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Villaviciosa, officially the Municipality of Villaviciosa (; ; ), is a municipality in the province of Abra, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 5,674 people.

The town is known for the Kimkimay Lake, a reminder of the wrath of the gods against people who have numerous vices.

History

During the Spanish era, Villaviciosa was once called 'Kalaw', which was derived from its first settler, 'Agcalaw', who was from Ananaaw (now Gregorio del Pilar, Ilocos Sur).

In 1904, Villaviciosa was separated from the town of Pilar, and eventually became a municipality in 1917. During World War II, on 8 December 1941, the people of Villaviciosa evacuated from the town towards the hinterlands. Sometime in December 1942, Japanese forces arrived in the town and ordered everyone to return to their homes. However guerrilla activity remained prevalent. By 1944, almost all men had joined the resistance against the Japanese. In one incident, Japanese forces were ambushed at a bridge near the south of the town, which then led to harsh Japanese reprisals against the innocent civilians.

| date = 26 April 2020

Barangays

Villaviciosa is politically subdivided into 8 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

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Demographics

In the 2024 census, Villaviciosa had a population of 5,674 people. The population density was .

Economy

Government

Local government

Villaviciosa, 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

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{| 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;" | Jose W. Lagen Jr.

|-

| Vice-Mayor

| style="text-align:center;" | Marjorie L. Lagen

|-

|rowspan=8| Councilors

| style="text-align:center;" | Nelson L. Piyo

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Edmundo B. Belmes

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Nixon B. Belmes

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Amelito M. Bagno

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Ingrid B. Oca

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Ernest G. Binnong

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Elsie L. Bona

|-

| style="text-align:center;" | Tessie G. Paned

|-

|}

Education

The Villaviciosa 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

  • Bol-lilising Elementary School
  • Cal-lao Elementary School
  • Lagaosian Elementary School
  • Tamac Elementary School
  • Villaviciosa Central School

Secondary schools

  • Lumaba Integrated School
  • Tuquib Integrated School

References

  • [ Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
  • Municipality of Villaviciosa