Argao

Argao
Argao
Municipality
	Municipality of Argao
	Old cannons of Argao
	Flag
	Map of Cebu with Argao highlighted
	OpenStreetMap
	Argao Location within the Philippines
	Coordinates: 9°53′N 123°36′E / 9.88°N 123.6°E
Country	Philippines
Region	Central Visayas
Province	Cebu
District	2nd district
Founded	1608
Barangays	45 (see Barangays)
Government
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor	Allan M. Sesaldo (1Cebu)
• Vice Mayor	Orvi G. Ortega (IND)
• Representative	Edsel A. Galeos
• Municipal Council	Members
• Electorate	55,846 voters (2022)
Area
• Total	191.50 km2 (73.94 sq mi)
Elevation	43 m (141 ft)
Highest elevation	442 m (1,450 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population (2020 census)
• Total	78,187
• Density	410/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
• Households	19,017
Economy
• Income class	1st municipal income class
• Poverty incidence	35.00% (2021)
• Revenue	₱ 103 million (2012), 118.2 million (2013), 133.8 million (2014), 182.7 million (2015), 190.2 million (2016), 207.4 million (2017)
• Assets	₱ 176.5 million (2012), 235.5 million (2013), 272.3 million (2014), 334.1 million (2015), 408.7 million (2016), 478.8 million (2017)
• Expenditure	₱ 92.66 million (2012), 99.12 million (2013), 106.1 million (2014), 128.2 million (2015), 129.5 million (2016), 117.4 million (2017)
• Liabilities	₱ 49.33 million (2012), 119.8 million (2013), 139.2 million (2014), 120.9 million (2015), 124.8 million (2016), 121.6 million (2017)
Service provider
• Electricity	Cebu 1 Electric Cooperative (CEBECO 1)
Time zone	UTC 8 (PST)
ZIP code	6021
PSGC	072205000
IDD : area code	63 (0)32
Native languages	Cebuano; Tagalog
Patron saint	Michael

Argao, officially the Municipality of Argao (Cebuano: Lungsod sa Argao; Tagalog: Bayan ng Argao), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 78,187 people.^[3]

Geography

The municipality of Argao is located in the southeast of the province of Cebu, 67 kilometres (42 mi) from Cebu City.

Argao is bordered to the north by the municipality of Sibonga, to the west are the municipalities of Ronda, Alcantara and Moalboal, to the east is the Cebu Strait, and to the south is the municipality of Dalaguete.

Barangays

Argao is politically subdivided into 45 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

PSGC	Barangay	Population			±% p.a.
		2020^[3]		2010^[5]
072205001	Alambijud	2.1%	1,655	1,514	▴	0.89%
072205002	Anajao	1.2%	911	907	▴	0.04%
072205003	Apo	0.8%	654	664	▾	−0.15%
072205004	Balaas	1.1%	892	985	▾	−0.99%
072205005	Balisong	2.9%	2,275	1,944	▴	1.58%
072205006	Binlod	5.2%	4,067	3,343	▴	1.98%
072205007	Bogo	5.1%	3,967	3,505	▴	1.25%
072205009	Bug‑ot	1.1%	889	837	▴	0.60%
072205010	Bulasa	5.0%	3,943	3,523	▴	1.13%
072205008	Butong	1.3%	1,011	924	▴	0.90%
072205012	Calagasan	1.3%	1,029	875	▴	1.63%
072205013	Canbantug	1.2%	932	843	▴	1.01%
072205014	Canbanua	3.5%	2,731	2,179	▴	2.28%
072205015	Cansuje	3.3%	2,562	2,206	▴	1.51%
072205016	Capio‑an	1.5%	1,146	1,192	▾	−0.39%
072205017	Casay	1.3%	1,040	788	▴	2.81%
072205018	Catang	0.8%	645	651	▾	−0.09%
072205019	Colawin	1.5%	1,198	943	▴	2.42%
072205020	Conalum	0.8%	611	615	▾	−0.07%
072205021	Guiwanon	2.4%	1,839	1,726	▴	0.64%
072205022	Gutlang	1.0%	811	770	▴	0.52%
072205023	Jampang	3.5%	2,741	2,217	▴	2.14%
072205024	Jomgao	1.3%	998	1,102	▾	−0.99%
072205025	Lamacan	3.4%	2,662	2,256	▴	1.67%
072205026	Langtad	4.4%	3,417	2,887	▴	1.70%
072205027	Langub	1.0%	768	804	▾	−0.46%
072205028	Lapay	0.8%	605	677	▾	−1.12%
072205029	Lengigon	1.6%	1,245	989	▴	2.33%
072205030	Linut‑od	1.4%	1,071	1,024	▴	0.45%
072205031	Mabasa	1.9%	1,487	1,281	▴	1.50%
072205032	Mandilikit	0.9%	722	645	▴	1.13%
072205033	Mompeller	1.2%	944	753	▴	2.29%
072205034	Panadtaran	0.8%	617	524	▴	1.65%
072205035	Poblacion	7.7%	6,009	5,570	▴	0.76%
072205036	Sua	1.0%	797	755	▴	0.54%
072205037	Sumaguan	1.3%	1,026	883	▴	1.51%
072205038	Tabayag	1.3%	983	999	▾	−0.16%
072205039	Talaga	5.0%	3,937	3,485	▴	1.23%
072205040	Talaytay	2.4%	1,891	1,438	▴	2.78%
072205041	Talo‑ot	5.4%	4,233	3,683	▴	1.40%
072205042	Tiguib	1.4%	1,104	1,202	▾	−0.85%
072205043	Tulang	1.0%	756	869	▾	−1.38%
072205044	Tulic	3.8%	2,992	2,494	▴	1.84%
072205045	Ubaub	1.5%	1,141	968	▴	1.66%
072205046	Usmad	1.6%	1,233	1,064	▴	1.48%
	Total		78,187	69,503	▴	1.18%

