Laoag facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Laoag
Component city
From top, left to right: Ilocos Norte Provincial Capitol, Exterior of Laoag International Airport, La Paz Sand Dunes, Laoag Cathedral, Sinking bell tower of Laoag
Flag Seal
Etymology: Ilocano: lawag ("light")
Nickname(s):  The Sunshine City
Anthem: Marcha de Laoag (Laoag March)
Map of Ilocos Norte with Laoag highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Laoag Location in Philippines
Country	Philippines
Region	Ilocos Region
Province	Ilocos Norte
District	[[{{#property:P7938}} | — Lua error in Module:Wd at line 1804: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).]]
Founded	1580
Cityhood	June 19, 1965
Barangays	80 (see Barangays)
Government
• Type	Sangguniang Panlungsod
Area
• Total	116.08 km2 (44.82 sq mi)
Elevation	57 m (187 ft)
Highest elevation	759 m (2,490 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (2020 census)
• Total	111,651
• Density	961.85/km2 (2,491.17/sq mi)
• Households	27,875
Economy
• Income class	3rd city income class
• Poverty incidence	3.38 % (2021)
• Revenue	₱ 1,134 million (2022)
• Assets	₱ 20,971 million (2022)
• Expenditure	₱ 734.3 million (2022)
• Liabilities	₱ 640.3 million (2022)
Service provider
• Electricity	Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	2900
PSGC	[https://psa.gov.ph/classification/psgc/?q=psgc/barangays/{{#pro000&regcode={{&provcode= p {{#property:P988}} ]
IDD : area code	+63 (0)77
Native languages	Ilocano Tagalog
Website	www.laoagcity.gov.ph

Laoag is a city in the Philippines. It is the capital of the province of Ilocos Norte. The name "Laoag" comes from the Ilocano word lawag, which means "light."

Laoag is the biggest city in its province. It is also the main center for business and industry. The Laoag International Airport, the busiest airport in the Ilocos Region, is located here. Laoag is the northernmost city in the Philippines.

The city is surrounded by other towns like San Nicolas, Paoay, Sarrat, Piddig, Vintar, and Bacarra. To the east are the Cordillera Central mountains, and to the west is the South China Sea.

Laoag has a monsoon climate. This means it has a dry season from November to April and a wet season from May to October. Even though strong typhoons sometimes hit the city, it is still known as the "Sunshine City."

History of Laoag City

Aerial view of Laoag, 21 July 1923

Long ago, even before the Spanish arrived, the area where Laoag is now was rich in gold. Traders from Japan and China came to trade gold for items like beads, ceramics, and silk. The local people, called Austronesians, called their land samtoy, meaning "this is our language."

Spanish Arrival and Naming

In 1571, after taking control of Manila, Spanish explorers looked for new lands. Juan de Salcedo, a young explorer, led a group north. On June 13, 1572, Salcedo and his men landed in Vigan. They then traveled to Laoag and other nearby places. As they sailed, they saw many sheltered bays, which they called looc. This led them to name the region "Ylocos" and its people "Ylocanos."

Building Churches and Towns

As more people became Christian, the Spanish built many churches and bell towers. This was part of their plan to gather people "under the bells" (bajo de las campanas). This meant people lived close to the church and its bells. Garrisons, or military posts, were often found near the church bells in the town square. This helped the Spanish control the area.

Local Uprisings and Independence Movements

The Spanish rule was not always peaceful. Many locals, called Ilocanos, fought against the Spanish because of unfair practices by some priests.

• In 1589, the Dingras uprising happened.
• In 1660, Pedro Almasan led a revolt in San Nicolas.
• From 1762 to 1763, Diego Silang led battles to free the Ilocanos. After he was killed, his wife, Gabriela, continued the fight but was also captured.
• In 1807, people in Piddig protested against the government's control over the wine industry. This was known as the Basi Revolt.
• In 1898, Gregorio Aglipay was removed from the church for supporting Filipino revolutionaries. He then started the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, a Filipino church. This movement helped Filipinos regain their pride.

A street in Laoag, 1900–1913

The population grew a lot between 1715 and 1818. This made it hard to manage the province. Because of many uprisings and forced labor, the Ilocos province was divided into two. On February 2, 1818, a Spanish Royal Decree officially split Ilocos into Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. Laoag, being the largest town, became the capital of Ilocos Norte.

World War II and Cityhood

The Japanese Army took over Laoag on December 12, 1941, during World War II. They used its airport for most of the war.

