Peñablanca

Peñablanca
Municipality
Municipality of Peñablanca
Pinacanauan River
Pinacanauan River
Flag of Peñablanca
Flag
Map of Cagayan with Peñablanca highlighted
Map of Cagayan with Peñablanca highlighted
Interactive map of Peñablanca
Peñablanca is located in Philippines
Peñablanca
Peñablanca
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 17°37′33″N 121°47′07″E / 17.6258°N 121.7853°E / 17.6258; 121.7853
CountryPhilippines
RegionCagayan Valley
ProvinceCagayan
District 3rd district
Barangays24 (see Barangays)
Government
 
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • MayorMarilyn J.Taguinod
 • Vice MayorWashington M. Taguinod
 • RepresentativeJoseph L. Lara
 • Electorate30,770 voters (2025)
Area
 • Total
1,193.20 km2 (460.70 sq mi)
Elevation
58 m (190 ft)
Highest elevation
301 m (988 ft)
Lowest elevation
14 m (46 ft)
Population
 (2024 census)
 • Total
50,856
 • Density42.622/km2 (110.39/sq mi)
 • Households
11,595
Economy
 • Income class1st municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence
9.39
% (2023)
 • Revenue₱ 483.7 million (2024)
 • Assets₱ 836.5 million (2024)
 • Expenditure₱ 423 million (2024)
 • Liabilities₱ 34.06 million (2024)
Service provider
 • ElectricityCagayan 1 Electric Cooperative (CAGELCO 1)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
3502
PSGC
0201519000
IDD : area code +63 (0)78
Native languagesIbanag
Ilocano
Itawis
Atta
Tagalog
Websitewww.penablanca-cagayan.gov.ph

Peñablanca, officially the Municipality of Peñablanca (Ibanag: Ili nat Peñablanca; Ilocano: Ili ti Peñablanca; Tagalog: Bayan ng Peñablanca), is a municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 50,856 people.

Peñablanca is home to the charcoal-drawn Peñablanca petrographs and the Callao Limeston Formation. Both the Peñablanca Petrographs and the Callao Limestone Formation are included as tentative sites of the Philippines for future inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Callao Limestone Formation has at least 93 archaeological sites that yielded stone tools of Paleolithic industry and bones and shells of animals still living in the vicinity.

History

Named after its prominent white rock formations, Peñablanca was formerly a barrio of Tuguegarao named Bubug. However, it also went by other names such as Alimannao, which was said to have been derived from a German rancher named Otto Weber, who, when one of his servants was asked who owned the cows in the area, responded in Itawis: cua na Aliman yao (they belong to the German). Another name for the place was camasi, from the native word for tomato, which abounded in the area. Both Alimannao and Camasi are now names of barrios in the municipality.

Peñablanca was made a separate municipality by the Spaniards on November 20, 1886. Its first inhabitants were Kalingas (unbaptized Irrayas) and Negritos.

Geography

The municipality is home to the Peñablanca Protected Landscape and Seascape which contains the Callao Cave (part of the Callao Limestone Formation Paleolithic Archaeological Site), one of the province's well-known landmarks and tourist spots.

Peñablanca is situated 6.84 kilometres (4.25 mi) from the provincial capital Tuguegarao, and 492.98 kilometres (306.32 mi) north of the country's capital city of Manila.

Barangays

Peñablanca is divided into 24 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

  • Aggugaddan
  • Alimanao
  • Baliuag
  • Bical
  • Bugatay
  • Buyun
  • Cabasan
  • Cabbo
  • Callao
  • Camasi
  • Centro (Poblacion)
  • Dodan
  • Lapi
  • Malibabag
  • Mangga
  • Minanga
  • Nabbabalayan
  • Nanguilattan
  • Nannarian
  • Parabba
  • Patagueleg
  • Quibal
  • San Roque (Litto)
  • Sisim

Climate

Climate data for Peñablanca, Cagayan
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 25
(77)		 26
(79)		 28
(82)		 31
(88)		 31
(88)		 31
(88)		 30
(86)		 30
(86)		 30
(86)		 28
(82)		 27
(81)		 25
(77)		 29
(83)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 21
(70)		 21
(70)		 22
(72)		 23
(73)		 24
(75)		 24
(75)		 24
(75)		 24
(75)		 24
(75)		 23
(73)		 23
(73)		 22
(72)		 23
(73)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 155
(6.1)		 113
(4.4)		 89
(3.5)		 58
(2.3)		 127
(5.0)		 131
(5.2)		 154
(6.1)		 184
(7.2)		 151
(5.9)		 247
(9.7)		 221
(8.7)		 292
(11.5)		 1,922
(75.6)
Average rainy days 19.6 14.8 13.4 12.0 19.4 19.8 23.0 25.0 23.0 19.4 19.1 21.6 230.1
Source: Meteoblue

Demographics

Population census of Peñablanca
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 4,969—    
1918 6,478+1.78%
1939 8,864+1.50%
1948 8,799−0.08%
1960 13,119+3.38%
1970 18,218+3.33%
1975 21,638+3.51%
1980 24,888+2.84%
1990 30,527+2.06%
1995 33,190+1.58%
2000 37,872+2.87%
2007 40,336+0.87%
2010 42,736+2.13%
2015 48,584+2.47%
2020 50,300+0.73%
2024 50,856+0.26%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

In the 2024 census, the population of Peñablanca was 50,856 people, with a density of 43 inhabitants per square kilometre or 110 inhabitants per square mile.