Climate

Climate data for Argao, Cebu
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	29 (84)	30 (86)	31 (88)	32 (90)	31 (88)	30 (86)	30 (86)	30 (86)	30 (86)	29 (84)	29 (84)	29 (84)	30 (86)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	23 (73)	22 (72)	23 (73)	24 (75)	25 (77)	25 (77)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	23 (73)	24 (75)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	42 (1.7)	34 (1.3)	40 (1.6)	61 (2.4)	124 (4.9)	188 (7.4)	190 (7.5)	191 (7.5)	189 (7.4)	186 (7.3)	124 (4.9)	73 (2.9)	1,442 (56.8)
Average rainy days	10.0	8.5	9.5	12.8	22.3	26.8	28.4	27.9	27.3	27.6	20.5	13.1	234.7
Source: Meteoblue (Use with caution: this is modeled/calculated data, not measured locally.)^[6]

Demographics

Population census of Argao
Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1903	35,448	—
1918	39,121	0.66%
1939	37,331	−0.22%
1948	33,596	−1.16%
1960	32,684	−0.23%
1970	38,039	1.53%
1975	39,778	0.90%
1980	44,060	2.07%
1990	52,157	1.70%
1995	54,447	0.81%
2000	61,010	2.47%
2007	62,226	0.27%
2010	69,503	4.11%
2015	72,366	0.77%
2020	78,187	1.53%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority^[7]^[5]^[8]

Economy

Poverty incidence of Argao

10

20

30

40

50

2006
41.70

2009
43.55

2012
24.74

2015
25.25

2018
15.90

2021
35.00

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority^[9]^[10]^[11]^[12]^[13]^[14]^[15]^[16]

Tourism

The economy of the town of Argao heavily revolves around farming, baking, and tourism. Argao is renowned in Cebu as the "Torta Capital of the Province" because of its local delicacy, the Torta, a Cebuano tart that is inspired from the Spanish tart, but differs in its recipe by using tubâ or palm wine as the rising agent instead of the usual yeast. There are three Cebuano baking towns, the others are Liloan and Santander.

The La Torta Festival, which replaced the Pitlagong Festival in 2011, is the municipality's local food festival in honor of St Michael the Archangel, the patron saint of Argao. La Torta Festival happens every 28–29 September to celebrate Argao's Tart Economy and the torta as an Argaoanon delicacy, as well as cultural heritage from the Spanish period, which includes the tradition of making the torta.

Argao is also a producer of Cebuano tsokolate (chocolate). Much of the cocoa production originates from Argao. The raw cacao, once harvested, is molded, while melted, into disk-shaped tablets called tablea. These are often used in sikwate, a Cebuano version of hot chocolate. The production of chocolate in Argao is said to have been pre-colonial. Maria Cacao, a goddess of the Lantoy Mountain, is said to have been the giver of the cacao tree to the natives of Argao, according to legend. It is said that she and her husband Mangao reside in a cave in that area, surrounded by cacao trees.

Argao is, additionally, a producer of vinegar in the province. When the tubâ ferments or when it is aged too long, it becomes sour. It eventually turns into vinegar which is used as sauce or as component for a sauce in main courses. The palm vinegar is referred to as sukang tubâ. It is often accompanied with spices such as garlic and chili peppers and usually comes by the bottle.

St Michael Parish Church
Rizal statue at Municipal plaza
Argao Public Market

Education

The public schools in the town of Argao are administered by two school districts under the Schools Division of Cebu Province.

Elementary schools:

