Lidlidda, Ilocos Sur

Lidlidda is a 5th income class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2004 census, it has a population of 4,182 people.

Vision

*The vision of the Municipality of Lidlidda is a Progressive & Peaceful ECO-CULTURAL TOURISM DESTINATION OF THE NORTH(of Philippines). . .

Mission

To pursue total human development through modernized technology and inter-local cooperation in partnership with other stakeholders.

Barangays

Lidlidda is politically subdivided into 11 barangays.

* Banucal
* Bequi-Walin
* Bugui
* Calungbuyan
* Carcarabasa
* Labut
* Poblacion Norte (Namatting)
* Poblacion Sur (Surong)
* San Vicente (Kamatliwan)
* Suysuyan
* Tay-ac

Municipal officials (as of July 2007)

*Municipal Mayor- Jesus M. Sagay
*Municipal Vice Mayor- Atty. Sherwin P. Tomas
*Sangguniang Bayan Members (Municipal Council): Telesforo S. Abaten, Francisco L. Salupen, Jr., Santos B. Bagni, Roger R. Baling-oay, Sr., Prudencio D. Joven, Saturnino B. Meliton, Moreno B. Balbalan, Ronaldo B. Baguso, Ponciano B. Segundo-LnB Pres(Dec 2007), Marshall D. Arola-SKF Pres(Dec 2007).
*Appointive Municipal Officials: Secretary to the Sanggunian- Samuel S. Sayaan,Municipal Treasurer- Magdalena S. Baling-oay(ICO), Municipal Assessor- Catherine A. Andres, Municipal Accountant- Reba A. Agcaoili, Municipal Budget Officer- John G. Bello, Planning & Development Officer- Gregorio A. Reboldela, Sr., Municipal Engineer- Edgar F. Tiongson, Municipal Health Officer- Dr. Hynedina G. Pascua, Municipal Civil Registrar- Edwin Q. Sumacle, Municipal Agriculturist- Emma Salib-o, Municipal Social Welfare & Development Officer- Leonora L. Reboldela.

Annual Events

*Lidlidda Day Celebration- being held every 6th of January featuring the various cultural songs and dances, native delicacies, indigenous games, and many more, and is actively participated by all townspeople of Lidlidda that even our folks in far places try to find time to come home to personally witness and experience the gracefulness of the celebration. This wonderful event is usually a three-day affair and now popularly known as [http://www.youtube.com/milesmorante BUYAG Celebration!] Indeed our folks as Bago (or Bagbag-o)is now being recognized in the Ilocos and Philippine communities through this celebration, among other Bago cultural festivities entire North Luzon (Philippines).

Historical Background

In the year 1800, there lived a group of people called Agsalog (Igorot) in the East Hinterlands of Golot (Mountain Province). Some groups of these people were hospitable, while some were fierce fighters, head hunters, animal rustlers, robbers and the like which worsened the already impoverished state of their place. Tired of such constant inconveniences, the hospitable and peaceful people plotted to leave after holding a secret meeting. They grouped themselves into three: one group to head for the North, another to the South and the third to the West. Being Igorots with customs and traditions firmly instilled by their ancestors, they observed their usual religious rites before starting the journey. A number of chickens were killed and offered to Kabunian (God) and his son Lumawig. It is a peace offering meant to appease the gods in order not to anger them. After the ceremony, a safe and peaceful passage to a wonderful land destined especially for them, is expected. The night after the ceremony was held, the peaceful people started their journey. They moved silently under cover of the tall, thick trees eastward and the shining stars up above served as their guide. The group that traveled to the west were the ones who reached the place, which would be known in the future as LIDLIDDA. Members of this group had such names as CONAY, CAOAS, DIGAY, CAOENG, DAN-E, GUMANAB, ANGGON, CALUGAY and others. Along the way, they met obstacles and hardships associated with the mountainous terrain and the constant feeling of hunger and tiredness. After twenty days of hiking, they arrived in a place that looked suitable for building homes. It was a valley with grassy plains, a river along its sides, creeks, brooks, and wells. There were plenty of fish, wild animals and game for food. The surrounding hills and mountains abundantly covered with tall trees and bamboo could provide them with shade and fruit. The immediate belief that soon a peaceful, progressive and happy community would be positively established in the said place compelled the travelers to stop their seemingly nomadic existence and settle on the area.

