provided by the water sources, making them ideal for various forms of agriculture. Additionally, the rolling terrain of the mountain and hilltops is also harnessed for the cultivation of rice, corn, tobacco, sugarcane, root crops, fruits, lowland vegetables and a variety of other crops. The agricultural landscape reflects a diverse range of farming practices that contribute significantly to the local economy.

The area devoted to agricultural purposes totals 9,859.71 hectares (24,363.9 acres), accounting for 97% of the total land area of the town. This extensive agricultural expanse supports both subsistence and commercial farming, providing livelihoods for many of the town’s residents. The dominance of agricultural land highlights the importance of farming in the region’s cultural and economic identity. In recent years, efforts have been made to improve farming practices, enhance irrigation systems, and diversify crops in order to boost productivity and sustainability in the agricultural sector.

Industries

The town is renowned as the home of the original Basi wine-making industry, a traditional Ilocano wine made from sugarcane juice that dates back to the World War II era. With the support of the local government, this industry has been revived and is now one of the main sources of income for the province. In addition to Basi, Naguillian is also known for its thriving woodcraft industry, with notable areas in Cabaritan Norte and Sur, Dallipaoen, and Al-alinao Norte. Barangays Bancagan and Daramuangan are also recognized for their bamboocraft industry. Other industries include metal craft, ceramics or brick-making, concrete hollow block production, and furniture making and upholstery. Currently, 28% of the town's total land area is dedicated to industrial purposes.

Commerce

The town has 19.41 exiting area for Commercial.

|-

! Position

! Name

|-

| Congressman

| style="text-align:center;" | Dante S. Garcia

|-

| Mayor

| style="text-align:center;" | Nieri T. Flores

|-

|Vice-Mayor

| style="text-align:center;" | Reynaldo J. Flores

|-

|rowspan=8| Councilors

| style="text-align:center;" | Ruperto A. Rillera Jr.

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Diomedes F. Hipol

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Georgina F. Estepa-Flores

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Helen C. Casuga-Obispo

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Danilo T. Soriano

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Hulgar Redentor R. Rimando

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Aurelio F. Flora

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Roger A. Floresca

|-

|}

Sister cities

  • Suisun City, California, United States of America

Notable personalities

  • Hermogenes F. Belen, Ilocano-language novelist, poet, and playwright

<gallery widths="200" heights="150">

File:FvfNaguilanLaUnion0150 34.JPG|Town proper

File:FvfNaguilanLaUnion0296 02.JPG|Naguilian Statue

File:FvfNaguilanLaUnion0185 09.JPG|Facade of St. Augustine of Hippo Parish Church

File:9513Naguilian Road Bauang 46.jpg|Naguilian Epic Mall

File:FvfNaguilanLaUnion0221 16.JPG|Naguilian Police Station

File:Naguilian Road (Naguilian, La Union)(2018-11-25).jpg|Naguilian Downtown proper

File:FvfNaguilianLaUnion0115 07.JPG|Naguilian Town Plaza

File:9628Bauang Naguilian Road 51.jpg|Welcome Arch Naguilian

File:9513Naguilian Road Bauang 32.jpg|Naguilian Road along Naguilian Bridge

</gallery>

References

  • Official Website of the Provincial Government of La Union
  • Local Government Unit: Naguilian La Union
  • [ Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
  • Philippine Census Information
  • Local Governance Performance Management System