Atok, Benguet

Infobox Philippine municipality
infoboxtitle = Municipality of Atok


sealfile = Ph seal benguet atok.png locatormapfile = Ph_locator_benguet_atok.png caption = Map of Benguet showing the location of Atok.
region = Cordillera Administrative Region
province = &Benguet
founded =
website = [http://elgu2.ncc.gov.ph/atok]
districts = Lone Congressional District of Benguet
barangays = 8
class = 4th class rural
mayor = Concepcion Balao
areakm2 = 223.85
pop2000 = 16,657
popden2000 =
coordinates =

Atok is a 4th class municipality in the province of Benguet, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 16,657 people in 3,397 households. The current mayor of Atok is Concepcion Balao.

Geography

Atok has a land area of 22,385 hectares or 223.85 square kilometer. A great portion of the land is mountainous hence the highest point in the Philippine Highway System is located in the municipality at 7,400 ft. above sea level.

Atok is centrally located in the heart of the province of Benguet. It is bounded by the municipality of Kibungan and Baguias on the north, the municipalities of the Kabayan and Bokod on the east, the municipality of Kapangan on the west and the municipality of Tublay on the south.

Since the municipality is one of Benguet's highland towns, the town's vegetable farmers have been hit three times by frost, causing millions of damage to crops.

History

The name of the municipality was derived from its location. It is a short term of the phrase "Nay Patok shi chontog" which means "on the mountain top".

When the Americans came, the Philippine Commission enacted Act No. 48 on November 48 organizing the sub-province of Benguet into 19 towns: Baguio, La Trinidad, Galiano, Itogon, Tublay, Atok, Kapangan, Balakbak, Palina, Ampusongan, Loo Kabayan, Buguias, Adaoay, Bokod, Daklan, Sablan, Kibungan and Ambuklao.

In 1909, the town of Baguio became a chartered city and the number of towns of Benguet was reduced. Atok still stood as one.

During the Second World War, Atok was the scene of fierce pitch battles between the military forces of the Philippine Commonwealth and the guerilla forces of the 66th Infantry and the Japanese Imperial Forces. This is so because of the terrain along the Halsema road which is suited and ideal for the guerillas to mount ambushes and use the guerilla’s strategy of fighting. The place is now called the “Guerilla Saddle” located at Km. 26, Caliking, Atok.

On June 25, 1963, President Diosdado Macapagal issued Executive Order No. 42 converting eight (8) of the thirteen towns (13) of Benguet into regular municipalities. Atok was among them.

Barangays

Atok is politically subdivided into 8 barangays.

* Abiang
* Caliking
* Cattubo
* Naguey
* Paoay
* Pasdong
* Poblacion
* Topdac

External links

* [http://www.nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/default.asp Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
* [http://www.t-macs.com/kiso/local/ 2000 Philippine Census Information]