FACTS & FIGURES

... At a Glance

View CAR PSGC

View Selected Provincial Indicators

The town of Kabugao is the oldest among the seven municipalities of the province of Apayao. It is the capital of the province. It was organized into a township as early as the year 1913 under the American colonial rule in the country.

Brief History

Various historical records indicate different years as to when Kabugao was founded (i.e., 1913, 1916, 1915 and 1916). It is generally accepted that the "Battle of Waga" in 1913 was the turning point when the American pacification campaign subdued local resistance. Before an organized government was established, the Isnags were nomadic, hostile and opposed to the military rule in the area. The battle paved the way for peace in the locality.

The municipal district of Kabugao was formally created in 1914 when Lt. Governor Blas Villamor of the American Government appointed Manuel Rugrug as the first mayor of Kabugao.

Pursuant to the creation of Mountain Province under Act No. 1876 on 18 August 1908, Kabugao became the sub-provincial capital of the sub-province of Apayao in 1916. On 25 June 1963, Kabugao became a regular municipality under Executive Order No. 42 issued by President Diosdado M. Macapagal during his visit to the municipality. By virtue of Republic Act No. 7878 enacted on 14 February 1995, Kabugao became the capital of the new province of Apayao.

The municipality of Kabugao has twenty-one (21) barangays. They are: Badduat, Baliwanan, Bulu, Cabetayan, Dagara, Dibagat, Karagawan, Kumao, Laco, Lenneng, Lucab, Luttuacan, Madatag, Madduang, Magabta, Maragat, Musimut, Nagbalayan, Poblacion, Tuyangan and Waga.

Its Land

Kabugao is located in the center of the province. It has an approximate land area of 806.3 square kilometers or about 19.6 percent of the total land area of the province. The municipality is landlocked by the municipalities of Luna and Pudtol on the north, Conner on the south, Flora and the province of Cagayan on the east, and Calanasan and the province of Abra on the west.

The locality is covered with dense woodlands forested with some remaining virgin stands. Numerous streams and brooks run down its sloping terrains especially at the southern part of the municipality. Several wildlife such as deer, wild pig, wild chickens, monkeys, squirrels and various kinds of birds are still found in its forests.

The climate of the locality is generally characterized by a long wet season and a short dry season. The rainy season usually starts from July and ends in February, while the dry season covers the months of March to May. April and May are the hottest months while the month of December is the coldest.

Its Inhabitants

The native inhabitants of the locality are the Isnags or Isnegs who compose the majority of the population. The rest are Ilocanos, Tagalogs and other Igorot tribes.

Soure of population data: National Statistics office

Its Economy

Being a mountainous area, the municipality's main source of livelihood is upland farming. Rice is the principal product while corn and root crops are the secondary crops.

Other industries present in the municipality are rattan craft and bolo making.

Points of Interest

• Anag-Sicapo Wildlife Sanctuary
• Bayugao Lake
• Ladda Pond
• Dibagat River

Sources:
Cordillera Almanac, Volume 1 
Department of the Interior and Local Government
Cordillera Administrative Region

Page last updated: June 7, 2011

Featured Municipalities SELECT HERE Apayao -----Kabugao Benguet -----La Trinidad -----Kabayan Ifugao -----Banaue Kalinga -----Balbalan Mt. Province -----Natonin -----Sagada