During the Spanish regime in the Philippines, a Roman Catholic Church was established. It was during this time that Barangay Tanqui got its name. According to old folks, there was a priest who had a trained dog that used to roam around during the day especially when it was hot. One day, the dog arrived totally wet. At first, the priest did not pay much attention because he thought that the dog was probably trying to cool his body. However, the incident happened repeatedly. He wondered where his dog has been. He followed the dog secretly.   When the dog returned dripping, he traced the dog’s footsteps.  At a place not far away from the church, there was a big tank filled with water and near it was a very picturesque place. He went home and there upon called the place “Tanqui”, because of the tank filled with water where the priest’s dog cools himself.

                     Today, Tanqui, which is located a kilometer away from the central district of the City of San Fernando, La Union. It has 5,183 populations.  Some residents are engaged in various occupations. Most of the residents are employed in public and private service. Most of the populace work at the City Hall, Provincial Capitol, Department of Education, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Public Works and Highways and other government agencies. Some are employed in restaurants, fast food chains, department stores and other private entities. They work as teachers, office clerks/assistants, engineers, cooks, food service crews/ managers, analysts, tricycle and jeepney drivers and others. There are also residents who are engaged in business enterprises like real state, boarding houses, water refilling stations, buy-and-sell, sari-sari stores and eateries. Majority of Tanqui folks belong to the middle class based on their socio-economic status. The population increases yearly, thus, the need to establish and build institutions like schools.

            In 1912 buildings for intermediate and primary grades were established and classes. Classes conducted on separate buildings. The primary grade building was built at the south portion of the road while intermediate grades building constructed just across the street.  These buildings are known as Gabaldon.

           In 1971, Mr Florante Parong, District Supervisor of San Fernando I decided to split North Central School in two distinct schools because of its burgeoning enrolment and to strengthen the quality of education.  From Grade I to Grade VI each have seven to eight sections. The primary grades were occupying the Gabaldon building while the intermediate classes were occupying the building across the road north of the Rizal Avenue.  A principal in the district served the other school hence, the split naming the Gabaldon School to South Central School and the intermediate building as North Central School. When the split was made teachers and pupils were divided equally between two schools, 25 teachers went to North  Central school and 25 teachers stayed behind. There are 1,002 pupils went to North Central School and 1,003 pupils stayed out at the South Central. There was chaos then because pupils as well as teachers wouldn’t like to be transferred. However the administration’s decision prevailed.