Lasam, officially the Municipality of Lasam (Ibanag: Ili nat Lasam; Ilocano: Ili ti Lasam; Tagalog: Bayan ng Lasam), is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 39,135 people.
The town was once a part of the Municipality of Gattaran, that stretches the width of the province and bisected by the Cagayan River. The barangays west of the river was established as the separate town of Lasam in 1950 by Republic Act No. 507. The new municipality of Lasam became part of the Second Representative District of the Province of Cagayan, while Gattaran is in the First District.
It’s Early Beginnings – Bario Macatabang was a place along the western bank of the Cagayan River inhabited by Ybanags, Ilocano immigrants Filipino Chinese, and Malawegs. Macatabang was part of Gattaran,but as the population increased, the people of the western part of Gattaran made a resolution that it be made a separate town. Congressman creating the municipality of Santo Tomas. Representative Cabarroguis of Nueva Vizcaya vigorously objected the suggested name of the first reading of the bill. Finally, Lasam was agreed upon in the honor of the late Governor Honorio Lasam, the sixth governor of Cagayan (1915-1918).
On June 13, 1950, President Elpidio C. Quirino signed R.A 507 which made possible the creation of the municipality of Lasam, Cagayan out of thirteen (13) barangays of Gattaran, Cagayan namely Macatabang (Zinundungan), Aggunetan, Alannay, Calapangan, Callao, Finugu-Tarao, Gabun, Nabannagan, Malinta, Minanga, Peru, Tucalan Passing, and Viga. January 01,1951 was eventful for Lasam because it was her official inauguration as a town. However, another problem arose after the celebration of its inauguration. Although, it was stated in the bill that the site of Lasam would be barrio Macatabang, the people of Nabannagan fought that their barangay be made the town site. In order to settle the dispute, an arrangement between the two political factions (the Jurado faction of Macatabang and the Arce faction of Nabannagan) was made. They agreed that whoever was elected Mayor would have the privilege to situate the seat of government in his respective barrio. Fortunately, Jurado was elected Mayor by margin of only two votes over Arce, thus, Macatabang became the town proper.
(Source: Wikipedia and LGU Lasam)
INVESTMENT TAGLINE
| “Natalged A Lasam” |
DEMOGRAPHY
| Total Population (PSA 2015) | Working Age Population | Employed | Unemployed |
| 39,135 | 30,070 | 18,283 | 11,787 |
INFRASTRUCTURE
| Total Road Network | Existing Internet Service Providers | Existing Water Service Providers | Existing Electricity Service Provider and Capacity |
| 225.76 km. | Smart Communications, DICT and Globe Telecom. | Lasam Water District | Cagayan Electric Cooperative (CAGELCO) |
PUBLIC UTILITY VEHICLES
| Buses | Passenger Vans | Jeepneys | Tricycles | Passenger Bancas |
| 2 | 40 | 27 | 716 | 42 |
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
| No. of Commercial Banks | No. of Rural Banks | No. of Remittance Centers | Other Financial Institutions |
| 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
MEDICAL SERVICES
| Medical Services Provider | Category | Existing Bed Capacity |
| Lasam District Hospital | Hospital | 25 |
| Lasam Birthing Center | Birthing Center | 2 |
ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES AND BED CAPACITY
| Name of Accommodation Facility | Category | Maximum Bed Capacity |
| Myh Real Estate Leasing | Hotel | 15 |
MAJOR COMMODITY, CROPS AND/OR PRODUCE
| Major Crops and Produce | Productivity for 2016 (In Metric Tons) | Productivity for 2017 (In Metric Tons) | Productivity for 2018 (In Metric Tons) | Productivity for 2019 (In Metric Tons) | Productivity for 2020 (In Metric Tons) | Existing Market/Buyers |
| Rice | 44,778.3 | 60,992.54 | 43,156.92 | 58,073.98 | 46,199.76 | Local Traders |
| Corn | 15,732.71 | 20,411.6 | 11,640.6 | 21,514.11 | 22,843.11 | Local Traders |
MAJOR PRODUCTS
| Product Name | Producer/Processor | Existing Market |
| Tinupig | Local Producers | Local/Abroad |
| Chocolate (Cacao Tablea) | Local Producers | Local |
EXISTING BIG-TICKET INVESTORS (Asset Size of at least P60 Million)
| Name of Investors | Product Lines | Existing Market |
| Gregory Tallog | Palay Trading | Region I, II and III |
FISCAL AND NON-FISCAL INCENTIVES
| Fiscal Incentives | Non-Fiscal Incentives |
| – | – |
REASONS TO INVEST IN LASAM
| Reasons to Invest in Lasam |
