San Juan, Ilocos Sur

Etymology

The town was named in honor of its patron, St. John the Baptist.

History

The town was established in 1772 as Lapog. Over the years, the name of the municipality went through a series of changes. The early settlers and occupants called it "Lapo", short for "Lapo-Lapo", a tall grass which grew everywhere in the area. In 1772, Don Tomas Aquino, the first local leader, initiated the organization of the scattered communities into one, calling the place "Lapog", a derivative of local vernacular "Lap-Lapog" which means unirrigated land.

It was stricken by all sorts of plagues and epidemics (like the smallpox epidemics of 1808 and 1918–19, locust infestation in 1903, and destruction of ricefields by worms called "arabas" in 1905). Bessang Pass, just south of the poblacion, was constructed in 1874. Americans destroyed their town hall in 1903. But despite these misfortunes, San Juan progressed into a prosperous community.

For 189 years, "Lapog" remained in the records as the official name of the town until June 18, 1961, when Republic Act No. 3386 was enacted to rename the town, "San Juan". Since most of the inhabitants were of the belief that religious names bring peace, happiness, and prosperity, the town was renamed "San Juan", after the name of its patron saint, Saint John the Baptist.

Geography

The Municipality of San Juan is bordered by Cabugao to the north, Magsingal to the south, the provinces of Ilocos Norte and Abra to the east.

San Juan is situated 21.42 km from the provincial capital Vigan, and 422.35 km from the country's capital city of Manila.

Barangays

San Juan is politically subdivided into 32 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

• Asilang
• Bacsil
• Baliw
• Bannuar (Poblacion)
• Barbar
• Cabanglotan
• Cacandongan
• Camanggaan
• Camindoroan
• Caronoan
• Darao
• Dardarat
• Guimod Norte
• Guimod Sur
• Immayos Norte
• Immayos Sur
• Labnig
• Lapting
• Lira (Poblacion)
• Malamin
• Muraya
• Nagsabaran
• Nagsupotan
• Pandayan (Poblacion)
• Refaro
• Resurreccion (Poblacion)
• Sabangan
• San Isidro
• Saoang
• Solotsolot
• Sunggiam
• Surngit

Climate

Demographics

In the 2024 census, San Juan had a population of 26,709 people. The population density was {{sigfig|26,709/64.37|2}} PD/km2.

Economy

Government

Local government

Main article: Sangguniang Bayan

San Juan, 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.

Elected officials

Education

The San Juan Schools District Office governs all educational institution within the municipality.

Primary and elementary schools

• Asilang Primary School
• Bacsil Community School
• Barbar Elementary School
• Camanggaan Elementary School
• Camindoroan Community School
• Caronoan Elementary School
• Darao Elementary School
• Dardarat Elementary School
• Don F. Quilala Memorial Elementary School
• Labnig Elementary School
• Malamin Integrated School
• Muraya Primary School
• Nagsabaran Elementary School
• Nagsuputan Elementary School
• Refaro Elementary School
• Sabangan Elementary School
• San Isidro Elementary School
• San Juan North Central School
• San Juan South Central School
• Saoang Elementary School
• Singson Verzosa Elementary School
• Solotsolot Elementary School
• Sunggiam Elementary School

Secondary schools

• Nagsuputan National High School
• San Juan Institute, Ilocos Sur
• San Juan National High School
• Solotsolot National High School
• Malamin Integrated School

References

References

1. {{DILG detail
2. "2019 National and Local Elections".
3. (January 15, 2021). "Masterlist of Schools".