Laoac

Laoac is the province's youngest municipality. Since the early 1900s, unsuccessful attempts to convert Laoac - then the biggest barrio in Manaoag - into a separate municipality were made until the revival of such movement by Westrimundo Tabayoyong.^[6] This led to the establishment of Laoac as a municipality through Republic Act No. 6485, enacted on June 17, 1972, constituting 20 barrios separated from Manaoag, including Laoac (present-day Poblacion) which was designated as the seat of government.^[7] The implementation, however, was delayed by the declaration of nationwide martial law later that year.^[6] By virtue of Batas Pambansa Blg. 18 issued in 1979,^[8] the first municipal officials were elected, with Tabayoyong as mayor, and assumed office on March 5, 1980, formally inaugurating the corporate existence of the municipality.^[6]

Tabayoyong served until his assassination at the municipal plaza on September 6, 1985.^[9]

Laoac is situated 42.55 kilometres (26.44 mi) from the provincial capital Lingayen, and 192.96 kilometres (119.90 mi) from the country's capital city of Manila.

Poverty incidence of Laoac

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority^{[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]}

The Laoac Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public elementary and high schools.^[25]