Alilem

Long before Spanish colonizers landed on Philippine shores, there were already natives living in the area. These people lived in huts built on the hillsides located at the northern and eastern parts of the valley. This was so because the present valley was then the course of the Bakun River.

For many years, the natives lived simply and peacefully, but were soon disturbed by an unusual and fearful occurrence in the area. It all started with the continuous heavy downpour or “lemlem” in the native dialect. This “lemlem” caused the Bakun River to swell to an extraordinary size and burst its banks. In the middle part of the river, there was a big “alicono” or whirlpool that the people feared so much. Even after the rains ceased, the ‘alicono’ remained, and the people believed that it was their god Kabunian's punishment for their sins. As it was their custom, the people performed the native ritual called “kaniaw”. The “alicono” then vanished and the Bakun River changed its course to the foot of the mountains in the southern part - leaving a dry level land suited for residential lots and farms. The people moved their homes to the valley and named the place Alilem after the “alicono” and “lemlem”.^{[citation needed]}

Accurate and reliable information on the exact date of the founding of the town cannot be secured because there are no complete historical records available. However, basing from its information gathered from the elders of the town, it could be deduced that the town of Alilem was founded sometime after 1820.

What is certainly known only is that the lay-out of the town was done by the Spaniards. During the Spanish occupation, Alilem was noted for being the center of the district government of “commandancia politico-militar” of Amburayan. This commandancia was composed of Alilem, Sigay, Suyo, Tagudin, Sudipen, San Gabriel and Bakun. In 1908, the commandancia of Amburayan became a sub-province of the newly created special capital of the sub-province until the Americans transferred the seat to Tagudin.^{[citation needed]}

Alilem is situated 105.77 kilometres (65.72 mi) from the provincial capital Vigan, and 319.18 kilometres (198.33 mi) from the country's capital city of Manila.

In the 2024 census, Alilem had a population of 7,736 people.^[13] The population density was 65 inhabitants per square kilometre (170/sq mi).

Poverty incidence of Alilem

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority^{[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]}

The Alilem-Sugpon Schools District governs all public and private education system within the municipality of Alilem, including the town of Sugpon. These include elementary and high schools.^[23]