Luna, La Union

Luna
Municipality

Luna town center overlooking the Santa Catalina de Alejandria Church

Seal
Nickname(s): The Pebble Capital of the North

Map of La Union showing the location of Luna
Luna

Location within the Philippines

Coordinates: 16°51′14″N 120°22′52″E / 16.85389°N 120.38111°E / 16.85389; 120.38111Coordinates: 16°51′14″N 120°22′52″E / 16.85389°N 120.38111°E / 16.85389; 120.38111
Country  Philippines
Region Ilocos (Region I)
Province La Union
District 1st District
Barangays 40
Government[1]
 • Mayor Victor Marvin U. Marron
Area[2]
 • Total 42.90 km2 (16.56 sq mi)
Population (2010)[3]
 • Total 35,380
 • Density 820/km2 (2,100/sq mi)
Time zone PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code 2518
Dialing code 72
Income class 3rd class[4]

Luna is a third class municipality in the province of La Union, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 35,380 people.[3]

Barangays

Luna is politically subdivided into 40 barangays.[2]

  • Alcala
  • Ayaoan
  • Barangobong
  • Barrientos
  • Bungro
  • Busel-Busel
  • Cabalitocan
  • Cantoria No. 1
  • Cantoria No. 2
  • Cantoria No. 3
  • Cantoria No. 4
  • Carisquis
  • Darigayos
  • Magallanes
  • Magsiping
  • Mamay
  • Nagrebcan
  • Nalvo Norte
  • Nalvo Sur
  • Napaset
  • Oaqui No. 1
  • Oaqui No. 2
  • Oaqui No. 3
  • Oaqui No. 4
  • Pila
  • Pitpitac
  • Rimos No. 1
  • Rimos No. 2
  • Rimos No. 3
  • Rimos No. 4
  • Rimos No. 5
  • Rissing
  • Salcedo
  • Santo Domingo Norte
  • Santo Domingo Sur
  • Sucoc Norte
  • Sucoc Sur
  • Suyo
  • Tallaoen
  • Victoria

Luna's poblacion (town center) consists of the four barangays: Victoria, Salcedo, Alcala, and Magallanes.

History

Luna was once called Namacpacan, which is an Ilocano word meaning "one who feeds".

As early as 1587, Namacpacan was recorded as a visita (satellite mission, whose church is manned by non-resident clergy based in the cabecera) of Purao (now Balaoan). It was a settlement along the camino real (national road) from Vigan to Manila, and travellers stopped there to refresh themselves. Since restaurants was not yet in vogue, local families offered the travellers food and lodging, hence the name.

On 18 October 1906, during the terms of Governor Joaquin Luna and Mayor Primitivo Resurrección Novicio, the town was renamed "Luna" through Philippine Commission Act No. 1543. It was the first town that altered its name since the creation of the province in 1850. The change was to honour the famous Luna brothers: Revolutionary General Antonio and Spoliarium painter Juan; their mother, Doña Laureana Novicio Luna, was a native of Namacpacan.

Demographics

Population census of Luna
YearPop.±% p.a.
1990 28,308—    
1995 29,974+1.08%
2000 32,259+1.59%
2007 35,372+1.28%
2010 35,380+0.01%
Source: National Statistics Office[3][5]

Tourist attractions

Baluarte, an old Spanish watch tower

Luna is also known for its beaches, particularly in Nalvo Sur and Darigayos. Beach shades, cottages and resorts are found in these barangays. The municipality is also known for its native delicacies and pottery products which are comparable to San Juan's.

The town is a pilgrimage site as it enshrines the Apo Baket Namacpacan, a wooden Marian image.

On the beach of barangay Victoria rests the ruins of an old Spanish watch tower, locally named as Balauarte. The tower was intended to guard the shores of the town primarily from Muslim and pirate attacks during the Spanish period. During World War II, the tower served as the communication tower post for a temporary airfield for the USAFIP-NL forces. Due to years of quarrying within the site of the tower (1980 to 2000), the coastline receded and sea waves severely damaged the foundation of the tower, which eventually caused major damage to its structure. At present, efforts were initiated to preserve the tower from further damage.

Education

Luna has Public Elementary schools in each barangay. There are 6 public high schools (Luna National Science High School - Central in Barangay Barrientos, LNHS - Rimos and Cantoria Annex; and Oanari National High School) Bungro-Sucoc Integrated School in Bungro, Luna Technical Vocational High School and 1 Private High School (Santa Catalina Academy).

References

  1. ↑ "Municipalities". Quezon City, Philippines: Department of the Interior and Local Government. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Province: La Union". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010" (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
  4. ↑ http://www.nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/province.asp?provcode=013300000
  5. ↑ "Province of La Union". Municipality Population Data. LWUA Research Division. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
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