Kapangan

Kapangan
Municipality
Municipality of Kapangan
Flag Seal
Map of Benguet with Kapangan highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Kapangan Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 16°34′35″N 120°36′19″E
Country	Philippines
Region	Cordillera Administrative Region
Province	Benguet
District	Lone district
Founded	1900
Barangays	15 (see Barangays)
Government  [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor	Manny E. Fermin
• Vice Mayor	Mayo D. Eslay
• Representative	Nestor B. Fongwan
• Electorate	14,132 voters (2022)
Area [2]
• Total	164.39 km^2 (63.47 sq mi)
Elevation	1,016 m (3,333 ft)
Highest elevation	1,459 m (4,787 ft)
Lowest elevation	540 m (1,770 ft)
Population  (2020 census)[3]
• Total	19,297
• Density	120/km^2 (300/sq mi)
• Households	4,626
Economy
• Income class	4th municipal income class
• Poverty incidence	2.51 % (2021)[4]
• Revenue	₱ 110.2 million (2020)
• Assets	₱ 294.9 million (2020)
• Expenditure	₱ 92 million (2020)
• Liabilities	₱ 55.76 million (2020)
Service provider
• Electricity	Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	2613
PSGC	141108000
IDD : area code	+63 (0)74
Native languages	Kankanaey Ibaloi Ilocano Tagalog
Website	www.kapangan.gov.ph

Kapangan, officially the Municipality of Kapangan, (Ilocano: Ili ti Kapangan; Tagalog: Bayan ng Kapangan), is a municipality in the province of Benguet, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 19,297 people.^[3]

History

Pre-colonial period

Kapangan was formerly called Takdang (or Tacdang), which means "people from the east". The early natives, who came from eastern settlements such as Tinec in Buguias and Bontoc, settled along the Amburayan River and lived by the kaingin system. They traveled to Naguilian in La Union to trade goods with the Ilocano people The appointed first town president (before now mayor) is Espiritu Cariño (1898–1900) .^[5]

Spanish period

During the Spanish Regime, Kapangan was organized into four barrios; Balacbac, Paykek, Pongayan, and Taba-ao. The Spaniards appointed Espiritu Cariño as the first Capitan del Barrio, whose duty was overseeing tax collection from local land owners. They also appointed Juan Ora-a Cariño to the position, eventually promoting him to Commandantes, one of the highest ranks in office during the time. Both Espiritu Cariño and Juan Ora-a Cariño appointed eight people in eight different barrios to serve as barrio capitans, whose tasks were to oversee the construction of Spanish trails throughout the mountain region.^[5]

American period

Under the American Civil Government, Kapangan was established as one of the 19 townships of the province of Benguet, upon the issuance of Act No. 48 on November 22, 1900^[5][6][7]

On August 13, 1908, Benguet was established as a sub-province of the newly created Mountain Province with the enactment of Act No. 1876. Six townships of Benguet were later abolished, one of which was Balakbak, which was integrated into the township of Kapangan.^[8][9]

According to some stories, Kapangan got its name when an American once asked a local resident what was the name of the place. Since the resident doesn't understand English and so happened that they were about to eat in the party where they were in, she just said "kapangan" which means go eat in English. The American thought that the name of the place is Kapangan and hence the name .

Post-war era

On June 25, 1963, then-President Diosdado Macapagal issued Executive Order No. 42 converting eight (8) of the thirteen (13) towns (designated as municipal districts) of Benguet sub-province into regular municipalities. Kapangan was among them.^[10]

On June 18, 1966, the sub-province of Benguet was separated from the old Mountain Province and was converted into a regular province. Kapangan remained to be a component municipality of the newly established province.^{[5][6][8][11]}

Geography

Kapangan is at the mid-western section of Benguet. It is bounded by Kibungan on the north-east, Atok on the east, Tublay on the southeast, Sablan and Bagulin on the south-west, San Gabriel on the mid-west, and Sugpon on the north-west.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 164.39 square kilometres (63.47 sq mi) ^[12] constituting 5.94% of the 2,769.08-square-kilometre- (1,069.15 sq mi) total area of Benguet.

The municipal's terrain is characterized by rugged mountains and hills. Rugged mountains have slopes of 50% while hills have slopes from 30%-50%. The highest elevation is 1,700 metres (5,600 ft) above sea level with the lowest at 200 metres (660 ft) above sea level.

