city of san fernando la union: an introduction

City of

San Fernando, La Union:

An Introduction

San Fernando, officially the City of San Fernando and often referred to as San Fernando City, is a third-class component city and capital of the province of La Union in the Philippines. According to the 2015 Philippine census, it has a population of 121, 812 people.

City of San Fernando, La Union

The city is bounded by San Juan to the north, Bauang to the south, Bagulin and Naguilian to the east, and the South China Sea to the west. It has a land area of 10,272 hectares . San Fernando is the financial, industrial and political center of the province, as well as the center of Region I in the regions of the Philippines. San Fernando became a city by virtue of Republic Act 8509 signed into law on February 13, 1998 and ratified on March 20, 1998 by a plebiscite

VISION

“Northern Luzon's Center for Health & Wellness by 2020”

MISSION

“We, the City of San Fernando, La Union, with our partners and linkages, deliver inclusive social, health and economic services with utmost professionalism and excellence that will spur the City as the Center of Health and Wellness in Northern Luzon.”

VALUES

Transparency (Sitwasyon nga awan ti ilemlemmeng)

Excellence (Kinalaing ken kinasiglattiamin a panunot, aramid ken sarita)

Accountability (Annungen a matakderam)

History San Fernando was founded on May 6, 1786 and was named after Saint

Ferdinand III of Castile.

It was formerly called “Pindangan”. It was formed in 1759.

It became the cabecera or provincial capital of La Union province in 1850.

In the Second World War, the last battle of San Fernando was fought during the Japanese occupation at Barangay Bacsil.

The town was liberated in 1945.

On February 13, 1998, Republic Act 8509, authored by Victor F. Ortega converted the municipality inton a component city of La Union.

Economy • The City of San Fernando has 211.847 hectares of land earmarked

for industries.

• Types of existing industries include manufacturing/ production of fertilizers, lumber, steel, basket and processing of food.

• In terms of revenue generated since 2010 to 2013. Manufacture of galva steel has the highest revenue generated, followed by production of lumber.

San Fernando is mainly agricultural. But residents treat fishing in coastline and seashore areas as secondary means of livelihood.

Economy

Cultures and Influences

Despite its Western and Hispanic influences, the older Asian aspects of Filipino culture are seen through the strength of filial piety, family and its influences, emphasis on the group before the individual, the concept of maintaining the social harmony, ancient cultural beliefs and mythology, the complexities of local psychology such as “hiya” (or shame and the concept of saving face) and accepted social etiquette.

The city celebrates the feast of its patron saint, Saint William the Hermit, on February 10 with much merrymaking that lasts about a month..

The following events happen annually: Bacsil Ridge Celebration, March 19; Pindangan Festival, March 20; Ma-tzu Festival, September 16.

Festival and Events

1. The Annual Feast of Patron Saint

The city celebrates the feast of its patron saint, Saint William the Hermit, with much merrymaking that lasts for about a month. There are various religious activities being held like National Bible celebration, thanksgiving mass, Parish Pastoral Night and others

Festival and Events

2. Bacsil Ridge Celebration

The celebration aims to commemorate the bravery of the Filipinos during the Battle in Bacsil Ridge in the year 1945 that led to the complete liberation of the town.

Festival and Events

3. Pindangan Festival

Pindangan Festival is 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.

Festival and Events

4. Feast of Our Lady of Caysasay and Ma-tzu Festival

September is the feast of the Lady of Caysasay, patroness of the Filipino-Chinese.

Festival and Events

Tourist Attractions

1. Poro Point Special Economic and Freeport Zone

It is formerly known as the Wallace Air Station. Subsequently, Proclamation No. 216 issued on July 27, 1993, transferred the lands to the BCDA and declared the area as a Special Economic and Freeport Zone.

The zone is home to the San Fernando Airport. Also, the 30-hectare San Fernando international seaport can accommodate all types of vehicles.

