Abuyog

Abuyog (IPA: [ʔɐ'bujog]), officially the Municipality of Abuyog, (; ; ), is a municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 61,854 people.

Facing Leyte Gulf out into the Philippine Sea, it is the largest town on the island of Leyte in terms of land area. It is bordered to the north by Javier, to the west by Mahaplag and Baybay, and to the south by Silago, located in Southern Leyte.

History

Early history

In 1588 the local inhabitants revolted and killed the encomendero. In response to this, Captain Juan Esguerra dispatched a punitive force to punish the assassins of the encomendero. In 1613, the town was raided and plundered by the Sanguiles and Caragas.

In 1655, the Jesuits established Abuyog as their second mission post, with Dagami serving as the center. In 1716, the town and parish were officially founded under the patronage of Saint Francis Xavier, the Apostle of the Indies. The Augustinians took over in 1768, continuing the work of Fathers Jose Herrera and Cipriano Barbasan. In 1843, the town was entrusted to the Franciscan Order, with Fr. Santiago Malonda becoming its first Franciscan parish priest. A horse path connecting Abuyog and Dulag was opened in 1851.

The early captains were Galza, Foran, Nicolas Mandia, Faustino Remanes, Prudencio Remanes, Felipe Costin, Ciriaco Costin, Eulalio Brillo, and Vicente Tiaoson. Eulalio Brillo became president in 1896–1899 while Nazario Tupa took office in 1900. Eugenio Villote finished Tupa's term. From 1901 to 1906, pulahan attacks occurred, led by Faustino Ablen. The municipal building was razed. Ex-Captain Eugenio Villote, Pedro Gonazaga, and two other policemen were killed in the encounter.

Japanese occupation

During World War II, Abuyog became a Japanese occupied area. Pedro Gallego retreated to the mountains to lead the guerrilla resistance. His wife, Ignacia Regis Gallego, organised the non-combatant Auxiliary Forces. On 13 October 1942, the Japanese abandoned the town due to guerrilla pressure, returning 26 November 1943, suffering heavy losses at the hands of the guerrillas.

On 14 July 1944, when the submarine Nautilus landed in Barrio San Roque, Mayor Gallego provided the logistics (manpower, bamboo rafts, transport, lookouts) to Colonel Ruperto Kangleon (the head of Leyte Resistance Movement) to unload 72 tons of automatic weapons (Thompson submachine guns and other rapid fires like carbine and M1 Garand guns), ammunition, food and propaganda materials for Leyte and Samar guerrillas. The local guerrillas of Abuyog used the automatic weapons to repeatedly ambush the Japanese forces.

| date = 9 February 2020

Demographics

In the 2024 census, the population of Abuyog was 61,854 people, with a density of .

Economy

The main language used in Abuyog is now Waray-Waray language.

Government

{|class=wikitable

|+ 2025-2028 Abuyog, Leyte Officials

!Position !!Name !!colspan=2|Party

| Mayor

| Lemuel Gin K. Traya

| Vice Mayor

| Dario P. Lleve

| rowspan=8| Councilors

| Lemuel Vincent DP. Tan

| Felicito V. Topia Jr.

| Ma. Amelia C. Gacis

| Ofelia K. Traya

| Rodulfo M. Cabias

| Roy Percival M. Perez

| Patrocino A. Risos Jr.

| Erwin V. Belleza

! colspan=4| Ex Officio Municipal Council Members

| ABC President

| TBD

| SK Federation President

| TBD

Notable landmarks

thumb|St. Francis Xavier Parish ChurchThe Church of St. Francis Xavier was first built with nipa, wood and bamboo in 1718 by the Jesuits. Fr. José Herrera and Cipriano Barbasan restored the church and convent, as well as the school and Casa Real. The Augustinians took over the church's supervision in 1768 after it was rebuilt. The church's design was changed in 1781 to conform with the architecture of the Roman Renaissance. A more durable church and convent of masonry was later built, with a galvanized iron roof and wooden floor. In 1965, the church was renovated when an extension was built at the center of the church through the effort of Msgr. Luis D. Caintic who also facilitated the construction of the new bell tower.

Kuapnit Balinsasayao National Park is a 364-hectare campsite located between Abuyog and Baybay. The 7-meter-high, 10-tiered Malaguicay Falls in Barangay Malaguicay has a 3-meter-deep pool. Tib-o Islet and Undersea Water Cave in Barangay Tib-o, Abuyog, is located within the Leyte Gulf area. Lake Bito is the closest lake to the border of Abuyog.

Healthcare

Abuyog District Hospital
Abuyog Rural Health Unit
Balocawehay Rural Health Unit

Education

Abuyog has several secondary and primary schools. The secondary schools include the Abuyog Academy, the Notre Dame of Abuyog, the Kikilo National High School, and others.

The Abuyog Community College (ACC) in Brgy. Guintagbucan, Abuyog, Leyte is a local Government unit sponsored college which under the sponsorship of the Sangguniang Bayan of Abuyog, Leyte through its Resolution Number 110, series of 1978 passed on 21 October 1978, has been authorized by then the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports (MECS) under permit number 41,s.1979 to open and conduct First Year Level of Liberal Arts course starting school year 1979-1980.