Laoag officially became a city on June 19, 1965. This happened after a public vote and a law passed by Senate President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos. Laoag remained the capital of Ilocos Norte. Mayor Eulalio F. Siazon and Engineer Trinidad Lucas Aurelio were key people who worked to make Laoag a city. Simeon M. Valdez and Antonio V. Raquiza also helped by filing the bill in Congress. Eulalio Fonacier Siazon became the first city mayor.

Geography of Laoag

The City of Laoag is in the west-central part of Ilocos Norte. It is next to the South China Sea. To its east is Sarrat, to the southeast is San Nicolas, and to the southwest is Paoay. To the northeast is Vintar, and to the northwest is Bacarra. Laoag is one of the largest cities in the Ilocos Region.

Laoag is about 483 kilometers (300 miles) away from Manila, the capital city of the Philippines.

Barangays in Laoag

Laoag is divided into 80 smaller areas called barangays. Each barangay has smaller parts called puroks and some have sitios.

Laoag City Climate

Laoag has a tropical savanna climate. This means it is warm to hot all year round. Temperatures drop a little during the winter months, from December to February. The city has two main seasons: a dry season and a wet season. The climate is generally mild and pleasant.

The dry season usually lasts from November to April. The wet season covers the rest of the year. Laoag is protected from the northeast monsoon by the Cordillera and Sierra Madre mountain ranges. However, it is open to the southwest monsoon and tropical storms.

The rainy season is from May to September, with the most rain in June, July, and August. About 68% of the yearly rainfall happens during these peak months. The average rainfall is 200 mm (7.9 inches).

In May afternoons, temperatures can reach up to 36.2°C (97.2°F). In early January mornings, temperatures can drop to 11.4°C (52.5°F). The city experiences about four to five tropical cyclones each year.

Laoag City Population

According to the 2020 census, Laoag has a population of 111,651 people. This means there are about 962 people per square kilometer.

In 2000, Laoag City had 94,466 people. This was an increase from 88,336 people in 1995. The city's population grew by about 1.35% each year between 1995 and 2000.

There were 19,751 households in 2000, with an average of five people per household. The number of males and females was almost equal.

Languages Spoken in Laoag

The main language spoken in Laoag City is Ilocano.

Religions in Laoag

The main religions in Laoag are Roman Catholic and the Aglipayan Church. Other religions include the Iglesia ni Cristo and various Protestant groups.

Economy of Laoag City

SM City Laoag

Laoag City is located at the northern tip of the Northwestern Luzon Growth Quadrangle. This makes it easy to travel by air to major economic centers in East Asia like Hong Kong, Mainland China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan through the Laoag International Airport.

The city has many banks, with over twenty local and international banks. These banks help meet the financial needs of the city.

Laoag City has a large land area of 12,747.35 square meters. This offers many chances for economic growth. The city is known for its historic tourist spots and good hotels. The Department of Tourism has named Laoag an ecotourism center. This means it is a great place for nature and cultural tourism.

The North Quad aims to develop rural areas. It focuses on growing agriculture and fishing. It also encourages local and foreign businesses to be competitive.

Laoag and nearby towns have a strong workforce. Most businesses in the city are small. They include food processing, rice mills, jewelry making, and metal crafts. Large retail stores like SM Prime Holdings (with SM Savemore, Savemore Market, and SM Hypermarket) and Puregold have branches here. SM City Laoag is located south of Padsan River. Other popular shopping centers include Unitop, Mart One, Novo, and JTC. Robinsons Ilocos is just a 5-minute ride from Laoag City Hall.

Megaworld is building a large project called "Ilocandia Coastown." This 84-hectare beachfront area will have different types of buildings and a 1.4 km (0.87 mi) beach line. Other new developments include EL Sands Residences and Bramasole Residences.

Government in Laoag

Local Government Structure

Ilocos Norte Provincial Capitol

Laoag City Hall

Laoag is part of the first congressional district of Ilocos Norte. It is governed by a mayor, who is the local chief executive. The city council acts as the law-making body. The mayor, vice mayor, and councilors are chosen by the people in elections held every three years.

