As it was their custom, the people held the native feast called “kaniaw”, the “alicono” vanished and the Bakun River changed its course to the foot of the mountains in the southern part leaving a dry level land suited for residential lots and farms.

Accurate and reliable information on the exact date of the founding of the town cannot be secured because there are no complete historical records available.

During the Spanish occupation, Alilem was noted for being the center of the district government of “commandancia politico-militar” of Amburayan.

This commandancia was composed of Alilem, Sigay, Suyo, Tagudin, Sudipen, San Gabriel and Bakun.

Poverty incidence of Alilem Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] Alilem, belonging to the second congressional district of the province of Ilocos Sur, is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code.