Barrio San Rafael is a flourishing place of the municipality . It is three 930 kilometers west of the town proper and it is situated along the northern side of the Ambayoan River. The barrio is composed of many sitios namely: Sitio Calupaan, Sitio Centro ,sitio Casapanangan : Sitio Parbo , Sitio Marintec and Sitio Malasin :San Rafael was the only barrio with its name derived from the patron saint , San Rafael . The adventurous people of the Ilocos province were the original settlers who arrived to seek greener pastures and better opportunities.

        With the creation of the PACD in the 60’s purposely to foster countryside development , Barrio of San Rafael was then divided into three separate barangays . Sitio Calupaan became San Rafael west, Sitio Parbo, Marintec and Malasin became San Rafael East and Sitio Centro and Casapangan became San Rafael Centro . These three barangays are known as san Rafael District with San Rafael Centro as the center of the district . it is here where the elementary school and the high school of the three barangays are situated . The original lot of the high school was donated by the late Don Marcos Paragus , who was from Sitio Calupaan while the elementary school lot was donated by Don Guillermo Bedana of San Rafael Centro .

          Barangay San Rafael Centro is still composed of Sitio Centro and Casapangan.It is bounded on the east by San Rafael East,on the west by San Rafael West, on the north by the Sabangan River, and on the south by the Ambayaoan River .It is basically a flourishing agricultural community with farm produce ranges from palay, corn and cassava to variety of fruits and vegetables like sineguelas , calamansi and mongo .The Rural Electrification Program of the government thru PANELCO III has brought progress in the community and the standard of living gradually improved . Other sources of income like welding shops and piggeries had sources of income like welding shops and piggeries had proliferated .

          The barangay is predominantly a Roman Catholic although other sects existed . Also considered by the inhabitants as part of their barangay history was the birth of the first known living triples in the history of san Nicolas . Their parents Mr. Elpidio M. Soria and Mrs. Demetria who named their triplet sons as Sherwin ,Irwin and Darwin . The triplets are now twenty –six (26 years old and all professionals .

         Prominent families of San Rafael Centro are the Rodillas, Dotimas, Bibat , Dela Cruz and Doton among others. Prominent barangay leaders of the barangay were elected as municipal councilors includes Don Policarpio H. Bibat , Don Silvestre Dotimas . Don Claudio Dotimas and Don Roberto Rodillas .                                                 

           Two termed municipal councilor Genaro”Boyet” R.  Paraguas. Jr. is also a native of this place and presently the district councilor of the San Rafael District.

Summary:

Barangay                      :   San Rafael centro

Population                     :  578 ( 1995 census0

No. Of households         :  129 ( 1995 census)

Land Area                     :  200 has

Distance from Municipal :  2.5 kms.

Facilities                       :   Day Care Center/ Basketball Court

Road Condition              :  Gravelled

Public utility Vehicle       :  Jeep/ Tricycle /kuliglig

Source of Potable water :  Shallow Well

 Source of Electric Power :  PANELCO III

Mineral Resources                    

School                          : Elementary School