Lubuagan

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Lubuagan
Municipality
Municipality of Lubuagan
Lubuagan from the Magmag-an Pass
Flag
Map of Kalinga with Lubuagan highlighted
Interactive map of Lubuagan
Lubuagan Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 17°21′N 121°11′E / 17.35°N 121.18°E / 17.35; 121.18
Country	Philippines
Region	Cordillera Administrative Region
Province	Kalinga
District	Lone district
Founded	1905
Barangays	9 (see Barangays)
Government
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor	Joel B. Tagaotao
• Vice Mayor	Oliver D. Dickly
• Representative	Caroline B. Agyao
• Municipal Council	Members Randy D. Ao-wat Clarissa A. Ocan Riesel B. Tocyapao Simi L. Colayot Victor S. Sapao Angelito S. Anton Marlon P. Gomez Wildy C. Wansi
• Electorate	9,890 voters (2025)
Area
• Total	234.20 km2 (90.43 sq mi)
Elevation	820 m (2,690 ft)
Highest elevation	1,880 m (6,170 ft)
Lowest elevation	348 m (1,142 ft)
Population  (2024 census)
• Total	8,660
• Density	37.0/km2 (95.8/sq mi)
• Households	1,982
Economy
• Income class	4th municipal income class
• Poverty incidence	8.75 % (2023)
• Revenue	₱ 131.3 million (2024)
• Assets	₱ 496.6 million (2024)
• Expenditure	₱ 102.9 million (2024)
• Liabilities	₱ 140.3 million (2024)
Service provider
• Electricity	Kalinga - Apayao Electric Cooperative (KAELCO)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	3802
PSGC	1403206000
IDD : area code	+63 (0)74
Native languages	Ilocano Tagalog
Website	www.lubuagan.gov.ph

Lubuagan, officially the Municipality of Lubuagan (Ilocano: Munisipio ti Lubuagan, Filipino: Bayan ng Lubuagan), is a municipality in the province of Kalinga, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 8,660 people.

The municipality served as the seat of the National Government from March 6 to May 17, 1900, during the time of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo. It is located at 800 metres (2,600 ft) above sea level in the southern part of Kalinga and in the heart of the Cordillera. It has a land area of 23,420 hectares (57,900 acres).

History

Spanish Rule was never established in Lubuagan during its 300-year occupation of the Philippines. However, Emilio Aguinaldo, president of the erstwhile First Philippine Republic made Lubuagan the seat of government for 73 days, from 6 March to 18 May 1900, before his escape and eventual capture at Palanan, Isabela, on 23 March 1901.

Upon the assumption of the United States of America as colonial power over the Philippines, the Township of Lubuagan was established in 1905 and administered via the sub provincial government of Lepanto-Bontoc sub-province. Lt. Governor E. A. Eckman, an American ex-soldier was the Chief Executive of the sub-province.

In 1907, Kalinga was separated and organized as a distinct sub-province from Lepanto-Bontoc. Franklin Walter Hale was appointed the first Lt. Governor to establish a civil government in Kalinga. Hale initially established his office in Bulanao, but moved to Lubuagan in 1909 following an outbreak of cholera and malaria. Hale whom the people baptized and fondly called Sapao, first organized his police contingent from and among the tribal pangats and headmen from the different villages of Kalinga to help them tame recalcitrant natives.

Hale served Kalinga up to the end of July 1915. He was replaced by Samuel Kane, who served for a brief period and was replaced by Alex Gilfilan in September 1916, who was later on replaced by Deputy Governor Thomas Blanco, a Filipino. In 1924, Nicasio Balinag took over as Deputy Governor.

The colonial government notably beginning with the administration of Hale up to the Commonwealth government was considered the golden years of Lubuagan, which was designated the capital town of the sub-province before Tabuk rose to its present status as the center of learning and government activities. Lubuagan at that time was the center of education, culture, commerce and trade. The founding of the Kalinga Academy in 1927, a secondary school run by American Missionaries and the St. Teresita's School in 1929, a Catholic Primary and High School managed by the CICM Belgian Missionaries bolstered the luster of Lubuagan. It was also in Lubuagan where the first instruction of higher learning in the old Mountain Province was established.

During World War II, Japanese forces occupied Lubuagan in May 1942.

In 1945, Lubuagan was bombed by American planes resulting in the destruction of the Lubuagan Central School which was then occupied by the Japanese. St. Peter's church, its convent and two more buildings within its compound were all burned to the ground.

Geography

Lubuagan is situated 6.44 kilometres (4.00 mi) from the provincial capital Tabuk, and 471.88 kilometres (293.21 mi) from the country's capital city of Manila.

Demographics

In the 2024 census, the population of Lubuagan was 8,660 people, with a density of 37 inhabitants per square kilometre or 96 inhabitants per square mile.

Economy

Poverty incidence of Lubuagan (%)

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

Lubuagan's economy relies heavily on agriculture and traditional crafts. Agricultural production of Lubuagan includes rice, corn, coffee, and tomatoes. Livestock raising is significant for local consumption and supplementary income of Lubuagan's farmers. Local women engage in backstrap weaving, producing textiles and garments.

Government

Tourism

• St. Theresita's School, a Roman Catholic school established by the CICM missionaries in 1925, was once the educational center of the Cordillera. It was also used as a military outpost by the Japanese, Filipino and American forces during World War II.
• Mabilong Weaver's Village is the center of the ethnic weaving industry in the province. It showcases colorful ethnic backstrap weaving.
• The town has extensive and scenic rice terraces (Pon-e Rice Terraces and Gapis Rice Terraces) cut into the mountains, rising 2,000 feet (610 m) from the Chico River bed.
• Batong Buhay Mines.
• Aguinaldo Hill was Emilio Aguinaldo's command post during his 72-day stay in the town. It has a panoramic view of several barangays in Pinukpuk.
• Awichon Mesa, a plateau situated at Barangay Upper Uma, between Pasil and Lubuagan, is an archaeological site where bones of a prehistoric elephant were found. It was also the landing site of American forces during World War II.
• Cadamayan Falls, at Barangay Western Uma, serves as the natural boundary of Pasil, Lubuagan and Tinglayan.
• Tiwod Spring, the "Fertility Twin Spring", is believed to be bestow children to childless couples, who take a bath on mornings and drink from it.
• Tongango Caves consists of several chambers connecting the mountains of Lubuagan, Sumadel and Tulgao.
• Belalao Mabilong View contains a view of Lubuagan Village. Visitors who come by night are said to be surprised by a sudden appearance of a lost city in the mountain.
• Manangol Viewpoint, at the top of Manangol Hill, has a panoramic view of the Chico River, Tinglayan and the rice terraces seated at the basement of the overlapping mountain.
• The Poway View Deck, at the boundary of Pasil and Lubuagan, has a view of the Pasil River.
• The Pudpud Chico Viewpoint, at the Lubuagan Central School, has a view of the Chico River and the aborted Chico Hydroelectric Dam.
• The Lubuagan Museum, located in an old American house, showcases a selection of old Chinese pottery as well as other Kalinga products.

Culture

• Laga Festival- From "laga", a Kalinga word which means to weave. Celebrated annually, typically in March. It is a two or three-day celebration which showcases the culture, arts, and history of Lubuagan.

Education

The Lubuagan Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools.

Notable personalities

• Alonzo Saclag – musician and dancer, National Living Treasures Awardee
• Jean Claude Saclag – martial artist

References

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Local Governance Performance Management System