But before he reached the current site of the poblacion, he came to a village called Malongon, about one-half kilometer to the south.

The leader of the village refused Salcedo's request to establish a municipality there, but suggested that he establish the town a half kilometer north of the village, and the belltower be moved to that site, hence the origin of the town's name.

It is bordered by San Juan to the north, Santo Domingo and Bantay to the south, and Abra to the east.

Poverty incidence of Magsingal Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] Magsingal, belonging to the first 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.

In 1945, the first duly elected municipal mayor via landslide vote was Hon.