San Rafael Centro

Barrio San Rafael is a flourishing place of the municipality. It is three (3) kilometers west of the town proper and it is situated along the northern side of the Ambayaoan River. The Barrio was composed of many sitios, namely: Sitio Calupaan, Sitio Centro, Sitio Casapangan; Sition Parbo, Sitio Marintec and Sitio Malasin. San Rafael was only one barrio before with its name derived from the patron saint, “San Rafael.” The adventurous people of the Ilocos province were the original settlers who arrived to seek greener pastures and better opportunities.

With the creation of the PACD in the 60’s to foster countryside development, Barrio of San Rafael was divided into three separate barangays. Sitio Calupaan became San Rafael West, Sitio Parbo, Marintec and Malasin became San Rafael East and Sitio Centro and Casapangan became San Rafael Centro. These Three barangays is now known as San Rafael District with San Rafael Centro as the center of the district. It is where the elementary school and the high school of the three barangays are found. The original lot of the high school was donated by the late Don Macario Paraguas, who was from Sitio Calupaan, While the elementary school lot was donated by Don Guillermo Bedaña of San Rafael Centro.

Barangay San Rafael Centro is still composed of Sitio Centro and Casapangan. It is bounded on the east by San Rafael East; on the west by San Rafael West; on the north by the Sabangan River; and on the south by the Ambayaoan River. It is basically a flourishing agricultural community with farm produce ranges from palay, corn and cassava to variety of fruits and vegetable like sineguelas, calamansi and mongo. The Rural Electrification Program of the government thru PANELCO III had brought progress in the community and the standard of living increased. Other sources of income like welding shops and piggeries had proliferated.

The barangay is predominantly of Roman Catholic although other sects existed. Also considered by the inhabitants as part of their barangay history was the birth of the first birth known living triplets in the history of San Nicolas. Their parents Mr. ELpidio M. Soria and Mrs. Demetria named their triplet sons, Sherwin, Erwin and Darwin. The triplet are now Twenty-three (23) years old and all professionals.

Prominent families of San Rafael Centro are the Rodillas, Dotimas, Bibat, Dela Cruz, and Doton among others. Prominent barangay leaders of the municipality as municipal councilors includes Don Policarpio H. Bibat, Don Silvestre Dotimas, Don Claudio Dotimas and Don Roberto Rodillas. Incumbent councilor Genaro “Boyet” R. Paraguas, jr. is also a native of this place and presently the district councilor of the San Rafael Distric                                                                                                                                                        Boundaries :

          North : Brgy. Cabuloan                                   South  : Brgy. Sobol

          East    : Brgy. San Rafael East                           West   : Brgy. San Rafael West

Distance from Poblacion (kms.) :  2.5 km

Road Type :    Concrete

Seasons :

          Dry – December to April                                            

Wet – May to November                                           

Average Annual Rainfall (mm.)                                   147.21 mm

Average Monthly Temperature (Celsius)                       29.15°C

Status of Land classification (has.):   

Major River  :   Ambayoan River, Sabangan River

Soil Type      :   Umingan Sandy Loam

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