2. People and culture
Ninety-three percent of the population is Ilocano and is
overwhelmingly Roman Catholic. There are communities
of Pangasinense in the south, Igorots in the Cordillera foothills,
and Chinese in the city.

3. La Union is highly literate[citation needed], with San Fernando City as
the administrative, educational, and financial center of the region.
he economy is diversified with service, manufacturing, and
agricultural industries spread throughout the province. The Port of
San Fernando operates as an increasingly active shipping point,
and the former American airbase Wallace Air Station, having
been converted into a business and industrial area, helps to
facilitate such commercial activity.
Tourism to the province is driven by airlines andpassenger
coach bus lines like regionally ownedFarinas Transit
Company, Viron Transit, Dominion Bus Lines and Partas.
Tourists often flock to the beaches of Bauang, or to the more
secluded ones further north for snorkeling, surfing or other water
sports; the more northerly beaches near San Juan specifically
cater to both local surfers as well as portions of the world surfing
circuit.
Public transport in the Philippines is plentiful and easy to get
associated with
ranging from the plague like tricycle fraternity,
to the Air-Con Bus System, but my favorite by far is the ever "reliable"

4. Jeepney fleet.
A place to get involved
with the everyday living
of the
local lifestyle at a
bargain price.
Jeepneys are the heart
and soul of the transport
system here and with a
little knowledge
you can go a long way.
From San Fernando in
and around the Super
Market area,
in the middle of town is
the initial boarding
point for most local
destinations.
Jeepneys cue on designated street corners waiting
for passengers till they have there fill, then when full,
and by act of "God" they manage to squeeze at least 2
more passengers in before heading to your favorite
beach or refreshment station. Payment is simple and is
past down the line to a highly skilled driver, who with
one hand on the wheel and one hand blindly searching
for fares behind his head, he manages to complete
money changes, calculate what's in the till, wave to
his mates and deliver you safely to your port of call.
Fares are now displayed in most jeepneys and from

5. the Sebay resort to town the cost is approx 7 peso
Tricycles
are the mosquito
fleet of the transport
system and an
integral part of
daily life. Fares
range from as low
as 10 peso for a
short ride around
town or about 50
peso from the
market back to the
surf camp, fares
should be
negotiated before
departure to avoid
the possibility of
paying "foreigner
tax" if you now
what l mean. Most
riders are courteous
and helpful and will
slow down if asked
politely, they can
also be hired on a
hourly or daily rate,
but shop around to

6. see what you can
bargain for.
Buses
Buses are also plentiful in the Philippines with many
independent operators going to every part of Luzon, from
Manila you can catch an aircon bus to San Fernando make sure
its La Union province as there is another
San Fernando north of Manila. Fairs are cheap and cost only
about 300 peso for the 6-8 hour ride, or alternately" Fly the Bus"
leaves from the Swagman Hotel every morning to Angeles and
there from the Dau terminal you can catch a bus heading north
to Vigan or Laoag both pass through San Fernando. Buses can
be hailed like jeepney's from anywhere and will stop anywhere
to drop you off. Just a word of warning beware of guys wanting
to carry your baggage at terminals as they expect a tip and have
many tricks to relieve you of your money, usually the conductor
will collect fares after you leave.
Buses have designated pit stops along the way so you can
powder you nose or get something to eat every couple of hours.
Air con buses can be quite cold and a light jacket may be of
some use. Surf boards are ok as they will take any luggage they
can fit on board. Just let the conductor know that you want to

7. get off at the Sebay resort it is very well known and is right next
door to the Surf camp and other accommodation places.
How to get here
Public Bus Services.
Philippine Rabbit have terminals in San Fernando (La
Union) and start off from Manila via Dau. Also Dominion
and Partas run from Manila with stops once at Dau and
San Fernando - they will drop you off at your resort. Costs
are inexpensive a couple of hundred peso or so at most.
But, the journey is long and many are over crowded and
no Air Con - Partas has a new fleet of European styled
buses.
Be a little warned though, even though many have AC and
even some with Movies the trip can be very long and
arduous as they stop frequently for pick ups and drop offs.
At which point be very sure and hand luggage you have is
safe and secure. From Dau expect the trip to take 5-6
hours to Bauang and San Fernando. Philippine Rabbit's
stop off points are poor and CR facilities dirty. If going by
bus, we advise Partas.
Fly the Bus.
By far the better option than ordinary public bus services.
Swagman Fly the Bus runs to La Union (Bauang) and
Baguio City 3 times a week. Departing Angeles and
stopping at hotels along Bauang and Baguio City. Cost is
P500 to Bauang, (P900 rtn) and P600 to Baguio City.

