Pudtol, officially the Municipality of Pudtol,, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Apayao, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 15,491 people.

History

Pudtol, taken from Luna, was created as a municipal district on December 3, 1956 through executive order no. 217. Prior to its creation, Pudtol was once the center of the Spanish mission in the entire province of Apayao and served as the center of Catholicism in the province. Pudtol consisted of the last remaining territories of the municipal district of Tauit (the first sub-provincial capital of Apayao), which was abolished on January 21, 1936 through EO No. 13 and annexed as a single barrio to Luna. Tauit also comprised the present-day municipalities of Luna, Santa Marcela, Flora, and some parts of Lasam, Allacapan, and Pamplona, Cagayan. Barangays Aga, Cacalaggan, Malibang and Mataguisi are comprised by then-Barrio Tawit, Tauit's seat of government. On March 31, 1959, Pudtol was converted into a municipality by virtue of executive order no. 335. It became the first regular municipality in the entire Sub-Province of Apayao. On June 22, 1963, via Republic Act No. 3672, several barrios and sitios were separated from Pudtol and constituted into the newly created municipality of Flora.

Tauit

Tauit (later spelled as Tawit), is an Isneg settlement along the lower Apayao-Abulug River. It was a former municipal district and served as Apayao's first sub-provincial capital from July 13, 1907 until the capital was moved to Kabugao on August 1, 1915 by virtue of Executive Order No. 45 signed by Governor-General Francis Burton Harrison. It had been existed by the time of creation of the sub-province of Apayao. Tauit is said to be the forerunner of the present-day Pudtol. Its seat of government at Barrio Tawit was later divided into four barangays in the municipality. In 1913, a band of Isneg attacked Tauit, as they were infuriated by the large number of Ilocano settling in the territory under the protection of the local government. In 1926, Allacapan was founded as its municipal district. In July 1, 1927, the area was separated from Tauit and was organized into an independent one with the same name by virtue of EO No. 68. It was ceded to the province of Cagayan in 1928. In 1929, a separate municipal district taken from Tauit, Macatel (later renamed Luna through a resolution), was organized through EO No. 200. Difficulties in transportation led to the decision to abandon Tauit as a municipal district and to be represented by Luna. Tauit was abolished through EO No. 13, issued on January 21, 1936 and effective February 1, with remaining territories annexed as a single barrio to Luna. These territories were established as the municipal district of Pudtol upon its creation on December 3, 1956 through EO No. 217. Parts of the territories of Pudtol and Luna were later established as the municipalities of Flora and Santa Marcela; meanwhile, Tauit also comprised some parts of Lasam and Pamplona, Cagayan. At present, remnants of Tauit are located in northeastern Apayao and in few parts of Cagayan.

Geography

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 411.371 km2 constituting NaN% of the 4,413.35 km2 total area of Apayao.

Barangays

Pudtol is politically subdivided into 22 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Climate

The municipality falls under the Coronas type III climate where dry and wet season is not very much pronounced. Dry season is usually observed from the months of February to July while wet season is felt during the months of August to January. However, there are cases when rainy season occurs early and happens towards the end of May.

Demographics

The creation and separation of the municipality of Flora in 1963 resulted to a population decrease and a negative growth rate in 1970. The table shows significant increase in population in the succeeding censal years until the latest census. In the 2020 census, Pudtol had a population of 15,491. The population density was undefined PD/km2.

Economy

Government

Local government

Pudtol, belonging to the lone congressional district of the province of Apayao, 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

List of Mayors of Pudtol

From the time Pudtol was established as a distinct and independent municipality, its governance has been entrusted to a Chief Executive, either appointed or elected. The following are the list of elected or appointed mayors of Pudtol.

List of Vice-Mayors of Pudtol

The following are the list of elected or appointed vice-mayors of Pudtol.