Candon

Candon
Component city
City of Candon
Candon city center
Flag Seal
Nickname:  Tobacco Capital of the Philippines
Motto(s):  Liberty, Justice and Unity
Anthem: Cry of Candon
Map of Ilocos Sur with Candon highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Candon Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 17°11′45″N 120°26′56″E
Country	Philippines
Region	Ilocos Region
Province	Ilocos Sur
District	2nd district
Founded	1780
Cityhood	March 28, 2001
Barangays	42 (see Barangays)
Government
• Type	Sangguniang Panlungsod
• Mayor	Eric Dario Singson
• Vice Mayor	Kristelle G. Singson
• Representative	Kristine Singson-Meehan
• City Council	Members Alfonso D. Singson Robert B. Tudayan Aileen Rhoda I. Acal Angela C. Itchon Lerisa M. Llanes Joanne Ascencion G. Valdez George T. Valdez David D. Wagayen Oscar Materno L. Balagot Godofredo F. Abrero
• Electorate	38,553 voters (2022)
Area
• Total	103.28 km2 (39.88 sq mi)
Elevation	67 m (220 ft)
Highest elevation	1,035 m (3,396 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (2020 census)
• Total	61,432
• Density	590/km2 (1,500/sq mi)
• Households	15,125
Demonyms	Candoneño (male) Candoneña (female)
Economy
• Income class	1st city income class
• Poverty incidence	17.22 % (2021)
• Revenue	₱ 1,934 million (2022)
• Assets	₱ 5,763 million (2022)
• Expenditure	₱ 856.3 million (2022)
• Liabilities	₱ 485.5 million (2022)
Service provider
• Electricity	Ilocos Sur Electric Cooperative (ISECO)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	2710
PSGC	012906000
IDD : area code	+63 (0)77
Native languages	Ilocano Tagalog
Feast date	June 12
Catholic diocese	Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia
Patron saint	John of Sahagún
Website	candoncity.gov.ph

Candon, officially the City of Candon (Ilocano: Siudad ti Candon; Filipino: Lungsod ng Candon), is a component city in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 61,432 people.

Dubbed the "Tobacco Capital of the Philippines", the city is the country's largest producer of Virginia tobacco.

This once small resort town is known for making the world's heaviest and largest kalamay, a sweet and viscous snack made from sticky rice, coconut milk and sugar. This city also has a rich historical background. In its legends, the name of the city is derived from the legendary "kandong" tree which is almost extinct in the area. Its patron saint is John of Sahagún whose feast day is celebrated on June 12.

Candon is the center of the 2nd district of Ilocos Sur and also the most populous city in that province. Government district offices are all located in the city, supporting more than 100,000 residents in terms of commercial and industrial services.

Etymology

The origin of the name of Candon is unknown. The name was rendered as Candón or Candon in old Spanish records. It might be named after the Spanish municipality of Candón in Huelva, Andalucia; or from a Hispanicization of Ilocano kandong (Cyrtophyllum fragrans), a native species of tree with very hard wood also known as agandong or urandong in other places in the Ilocos region.

History

During the pre-colonial period, Candon was a coastal trading settlement frequented by trade ships of Austronesian, Arab, Indian, Chinese, and Japanese traders (similar to other trading towns along the Ilocos region like Aparri, Lingayen, and Vigan).

The settlement also had a long history of trading ties with Cordillerans in the highlands of Luzon, which continued through the Spanish colonial period. The town of Candon features prominently in the accounts of Biag, the legendary 17th century folk hero and founder of Sagada. Candon also hosted missionaries who were converting the Itneg and other Cordilleran peoples in neighboring regions.

The history of Candon in the early Spanish period is hazy. The first church in the settlement was established by an Augustinian mission in 1591. According to modern folklore, this church was built near a kandong tree, which is supposedly the origin of the name of the city. The church was later replaced with the Candon Church in 1695. Candon Church was damaged by an earthquake in 1707 and was restored in 1713. The church graveyard located south of the Población was opened in 1797.

