Buguias

Buguias, officially the Municipality of Buguias, (Kankanaey: Ilin di Buguias; Ilocano: Ili ti Buguias; Tagalog: Bayan ng Buguias), is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Benguet, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 43,627 people. [3] The municipality is home to the mummy of Apo Anno, one of the most revered and important folk hero in Benguet prior to Spanish arrival.

Buguias
Municipality
Municipality of Buguias
Houses near rice terraces in Buguias
Seal
Map of Benguet with Buguias highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Buguias
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 16°43′N 120°50′E
Country Philippines
RegionCordillera Administrative Region (CAR)
ProvinceBenguet
DistrictLone District
FoundedFebruary 9, 1942
Barangays14 (see Barangays)
Government
 [1]
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • MayorRuben L. Tinda-an
 • Vice MayorDione E. Baucas
 • RepresentativeNestor B. Fongwan
 • Electorate22,932 voters (2019)
Area
 [2]
 • Total175.88 km2 (67.91 sq mi)
Elevation
1,684 m (5,525 ft)
Population
 (2015 census) [3]
 • Total43,627
 • Density250/km2 (640/sq mi)
 • Households
10,863
Economy
 • Income class3rd municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence5.83% (2015)[4]
 • Revenue₱108,891,461.37 (2016)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
2607
PSGC
141105000
IDD : area code +63 (0)74
Climate typetropical rainforest climate
Native languagesKankanaey
Ibaloi
Ilocano
Tagalog
Websitewww.buguias.gov.ph

Etymology

According to folklore, Buguias got its name from the word bugas (or begas) which means "rice".[5][6]

Another version of its origin would be an Igorot settlement during the pre-Spanish time called Bogey-yas, which was modernized and spelled as Buguias by Spanish authorities.[7]

History

Pre-colonial era

Nabalicong village in Barangay Natubleng was the center of the area's cultural and political domains prior to Spanish colonization. In the 12th century,[8] a folk hero, known as Apo Anno, lived with the people of the area and was a spiritual leader, hunter, and demigod. The people believed Apo Anno was a son of a Benguet goddess. His body was filled with tattoos, symbolizing his high status in the community. During his protectorate of the domain, prosperity spurred. He died before the arrival of the Spaniards, and thus, was given mummification and death rites in the traditional way.[9]

Spanish period

The arrival of Spanish colonizers in Buguias were primarily due to the construction of Spanish trails leading to the mountain region. Buguias and Loo were two separate rancherias during the Spanish Regime.[6]

American period

During the American rule, Buguias was established as one of the 19 townships of the province of Benguet, upon the issuance of Act No. 48 by the Philippine Commission on November 22, 1900.[7][10][11]

On November 23, 1900, the township of Loo was abolished and integrated into the township of Buguias with the issuance of Act No. 49.[5][12] On August 13, 1908, Benguet was established as a sub-province of the newly created Mountain Province with the enactment of Act No. 1876. As a result, six townships of Benguet were abolished, but Buguias remained a constituent town of Benguet sub-province.[11]

In 1918, the mummy of Apo Anno was stolen by foreign treasure hunters. An earthquake and pestilence followed afterwards, prompting the people to campaign for the return of Apo Anno to his resting place.

Post-war era

On June 25, 1963, President Diosdado Macapagal issued Executive Order No. 42 converting eight (8) of the thirteen (13) towns (designated as municipal districts) of Benguet sub-province into regular municipalities. Buguias was among them.[13]

On June 18, 1966, the sub-province of Benguet was separated from the old Mountain Province and was converted into a regular province. Buguias remained to be a component municipality of the newly established province.[11][14]

Contemporary era

In 1984, a Filipino antique collector bought an auctioned mummy, only to discover it was the mummy of Apo Anno. He donated it to the National Museum of the Philippines afterwards for better care of the national treasure. The people of Buguias made diplomatic channels with the National Museum until it was agreed that the National Museum would return the mummy of Apo Anno to its resting place in barangay Nabalicong after Benguet officials agreed to install iron grills in the burial cave and provide funds for its upkeep. Later that year, Apo Anno was returned to its burial cave, through elaborate death rituals last performed in the 16th century and a hero's homecoming conducted by the people of Buguias.[9]

There have been scholars campaigning for the declaration of Apo Anno's mummy and resting place as a collective National Treasure or Important Cultural Property of the Philippines.