8. (P1000 rtn. The Fly the bus service are often a van to
Subic and La Union/Baguio. Vans are supposed to seat 12.
But, some seating (fold down) is very uncomfortable for
long trips. No smoking is allowed. With pick ups and drop
off's at hotels at all locations, and usually one stop for
comfort rooms, travel time should take around 5 hours
from Angeles.
Private Car Hire.
Not the most inexpensive way to travel but, by far the
most comfortable and probably the most secure. There are
many private hire firms in and around Angeles for
example, that can provide you with a car or van with
driver to take you there. Beeline Travel can do both La
Union (Bauang) Baguio City and beyond by both car and
private van.
In addition if on a short vacation (mini break) and you
want to go sightseeing and cover both the beach resorts
and Baguio City for a small additional fee to cover food
and accommodation a special daily rate can be arranged.
A car cost P3200 withBeeline to Bauang or Baguio City.
A Van costs P3800. You set the time of departure. You
can stop off along the way and buy something from the
many side stalls. And you can smoke. A van is ideal if
there are 4 in your group or more. Beeline do not
recommend having more than 8 in these 12 seater vans for
comfort purposes.
From Manila allow 6-7 hours to travel to Bauang or

9. Baguio City. From Angeles approximately 4 hours.
Allowing for good traffic conditions and minimum
amount of stops. Travel distance is approximately
190klms.
The City of San Fernando is situated in the mountainous area at
the middle province of La Union. It was founded in 1786 and
made the "cabecera" (capital) on the same day that La Union
became province in 1850.
During the Spanish period, a settlement was a place where there
were about 200 families. Around this area, there were two

10. settlements, San Vicente de Balanac and San Guillermo de
Dalangdang, San Vicente de Balanac is located in the coast and
sea pirates would visit and plunder the settlement. San Guillermo
de Dalangdang, was located at the foothills of the Cordillera
mountains and the community were in constant threat from
various native headhunting groups.
In 1759, an Augustinian priest, Friar José Torres, convinced the
two settlements to come together to a place not so near the sea
and not so near the mountains so they will not be plagued by their
annual problems. They chose the area called Pindangan,
meaning, a place where they dry fish and in this place, they built
in a church with San Guillermo the Hermit as the patron saint. In
1765, the newly assigned priest, however, suggested to the
inhabitants that they change the name of Pindangan to San
Fernando, after the Catholic King of Spain, retaining San
Guillermo as their patron saint. The name of the parish priest was
Friar Fernando Rey. This was also the period of Diego Silang.
An earthquake destroyed the church at Pindangan and renamed
San Fernando, the priest decided not to rebuild in the same place
because during the rainy season, the church was transferred until
it found its present place, and it is now called the Cathedral of
Saint William the Hermit, of the Diocese of San Fernando, La
Union.
On May 1786, the Ministerio de San Fernando was established.
However, due to lack of priests during the period of 1792 to 1831,
San Fernando became a "visita" (visit) of Bauang and San Juan.
In 1831, Friar Juan Sorolla, the parish priest of Bauang in 1829,
was assigned in San Fernando. According to Philippine historical