The settlement was organized into a municipality in 1780. The first civil government was established under the cabeza de barangay Don Juan P. Madarang by the Augustinian friar Mariano de Conquera. In the Diccionario geográfico, estadístico, histórico de las Islas Filipinas (Buzeta & Bravo, 1850-1851), Candon was described as being a city of around 3,000 households, with a port and a military fort named "San Martín de Tiagán". Candon was mainly agricultural. Its products consisted of rice, corn, sugarcane, vegetables, and fruits. It also had a cotton and indigo industry, as well as a livestock industry.

During the Philippine Revolution, Candon started forming local revolutionary groups in 1896. They planned to overthrow the local government by April 1, 1898. However, their plans were discovered when one of their members was captured by Spanish forces, forcing them to launch a premature assault. On March 25, 1898, the revolutionaries led by Isabelo Abaya attacked the Spanish garrison in Candon and managed to take the town. Abaya established the Republica de Filipinas Katipunan de Candon, a revolutionary government, and declared indepedence from the Spanish colonial government.

The Spanish colonial government retaliated by deploying the Cazadores, elite Spanish expeditionary troops. The better-trained and heavily-armed Spanish forces retook Candon and the rebels were arrested and summarily executed.

During the Japanese Occupation in the Second World War, another revolution was staged. Several truckloads of Imperial Japanese forces and supplies perished along the national highway. However, the Japanese soldiers retaliated by burning the whole town in January 1942.

Despite the hardships that the townsfolk went through during the war, residents resolved to rebuild. Tall acacia trees at the town plaza and municipal buildings are testimonies to the people's steadfastness, with large trees up to 15 meters high and 20 feet in circumference now line the National Highway in the Población.

Cityhood

Main article: Cities of the Philippines

In the Charter of Candon City, Candon applied to become the second city in the Province of Ilocos Sur so it can undertake government programs with additional funding from the national government. These were intended to benefit the people in the field of social services, economic growth, peace and order, health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure development.

Like the "Kandong" tree of yore, Candon is just beginning to spread out its branches to reach out for the skies in its own bid to become the next city in Ilocos Sur. From the start of House Bill No. 7260 seeking to convert Candon into a component city was filed by then Congressman Eric D. Singson in the 10th Congress and later re-filed by Congresswoman Grace D. Singson in the 11th Congress. Owing to the merits and qualifications of Candon as the leading town in Southern Ilocos Sur, the bill easily got the approval of the Committees on Local Government in both House of Representatives and in the Senate.

Until recently, the aspiration for Candon to become a city remained a dream, but its destiny inevitable when the counterpart Senate Bill No. 2242 was sponsored by then Senate President Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel Jr., Senators Frank Drilon, Sergio Osmeña III, and all the members of the Senate Committee on Local Government. It was subsequently approved unanimously by the Senate in plenary session, and now it is up to the townspeople to embrace this honor with an equally unanimous "YES to Cityhood" vote.

Geography

The City of Candon is situated in the lower central portion of the Province of Ilocos Sur. It has a C-shape with elevations ranging from 10 – 500 ft above sea level.

Candon is situated 60.19 kilometres (37.40 mi) from the provincial capital Vigan City, and 343.19 kilometres (213.25 mi) from the country's capital city of Manila.

Barangays

Candon is politically subdivided into 42 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios. It is bordered by Santiago, Banayoyo, Lidlidda, and San Emilio to the north, Galimuyod to the northeast, Salcedo to the west, and Santa Lucia to the south.

• Allangigan Primero
• Allangigan Segundo
• Amguid
• Ayudante
• Bagani Camposanto
• Bagani Gabor
• Bagani Tocgo
• Bagani Ubbog
• Bagar
• Balingaoan
• Bugnay
• Calaoaan
• Calongbuyan
• Caterman
• Cubcubboot
• Darapidap
• Langlangca Primero
• Langlangca Segundo
• Oaig-Daya
• Palacapac
• Paras
• Parioc Primero
• Parioc Segundo
• Patpata Primero
• Patpata Segundo
• Paypayad
• Salvador Primero
• Salvador Segundo
• San Agustin
• San Andres
• San Antonio (Población)
• San Isidro (Población)
• San Jose (Población)
• San Juan (Población)
• San Nicolas
• San Pedro
• Santo Tomas
• Tablac
• Talogtog
• Tamurong Primero
• Tamurong Segundo
• Villarica

Climate

The climate is generally dry that usually occurs from the months of October to May. However, the southernmost portion is observed to be humid and rain is evenly distributed throughout the year while the eastern part is dry with rain not sufficiently distributed. August has the most rainfall while January and February have the least. The mean temperature in the province is 27 °C (81 °F). January is the coldest.

