City of San Fernando La Union: An Introduction

City of
San Fernando, La Union:
An Introduction

San Fernando, officially the City of San Fernando and often referred to as
San Fernando City, is a third-class component city and capital of the province
of La Union in the Philippines. According to the 2015 Philippine census, it has a
population of 121, 812 people.
City of San Fernando, La Union

The city is bounded by San
Juan to the north, Bauang to
the south, Bagulin and
Naguilian to the east, and
the South China Sea to the
west. It has a land area of
10,272 hectares .
San Fernando is the
financial, industrial and
political center of the
province, as well as the
center of Region I in the
regions of the Philippines.
San Fernando became a city
by virtue of Republic Act
8509 signed into law on
February 13, 1998 and
ratified on March 20, 1998
by a plebiscite

VISION
“Northern Luzon's Center for Health & Wellness by 2020”
MISSION
“We, the City of San Fernando, La Union, with our partners and
linkages, deliver inclusive social, health and economic services with
utmost professionalism and excellence that will spur the City as the
Center of Health and Wellness in Northern Luzon.”
VALUES
 Transparency (Sitwasyon nga awan ti ilemlemmeng)
 Excellence (Kinalaing ken kinasiglattiamin a panunot, aramid ken sarita)
 Accountability (Annungen a matakderam)

History
 San Fernando was founded on May 6, 1786 and was named after Saint
Ferdinand III of Castile.
 It was formerly called “Pindangan”. It was formed in 1759.
 It became the cabecera or provincial capital of La Union province in 1850.
 In the Second World War, the last battle of San Fernando was fought
during the Japanese occupation at Barangay Bacsil.
 The town was liberated in 1945.
 On February 13, 1998, Republic Act 8509, authored by Victor F. Ortega
converted the municipality inton a component city of La Union.

Economy
• The City of San Fernando has 211.847 hectares of land earmarked
for industries.
• Types of existing industries include manufacturing/ production of
fertilizers, lumber, steel, basket and processing of food.
• In terms of revenue generated since 2010 to 2013. Manufacture of
galva steel has the highest revenue generated, followed by
production of lumber.

San Fernando is mainly agricultural. But residents treat fishing
in coastline and seashore areas as secondary means of
livelihood.
Economy

Cultures and Influences
Despite its Western and Hispanic influences, the older Asian
aspects of Filipino culture are seen through the strength of
filial piety, family and its influences, emphasis on the
group before the individual, the concept of maintaining
the social harmony, ancient cultural beliefs and
mythology, the complexities of local psychology such as
“hiya” (or shame and the concept of saving face) and
accepted social etiquette.

The city celebrates the feast of its patron
saint, Saint William the Hermit, on February 10
with much merrymaking that lasts about a
month..
The following events happen annually: Bacsil
Ridge Celebration, March 19; Pindangan
Festival, March 20; Ma-tzu Festival,
September 16.
Festival and Events

1. The Annual Feast of Patron Saint
The city celebrates the feast of its patron saint, Saint
William the Hermit, with much merrymaking that lasts
for about a month. There are various religious
activities being held like National Bible celebration,
thanksgiving mass, Parish Pastoral Night and others
Festival and Events

2. Bacsil Ridge Celebration
The celebration aims to commemorate the bravery of
the Filipinos during the Battle in Bacsil Ridge in the
year 1945 that led to the complete liberation of the
town.
Festival and Events

3. Pindangan Festival
Pindangan Festival is the celebration of the
Founding Anniversary of San Fernando as a City
ratified during a plebiscite on March 20, 1998
subsequent to Republic Act 8509, converting the
municipality into a component city of La Union on
February 13 that same year.
Festival and Events

4. Feast of Our Lady of Caysasay and Ma-tzu Festival
September is the feast of the Lady of Caysasay, patroness
of the Filipino-Chinese.
Festival and Events

1. Poro Point Special Economic and Freeport Zone
It is formerly known as the Wallace Air Station. Subsequently,
Proclamation No. 216 issued on July 27, 1993, transferred the
lands to the BCDA and declared the area as a Special Economic
and Freeport Zone.
The zone is home to the San Fernando Airport. Also, the 30-
hectare San Fernando international seaport can accommodate
all types of vehicles.
Tourist Attractions