Kapangan is 27 kilometres (17 mi) from the capital town of La Trinidad, 32 kilometres (20 mi) from Baguio, and 282 kilometres (175 mi) from Manila.

Barangays

Kapangan is politically subdivided into 15 barangays.^[13] Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

PSGC	Barangay	Population			±% p.a.
		2020[3]		2010[14]
141108001	Balakbak	6.2%	1,205	1,372	▾	−1.29%
141108002	Beleng‑Belis	4.0%	772	984	▾	−2.40%
141108003	Boklaoan	2.4%	465	644	▾	−3.20%
141108004	Cayapes	4.4%	849	962	▾	−1.24%
141108006	Cuba	5.3%	1,018	995	▴	0.23%
141108008	Datakan	9.8%	1,883	1,699	▴	1.03%
141108009	Gadang	7.1%	1,378	1,534	▾	−1.07%
141108010	Gasweling	5.2%	1,005	1,129	▾	−1.16%
141108011	Labueg	8.8%	1,702	1,572	▴	0.80%
141108013	Paykek	7.7%	1,488	1,550	▾	−0.41%
141108014	Poblacion Central	8.4%	1,618	1,841	▾	−1.28%
141108016	Pongayan	4.5%	869	945	▾	−0.83%
141108015	Pudong	6.4%	1,231	1,373	▾	−1.09%
141108017	Sagubo	10.3%	1,982	1,697	▴	1.56%
141108018	Taba‑ao	9.5%	1,832	1,787	▴	0.25%
	Total		19,297	19,297		0.00%

Climate

Climate data for Kapangan, Benguet
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	24 (75)	25 (77)	26 (79)	27 (81)	26 (79)	25 (77)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	25 (77)	25 (77)	25 (77)	25 (77)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	15 (59)	16 (61)	17 (63)	19 (66)	20 (68)	20 (68)	19 (66)	19 (66)	19 (66)	18 (64)	17 (63)	16 (61)	18 (64)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	42 (1.7)	48 (1.9)	74 (2.9)	110 (4.3)	269 (10.6)	275 (10.8)	362 (14.3)	325 (12.8)	330 (13.0)	306 (12.0)	126 (5.0)	61 (2.4)	2,328 (91.7)
Average rainy days	11.2	12.0	17.1	21.2	27.1	26.8	28.1	27.0	26.0	24.5	17.7	12.4	251.1
Source: Meteoblue[15]

Climate is divided into two seasons – the wet and the dry. Wet season occurs from May to October while dry season occurs November to April.

Demographics

Population census of Kapangan

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1903	28	—
1918	3,916	+39.01%
1939	6,539	+2.47%
1948	8,184	+2.52%
1960	10,707	+2.26%
1970	12,221	+1.33%
1975	12,793	+0.92%
1980	13,381	+0.90%
1990	15,537	+1.51%
1995	15,326	−0.26%
2000	18,137	+3.68%
2007	18,221	+0.06%
2010	20,084	+3.61%
2015	19,361	−0.70%
2020	19,297	−0.07%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[16][14][17][18]

In the 2020 census, Kapangan had a population of 19,297.^[3] The population density was 120 inhabitants per square kilometre (310/sq mi).

Religion

• Ascension Episcopal Mission, Cabilisan, Pudong
• Balakbak Southern Baptist Church, Balakbak
• Duntog Kalbaryo Lutheran Church, Balakbak
• Iglesia ni Cristo, Lokal ng Balakbak
• Iglesia ni Cristo, Lokal ng Kapangan
• Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Central
• Mount Zion Lutheran Church, Liblibeng, Gadang
• Taba-ao Faith Baptist Church, Taba-ao
• Saint Andrew's Episcopal Parish, Paykek
• Saint Luke Lutheran Church, Taba-ao
• Saint Mark Episcopal Mission, Gadang
• Saint Mark Lutheran Church, Landing, Sagubo
• Saint Michael Catholic Mission, Labueg
• Solid Foundation Bible Baptist Church, Lomon

Economy

Poverty incidence of Kapangan

10 20 30 40 2006 25.90 2009 37.65 2012 17.67 2015 13.52 2018 17.31 2021 2.51 Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26]

Government

Kapangan, belonging to the lone congressional district of the province of Benguet, 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

Members of the Municipal Council
(2019–2022)^[27]