Climate data for Candon City, Ilocos Sur
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	30 (86)	31 (88)	33 (91)	34 (93)	33 (91)	31 (88)	30 (86)	30 (86)	30 (86)	31 (88)	31 (88)	30 (86)	31 (88)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	19 (66)	20 (68)	21 (70)	23 (73)	25 (77)	25 (77)	25 (77)	25 (77)	24 (75)	22 (72)	21 (70)	20 (68)	23 (73)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	10 (0.4)	10 (0.4)	14 (0.6)	23 (0.9)	80 (3.1)	103 (4.1)	121 (4.8)	111 (4.4)	119 (4.7)	144 (5.7)	39 (1.5)	15 (0.6)	789 (31.2)
Average rainy days	5.2	3.9	6.2	9.1	18.5	21.4	22.9	19.8	19.8	16.2	10.5	6.1	159.6
Source: Meteoblue (modeled/calculated data, not measured locally)

Demographics

Population census of Candon

Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1903 18,828 —     1918 19,950 +0.39% 1939 20,528 +0.14% 1948 22,362 +0.96% 1960 27,780 +1.82%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1970 31,116 +1.14% 1975 34,701 +2.21% 1980 36,802 +1.18% 1990 43,473 +1.68% 1995 45,128 +0.70%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 2000 50,564 +2.47% 2007 56,270 +1.49% 2010 57,884 +1.03% 2015 60,623 +0.88% 2020 61,432 +0.26%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

In the 2020 census, the population of Candon was 61,432 people, with a density of 590 inhabitants per square kilometre or 1,500 inhabitants per square mile.

Language

The dominant dialect spoken in Candon is Ilocano.

Religion

Candon City, located in the province of Ilocos Sur, is predominantly Christian, reflecting its strong religious heritage rooted in Spanish colonial influence and diverse faith traditions.

Religious Demographics

According to the 2015 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and the National Statistics Office (NSO), the religious composition of the city is as follows:

• Roman Catholicism – 82.11%
• Iglesia ni Cristo – 10.45%
• Protestantism – 4.12%
• Other Christian denominations – 3.32%
• Islam – 1–2%
• Indigenous or traditional beliefs – Less than 1%

Major Religious Groups

• Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion, a legacy of centuries of Spanish colonial rule.
• Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) has a significant presence in the city, with active congregations and regular worship services.
• Protestant groups in the city include Baptists, Evangelicals, and the United Methodist Church.
• Other Christian denominations, such as the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Pentecostal communities, also have established congregations.
• A small Muslim population resides in the city, contributing to its religious diversity.
• Some residents maintain indigenous or animist beliefs, though this group represents a very small portion of the population.

Notable Places of Worship

• Candon Catholic Church (St. John of Sahagún Parish) – A historic church under the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia
• Iglesia ni Cristo – Candon Locale
• Candon Evangelical Church
• United Methodist Church – Candon District

Religious Festivals and Celebrations

• Candon City observes a variety of religious festivals and events, including:
• Holy Week (Semana Santa) – Marked by processions and church activities
• Simbang Gabi – Traditional pre-Christmas dawn masses
• Candon City Fiesta – Celebrated in honor of the city's patron saint
• Fiesta de San Juan – Local celebration associated with St. John the Baptist

Religious Institutions and Organizations

The city is also home to religious educational institutions such as the Candon Catholic School, and hosts a number of community activities organized by churches and faith-based groups. Religious observances and festivals draw not only local devotees but also tourists, reflecting the city’s strong spiritual and cultural identity.

