BACARRA, ILOCOS NORTE

HISTORY OF BACARRA
Establishment
The Bacarra was founded by the Augustinians in 1950. It is the third oldest town
in Ilocos Norte. However, Bacarra officially recognized as a municipality by the
Spanish government.
The ministry of Bacarra was established by the Augustinians on June 26, 1591
under the patronage of San Andres Apostol. In 1951, Bacarra was an encomienda,
which belonged to Captain Castillo and Andres Hermosa.
Origin of its Name
The origin of the towns name is uncertain. However attempts to explain this
matter are embodied in folk accounts, which are commonly known by the people
and are even taught in school to the pupils. The most popular is the following
folktale:
One day, while some inhabitants were catching fish in the river, Spaniards who
were then passing by asked them the name of the place. Because the fisherman
could not understand them they thought they were asking them the name of the
fish they had just caught. So, one of the fishermen answered, Bacbacarra, Senor,
referring to the fish. From that time on, the place had been called Bacarra.

There are also those who theorize that the name of the town was derived from the
term baca (cow). It is said that in the past, there were vast pasture lands in the
locality were thousand of cows grazed.
Other point out that the early inhabitants of the place treasured rice baskets called
bacar. Hence, they believe that the native name of the baskets could be the term
which the name of Bacarra was derived.
Early Settlers
The early settlers of Bacarra were to believed to be the Igorots. They occupied the
bank of the river.
Church Infrastructure
The infrastructure under the Roman Catholic Church were built through the
leadership of different Augustinian priests. The massive church edifice and the
convento were built by Father Felipe Fernandez and later restored by Father
Juan Martin, and the massive 50m high bell tower, by Father Bergier. The
Bacarra Bell Tower, which is now in its advanced stage of dilapidation because
of the effects of strong earthquakes, serves not only as tourist attraction but also
as historical landmark of the painful sacrifices of the ancestors of the
Bacarrenos who rendered forced labor under the Spanish conquerors.

Since 1788 to 1988 or span of a 210 years, Bacarra has been administered by
131 town executives, who were either appointed or elected as
gobernadorcillos, capitanes municipal, presedentes and mayors.
Don Manuel Paras became the first town executives of Bacarra in 1778 while
Don Marcelo Dacuycuy was the last town executive under Spanish colonial
rule. However, he continued as president in 1899 and was replaced by Don
Andres Lazo under American Civil Government. Don Turcuato Ver was the
first mayor under the Commonwealth of the Philippines that was established
in 1935. Meanwhile, Hon. Justo A. Pilar was the last mayor of the
Commonwealth government as well as the first mayor appointed under the
Republic of the Philippines.
Economic Development
The hardworking people of Bacarra are predominantly farmers. They raise a
variety of crops throughout the year, both for subsistence and cash purposes.
Rice which is planted twice a year, is the principal crop on which the people
spend much of their time and attention. Garlic, which often referred to as
white gold, is regarded as the most important cash crop.
Besides rice and garlic the people also produce native tobacco, corn, mongo,
beans, squash and onions.

GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES
Location and Boundaries
Bacarra is situated at the center of the western side of Ilocos Norte. It is about
495 km north of Manila and 7 km north of Laoaog City, the capital of the
province.
It is traversed by the cemented national highway that links the town to Manila
and Cagayan Valley. Hence the people can easily avail themselves of the
services of the different buses plying between Bacarra to Laoag and from
Laoag to the northern towns of the province. Properly maintained feeder
roads and wooden or cemented bridges connect the barangays to the
poblacion or the national highway.
Land Area and Topography
Bacarra occupies a land area of about 6,550.50 hectares. It holds third rank,
after Laoag City and Batac in size urban area. The major portion of its land
area is cultivated and planted with various agricultural crops the whole year
round.

Population
According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 31,648
people
Barangays
The municipality has 43 barangays, 18 of which constitute the poblacion