Bagulin, La Union

Infobox Philippine municipality
infoboxtitle = Bagulin
sealfile = Ph seal la union bagulin.jpg
locatormapfile = Ph_locator_la union_bagulin.png caption = Map of La Union showing the location of Bagulin
region = Ilocos Region (Region I)
province = La Union
founded =
pop2000 = 11,857
popden2000 =
areakm2 =
coordinates =
barangays = 10
districts = 2nd distrinct of La Union
class = 5th class
mayor = Salcedo A. Tumbaga
website = [http://www.bagulin.gov.ph/ bagulin.gov.ph]

Bagulin is a 5th class municipality in the province of La Union, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 11,857 people in 2,171 households.

History

Etymology

Tradition reveals that Bagulin derived its name from a Kankanaey tribal leader. Sometime in the middle of the 18th century, the municipality is part of the township of Allabok which covers the moderate slopes of the mountain ranges overlooking the China Sea. During those times, war tribes was prevalent. Allabok involved itself in a tribal war headed by Bagulin who led the community to victory. From then on until his death, the people highly regarded him as their noble leader. After his death, consensus with the residents together with the concurrence of Spanish authorities resulted into naming the community after Bagulin. It should be noted that at present, Kankanaey still dominate the town’s population.

Another etymological version states that “Bagulin” was derived from the term “Bago” which means “loland natives”. This version is further supported by the fact that Kankanaeys comprise some 85% of the municipal population.

Creation of the Municipality

The community was moved to Picdel, a narrow valley strip along Naguilian-Bagulin river. By 1903, the American regime established a paramilitary government and institutional facilities. Education was introduced and a bamboo community hall roofed with cogon was erected. As of 1903, the community was under the jurisdiction of the Mountain Province, sub-province of Benguet with capital at La Trinidad. By 1918, under the agreement of Governor Guzman of Mt. Province and Governor Pio Ancheta of La Union, Bagulin became a municipal district of Burgos under the province of La Union.

By 1928, the community centers was moved to a nearby settlement called Suyo where the present town center is situated. The former community center was named “Nangalisan” which means an abandoned place in the Ilocano dialect. Settlers who improved Suyo were Ilocanos who came from Naguilian. At that time, a bamboo chalet was constructed to serve as an administrative hall. The administration then was composed of the Mayor, a Secretary-Treasurer and one policeman. Municipal income is very small that the administration had to prod reluctant taxpayers to pay their dues.

On June 25, 1963 Bagulin was transformed into a regular, full-pledged municipality by virtue of Executive Order No. 42.

Geographic Location

The municipality of Bagulin is located at the interior eastern part of the province of La Union. It is generally mountainous and forested. Though it is already an interior town, it is geographically at the center of the province.

It is situated along the latitudes 16 34 to 16 40 and longitudes 120 25 to 120 31 east.

It is bounded by the following municipalities:

*North – Municipality of San Gabriel, La Union
*Northwest – Municipality of San Juan, La Union
*West – Municipality of San Fernando, La Union
*Southwest – Municipality of Naguilian, La Union
*South – Municipality of Burgos, La Union
*East – Municipality of Kapangan, Benguet

Bagulin is 31 km away from San Fernando, the regional center, 14 km away from Naguilian, its nearby town and 62 km away from Baguio City. Its main entrance to lowland municipalities is through the Naguilian-Bagulin Road. It can be reached by vehicles and any regular means of transportation via the town of Naguilian.

Barangays

Bagulin is politically subdivided into 10 barangays.

* Alibangsay
* Baay
* Cambaly
* Cardiz
* Dagup
* Libbo
* Suyo
* Tagudtud
* Tio-angan
* Wallayan

External links

* [http://www.pasyalan.net/la_union/ Pasyalan La Union]
* [http://www.nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/default.asp Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
* [http://www.t-macs.com/kiso/local/ 2000 Philippine Census Information]
* [http://www.bagulin.gov.ph/ Municipality of Bagulin]