Paracale is a first class municipality in the province of Camarines Norte, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 59,149 people.
Paracale was founded as a mission post by Franciscan friars in 1581. It was established as a town in 1611. However, the mission was abandoned in 1634, reestablished by the Franciscans in 1638 but was abandoned again in 1662. In 1687, the Franciscan missionaries returned to their mission. It was later ceded to the secular clergy. In 1863, Paracale was then formally established as a town. Seventeen years later, the Franciscans returned to Paracale to take charge the spiritual administration of the faithful. A large gold mine was discovered here in 1626 and Spaniards worked the gold-bearing gravel in its rivers and streams. The Americans set up huge dredges and mined primary lode deposits.
The town’s name was derived from para cale, meaning “canal digger.” Small gold mining operations persist in this old gold mining center and locals still pan for gold.
Paracale is politically subdivided into 27 barangays.
In the 2015 census, the population of Paracale, Camarines Norte, was 59,149 people, with a density of 300 inhabitants per square kilometre or 780 inhabitants per square mile.
Municipal officials:
Mayor: Lourdes Villamonte Briguera
Vice Mayor: Bernadette Epino Asutilla
Councilors:
Mario Cesar Cariño
Ricky Dela Peña Manarang
Nestor Manarang
Zaldy Moya
Darwin Pioquinto San Luis
Romeo Yebra Moreno
Amelia Ortiz Oco
Florevil Oco
Nelson Dasco
Transportation
Land transportation is the primary means of transporting people, goods and services from the barangay to the town proper of Paracale. The municipality is connected to its different barangays by the municipality’s major roads, namely the Maharlika Highway.
Water supply
The barangays of the municipality are being served by levels I, II and III water supply. Other barangays are being served by shallow wells, deep wells or dug wells.
Power supply
Paracale is being served by electric power, formerly by the defunct Hidalgo Electric Enterprise, now by the National Power Corporation through the Camarines Norte Electric Cooperative (CANORECO). After the establishment of this cooperative, there was a great improvement in terms of power supply condition in the municipality.
Communication
Paracale has a telecommunication system that is being run by the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC). There are two satellites of Smart, Globe. There is postal office and has a staff of one mail carriers serving all barangays in the municipality. These personnel cannot adequately serve the entire from the lack of personnel; another problem is the difficulty in the delivery of mails in the remote and far-flung barangays.
Mining companies
United Paragon Mining Corporation ( Not Operational)
Unidragon Mining and Development Corporation ( Not Operational due to Cease and desist order by MGB)
Baotong Mining Corporation (Not Operational due to Cease and desist order by MGB)
Konka Fulim Mining and Development Corp. (KFMDC) ( Not Operational)
Paracale and its surrounding area is being served by a local community radio, Radyo Natin 102.5
Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, established in 1611, it is one of the first churches in Camarines Norte and was built by Franciscan Friars. The church features the canonically miraculous image of Our Lady of Candelaria.
Parish of Saint Roche in Batobalani
Parish of San Roque in Tabas
Iglesia Ni Cristo
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses
City Of Praise
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Seventh Day Adventist
Ang Dating Daan
United Church of Christ in the Phils (UCCP)
Paracale Evangelical Church
Paracale National High School - Marlo Fiel P. Sultan, Ed. D., School Principal II
Batobalani National High School - Euginio Abanto, Ed. D., School Principal I
Tabas High School - Ronald Rafael, School Principal I
Gumaus National High School - Joan Malaluan, Head Teacher I
Maximo Manarang High School - Jonalyn Nolasco, OIC
