Balaoan, officially the Municipality of Balaoan, is a 1st class municipality in the province of La Union, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 40,339.

Etymology

The town's name in Ilocano translates to “no bullets” or “bullets no more.” Historically, it has been spelled as either “Balauan” or “Balaoang” in old records. According to one epic tale, early native Ilocanos bravely defended their territory, shouting “bala” (meaning “bullets”) and “aoan” (meaning “no more”) as they resorted to using only their bolos and bare hands, facing the challenge of running low on ammunition while fending off intruders armed with superior weaponry. Another, lighter version of the story involves the local inhabitants teasing patrolling Spanish soldiers by asking if their guns had bullets with the phrase “Aoan Bala?” This phrase eventually morphed into “Bala-oan,” which also translates to “no bullets?” or “bullets no more.” As this new term caught on among the locals, the town became known as the place where the Spanish guns had “no bullets” or “bullets no more.”

History

According to William Scott, "Balaoan itself was an emporium for the exchange of Igorot gold." Balaoan, formerly "Puraw" (meaning "white') was originally part of Ilocos Sur. The town's present name originated during the Spanish colonial era. A group of Spanish soldiers were on patrol and went on to rest on a sitio. The villagers were curious about the soldiers because of their unusual descent and fair skin color (others have olive skin, which is still lighter than the skin tone of villagers). They flocked the soldiers touching their guns, too afraid that the guns might explode accidentally, one villager asked the soldier in a local vernacular.. "Aoan bala?" ("Awan bala?" in modern spelling, meaning "No bullets?"). The soldier did not understand what the villager meant, he uttered the last word first, and remembering the last, he said "Bala-aoan", which is pronounced on its modern town name "Balaoan". During the Spanish colonization of the Philippines, a secret society of insurrectos was organized in the municipality. Its purpose was to fight and revolt against the Spanish Government in the area. On the eve of the revolution, a traitor told the Spanish of their plan. The Spanish soldiers, without any investigation, arrested seven members of the secret society and executed them the same night. Only one, Fernando Ostrea, escaped with leg wounds. He informed the people about what had happened. In memory of the seven Martyrs, a masonic lodge, Siete Martires Lodge No. 177, was organized. Balaoan is one of the oldest municipalities in La Union, having been founded in 1704. Its first Capitan is Ignacio Duldulao.

Geography

Balaoan is situated north of Bacnotan, south of Bangar, east of Luna and west of Santol. Located 30 km north of San Fernando City, the provincial capital of La Union and the regional capital of Region I. Balaoan is 299 km north of Metro Manila. Barangay Paraoir is Balaoan's pristine coastal community on the South China Sea. Balaoan can be reached from Manila using the MacArthur Highway, or by airplane via Canaoay Airport in San Fernando City. Its land area of 6870 ha consists mostly of agricultural lands. It occupies 4.3% of the total area of the province.

Barangays

Balaoan is politically subdivided into 36 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Climate

Demographics

In the 2020 census, the population of Balaoan was 40,339 people, with a density of undefined PD/km2. The dominant language spoken in Balaoan is Ilocano.

Economy

Festivities

The church of Balaoan is under the advocacy of the town's patron saint, St. Nicholas of Tolentino, whose feast day is celebrated on September. Balaoan's town fiesta is celebrated every December 21 to 23 of the year.

Government

Local government

Balaoan, belonging to the first congressional district of the province of La Union, is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is being held every three years.

Elected officials

Education

Elementary Schools

High Schools

Notable personalities

Gallery