Location / Physical characteristics

About 410 kilometers from the nation’s capital lies the enigmatic Municipality of Caoayan. It is located along the southern tip of the first congressional district of Ilocos Sur and links it to the rest of the second congressional district’s municipalities. Its north and northwest edges are abutted by the relatively new bustles of the City of Vigan. On the east, the Municipality of Santa with the Abra River and its tributaries circumnavigating Caoayan’s verdant lands bound the town. On the south and west sides, the South China Sea churns its briny waters which at times are friendly and at some points, are menacing not only to the residents but also for those who would like to while away their idle times along the beach.

The municipality is generally flat plains and lowlands in scope at less than 20 meters above sea level in elevation and with a 0-3-slope classification, at level to nearly level descriptive slope. Caoayan is also blessed with sixty-five percent (65%) arable lands where its farmers adequately raise produce for self-sufficiency and self-reliance. The remaining area is devoted to fishing and aquaculture. The municipality’s aquatic flora and fauna is highly diversified and is quite ideal for marine biodiversity and ecological conservation. Fishing yields about thirty percent (30%) of the total harvest for aquatic demand / consumption of the Province of Ilocos Sur. Because of its strategic locale and its proximity to the commercial district of Vigan City, buyers prioritize the fish produce from Caoayan considering freshness and viability of harvest, the town being very near and/or adjacent to Vigan City.

The municipality sits on a 1,602.53-hectare area; occupying an estimated 0.62% of Ilocos Sur’s 257,958 hectares. It has seventeen (17) barangays; 6 of which are purely devoted into farming, 3 purely into fishing, and 8 into agriculture, fisheries and cottage industries. Urbanized elements and urban influences flow from the neighboring city that serves as the main trade center for all of Caoayan’s produce. About six (6) barangays are urbanizing with private land development as the means of achieving increased income.

Soil types of the municipality were determined as: San Manuel Clay- 799.06 hectares (49.86%), widely scattered in plain parts of the 17 barangays; Bantog Clay- 10.87 hectares (0,68%); River Wash- 394 hectares (24.59%); and, Beach Sand- 398.50 (24.87%).

DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE

As a 5^th-class municipality, Caoayan has, as of the latest survey, 18,037 residents: 29.5% (5,332) Men, 37.5% (6,761) Women, and 33% (5,944) Children, with an annual average growth rate of 1.06% from 1990. Said total population number is distributed into 7,747 families/households. The municipality contributes 1.02% to the total population of the Province of Ilocos Sur.

The municipality is considered rural in general. Based on the 1995 population data, the estimated number of people living in the urbanizing areas is tremendously lower than those in the rural barangays with a percentage distribution of 83.28% for the rural districts versus 16.72% for the urbanizing ones.

Gross population density in Caoayan is about 1,125 persons per square kilometer. This is relatively comparable to the provincial figure of about 1,080 persons per square kilometer.

Of the municipality’s 17 barangays, Barangay Fuerte is the most populous with 13.33% share; next is Pantay Tamurong with 10,59%; Naguilian on third spot has 8.36% with Caparacadan having 1.75% as the tail-ender.

The municipality is predominantly composed of a young population. Aside from the 33% listing of children, about 62% composes the 15-24 years bracket from the adult population.

As to broad age-group classification, population below 15 years old constituted 33%; working age population of 15-64 years old represented 64.2% and the remaining 2.8% comprises the “aged” group. Total dependency ration is placed at 48% where every 100 persons in the working age support about 40 to 50 dependents.

As to place of residence, 92% of the total population are based in the municipality; 1.4% are in Ilocos Sur but in another municipality; 2.7 are in another provinces and/or cities; 3.2% are abroad or foreign migrants and the rest, 0.7%, have unknown whereabouts.

100% of the total population speaks the Ilocano dialect; its professional force adept in Filipino and English languages.

Land use

About 400 hectares of the municipality are directly kissed by the South China Sea. Through this, aquatic harvest supports about 92% of all the families of the three (3) coastal barangays. About 65% of the municipality’s total acreage is devoted into agriculture. Almost all of the town’s 17 barangays are engaged in farming and some of its citizens list both farming and aquaculture as their means of livelihood.

Fishing has its annual phenomenon of the appearance/abundance of Gobi fry which is locally known as Ipon. With the fishermen’s overflowing catch, businessmen, coming from as far as Manila, troop to Caoayan to buy said produce which is usually converted into bagoong and/or fish sauce (patis).

Farming yields adequate to more than average harvests of rice, corn, onions and other varieties of farm produce on a seasonal basis. It is noteworthy that this little obscure town produces enough for its populace and some harvest seasons even get to yield more than it could consume.