Geography

Buguias is located at 16°43′N 120°50′E, at the northeastern section of Benguet. It is bounded by Mankayan on the north-west, Bakun on the mid-west, Kibungan on the south-west, Kabayan on the south, Tinoc on the east, Hungduan on the north-east, and Bauko on the north.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 175.88 square kilometres (67.91 sq mi) [2] constituting 6.35% of the 2,769.08-square-kilometre- (1,069.15 sq mi) total area of Benguet.

Buguias is 83 kilometres (52 mi) away from Baguio.

Barangays

Buguias is politically subdivided into 14 barangays.[15]

PSGC Barangay Population ±% p.a.
2015 [3] 2010 [16]
141105001 Abatan 7.7% 3,375 2,780 ▴ 3.76%
141105002 Amgaleyguey 8.0% 3,480 3,538 ▾ −0.31%
141105003 Amlimay 5.1% 2,206 2,197 ▴ 0.08%
141105004 Baculongan Norte 6.4% 2,778 2,157 ▴ 4.94%
141105006 Bangao 10.8% 4,730 4,269 ▴ 1.97%
141105007 Buyacaoan 7.6% 3,326 3,160 ▴ 0.98%
141105008 Calamagan 1.9% 816 739 ▴ 1.91%
141105009 Catlubong 7.2% 3,125 2,758 ▴ 2.41%
141105010 Loo 12.1% 5,262 4,388 ▴ 3.52%
141105012 Natubleng 6.1% 2,670 2,513 ▴ 1.16%
141105013 Poblacion (Central) 8.0% 3,507 3,472 ▴ 0.19%
141105014 Baculongan Sur 8.2% 3,556 3,169 ▴ 2.22%
141105015 Lengaoan 4.7% 2,049 1,488 ▴ 6.28%
141105016 Sebang 6.3% 2,747 2,643 ▴ 0.74%
Total 43,627 39,271 ▴ 2.02%

Climate
Climate data for Buguias, Benguet
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 19
(66)		 20
(68)		 22
(72)		 23
(73)		 23
(73)		 22
(72)		 21
(70)		 21
(70)		 21
(70)		 21
(70)		 21
(70)		 19
(66)		 21
(70)
Average low °C (°F) 12
(54)		 12
(54)		 14
(57)		 15
(59)		 17
(63)		 17
(63)		 17
(63)		 17
(63)		 16
(61)		 15
(59)		 14
(57)		 13
(55)		 15
(59)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 38
(1.5)		 57
(2.2)		 77
(3.0)		 141
(5.6)		 390
(15.4)		 355
(14.0)		 426
(16.8)		 441
(17.4)		 426
(16.8)		 259
(10.2)		 97
(3.8)		 57
(2.2)		 2,764
(108.9)
Average rainy days 10.4 12.1 15.4 20.4 26.7 27.1 28.7 28.0 26.4 19.9 14.1 12.3 241.5
Source: Meteoblue [17]

Demographics
Population census of Buguias
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 10—    
1918 2,611+44.92%
1939 5,691+3.78%
1948 5,894+0.39%
1960 8,658+3.26%
1970 12,402+3.65%
1975 15,142+4.08%
YearPop.±% p.a.
1980 17,509+2.95%
1990 25,236+3.72%
1995 28,034+1.99%
2000 33,177+3.68%
2007 34,507+0.54%
2010 39,271+4.82%
2015 43,627+2.02%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [3] [16] [18][19]

In the 2015 census, Buguias had a population of 43,627. [3] The population density was 250 inhabitants per square kilometre (650/sq mi).

