Balungao

Summary

Balungao, officially the Municipality of Balungao (Pangasinan: Baley na Balungao; Ilocano: Ili ti Balungao; Tagalog: Bayan ng Balungao), is a 4th class municipality in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 30,004 people.[4]

Balungao
Municipality of Balungao
Balungao Town Hall
Balungao Town Hall
Flag of Balungao
Official seal of Balungao
Map of Pangasinan with Balungao highlighted
Map of Pangasinan with Balungao highlighted
OpenStreetMap
.mw-parser-output .locmap .od{position:absolute}.mw-parser-output .locmap .id{position:absolute;line-height:0}.mw-parser-output .locmap .l0{font-size:0;position:absolute}.mw-parser-output .locmap .pv{line-height:110%;position:absolute;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .locmap .pl{line-height:110%;position:absolute;top:-0.75em;text-align:right}.mw-parser-output .locmap .pr{line-height:110%;position:absolute;top:-0.75em;text-align:left}.mw-parser-output .locmap .pv>div{display:inline;padding:1px}.mw-parser-output .locmap .pl>div{display:inline;padding:1px;float:right}.mw-parser-output .locmap .pr>div{display:inline;padding:1px;float:left}Balungao is located in Philippines
Balungao
Balungao
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 15°54′N 120°42′E / 15.9°N 120.7°E / 15.9; 120.7
CountryPhilippines
RegionIlocos Region
ProvincePangasinan
District 6th district
FoundedMarch 19, 1815[1]
Named forMount Balungao
Barangays21 (see Barangays)
Government
[2]
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • MayorMaria Theresa R. Peralta
 • Vice MayorPhilipp D. Peralta
 • RepresentativeTyrone D. Agabas
 • Municipal Council
Members
 • Electorate20,935 voters (2022)
Area
 • Total73.25 km2 (28.28 sq mi)
Elevation
50 m (160 ft)
Highest elevation
382 m (1,253 ft)
Lowest elevation
29 m (95 ft)
Population
 (2020 census)[4]
 • Total30,004
 • Density410/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
 • Households
7,908
Economy
 • Income class4th municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence
9.49
% (2018)[5]
 • Revenue₱ 155.5 million (2020)
 • Assets₱ 417.2 million (2020)
 • Expenditure₱ 112.8 million (2020)
 • Liabilities₱ 28.16 million (2020)
Service provider
 • ElectricityPangasinan 3 Electric Cooperative (PANELCO 3)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
2442
PSGC
015507000
IDD:area code+63 (0)75
Native languagesPangasinan
Ilocano
Tagalog

The town is located in the south-eastern part of the province bordering the province of Nueva Ecija to the south. Balungao is partially urban community with an area of 7,325 hectares (18,100 acres).[6]

History edit

Early settlers edit

The town of Balungao were first inhabited by nomadic people from the Ilocos region who found their way to the area through San Fabian, Pangasinan. They were farmers looking for places to settle down, engaging in agriculture to survive. Its origin is evident in the fact that Balungao is one of the Ilocano-speaking towns in the province where the primary language is the Pangasinense.[1] Some Tagalogs from Bulacan & south Nueva Ecija even stayed for living.

Foundation edit

Balungao was originally called Panaclaban and was a part of Cuyapo town in the adjacent province of Nueva Ecija till the latter part of 18th century. It was annexed to the town of Rosales, Pangasinan (then a town of Nueva Ecija) in the early part of 19th century because of its geographic location. It officially became an independent municipality in 1815,[1] and it was transferred to Pangasinan along with Rosales.

On April 25, 1993, Balungao Mayor Jose C. Peralta was assassinated[why?] while he was attending Mass with his family at the local church.[7]

Geography edit

Barangays edit

Balungao is politically subdivided into 20 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

  • Angayan Norte
  • Angayan Sur
  • Capulaan
  • Esmeralda
  • Kita-kita
  • Mabini
  • Mauban
  • Poblacion
  • Pugaro
  • Rajal
  • San Andres
  • San Aurelio 1st
  • San Aurelio 2nd
  • San Aurelio 3rd
  • San Joaquin
  • San Julian
  • San Leon
  • San Marcelino
  • San Miguel
  • San Raymundo

Climate edit

Climate data for Balungao, Pangasinan
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 29
(84)
29
(84)
30
(86)
32
(90)
33
(91)
33
(91)
33
(91)
33
(91)
34
(93)
32
(90)
31
(88)
29
(84)
32
(89)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 21
(70)
21
(70)
22
(72)
23
(73)
24
(75)
24
(75)
24
(75)
24
(75)
23
(73)
23
(73)
22
(72)
21
(70)
23
(73)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 127.5
(5.02)
115.8
(4.56)
129.7
(5.11)
141.1
(5.56)
248.2
(9.77)
165
(6.5)
185.3
(7.30)
161.9
(6.37)
221.4
(8.72)
299.5
(11.79)
199
(7.8)
188.7
(7.43)
2,183.1
(85.93)
Average rainy days 17 17 17 15 20 19 19 20 21 20 17 19 221
Source: World Weather Online[8]

