Laoac

Laoac is a municipality in the province of Pangasinan in the Ilocos Region of the Philippines. Its name is pronounced approximately “lawak.” The municipality uses Laoac as its official English name; local-language forms include Baley na Laoac in Pangasinan, Ili ti Laoac in Ilocano, and Bayan ng Laoac in Tagalog. Laoac is recognized as Pangasinan’s youngest municipality. Before its creation, the area was the largest barrio of the municipality of Manaoag. Residents and local advocates had sought separate municipal status since the early twentieth century, but the movement did not initially succeed. The campaign was later revived by Westrimundo Tabayoyong, whose efforts contributed to the passage of Republic Act No. 6485 on June 17, 1972. The law provided for the creation of Laoac from 20 barrios of Manaoag and designated Laoac, now the municipality’s Poblacion, as the seat of government. The municipality’s legal creation was not immediately followed by operational local government. The declaration of nationwide martial law later in 1972 delayed implementation. In 1979, Batas Pambansa Blg. 18 provided for the election of Laoac’s first municipal officials. Those officials assumed office on March 5, 1980, the date that formally inaugurated the municipality’s corporate existence. Tabayoyong became the first mayor. His tenure ended with his assassination at the municipal plaza on September 6, 1985. Laoac is located about 42.55 kilometers from Lingayen, the provincial capital, and approximately 192.96 kilometers from Manila. The municipality is politically divided into 22 barangays, which are further organized into puroks; some barangays also contain sitios. Its local government follows the Philippine municipal model, with an elected mayor serving as local chief executive, an elected vice mayor, and a municipal council exercising legislative functions. Elections for these positions are held every three years. Laoac forms part of Pangasinan’s fifth congressional district. Public education within Laoac is administered through the Laoac Schools District Office, which oversees the operation and management of public and private elementary and secondary schools in the municipality. The local economy and development profile are tracked through Philippine government statistical and competitiveness systems, including poverty-incidence reporting by the Philippine Statistics Authority. Available reference material identifies Laoac primarily as a local-government jurisdiction rather than as a commercial consumer brand. Its institutional identity is therefore defined by municipal administration, community services, territorial governance, education, and representation within Pangasinan and the Philippines.

Laoac developed as a major settlement within Manaoag, Pangasinan, and was historically described as Manaoag’s largest barrio. Local efforts to obtain separate municipal status began in the early twentieth century. These attempts were unsuccessful for many years, but the movement was revived by Westrimundo Tabayoyong, who became the principal advocate associated with Laoac’s municipal creation. Congress enacted Republic Act No. 6485 on June 17, 1972. The statute established Laoac as a municipality by separating 20 barrios from Manaoag. Laoac, corresponding to the present-day Poblacion, was designated as the seat of municipal government. Although the law created the municipality, its implementation was delayed after the declaration of nationwide martial law later in 1972. As a result, Laoac did not immediately begin operating with its own elected local officials. A subsequent legal measure, Batas Pambansa Blg. 18, issued in 1979, enabled the election of Laoac’s first municipal officials. They took office on March 5, 1980, which is treated as the formal inauguration of Laoac’s corporate existence as a municipality. Tabayoyong became the first mayor. His administration represented the institutional realization of the long-running campaign for local autonomy, although his tenure ended violently when he was assassinated at the municipal plaza on September 6, 1985. Laoac is situated in Pangasinan and is approximately 42.55 kilometers from Lingayen, the provincial capital. It lies about 192.96 kilometers from Manila. The municipality is divided into 22 barangays. These barangays are composed of puroks, with some also containing sitios, reflecting the administrative structure used by Philippine local governments. The municipality is governed under the national local-government framework. Residents elect a mayor, vice mayor, and municipal councilors directly, with elections held every three years. The mayor acts as local chief executive, while the municipal council serves as the legislative body. Laoac is included in Pangasinan’s fifth congressional district for national legislative representation. Education is administered locally through the Laoac Schools District Office. The district office oversees the management and operation of public and private elementary and high schools located in the municipality. Government statistical and development institutions also maintain information about Laoac, including demographic and poverty-incidence data. The 2024 census reported a population of 34,550. Laoac’s institutional history is consequently centered on territorial separation from Manaoag, delayed implementation of its founding law, the establishment of elected municipal government in 1980, and continuing administration as a Pangasinan municipality. It is not documented in the supplied reference material as a commercial brand, product company, or corporate group; its relevance in an encyclopedia context comes from its role as a Philippine local-government jurisdiction.

• 2024

  Population reaches 34,550

  [1]Laoacen.wikipedia.org

  The 2024 census reports 34,550 residents in Laoac.

• 1985

  First mayor Westrimundo Tabayoyong is assassinated

  [1]Laoacen.wikipedia.org

  Tabayoyong is killed at the municipal plaza on September 6, ending the tenure of Laoac’s founding mayor.

• 1980

  Laoac formally begins municipal operations

  [1]Laoacen.wikipedia.org

  Laoac’s first municipal officials assume office on March 5, marking the formal inauguration of the municipality’s corporate existence.

• 1979

  Batas Pambansa Blg. 18 provides for municipal officials

  [1]Laoacen.wikipedia.org

  Batas Pambansa Blg. 18 enables the election of Laoac’s first municipal officials.

• 1972

  Republic Act No. 6485 creates Laoac

  [1]Laoacen.wikipedia.org

  Republic Act No. 6485, enacted on June 17, establishes Laoac as a municipality by separating 20 barrios from Manaoag and designating Laoac as the seat of government.

• 1972

  Implementation is delayed

  [1]Laoacen.wikipedia.org

  The declaration of nationwide martial law later in the year delays the implementation of Laoac’s municipal organization.

A local-government municipality serving residents and communities in Pangasinan through elected administration, public services, education oversight, and representation in the Philippine governmental system.

• 1972

  Creation of Laoac as a separate municipalityStrategy

  Background

  Laoac had been the largest barrio of Manaoag, and local efforts to secure separate municipal status had continued since the early twentieth century.

  Action taken

  Republic Act No. 6485 separated 20 barrios from Manaoag and constituted them as the municipality of Laoac, with Laoac serving as the administrative seat.

  Aftermath

  Implementation was delayed by martial law, and elected municipal administration began only after the passage of Batas Pambansa Blg. 18 and the assumption of office by the first officials in 1980.

  Source

1. 1Laoacen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Laoac Municipal Governmentlaoac.gov.ph