Economy

Poverty incidence of Candon

10 20 30 40 2000 30.96 2003 16.29 2006 17.50 2009 17.75 2012 14.11 2015 10.37 2018 5.60 2021 17.22 Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

McDonald's Candon City, located along the National Highway, is the only 24-hour McDonald's store in Ilocos Sur

Candon City has a geographical setting and proximity to the national highway and other towns that encouraged greater mobility in terms of trade, economic, social and cultural activities. The Department of Trade and Industry termed the city as the "Center for Trade and Commerce" in Ilocos Sur.

Many adjacent towns frequent Candon for commercial activities, catering to the commercial needs of an estimated 100,000 population. The city also has a supermarket and shopping mall, banking and lending institutions, recreational facilities, tourism facilities, health and medical establishments.

Existing industries in Candon City are manufacturing, agro-industry and cottage industry. The manufacturing sector owns the Tobacco Stalk Cement Bonded Board Plant that produces particle boards for low cost housing and other construction needs. Other manufacturing establishments are based on kalamay-making, chichacorn (deep-fried corn), baked goods, ice cream, and vinegar; furniture making, concrete products manufacturing, and a coconut oil processing plant located at Barangay Talogtog. On the other hand, cottage industries include balut egg production, fish re-drying, salt making, native delicacies, woodcraft and handicraft.

Service establishments are also present in Candon, such as sari-sari and grocery stores, carinderias (small diners), nightclubs, barber shops, beauty parlors, gasoline stations and stores/outlets for the following: auto parts, agricultural equipment and supplies, school and office supplies, photo and supplies, appliances, pharmaceuticals, hardware and electrical. There are also video centers, bazaars, gift shops, pawnshops and mineral/distilled drinking water store outlets, and real estate.

The city is the center of trade and commerce in the 2nd district of Ilocos Sur. Urban growth has a linear pattern along major thoroughfares in the city center and the national highway.

Government

Candon City Hall

Local government

Main article: Sangguniang Bayan

Candon, belonging to the second congressional district of the province of Ilocos Sur, is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a city council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is being held every three years.

Elected officials

Members of the Candon City Council (2019–2022)

Position	Name
District Representative (2nd Legislative District the Province of Ilocos Sur)	Kristine Singson-Meehan
Chief Executive of the City of Candon	Mayor Ericson G. Singson
Presiding Officer of the City Council of Candon	Vice-Mayor Kristelle G. Singson
Councilors of the City of Candon	Alfonso D. Singson
	Robert B. Tudayan
	Aileen Rhoda I. Acal
	Angela C. Itchon
	Lerisa M. Llanes
	Joanne Ascencion G. Valdez
	George T. Valdez
	David D. Wagayen
	Oscar Materno L. Balagot
	Godofredo F. Abrero

City seal

City Seal of Candon

The official seal of the City of Candon was approved and adopted by the Sangguniang Panlungsod under Resolution No. 017-01 sponsored by Councilor David Gacusana. It is published to immortalize the “Cry of Candon” of March 1898 and to commemorate the ratification of its Cityhood charter under Republic Act 9018 on March 28, 2001.

Explanatory notes:

1. The seal is patterned after the Official Seal of Ilocos Sur, which is also the general pattern being used by all the seals of the different provinces in the Philippines.
2. The emblem at the middle of the circle represents the Philippine Flag, which symbolizes the spirit of nationalism.
3. The TORCH at the middle of the flag represents the spirit of 1898 demonstrating an ever-burning desire of our people for “liberty, justice and democracy.”
4. The SABER and the RIFLE crossed below the torch are symbols of the readiness of the people to protect human rights. While the TOBACCO LEAVES behind them are like outstretched wings whereby the local agriculture economy thrives.
5. The date on top of the glowing flame is the date of the immortal “Cry of Candon” when our forefathers, led by the indomitable Don Isabelo Abaya, fought and successfully liberated Candon from the Spanish overlords a full three months before the National uprising of June 12, 1898.
6. Finally, the banner beneath the emblem contains the historic Candon City Charter – Republic Act 9018 of March 28, 2001, declaring Candon as a city.

