Kabugao


Kabugao, officially the Municipality of Kabugao, is a municipality and de jure capital of the province of Apayao, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 16,425 people.

History

On July 12, 1915, Governor General Francis Burton Harrison issued Executive Order No. 45, transferring the capital of then sub-province of Apayao from Tauit to Kabugao, to be effective on August 1.
Kabugao was occupied for a year by the Japanese during the Second World War. It was captured in December 1942, after the USAFIP NL retreated from the town.

Geography

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of constituting of the total area of Apayao.
Kabugao is situated from the country's capital city of Manila.

Barangays

Kabugao is politically subdivided into 21 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Dibagat

Barangay Dibagat is inhabited by the Isnag and the Ilocano. There is a small grass airstrip built by SIL in 1985. Dibagat was only accessible before by canoe or by specialized aircraft, until the construction of Ilocos Norte–Apayao Road.

Demographics

In the 2024 census, Kabugao had a population of 16,425 people. The population density was.

Language

Ilocano and Isnag are the main languages spoken in Kabugao.

Government

Local government

Kabugao, belonging to the lone congressional district of the province of Apayao, 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 councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is being held every three years.

Elected officials

PositionName
GovernorElias C. Bulut Jr.
MayorBensmar B. Ligwang
Vice-MayorFabulous Tucjang
CouncilorsBenjie Ace Talimbatog
CouncilorsGregorio B. Ligwang
CouncilorsVenancio Culdong
CouncilorsPedro Dandan
CouncilorsFelipe Irving
CouncilorsVandolf Alitan
CouncilorsArellano C. Culdong Jr.
LNB PresidentFrederick C. Amid
IPMRJames S. Amid
SK Federation PresidentJazreal Jamila C. Enciso

Education

The Kabugao 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.
In 1948, Rev. Louis Saunders of an evangelical Protestant sect, The Disciples of Christ, opened the Apayao Christian Academy, Kabugao's first secondary school. In 1950, amidst rivalry among churches, the Catholics started its own secondary school, Our Blessed Lady of Lourdes.

Primary and elementary schools

  • Apadi Elementary School
  • Badduat Elementary School
  • Baliwanan Elementary School
  • Banan Elementary School
  • Binuan Elementary School
  • Cabetayan Elementary School
  • Culilimtao Elementary School
  • Dangla Elementary School
  • Dibagat Elementary School
  • Guimitan Primary School
  • Iyapan Primary School
  • Kabugao Central School
  • Kadikitan Elementary School
  • Kagawaddan Primary School
  • Karagawan Elementary School
  • Kumao Elementary School
  • Laco Elementary School
  • Lenneng Elementary School
  • Lucab Elementary School
  • Madatag Elementary School
  • Madduang Elementary School
  • Magabta Elementary School
  • Malabanig Elementary School
  • Mallag Primary School
  • Maragat Elementary School
  • Musimut Elementary School
  • Nagbabalayan ES
  • Paco Valley Elementary School
  • Tabba Elementary School
  • Taracay Primary School
  • Tuyangan Elementary School
  • Waga Elementary School

Secondary schools