Paracale, officially the Municipality of Paracale, is a third-class municipality in the province of Camarines Norte, Bicol region, Island of Luzon Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 60,198 people. Paracle’s economy is driven by agriculture and small scale, often informal gold mining and gold ore processing. Rice, corn, coconut and root crops and vegetables are the major agricultural products. Being a coastal community with a number of historical sites and providing boat access to Calaguas Group of Islands it also has some claim as a tourist destination.

History

Paracale was an active fishing and small scale mining community prior to the Spanish colonial period. In 1572, attracted by news of gold deposits, Juan de Salcedo petitioned to search for mines in the Bicol region. Arriving by boat from the North, Salcedo’s expedition found mining operations at Paracale, but was forced to retreat due to sickness and lack of provisions. A more permanent settlement and mission post was established by Franciscan friars in 1581. It was established as a town in 1611. However, the mission was abandoned in 1634, reestablished by the Franciscans in 1638, but was abandoned again in 1662. In 1687, the Franciscan missionaries returned to their mission. In 1863, Paracale was then formally established as a town. Seventeen years later, the Franciscans returned to Paracale to reestablish church administration.

Gold mining

The town's name was derived from para cale, meaning “canal digger.” Small scale mining in Camarines Norte pre dates the Spanish colonial period, but the region came to prominence in 1626 when a sizable gold deposit was identified close to the current location of Paracale town. Spaniards employed local labour to extract gold-bearing gravel from adjacent rivers and streams, although mining operations were described as intermittent, small in scale and rarely profitable due to frequent flooding, in 1688 it was recorded that miners in Paracale were paid three reals per week plus food for extraction of gold ore. During the period of American colonial rule dredges were used to mine primary lode deposits. Artisanal mining for gold still persists in many locations adjacent to the town. An ILO report published in 2017 estimated that about half the population of the town were engaged in small scale mining activities either as a financier, mine worker, processor or independent gold panner. Compressor mining, a hazardous informal mining method where ore is extracted by divers in flooded, narrow shafts while breathing through an air tube connected to makeshift compressor, was banned in the Philippines in 2012. Nonetheless Parcale attracted significant attention in November 2013 when a collapse of informal mining operations on the beach led to the deaths of a number of compressor mining divers. In 2021, the Philippine National Police sought the closure of all illegal mining activities in Camarines Norte as the components of improvised explosive devices used by NPA terrorists were established as coming from illegal mining sites in the area.

Presence of uranium

According to the December 1976 study of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) there is the presence of uranium at Larap Mine in Paracale though it suggests that the Philippine geology is not likely to be favourable for a commercially viable volume of uranium.

Barangays

Paracale is politically subdivided into 27 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Demographics

In the 2020 census, the population of Paracale, Camarines Norte, was 60,198 people, with a density of undefined PD/km2.

Climate

Economy

Infrastructure

Media

Paracale and its surrounding area is being served by a local community radio, Radyo Natin 102.5

Churches

Government

Municipal officials:

Education

Public Elementary Schools

• Paracale Central School hernando lucy principal 3 • Tugos Elementary School arnel escalante principal 1 • Alfonso Dasco Elementary School - Antonio R. Naing Jr. - Principal I • Batobalani Elementary School • Macolabo Elementary School • Capacuan Elementary School • Dalnac Elementary School • Gumaus Elementary School • Calaburnay Elementary School • Tawig Elementary School • Pedro V. Moreno Elementary School • Bagumbayan Elementary School • Pinagbirayan Elementary School • Labnig Elementary School • M Era Elementary School • Dagang Elementary School Antonio R. Naing Jr - Principal I • Santa Catalina Elementary School • S. Basilio Elementary school • Awitan Elementary School • Igang Elementary School • Mampungo Elementary School • Dancalan Elementary School • Palanas Elementary School

Public Secondary Schools