| 1. Lasam is a town located at the 2nd District of Cagayan and is being developed as one of the gateways to the Cordillera and other nearby Cagayan Town namely, Sto. Niño and Rizal thus, the Municipality can be further developed as a business centric hub not only for inter town transactions but also between provinces. Its location between the two economic centers, Municipality of Aparri and the City of Tuguegarao, the presence of adequate Public Transportation, especially two (2) airports namely -Tuguegarao Airport and Cagayan North International Airport, extensive network of irrigation system and roads, tributaries of the Cagayan river that can be used to transport goods via waterways,, and basic necessities , and other essential facilities, makes Lasam an ideal investment hub. 2. Lasam is blessed with vast agricultural land thus a good network of farm to market road are established to improve the transportation of produce and movement between barangays, making its economy agriculturally-based. It has a number of naturally -formed tourism sites and scenic view that is potentially a catalyst for a tourism – driven economy, an example is the Cataliganan Water Park and various waterfalls which has a road access that makes a perfect weekend getaway recreation. To add, the people of Lasam, is very much hospitable and welcome its tourist-local and foreign-alike open arms. 3. Through the years, the town is classified as generally-peaceful community which gives peace-of-mind not only to residents but also for remote business owners and their businesses and investments. 4. Lasameños are hardworking, creative and can adapt changes making it as a very viable workforce for any jobs, whether blue or white-collared job. 5. When investment in, it will not only redound for return of Investment but also for the further development of the town, especially by providing different job opportunities for its people. |
STEPS IN REGISTERING A BUSINESS AND REQUIREMENTS
| No. | Steps | Requirements | Processing Time | Office Concerned |
| 1 | Submit documents for one-time assessment at the business permit and licensing office | Requirements for NEW Applicant a. Business Name-DTI/SEC/CDA or DOLE (xerox copy) b. Brgy. Business Clearance with Cedula c. Capital d. TIN Number-BIR Clearance from the LGU a. Zoning/locational clearance-MPDC b. Building and Occupational Permit – MEO c. Sanitary Permit d. Fire Safety(BFP) e. Environmental Clearance Additional requirements as may be applicable a. Contractor License from PCAB b. NTC Clearance for Telecommunication Services c. BFAD Permit for Drug Storage/Bakery d. SSS/PAG-IBIG e. BSP Registration for Banks, Pawnshop and Money Remittance Requirements for Renewal of Business a. Income Tax Return Return from BIR (xerox copy) b. Barangay Business Clearance with Cedula c. Business Inspection Certificate from JIT Clearances from the LGU a. Fire Safety Inspection Certificate – BFP b. Sanitary Permit – Food Handlers c. Building and Occupational Permit (Leasing) d. Environmental Clearance | 10-15 mins. | Sicel L. Guerrero |
| 2 | One-time payment of fees and charges | 5-10 mins. | Edes G. Castro MTO staff | |
| 3 | Submit Complete Documents and Release of Business Permit | 5-10 mins. | Mayor’s Office/ Jovelyn M. Asuncion |
COMPETITIVE/COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES
| Competitive/Comparative Advantages of Lasam |
| 1. Presence of large and vast tracts of land highly suitable for agricultural production. 2. Adequate public transportation facilities. 3. Good roads and bridges network servicing intra-town farm to market roads. 4. Extensive irrigation system. 5. Stable power supply. 6. Adequate educational facilities. 7. Presence of medical facilities. 8. Riverside beach has long been a domestic or local tourist attraction with high potentials on upgrading/improving the area to cater to foreign tourism clientele. 9. Cellular Mobile Telephone Services: SMART and GLOBE. 10. Hospitable environment and the resident’s tradition of openness, welcome and tolerance to foreign ways and people. 11. Potential tourism resources/scenic vistas basically anchored on water and eco-based recreational and leisure activities. 12. High labor force. 13. Favorable peace and order. 14. Being at the center of Aparri and Tuguegarao City is a distinct locational advantage since it is the two centers of banking, finance, trade, commerce, education and particularly the presence of Tuguegarao Airport and Cagayan North International Airport (Lal-lo, Cagayan). 15. Owing to the town’s land area, it is bounded by six (6) municipalities and three (3) municipal districts with whom the municipality may further develop and reinforce mutually supportive and so-productive interdependence in the exchange of goods and services. |
AWARDS AND CITATIONS
| Awards and Citations of Municipality of Lasam |
| 1. 19th Most Competitive Municipality in the Philippines (3rd-6th Class Municipalities Category) for the year 2018. 2. 10th Most Competitive Municipality in the Philippines for the year 2018 (Infrastructure Pillar). 3. 11th Most Competitive Municipality in the Philippines for the year 2019 (Economic Dynamism Pillar). |
CONTACT DETAILS OF LOCAL ECONOMIC AND INVESTMENT PROMOTION OFFICER/REPRESENTATIVE AND DTI NEGOSYO CENTER JUNIOR BUSINESS COUNSELOR (NC – JBC)
| Name | DESIGNATION | Mobile/Telephone Numbers | Email Address |
| Elmer Acierto | Admin. Aide IV | 0926 559 0599 | elmer_acierto@yahoo.com |
| – | – | 0926 087 3812 | lasamnc30@gmail.com |