Diocese of San Fernando de La Union - Philippines

Diocese of San Fernando de La Union-Philippines

In a land area of 1,493.1 square kilometers, the diocesan territory covers the civil Province of La Union some 235 kilometers northwest of Manila.

La Union is a province of the Philippines located in the Ilocos Region in Luzon. Its capital is San Fernando City and borders Ilocos Sur to the north, Benguet to the east, and Pangasinan to the south, to the west of La Union is the South China Sea.

Population

In the diocesan territory, the population is 735, 886 at the end of 2009. 84% are Catholics. (The population of the whole country is 88.5 million according to the National Statistical Coordination Board 2007)

The three ethnic groups are the Ilokanos, the Pangasinenses and the Igorots.

Like the two Ilocos provinces to its north, La Union is mono-ethnic Ilocano. Being Ilocanos themselves, the inhabitants of this province also possess the sense of frugality and industriousness that is shared by all Ilocanos. The province is comfortably affluent however, as land is well distributed, and tobacco, the major revenue crop, brought in its share of boom and prosperity a few years back.

Language

Ilocano is the common dialect, but residents of the coastal barangay of Sto. Tomas and Rosario also speak Pangasinense while the cultural communities in the towns bordering the Cordillera speak Ibaloi or Kankanaey. English and Filipino remain as basic tools of instruction in schools.

History

Diocese of San Fernando De La Union
(Dioecesis Ferdinandopolitana ab Unione)

Suffragan of Lingayen-Dagupan
Created: Jan. 19, 1970
Erected: April 11, 1970
Comprises the Civil Province of La Union
Titular: St. William the Hermit, Feb. 10

The civil province of La Union which comprises the Diocese of San Fernando was the last territory to be separated from the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia, with whom it intimately shares its history of the faith.

The Diocese of San Fernando was created on Feb. 9, 1970. The late Most Reverend Victorino C. Ligot became its first residential bishop. He was succeeded by the Most Reverend Salvador L. Lazo. The diocese now has a total of 28 parishes in the 19 municipalities of the province which has a total land area of 1,404 square kilometers, and a population of 735, 886 of which almost 84 percent are from the Catholic faith. It is suffragan of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan. Its titular patron is St. William the Hermit whose feast the diocese celebrates on Feb. 10 every year.

La Union is bounded on the north by Ilocos Sur, on the east by the mountains of Benguet, and on the south by Pangasinan. Its name is derived from the union of some southernmost towns of Ilocos Sur with the northernmost towns of Pangasinan to form a new province. Hence its Spanish name La Union. This new province was formed in 1894. Its capital, San Fernando, was then already in existence, having been founded as early as 1734. 

Political

A Philippine province is headed by a Governor. A Provincial Council (Sangguniang Panlalawigan) is composed of a Vice Governor (Presiding Officer) and Provincial Board Members. A Philippine city or municipality is headed by a Mayor. A City Council (Sangguniang Panlungsod) or Municipal Council (Sangguniang Bayan) is composed of a Vice Mayor (Presiding Officer) and City or Municipal Councilors. A barangay is headed by a Barangay Captain, who is also the presiding officer of the barangay council. The Barangay Council is composed of seven (7) Barangay Kagawads. A similar unit called a Youth Council (Sangguniang Kabataan) is headed by an SK Chairperson with a similar rank to a Barangay Captain. The council is composed of SK Members.

La Union is subdivided into 19 municipalities and 1 city with 576 barangays and two Congressional Districts.

• 1st District
  City: San Fernando City
  Municipality: Bacnotan, Balaoan, Bangar, Luna, San Gabriel, San Juan, Santol, and Sudipen
• 2nd District
  City: none
  Municipality: Agoo, Aringay, Bagulin, Bauang, Burgos, Caba, Naguilian, Pugo, Rosario, Santo Tomas and Tubao

Transportation

• Airport
  San Fernando Airport is temporary unavailable.
  
• Seaport
  San Fernando Seaport is an international port of entry. Can accommodate all types of vessels-Cruise Ships, Roll-On, Roll-Off (RORO) Vessel, Motor Tanker, Barges, Cargo Vessels, Motor Tugboat, Passenger Vessel to Batanes Island and Fishing Boats (Motor Banca).
  