11. records, the construction of the church started in 1817 by Friar
Simon Torrado with Friar Sorolla as its first town priest.
During the Philippine Revolution in 1896, the Spanish garrison in
San Fernando were attacked by Filipino insurgents under the
leadership of Manuel Tinio and Mauro Ortíz.
After the Spanish-American War, San Fernando experienced
naval bombardment of American soldiers during the Philippine-
American War, as well as actual fighting on land when Gregorio
del Pilarcommanded the rearguard of Emilio Aguinaldo to cover
the latter’s retreat. Aguinaldo and his soldiers were captured by
United States troops.
In 1941, San Fernando was invaded by Japanese planes. The
rebel army of the 21st Infantry became active and engaged in
battle with the Japanese Army. The province were liberated by
the United States and Philippine Commonwealth army in 1945.
[edit]Present-day
On May 14, 1996, the Sangguniang Bayan of San Fernando
passed Resolution No. 20 requesting the House of
Representatives, Congress of the Philippines for the conversion
of the Municipality of San Fernando into a Component City. That
time, the municipality of San Fernando had satisfactorily met the
basic requirements for its conversion into Cityhood pursuant to
the provisions of the Local Government Code 1991. In a
certification issued by the Bureau of Local Government Finance,
the average annual income of San Fernando for calendar years
1994, and 1995 based on 1991 constant prices was P
44,351,821.66. Further, in a certification by the Land
Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and

12. Natural Resources, the land area of San Fernando is 10,526
hectares, well above the minimum requirement of 10,000
hectares. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of La Union, after a
comprehensive study and judicious evaluation of the petition of
the Sangguniang Bayan of San Fernando, adopted Resolution
No. 425-96 endorsing its cityhood bid to the House of
Representatives, Congress of the Philippines.
Upon the sponsorship of the Congressman Victor F. Ortega (1st
District- La Union) at the House of Representatives, House Bill
7594 (Act Converting the Municipality of San Fernando, La Union
into a Component City to be known as City of San Fernando) was
approved.
The petition was approved at the Upper House through the
sponsorship of Senators Vicente Sotto III andJuan Flavier. On
February 13, 1998, Republic Act 8509 was signed into law by
President Fidel V. Ramosand finally on March 20, 1998, the
residents of San Fernando manifested their approvement in the
Plebiscite that ratified the fulfillment of the dream for San
Fernando to become a city.
Located about 8 kilometers from the main city, on a forest
mountain is nestled the La Union Botanical Garden. The 20
hectare garden located at Cadaclan is a display of varied species
of living plants and a sanctuary of varieties of wild animals and
nature.
The City of San Fernando is now the seat of national government
agencies in Region I and center of trade, commerce, financial and
educational institutions and among others. It is a high class
province and exhibited a seaport responsive to international

13. shipping, an airport with viable capacity to accommodate
international flights, natural terrain conducive to tourism
development. The City of San Fernando has emerged as a
wealthy Metropolis of the Northern Philippines. In 2010 the police
of San Fernando demonstrated the ability to use computer
technology when they apprehended suspected serial killer Mark
Dizon.[2]
[edit]San Fernando chief executives
1895-1898 - Blas Tadiar
1899-1901 - Paulino Alviar
1901-1903 - Gaspar Flores
1904-1905 - Edilberto Aquino
1906-1907 - Francisco Z. Flores
1908-1909 - Urbano Martínez
1910-1911 - José Hidalgo
1912-1914 - Anastacio Casuga
1915-1918 - Juan Salanga
1919-1921 - Ulpiano Flores
1922-1928 - Pedro R. Flores
1928 - Francisco Galvez
1928-1930 - Evaristo Galvez
1931-1933 - Angel Salanga
1934-1936 - Lauro Casuga

14. 1936-1939 - Paulino Flores
1942-1944 - Juan Salanga
1945-1946 - Modesto Aquino
1946-1955 - Lorenzo L. Dacanay
1956-1959 - Godofredo G. Rilloraza
1960-1971 - Lorenzo L. Dacanay
1972-1980 - Antonio Feraren
1980 - Joaquin T. Ortega
1980-1987 - Justo O. Orros Jr.
1987 - Rufo T. Colisao
1987-1988 - Angel Salanga
1988-1998 - Manuel C. Ortega
1998-2007 - Mary Jane C. Ortega
2007–present - Pablo C. Ortega
Barangays
The San Fernando City is divided into 59 barangays.
Abut Carlatan Pagudpud
Apaleng Catbangen Pao Norte
Bacsil Dallangayan Este Pao Sur

