Tubao, officially the Municipality of Tubao (; ), is a landlocked municipality in the province of La Union, Philippines. According to the , it has a population of people.

Historically, it is known as the "Home of the Native Tobacco" given its thriving tobacco industry. For several decades, the municipality played a significant role in the tobacco trade, with its town center featuring numerous large warehouses and trading posts dedicated to tobacco. In recent years however, corn has emerged as the town's primary agricultural product, with chichacorn being one of its most notable by-products.

The municipality has an average annual income of ₱42,803,624.

Etymology

left|thumb|260x260px|[[Rufous hornbill|Rufous Hornbill locally known as Kalaw]]

The name Tubao is derived from the word "tuao," which is the sound made by the Rufous hornbill (Buceros hydrocorax), locally known as kálaw. According to legend, during the Spanish colonization, Tubao got its name when Spanish missionaries, led by Father Luis Gonzaga y Espinosa, ventured eastward from Agoo in their mission to spread Christianity. At that time, the area was a hinterland covered with dense forests.

History

Early history

The area now known as Tubao was historically part of the Aringay-Tonglo-Balatok gold trail, a significant trade route for gold. This route linked the highland settlements of the Ibaloi people in the southern Cordillera (Benguet) with the coastal plains. It followed the Ifugao River, also known as the Aringay River, which flowed into its delta at Alinguey, an early settlement in Aringay. From Alinguey, gold was transported to the nearby port settlement of Aroo, now the town of Agoo. These settlements actively engaged in trade and barter with the coastal communities of Agoo and Aringay, as well as with Ilocanos, Tagalogs, and foreign traders from China, Japan, and Maritime Southeast Asia. Goods exchanged included porcelain, silk, cotton, beeswax, gemstones, beads, and precious metals such as gold, which was highly valued both regionally and internationally.

Spanish Colonial Era

With the arrival of the Spanish in the region, the settlements were organized into a ranchería and brought under the authority of Spanish colonial officials and Augustinian friars. These migrants initially arrived in Agoo and Aringay, then part of Pangasinan province, and gradually moved inland to the fertile plains of Tubao. A non-resident clergy from Agoo periodically visited the settlement. The barrio was named San Isidro de Tubao, in honor of its patron saint, whose feast day is celebrated annually on May 14 and 15.

The area of Pugo, then part of Tubao, was originally known as Ranchería Tulosa. In 1883, quail hunters renamed it Ranchería Pugo, after the local term for quail (pugo).

1896 (Heritage) St. Isidore the Farmer Parish Church

thumb|221x221px|Church facade|left

As of 2012, the St. Isidore the Farmer Parish Church of Tubao (canonically erected in 1896), 2509 La Union, celebrates its fiesta every May 15. It is under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of San Fernando de La Union (Dioecesis Ferdinandopolitana ab Unione, Suffragan of Lingayen – Dagupan, which was created on January 19, 1970, and erected on April 11, 1970, comprising the Civil Province of La Union, under the Titular, St. William the Hermit, February 10). The Church is under a diocese of the Latin Church of the Catholic Church in the Philippines from the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia. The Tubao Church is under the Vicariate of St. Francis Xavier with Vicar Forane, Fr. Joel Angelo Licos. The Church was rehabilitated and renovated in 1980 under Jose D. Aspiras.

American Colonial Era

On March 8, 1900, during the Philippine–American War, the people of Tubao petitioned against the return of the friars. On November 19, 1899, General Samuel Baldwin Marks Young, American commander in Northern Luzon marched through Tubao to Aringay then to Agoo. Later he "spent a week galloping in and out of Tubao and Salcedo" in pursuit of General Emilio Aguinaldo and his forces.

Capt. Santiago Fontanilla, heading 130 men with four officers and 87 rifles, fought against the Americans. When he narrowly escaped capture in Kapangan, he abandoned personal equipment which included a horse and Colt .45 pistol both belonging to Colonel Gutierrez, his commander.

Up to 1912, the condition of the young parish was unstable and precarious. The priests did not stay long and several times, Tubao was without a spiritual father. In 1908, it became again a visita, but of Aringay this time. The town became a center for evacuees from neighboring municipalities. Because of its mountainous terrain on the east, it was also an ideal site for the guerrillas who fought the Japanese forces.thumb Among those who found refuge and passage in the town were top officials of the land led by then Executive Secretary Manuel Roxas who was later captured by the Japanese in 1942, Senator Quintin Paredes, future Speaker Jose Laurel Jr. and Teofilo Sison. In 1954, Father Jose de Hayes became parish priest and school director. He proposed the school to have a Christian name. In 1956, Tubao Catholic School was renamed San Alberto Magno Academy (SAMA) in honor of Saint Albert the Great and his predecessor, Father Albert Van Nuffelen.

