Luna, La Union

Luna, officially the Municipality of Luna ( ilo, Ili ti Luna; fil, Bayan ng Luna), is a 3rd class municipality in the province of La Union, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 37,318 people.

Luna is from San Fernando and from Manila.

Etymology

The town got its name in order of the Luna brothers: Antonio Luna and Juan Luna.

History

Luna was once called ''Namacpacan'', which is an Ilocano word meaning "one who feeds".

As early as 1587, Namacpacan was recorded as a ''visita'' (satellite mission, whose church is manned by non-resident clergy based in the ''cabecera'') of Purao (now Balaoan). It was a settlement along the ''camino real'' (national road) from Vigan to Manila, and travelers stopped there to refresh themselves. Since restaurants were not yet in vogue, local families offered the travelers food and lodging, hence the name.

On 18 October 1906, during the terms of Governor Joaquin Luna and Mayor Primitivo Resurrección Novicio, the town was renamed "Luna" through ''Philippine Commission Act No. 1543''. It was the first town that altered its name since the creation of the province in 1850. The change was to honor the famous Luna brothers: Revolutionary General Antonio and ''Spoliarium'' painter Juan; their mother, Doña Laureana Novicio Luna, was a native of Namacpacan.

Geography

Barangays

Luna is politically subdivided into 40 barangays. These barangays are headed by elected officials: Barangay Captain, Barangay Council, whose members are called Barangay Councilors. All are elected every three years.

* Alcala
* Ayaoan
* Barangobong
* Barrientos
* Bungro
* Busel-Busel
* Cabalitocan
* Cantoria No. 1
* Cantoria No. 2
* Cantoria No. 3
* Cantoria No. 4
* Carisquis
* Darigayos
* Magallanes
* Magsiping
* Mamay
* Nagrebcan
* Nalvo Norte
* Nalvo Sur
* Napaset
* Oaqui No. 1
* Oaqui No. 2
* Oaqui No. 3
* Oaqui No. 4
* Pila
* Pitpitac
* Rimos No. 1
* Rimos No. 2
* Rimos No. 3
* Rimos No. 4
* Rimos No. 5
* Rissing
* Salcedo
* Santo Domingo Norte
* Santo Domingo Sur
* Sucoc Norte
* Sucoc Sur
* Suyo
* Tallaoen
* Victoria

Luna's poblacion (town center) consists of the four barangays: Victoria, Salcedo, Alcala, and Magallanes.

Climate

Demographics

In the 2020 census, the population of Luna, La Union, was 37,318 people, with a density of .

Economy

Government

Luna, belonging to the first congressional district of the province of La Union, is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a municipal 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

Tourist attractions

Luna is also known for its pebble beaches, particularly in Nalvo Sur and Darigayos. Beach shades, cottages and resorts are found in these barangays. The municipality is also known for its native delicacies and pottery products which are comparable to San Juan's.

The town is a pilgrimage site as it enshrines the ''Apo Baket Namacpacan'', a wooden Marian image.

On the beach of barangay Victoria rests the ruins of an old Spanish watchtower, locally named as ''Balauarte''. The tower was intended to guard the shores of the town primarily from Muslim and pirate attacks during the Spanish period. During World War II, the tower served as the communication tower post for a temporary airfield for the USAFIP-NL forces. Due to years of quarrying within the site of the tower (1980 to 2000), the coastline receded and sea waves severely damaged the foundation of the tower, which eventually caused major damage to its structure. At present, efforts were initiated to preserve the tower from further damage.

Education

Luna has Public Elementary schools in each barangay except Barangobong. There are 6 public high schools (''Luna National Science High School - Central'' in Barangay Barrientos, ''LNHS - Rimos'' and ''Cantoria Annex''; and ''Oanari National High School'') ''Bungro-Sucoc Integrated School'' in Bungro, ''Luna Technical Vocational High School'' and 1 Private High School (Santa Catalina Academy).

Gallery

File:FvfLunaLaUnion8529 03.JPG, Municipal hall
File:FvfLunaTownHall8570 07.JPG, Police station
File:FvfLunaLaUnion8350 29.JPG, Town center
File:FvfLunaLaUnion8640 07.JPG, Luna Sports Center
File:FvfLunaTownHall8570 17.JPG, Street view

References

External links

* Philippine Standard Geographic Code
Philippine Census Information

Local Governance Performance Management System

{{Authority control

Municipalities of La Union