• Getting Around La Union
  To get around La Union, one can take Jeepneys and mini-buses with fixed routes at a minimal fare. Tricycles (motorcycles with sidecars) are commonly used in reaching remote areas and suburbs.
  Jeepney
  This is a customized army jeep which was left by the Americans during the Second World War. Resized, remodeled, and shined, this multi-purpose vehicle is can accommodate from 20 to 30 passengers which takes them to other municipalities and cities in La Union. It is also a famous symbol for the Philippines, known for its artistic designs, colors and horn sounds.
  Tricycle
  These local taxis are widely available around the province. For just a minimal cost, you can reach nearby destinations or even hire them further as you please.
  Mini-bus
  If you want to reach a nearby town a little bit faster than the jeepney, then take the mini-bus. Most are not air-conditioned (although there are already some which are) since various cargoes especially market goods and almost all people from all walks of life ride on them.
  Rent-a-van
  If you wish to drive on your own in exploring La Union, there is good list of accredited van or car owners which offer car rental services.

Climate

The province enjoys a long dry season, from April to October, protected as it is from typhoons by the eastern mountain ranges on its eastern border. This long summer accounts for the popularity of its beaches and resorts that line up its western coastline from Bauang to Agoo.

Economy

The annual per capita income (in Philippines Pesos) is 27,638 (USD599 as of July 2010).

Agriculture remains the people's main source of livelihood, with most of the arable lands planted to rice, legumes, leafy vegetables, root crops, fruit trees, corn and tobacco. Other means of existence of the people in the area is fishing especially those living along the coastline/seashore. The produce of these fishers are marketed within the locality and nearly towns and provinces.

Many manufacturing, construction utility (electric, gas and water), transportation and communication, retail and service firms have put up shop in the city. Most of the local businessmen are engaged in the wholesale and retail trade.

The principal products are rice, corn, tobacco, garlic, sugarcane, and cassava. Grapes are also grown extensively in the area. Cottage industries include blanket-weaving, basketry, bamboo-craft, broom-making, shell-craft, pottery, and furniture-making. La Union is also well-known for its "basi", the native wine made from fermented sugarcane juice.

Bamboo basket was one of the major industries in the area. Although production for the past few years declined, the Local Government Unit (LGU) aimed to bring back the industry through the OTOP (One Town One Product) Program. An OTOP Council was created through Executive Order No. 28 - 2005. The OTOP Council is tasked to develop and promote their bamboo basket.

The Poro Point Economic Zone is now completed to provide investors a range of opportunities to set up light industrial, agro-industrial as well as tourism related activities.

Tourism should not also be downplayed given the province's beautiful scenery and beaches excellent for surfing and other sports activities.

Telecommunication

Philippine Long Distance Telecommunications (PLDT) company provide international and national direct dialing capabilities while wireless communications are provided by Globe Telecom and Smart Communications.

There are two TV broadcasting station in the territory, five AM radio stations and five FM stations mostly based in San Fernando City and one in Agoo City.

Topography

La Union is predominantly hilly terrain that gradually rises eastward from the shore. Its irregular coastal plain is narrowest in Damortis, Sto. Tomas and widest in Balaoan. Its highest peak is in Bagulin with an elevation of 1,200 feet above sea level. The province has several rivers which are short and rapid.

La Union Province belongs to the Ilocos Region in the northwestern part of the archipelago, now known as Region I, a region known for its towering mountains, thick forest covers, and narrow plains along its coast. The province is narrow, so narrow at some points that the China Sea, along its western border, often sends sunlit sprays up into its foothills on a clear day

Education

Literacy rate (simple literacy) 95.89 percent

Culture

• Pindangan Festival
  Date: March 20
  The celebration of the Founding Anniversary of San Fernando as a City ratified during a plebiscite on March 20, 1998 subsequent to Republic Act 8509, converting the municipality into a component city of La Union on February 13 that same year.
• Ma-tzu Festival
  Date: September 16
  September is the feast of the Lady of Caysasay, patroness of the Filipino-Chinese, whose image journeys annually from Batangas and is enshrined at the Ma-cho Temple.

• Baggak Festival
  Baggak (morning star) is the annual festival of Bauang, La Union celebrating the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.