San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte

San Nicolas
Municipality

Robinsons Ilocos Norte

Seal

Map of Ilocos Norte showing the location of San Nicolas
San Nicolas

Location within the Philippines

Coordinates: PH 18°10′21″N 120°35′45″E / 18.17250°N 120.59583°E / 18.17250; 120.59583Coordinates: PH 18°10′21″N 120°35′45″E / 18.17250°N 120.59583°E / 18.17250; 120.59583
Country Philippines
Region Ilocos (Region I)
Province Ilocos Norte
District 2nd District
Barangays 24
Government[1]
 • Mayor Melanie Grace Pizaña Valdez
Area[2]
 • Total 40.18 km2 (15.51 sq mi)
Population (2010)[3]
 • Total 34,237
 • Density 850/km2 (2,200/sq mi)
Demonym(s) San Nicoleño
Time zone PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code 2901
Dialing code 77
Income class 2nd class; partial urban
Website sannicolasilocosnorte
.gov.ph

San Nicolas or Bayan ng San Nicolas is a second class municipality in the province of Ilocos Norte, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 34,237 people.[3] San Nicoleños are famous for their traditionally-designed pots (called "bangas").

History

The present name of San Nicolas was given in the year 1733, after Saint Nicholas de Tolentino who was believed to have protected the people against floods, earthquakes, fires, typhoons and other calamities. It is significant that in Ilocos Norte, only San Nicolas was named after a Saint.[4]

Like any other town in the ancient province of Ilocos, San Nicolas was established by Augustinian missionaries. Vigan, the first Spanish mission center in this region, was founded in 1575. In the year 1572, when the Spaniards first explored the Laoag (Padsan) River, they met hostile resistance from the natives of San Nicolas and Laoag. In another expedition dispatched from Vigan in 1584 San Nicolas was established and Laoag followed a year later.[4]

San Nicolas Catholic Church built in 1701 is one of the oldest buildings in this province. Its original structure is one of the must see places of the town. The Church and the attached Sta. Rosa Academy Building, the well preserved Municipal Hall and the old Town Plaza sprawled between them constitute the heart of the town center. These buildings and structures are originally built and continue to be festooned with earthen bricks, which is among the products of the surviving local earthenware industry.[4]

Geography

Barangays

The Municipality of San Nicolas is politically divided into 24 barangays:

Names of Barangay Type Brgy.No. Local Names
San Agustin Rural 21 Bugnay
San Baltazar Urban 2
San Bartolome Urban 4
San Cayetano Urban 12
San Eugenio Urban 13
San Fernando Urban 11
San Francisco Urban 1
San Gregorio Urban 14
San Guillermo Rural 22 Catuguing
San Ildefonso Urban 3
San Jose Urban 15
San Juan Bautista Urban 6
San Lucas Urban 9
San Marcos Rural 16 Payas
San Miguel Urban 7
San Pablo Rural 20
San Paulo Urban 10
San Pedro Rural 18 Bingao
San Lorenzo Rural 19
Santa Monica Rural 24 Nagrebcan
Santa Cecilia Rural 23 Barabar
Santa Asuncion Rural 17 Samac
San Silvestre Urban 5
San Rufino Urban 8

Profile of Barangays

Nicolas were still wilderness and there was not a single road leading to this place. Unfriendly Tinggians and Igorots lived in these places and people in the poblacion avoided them.

Area and location

San Nicolas is a land-lock town. It is border by Laoag in north and western part, Paoay and Batac in south and Sarrat in eastern part. In terms of area, San Nicolas is the smallest througthout Ilocos Norte. Yet, it is one of the most wealthiest and most populous in the province. Sometimes, Padsan River (Laoag-San Nicolas Border part) is often called as a part of San Nicolas than Laoag.

Climate

San Nicolas has a tropical savanna climate with warm to hot temperatures year round. Temperatures dips sightly during the winter months between December to February.

