Region I, known as a popular tourist destination, noted for its appetizing delicacies, historical attractions, rich heritage, and unique culture. It is also blessed with natural wonders from the sea for its breathtaking coastal view, stunning waterfalls, wide agricultural plains, towering mountains with dense forests, and running on the sloping foot of the Cordillera range.

Region I, referred to as the Ilocos Region, is located on the northwestern coast of Luzon island, bounded by the Cordillera Administrative Region and Cagayan Valley to the east, Central Luzon to the south and by the South China Sea to the west.

It is comprised of four (4) provinces: Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan; one (1) independent City (Dagupan City),  eight (8) component cities (Laoag City and Batac City in Ilocos Norte, Vigan and Candon City in Ilocos Sur, San  Fernando City in La Union and Urdaneta, Alaminos and San Carlos City in Pangasinan) ; one hundred sixteen (116) municipalities and (3,267) barangays make up the Ilocos Region with a total land area of 12,840 square kilometers where 8109.92 square kilometers is identified as Alienable and Disposable (A&D) and 4,730.97 square kilometers of forestland.

Ilocos Region is home to over 5,301,139 people, which accounts for about 4.86 percent of the Philippine population in 2020. This Region has three (3) distinct groups: Ilocanos that occupy the coastal provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and La Union as well as certain parts of Pangasinan. There are also minority communities like the Tingguians and Isneg who live in the secluded mountains of Ilocos Sur.

The region’s economy in the southern portion is anchored on agro-industrial and service industry such as milkfish (bangus) cultivation and processing, livestock raising, fish paste processing (bagoong), and others while the northern portion is on the agricultural sector like cultivation of rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, and fruits; raising livestock such as pigs, chicken, goats, and carabaos. At the same time the importance of trading, financial services, and educational services in the economy cannot be denied. 

The tourism industry, driven by local airlines and land transportation firms in the area like Farinas Transit Company and Partas, focuses on the coastal beaches and on eco-tourism. There are fine sands stretching along Bauang, La Union and the rest of the region. Opportunities to engage in other water sports and activities abound. Eco-tourism takes advantage of the marine and forest resources in the region. These resources, which is governed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region I (DENR I), display the natural beauty of the Ilocos Region.

         DENR I which is located at Sevilla, San Fernando City, La Union was established to ensure the proper use of Region I’s resources and the protection of its environment within the framework of sustainable development. Four (4) Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Offices (PENROs) and seven (7) Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENROs) are serving the mandate of the agency. These are: PENROs Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan; and CENROs Northern Ilocos Norte, Central South Eastern Ilocos Norte, Northern Ilocos Sur, Southern Ilocos Sur, Eastern Pangasinan, Central Pangasinan, and Western Pangasinan.