Bacnotan

[5] During the Spanish colonial period, the name Bakunutan was hispanized to Bacnotan, a modification reflected in official documents preserved in the National Archives in Manila.These early inhabitants actively engaged in trade with neighboring maritime regions in Southeast Asia, including the Pangasinenses to the south, the Igorots in the highlands, and even Chinese and Japanese traders.At one point, the town was ruled by a despotic chieftain who exerted absolute control over his constituents, with severe punishments, including flogging, meted out for disobedience.The term "basnutan," meaning "to flog" in the local dialect, became a common expression among the inhabitants and eventually inspired the town's name.During the Spanish colonial period, the name was modified to "Bacnotan," as evidenced by historical documents preserved at the National Archives in Manila.[13] During the first days of World War II, invading Japanese forces reached Bacnotan on December 21, 1941 by Colonel Kanno and General Shizuichi Tanaka's detachments before invading the Lingayen Gulf[5] On January 4, 1945, the tides of war changed in La Union as Filipino and American soldiers captured the strategic Baroro Bridge in Bacnotan, which connects the rest of Northern Luzon to San Fernando.The victory ensured the liberation of La Union Province by joint Filipino and American troops at the end of World War II.[5] When things went back to normal, the provincial government was again moved to San Fernando and the La Union National High School followed afterward.)[8] In 1949, the vast mineral deposits of limestone used in portland cement production were noticed in Barrio Dumarang (now Quirino) by a mining engineer who was then a municipal councilor at that time.Because of the desire to create economic activity, the municipal council, through the efforts of this mining engineer, invited potential investors to set up a Portland cement plant.Nestling at the foot of the mountains of Barangay Sapilang, the agricultural school progressed and was later named Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University.The western side of Bacnotan is defined by a long stretch of black sand beaches facing the South China Sea, indicative of the area's abundant magnetite deposits.While San Juan is widely known as a popular destination for serious surfers, the waves in Bacnotan's Quirino area have also gained recognition for being excellent for surfing.This area features vast forests and rolling hills and serves as the home of indigenous groups, primarily the Bago and Kankanaey people.[15] The 2020 Census of Population and Housing revealed that a total of 44,154 persons in Bacnotan had their births registered with the Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO).Various other Christian denominations, including Iglesia ni Cristo, Protestant groups, Aglipayan Church, Pentecostal and Jehovah’s Witnesses, also have a significant presence in the municipality.The economy of Bacnotan is primarily based on agriculture, fishing, industry, and tourism, with significant contributions from the manufacture of Portland cement.Fishing, particularly aquaculture, is also a vital economic activity, with the Baroro River supporting the cultivation of tilapia, hito (catfish), and bangus (milkfish), providing livelihood and sustenance for the community.A mining engineer from Bacnotan also identified deposits of coal and traces of natural gas in the area, further highlighting the town's mineral wealth.