Tourist Attractions

2. Thunderbird Resorts It is the only five-star hotel-resort in Northern Luzon, Philippines. It is located at the Poro Point Special Economic and Freeport Zone, San Fernando, La Union.

Tourist Attractions

3. La Union Botanical Garden The Garden is situated on a hilly twenty-hectare land, eight kilometers east form the city proper of San Fernando, La Union, with fully maintained concrete roads. The first of its kind in the Philippines, a scientific garden and the center for laboratory research in Northern Luzon was inaugurated on March 2, 1996.

Tourist Attractions

4. Battle of Bacsil Ridge Marker The Battle of Bacsil Ridge was fought on March 19, 1945 was one of the continued main battles of the Philippines between the Filipino soldiers and the Japanese Imperial forces, which resulted in the capture of San Fernando, La Union on March 23, 1945, after two months of fighting.

Tourist Attractions

5. Pindangan Ruins It is the vestige of the oldest church that was built on May 6, 1786. It is located at Brgy. Parian, City of San Fernando, La Union.

Tourist Attractions

6. Lighthouse It is a concrete tower built to replace the first Poro Point Lighthouse built during the Spanish colonial period. It is 126 feet tall and towers the freeport and investment zone.

Tourist Attractions

7. Seven Hills of San Fernando City The “Seven Hills” offers panoramic view of the city and scenic blue waters.

Tourist Attractions

a. Capitol Hill is the home of the Provincial Capitol located in Barangay II (Poblacion).

Tourist Attractions

b. Heroes Hill and Freedom Park Stairway is located at the eastern portion of Capitol Hill. Here, you may have a look at the nine statues of our National Heroes. You have to complete 153 steps before you embrace the hill, but it is all worth it because of the scenic view of the place.

Tourist Attractions

c. Pagoda Hill is also known as “Filipino-Chinese Friendship Park” or “Chinese Pagoda”. It commemorates the friendship of the Filipinos and Chinese people and commands a panoramic view of the city and the San Fernando City Bay.

Tourist Attractions

d. Bethany Hill is located at Barangay II Poblacion. The hill is the home of Bethany Hospital that was built by Protestant Missionaries in the early 1920s.

Tourist Attractions

e. Mirador Hill is another hill located in Barangay II Poblacion. The hill is the highest point of the city where the capitol water reservoir stands. f. Mariner’s Hill is located at Barangay Catbangen. The hill served as a navigational reference point to guide ships and seafarers sailing the San Fernando City Harbor. g. Miracle Hill is located at Barangay Pagdaraoan. The hill is the the home of the New Miracle Mission Chapel, atop a cliff facing the sea.

Tourist Attractions

8. Christ The Redemeer It is a 25-foot statue of Christ the Redeemer at Reservoir Hill, overlooking the city proper and San Fernando Bay.

Tourist Attractions

9. Moro Watch Tower It is located in Barangay Carlatan, San Fernando City, La Union, Philippines. It stands as a symbol of the bravery and unity of the earlier residents in their fight against the marauding pirates called “Tirong”, who plundered the Ilocos seacoasts more than 400 year ago. The watch tower was turned-over to the City Government on June 29, 2007.

Tourist Attractions

10. La Union Science Centrum and Museum Located in Barangay Cadaclan, San Fernando City, La Union, it is the first-ever interactive hands-on discovery museum in the North. It provides a practical and exciting alternative to formal education through interactive exhibits and its portable Planetarium.

Tourist Attractions

11. The Ma-Cho Temple It is a temple to the Chinese sea-goddess Mazu located on Quezon Avenue in Barangay II, San Fernando, La Union in the Philippines. It was built in 1975 by San Fernando's substantial Chinese community under the leadership of Jose D. Aspiras and DyKehHio.

Tourist Attractions

12. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier The tomb in San Fernando City was built as a recognition to the great courage of the soldiers who fought during the second World War. The marker stands at the junction leading to Poro Point.

