Buguias - WikiHQ

Buguias, officially the Municipality of Buguias, (; ), is a municipality in the province of Benguet, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 45,703 people.

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.

Etymology

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

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.

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, 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.

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.

On November 23, 1900, the township of Loo was abolished and integrated into the township of Buguias with the issuance of Act No. 49. 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.

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.

| date = 21 March 2020

Demographics

In the 2024 census, Buguias had a population of 45,703 people. The population density was .

Economy

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

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.

Government

Local government

Buguias, belonging to the lone congressional district of the province of Benguet, 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

{| class="wikitable" style="line-height:1.20em; font-size:100%;"

|+ Members of the Municipal Council<br />(2019–2022)

! Position

! Name

| Congressman

| style="text-align:center;" | Nestor B. Fongwan<br />

Eric G. Yap (since January 20, 2020)

| Mayor

| style="text-align:center;" | Julius M. Amos

| Vice-Mayor

| style="text-align:center;" | Ronald C. Kimakim

|rowspan=8| Councilors

| style="text-align:center;" | Manuel G. Yans

| style="text-align:center;" | Melchor C. Guesey

| style="text-align:center;" | Jerahmeel B. Lasegan

| style="text-align:center;" | Jose G. Bayas Sr.

| style="text-align:center;" | Glenn A. Bigo

| style="text-align:center;" | Federico G. Aquisio

| style="text-align:center;" | Vicente B. Kitongan

| style="text-align:center;" | Wilnard "Aylabyu" E. Tolida

Education

The Buguias 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.

Public schools

As of 2014, Buguias has 43 public elementary schools and 6 public secondary schools.

{| class="wikitable collapsible sortable collapsed plainrowheaders" style="font-size:90%;margin:auto;"

|+ Elementary<br />

! scope="col" | School

! scope="col" | Barangay

! scope="row" | Abatan Elementary School

| Abatan

! scope="row" | Alapang Elementary School

| Sebang

! scope="row" | Ambanglo Primary School

| Catlubong

! scope="row" | Amgaleyguey Primary School

| Amgaleyguey

! scope="row" | Amlimay Elementary School

| Amlimay

! scope="row" | Bacasen-Wakit Primary School

| Sebang

! scope="row" | Bad-ayan Elementary School

| Baculongan Sur

! scope="row" | Bangao Elementary School - Poway Annex

| Bangao

! scope="row" | Bangsalan-Daganos Primary School

| (Bangsalan)

! scope="row" | Bano-oy Elementary School

| Baculongan Norte

! scope="row" | Bayoyo-Lukingan-Awal Elementary School

| Buyacaoan

! scope="row" | Bekes Elementary School

| Buyacaoan

! scope="row" | Bot-oan Elementary School

| Catlubong

! scope="row" | Buguias Central School

| Poblacion

! scope="row" | Buyacaoan Elementary School

| Buyacaoan

! scope="row" | Cabuguiasan Primary School

| Natubleng

! scope="row" | Calamagan Primary School

| Calamagan

! scope="row" | Catlubong-Adiston Elementary School

| Catlubong

! scope="row" | Cayapas Elementary School

| Baculongan Sur

! scope="row" | Cotcot-Talabis Elementary School

| Bangao

! scope="row" | Deccan Primary School

| Baculongan Sur

! scope="row" | Guioeng Elementary School

| Amlimay

! scope="row" | Kayang Primary School

| Poblacion

! scope="row" | Kimpit Primary School

| Amlimay

! scope="row" | Laduan Primary School

| Lengaoan

! scope="row" | Lam-ayan Elementary School

| Bangao

! scope="row" | Lengaoan-Waking Elementary School

| Lengaoan

! scope="row" | Loo Elementary School

| Loo

! scope="row" | Nabalicong Saltin Elementary School

| Natubleng

! scope="row" | Natubleng Elementary School

| Natubleng

! scope="row" | Naytokyab Elementary School

| Poblacion

! scope="row" | Orlani Telitel Primary School

| Baculongan Sur

! scope="row" | Paing Elementary School

| Baculongan Sur

! scope="row" | Pan-ayaoan Elementary School

| Loo

! scope="row" | Pasbol-Belino Elementary School

| Sebang

! scope="row" | Pugo James Mocate Elementary School

| Baculongan Norte

! scope="row" | Saclalan Sagandoy Elementary School

| Amgaleyguey

! scope="row" | Sagandoy Elementary School

| Amgaleyguey

! scope="row" | Sinipsip Elementary School

| Amgaleyguey

! scope="row" | Taba-ao Primary School

| Loo

! scope="row" | Tin-apan Primary School

| Bangao

! scope="row" | Tindo-Bosania Primary School

| Bangao

! scope="row" | Tonglo-Cariño Primary School

| Amlimay

{| class="wikitable collapsible sortable collapsed plainrowheaders" style="font-size:90%;margin:auto;"

|+ Secondary<br />

! scope="col" | School

! scope="col" | Barangay

! scope="row" | Bangao National High School

| Bangao

! scope="row" | Buguias National High School

| Poblacion

! scope="row" | Catlubong National High School

| Catlubong

! scope="row" | Loo National High School

| Loo

! scope="row" | Sinipsip National High School

| Amgaleyguey

! scope="row" | Sinipsip National High School - Natubleng Extension

| Natubleng

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 1999,