Alilem, officially the Municipality of Alilem (Ilocano: Ili ti Alilem; Filipino: Bayan ng Alilem), is a 4th class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 7,361 people.[3]

Alilem
Municipality of Alilem
Flag of Alilem
Official seal of Alilem
Motto: 
Ali Alilem
Map of Ilocos Sur with Alilem highlighted
Map of Ilocos Sur with Alilem highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Map
Alilem is located in Philippines
Alilem
Alilem
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 16°53′13″N 120°31′52″E / 16.886883°N 120.531008°E / 16.886883; 120.531008
CountryPhilippines
RegionIlocos Region
ProvinceIlocos Sur
District 2nd district
Barangays9 (see Barangays)
Government
[1]
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • mayor of Alilem[*]Velmor P. Sumabat
 • Vice MayorMar Ruel P. Sumabat
 • RepresentativeKristine Singson-Meehan
 • Municipal Council
Members
 • Electorate4,974 voters (2022)
Area
 • Total
119.33 km2 (46.07 sq mi)
Elevation
282 m (925 ft)
Highest elevation
1,093 m (3,586 ft)
Lowest elevation
23 m (75 ft)
Population
 (2020 census)[3]
 • Total
7,361
 • Density62/km2 (160/sq mi)
 • Households
1,648
Economy
 • Income class4th municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence
22.62
% (2021)[4]
 • Revenue₱ 171.6 million (2020)
 • Assets₱ 593.4 million (2020)
 • Expenditure₱ 73.16 million (2020)
 • Liabilities₱ 118.3 million (2020)
Service provider
 • ElectricityIlocos Sur Electric Cooperative (ISECO)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
2716
PSGC
IDD:area code+63 (0)77
Native languagesIlocano
Tagalog

Alilem is 106 kilometres (66 mi) from Vigan and 323 kilometres (201 mi) from Manila.

Etymology

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Long before the Spanish colonizers landed on the Philippine shores, there were already natives living in this place. These people live in huts built on the hillsides located at the northern and eastern parts of the valley. This was so because the present valley was then the course of the Bakun River. For many years, the natives lived simply but peacefully but were soon disturbed by an unusual and fearful occurrence in the area. It all started with the continuous heavy downpour or “lemlem” in the native dialect. This “lemlem” caused the Bakun River to swell to an extraordinary size and overflow its banks. In the middle part of the river, there was a big “alicono” or whirlpool which the people feared so much. Even after the rains ceased, the ‘alicono’ remained; so the people believed it to their god Kabunian's punishment for their sins. As it was their custom, the people held the native feast called “kaniaw”, the “alicono” vanished and the Bakun River changed its course to the foot of the mountains in the southern part leaving a dry level land suited for residential lots and farms. The people moved their homes to the valley and named the place Alilem after the “alicono” and “lemlem”.

History

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Accurate and reliable information on the exact date of the founding of the town cannot be secured because there are no complete historical records available. However, basing from its information gathered from the old folks, it could be deduced that the town of Alilem was founded sometime after 1820. What is certainly known only is that the lay-out of the town was done by the Spaniards. During the Spanish occupation, Alilem was noted for being the center of the district government of “commandancia politico-militar” of Amburayan. This commandancia was composed of Alilem, Sigay, Suyo, Tagudin, Sudipen, San Gabriel and Bakun. In 1908, the commandancia of Amburayan became a sub-province of the newly created special capital of the sub-province until the Americans transferred the seat to Tagudin.

Geography

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Barangays

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Alilem is politically subdivided into 9 barangays.[5] Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

  • Alilem Daya (Poblacion)
  • Amilongan
  • Anaao
  • Apang
  • Apaya
  • Batbato
  • Daddaay
  • Dalawa
  • Kiat

Climate

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Climate data for Alilem, 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)
32
(90)
33
(91)
32
(90)
31
(88)
30
(86)
30
(86)
30
(86)
31
(88)
31
(88)
30
(86)
31
(88)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 20
(68)
21
(70)
22
(72)
24
(75)
25
(77)
25
(77)
25
(77)
25
(77)
25
(77)
23
(73)
22
(72)
21
(70)
23
(74)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 27
(1.1)
31
(1.2)
40
(1.6)
71
(2.8)
207
(8.1)
237
(9.3)
286
(11.3)
261
(10.3)
261
(10.3)
254
(10.0)
88
(3.5)
46
(1.8)
1,809
(71.3)
Average rainy days 9.4 9.3 12.7 17.0 25.4 26.8 27.4 26.1 25.0 21.0 15.5 10.6 226.2
Source: Meteoblue (modeled/calculated data, not measured locally)[6]

Demographics

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Population census of Alilem
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 175—    
1918 1,621+16.00%
1939 3,285+3.42%
1948 3,049−0.82%
1960 3,594+1.38%
YearPop.±% p.a.
1970 4,145+1.43%
1975 4,409+1.25%
1980 4,599+0.85%
1990 5,314+1.46%
1995 5,533+0.76%
YearPop.±% p.a.
2000 6,353+3.01%
2007 6,217−0.30%
2010 6,640+2.42%
2015 6,695+0.16%
2020 7,361+1.88%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[7][8][9][10]

In the 2020 census, Alilem had a population of 7,361.[3] The population density was 62 inhabitants per square kilometre (160/sq mi).

Economy

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Poverty incidence of Alilem

10
20
30
40
2006
37.50
2009
27.40
2012
33.35
2015
18.53
2018
8.69
2021
22.62

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]

Government

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Local government

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Alilem, 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 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

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Members of the Municipal Council
(2019–2022)[19]
Position Name
Congressman Kristine Singson-Meehan
Mayor Velmor P. Sumabat
Vice-Mayor Mar Ruel P. Sumabat
Councilors Rodolfo C. Ibea
Rodelio P. Sumabat
Remigio B. Lorenzana
Samson L. Bangaoil
Eduardo G. Mutong
Justiniano D. Lacasandile Jr.
Mario P. Tiglao
Arvin S. Bangaoil

References

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  1. ^ Municipality of Alilem | (DILG)
  2. ^ "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Census of Population (2020). "Region I (Ilocos Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  4. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  5. ^ "Province: Ilocos Sur". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  6. ^ "Alilem: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  7. ^ Census of Population (2015). "Region I (Ilocos Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  8. ^ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region I (Ilocos Region)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  9. ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region I (Ilocos Region)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
  10. ^ "Province of Ilocos Sur". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  11. ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  12. ^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
  13. ^ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 March 2009.
  14. ^ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012.
  15. ^ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.
  16. ^ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019.
  17. ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  18. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  19. ^ "2019 National and Local Elections" (PDF). Commission on Elections. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
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