Tourist Attractions

13. The Cathedral of St. William the Hermit Also known as the San Fernando Cathedral, is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Fernando de La Union, in the Philippines. The diocese, which comprises the civil province of La Union, was created on January 19, 1970 and canonically erected on April 11, 1970 with Saint William the Hermit as the titular saint.

Tourist Attractions

14. Kasay Marine Sanctuary It is a 30-hectare Marine Protected Area in Barangay Canaoay that features the 50 year-old Giant clam or Tridacnagigas.

Tourist Attractions

15. Poro Point Baywalk A 1.3-kilometer baywalk fronting San Fernando Bay is newest attraction in the City of San Fernando and was opened during the year’s celebration of the Sillag Poro Point Festival of Lights on April 9, 2016. The Poro Point Baywalk features playgrounds, picnic area, gazebos, an amphitheater and a commercial strip.

Tourist Attractions

A. COASTAL AND MARINE RESOURCES

1. Coastal-Eco Tourism Sites

These are the beaches which are dynamic landforms which features are constantly being shaped through forces of wind and water. A 25 meters wide area from the water eastward is currently used and designated as coastal eco-tourism area used for passive viewing and strolling.

Environmental Resources


2. Fish Pens and Cages

The City of San Fernando known to be number one producer of milk fish or “bangus” in the Province of La Union due to its aquaculture or “aquafarming” referred to as “the farming of aquatic organisms” such as bangus, tilapia, oysters, shrimp, seaweed and others and its commercial fishing.

Its other coastal resources include butanding sighting, lobster, mariculture, oyster, pawican nestling site, sea urchin, shellfish and stingray sighting.



3. Trade and Navigation Zone

The trade and navigation zone identified within the coast of San Fernando City is where trading activities are undertaken to include the seaport and its harbor area. Boats and other navigational transportation are parked within the area. Docking services are undertaken in this area. The San Fernando City, La Union Sea Port can accommodate all types of vessels.



4. Salvage/Foreshore Zone

The City San Fernando has a 20 meter-deep salvage zone to address storm surges, tsunami, sea level rise that may occur in the future. This is measured from the center between low tide and high tide along the coast of 14 barangays.

Environmental Context and

Resources


5. Rocky Shore

Some portions of the foreshore/salvage area are rocky shore where solid rock predominates. Rocky shores are biological rich environments, and are useful for natural laboratory for studying intertidal ecology and other biological processes. Particularly, rocky shores are found along coastal Barangay Canaoay.



6. Sea Grass Area

Seagrasses are flowering plants belonging to four plant families, which grow in marine, fully saline environements. These are found in Poro, Pagudpud, Lingsat and San Vicente. Seagrasses like “kulut”, “pokpoklo”, “ar-arosip” and others abound the area.

Environmental Context and

Resources


7. Coral Reef Area

Coral reefs are diverse underwater ecosystems held together by calcium carbonate structure secreted by corals. Coral reefs are built by colonies of tiny animals found in marine waters that contain few nutrients. Coral reefs can be seen located along the coastal barangay of San Agustin, Poro, San Francisco, Canaoay, San Vicente and portion of Pagudpud and Lingsat



8. Marine Fish Sanctuary

A marine sanctuary is an area of ocean set aside for conservation. Marine life including fish and habitat is fully protected. Marine sanctuaries are located in barangay: Canaoay, San Vicente , Pagudpud, Pagdalagan, Lingsat and Poro,


B. FORESTRY

The city had a total of 896 hectares of forestland, classified as Timberland located in Barangay Bacsil, Apaleng, Sibuan-otong, Camansi, and Dalumpinas.

The city has also existing watershed areas that are considered Forest Reserve at Barangays Nagyubuyuban and Sacyud which provide protection to river/stream waters.

The city has also mangrove forest located in the Carlatan Lagoon with an area of 3.1 hectares. The lagoon hosts a diverse species of mangroves These are areas that currently serve as fishing ground, at the same time barrier to flooding and storm surge in said areas.


Thank you!

city of san fernando la union: an introduction

Government & Nonprofit