Position	Name
Congressman	Nestor B. Fongwan[a] Eric G. Yap (since January 20, 2020)[29]
Mayor	Manny E. Fermin
Vice-Mayor	Mayo D. Eslay
Councilors	Bruno M. Canuto
	Harris M. Dizon
	Jennylyn A. Ebes
	Santos M. Bastian
	Andrew C. Bentres Jr.
	Rex L. Balangcod
	Lauro C. Lorenzo
	Marcelo L. Tayaban

Education

Public schools

As of 2014, Kapangan has 27 public elementary schools, 1 private secondary school, and 4 public secondary schools.^[30][31][32]

Elementary (2013–2014)[32] School Barangay Ampongot Elementary School Sagubo Baguionas Barrio School Gaswiling Balakbak Elementary School Balakbak Beleng-Belis Barrio School Beleng-Belis Boklaoan Elementary School Ampucao Catiaoan Barrio School Gaswiling Cayapes Barrio School Cayapes Cuba Barrio School Cuba Datakan Elementary School Datakan Gadang Elementary School Gadang Gaswiling Barrio School Gaswiling Kaliwaga Barrio School Gaswiling Kapangan Central School Poblacion (Central) Laoangan Barrio School Gadang Liblibeng Barrio School Gadang Lomon Elementary School Paykek Longboy Elementary School Labueg Pakawan Barrio School Cuba Paykek Elementary School Paykek Pongayan Barrio School Pongayan Pudong Elementary School Pudong Sagubo Elementary School Sagubo Taba-ao Elementary School Taba-ao Tadayan Barrio School Pudong Tawang Barrio School Beleng-Belis Toplac Barrio School Cuba Ubod Barrio School Taba-ao

Secondary (2013–2014)[31] School Barangay Governor Bado Dangwa Agro-Industrial School Balakbak Governor Bado Dangwa Agro-Industrial School Extension – Taba-ao Annex Taba-ao Kapangan Central National High School Poblacion (Central) Kapangan National High School Sagubo

Private School

Secondary (2023)[31] School Barangay Saint Theresita's High School of Kapangan Incorporated Labueg

Notes

1. Died on December 18, 2019.^[28]

References

1.  Municipality of Kapangan | (DILG)
2. "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
3. Census of Population (2020). "Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
4. "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
5. "Municipality of Kapangan: History of Kapangan". Province of Benguet (official website). Archived from the original on 19 October 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
6. "Kapangan, Benguet ...At a Glance". Philippine Statistics Authority – National Statistical Coordination Board – Cordillera Administrative Region. Archived from the original on 14 November 2015. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
7. "Municipality of Kapangan, Benguet". Department of the Interior and Local Government (Philippines) – Cordillera Administrative Region. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
8. "History: Benguet Province". Province of Benguet (official website). Archived from the original on 19 October 2014. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
9. Igualdo, Lolito T. "The Social World of the Kankana-eys (Dissertation)". Retrieved 11 November 2014.
10. "Executive Order No. 42, s. 1963: Declaring Certain Municipal Districts in the Philippines as Municipalities". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. 25 June 1963. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
11. "Republic Act No. 4695: An Act Creating the Provinces of Benguet, Mountain Province, Ifugao and Kalinga-Apayao". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. 18 June 1966. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
12. "Province: Benguet". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
13. "Municipal: Kapangan". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
14. Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
15. "Kapangan: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
16. Census of Population (2015). "Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
17. Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
18. "Province of Benguet". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
19. "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
20. "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
21. "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 March 2009.
22. "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012.
23. "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.
24. "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019.
25. "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
26. "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
27. "2019 National and Local Elections" (PDF). Commission on Elections. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
28. Cimatu, Frank (December 19, 2019). "Benguet Representative Nestor Fongwan dies at 68". Rappler.com. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
29. "House names party-list solon as Benguet caretaker". Philippine News Agency. January 22, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
30. "Masterlist of Public Elementary Schools for the School year 2012–2013". Department of Education (Philippines), July 15, 2013. Archived from the original (XLSX) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
31. "Masterlist of Secondary Schools (School Year 2013–2014)". Department of Education (Philippines), July 4, 2013. Archived from the original (XLSX) on 1 July 2014. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
32. "Masterlist of Public Schools SY 2013–2014". Department of Education (Philippines), 22 October 2014. Archived from the original (XLSX) on 21 April 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2014.

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code