For comprehensive land use planning purposes, at 1.06% growth rate, the NSO Book on Projections puts Caoayan’s population at 21,857 by 2005 and 31407 by the year 2010. it is with this consideration that the present administration has the vision to increase agriculture and fisheries output not only to maintain self-sufficiency but also to improve its provider status for the whole province as well.

Urbanizing barangays classify their lands into residential, commercial and industrial settlements. With a very minor acreage, urbanization still needs decades in order to seep in.

environmental conditions

Like anywhere else in tropical Philippines, the Municipality of Caoayan, which is generally arid (Type E), enjoys two (2) distinct seasons: dry, which extends from November to May and wet, which lasts from June to October. Temperature ranges from 21.6 degrees Celsius to about 35 degrees Celsius; with relative humidity reading of 81 and average rainfall level of 2,288.20 millimeters. During summer, the heat and humidity gets so high that the land becomes quite parched and arid. During the rainy season, the occurrences of storms and typhoons (and sometimes cyclones) get the residents of the coastal barangays on their toes due to the rise in the height of ocean/sea waves, which could extend up to 5 to 10 meters high. Mean sea level pressure is 1,011; wind movement direct northward at a speed of MPS; and, there are 33 and 44 day-occurrences of thunderstorms and lightning respectively. During extreme conditions, the release of some water dams from the Cordilleras bring deluge to the entire municipality and is inundated by the on-rush of water. A case in point is last year’s Typhoon Feria, when 98.5% of the whole town was submerged in floodwaters. It took about 4 days for the waters to recede and about a month to rehabilitate some households. For some barangays such as Fuerte, the South China Sea claimed about 15 houses and about a hundred became homeless. As of this writing, some public infrastructures and facilities have not yet been fully rehabilitated/restored.

Except for dust particles generated by speeding vehicles on roads still paved by gravel, pollens remain to be the chief pollutant of Caoayan’s atmosphere in as much as it is still a highly agricultural town. In fact, the town takes pride in being one of the topmost towns of Ilocos Sur declared as cleanest and greenest in spite of its adjacency to Vigan City.

Socio-economic conditions

Major economic activities

Agriculture remains the most viable income-generating industry of the municipality. Aside from fishing and other related aquatic processes (like the seasonal phenomenon of Ipon which doesn’t appear in other towns), handloom weaving augments some of the families’ income. The said cottage industry produces quality fabrics that are usually made into curtains, blankets, table napkins and the like. On this aspect, Caoayan has finally found its niche in the international market since some of its hand-woven products have already been up for export.

Significance of municipality to the region or province

As a coastal municipality, Caoayan supplies the province about 30-35% of its total aggregate demand for aquatic commodity and during the season when Gobi fry is available, the town is the chief locale where the phenomenon exists. With its open waters and teeming rivers, Caoayan is also a strategic area for aquatic biodiversity. With three (3) species of Mangroves only found in Caoayan, ditto with Nipa Palms, the town also is a haven for marine life providing sanctuary mainly to fish varieties, crustaceans and mollusks. Recently, the University of the Philippines-Institute of Biology has declared the town as “very ideal for the conservation and propagation of aquatic flora and fauna”.

With a cottage industry like Hand Loom Weaving, Caoayan also makes Ilocos Sur proud because of its products that have already found their way to the international market. With sufficient quality products, the output of these weavers is competitive with other regions’ products. At this point in time, Abel Iloko is synonymous to Caoayan weaving.

The agricultural sector also produces more than its citizens need. Farm produce find their way to the commercial center of Vigan City where they are sold either through wholesale or retail. Caoayan is the only Ilocos Sur town where onions (of the smaller Shallots variety) are abundantly harvested especially during summer months. The municipality does not only supply the province but also the rest of the region and Luzon as well. Corn produce also provides more than Caoayan’s livestock needs. Surplus of corn harvests find their way to feeds-manufacturers as well as companies that make snack foods and cereals.

Employment distribution by sector

Per capita income

The annual per capita income of the Municipality of Caoayan stands at P1, 222.27. Although it’s not as significant as it may seem, in comparison to national statistics, the said datum provides adequate self-help and sufficiency for the local citizenry.

Average per capita income growth rate from 1985-1995 and 1995-2000

The period of 1985 to 1995 listed average per capita income of 11.75% when dependency rate was relatively high compared to present figures. 1995 to the year 2000 listed a per capita income average of 14.36%. According to BLGF records, Caoayan posted a total regular income of P9, 333,000 compared to that of year 2001 figures of P16, 792,000 total regular incomes or a mean of 18.36% average income growth rate.

