Wikipedia

Abuyog

Abuyog (IPA: [ʔɐ'bujog]), officially the Municipality of Abuyog (Waray: Bungto han Abuyog; Cebuano: Lungsod sa Abuyog; Tagalog: Bayan ng Abuyog), is a municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 61,216 people.[3]

Abuyog
Municipality
Municipality of Abuyog
Downtown area
Downtown area
Flag of Abuyog
Flag
Nickname: 
Home of the Buyogan Festival
Anthem: Abuyog Hymn
Map of Leyte with Abuyog highlighted
Map of Leyte with Abuyog highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Map
Abuyog is located in Philippines
Abuyog
Abuyog
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 10°44′45″N 125°00′44″E / 10.745797°N 125.012181°E / 10.745797; 125.012181
CountryPhilippines
RegionEastern Visayas
ProvinceLeyte
District 5th district
Barangays63 (see Barangays)
Government
 [1]
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • MayorLemuel Gin K. Traya
 • Vice MayorOctavio J. Traya Jr.
 • RepresentativeCarl Nicolas C. Cari
 • Councilors
List
 • Electorate40,871 voters (2022)
Area
[2]
 • Total
688.25 km2 (265.73 sq mi)
Elevation
17 m (56 ft)
Highest elevation
357 m (1,171 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2020 census)[3]
 • Total
61,216
 • Density89/km2 (230/sq mi)
 • Households
14,896
DemonymAbuyognon
Economy
 • Income class1st municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence
27.84
% (2021)[4]
 • Revenue₱ 310.8 million (2020)
 • Assets₱ 978.3 million (2020)
 • Expenditure₱ 421.9 million (2020)
 • Liabilities₱ 141.2 million (2020)
Service provider
 • ElectricityDon Orestes Romualdez Electric Coperative (DORELCO)
Time zoneUTC 8 (PST)
ZIP code
6510
PSGC
0803701000
IDD : area code  63 (0)53
Native languagesWaray
Tagalog
Websiteabuyogleyte.gov.ph

Facing Leyte Gulf out into the Philippine Sea, it is the largest town on the island of Leyte in terms of land area. It is bordered to the north by Javier, to the west by Mahaplag and Baybay and to the south by Silago, located in Southern Leyte.

History

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Early history

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In 1588, likely due to the mismanagement by the incumbent encomendero, the local inhabitants revolted. Captain Juan Esguerra dispatched a punitive force to punish the assassins of the encomendero. In 1613, the town was raided and plundered by the Sanguiles and Caragas.

In 1655, the Jesuits established Abuyog as their second mission post, with Dagami serving as the center. In 1716, the town and parish were officially founded under the patronage of St. Francis Xavier, the Apostle of the Indies. The Augustinians took over in 1768, continuing the work of Fathers Jose Herrera and Cipriano Barbasan. In 1843, the town was entrusted to the Franciscan Order, with Fr. Santiago Malonda becoming its first Franciscan parish priest. A horse path connecting Abuyog and Dulag was opened in 1851.

The early captains were Galza, Foran, Nicolas Mandia, Faustino Remanes, Prudencio Remanes, Felipe Costin, Ciriaco Costin, Eulalio Brillo, and Vicente Tiaoson. Eulalio Brillo became president in 1896–1899 while Nazario Tupa took office in 1900. Eugenio Villote finished Tupa's term.[5] From 1901 to 1906, pulahanes attacks occurred, with one leader of which was Faustino Ablen. The municipal building was razed. Ex-Captain Eugenio Villote, Pedro Gonazaga, and two other policemen were killed in the encounter.[5]

Electoral management

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In the electoral division made by the Philippine Assembly, Abuyog was placed in the third district of Leyte. During the Commonwealth regime, Abuyog was transferred to the fourth district. During these periods, the town was under the administration of Arturo Brillo, Vicente Brillante, Basilio Adolfo (two terms), Antero Brillo and Ricardo Collantes (three terms). In 1940, Pedro Gallego was elected mayor and served until July 3, 1946. Mayor Pedro Remanes Gallego was the only mayor of Leyte province who did not surrender to the Japanese forces. On July 4, 1946, Catalino Landia was appointed mayor. He was re-elected for three terms.

