Tuao

Municipality in Cagayan, Philippines

Municipality in Cagayan Valley, Philippines

Tuao

Municipality

Municipality of Tuao

Flag

Seal

Map of Cagayan with Tuao highlighted

OpenStreetMap

Tuao

Location within the Philippines

Coordinates: 17°44′06″N 121°27′19″E﻿ / ﻿17.735°N 121.4553°E﻿ / 17.735; 121.4553
Country| Philippines
Region| Cagayan Valley
Province| Cagayan
District|  3rd district
Founded| 1851
Barangays| 32 (see Barangays)
Government

[1]

• Type| Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor| William N. Mamba
• Vice Mayor| Atty. Francisco N. Mamba Jr.
• Representative| Joseph L. Lara
• Municipal Council|

Members

*   * Leonard M. Beltran
* Guillermo A. Sumigad Jr.
* Mayonito R. Fernandez
* Martin M. Soriano
* Jose Pocholo C. Baligod
* Nicanor A. Turingan Jr.
* Arthur G. Taguiam
* Nestor Yap

• Electorate| 39,161 voters (2025)
Area

[2]

• Total

| 215.50 km2 (83.21 sq mi)
Elevation

| 67 m (220 ft)
Highest elevation

| 347 m (1,138 ft)
Lowest elevation

| 22 m (72 ft)
Population

(2024 census)[3]

• Total

| 66,147
• Density| 310/km2 (790/sq mi)
• Households

| 14,785
Economy

• Income class| 1st municipal income class
• Poverty incidence|

10.73

% (2021)[4]
• Revenue| ₱ 371.7 million (2022)
• Assets| ₱ 831.1 million (2022)
• Expenditure| ₱ 265.6 million (2022)
• Liabilities| ₱ 92.73 million (2022)
Service provider

• Electricity| Cagayan 1 Electric Cooperative (CAGELCO 1)
Time zone| UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code|

3528

PSGC|

0201528000

IDD : area code | +63 (0)78
Native languages| Ibanag
Ilocano
Itawis
Tagalog

Tuao, officially the Municipality of Tuao (Ibanag: Ili nat Tuao; Ilocano: Ili ti Tuao; Tagalog: Bayan ng Tuao), is a municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 63,970 people.[5]

## Etymology

[edit]

When the early Spanish missionaries were busy laying the foundation of a church late in the 16th century at a site about six kilometers from the present town of Tuao, a big bird came circling over them and then alighted on the wooden cross erected to mark the place where the cornerstone was laid. It flapped its wings noisily, onomatopoetically sounding like "battuao, battuao, battuao" and then flew away.

## History

[edit]

When the civil authorities founded the town in 1604, the natives insisted that it be called Tuao. Eight years later on May 13, 1612, Tuao was accepted ecclesiastically. Father Miguel de San Jacinto, O.P. gave the town Santos Angeles Custudios (Holy Guardian Angels) as its patron saints.

The early missionaries in Tuao were zealous evangelists and tactful pacifiers of warlike natives. One of them was Father Francisco Capillas, who later became the first martyr in China. The first parish priest, Father Juan B. Cano, O.P. worked patiently with the people. Another missionary, Father Gabriel Serrano, O.P. built a strong brick and mortar church, a rectory (convento) and a fort (cotta) in which the Spaniards and the natives sought refuge every time the town was raided by the Kalingas from the Cordillera ranges. These landmarks were destroyed by a strong earthquake on December 29, 1949.

In protest of abuses committed by Spanish civil officials and soldiers, the inhabitants of Tuao and neighboring Malaueg, rose in revolt in 1718 under Luis Magtangaga and Tomas Sinaguingan. The uprising was put down by Capitan Juan Pablo de Orduna.[6]

During World War II, Tuao was the seat of the provincial resistance government of Governor Marcelo Adduru. The Japanese Forces garrisoned the town when Adduru was captured late in 1943, but Adduru returned shortly after having been freed by the guerillas early in 1944. Donald Blackburn, "assisted by his intelligence officer Lt. Mariano D. Manawis, from the prominent Daquial family who served in the 11th Infantry;";[7]: 112–113 staged from Tuao, his guerrilla headquarters, attacks against the Japanese in Tuguegarao.[8]: 299–302

## Geography

[edit]

Tuao is situated 42.35 kilometres (26.32 mi) from the provincial capital Tuguegarao, and 510.24 kilometres (317.05 mi) from the country's capital city of Manila.

### Barangays

[edit]

Former flag of Tuao

Tuao is politically subdivided into 32 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

* Accusilian
* Alabiao
* Alabug
* Angang
* Bagumbayan
* Barancuag
* Battung
* Bicok
* Bugnay
* Bulagao
* Cagumitan
* Cato
* Centro 1
* Centro 2
* Culong
* Dagupan
* Fugu
* Lakambini
* Lallayug
* Malalinta
* Malummin
* Mambacag
* Mungo
* Naruangan
* Palca
* Pata
* San Juan
* San Luis (Gurengad)
* San Vicente
* Santo Tomas
* Taribubu
* Villa Laida

### Climate

[edit]

