Dolores, officially the Municipality of Dolores (; ), is a municipality in the province of Abra, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 11,967 people.

Etymology

The town was formerly known as Bucao, named after the first Tingguian (Itneg) chieftain who settled in the place long before Spanish colonization. In 1885, it was renamed Dolores in honor of the town's patron saint, Our Lady of Sorrows (Nuestra Señora de los Dolores).

History

thumb|left|Aerial view of Dolores and the [[Abra River, date unknown]]

The place formerly known as Bucao used to be part of the Municipality of Tayum. In 1882, upon the recommendation of the parish priest of Tayum, Fr. Pío Mercado, and the Teniente Bazar of Bucao, Don Ignacio Eduarte, Bucao was created as a separate pueblo. In 1885, Bucao was renamed Dolores, to honor its patron saint, Nuestra Señora de los Dolores (Our Lady Of Sorrows). The first gobernadorcillo of the town was Don Rosalio Eduarte.

Geography

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the Municipality of Dolores has a land area of constituting of the total area of Abra. It is located at .

Dolores is situated from the provincial capital Bangued, and from the country's capital city of Manila.

Barangays

Dolores is politically subdivided into 15 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

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Climate

Demographics

In the 2024 census, Dolores had a population of 11,967 people. The population density was .

Economy

Government

Local government

Dolores, belonging to the lone congressional district of the province of Abra, 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

<!--NOTE: Update needed by June 30, 2022 after oath-taking of the declared winners in the May 9, 2022 local elections.-->

{| 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;" | Joseph Santo Niño B. Bernos

|-

| Mayor

| style="text-align:center;" | Conde T. Turqueza

|-

| Vice-Mayor

| style="text-align:center;" | Eduardo R. Balmaceda

|-

|rowspan=8| Councilors

| style="text-align:center;" | Clint Chester B. Guzman

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | David B. Guzman Jr.

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Medeline Melody B. Castro

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Russ Marion T. Zapata

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Paul Dan Ace Z. Guzman

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Rodelio R. Pudol

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Imelda Q. Ardaniel

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Ronnel B. Tordil

|-

|}

Education

The Dolores 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.

Primary and elementary schools

  • Cabaroan Elementary School
  • Cardona Elementary School
  • Dolores Central School
  • Don Rosalio Eduarte Elementary School
  • Kimmalaba Elementary School
  • Mudiit Elementary School
  • Pacac Elementary School
  • Taping Elementary School
  • Libtec Elementary School
  • Lourdes Zapata Primary School

Secondary school

  • Rosalio Eduarte National High School

References

  • [ Philippine Standard Geographic Code]