Abuyog inaugurated the first passenger bus service in 1925. In 1936, the vice-president Sergio Osmeña inaugurated the Baybay–Abuyog road, which linked the eastern and western coasts of Leyte.[6]

Japanese occupation

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At the outbreak of World War II, Abuyog became a Japanese occupied area. Pedro Gallego retreated to the mountains to lead the guerrilla resistance. His wife, Ignacia Regis Gallego, organised the non-combatant Auxiliary Forces. On October 13, 1942, the Japanese abandoned the town due to guerrilla pressure. They came back on November 26, 1943, yet they suffered heavy losses in the hands of the guerrillas.[5] From December 26–31, the XXIV Corps of the United States opened the Palompon–Libungao road. The 77th Infantry Division led the charge to secure the road, facing resistance from the Japanese 5th Regiment.[7]

On July 14, 1944, when the submarine Nautilus landed in Barangay San Roque, Mayor Gallego provided the logistics (manpower, bamboo rafts, transport, lookouts) to Colonel Ruperto Kangleon (the head of Leyte Resistance Movement) to unload 72 tons of automatic weapons (Thompson submachine guns and other rapid fires like carbine and M1 Garand guns[8]), ammunition, food and propaganda materials for Leyte and Samar guerrillas.[5]

Kangleon tipped the naval officers of Nautilus on the locations of Japanese fortifications in Leyte province.[9]: 17  The local guerrillas of Abuyog used the automatic weapons to repeatedly ambush the Japanese forces.[9]: 122–123  When the American Armada under General Douglas MacArthur was sighted off Leyte Gulf, Japanese forces left Abuyog before the landing of Allied Forces, which included the Filipino troops of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and Philippine Constabulary military units.[9]: 16  After liberation, elementary school education was resumed on December 4, 1944, under the supervision of the Philippine Civil Affairs Unit (PCAU).[5]

Geography

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Daughter towns

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  • Javier, formerly known as Barangay Bugho.
  • MacArthur, formerly known as Barangay Taraguna.
  • Mahaplag, formerly known as Barangay Mahaplag.

Barangays

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Abuyog is politically subdivided into 63 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

  • Alangilan
  • Anibongon
  • Buaya
  • Bagacay
  • Bahay
  • Balinsasayao
  • Balocawe
  • Balocawehay
  • Barayong
  • Bayabas
  • Bito (Poblacion)
  • Buenavista
  • Bulak
  • Buntay (Poblacion)
  • Bunga
  • Burubud-an
  • Cagbolo
  • Can-aporong
  • Canmarating
  • Can-uguib (Poblacion)
  • Capilian
  • Cadac-an
  • Combis
  • Dingle
  • Guintagbucan (Poblacion)
  • Hampipila
  • Katipunan
  • Kikilo
  • Laray
  • Lawa-an
  • Libertad
  • Loyonsawang (Poblacion)
  • Mahagna (New Cagbolo)
  • Mag-atubang
  • Mahayahay
  • Maitum
  • Malaguicay
  • Matagnao
  • Nalibunan (Poblacion)
  • Nibga
  • Odiongan
  • Pagsang-an
  • Paguite
  • Parasanon
  • Picas Sur
  • Pilar
  • Pinamanagan
  • Salvasion
  • San Francisco
  • San Isidro
  • San Roque
  • Santa Fe (Poblacion)
  • Santa Lucia
  • Santo Niño (Poblacion)
  • Tabigue
  • Tadoc
  • New Taligue
  • Old Taligue
  • Tib-o
  • Tinalian
  • Tinocolan
  • Tuy-a
  • Victory (Poblacion)

Climate

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Climate data for Abuyog, Leyte
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 28
(82) 		29
(84) 		29
(84) 		30
(86) 		30
(86) 		30
(86) 		29
(84) 		29
(84) 		29
(84) 		29
(84) 		29
(84) 		29
(84) 		29
(84)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 22
(72) 		22
(72) 		22
(72) 		23
(73) 		25
(77) 		25
(77) 		25
(77) 		25
(77) 		25
(77) 		24
(75) 		24
(75) 		23
(73) 		24
(75)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 78
(3.1) 		57
(2.2) 		84
(3.3) 		79
(3.1) 		118
(4.6) 		181
(7.1) 		178
(7.0) 		169
(6.7) 		172
(6.8) 		180
(7.1) 		174
(6.9) 		128
(5.0) 		1,598
(62.9)
Average rainy days 16.7 13.8 17.3 18.5 23.2 26.5 27.1 26.0 26.4 27.5 24.6 21.0 268.6
Source: Meteoblue[10]