15. Bangbangolan Dallangayan Oeste Parian
Bangcusay Dalumpinas Este Pias
Barangay I (Pob.) Dalumpinas Oeste Poro
Barangay II (Pob.) Ilocanos Norte Puspus
Barangay III (Pob.) Ilocanos Sur Sacyud
Barangay IV (Pob.) Langcuas Sagayad
Baraoas Lingsat San Agustin
Bato Madayegdeg San Francisco
Biday Mameltac San Vicente
Birunget Masicong Santiago Norte
Bungro Nagyubuyuban Santiago Sur
Cabaroan (Negro) Namtutan Saoay
Cabarsican Narra Este Sevilla
Cadaclan Narra Oeste Siboan-Otong
Calabugao Pacpaco Tanqui
Camansi Pagdalagan Tanquigan
Canaoay Pagdaraoan
[edit]City Charter
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8509
An Act converting the Municipality of San Fernando, La Union,
into a Component City to be known as the City of San Fernando.

16. February 13, 1998 – Signed by His Excellency President Fidel V.
Ramos
March 20, 1998 – Plebiscite Ratifying the Conversion of the
Municipality into a City
Republic Act No. 8509 originated in the House of Representatives
as House Bill No. 75 94 sponsored by Cong. Victor F. Ortega of
the First District of La Union
[edit]Awards and recognition
[edit]2011
Urban Partnership for Sustainable Upliftment, Renewal,
Governance & Empowerment
Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation, Inc.
Best LGU City in Region I
2nd Runner Up, LGPMS 2009
Regional Level
[edit]2010
2010 Best FITS Center, Region I
Best Zero Waste Management Project
Implementer on Zero-Basura
Outstanding Performance, Quality of Life Category
Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking Project 2009
Performance

17. Outstanding Performance, The Entrepreneurs’ Award for Most
Honest and Transparent in its Dealings
Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking Project 2009
Performance
Outstanding Performance, The Entrepreneurs’ Award for Most
Supportive to MSMEs
Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking Project 2009
Performance
Special Award, For Best in Documentation
Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking Project 2009
Performance
[edit]2009
Building Environmentally Sustainable Transport
Tricycle Sector Management Project
Most Functional Community Learning Center
[edit]2008
Most Business Friendly City in the Philippines
AIM One of the Most Competitive Small City in the Philippines
[edit]2007
PASADA Award
[edit]2006
AIM No. 1 Most Competitive City Small Cities Category

18. ISA – Dream City Award
DA Huwarang Palengke Award
Best Comfort Room of Wet Market
1st Runner-up Child-Friendly Award Regional Level
Clean & Green City Regional Finalist
Best Hybrid Rice Program - Regional
[edit]2005
Institute of Solidarity in Asia - Fellowship Award
TB DOTS (National)
Literacy Award(3rd Place National )
Rafael Salas Award (population)
Green Banner – Nutrition(Regional)
Child-Friendly Cities (Regional Winner)
[edit]2004
Most Outstanding City Mayor for Social Services(National)
Asin Law Best Implementor (National)
Most Competitive Small City
AIM Pinoy Cities on the Rise (2nd Most Competitive City National
Level)
3rd Place Literacy Awards (National)
Child-Friendly Cities (National Finalist)

19. Green Banner –Nutrition (1st Place Regional)
[edit]2003
Konrad Adenauer Medal of Excellence (KAME)
Special Recognion and Meritorious Award
Stiftung & LOGODEF
1st Runner Up Most Competitive Small City – Pinoy Cities on the
Rise (AIM)
2nd Place National Rafael Salas Population and Development
and Improvement Award
Cleanest & Greenest City (2nd Runner Up National)
National Literacy Award (4th Place Outstanding LGU Category)
Kristal Award “ASIN LAW”
(Dept. of Health Center for Health Development – Ilocos)
Child-Friendly Cities
(Regional Winner)
(National Finalist)
[edit]2002
3rd Most Competitive Small Sized City of San Fernando
Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking
[edit]2000
Recognition of Excellence

20. Special Recognition of Partnership with World Bank
Under the City Development Strategy
HABITAT Scroll of Honor
Child Friendly City of Region I