The Province
Provincial Capitol Bldg, Brgy. 10, J.P. Rizal St. Laoag City
Narimat nga arapaap, intay’ amin maragpat!
(A brighter future, we can all achieve!)
Sapasap a salun-at
(Accessible healthcare for all)
Narimat nga aglawlaw
(A brighter environment)
Agtultuloy nga tulong para mannalon ken mangngalap
(Continuing assistance to farmers and fisherfolks)
Naurnos a transportasion
(Organized transportation)
Adadu a pagpuonan ken naruay a panggedan
(More investments and jobs)
    Long before the coming of the Spaniards, there already existed an extensive region consisting of the present provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra and La Union) renowned for its gold mines. Merchants from Japan and China would often visit the area to trade gold with beads, ceramics and silk. The inhabitants of the region, believed to be of Malay origin, called their place “samtoy”, from “sao mi toy, which literally meant “our language”.
Samtoy
    In 1571, when the Spanish conquistadors had Manila more or less under their control, they began looking for new sites to conquer. Legaspi’s grandson, Juan de Salcedo, volunteered to lead one of these expeditions. Together with 8 armed boats and 45 men, the 22 year old voyager headed north.
    On June 13, 1572, Salcedo and his men landed in Vigan and then proceeded towards Laoag, Currimao and Badoc. As they sailed along the coast, they were surprised to see numerous sheltered coves (“looc”) where the locals lived in harmony. As a result, they named the region “Ylocos” and its people “Ylocanos”.
Ylocos
    As the Christianization of the region grew, so did the landscape of the area. Vast tracks of land were utilized for churches and bell towers in line with the Spanish mission of “bajo las campanas”. In the town plaza, it was not uncommon to see garrisons under the church bells. The colonization process was slowly being carried out.
    The Spanish colonization of the region, however, was never completely successful. Owing to the abusive practices of many Augustinian friars, a number of Ilocanos revolted against their colonizers. Noteworthy of these were the Dingras uprising (1589) and Pedro Almasan revolt (San Nicolas, 1660). In 1762, Diego Silang led a series of battles aimed at freeing the Ilocanos from the Spanish yoke. When he died from an assassin’s bullet, his widow Gabriela continued the cause. Unfortunately, she too was captured and hanged. In 1807, the sugar cane (“basi”) brewers of Piddig rose up in arms to protest the government’s monopoly of the wine industry. In 1898, the church excommunicated Gregorio Aglipay for refusing to cut off ties with the revolutionary forces of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo. Unperturbed, he established the “Iglesia Filipina Independiente”. Aglipay’s movement and the national sentiment it espoused helped restore the self-respect of many Filipinos.
    “The great increase in population from 1715 to 1818 from 18,980 to 282,845 made the administration of the province very difficult. Due to the excessive monopolies and forced labor, there were several uprisings: first by the people of Dingras in 1589; one that was led by Pedro Almazan in 1616; the revolt of Diego Silang in 1762-1763; by Ambaristo in 1788; by Pedro Mateo in 1808 and uprising of Sarrat in 1815. For this reason, the division of the Ilocos into two provinces was recommended by the local authorities. On February 2, 1818, a Spanish Royal Decree was promulgated dividing the Province of Ilocos Norte from Ilocos Sur. Laoag City, which was then the biggest center of population, was made the capital of Ilocos Norte.”
Head: Gov. Matthew J. Marcos Manotoc
2nd Floor Provincial Capitol Building East Wing
+63 (77) 772-1212 loc 131Head: Gov. Matthew J. Marcos Manotoc
+63 (77) 772-1212 loc 133All letters addressed to the governor are received at the Receiving Section, 2nd Floor Capitol Building Inner Lobby. For more information please refer to the citizens charter.
Head: Ms. Lilian Rin
Ground Floor Provincial Capitol Building West Wing
+63 (77) 772-1212 loc 146 and 145Head: Mr. Marcell Tabije
+63 (77) 772-1212 loc 151In case of emergency please call 911
Head: Mx.Ianree B. Raquel
+63 (77) 772- 1212 loc. 156 | +63 (77) 770-4242Head: Gervy James Gumarit
+63 (77) 77-300-9214OIC: Wilfredo B. Lorenzo Jr
+63 (77) 772-1212 loc. 136Head: Josephine D. Calajate
+63 (77) 772-1212 loc. 160 and 161Head: Mercedes R. Ramos
+63 (77) 772-1212 loc. 106 and 107Head: Leah F. Blas
+63 (77) 772-1212 loc. 117Head: Miriam D. Ranchez
+63 (77) 772-1213 loc. 127 and 128Head: Marcel N. Tabije
+63 (77) 772-1211 loc. 119 | +63 963 859 9555Head: Aleth Claire H. Policarpio
+63 (77) 772-1214Head: Atty. Athena Nicolette A. Pilar
+63 (77) 772-1211 loc. 166 | +63 915 586 9422Head: Rochelle C. Gajes
+63 (77) 772-1212 loc. 146 and 145Head: Anne Marie Lizette B. Atuan
+63 (77) 772-1211 loc. 152 | +63 910 664 0305Head: Elma O. Gabriel
+63 (77) 772-1212 loc. 125 | +63 909 766 8715Head: Rona Leigh C. Bueno
+63 (77) 772-1212 loc. 112Head: FE P. Siazon
+63 (77) 772-1211 loc. 110Head: Engr. Pedro S. Agcaoili Jr.
+63 (77) 772-1212 loc. 151Head: Hon. Cecilia A. Marcos
+63 (77) 772-1211 loc. 163 | 670-0485Head: Mildred Nirmla R. Lamoste
+63 (77) 772-1212 loc. 155Head: Atty. Yvette C. Leynes
+63 (77) 772-1212 loc. 111Head: Atty. Erme S. Labayog
+63 (77) 772-1211 loc. 142Head: Engr. Luciano G. Domingo Jr.
772-2964Head: Ma. Teresa L. Bacnat
677-4810Head: Luzviminda L. Ortal
sustainabledevelopmentcenter01@gmail.comHead: Mary Gail N. Killa
ilocosnorteenro@gmail.comHead: Benilda P. Sadian
772-0432Head: Eric J. Coloma
600-0637Head: Dr. Dany P. Daquioag
600-0636Head: Loida M. Valenzuela, DVM
774-5327Head: Dra. Josephine A. Ruedas
300-9227Head: Dr. Roberto Y. Labontog
772-0303Head: Elmer Castillo
assessorsofficeilocosnorte@gmail.comHead: Gervy James N. Gumarit
677-5112Head: Janet Lucia A. London
600-0068Head: Dra. Chona Stella F. Rabang
676-1406 | 600-3323Head: Dr. Roland . Andres
600-3085Head: Dr. Elvin Chester S. Alcoriza
600-3270Head: Ruth Ann R. Corpuz
784-4587Head: Willy Jake B. Sib-At
670-7048
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