Elected Officials of Laoag City

Here are the elected officials of Laoag City for the term from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2028:

Laoag City Seal Meaning

Official seal of Laoag City

The official seal of Laoag City has several important symbols:

• Building and Garden — Represents the Ermita Garden and Building on Ermita Hill.
• Bridge — This is the Marcos Bridge, formerly known as the Gilbert Bridge.
• Airport — Shows the Gabu Airport, one of the country's international airports.
• Tower — The Sinking Tower, an old and strong building from the early Spanish times.
• Monument — The Tobacco Monopoly Monument, which is unique in the Philippines.
• Farmer plowing — A symbol of the farming industry in the Ilocos Region.

Tourism in Laoag

Museo Ilocos Norte

Aurora Park

Tourism is a big part of Laoag City's economy. It has led to new businesses and buildings. Fort Ilocandia Resort, the only 5-star hotel in the north, attracts many visitors.

Other popular places to visit include:

• Historic sites with Spanish colonial buildings.
• Baroque churches.
• The La Paz Sand Dunes.
• White-sand beaches in Pagudpud.
• Old mansions from the Marcos era.

The Laoag Cathedral was built in 1612 by Augustinian friars. It replaced an older wooden chapel. The church has an unusual two-story front with columns. It also has a special spot for the image of the city's patron saint, William of Maleval.

Laoag City has become a top tourist spot in the Ilocos Region.

Transportation in Laoag

Gilbert Bridge spanning across the Padsan River

The Laoag International Airport has flights to and from Manila, Cebu, Calayan Island, and Basco, Batanes. Foreign airlines also offer direct charter flights to Laoag for tourists.

Several large bus companies connect Laoag City to other provinces in North and Central Luzon, including Metro Manila. These include GV Florida Transport, Viron Transit, Maria de Leon Bus Lines, Partas, and Fariñas Transit Company. Laoag is about 487 km (303 mi) from Manila by road.

Within the city, people can travel by taxi, jeepney, tricycle, and kalesa (horse-drawn carriage). Mini buses also have daily routes to nearby towns like Pagudpud, Batac, and Vigan.

A bypass road links Paoay to the western part of Laoag. This helps large trucks avoid driving through the city center. Another bypass road is being built east of the city. It will connect Bacarra and San Nicolas to help reduce traffic.

Education in Laoag

Laoag Central Elementary School

As the provincial capital, Laoag is a center for social and economic activities. Many major businesses and schools are located here. Both the local government and private groups believe in the importance of education. They have invested a lot in building schools and colleges.

The Schools Division Office of Laoag City manages all public and private schools in the city. There are three school district offices that oversee elementary and high schools. Most lower-level schools are government-owned, with 33 elementary schools. There are also ten private elementary schools, including a Chinese school. In addition, there are eight private and six public high schools, and a growing number of integrated schools.

Primary and Elementary Schools

Secondary Schools

The Rodolfo CG Fariñas Jr. National Science High School opened in 2024 for Grades 7 and 8. It is the second science high school in the Ilocos Region under the Department of Science and Technology. Here is a list of secondary schools:

Technical and Vocational Schools

Laoag also has schools that teach special skills for jobs:

• Bel Arte School of Fine Arts
• Lazo Fashion School
• Overseas Technical Institute

Higher Education Institutions

To help people continue their education, the government has built public colleges in Laoag. These include the College of Teacher Education (CTE) and the College of Industrial Technology (CIT) of the Mariano Marcos State University.

Other colleges and universities in the city are:

Sister Cities

Laoag City has sister city relationships with other cities, both in the Philippines and around the world:

• Vigan, Ilocos Sur
• Ozamiz, Misamis Occidental
• Caloocan, NCR
• Dagupan, Pangasinan
• Xiamen, China
• Changsha, China
• Laibin, China
• Huangshan, China
• Honolulu, Hawaii
• Kauai, Hawaii

Notable People from Laoag

Many important people have come from Laoag, including:

• Roque Ablan, Sr. – A governor of Ilocos Norte and a hero during World War II.
• Fidel Segundo – A Filipino brigadier general and World War II hero.
• Severino Montano – A National Artist of the Philippines for Literature.
• Purificacion Pedro – A social worker who was killed during the Marcos dictatorship. Her name is honored at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani.
• Soledad Salvador – A religious worker and activist who fought against the Marcos dictatorship. Her name is also honored at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani.
• Antonio Zumel – A Filipino journalist during the Marcos dictatorship. His name is honored at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani.
• Orlando Quevedo – A Filipino Catholic cardinal and Archbishop Emeritus.
• Fred Ruiz Castro – The 12th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.
• Diosdado Peralta – The 26th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.
• Ysabel Ortega - An actress.

See also

In Spanish: Laoag para niños