# Paoay

Paoay, officially the Municipality of Paoay (Ilocano: Ili ti Paoay; Filipino: Bayan ng Paoay), is a municipality in the province of Ilocos Norte, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 25,001 people.

## History

In 1701, Paoay was established as a municipality by virtue of a Royal Decree that also designated Don Martin Guiang as its founding head. He served in this capacity as Kapitan Bosar from 1701 to 1704.

## Geography

The town is home to the Paoay Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Paoay is situated 20 kilometres (12 mi) from Laoag and 473 kilometres (294 mi) from Manila.

### Barangays

Paoay is politically subdivided into 31 barangays.  Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
* Bacsil
* Cabagoan
* Cabangaran
* Callaguip
* Cayubog
* Dolores
* Laoa
* Masintoc
* Monte
* Mumulaan
* Nagbacalan
* Nalasin
* Nanguyudan
* Oaig-Upay-Abulao
* Pambaran
* Pannaratan (Poblacion)
* Paratong
* Pasil
* Salbang (Poblacion)
* San Agustin
* San Blas (Poblacion)
* San Juan
* San Pedro
* San Roque (Poblacion)
* Sangladan Poblacion (Nalbuan)
* Santa Rita (Poblacion)
* Sideg
* Suba
* Sungadan
* Surgui
* Veronica

### Climate

Climate data for Paoay, Ilocos Norte :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 31 (88) | 32 (90) | 33 (91) | 34 (93) | 34 (93) | 34 (93) | 33 (91) | 32 (90) | 32 (90) | 33 (91) | 32 (90) | 31 (88) | 33 (91) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 19 (66) | 20 (68) | 21 (70) | 23 (73) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 23 (73) | 22 (72) | 21 (70) | 22 (72) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 6.2 (0.24) | 11.7 (0.46) | 10.1 (0.40) | 14 (0.6) | 192.7 (7.59) | 258.9 (10.19) | 470.9 (18.54) | 475.9 (18.74) | 405.7 (15.97) | 92.5 (3.64) | 44.8 (1.76) | 3 (0.1) | 1,986.4 (78.23) |
| Average rainy days | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 15 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 112 |
| Source: World Weather Online ||||||||||||||

## Demographics

In the 2020 census, the population of Paoay was 25,001 people, with a density of 330 inhabitants per square kilometre or 850 inhabitants per square mile.

## Economy

Poverty incidence of Paoay
* 5
* 10
* 15
* 20
* 25
* 30
* 2000 27.70
* 2003 27.85
* 2006 12.20
* 2009 14.89
* 2012 6.80
* 2015 8.44
* 2018 4.51
* 2021 4.80
* Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

## Government
### Local government

Paoay, belonging to the second congressional district of the province of Ilocos Norte, 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

Members of the Municipal Council (2022–2025) :
| Position | Name |
| Congressman | Eugenio Angelo M. Barba |
| Mayor | Shiella A. Galano |
| Vice-Mayor | Ferdinand Ignacio |
| Councilors | Carmencita B. Sadorra |
| Councilors | Juncee Clemente |
| Councilors | Dante Langaman |
| Councilors | Alfonso Diaz |
| Councilors | Edwin Abrojena |
| Councilors | Efren V. Valdez |
| Councilors | Sheryl Padayao |
| Councilors | Noel Quemado |

## Paoay Lake

Another prominent feature of the municipality is Paoay Lake. Legend has it that it was the site of a prosperous barangay, called San Juan de Sahagún (Saint John of Sahagún), that sank following a massive earthquake.
On the shores of the lake lies a mansion once used by the Marcoses. Called Malacañang of the North, it is now a museum that is open to the public. Adjacent to the mansion is the Paoay Golf Course.

## Gallery

* View of Paoay poblacion
* Buttress of the Paoay Church
* details on the side of a door of the church

## Notable Person

* Conchita Carpio-Morales - 5th Ombudsman of the Philippines, 151st Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines
* Mans Carpio, Second Gentleman Of The Philippines, lawyer.