| date = 26 April 2020

Demographics

Based on the 2020 Census of Population and Housing (2020 CPH), the municipality of Tubao, La Union recorded a total population of 31,763 persons as of May 2020. This represents an increase of 3,034 persons compared to the total population of 28,729 persons recorded in the 2015 Census of Population (POPCEN). The municipality’s population grew at an average annual growth rate (PGR) of 2.13 percent from 2015 to 2020, translating to an addition of approximately 21 persons per year for every 1,000 individuals in the population. Sixty years ago, the population of Tubao was only 12,304 persons, which is less than one-third of its population in 2020.

Population by Barangay

Among the 18 barangays of Tubao, Lloren was the most populous, comprising 11.68 percent of the total population. It was followed by Anduyan with 6.71 percent, Amallapay with 6.38 percent, Gonzales with 6.02 percent, Magsaysay with 5.86 percent, and Francia West with 5.83 percent. The remaining barangays each contributed less than 5.80 percent to the total municipal population. Poblacion was the least populated barangay, accounting for 2.61 percent of the total population, maintaining its status as the least populous barangay since 2015.

Among the household population aged five years and older, 25.30 percent had attended or completed elementary education, while 44.79 percent had reached or finished high school.

Primary and elementary schools

  • Amallapay Elementary School
  • Anduyan Elementary School
  • Caoigue Elementary School
  • Daeng Elementary School
  • Francia Sur Elementary School
  • Gonzales Elementary School
  • Halog East Elementary School
  • Halog West Elementary School
  • Leones Elementary School
  • Linapew Elementary School
  • Lloren Elementary School
  • Pideg Elementary school
  • Rizal Elementary School
  • St. Isidore School
  • Sta. Teresa Elementary School
  • Tubao Central School
  • UCCP Tubao Nursery Kindergarten

Secondary schools

  • Anduyan National High School
  • Don Rufino Olarte Memorial National High School
  • Halog West National High School
  • Leones National High School
  • Sta. Teresa National High School
  • Tubao National High School
  • San Alberto Magno Academy

Economy

Tubao is a fourth-class income municipality with a poverty incidence of 10.75%, steadily progressing through its reliance on agriculture, cottage industries, services, and its strategic role as a gateway to eco-tourism and trade.

Agriculture

In terms of agriculture, the town's major crops include rice, tobacco, corn, root crops, fruits such banana and vegetables. Known as the “Home of Native Tobacco,” Tubao was once renowned for its high-quality tobacco leaves and cigars. For decades, the town flourished with a thriving tobacco trade, its center bustling with large warehouses and trading posts.

Aside from tobacco, green corn serves as a vital cash crop planted after the rice harvest. With a short maturity period of 60–70 days, farmers can grow two corn crops annually. The marketing process is often carried out through the “pakyaw” system, where buyers directly visit the farms and handle harvesting and packaging. During the second cropping season, when demand for green corn declines, farmers allow the corn to mature. This matured corn is later processed into products like “cornik” and other delicacies.

Livestock

Livestock farming is prominent in Tubao, taking advantage of its expansive plains. Farmers raise cattle, poultry, swine, goats, and carabaos. These animals not only provide meat and dairy products but are also used for labor and transport in agricultural activities.

Cottage Industries

Tubao supports a variety of small-scale industries, including the production of processed green corn, such as “chichacorn,” and banana chips, which are popular as “pasalubong” (souvenirs) for visitors. Basketry made from bamboo and woodcarving for furniture-making are traditional cottage industries that remain active, showcasing the town's craftsmanship.

Small Enterprises

The town proper is home to numerous small enterprises, including trading businesses, sari-sari stores, and small restaurants, all of which contribute to the local economy. Tubao’s economic activities create a modest but dynamic business environment that caters to both residents and visitors.

Tourism

Tubao is gradually emerging as a tourist destination, offering natural attractions and scenic landscapes. Two waterfalls—Sangbay Falls and Lang-ay Falls—are among the town's most visited spots. In addition, Tubao is an access point for the Anduyan-Nangalisan-Asin Road, an alternative route to Baguio City. This scenic road offers views and is less congested compared to the traditional route.

Government

Local Government

Just as the national government, the municipal government of Tubao, is divided into three branches: executive, legislative and judiciary. The judicial branch is administered solely by the Supreme Court of the Philippines. The LGUs have control of the executive and legislative branch.

The executive branch is composed of the mayor and the barangay captain for the barangays.

