Magsingal

Etymology

The name of the municipality came from the term "Mayisingal," an Ilocano term which means "to be moved." It was applied when the belltower was moved from a previous location to its current site.

Captain Juan de Salcedo had a hand in founding the municipality; but before he reached the current site of the poblacion, he came to a village called Malongon, about half a kilometer to the south. The leader of the village refused Salcedo's request to establish a municipality there. He instead suggested that Salcedo establish the town a half kilometer north of the village, and the belltower be moved to that site, hence the origin of the town's name.

History

Itnegs were the original inhabitants of the place when Salcedo arrived. He attempted to convert the people to Christianity, but not all accepted the new faith. Those who refused conversion fled the town and settled to the east of Bantay Bul-lagaw (Bul-lagaw Mountain).

Geography

The Municipality of Magsingal is bordered by San Juan to the north, Santo Domingo and Bantay to the south, and Abra to the east.

Magsingal is situated 14.12 km from the provincial capital Vigan, and 415.05 km from the country's capital city of Manila.

Barangays

Magsingal is politically subdivided into 30 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

• Alangan
• Bacar
• Barbarit
• Bungro
• Cabaroan
• Cadanglaan
• Caraisan
• Dacutan
• Labut
• Maas-asin
• Macatcatud
• Manzante
• Maratudo
• Miramar
• Namalpalan
• Napo
• Pagsanaan Norte
• Pagsanaan Sur
• Panay Norte
• Panay Sur
• Patong
• Puro (Puro Pinget)
• San Basilio (Poblacion)
• San Clemente (Poblacion)
• San Julian (Poblacion)
• San Lucas (Poblacion)
• San Ramon (Poblacion)
• San Vicente (Poblacion)
• Santa Monica
• Sarsaracat

Climate

Demographics

In the 2024 census, Magsingal had a population of 31,970 people. The population density was {{sigfig|31,970/84.98|2}} PD/km2.

Economy

Government

Local government

Main article: Sangguniang Bayan

Magsingal, belonging to the first congressional district of the province of Ilocos Sur, is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is being held every three years.

In 1945, the first duly elected municipal mayor via landslide vote was Hon. Policarpio Cortez Jurado.

Elected officials

Education

The Masingal Schools District Office governs all private and public educational institutions within the municipality.

Primary and elementary schools

• Alangan Elementary School
• Arinaya Elementary School
• Barbarit Elementary School
• Caraisan Primary School
• Dacutan Primary School
• Maas-asin Elementary School
• Macatcatud Primary School
• Magsingal North Central School
• Magsingal South Central School
• Manzante Elementary School
• Maratudo Elementary School
• Miramar Elementary School
• Namalpalan Elementary School
• Napo Elementary School
• Pagsanaan Elementary School
• Panay Elementary School
• Patong Elementary School
• Puro Elementary School
• Saint William's Institute (Elementary)
• Sarsaracat Elementary School

Secondary schools

• Magsingal National High School
• Manzante National High School
• Puro National High School
• Saint William's Institute
• The Magsingal Institute
• Patong Integrated School
• Metropolitan Institute of Arts and Sciences

References

1. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14tnoUohAu/

References

1. {{DILG detail
2. (September 5, 2023). "2022 Elected Local Officials- Municipality".
3. (2022-06-03). "Ilocos Sur officials take oath".
4. (January 15, 2021). "Masterlist of School".