Vintar

Vintar
Municipality
Municipality of Vintar
Seal
Map of Ilocos Norte with Vintar highlighted
Vintar Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 18°13′30″N 120°39′00″E / 18.225°N 120.65°E / 18.225; 120.65Coordinates: 18°13′30″N 120°39′00″E / 18.225°N 120.65°E / 18.225; 120.65
Country	Philippines
Region	Ilocos Region (Region I)
Province	Ilocos Norte
District	1st District
Founded	1909
Barangays	34 (see Barangays)
Government [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor	Larisa Cadavona Foronda
• Electorate	20,273 voters (2016)
Area [2]
• Total	614.35 km2 (237.20 sq mi)
Population (2015 census)[3]
• Total	32,220
• Density	52/km2 (140/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	2915
PSGC	012823000
IDD : area code	+63 (0)77
Climate type	Tropical monsoon climate
Income class	1st municipal income class
Revenue (₱)	203,671,145.69 (2016)
Native languages	Ilocano Tagalog
Website	www.vintar.gov.ph

Vintar is a first class and the largest municipality (in terms of area) in the province of Ilocos Norte, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 32,220 people.^[3] Its patron saint is Saint Nicholas de Tolentino.

The town is home to one of the biggest convents in the Province of Ilocos Norte. The convent houses the Saint Nicolas Institute. It is also the site of the Governor’s Resthouse, the town’s popular resort.

History

Vintar derived its name from the Ilocano word, intar, which used to describe the formation or order taken by the subject from their ruler whenever the chief called them to attention. It is said that a visiting Spanish missionary named Leano heard the word and add the letter V.

The town earliest settlers are believed to be Indonesian. They first settled on a hill overlooking the Vintar River where its huge dam is located. In the early 16th century, the town was founded by a Catholic missionary who got lost in the woods while hunting between Sarrat and Piddig. Vintar was made the visita of Bacarra in 1600. Ten years later, it was established as a parish os San Nicolas de Tolentino. Earlier in 1763, Vintar was reverted to a visita until it became independent in 1774.

In 1903, Vintar was annexed as a barrio Bacarra. It gained its separation and independence in 1909.

In 1931, an earthquake partially destroyed its church. Five years later, it was restored and so was its convent in 1982.

Vintar celebrates its town fiesta every 10 September. A religious tradition inherited from the Augustinians lives on-the distribution of San Nicolas biscuits.

The people of Vintar are engage in farming, fishing and herding. The town is generally rural.

Geography

Vintar town with mountains in the background.

Vintar is located on a plain land surrounded by mountains. Vintar is surrounded and bordered by:

• Bangui, Adams, Dumalneg, Burgos and Pagudpud in the north;
• Laoag, Sarrat, Piddig, and Carasi in the south;
• Pasuquin and Bacarra in the west;
• Calanasan, Apayao in the east.

The town is considered as the sixth major river system in the region. Its head waters are on the western Cordillera slopes at the Kalinga and Apayao borders. It flows eastward and irrigates most of the flat lands of Ilocos Norte before making its exit into the China Sea. Vintar has the largest land area in Ilocos Norte.

Note: The town of Sigay was created in 2008, carving out from the territory of Vintar, but was amended September 2009 because of poor economy.

Demographics

In the 2015 census, the population of Vintar was 32,220 people,^[3] with a density of 52 inhabitants per square kilometre or 130 inhabitants per square mile.

Festival

Siwawer Festival is the annual festival of Vintar. This festival of the town is being celebrated in honor of the siwawer and canaoay birds that only live in the area of Vintar. It is celebrated for 12 days every December 19 to December 30.

• December 19 - San Nicholas de Tolentino Parish Parade, opening of the Annual Vintar Arcade
• December 20 - Rambak ti Laod Parade
• December 21 - "Parada ti Bab-baket ken Lal-lakay" (translates as "Parade of the Old Women and Men")
• December 22 - "Parada ti Ub-ubing"" (translates as "Parade of the Children")
• December 23 - Presentation of the Candidates for the Ms. Teen Vintar of the 34 Barangays
• December 24 and 26 - Christmas Parade
• December - "Dudol" Festival recently celebrated (Rice Cake Festival)
• December 27 - All-Schools Dance Parade and Dance Showdown, Balikbayans of Vintar Night
• December 28 - Gays of Vintar Pageant
• December 29 - Search for the Ms. Teen Vintar Night
• December 30 - Coronation and Awarding Ceremonies

Transportation

Vintar can be reached through air via Laoag International Airport at Laoag City, then hiring a tricycle or any other public transportation. From Manila by bus, it will take about 10 to 12 hours in reaching the center of Vintar. Farinas and Maria De Leon are the major companies that have a daily trip to Vintar.

Government seal

The shield is derived from the provincial seal of Ilocos Norte.

The letter V stands for the word Vintar, the name of the municipality.

The eagle represents the native hawk, commonly called Siwawer by the old folks and after which the people of Vintar are referred to.

Landscape, plow, rice stalk, onion, garlic, mango, eggplant and tobacco leaf, at the left side of the shield representing the municipality’s principal farming industries.

Dam, gate valve, water and fish at the right side of the shield represent Vintar-Laoag-Bacarra irrigation system. The dam also stands for the Siwawers, a resort the town is famous for; the fish symbolizes one of the main income-generating products of the locality.

References

External links

• Pasyalan Ilocos Norte
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Local Governance Performance Management System