Bagulin

Philippines / Ilocos / Cambaly /
 town, municipality, third-level administrative division

Municipality of Bagulin, Province of La Union
ZIP Code: 2512

Bagulin is a landlocked municipality in the province of La Union in the Philippines. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 12,590 people.

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.

Bagulin is politically subdivided into 10 barangays:

-Alibangsay
-Baay
-Cambaly
-Cardiz
-Dagup
-Libbo
-Suyo
-Tagudtud
-Tio-angan
-Wallayan
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   16°36'9"N   120°29'41"E

Comments

  • it is very great and cool place it is good for foreigner come and join us to feel the esence of cambaly bagulin La Union. full of tourist spot. there are very kind and very hospitality people. hehehe
  • never heard of this place, interesting. i would like to visit someday.
  • bagulin maker of original brooms
  • 8s a very very far place yet abundant of natural resources...very nice and quite place to live.
  • Bagulin is a hidden municipality in the province of La Union, this place has its own unexplored beauty. Many places in Bagulin can be a great tourist spot and a place for relaxation but it lacks enough notice for other. Bagulin is a 5h class municipality but even though it is the 6th or the last class of all, Bagulin is only waiting for it to be explored. It has: hot springs, falls, caves, and others. Many people(tourist, research students, missionaries) went to Bagulin already and was stunned to saw breathtaking scenes on the different barangays, but only few have seen it. Bagulin has its own kind of beauty that will amaze you, if you are a nature lover, Bagulin is the right place for you to visit. Good Day and God Speed! :) *If you want to know more about Bagulin, email me at secretnaturelover@yahoo.com
  • Pls do visit our humble hometown Bagulin,,,during our Alibay Festival(mid of March) a lots of fun.. There's also a Kudal Park w/c located at Brgy Tagudtud,a nice place to relax..
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This article was last modified 10 years ago