Bacnotan

The name Bacnotan may come from the word "bakunuttan", which means "to flog".^[5][6]

Around 1571, the Spaniards occupied Ilokos Province. In February 2, 1818, the Real Cedula separated the region into two parts: Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. Bacnotan is part of the Ilocos Sur around the time. Around 1846 to 1849, La Union was established, and that province included Bacnotan.^[7][8]

The Municipality of Bacnotan is surrounded by Balaoan from the North, San Gabriel from the east, and San Juan from the south, and South China Sea from the west.^[9]

The household population of Bacnotan as of the 2024 Census of Population and Housing, was recorded at 45,203 people.^[11]

Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University - North La Union Campus

As of 2020-2021, in the public sector, there are 16 elementary schools, 1 public secondary school, and 1 public integrated school that offers K to 12 education. In the private sector, there are 2 private elementary schools and 1 private secondary school. There is 1 state university for higher education.^[17]

Poverty incidence of Bacnotan

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority^{[18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]}

Bacnotan has produced notable personalities in various endeavors. Some of them are as follows:

• Erlinda Fadera-Basilio — Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, Switzerland; first woman Vice President of the UN Human Rights Council. Currently Philippine ambassador to China, Mongolia and North Korea.^[27]
• Fr. Bienvenido Nebres — longest-serving university president of Ateneo de Manila University^{[citation needed]}

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  Bacnotan Public Market
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  Town plaza
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  Centennial Tree
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  Town Proper
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  Saint Michael the Archangel Parish Church
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  Street view