Palauig, officially the Municipality of Palauig (Sambal: Babali nin Palauig; Ilocano: Ili ti Palauig; Filipino: Bayan ng Palauig), is a municipality in the province of Zambales, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 43,250 people.

The municipality of Palauig is the nearest mainland to the Philippine-claimed EEZ Panatag Shoal, or Scarborough Shoal, which the country places under Masinloc to the town’s north.

Geography

Barangays

Palauig is politically subdivided into 19 barangays, as indicated below. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

  • Alwa
  • Bato
  • Bulawen
  • Cauyan
  • East Poblacion
  • Garreta
  • Libaba
  • Liozon
  • Lipay
  • Locloc
  • Macarang
  • Magalawa
  • Pangolingan
  • Salaza
  • San Juan
  • Santo Niño
  • Santo Tomas
  • San Vicente
  • West Poblacion

Climate

Climate data for Palauig, Zambales
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)31 (88)32 (90)33 (91)34 (93)32 (90)31 (88)29 (84)29 (84)29 (84)30 (86)31 (88)31 (88)31 (88)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)20 (68)20 (68)21 (70)23 (73)25 (77)25 (77)25 (77)25 (77)24 (75)23 (73)22 (72)20 (68)23 (73)
Average precipitation mm (inches)16 (0.6)18 (0.7)28 (1.1)51 (2.0)200 (7.9)253 (10.0)301 (11.9)293 (11.5)246 (9.7)171 (6.7)70 (2.8)28 (1.1)1,675 (66)
Average rainy days6.27.110.415.524.426.428.227.526.223.615.98.7220.1
Source: Meteoblue

Demographics

Population census of Palauig
YearPop.±% p.a.
19033,363
19184,406+1.82%
19396,026+1.50%
19488,386+3.74%
196010,392+1.80%
197014,546+3.42%
197516,359+2.38%
198017,176+0.98%
199021,577+2.31%
199526,794+4.14%
200029,983+2.44%
200730,747+0.35%
201033,286+2.93%
201534,947+0.93%
202039,784+2.77%
202443,250+2.03%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

In the 2024 census, the population of Palauig was 43,250 people, with a density of 140 inhabitants per square kilometre or 360 inhabitants per square mile.

Language

Most of the citizens in the municipality speak Sambal followed by Ilocano and Tagalog.

Economy

Poverty incidence of Palauig

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

Government

Local government

At present, Palauig is headed by Mayor Christian Aceron , with the Municipal Council called Sangguniang Bayan with 8 members.

Mayors

Don Marcelino Rosal Gregorio(1900-1908)

Hon.Vicente J. Tuazon(1918-1921)

Hon.Lorenzo M. Monato(1926-1928, 1934-1937)

Hon.Juan M. Apatan(1937-1941)

Hon.Ricardo P. Asis(1946-1955)

Hon.Basilio N. Dela Rosa(1955-1959, 1972-1979)

Hon.Buenaventura Altares, Sr.(1960-1967, 1979-1986)

Hon Domingo A. Monato(1986-1992)

Hon.Felecito M. Aranda(1992-1998)

Hon.Milagros A. Guatlo(1998-2007)

Hon.Generoso Amog(2007-2016)

Hon.Billy M. Aceron(2016-2025)

Hon.Christian H. Aceron(incumbent)

Tourism

Palauig is home to the mountain climbing resort of Mount Tapulao. Because of cold climate on its summit similar to Baguio, it has become an attraction to many local and foreign mountaineering groups and tourists. The Municipal Tourism Authority of the Palauig Municipal Government also promotes the Magalawa Island Resort and Famous Beach Resorts along the coastal Barangay of Locloc.

Due to the municipal government's aggressive tourism campaign, local and foreign tourist arrivals in the municipality is on the rise and bringing Palauig as another Tourist destination in Zambales Province.

Special Administrative Zone

Education

The Palauig Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools.

Primary and elementary schools

  • A. P. Decano Memorial Elementary School
  • Alwa Elementary School
  • Aninzo-Arca Elementary School
  • Anthony Arana Guatlo Elementary School
  • Bato Elementary School
  • Bulawen Elementary School
  • Dampay Elementary School
  • Dapla Elementary School
  • Emiliano M. Aragon Memorial Elementary School
  • Liozon Elementary School
  • Lipay Elementary School
  • Locloc Elementary School
  • Luan Elementary School
  • Magalawa Elementary School
  • Manggahan Elementary School
  • Palauig Central School
  • Palauig-M Ecumenical School
  • Pangolingan Elementary School
  • San Vicente Elementary School
  • Zacarias L. Antiller Elementary School

Secondary schools

  • Locloc National High School
  • Rofulo M. Landa High School
  • Carmel Academy of Palauig Inc.
  • Palawig Academy Educational Foundation
  • Bulawen High School (Rofulo M. Landa High School extension)

Gallery

  • Municipal hall and police station
  • Mount Tapulao
  • Magalawa Island
  • Town center
  • Parish of the Immaculate Conception

External links