2. Thunderbird Resorts
It is the only five-star hotel-resort in Northern Luzon,
Philippines. It is located at the Poro Point Special Economic and
Freeport Zone, San Fernando, La Union.
Tourist Attractions

3. La Union Botanical Garden
The Garden is situated on a hilly twenty-hectare land, eight
kilometers east form the city proper of San Fernando, La
Union, with fully maintained concrete roads. The first of its
kind in the Philippines, a scientific garden and the center for
laboratory research in Northern Luzon was inaugurated on
March 2, 1996.
Tourist Attractions

4. Battle of Bacsil Ridge Marker
The Battle of Bacsil Ridge was fought on March 19, 1945 was
one of the continued main battles of the Philippines between the
Filipino soldiers and the Japanese Imperial forces, which
resulted in the capture of San Fernando, La Union on March 23,
1945, after two months of fighting.
Tourist Attractions

5. Pindangan Ruins
It is the vestige of the oldest church that was built on May 6,
1786. It is located at Brgy. Parian, City of San Fernando, La
Union.
Tourist Attractions

6. Lighthouse
It is a concrete tower built to replace the first Poro Point
Lighthouse built during the Spanish colonial period. It is 126
feet tall and towers the freeport and investment zone.
Tourist Attractions

7. Seven Hills of San Fernando City
The “Seven Hills” offers panoramic view of the city and scenic
blue waters.
Tourist Attractions

a. Capitol Hill is the home of the Provincial Capitol located in
Barangay II (Poblacion).
Tourist Attractions

b. Heroes Hill and Freedom
Park Stairway is located at the
eastern portion of Capitol Hill.
Here, you may have a look at the
nine statues of our National
Heroes. You have to complete 153
steps before you embrace the hill,
but it is all worth it because of the
scenic view of the place.
Tourist Attractions

c. Pagoda Hill is also known
as “Filipino-Chinese Friendship
Park” or “Chinese Pagoda”. It
commemorates the friendship
of the Filipinos and Chinese
people and commands a
panoramic view of the city and
the San Fernando City Bay.
Tourist Attractions

d. Bethany Hill is located at Barangay II Poblacion. The hill
is the home of Bethany Hospital that was built by Protestant
Missionaries in the early 1920s.
Tourist Attractions

e. Mirador Hill is another hill located in Barangay II
Poblacion. The hill is the highest point of the city where the
capitol water reservoir stands.
f. Mariner’s Hill is located at Barangay Catbangen. The hill
served as a navigational reference point to guide ships and
seafarers sailing the San Fernando City Harbor.
g. Miracle Hill is located at Barangay Pagdaraoan. The hill
is the the home of the New Miracle Mission Chapel, atop a
cliff facing the sea.
Tourist Attractions

8. Christ The Redemeer
It is a 25-foot statue of Christ
the Redeemer at Reservoir
Hill, overlooking the city
proper and San Fernando Bay.
Tourist Attractions

9. Moro Watch Tower
It is located in Barangay Carlatan, San Fernando City, La
Union, Philippines. It stands as a symbol of the bravery and
unity of the earlier residents in their fight against the
marauding pirates called “Tirong”, who plundered the Ilocos
seacoasts more than 400 year ago. The watch tower was
turned-over to the City Government on June 29, 2007.
Tourist Attractions

10. La Union Science Centrum and Museum
Located in Barangay Cadaclan, San Fernando City, La Union, it
is the first-ever interactive hands-on discovery museum in the
North. It provides a practical and exciting alternative to formal
education through interactive exhibits and its portable
Planetarium.
Tourist Attractions

11. The Ma-Cho Temple
It is a temple to the Chinese sea-goddess Mazu located on
Quezon Avenue in Barangay II, San Fernando, La Union in the
Philippines. It was built in 1975 by San Fernando's substantial
Chinese community under the leadership of Jose D. Aspiras
and DyKehHio.
Tourist Attractions

12. The Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier
The tomb in San Fernando City
was built as a recognition to the
great courage of the soldiers who
fought during the second World
War. The marker stands at the
junction leading to Poro Point.
Tourist Attractions

