The number of registered live births in La Union during the fourth quarter of 2018 summed up to 3,510, a decrease of 10.14 percent compared with the 3,906 births in the same period of 2017.The daily average birth occurrence during the fourth quarter of 2018 was computed at 38 births or an average of two babies born per hour. The month of October posted the highest daily average births for fourth quarter of 2018 with 42, while the month of December had the highest daily average births with 46 for fourth quarter a year ago.

On the contrary, the month of December recorded the least daily average births in the province during the fourth quarter of 2018 with 35 births. In last year's fourth quarter, the month of November recorded the least daily average births with 39 births.

Among the city/municipalities in the province, the City of San Fernando registered the highest number of births at 1,883 or 53.6 percent of the total registered births in fourth quarter of 2018 in La Union. Agoo ranked second with 779 births (22.2 percent), distantly followed by Naguilian with 166 births (4.7 percent), Balaoan with 132 births (3.8 percent) and Rosario with 116 births (3.3 percent).

On the other hand, Luna had the lowest number of registered live births in fourth quarter of 2018 with 6 (0.2 percent) followed by Sudipen with 8 (0.2 percent).

Males (1,789) outnumbered females (1,721) in terms of registered live births during the fourth quarter of 2018 resulting to a sex ratio of 104 males per 100 females.

Eight municipalities posted sex ratios that were higher than the provincial ratio. The highest sex ratio of 300 was recorded in Sudipen. This was followed by Luna (200), Bauang (147), Burgos (133), Pugo (129), Bacnotan (117), Naguilian (116), and City of San Fernando (113). On the contrary, the lowest sex ratio of 43 was recorded in Caba.

Marriage Statistics

There were 811 marriages registered during the fourth quarter of 2018 showing a decrease of 0.49 percent from 815 marriages in the same period last year.

Half of the city/municipalities have decreasing number of registered marriages from fourth quarter of 2017 to fourth quarter of 2018.  The biggest percent decrease was noted in Burgos from 23 to 7 marriages (69.6 percent). This was followed by San Gabriel from 25 to 15 marriages (40.0 percent) and Bagulin from 20 to 14 marriages (30.0 percent).

On the contrary, the top three municipalities that posted the highest percent increase were Rosario from 38 to 52 (36.8 percent), Aringay from 62 to 75 (21.0 percent) and Pugo from 7 to 17 (142.8 percent).

In fourth quarter of 2018, the City of San Fernando recorded the most number of registered marriages in the province with 132 marriages comprising 16.3 percent of the total registered marriages in the province. Agoo ranked second with 79 (9.7 percent) followed by Aringay with 75 (9.2 percent).

A year ago, the lone city also topped the municipalities with 135 marriages which accounted for 16.6 percent of the total registered marriages.  Bauang ranked second with 72 marriages (8.8 percent) while Agoo ranked third with 71 marriages (8.7 percent).

On the other hand, the municipality of Burgos posted the least number of registered marriages during the fourth quarter of 2018 with 7 marriages (0.9 percent). Similarly, Pugo recorded the least number of marriages in the same period of 2017 with 7 marriages
(0.9 percent).

The month of December was the most preferred month to tie the knot during the fourth quarters of 2017 and 2018 with a total of 461 and 499 marriage occurrences respectively. It corresponds to a daily average of 16 registered marriages which surpassed the provincial daily average number of 9 registered marriages in fourth quarter of 2018. On the contrary, in the same period of last year, a total of 461 marriages translating to a daily average of 15 registered marriages were recorded. The least number of marriage occurrences during the fourth quarters of 2017 and 2018 were recorded in October with daily averages of 5 marriage occurrences.

Death Statistics

A total of 1,266 deaths were registered during the fourth quarter of 2018.  The figure indicated a decrease of 12.0 percent death occurrences from the same period of 2017 figure of 1,439. The City of San Fernando ranked first in terms of the number of registered deaths during the fourth quarter of 2018 with a total of 475 or 37.5 percent of the total registered deaths in the province.  Agoo placed second with 138 registered deaths (10.9 percent), followed by Bauang with 71 (5.6 percent), Balaoan with 67 (5.3 percent) and Naguilian with 59 (4.7 percent).

In the same quarter of 2017, the City of San Fernando recorded 645 deaths or 44.8 percent of the total registered deaths in the province. Agoo registered 164 (11.4 percent), Bauang with 69 (4.8 percent), Balaoan with 61 (4.2 percent), and Naguilian with 59 (4.1 percent).

Comparing the two periods, Bagulin had the highest percent increase with 70.0 percent from 10 deaths in 2017 to 17 deaths in 2018. On the contrary, the City of San Fernando registered the highest percent decrease with 26.4 percent from 645 death occurrences in fourth quarter of 2017 to 475 death occurrences in fourth quarter of 2018.

The municipality of Burgos posted the smallest number of registered deaths in fourth quarter of 2018 with eight (0.6 percent). It was followed by Santol with 12 (0.9 percent), and San Gabriel with 15 (1.2 percent). 

During the same period of last year, the municipalities of Burgos, Bagulin and San Gabriel had the least number in terms of the number of registered deaths: Burgos with five (0.3 percent share), Bagulin with 10 (0.7 percent) and San Gabriel with 13 (0.9 percent).

During the fourth quarter of 2018, mortality was at its peak in the month of October with total registered deaths of 512. This figure is more than three-fourth of the provincial quarterly total of 1,266 death occurrences. The number of deaths in the month of October 2018 translates to an average of 17 death occurrences per day. The figure was higher than the 14 daily average death occurrences in the province.

In fourth quarter of 2017, the highest number of registered deaths was posted in the month of November with 499 death occurrences. This translates to an average of 17 deaths occurrences per day.

There were more death occurrences among males (719) than females (547) in La Union during the fourth quarter of 2018.  The computed sex ratio during the quarter was 131 which mean that 131 males died for every 100 female deaths.  A total of 8 city/municipalities posted a sex ratio higher than the provincial sex ratio, the highest of which was recorded in Santol with 500. San Juan ranked second with 233 followed by Pugo with 214.  The lowest computed sex ratio of 43 was noted in Santo Tomas.

Explanatory Notes

Data on births, deaths and marriages presented in this release were obtained from the Certificate of Live Birth (Municipal Form 102), Certificate of Death (Municipal Form 103) and Certificate of Marriage (Municipal Form No. 97) that were registered at the Office of the City/Municipal Civil Registrars in La Union and forwarded to the Philippine Statistics Authority - La Union Provincial Statistical Office. Information included births, deaths and marriages registered from October to December 2017 and October to December 2018.

NINO E. TUAZON

(Supervising Statistical Specialist)

Officer-in-Charge