Upi, Maguindanao

For United Press International, also known as UPI, see United Press International.

North Upi
—  Municipality  —
Map of Maguindanao showing the location of Upi.
North Upi Location in the Philippines
Coordinates: 7°1′44″N 124°9′54″E / 7.02889°N 124.165°E / 7.02889; 124.165Coordinates: 7°1′44″N 124°9′54″E / 7.02889°N 124.165°E / 7.02889; 124.165
Country	Philippines
Region	Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
Province	Maguindanao
District	1st District of Maguindanao
Founded	June 10, 1955
Barangays	23
Government
– Mayor	Atty. Ruben D. Platon
Area
– Total	472.20 km2 (182.3 sq mi)
Population (2000)
– Total	38,225
– Density	81/km2 (209.7/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code
Income class	3rd class municipality
Website	www.upians.com.ph

North Upi is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 51,141 people in 9,975 households.

The town was part of the province of Shariff Kabunsuan from October 2006 until its nullification by the Supreme Court in July 2008.

The current mayor of North Upi is Ramon Piang, a former principal of Notre Dame of Upi, a local high school manage by the Catholic church.

Etymology

Upi was probably derived from the term "Ufi". It is a Teduray name for a certain tree that grows abundantly in the place. The bark of “Ufi” is used with betel nuts for chewing or "mama" in Teduray. Tedurays are the native inhabitants of the place.

History

The beginning of Upi as a district geographical and political entity largely began on the early part of 1901 to 1910 when the American forces set foot in the then Empire of Cotabato. Today the province is subdivided into five (5) major provinces; Sultan Kudarat, Cotabato, South Cotabato, Saranggani and Maguindanao where Upi municipality is located. Upi is a mountainous town situated in the southwestern coastal portion of Maguindanao Province.

Known far and wide, an American Army Officer Captain Irving Bryant Edwards was assigned to Awang. He showed great interest in bringing the government closer to the people by establishing school in the far-flung areas. He reached the fertile valley of Upi and founded the Upi Agricultural School on August 19, 1919. From a USAFFE soldier, the late Capt. Irving Bryant Edwards turned educator.

Upi was formerly a barrio of Dinaig (part of the province of Cotabato then). It was separated from the said town by virtue of Republic Act No. 1248, approved June 10, 1955.^[1]

The first Municipal Mayor, Vice Mayor and Councilors of Upi were appointed by the President of the Philippines to hold office. Maria Badoy was appointed as the first Municipal Mayor. In 1956, the citizens were encouraged to participate in the political affairs of the local government and there took place the first election wherein Mayor Ignacio Tenorio Labina, a Teduray leader, was the first elected mayor of Upi and held his office for four years.

Maria Badoy - 1955 - 1956 - Appointed Mayor

Ignacio Tenorio Labina - 1956 - 1960 - First Elected Mayor

Datu Abdullah "Ugcog" Sinsuat - 1960 - 1963 - Elected Mayor

Datu Michael "Puti" P. Sinsuat - 1963 - 1980 - Elected Mayor

Bai Fatima P. Sinsuat -1980 - 1986- Elected Mayor

Datu Mohammad "Unting" Sinsuat - 1986 - 1987- Appointed Mayor

Datu Mohammad "Unting" Sinsuat - 1987 - 1992- Elected Mayor

Datu Michael "Puti" P. Sinsuat -1992 - 2001- Elected Mayor

Ramon A. Piang, Sr. -2001 - to date - Elected Mayor http://dxup.multiply.com/journal/item/963/Brief_History_of_Upi

Barangays

Upi is politically subdivided into 23 barangays.

Bantek Bayabas Blensong Borongotan Bugabungan Bungcog Darugao Ganasi

Kabakaba Kibleg Kibucay Kiga Kinitaan Mirab Nangi Nuro (Poblacion)

Ranao Pilayan Rempes Renede Renti Rifao Sefegefen Tinungkaan

References

1. ^ "An Act to Create the Municipality of Upi in the Province of Cotabato". LawPH.com. http://lawph.com/statutes/ra1248-creating-the-municipality-of-upi,-cotabato.html. Retrieved 2011-04-11. 

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• 2000 Philippine Census Information