estled close to Vigan, the provincial capital, is a thriving community by the China Sea – the coastal of Caoayan, Ilocos Sur, with a total land area of 2,752 hectares.  East of it flows the Abra River; southeast of it are the friendly blue waters of China Sea.  Its inhabitants numbering about 18,200 are simple, frugal and hardworking Ilocanos.

It is traditionally narrated that once upon a time, some men from Abra came down to this place selling some pieces of bamboo.  A Spanish soldier accosted the men and asked, “What place is this?”   The question was asked in the Spanish language.  The Ilocanos, thinking that the Castila was asking them what they are selling, answered “Caoayan”, meaning “bamboo”.  Since then the story lives on the place has been called “Caoayan.”

Caoayan, which was once a barrio of Vigan, became a municipality in 1911.  Don Dimas Querubin was the town’s founder and got elected as the first municipal mayor.  Today, the town has a total of seventeen (17) barangays.

By its geographical location, fishing has been the main source of livelihood of the inhabitants.  Next is agriculture where farms planted with onions, tomatoes, rice and corn abounding.  The town is also known for its loom weaving industry which dates back before the Spanish regime.

Boat sailing was once of the major industries of Caoayan but was eased out as a means of transportation with the onset of modern highways especially those connecting the Ilocos province to Manila and the Cagayan Valley. 

Many town inhabitants, through their education, skill and adventurous spirit, migrated to far away America, Europe, Canada, Japan, the Middle East and other countries.  Most of them though had preserved their identities as Caoayanos and have grouped themselves into various clubs and associations abroad, which to this day have not lost touch with their hometown.  They have continued to contribute to the progress of their beloved town.  They continued not only to cherish Caoayan in their memory but have actually been visiting their hometown.

The vision of the incumbent Mayor is to improve the quality of life of the people through adequate provision of basic services, good governance and transparency in the maintenance of the town’s coffers.  Hopefully, through the 3 Es, namely, Ethics, Excellence and empowerment of the people, a self-reliant and self-sufficient Caoayan will emerge.

Caoayan today boasts of concrete-paved roads to most outlaying barangays, tree-lined main roads, a Caoayan National High School, gymnasium, plaza stage, park, beach resort, 2-story barangay halls, an expanded Municipal Health Center and many other improvements.