The heart of ILOCANDIA, gateway to the CORDILLERA!
Famous for its sturdy people who are God-fearing, peace-loving, law abiding, civic conscious, principled, trustworthy and proud of its heritage and glorious past...
Historic town founded by Spanish conquistador Captain Juan de Salcedo in 1576…
The town who cradled great leaders of the past...
A peaceful and progressive locality …
Home of the famous & delicious Bagnet of the North …
Explore & be amazed of the Mount Abot & be allured by the beautiful sceneries and mountain ranges. Enjoy the pristine waters of its numerous water falls... Visit the old Catholic Church which rose from the ashes of World War II and the other beautifully built Houses of Worship of other denominations like the Iglesia ni Cristo, Methodists, Adventists, the Church of the Latter Days Saints, and others…
Be captivated by the scenic Narvacan beach – renowned exact replica of French Riviera, shop & enjoy at Narvacan Mall…
Visit Narvacan and feel the warmth & hospitality of the Narvacaneos!
Facts and Figures
Narvacan is one of the largest municipalities of Ilocos Sur in terms of land area and third largest in terms of population. Because of its vast agricultural lands, Narvacan is one of the prime agricultural towns in the province. It produces large supply of rice, tobacco, corn and tomato, which are exported to other parts of the province and the region.
The municipality is also a commercial center for smaller surrounding towns such as Nagbukel, Santa and Sta. Maria in Ilocos Sur and San Quintin and Pidigan in Abra. With the construction of the public market, Narvacan’s commercial role should become more important.
Its other minor existing functional roles are: Tourist center, with the existence of historical sites and tourist spots to include among others, Bantay Abot, Sulvec Beach, Narvacan Shoreline, Old Kiosko, Old Spanish Watch Tower, San Pedro Beach and Narvacan Tourism Lodge.
Narvacan, Ilocos Sur
Barangays
Narvacan is politically subdivided into 34 barangays.
§ Abuor § Ambulogan § Aquib § Banglayan § Bantay Abot § Bulanos § Cadacad § Cagayungan § Camarao § Casilagan § Codoog § Dasay | § Dinalaoan § Estancia § Lanipao § Lungog § Margaay § Marozo § Nanguneg § Orence § Pantoc § Paratong § Parparia | § Quinarayan § Rivadavia § San Antonio § San Jose § San Pablo § San Pedro § Santa Lucia § Sarmingan § Sucoc § Sulvec § Turod |
History
Narvacan was discovered by a Spanish expeditionary force sent from Vigan by the military officer and navigator, Captain Juan de Salcedo. The Spanish expeditionary force was shipwrecked along the town's coast. When they were being rescued by the natives, the Spaniards asked the natives what was the name of their place. The resident's leader replied in an Ilocano dialect by asking the Spaniards "Nalbakan?" (Are you shipwrecked?). The Spaniards thought this to be the answer to their question, and from then on the place was referred to as Narvacan. Salcedo befriended the small tribe of indigenous valley peoples that resided in the area while Spanish families established a township in 1576. As part of the modern township, a Roman Catholic parish was established by the Augustinian religious order on April 25, 1587. The Narvacan parish would become one of the first Roman Catholic parishes in present-day Ilocos Sur. Narvacan was organized under the traditions of the royal government of Spain. The Habsburg royal family served as the heads of state which in turn appointed Santiago de Vera as President of the Royal Audiencia — governor over the region in which Narvacan was situated. In 1589, Governor Vera appointed Nicolas de Figueroa as the first Encomendero de Narvacan — principal administrator of the town and its neighbors in the encomienda system. His role eventually evolved into the office of alcalde —
Economy
Culture and language
Tourism
The Sulvec beach is a popular lounging spot for vacationers and is near the Narvacan Tourism Lounge. Tourists also visit the Sulvec Watchtower, a brick tower that was built by Spaniards to warn the town of pirates coming from offshore.
Education
The Narvacan School of Fisheries, a branch of the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC), has been located in Sulvec since 1964. It is also the base of operations of the Philippine Army’s 503rd Infantry Brigade which oversees the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Units.
Famous Filipinos from Narvacan
§ Pablito Sanidad - Former Vice Governor of Ilocos Sur, Deputy Minister of Labor, National Chairman of the FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE GROUP (FLAG)
§ Ruben C. Sevilleja - President, Central Luzon State University