Alambijud Elementary School — Alambijud
Anajao Elementary School — Anajao
Apo Elementary School — Apo
Argao I Central Elementary School — N. Bacalso Avenue, Poblacion
Bala-as Elementary School — Bala-as
Balisong-Casay Elementary School — Balisong
Banahao Elementary School — Sitio Banahao, Talaga
Binlod Elementary School — Binlod
Bogo Elementary School — Bogo
Bug-ot Elementary School — Bug-ot
Bulasa Elementary School — Bulasa
Butong Elementary School — Butong
Calagasan Elementary School — Calagasan
Canbantug Elementary School — Canbantug
Canbanua Elementary School — Dr. T.S. Kintanar Street, Canbanua
Candolonon Primary School — Sitio Candolonon, Balisong
Cansuje Elementary School — Cansuje
Catang Primary School — Catang
Colawin Elementary School — Colawin
Conalum Elementary School — Conalum
Dalas-ag Primary School — Sitio Dalas-ag, Balisong
Guiwanon Elementary School — Guiwanon
Gutlang Elementary School — Gutlang
Jampang Elementary School — Jampang
Jomgao Elementary School — Jomgao
Langtad Elementary School — Langtad
Langub Elementary School — Langub
Lapay Elementary School — Lapay
Lengigon Elementary School — Lengigon
Linut-od Elementary School — Linut-od
Mabasa Elementary School — Mabasa
Malacorong Primary School — Sitio Malacorong, Usmad
Malalag Elementary School — Sitio Malalag, Ubaub
Mandilikit Elementary School — Mandilikit
Mompeller Elementary School — Mompeller
Nug-as Elementary School — Sitio Nug-as, Cansuje
Rrcy Elementary School — Sitio Candabong, Binlod
Sua Elementary School — Sua
Sumaguan Elementary School — Sumaguan
Tabayag Elementary School — Tabayag
Talaga Elementary School — Talaga
Talaytay Elementary School — Talaytay
Tiguib Elementary School — Tiguib
Tulang Elementary School — Tulang
Tulic Elementary School — Isidro Kintanar Street, Tulic
Usmad Elementary School — Usmad

High schools:

Argao National High School — San Miguel Street, Canbanua
Bulasa National High School — Bulasa
Calagasan National High School — Calagasan
Cansuje National High School — Cansuje
Colawin National High School — Colawin
Mandilikit National High School — Mandilikit
Talaga National High School — Talaga
Usmad National High School — Usmad

Integrated schools:

Taloot Integrated School — Taloot

Notable personalities

Cerge Remonde – former Press Secretary, Chairman of Radio Philippines Network, and President and CEO of IBC
Francisco Remotigue – former Governor of Cebu
Hilario Davide Jr. – former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
Romulo Davide – National Scientist of the Philippines for Nematology and Plant Pathology
Edsel Galeos – former mayor and current representative for Cebu's 2nd congressional district

References

^ Encyclopædia Britannica (1911). "Argao". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 2 (11th ed.). p. 457.
^ "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. Aug 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 May 2021. Retrieved 16 Jul 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c Census of Population (2020). "Region VII (Central Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 Jul 2021.
^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 Apr 2024. Retrieved 28 Apr 2024.
^ ^a ^b Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region VII (Central Visayas)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 29 Jun 2016.
^ "Argao: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
^ Census of Population (2015). "Region VII (Central Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 Jun 2016.
^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region VII (Central Visayas)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 28 Dec 2020.
^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 Nov 2005.
^ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 Mar 2009.
^ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 Aug 2012.
^ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.
^ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 Jul 2019.
^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 Dec 2021. Retrieved 22 Jan 2022.
^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 Apr 2024. Retrieved 28 Apr 2024.

External links

Media related to Argao at Wikimedia Commons

[EB1911-1] Encyclopædia Britannica (1911). "Argao". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 2 (11th ed.). p. 457.

[popcen2015_r3-2] "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. Aug 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 May 2021. Retrieved 16 Jul 2021.

[PSA20–07-3] Census of Population (2020). "Region VII (Central Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 Jul 2021.

[4] "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 Apr 2024. Retrieved 28 Apr 2024.

[NSO10–07-5] Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region VII (Central Visayas)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 29 Jun 2016.

[met_norms-6] "Argao: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 9 May 2020.

[PSA15–07-7] Census of Population (2015). "Region VII (Central Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 Jun 2016.

[NSO07-07-8] Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region VII (Central Visayas)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.

[9] "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 28 Dec 2020.

[10] "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 Nov 2005.

[11] "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 Mar 2009.

[12] "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 Aug 2012.

[13] "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.

[14] "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 Jul 2019.

[15] "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 Dec 2021. Retrieved 22 Jan 2022.

[16] "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 Apr 2024. Retrieved 28 Apr 2024.

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v t e Province of Cebu
Cebu City (capital and largest city)
Municipalities	Alcantara Alcoy Alegria Aloguinsan Argao Asturias Badian Balamban Bantayan Barili Boljoon Borbon Carmen Catmon Compostela Consolacion Cordova Daanbantayan Dalaguete Dumanjug Ginatilan Liloan Madridejos Malabuyoc Medellin Minglanilla Moalboal Oslob Pilar Pinamungajan Poro Ronda Samboan San Fernando San Francisco San Remigio Santa Fe Santander Sibonga Sogod Tabogon Tabuelan Tuburan Tudela
Component cities	Bogo Carcar Danao Naga Talisay Toledo
Highly urbanized cities	Cebu City Lapu-Lapu Mandaue (Administratively independent from the province but grouped under Cebu by the Philippine Statistics Authority. However, qualified voters in Mandaue are allowed to vote in elections for Cebu provincial officials by virtue of Republic Act No. 6641, in accordance with Section 452-c of the Local Government Code of 1991.)

Authority control databases
International	VIAF
National	United States