Paracale, Camarines Norte

Paracale
Municipality
Nickname(s): Gold Town
Motto: Akoy Paracaleño yaman ko'y ginto nasa lupa nasa puso
Map of Camarines Norte showing the location of Paracale
Paracale Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 14°17′N 122°47′E / 14.28°N 122.78°E / 14.28; 122.78Coordinates: 14°17′N 122°47′E / 14.28°N 122.78°E / 14.28; 122.78
Country	Philippines
Region	Bicol (Region V)
Province	Camarines Norte
District	1st district
Founded	1611
Barangays	27
Government[1]
• Mayor	Romeo Y. Moreno (LP)
• Mayor-elect	Lourdes Villamonte Briguerra
• Vice Mayor	Adonis Difunturom Salen (LP)
• Vice Mayor-elect	Bernadette Epino Asutilla (LP)
Area[2]
• Total	197.9 km2 (76.4 sq mi)
Population (2015 census)[3]
• Total	59,149
• Density	300/km2 (770/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	4605
IDD : area code	+63 (0)54
Income class	3rd class

Paracale is a first class municipality in the province of Camarines Norte, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 59,149 people.^[3]

History

Paracale was founded as a mission post 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. It was later ceded to the secular clergy. In 1863, Paracale was then formally established as a town. Seventeen years later, the Franciscans returned to Paracale to take charge the spiritual administration of the faithful. A large gold mine was discovered here in 1626 and Spaniards worked the gold-bearing gravel in its rivers and streams. The Americans set up huge dredges and mined primary lode deposits.

The town’s name was derived from para cale, meaning “canal digger.” Small gold mining operations persist in this old gold mining center and locals still pan for gold.

Barangays

Paracale is politically subdivided into 27 barangays.^[2]

Demographics

In the 2015 census, the population of Paracale, Camarines Norte, was 59,149 people,^[3] with a density of 300 inhabitants per square kilometre or 780 inhabitants per square mile.

Local government

Municipal officials:

• Mayor: Lourdes Villamonte Briguera
• Vice Mayor: Bernadette Epino Asutilla
  • Councilors:
  • Mario Cesar Cariño
  • Ricky Dela Peña Manarang
  • Nestor Manarang
  • Zaldy Moya
  • Darwin San Luis
  • Romeo Yebra Moreno
  • Amelia Ortiz Oco
  • Florevil Oco
  • Nelson Dasco

Infrastructure

Transportation

Land transportation is the primary means of transporting people, goods and services from the barangay to the town proper of Paracale. The municipality is connected to its different barangays by the municipality’s major roads, namely the Maharlika Highway.

Water supply

The barangays of the municipality are being served by levels I, II and III water supply. Other barangays are being served by shallow wells, deep wells or dug wells.

Power supply

Paracale is being served by electric power, formerly by the defunct Hidalgo Electric Enterprise, now by the National Power Corporation through the Camarines Norte Electric Cooperative (CANORECO). After the establishment of this cooperative, there was a great improvement in terms of power supply condition in the municipality.

Communication

Paracale has a telecommunication system that is being run by the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC). There are two satellites of Smart, Globe. There is postal office and has a staff of one mail carriers serving all barangays in the municipality. These personnel cannot adequately serve the entire from the lack of personnel; another problem is the difficulty in the delivery of mails in the remote and far-flung barangays.

Mining companies

• United Paragon Mining Corporation ( Not Operational)
• Unidragon Mining and Development Corporation ( Not Operational due to Cease and desist order by MGB)
• Baotong Mining Corporation (Not Operational due to Cease and desist order by MGB)
• Konka Fulim Mining and Development Corp. (KFMDC) ( Not Operational)

Media

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

Churches

• Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, established in 1611, it is one of the first churches in Camarines Norte and was built by Franciscan Friars. The church features the canonically miraculous image of Our Lady of Candelaria.
• Parish of Saint Roche in Batobalani
• Parish of San Roque in Tabas
• Iglesia Ni Cristo
• Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses
• City Of Praise
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Seventh Day Adventist
• Ang Dating Daan
• United Church of Christ in the Phils (UCCP)
• Paracale Evangelical Church

Educational institutions

Public Primary

Public Secondary

• Paracale National High School - Marlo Fiel P. Sultan, Ed. D., School Principal II
• Batobalani National High School - Euginio Abanto, Ed. D., School Principal I
• Tabas High School - Ronald Rafael, School Principal I
• Gumaus National High School - Candelaria dela Cruz, OIC
• Maximo Manarang High School - Jonalyn Nolasco, OIC

References

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Pabirik Festival Website
• Paracale Tourism Website
• Paracale.net website

		Philippine Sea
	Jose Panganiban		Vinzons
		Paracale
		Labo

Province of Camarines Norte
Daet (capital)
Municipalities	Basud Capalonga Daet Jose Panganiban Labo Mercedes Paracale San Lorenzo Ruiz San Vicente Santa Elena Talisay Vinzons