Demographics edit

Population census of Balungao
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 5,853—    
1918 8,515+2.53%
1939 10,912+1.19%
1948 12,773+1.77%
1960 13,184+0.26%
1970 14,989+1.29%
1975 16,745+2.25%
1980 17,342+0.70%
1990 21,473+2.16%
1995 21,274−0.17%
2000 23,813+2.45%
2007 25,214+0.79%
2010 26,678+2.08%
2015 31,106+2.97%
2020 30,004−0.71%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[9][10][11][12]

Economy edit


Government edit

Local government edit

Balungao, belonging to the sixth congressional district of the province of Pangasinan, is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is being held every three years.

Elected officials edit

Members of the Municipal Council
(2022–2025)[20]
Position Name
Congressman Marlyn Primicias-Agabas
Mayor Maria Theresa R. Peralta
Vice-Mayor Philipp D. Peralta
Councilors John Willie "Kuya Will" B. Mina
Jose T. "Jops" Peralta III
Darius A. "Cardo" Nava
Beatriz D. "Bating" Ligero
Gerry G. "Ger" Luna
Krisanto M. "Kris" Luna
Roderick M. "Ago" Soriano
Roozemond S. "Ice Mango" Peralta

Tourism edit

 
Mount Balungao

Mount Balungao edit

Mount Balungao (15°51′44.90″N 120°40′57.70″E / 15.8624722°N 120.6826944°E / 15.8624722; 120.6826944) is an extinct volcano, 382 metres (1,253 ft) ASL located in the municipality of Balungao. Its volcanic past is manifested by its physical profile and the presence of hot and cold springs. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) lists Mount Balungao as an inactive volcano.[21]

Balungao Hilltop Adventure edit

Balungao opened its doors to adventure travel tourism with the opening of Balungao Hilltop Adventure (15°52′2″N 120°41′10″E / 15.86722°N 120.68611°E / 15.86722; 120.68611) on September 8, 2011. Located at the foot of Mount Balungao, the resort was constructed by the municipal government of Balungao and boasts the 2nd longest Zip-line in the Philippines (2011) at 600 metres (2,000 ft) long. The Balungao Hilltop Adventure also offers ATV or quad bike adventure, bungee trampoline, biking, mountain climbing, and the refurbished hot and cold spring swimming pools.

It originally started as the Mt. Balungao Hot and Cold Springs Resort under the administration of then Mayor Jose G. Peralta Jr. It was not until 2011, under the administration of the Mayor Philipp G. Peralta, that it was repackaged for adventure travelers.

Longest zipline in Pangasinan edit

Balungao Hilltop Adventure offers a Zip Line with a length 600 meters (2,000 ft) which could last from 15 seconds to a minute depending on your weight and your position when you are suspended at the Zip Line. It begins from a Hill, overlooking the valley passing through another hill down to the Balungao Hot and Cold Spring Resort. It is considered as the longest Zip line in Pangasinan[22]

Education edit

  • San Aurelio National High School
  • Rajal-Angayan National High School
  • Balungao National High School
  • Balungao Central High School
  • Remnant International School
  • San Leon National High School

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Historical Development" Archived 2012-04-16 at the Wayback Machine. Hataw Balungao. Retrieved on 2012-04-23.
  2. ^ Municipality of Balungao | (DILG)
  3. ^ "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Census of Population (2020). "Region I (Ilocos Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  5. ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  6. ^ "Province: PANGASINAN". PSGC Interactive. Makati, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Archived from the original on 14 November 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  7. ^ "Town mayor shot". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. April 26, 1993. p. 3. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  8. ^ "Balungao, Pangasinan: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". World Weather Online. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  9. ^ Census of Population (2015). "Region I (Ilocos Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  10. ^ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region I (Ilocos Region)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  11. ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region I (Ilocos Region)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ "Province of Pangasinan". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  13. ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  14. ^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
  15. ^ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 March 2009.
  16. ^ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012.
  17. ^ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.
  18. ^ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019.
  19. ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  20. ^ "2022 National and Local Elections" (PDF). Commission on Elections. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  21. ^ "Philippines Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)- List of Inactive Volcanoes" Archived 2008-12-06 at the Wayback Machine
  22. ^ "Pangasinan Travel: Balungao Hilltop Adventure – longest Zipline in Region 1". 11 October 2011.

External links edit

  • Balungao Profile at PhilAtlas.com
  • Municipal Profile at the National Competitiveness Council of the Philippines
  • Balungao Pangasinan Official Website
  • Balungao at the Pangasinan Government Website
  • Local Governance Performance Management System
  • Philippine Standard Geographic Code
  • Philippine Census Information