Municipal Finance

Income class

According to DOF-BLGF standards, Caoayan is a 5^th-class municipality, although latest performances indicate that it might well be on the way to becoming 4^th or 3^rd class. As of fiscal year 2001, the latest municipal annual income was pegged at NINETEEN MILLION ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN THOUSAND PESOS (P 19,118,000.00).

PLANS

Recent municipal development trends and constraints

With the annual release of the RA 7171 (authored by then-Congressman Luis “Chavit” Singson and the Agricultural Fishery Modernization Act (AFMA), the development endeavors of the municipality are given a big boost. Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, in line with the programs and projects undermines the development funds of Caoayan. Public infrastructures, for the betterment of the standard of living of the citizenry, are given priority.

However, financial constraints caused by the staggered release of RA 7171 funds coupled by the geographical location of the case problem, the local government unit could not solely implement the immediate rehabilitation of the Fuerte Seawall and the Construction of the River control in spite of all the efforts exerted by the present administration. It is for this reason that, the municipality is seeking external financial assistance in the quest for the upliftment of the socio-economic conditions of its people.  

Municipal Development Plan (MDP)

Planned major projects

Being a coastal municipality which is flood-prone, the local chief executive, in consultation with the local legislative body, proposed the rehabilitation of the Fuerte Seawall and the Pantay Tamurong River Control as the projects most likely to be given top priority. Although said projects have been included in the annual Municipal Investment Plan for years, they remain only as fixtures in the list because they entail millions of pesos which the municipality could not afford to implement.

The Fuerte Seawall promises a great impact on the municipality because of its strategic location intended for tourism.

On the other hand, the Pantay Tamurong River Control poses a distinct advantage for the town in terms of economy in as much as said area is already considered as a commercial locale being the landing place for goods to and from yonder barangays.

However, the Sangguniang Bayan has considered the standing appropriations for said projects in the Municipal Investment Plan for their maintenance and comprehensive upkeep.

The immediate implementation of these projects is expected to improve the status of the municipality and minimize the threat and immediate risk with regards to the loss of lives and property.

Assess consistency with Municipal Development Plan

The Annual 20% Development Fund profoundly contributes to the success of the Municipal Development Plan in terms of agricultural, socio-economic and infrastructural development of Caoayan.

Attach map(s) showing direction of development for housing, commercial, and industrial, etc.

            Of the six (6) urbanizing barangays, three (3) are within the central/poblacion area and three (3) are directly along the territorial boundaries of Vigan City. Said barangays have about an aggregate of 38% commercial land area devoted to trade and other types of businesses. The spillover of Vigan’s commercialism has instilled business consciousness for some citizens as an alternative to agricultural endeavor.

Regional development plan and constraints

As to the seawall and river control projects, much improvement will be expected for the standard of living for the people and the municipality’s coffers. In relation to the national government’s thrust to develop northern Philippines, the municipality of Caoayan stands to become a major contributor in the areas of tourism and agro-industrial standards.

In realistic terms, there are no impending obstacles/constraints except for the delay in the decision-making of the top-brass officials to whom the said projects are proposed and endorsed.

Brief description of condition and location of existing infrastructure

Market

a)      Pandan Fish Market – Barangay Pandan, Caoayan, Ilocos Sur

b)      area – 65 Square Meters

c)      service area – 300 Square Meters

d)      level of consumption by type of goods – purely Fish & other aquatic harvests

e)      vendors by type – Fish Vendors: 20% permanent / 80% ambulant

f)        market fees – P5 to P10 per Kilo depending on the fish variety sold

g)      income and expenditure – average of P10,000.00/day

h)      management – the Municipality of Caoayan

Note: Caoayan, as a self-sufficient municipality, doesn’t need a public market for all types of wares because it is about 10 minutes from the trade center of Vigan, and all its produce are dealt in the said city.

Slaughterhouse

Although part of the non-government sector invests in piggery and cattle-raising, their flocks are being purchased by meat-vendors of Vigan City where the stocks are weighed and slaughtered. Meat of all types is then bought from the adjoining provincial capital.

Power

a)      name of cooperative – Ilocos Sur Electric Cooperative (ISECO)

b)      capacity – 785 Kilowatts

c)      number / percentage of barangays energized – all of 17 barangays

d)      fees – P4.096/kilowatt for residential purposes and P4.9596 for commercial establishments having the same rate for extra wattage

Water supply system

a)      name of LWUA – Metro Vigan Water District

b)      source – Anonang (Caoayan)-Raois (Vigan) Deep well

c)      method of distribution – Pipe System

d)      history / description of pipe system – PVC pipes- Shallow Wells- Steel Pipes

e)      number / percentage of barangays serviced – all 17 barangays

f)        number of connections – 620 units

g)      fees – socialized fees according to LWWX, MWRB-approved

Garbage disposal system

The present garbage disposal of the municipality depends on the nature/type of waste per home/family. For biodegradable garbage (e.g. Food surplus, papers, plants, animal excreta, etc.), households are encouraged to dig compost pits and dump them into these holes in order to improve the fertility of their land/backyards for planting. Through this, the promotion of self-help towards sustenance increase is also achieved.

