Cabugao, officially the Municipality of Cabugao, is a 1st class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 38,884 people.

Etymology

In the beginning, the place was only a wilderness, a thick forest where peaceful nomads roamed and hunted. For fish, which were also abundant, there was a river. On these occasional visits, the hunters noticed the fertile and flatlands that could be tilled, and they decided to stay. They were the first settlers. As to how the name of the town evolved, there are interesting legends transmitted through generations. One legend tells the story of Kabu Angaw who was the head of a clan. In a rivalry, Kabu Angaw suffered defeat, forcing him and his remaining warriors to move southward until they reached the town where the friendly and hospitable nomads settled. Kabu Angaw's ability to relate stories endeared him to the settlers. His fairness and righteousness earned him respect and esteem, eventually making him the lord of the land. His leadership became legendary so much that his people were referred to as “taga Kabu Angaw”. When he died, the citizens deeply mourned ouch a great loss. On the other hand, some assert that the town by the river was ruled by a certain Aggao. When the Spaniards arrived, his subjects called him “Cabo Aggao”. Finding difficulty in pronouncing the headman's name, the Spaniards contracted it to “Cabugao” denoting not only the ruler but also the place he ruled. As time passed, Kabu Angaw or Cabo Aggao was transformed into Cabugao.

Geography

Cabugao is the second northernmost town of the province of Ilocos Sur. It is 27 km from Vigan City, the capital of the province; 55 km from Laoag City, the capital of Ilocos Norte; 163 km from the San Fernando, La Union, the regional center; and 432 km north of Manila. It is accessible by almost all modes of land transportation and a 7–kilometer portion of the MacArthur Highway passes through the town center. Its total land area is 9556 ha. It is bordered by Sinait to the north, San Juan to the south, and to the east by Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte and the Cordillera Mountain Ranges; and on the west by the South China Sea.

Topography

The Cordillera mountain range borders on the eastern part of the municipality. Hills are located in all the four corners of the municipality. Off the coast of Barangay Sabang there is Salomague Island. The Cabugao River is the largest river in the municipality. Two tributaries to the east feed the main channel of the Cabugao River. The headwaters of the north fork of the Cabugao River originate in Sitio Caset in Barangay Maradodon and the southern fork's headwaters originate in Sitio Gaco in Barangay Cacadiran. Cabugao's drinking water supply comes from three water resources in the Cordillera mountain range. The barangays that lie along the Cabugao River are flood prone areas during the rainy season. The uncontrollable surges of water erode the properties that line the Cabugao River endangering life and limb. The creek that runs through the poblacion easily clogs up in rain causing portions near it to be inundated.

Barangays

Cabugao is politically subdivided into 33 barangays Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios. There are four barangays that are in the poblacion which are considered urban (highlighted in bold) and the rest of the 29 barangays are rural. There are 94 sitios.

Climate

The climate of Cabugao is characterized by two (2) well-pronounced seasons; dry and wet. Dry season is usually experienced from November to April; while wet (rainy) season starts in May until October. Occasional rainfall also occurs at the onset of the dry season caused by the north-east monsoon passing through the region. The town is naturally shielded from the trade winds by the Cordillera Mountain Ranges. In the middle of May, drift winds from the Pacific Ocean sweep over the area, signaling the imminent wet season. Temperature ranges from 21.6 to 34.7 C or a minimum temperature of 23.9 C and a 31.9 C maximum. Average relative humidity is 87.3%.

Demographics

In the 2020 census, Cabugao had a population of 38,884. The population density was undefined PD/km2. The first data on population of the Municipality of Cabugao was recorded on March 2, 1903, indicating 8,848 residents. This number steadily increased to 35,706 in the 2010 census. The biggest population increase was on December 31, 1918, with 3,754.

Religion

The people of Cabugao are generally religious. A majority of the population is Roman Catholic, while a sizable number practice other religions such as the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, Iglesia ni Cristo, various Protestants groups, the Church of Jesus the Latter Day Saints, and Islam.

Economy

People are primarily engaged in farming and fishing. Cabugao, with its big poblpulatn, is one of the most urbanized towns in the province. While it is true that many natives of the town have gone to greener pastures in other parts of the country and abroad, the number of migrants has been offset by the number of immigrants – Pangasinenses, Bataguenos, Kapampangans and Maranaos who have come for trade and commerce and have stayed here for good. People's organizations and non-government organizations are active in the municipality responding to the needs of the community.

Government

Local government

Cabugao, belonging to the first congressional district of the province of Ilocos Sur, 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 councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is held every three years.

Elected officials

Tourism

Culture

Education

The municipality of Cabugao has currently 26 public elementary schools and some of private primary schools, and four public high schools, and these are: ● Cabugao National High School (Formerly “Turod National High School” ) ● Lipit National High School ● Pug-os National High School ● Sisim National High School It is also consists of one private high school: ● Cabugao Institute And also one of partially integrated school: ● Cabugao Integrated School (will be formerly known as “Cabugao South Central School” )

Trivia