Ligao, officially the City of Ligao, is a 4th class component city in the province of Albay, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 118,096 people. Most of the city's economy came from agriculture sector. Ligao is 27 km from Legazpi City and 500 km from Manila.

Etymology

Ligao was named after the word ticau, an abundant tree that has poisonous leaves used to catch fish from rivers and creeks. Another variation is from the Tagalog word ligaw which means to court or win a woman’s love. It was formerly known as Cavasi.

History

During the 16th century, Ligao was started as a small settlement. In 1606, it was founded as a barrio of Polangui, and then to Oas in 1665. One year later, in 1666, it became an independent municipality.

Cityhood

On January 2, 1997, Mayor Fernando V. Gonzalez's efforts has made possible the cityhood of Ligao. Four years later, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed Republic Act 9008 on February 21, 2001, making it as the sixth city in the Bicol Region. It was ratified by majority of voters in a plebiscite on March 24 of this year.

Geography

Barangays

Ligao City is politically subdivided into 55 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios. There are 11 urban and 44 rural barangays, of which 3 are coastal barangays.

Climate

The area of Ligao belongs to a combination of Types II and IV climate, and these are characterized by rainy season from July to December and dry season from January to June.

Local government

Elected officials

Demographics

Economy

As of May 2022, there are 3 major banks in operation. Landbank, Metrobank and PNB. BPI Direct BanKo also opened one of their branches here last 2019. A local Mall Chain, LCC Malls, opened one of their branches here last December 2013.

Education

Presently, there are almost 60 Day Care Centers, 55 public elementary schools, 12 private elementary schools, 12 public high schools, 6 private high schools and 7 tertiary/vocational institutions/schools in the city.

Tertiary / Vocational / Technical Education

The cit has seven tertiary schools:

Secondary Education

Public High Schools

Private High Schools

Primary Education

Public Elementary Schools

Private Elementary & Pre Schools

Gallery

Notable