For non-biodegradable waste materials, there is a regular schedule per barangay for the collection of such type of garbage. Collected wastes are dumped in Caparacadan (one of Caoayan’s outlying barangays) where they are sorted according to chemical composition (cans/tins, plastics, bottles, etc.), and eventually sold to buyers engaged in the “discarded” business.

Waste generation is presently estimated at 0.75 kilo per person per day.

Health center system

The municipality is being serviced by a centralized health care provision system. The Municipal Health Officer has an armada composed of a Municipal Health Nurse, four (4) Rural Health Midwives, a Sanitary Inspector, a clerk and two (2) volunteer nurses. At an average of 3-4, the 17 barangays have their own Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) and Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs). Special projects of the Department of Health (DOH) are carried out by said BHWs in their respective areas of assignments with the supervision of the central Municipal Health Office. Some of the said special projects are also supported by external agencies like the PCSO and the provincial government.

The private sector also is ably contributing its own share towards the attainment of an ideal health status for the citizens. In spite of the numerous private hospitals and medical clinics situated in Vigan City, Caoayan also has three (3) private medical clinics where the more affluent could solicit a doctor’s services at all times of the day.

Communications

The Postal Services Office of the Municipality is under the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost) having one (1) postmaster, two (2) letter carriers and a teller. Complementing the local mail services are private messengerial/delivery forwarding service companies like LBC Cargo, JRS Express and the like, all based in nearby Vigan City.

Digitel Corporation presently services the municipality as far telecommunications are concerned. Based also in Vigan City, about 2,000 households have already availed of Digitel’s services. A miniscule number of households have already joined the high-tech revolution, having their own computers and availing of Internet services from providers based in Vigan.

Globe and Smart Cellfone Companies slug it out for the supremacy of cellular services in the municipality. Businessmen, students and citizens of other vocations and professions compose the group armed with cellular phones.

Road network           

Road Type by Administration: The municipality has a total of 64.049 kilometers of existing roads that are mainly used as transport facilities. As per administrative classification, they are the: National Roads – 3.860 kilometers; Provincial Roads – 8.08 kilometers; Municipal – 8.124 kilometers and, Barangay Roads – 43.985 kilometers.

Insidiously, Caoayan has three (3) major bridges that link far-flung barangays to trading centers. A sufficient number of footbridges and canal linkages have also been constructed to improve general transport and delivery of basic services.

As per Road Type by Surface Pavement, majority (about 71%) of the existing roads within the municipality are concretely paved. Of the total 64.049-kilometer road network, the breakdown by surface classification is as follows (in kilometers): Concrete – 45.312; Asphalt – 0.30; and, Gravel – 18.437.

Caoayan, being a suburb of Vigan City, also boasts of a short conveyance time to the provincial capital. All vital needs for the office and family are easily purchased during business/trading hours. All the municipality’s roads are generally convenient for all commuters.

Road Network Pattern: In the urban core, roads follow a parallel road network pattern, which divide certain areas into several blocks. Main/major thoroughfares that, by en large, are secondary national highways traverse the municipality. Said major routes are the Governor Alejandro Quirolgico Road and the Quirino-Pandan Road. These two roads also serve as the major links between the municipality and the City of Vigan.

Generally, there is a free-flow of goods from the municipality to Vigan and beyond. The viability of Caoayan’s road network doesn’t pose a hindrance to said activity and makes it possible for free trade to be conducted.

Bus terminal

The municipality, being very near the commercial capital of Vigan, doesn’t have a good permanent bus terminal, to serve the ever-increasing volume of passengers, in as much as no one has embarked on the said business yet. What is available at present is a designated area where tricycles park in order to wait for commuters to be taken to Vigan and/or other destinations. For people who embark on longer trips, all major bus companies are based in Vigan where they have the options of selecting the best conveyance for themselves.

Schools

With its vision to improve facilities and institutions of learning, the municipality has, at present, nine (9) Elementary Schools and three (3) High Schools. As a district, the municipal government adequately supports the DepEd. The Special Education Fund (SEF) annually receives its share of allocation for the comprehensive implementation of educational projects for the betterment of the teaching and learning systems and processes of Caoayan studentry.