13. The Cathedral of St. William the Hermit
Also known as the San Fernando Cathedral, is the seat of the
Roman Catholic Diocese of San Fernando de La Union, in the
Philippines. The diocese, which comprises the civil province of
La Union, was created on January 19, 1970 and canonically
erected on April 11, 1970 with Saint William the Hermit as the
titular saint.
Tourist Attractions

14. Kasay Marine Sanctuary
It is a 30-hectare Marine Protected Area in Barangay Canaoay
that features the 50 year-old Giant clam or Tridacnagigas.
Tourist Attractions

15. Poro Point Baywalk
A 1.3-kilometer baywalk fronting San Fernando Bay is newest
attraction in the City of San Fernando and was opened during
the year’s celebration of the Sillag Poro Point Festival of Lights
on April 9, 2016. The Poro Point Baywalk features playgrounds,
picnic area, gazebos, an amphitheater and a commercial strip.
Tourist Attractions

A. COASTAL AND MARINE RESOURCES
1. Coastal-Eco Tourism Sites
These are the beaches which are dynamic landforms which features
are constantly being shaped through forces of wind and water. A
25 meters wide area from the water eastward is currently used
and designated as coastal eco-tourism area used for passive
viewing and strolling.
Environmental Resources

2. Fish Pens and Cages
The City of San Fernando known to be number one producer of milk
fish or “bangus” in the Province of La Union due to its aquaculture or
“aquafarming” referred to as “the farming of aquatic organisms”
such as bangus, tilapia, oysters, shrimp, seaweed and others and its
commercial fishing.
Its other coastal resources include butanding sighting, lobster,
mariculture, oyster, pawican nestling site, sea urchin, shellfish and
stingray sighting.

3. Trade and Navigation Zone
The trade and navigation zone identified within the coast of San
Fernando City is where trading activities are undertaken to include
the seaport and its harbor area. Boats and other navigational
transportation are parked within the area. Docking services are
undertaken in this area. The San Fernando City, La Union Sea Port
can accommodate all types of vessels.

4. Salvage/Foreshore Zone
The City San Fernando has a 20 meter-deep salvage zone to address
storm surges, tsunami, sea level rise that may occur in the future.
This is measured from the center between low tide and high tide
along the coast of 14 barangays.
Environmental Context and
Resources

5. Rocky Shore
Some portions of the foreshore/salvage area are rocky shore
where solid rock predominates. Rocky shores are biological rich
environments, and are useful for natural laboratory for studying
intertidal ecology and other biological processes. Particularly,
rocky shores are found along coastal Barangay Canaoay.

6. Sea Grass Area
Seagrasses are flowering plants belonging to four plant families,
which grow in marine, fully saline environements. These are found
in Poro, Pagudpud, Lingsat and San Vicente. Seagrasses like
“kulut”, “pokpoklo”, “ar-arosip” and others abound the area.
Environmental Context and
Resources

7. Coral Reef Area
Coral reefs are diverse underwater ecosystems held together
by calcium carbonate structure secreted by corals. Coral reefs
are built by colonies of tiny animals found in marine waters
that contain few nutrients. Coral reefs can be seen located
along the coastal barangay of San Agustin, Poro, San
Francisco, Canaoay, San Vicente and portion of Pagudpud and
Lingsat

8. Marine Fish Sanctuary
A marine sanctuary is an area of ocean set aside for
conservation. Marine life including fish and habitat is fully
protected. Marine sanctuaries are located in barangay:
Canaoay, San Vicente , Pagudpud, Pagdalagan, Lingsat and
Poro,

B. FORESTRY
The city had a total of 896 hectares of forestland, classified
as Timberland located in Barangay Bacsil, Apaleng, Sibuan-
otong, Camansi, and Dalumpinas.
The city has also existing watershed areas that are
considered Forest Reserve at Barangays Nagyubuyuban and
Sacyud which provide protection to river/stream waters.
The city has also mangrove forest located in the Carlatan
Lagoon with an area of 3.1 hectares. The lagoon hosts a
diverse species of mangroves These are areas that currently
serve as fishing ground, at the same time barrier to flooding
and storm surge in said areas.

City of San Fernando La Union: An Introduction

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City of San Fernando La Union: An Introduction