Climate data for San Nicolas
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 30.0
(86)		 30.8
(87.4)		 32.0
(89.6)		 33.4
(92.1)		 33.8
(92.8)		 32.5
(90.5)		 31.8
(89.2)		 31.0
(87.8)		 31.3
(88.3)		 31.9
(89.4)		 31.2
(88.2)		 30.5
(86.9)		 31.68
(89.02)
Daily mean °C (°F) 24.4
(75.9)		 25.0
(77)		 26.5
(79.7)		 28.2
(82.8)		 29.1
(84.4)		 28.4
(83.1)		 27.8
(82)		 27.4
(81.3)		 27.5
(81.5)		 27.4
(81.3)		 26.5
(79.7)		 25.4
(77.7)		 26.97
(80.53)
Average low °C (°F) 18.8
(65.8)		 19.2
(66.6)		 20.9
(69.6)		 23.1
(73.6)		 24.4
(75.9)		 24.3
(75.7)		 24.0
(75.2)		 23.9
(75)		 23.6
(74.5)		 22.9
(73.2)		 21.9
(71.4)		 20.2
(68.4)		 22.27
(72.08)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 11.8
(0.465)		 1.1
(0.043)		 2.5
(0.098)		 19.8
(0.78)		 125.1
(4.925)		 376.8
(14.835)		 386.4
(15.213)		 547.3
(21.547)		 324.1
(12.76)		 86.1
(3.39)		 45.1
(1.776)		 10.2
(0.402)		 1,936.3
(76.234)
Average rainy days 1 1 1 2 8 15 17 20 15 8 5 2 95
Source: PAG-ASA[5]

Demographics

Population census of San Nicolas
YearPop.±% p.a.
1990 27,632—    
1995 29,083+0.96%
2000 31,688+1.86%
2007 33,642+0.83%
2010 34,237+0.64%
2015 36,736+1.35%
Source: National Statistics Office[3][6]

Religion

Christianity is the predominant religion in the Philippines and is likewise the same in San Nicolas. Among the denominations of Christianity, Aglipayan Church make up the majority. Other Christian denominations that are practiced and situated in the town include Jehovah's Witnesses, which has increasing number of members and two conregations in Iloco and Tagalog, Iglesia ni Cristos and Mormons. Below are religious buildings situated in San Nicolas:

Economy

Pottery making is the main trademark of San Nicolas. It was introduced by the Spaniards mainly in Brgy. 8, and they called it Alfareria, meaning "Art of Pottery". Other traditional crafts include the making of Tagapulot, Lapida, Chicharon and Longganisa. The town also has a large ricefields.

San Nicolas is known for its car stores and sales. In Ilocos Norte, San Nicolas is the only one who has new car dealers. There are also many businesses inside Robinson's Mall and SM Save More.

Local government

As of Election 2013-2016, these are the officials of San Nicolas:[1]

Government seal

Shield, derived from the Provincial Seal of Ilocos Norte

Gear, symbolizes the systematic livelihood of the people of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte

Tong and Hammer, represents the blacksmithing and labor

Jar, signifies the pottery industry which dates back to the Spanish time

Hide, denotes tannoing and leather craft

Water, represents the irrigation system that produces two croppings a year

Carabao Head, the common work-animal; friend of the farmer; symbolizes agriculture

Tourism and Business

San Nicolas is a place of historic buildings. Examples are San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Church and San Nicolas Municipal Hall.

Schools

High Schools

Elementary Schools

Health facilities

Sports

Basketball is widely played in the town.Every year,there is a competition in Basketball sponsored by the local government.As the countries' National Game, Sepak Takraw is also played.Volleyball,Baseball,Softball and Badminton is also played mainly in schools.

Sister Cities

References

  1. 1 2 "Official City/Municipal 2013 Election Results". Intramuros, Manila, Philippines: Commission on Elections (COMELEC). 11 September 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  2. ↑ "Province: ILOCOS NORTE". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010" (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 "San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte Profile" (JSP).
  5. ↑ "Climatic Normals of the Philippines (1951-1985) (PAGASA 1987)" (PDF). PAGASSA. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  6. ↑ "Province of Ilocos Norte". Municipality Population Data. LWUA Research Division. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
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