Attractions

Candon Church Facade

Candon City Arena

• Candon Church (Saint John de Sahagun Parish Church)
• Darapidap Beach
• Tobacco Festival - Celebrated every month of March as thanksgiving for the city's vast harvest of tobacco
• Feria de Candon (Trade Fair) - Every first week of December in honor of Santa Barbara (December 4).
• Candon City Arena - Opened in 2023, the 8,000-seater arena has hosted various sporting events and concerts.

Transportation

Candon City is accessible via the McArthur National Highway, which is also the city's main thoroughfare. Other major streets in the city are 25 de Marzo Street and San Juan Street, both parallel to the National Highway. Quirino Boulevard is a secondary highway that connects the city proper to the upland barangays of Candon City and the upland municipalities of Ilocos Sur. The Darapidap Beach Road or the Samonte Boulevard where you can find the Muslim Mosque aside of it. This Road connects the seaside barangays to the urban center.

Tricycles and jeepneys are the major types of transportation in the city. There are over 3000 registered tricycles in the city, the highest number of registered tricycles in the province (as an individual local government unit.)

Buses provide long-distance trips to major cities like Manila, Baguio and Laoag. Mini-Buses provide short trips to neighboring municipalities and the nearby cities of Vigan and San Fernando, La Union. Major Bus Companies also established their terminals in the city, among them are:

• Partas
• Dominion Bus Lines
• Santa Lucia Express and Martinez Trans (managed by Victory Liner)
• Candon Bus Line

Education

The Candon City Schools Division Office oversees the operations of all Schools District Offices within the city. The Division Office is managed by the Department of Education (DepEd). There are two schools district offices (SDOs), namely: Candon City District I Schools District Office, and Candon City District II Schools District Office. They govern the operations of all private and public elementary and high schools throughout the city. Tertiary levels are governed by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Primary and elementary schools

• Allangigan Elementary School
• Amguid Elementary School
• Ayudante Elementary School
• Bagani Elementary School
• Bagani-Tocgo Elementary School
• Bagar Elementary School
• Balingaoan Elementary School
• Bugnay Elementary School
• Cabanela Preschool Center
• Calaoa-an Elementary School
• Calongbuyan Elementary School
• Candon North Central School
• Candon South Central School
• Candon South Central School SPED Center
• Caterman Elementary School
• Caterman Mt. Zion Academy
• Cubcubbuot Elementary School
• Filomeno G. Gagarin Elementary School
• Darapidap Elementary School
• Langlangca Elementary School
• Maranatha Christian Academy (Elementary)
• Nicosat Colleges (Elementary)
• Oaig-Daya Elementary School
• Parioc East Elementary School
• Parioc Elementary School
• Patpata Elementary School
• Paypayad Elementary School
• Salvador Elementary School
• San Andres Adventist Elementary School
• San Juan de Sahagun (Parish) Pre-School Formation Center
• St. Cecilia Early Learning Center (Elementary)
• St. Joseph's Institute (Elementary)
• Sto. Tomas Elementary School
• Tablac Elementary School
• Talogtog Elementary School
• Tamurong Elementary School
• The Shepherd Kiddie School
• The Sto. Tomas UMC Children's Garden Learning Center
• Ubbog Elementary School
• UCCP - Nursery Kindergarten School

Secondary schools

• Candon City High School
• Candon City Information Technology National High School
• Candon National High School
• Dr. Ricardo Gacula Memorial National High School
• Maranatha Christian Academy
• Nicosat Colleges (High School)
• St. Cecilia Early Learning Center
• St. Joseph's Institute
• Sto. Tomas National High School

Higher educational institutions

• Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC)
• Nicosat Colleges
• North Luzon Philippines State College - Formerly a campus of the University of Northern Philippines, founded as the Candon Community College before its merger with UNP by virtue of a bill enacted by then Congressman Eric Singson.
• Saint Joseph Institute - a co-ed private school owned and administered by the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres.

Media

AM stations

• DZTP 693 kHz Tirad Pass Broadcasting Network

FM stations

• DWRE 104.5 Radyo Natin

Sister Cities

• Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
• Baguio, Philippines

External links

• Official website
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Local Governance Performance Management System