Paoay

History

In 1701, Paoay was established as a municipality by virtue of a Royal Decree that also designated Don Martin Guiang as its founding head. He served in this capacity as Kapitan Bosar from 1701 to 1704.

Geography

The Municipality of Paoay is home to the Paoay Church, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Paoay is situated 19.810 km from the provincial capital Laoag, and 466.19 km from the country's capital city of Manila.

Barangays

Paoay is politically subdivided into 31 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

• Bacsil
• Cabagoan
• Cabangaran
• Callaguip
• Cayubog
• Dolores
• Laoa
• Masintoc
• Monte
• Mumulaan
• Nagbacalan
• Nalasin
• Nanguyudan
• Oaig-Upay-Abulao
• Pambaran
• Pannaratan (Poblacion)
• Paratong
• Pasil
• Salbang (Poblacion)
• San Agustin
• San Blas (Poblacion)
• San Juan
• San Pedro
• San Roque (Poblacion)
• Sangladan Poblacion (Nalbuan)
• Santa Rita (Poblacion)
• Sideg
• Suba
• Sungadan
• Surgui
• Veronica

Climate

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Demographics

In the 2024 census, the population of Paoay was 24,204 people, with a density of {{sigfig|24,204/76.24|2}} PD/km2.

Economy

Government

Local government

Main article: Sangguniang Bayan

Paoay, belonging to the second congressional district of the province of Ilocos Norte, 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.

Elected officials

Tourism

Paoay Lake

Main article: Paoay Lake

Another prominent feature of the municipality is Paoay Lake. Legend has it that it was the site of a prosperous barangay, called San Juan de Sahagún (Saint John of Sahagún), that sank following a massive earthquake.

On the shores of the lake lies a mansion once used by the Marcoses. Called Malacañang of the North, it is now a museum that is open to the public. Adjacent to the mansion is the Paoay Golf Course.

Education

The Paoay Schools District Office governs all public and private schools within the municipality.

Primary and elementary schools

• Bacsil Elementary School
• Evangelista Elementary School
• Monte Elementary School
• Mumulaan Elementary School
• Nagbacalan Elementary School
• Nagbacalan West Elementary School
• Nalasin Elementary School
• Nanguyudan Elementary School
• Paoay Central Elementary School
• Paoay East Central Elementary School
• Paoay Faith Academy
• Pasil Elementary School
• Salbang Elementary School
• Sideg Elementary School
• Suba Elementary School

Secondary schools

• Paoay Lake National High School
• Paoay National High School
• Paoay North Institute
• Malaguip Integrated School

Gallery

File:Paseo de Paoay, Ilocos Norte, Apr 2025.jpg|Paseo de Paoay File:View from the Paoay Church.jpg|View of Poblacion Area File:Paoay Church VIII.jpg|Buttress of the Paoay Church File:On the Sidelines.JPG|Details on the side of a door of the church

Notable personalities

• Conchita Carpio-Morales, a Filipino judge
• Mans Carpio, a Filipino lawyer

References

References

1. {{DILG detail
2. "PAOAY".
3. "2022 National and Local Elections".
4. Hargrove, Thomas R. (1991). "The Mysteries of Taal: A Philippine volcano and lake, her sea life and lost towns", p.135. Bookmark, Manila. {{ISBN. 971-569-046-7.
5. (January 15, 2021). "Masterlist of Schools".