Gamu, officially the Municipality of Gamu , is a 4th class municipality in the province of Isabela, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 30,655 people.

Etymology

The name Gamu or gamu-t in ancient texts refers to the roots of tall grasses, akin to those of cogon grass, deeply embedded in the soil. Gamu was originally called 'Gamut', likely from a local plant whose roots were made into a type of medicine ('gamot'). From Fr. Jose Bugarin's Ibanag dictionary as follows:

History

Gamu was founded in December 5, 1741 as a result of the merging of the towns of Batavag (near present-day Lullutan in Ilagan) and Itugod (now barangay Lenzon). The town was established on its present site as a compromise for residents of the two towns and also the fact that both towns were too few in population to survive on their own. The population problem was later partially resolved through the forced settlement of conquered tribes into the town by the Spanish. Originally part of the Cagayan Valley, Gamu was later annexed to Nueva Vizcaya when the province was established on May 24, 1856. Subsequently, on March 31, 1859, it became part of Isabela with the subdivision of Cagayan Valley and the creation of the Province of Isabela. San Gabriel de Batauag, the first mission to Christianize the area, was established by Dominican missionaries in 1612, led by Father Luis Flores and his assistant, Fr. Juan de Sta Ana. The mission was initially situated in Batauag, now known as Lulutan, a barrio in Ilagan. However, due to grievances and maltreatment by the Spaniards, the natives of Batauag revolted, leading to the abandonment of the mission. In 1673, the mission was restored by Fr. Pedro Sanchez and Fr. Geronimo Ullos. Despite resistance from some natives, Fr. Pedro Jimenez, appointed as Ambassador of Peace, successfully persuaded many to settle in Cabagan and Itugod. Consequently, the towns of Cabagan, Itugod, and Santa Rosa de Gamu-t emerged from the original seven envisioned by the mission. Santa Rosa de Gamu-t and Our Lady of Victories of Itugod merged on December 5, 1741, due to financial constraints, with Gamu serving as the central settlement. Fr. Martin Fernandez constructed the church and planned the town, which was annexed to Gamu-t in 1774. In 1779, the two entities merged under the leadership of Fr. Sanin, with Gamu as the central seat of the mission. Initially under the care of Dominican Fathers until 1922, Gamu saw a transition during the American Regime when Fr. Felix Domingo, a Filipino secular priest, took charge. The La Salette missionaries assumed responsibility for Gamu from 1962 to 1977. In December 1949, an earthquake devastated the church and convent, leading to the construction of a wooden church in 1950-1951 adjacent to the ruins of the Spanish Church.

Geography

Gamu is located in the central part of the province of Isabela. It is 7 km away from the provincial capital, Ilagan, and 391 km from the country's capital, Manila. It is bounded on the north by the city of Ilagan, or the north-west by the municipality of Quirino, on the south by the municipality of Reina Mercedes and on the south-west by the municipality of Burgos, and on the Southeast by the municipality of Naguilian. Gamu has a total land area of 129.40 square kilometers with 16 barangays, 3 of which are classified as urban barangays, District I, II, and III, and the rest are considered rural barangays.

Barangays

Gamu is politically subdivided into 16 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios. Barangays District I, II, and III are considered as urban (highlighted in bold) while the rest are rural.

Climate

Demographics

In the 2020 census, the population of Gamu, Isabela, was 30,655 people, with a density of undefined PD/km2.

Economy

Military

Camp Melchor F. dela Cruz, the headquarters of the 5th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, is located in barangay Upi. It was one of four strategic military bases in the Philippines that were opened to the US military in 2023 as part of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, citing the base's proximity to Taiwan.

Culture

The town celebrated the Kuliglig Festival on August 23, 2013, following an executive order issued by the municipal government to officially proclaim it as the official festivity of the town.

Tourism

Gamu is noted for having the most number of Roman Catholic churches in the entire province of Isabela. These churches are often visited by pilgrims and frequented by travelers all over the country to pay homage to each of the respective Roman Catholic icons to whom each of the churches were dedicated and named after.

Government

Local government

As a municipality in the Province of Isabela, government officials in the provincial level are voted by the electorates of the town. The provincial government have political jurisdiction over local transactions of the municipal government. The municipality of Gamu 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. Barangays are also headed by elected officials: Barangay Captain, Barangay Council, whose members are called Barangay Councilors. The barangays have SK federation which represents the barangay, headed by SK chairperson and whose members are called SK councilors. All officials are also elected every three years.

Elected officials

Congress representation

Gamu, belonging to the second legislative district of the province of Isabela, currently represented by Hon. Ed Christopher S. Go.

Education

The Schools Division of Isabela governs the town's public education system. The division office is a field office of the DepEd in Cagayan Valley region. The office governs the public and private elementary and public and private high schools throughout the municipality.