Demographics

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Population census of Abuyog
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 8,943—    
1918 16,546 4.19%
1939 39,111 4.18%
1948 46,930 2.05%
1960 37,709−1.81%
1970 34,434−0.90%
1975 37,864 1.92%
1980 41,702 1.95%
1990 47,265 1.26%
1995 48,905 0.64%
2000 53,837 2.08%
2007 56,097 0.57%
2010 57,146 0.68%
2015 59,571 0.79%
2020 61,216 0.54%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[11][12][13][14]

In the 2020 census, the population of Abuyog, Leyte, was 61,216 people,[3] with a density of 89 inhabitants per square kilometre or 230 inhabitants per square mile.

Economy

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Poverty incidence of Abuyog

10
20
30
40
2006
37.30
2009
35.36
2012
35.93
2015
36.06
2018
28.17
2021
27.84

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]

The language of this town which acquired the name "melting pot" became Waray-Waray language from the Samar immigrants.

Tourism

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St. Francis Xavier Parish Church

The Church of St. Francis Xavier was first built with nipa, wood and bamboo in 1718 by the Jesuits. Fr. José Herrera and Cipriano Barbasan restored the church and convent, as well as the school and Casa Real. The Augustinians took over the church's supervision in 1768 after it was rebuilt. The church's design was changed in 1781 to conform with the architecture of the Roman Renaissance. A more durable church and convent of masonry was later built, with a galvanized iron roof and wooden floor. In 1965, the church was renovated when an extension was built at the center of the church through the effort of Msgr. Luis D. Caintic who also facilitated the construction of the new bell tower.

Kuapnit Balinsasayao National Park is a 364-hectare campsite located between Abuyog and Baybay. The 7-meter-high, 10-tiered Malaguicay Falls in Barangay Malaguicay has a 3-meter-deep pool. Tib-o Islet and Undersea Water Cave in Barangay Tib-o, Abuyog, is located within the Leyte Gulf area. Lake Bito is the closest lake to the border of Abuyog.

Healthcare

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  • Abuyog District Hospital
  • Abuyog Rural Health Unit
  • Balocawehay Rural Health Unit

Education

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Abuyog has several secondary and primary schools. The secondary schools include the Abuyog Academy, the Notre Dame of Abuyog, the Kikilo National High School, and others.

The Abuyog Community College (ACC) in Brgy. Guintagbucan, Abuyog, Leyte is a local Government unit sponsored college which under the sponsorship of the Sangguniang Bayan of Abuyog, Leyte through its Resolution Number 110, series of 1978 passed on October 21, 1978, has been authorized by then the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports (MECS) under permit number 41,s.1979 to open and conduct First Year Level of Liberal Arts course starting school year 1979-1980.[23]


Notable people

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References

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  1. ^  Municipality of Abuyog | (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. ^ a b c Census of Population (2020). "Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  4. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e Sypaco Tantuico, Francisco (1980). Leyte Towns: Histories/legends. F.S. Tantuico, Jr. pp. 2–3. OCLC 13010706.
  6. ^ "Home". Abuyog Tourist Destination. February 3, 2016. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  7. ^ "Maneuver Center of Excellence (MCoE) Libraries" (PDF). HQ Donovan Research Library. Fort Benning, Georgia, United States.
  8. ^ Sacquety, Troy J. (2008). "Veritas" (PDF). Journal of Army Special Operations History. 4 (3): 49.
  9. ^ a b c Cannon, M. Hamlin (1993). "Leyte: The Return to the Philippines" (PDF). Center of Military History. LCCN 53-61979.
  10. ^ "Abuyog: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Archived from the original on April 15, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  11. ^ Census of Population (2015). "Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
  12. ^ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  13. ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
  14. ^ "Province of". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  15. ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  16. ^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. November 29, 2005.
  17. ^ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. March 23, 2009.
  18. ^ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. August 3, 2012.
  19. ^ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. May 31, 2016.
  20. ^ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 10, 2019.
  21. ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  22. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  23. ^ https://accabuyog.com/brief-history.php
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