City Profile – City Government of Laoag

Laoag City

The name of the city “Laoag” is a derivative of the Ilocano term, which means light or brightness. Buzeta, an Augustinian missionary, in his Diccionarios Gografico Estatistico Historico de las Filipinas, states that Laoag has a clear athmosphere which presents a beautiful, blue skyline and that the reason why the place was given the name “Laoag”.

Laoag City is a vibrant and dynamic growth center in the north, a truly unique destination offering surprises, panoramic sand dunes, lush vegetation, scenic beaches, high land lures, historical and heritage sites.

As the capital of Ilocos Norte, it is the business and trading center of the province, boasting of numerous diversified business activities and establishments. Hotels, restaurants, bars, banks and other establishments are located in the central business district. Of particular interest is the Laoag City Commercial Complex, where establishments offer Ilocano products such as Inabel, Bagnet, Longganisa, Sukang Iloko and other Ilocano products.

Laoag City is the gateway to the North Luzon Tourism Hub and Growth Quadrangle. It boast of the Laoag International Airport where there are international flights from Hawaii, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Guangzou, Shenshen, Macau and Korea.

The airport serves asa a jump-off point for flights to Basco, Batanes alongside with different flights to Manila. Truly radiating endless rays of possibilities, Laoag City is the country’s “Sunshine City”.

Mandate

Mandate As a Local Government Unit, the City of Laoag’s mandate emanated from the provisions of Republic Act No. 7160 also known as the Local Government Code of 1991. Pursuant to the General Welfare provision of the code, the LGU is mandated to ensure and support the preservation and enrichment of culture, enhancement of the right of the people to a balanced ecology, promotion of health and safety, maintenance of peace and order, improvement of public moral, enhancement of economic prosperity and social justice, promotion of full employment among the residents, development of appropriate and self-reliant technological and scientific capabilities and preservation of the comfort and convenience of the people.

Mission

The City of Laoag shall endeavor to develop empowered citizens who value environment and culture, support agro-industrialization, and adopt state-of-the-art technologies towards global competitiveness.

Vision

The City of Laoag shall be the “BARO A LAOAG that empowers its people through inclusive governance to sustain economic growth and vibrant culture while preserving the environment and moving towards resilience.”