They made a begnas (fiesta) to express their gratitude to Kabunian because of their successful journey. Within three days after the fiesta, they started digging and pulling the ‘LEDDA’ (Thick tall grasses or ‘Talahib’ in the Tagalog dialect) to convert the land into rice paddies. Years passed and the population increased. The inhabitants started to search further places for food and dwelling. One time, a group of hunters saw smoke near seashore from atop of the mountains west of the place. Eager to see what was there, they bravely hiked to the place. Suddenly they came to reach a street and houses. The people who inhabited the place were Ilokanos, who were also kind and friendly. An elderly rich man met them and told them of his great desire to visit their place. He said that he wanted to make friends with them as well as barter with their goods. Furthermore, he wishes to teach religion (Christianity) to the tribe. In the process, he will teach them the three R’s of education: Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic. The impressionable elderly man’s offer was highly appreciated. The rich man along with his neighbors bundled some clothes, utensils, reading and writing materials and went with the hunters. After a few hours, they reached the top of ‘BAGGIING HILL’ where they rested. The rich man anxiously asked how far more to go. A hunter stood and said, “Sir, our home is located there at the edge of that plain covered with those ‘ADU NGA LEDDA’ (many thick tall grasses)”. Then, they hurried down and in a few minutes reached the place. The natives came around and made friends with the strangers. As a show of respect and hospitality, they performed their native dances and songs and offered ricewine along with other delicious and nutritious foods. The rich man and his companions were exhilarated to meet these peaceful people.

Before departing, he promised the folks that he’d visit them again. His parting words were, “To all of you my beloved brethren, I am pleased and proud to say that, day by day, your living condition will surely improve and prosper because of your rich and fertile soil. Let us therefore name this place “LIDLIDDA” in memory of these thick tall grasses (LEDDA) whose area in the near future will be converted into ricefields”. This is how Lidlidda got its name.

In 1890, the sub-province of Bangued, Abra occupied the western part of Ilocos Sur. During that period Governor Ortega, of Filipino race, was the Governor. San Esteban town was in-charge of the Lidlidda locality which automatically means that it was within the control of the Presidente of San Esteban. It did not last long, however, because the people of Lidlidda launched a general campaign to request Hon. Governor Ortega to make Lidlidda a township.

The governor authorized the Presidente of San Esteban town to assist in appointing Mr. Manog Caoas, the choice of the people, as the first Presidente of Lidlidda Township. The barrios of Lidlidda were: Callitong, Patac, Sabangan Pinggan, Bessang, Balugang, Mapanit, Banucal, Bequi-Walin, Camatlioan (San Vicente), Nalasin (Poblacion Norte), Kuwangi (Poblacion Sur), Suysuyan, Carcarabasa, Bugui, Calungbuyan, Labut and Tay-ac. After Caoas’ term (1908-1910) a man named Andan Domaoa became the Second Presidente. Before his term ended, he sanctioned the separation of the barrios of Mapanit, Bessang, Patac, Balugang, Callitong, and Sabangan Pinggan from the township of Lidlidda to be made part of the town of Burgos, Ilocos Sur. He served from 1911-1913. Miguel Segundo became the third head of the town. Upon assuming his office, he immediately worked for the conversion of the township into a full municipality.

Heads of Lidlidda

Presidentes
*Manog Caoas(1908 – 1910)
*Andan Domaoa (1911 – 1913)
*Miguel Segundo (1914 – 1916)
*Nardo Bagbaguen (1917 – 1919)
*Miguel Segundo (1920 – 1922)
*Cardo Sibanag (1923 – 1925)
*Salioa Salib-O (1926 – 1928)
*Manuel delos Santos (1929 – 1931)
*Bonifacio Tawali (1932 – 1934)
*Dan-E Segundo(1935 – 1937)
*Elmem Manugan(1938 – 1940)

Municipal Mayors
*Basilio Bagbaguen(1941 – 1943)
*Andan Domaoa (1944 – 1947)
*Aurelio Baguso(1948 – 1955)
*Alejo Arola (1956 – 1959)
*Aurelio Baguso (1960 – 1967)
*Tomas Galang(1968 – 1971)
*Aurelio Baguso (1972 – 1974)
*Teodoro Ang-Oay (1974 – 1979)
*Romeo Baguso (1980 to May 28, 1991)
*Ponciano Segundo (May 29, 1991 to June 30, 1992)
*Jesus M. Sagay (July 1, 1992-June 30, 2001)
*Diokno M. Galang (July 1, 2001-June 30, 2004)
*Jesus M. Sagay (July 1, 2004 to Present)

External links

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