Economy

The fifth chamber of the Callao Cave, part of the Callao Limestone Formation Paleolithic Archaeological Site

Poverty incidence of Peñablanca (%)

10
20
30
40
50
60
2000
51.80
2003
35.22
2006
24.50
2009
18.17
2012
20.06
2015
12.62
2018
27.72
2021
10.18
2023
9.39

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

Government

Local government

Peñablanca is part of the third legislative district of the province of Cagayan. It is governed by a mayor, designated as its local chief executive, and by a municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the municipal councilors are elected directly by the people through an election held every three years.

Elected officials

Members of the Municipal Council
(2019–2022)
Position Name
Congressman Joseph L. Lara
Mayor Marilyn J. Taguinod
Vice-Mayor Washington M. Taguinod
Councilors Ma. Kristina J. Taguinod
Rodney D. Mora
Efren B. Beleno
Eutiquio A. Calagui
Pedro Q. Alan
Cesar B. Bangayan
Jorge C. Taguinod
Merwin A. Cuarteros

Education

The Schools Division of Cagayan governs the town's public education system. The division office is a field office of the DepEd in Cagayan Valley region. There are two schools district offices which govern the public and private elementary and high schools throughout the municipality. These are Peñablanca East District, and Peñablanca West District.

Primary and elementary schools

  • Abucay Elementary School
  • Alaminnao Elementary School
  • Alitontong Elementary School
  • Baguio Point Community Scholl
  • Baliwag Elementary School
  • Bauan Elementary School
  • Bical Elementary School
  • Bugatay Elementary School
  • Buyun Elementary School
  • Cabasan Elementary School
  • Cabbo Elementary School
  • Callao Elementary School
  • Dodan Elementary School
  • Lagum Elementary School
  • Lapi Elementary School
  • Little Jesus Christian Academy Minanga Branch
  • Little Jesus Christian Academy Vuyun Branch
  • Little Jesus Christian Academy Bambang Branch
  • Little Jesus Christian Academy Callao Branch
  • Little Jesus Christian Academy Sisim Branch
  • Little Jesus Christian Academy Lapi Branch
  • Little Jesus Christian Academy Roma Branch
  • Mangga Elementary School
  • Minanga Elementary School
  • Nanguillattan Elementary School
  • Nannarian Elementary School
  • Parabba Elementary School
  • Patagueleg Elementary School
  • Methodist Christian School of Peñablanca
  • Peñablanca East Central School
  • Peñablanca West Central School
  • Quibal Elementary School
  • San Roque Elementary School
  • School of Saints Philip and James (Elementary School)
  • Sisim Elementary School

Secondary schools

  • Cabbo National High School
  • Don Severino Pagalilauan National High School
  • International School of Asia and the Pacific
  • Peñablanca East National High School
  • Peñablanca National High School
  • San Jacinto Seminary
  • School of Saints Philip and James (Junior High School)

Media

References

  1. ↑  Municipality of Peñablanca | (DILG)
  2. ↑ "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  3. ↑ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 17, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  4. ↑ "881 Cities and Municipalities Recorded Poverty Incidence of 20 Percent or Lower in 2023". Philippine Statistics Authority. February 6, 2026. Archived from the original on June 3, 2026. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
  5. ↑ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 17, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Petroglyphs and Petrographs of the Philippines". whc.unesco.org. UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  7. ↑ de Rivera Castillet, Ed. Cagayan Province and her People. Community Publishers.
  8. ↑ Salgado, Pedro. "Other Missions in Cagayan Province". Cagayan Valley and Easter Cordillera: 1581-1898, Volume I. Rex Publishing. pp. 360–361.
  9. ↑ "Peñablanca, Cagayan: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
  10. ↑ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 17, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  11. ↑ Census of Population (2015). "Region II (Cagayan Valley)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
  12. ↑ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region II (Cagayan Valley)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  13. ↑ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region II (Cagayan Valley)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
  14. ↑ "Province of". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  15. ↑ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 17, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  16. ↑ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. November 29, 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 3, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2012.
  18. ↑ "2003 Small Area Estimates of Poverty (Full Report)" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. March 11, 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 21, 2025. Retrieved August 4, 2012.
  19. ↑ "2006 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. August 3, 2012. Archived from the original on May 21, 2025. Retrieved August 4, 2012.
  20. ↑ "PSA Releases the 2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. May 31, 2016. Archived from the original on September 21, 2019. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  21. ↑ "PSA Releases the 2015 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 10, 2019. Archived from the original on February 24, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2019.
  22. ↑ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021. Archived from the original on January 15, 2022. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  23. ↑ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024. Archived from the original on April 3, 2024. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  24. ↑ "881 Cities and Municipalities Recorded Poverty Incidence of 20 Percent or Lower in 2023". Philippine Statistics Authority. February 6, 2026. Archived from the original on June 3, 2026. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
  25. ↑ "2019 National and Local Elections" (PDF). Commission on Elections. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
  26. ↑ "History of DepED SDO Cagayan". DepED SDO Cagayan | Official Website of DepED SDO Cagayan. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  27. ↑ "DEPED REGIONAL OFFICE NO. 02". DepED RO2 | The official website of DepED Regional Office No. 02.
  28. ↑ "Masterlist of Schools" (PDF). Department of Education. January 15, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2025.