Economy

Buguias is primarily an agricultural town. It is one of the leading producers of highland vegetables, especially carrots,[20] in the province of Benguet.[7][21]

Most of the vegetables produced in the town are sold at the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post or are marketed to other parts of the country.[22]

Education

Public schools

As of 2014, Buguias has 43 public elementary schools and 6 public secondary schools.[23][24][25]

Historical markers and shrine

Veteran Memorial Marker

The Veteran Memorial Marker marks the liberation of Abatan and Buguias on July 27, 1945, that was fought between the Japanese Imperial Army and the combined Filipino and American ground troops. Through municipal council resolution No. 19, July 27, 1945 was declared as the Liberation Day and local holiday in the municipality. Festivals during this date include parades, programs and wreath-laying.

World War II 66th Infantry Shrine

The World War II 66th Infantry Shrine monument, located in Lengaoan along Halsema Highway, symbolizes the bravery of the combined Filipino and American soldiers who stood their ground defending the area and firing their cannons against the Japanese forces.

Burial Site of Apo Anno

The 12th century burial site, which was later used again for Apo Anno's reburial in 1984, is one of the most important cultural sites in Benguet. The burial site is home to the mummy of one of Benguet's folk heroes whose remains are still preserved in present time.

References
  1.  Municipality of Buguias | (DILG)
  2. "Province: Benguet". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  3. Census of Population (2015). "Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. PSA. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  4. "PSA releases the 2015 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Quezon City, Philippines. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  5. "History". LGU of Buguias, Benguet. Archived from the original on 2 November 2014. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  6. "Municipality of Buguias: History of Buguias". Province of Benguet (official website). Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  7. "Municipality of Buguias, Benguet". Department of Interior and Local Government - Cordillera Administrative Region. 29 April 2013. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  8. http://www.benguet.gov.ph/index.php/tourism/what-to-see/t-cultural
  9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQDjoNX_Tkw
  10. "Facts & Figures: Benguet Province". Philippine Statistics Authority - National Statistical Coordination Board - Cordillera Administrative Region. Archived from the original on 28 February 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
  11. "History: Benguet Province". Province of Benguet (official website). Archived from the original on 19 October 2014. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
  12. "Buguias: Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices". Province of Benguet (official website). Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  13. "Executive Order No. 42, s. 1963: Declaring Certain Municipal Districts in the Philippines as Municipalities". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  14. "Republic Act No. 4695: An Act Creating the Provinces of Benguet, Mountain Province, Ifugao and Kalinga-Apayao". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. 18 June 1966. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  15. "Municipal: Buguias". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  16. Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. NSO. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  17. "Buguias: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  18. Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. NSO.
  19. "Province of Benguet". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  20. Catajan, Maria Elena (9 October 2010). "Buguias highlights carrots in town fiesta". SunStar Baguio. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  21. Arida, Imelda A.; Embuscado, Erwin S. (15 June 2005). "Buguias farmers benefit from the agricultural tramline". Department of Agriculture - Philippine Center for Postharvest Development Mechanization. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  22. Aro, Susan (2 April 2013). "Resorts in Buguias are emerging destinations". SunStar Baguio. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  23. "Masterlist of Public Elementary Schools for the School year 2012- 2013". Department of Education (Philippines), July 15, 2013. Archived from the original (XLSX) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  24. "Masterlist of Secondary Schools (School Year 2013- 2014)". Department of Education (Philippines), July 4, 2013. Archived from the original (XLSX) on 1 July 2014. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  25. "Masterlist of Public Schools SY 2013-2014". Department of Education (Philippines), 22 October 2014. Archived from the original (XLSX) on 2016-04-21. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  26. "Public Elementary Schools, Buguias, Benguet". PhilippineCompanies.com. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  27. "Public Secondary Schools, Buguias, Benguet". PhilippineCompanies.com. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
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