The legislative branch is composed of the Sangguniang Bayan (town assembly), Sangguniang Barangay (barangay council), and the Sangguniang Kabataan for the youth sector.

The seat of Government is vested upon the Mayor and other elected officers who hold office at the Tubao Town hall. The Sanguniang Bayan is the center of legislation, stationed in Tubao Municipio.

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;" | Dante S. Garcia

|-

| Mayor

| style="text-align:center;" | Jonalyn G. Fontanilla-Piayas

|-

|Vice-Mayor

| style="text-align:center;" | Wilfredo S. Garcia

|-

|rowspan=8| Councilors

| style="text-align:center;" | Marilou G. Bulao

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Mary Muriel M. Verceles

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Domingo S. Estoesta

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Dominga R. Caburian

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Michael M. Mapalo

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Estela M. Gayo

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Joseph G. Quimado

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | William F. Mariñas

|-

|}

List of Former Chief Executives

For 378 years, from 1521 to 1899, Local Chief Executives of the “pueblos” or towns were appointed by the Spaniards and in the year 1901 up to 1910 they were appointed by the Americans. Afterwards, election was the mode of selection.

Early local government was covered by the Maura Law which was passed in 1893 that changed the title or designation of town heads from gobernadorcillo to capitan municipal. It was ruled by the members of the Tribunal Municipal, the "cabezas de barangay" and the "principales" (the local oligarchy as delegates), who elect the members of the Tribunal Council.

The following local officials held the positions either as Tenientes Absolute Gobernadorcillos, Capitanes, Presidentes Municipal and Municipal Mayors, for the terms opposite their respective names:

Municipal Town Halls

<gallery widths="200" heights="150">

File:Tubao municipal building.jpg|Tubao Municipal Building, built in the late 1940s under the incumbency of Mayor Gregorio Mapalo, Sr. and lasted until the early 1960s.

File:Municipal building (moncada model).jpg|Tubao Municipal Building (the Moncada Model), under construction in the early 1960s during the incumbency of Mayor Florencio Baltazar, Sr. The building was destroyed during the July 16, 1990, earthquake.

File:Tubao municipal building moncada model.jpg|The Moncada Model in its pristine state.

File:TubaoLaUnionjf1110.JPG|Municipal Hall in 2012

File:9008Tubao Poblacion town proper 03.jpg|Current Municipal Hall (2020)

</gallery>

Politics

2012 assassination attempt

Tubao Mayor Dante Garcia survived an assassination attack when he escaped unscathed from an ambush early on September 9, 2012, along the Aspiras National Highway in Barangay Lloren, Tubao. But Attorney Lazaro Gayo, a former vice mayor of the town and an aspiring candidate for Sangguniang Panlalawigan was murdered.

The Civil Society Group (CSG) and the La Union police therefore held a rally at Freedom Park in Agoo to protest the series of unsolved extrajudicial killings in Tubao and Agoo. The public indignation was led by Reverend Mariano C. Apilado of Peace Builders La Union, Melvin Macusi of Amnesty International, Danilo Balino from the Commission on Human Rights and Fr. Leo Nedic of TIGNAY-PPCRV, other human rights Groups, Kanlungan, Bannuar and leaders of the Catholic and Protestant Churches.

<gallery widths="200" heights="150">

File:St.Isidore The Farmer Parish Church Facade.jpg|alt=This is a church in Tubao, La Union named after its patron saint St. Isidore the Farmer.|The Facade of St. Isidore the Farmer Parish Church (2025)

File:8935Tubao Poblacion town proper 60.jpg|Facade of Municipal Hall

File:8935Tubao Poblacion town proper 55.jpg|Tubao Civic Center

File:8935Tubao Poblacion town proper 38.jpg|Gender and Development Building

File:TubaoLaUnionjf1066.JPG|Rang-Ay Bank

File:TubaoLaUnionjf1067 01.JPG|Barangay Gonzalez Welcome Arch

File:8814Tubao Poblacion town proper 17.jpg|Centennial Arch

File:TubaoLaUnionjf1067 02.JPG|Centuries-old Acacia trees guard the water reservoir in the Plaza

File:8814Tubao Poblacion town proper 01.jpg|Tubao Police Station

File:9131Agoo Tubao, La Union Boundary Barangays 45.jpg|Tubao Welcome Arch

File:Tubao tobacco farmer.jpg|Statue of the Tobacco Farmer, that stood in the Aspiras Highway junction.

File:TubaoLaUnionjf1063.JPG|Junction (crossing, Tubao Highway)

</gallery>

Notable personalities

  • Bernardo Vergara Former Mayor and Congressman of Baguio

References

  • [ Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
  • Philippine Census Information
  • Local Governance Performance Management System