San Nicolas

Reinforcing media productions through MID

The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) is observing a significant growth in the number of media productions taking place in Ilocos Norte since the establishment of its Media Incentives Desk (MID) last year. Reports in the past few years have shown that interest for on-location shooting in the province More »

PGIN restarts nutrition scholars’ operation, gears to eradicate malnutrition

The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) has relaunched the Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) evaluation in municipalities in the Province. A BNS is a trained volunteer community worker who undergoes training on nutrition program management. The training enables them to acquire knowledge, attitudes and skills needed for them to identify More »

Gov. Marcos grants 3, 873 scholarships for March, in support of MDGs

The Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Office of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) reveals that there are 3, 873 recipients of the scholarship grant from Governor Imee Marcos last March. This comes from the office’s accomplishment report on the sector of education. The project is better known as the Iskolar More »

“La Milagrosa Festival” I. Norte’s pride Provincial fiesta on its 2nd year

LAOAG CITY, I.N, CMO-MID – Ilocos Norte will celebrate La Virgen Milagrosa Provincial Fiesta on May 15-24, in honor of the province’s patron saint, La Virgen Milagrosa de Badoc. The ten-day event will include novena masses participated by province’s various municipalities, a grand procession in the streets of Laoag City More »

I. Norte’s “Himala sa Buhangin” on its second year

Event expected to draw thousands LAOAG CITY, I.N, CMO-MID – Governor Imee Marcos continued efforts to promote the province’s key tourist attractions and vibrant culture is definitely thriving, as we will be witnessing “Himala sa Buhangin” arts and music festival. Spearheaded by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN), in More »

Paoay Kumakaway! teams up with Petron in Lakbay Alalay motorist assistance program

Now on its second year, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte’s (PGIN) tourism campaign Paoay Kumakaway! expands its reach and teams up with Petron in its motorist assistance program known as Lakbay Alalay. Displayed in key Petron stations along North Luzon Express Way (NLEX) southbound lane in Balagtas, Bulacan, northbound lane in Marilao, More »

PGIN dispenses livestock to Laoag City indigent recipients

A total of 54 cattle and 20 swine were awarded to indigent recipients from Laoag City through the Livestock Dispersal Program of the Provincial Veterinary Office last May 3 at the Laoag riverbank. Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos and Laoag City ABC President Chevylle Farinas personally awarded the animals to More »

Marine protection a PGIN priority this summer

Marine mammal conservation is now in the list of PGIN’s top priority efforts, given the occurrences in previous years concerning sea life. Last year’s reports have shown and proven that 12 to 16 meter humpback whales have been visiting the warmer Philippine waters to escape the colder parts of the More »

Summer trade fair promotes Ilocano enterprise

Unique and best-selling Ilocano goods and products are once again showcased in the 6th Summer Trade Fair and Garden Show situated in the Provincial Capitol grounds in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. This year’s opening was graced by Governor Imee Marcos, Senators Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. and Alan Peter Cayetano, Director Jason More »

Indie film featuring I. Norte to screen at Cannes

Governor Imee Marcos feels elated by the inclusion of “Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan” in the premier Cannes Film Festival, which is expected to further showcase the attractions in the province. Screening of said indie film in Cannes is a great opportunity for Europeans and the world, to witness and appreciate More »

PGIN: More health volunteers to further MDGs

In line with its goal of accomplishing its Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte seeks to further increase the deployment of its Barangay Health Workers (BHWs). BHWs are government-supported workers who focus on managing health-related issues on the barangays of their designation. One BHW More »

Energy company conducts job fair, aids PGIN’s Task Force Trabaho

With its aim to “improve the living conditions of its host communities,” the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) launched a summer job fair a day after the groundbreaking of its $300-million wind project in Burgos, Ilocos Norte. In cooperation with the Department of Labor and Employment, the Provincial Government of Ilocos More »

San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte About the Seal

Shield, derived from the Provincial Seal of Ilocos Norte

Gear, symbolizes the systematic livelihood of the people of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte

Tong and Hammer, represents the blacksmithing and labor

Jar, signifies the pottery industry which dates back to the Spanish time

Hide, denotes tannoing and leather craft

Water, represents the irrigation system that produces two croppings a year

Carabao Head, the common work-animal; friend of the farmer; symbolizes agriculture

Brief History

San Nicolas is located on the western portion of Ilocos Norte. West of the town lies a portion of Laoag City and Paoay while on the east, lie Sarrat and a part of Batac. It has a land area of 40.18 square kilometres, with a population of 29,083 in 1995.

The town was established as the first visita of Ilocos Norte in 1584. Originally, it was a visita of Laoag which was known by the name of Caluntian. In 1617, Caluntian was separated from its matrix which is Laoag. This paved the way for the town to become independent parish under the new name San Nicolas, the titular patron.

Like other towns founded by the Spaniard, San Nicolas was not sparerd from paying tribute and rendering polo or forced labor and complying with bandala, the compulsory sale of rice, hemp and other farm products to the government. In 1788, its people participated in the revolts against Spanish authorities which was brought about by the tobacco monopoly. It was one of the most onerous economic systems being implemented during that time. Bloodshed was averted. However, it was only in 1882 that the monopoly was abolished.

When the Americans came, the town did not easily submit to the new colonizers. Ambushes were staged time and again at a bridged in San Lorenzo. Eventually they were defeated. From 1903 to 1909, the town was merged again with Laoag, a measure to economize the administration and supervision of municipalities throughout the country. With the new regime, a free enterprise-oriented economy was established. The American encouraged the development of the already existing industries such as, pottery, blacksmithing and weaving.

In the latter part of December 1941, the Japanese occupied san Nicolas. The people had to evacuate to the rural areas. As a result, the Japanese issued an order for all evacuees to return home or be considered as bandits. The continuing resistance of the guerrillas against the enemies was sufficient enough for the construction of a ten-feet bamboo fence around the perimeter of the poblacion to protect both Japanese and Filipino officials of the Municipal Council.

On July 5, 1945, the town was finally liberated and the Commonwealth was restored. Dominador Madamba became its first Mayor under the Philippine Republic in 1948.

The town still enjoys monopoly of the earthenware industry. The abundance of plastic clay has made it possible for this Spanish legacy of pottery-making to flourish. It is also blessed with fertile agricultural lands that yield harvest of rice, corn, vegetables, fruits and other crops.

Website: www.sannicolasilocosnorte.gov.ph