Climate data for Tuao, Cagayan

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)  | 26
(79)  | 27
(81)  | 30
(86)  | 32
(90)  | 32
(90)  | 32
(90)  | 31
(88)  | 31
(88)  | 30
(86)  | 29
(84)  | 28
(82)  | 26
(79)  | 30
(85)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)  | 21
(70)  | 21
(70)  | 22
(72)  | 23
(73)  | 25
(77)  | 25
(77)  | 25
(77)  | 25
(77)  | 24
(75)  | 24
(75)  | 23
(73)  | 22
(72)  | 23
(74)
Average precipitation mm (inches)  | 109
(4.3)  | 78
(3.1)  | 64
(2.5)  | 54
(2.1)  | 181
(7.1)  | 196
(7.7)  | 204
(8.0)  | 211
(8.3)  | 174
(6.9)  | 198
(7.8)  | 185
(7.3)  | 231
(9.1)  | 1,885
(74.2)
Average rainy days  | 17.2  | 13.7  | 13.2  | 13.0  | 21.7  | 23.4  | 25.2  | 25.2  | 21.9  | 17.7  | 18.6  | 20.8  | 231.6
Source: Meteoblue[9]

## Demographics

[edit]

Population census of Tuao| Year| Pop.| ±% p.a.

|
|

1903 | 7,214| —
1918 | 9,800| +2.06%
1939 | 14,228| +1.79%
1948 | 16,365| +1.57%
1960 | 23,257| +2.97%
1970 | 28,757| +2.14%
1975 | 31,597| +1.91%
1980 | 36,255| +2.79%
| Year| Pop.| ±% p.a.

|
|

1990 | 43,926| +1.94%
1995 | 49,285| +2.18%
2000 | 53,536| +1.79%
2007 | 57,154| +0.91%
2010 | 57,620| +0.30%
2015 | 61,535| +1.26%
2020 | 63,970| +0.82%
2024 | 66,147| +0.81%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[10][11][12][13][14]

In the 2020 census, the population of Tuao was 63,970 people,[15] with a density of 300 inhabitants per square kilometre or 780 inhabitants per square mile.

## Economy

[edit]

Poverty incidence of Tuao

2000
49.35

2003
38.52

2006
32.30

2009
22.67

2012
17.93

2015
15.47

2018
11.75

2021
10.73

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]

## Government

[edit]

### Local government

[edit]

Main article: Sangguniang Bayan

Tuao is part of the third legislative district of the province of Cagayan. It 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 municipal councilors are elected directly by the people through an election held every three years.

Members of the Municipal Council
(2019–2022)[24] Position  | Name

|

Congressman  | Joseph L. Lara
Mayor  | Francisco N. Mamba Jr.
Vice-Mayor  | William N. Mamba
Councilors  | Leonard M. Beltran
Guillermo A. Sumigad Jr.
Mayonito R. Fernandez
Martin M. Soriano
Jose Pocholo C. Baligod
Nicanor A. Turingan Jr.
Arthur G. Taguiam
Nester Yap

## Education

[edit]

The Schools Division of Cagayan governs the town's public education system.[25] The division office is a field office of the DepEd in Cagayan Valley region.[26] There are two schools district offices which govern al the public and private elementary and high schools throughout the municipality. These are Tuao East District, and Tuao West District.[27]

### Primary and elementary schools

[edit]

* Accusilian Elementary School
* Alabiao Elementary School
* Alabug Primary School
* Angang Elementary School
* Bagumbayan Elementary School
* Barancuag Elementary School
* Battung Elementary School
* Bicok Elementary School
* Bugnay Elementary School
* Bulagao Elementary School
* Cagumitan Elementary School
* Cato Primary School
* Culung Elementary School
* Dagupan Elementary School
* Lakambini Elementary School
* Fugu-Alabug Elementary School
* Lallayug Elementary School
* Malalinta Elementary School
* Malummin Elementary School
* Mambacag Elementary School
* Mungo Elementary School
* Naruangan Central School
* Palca Elementary School
* Pata Elementary School
* San Juan Elementary School
* San Luis Elementary School
* San Vicente Elementary School
* Sto. Tomas Elementary School
* Taribubu Elementary School
* Tuao Central Elementary School
* Tuao Great Shepherd Academy
* Villa Laida Elementary School

### Secondary schools

[edit]

* Itawes National High School
* Lyceum of Tuao
* Sto. Angel dela Guardia Academy

### Technical and vocational schools

[edit]

* Itawes National Agricultural and Technical School
* Itawes National Agricultural and Technical School - Bagumbayan Annex
* Tuao Vocational and Technical School
* Tuao Vocational and Technical School - Culung Annex
* Tuao Vocational and Technical School - Malummin Annex
* Tuao Vocational and Technical School - Pata Annex

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Municipality of Tuao |  (DILG)
2. ^ "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.
3. ^ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
4. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
5. ^ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
6. ^ Salgado, Pedro. "Itawis Missions in Cagayan Province". Cagayan Valley and Easter Cordillera: 1581-1898, Volume I. Rex Publishing. pp. 125–128.
7. ^ Guardia, M., 2011, Shadow Commander, Philadelphia & Newbury
8. ^ Harkins, P., 1956, Blackburn's Headhunters, London: Cassell & Co. LTD
9. ^ "Tuao, Cagayan: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
10. ^ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
11. ^ Census of Population (2015). "Region II (Cagayan Valley)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
12. ^ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region II (Cagayan Valley)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
13. ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region II (Cagayan Valley)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
14. ^ "Province of". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
15. ^ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
16. ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
17. ^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
18. ^ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 March 2009.
19. ^ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012.
20. ^ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.
21. ^ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019.
22. ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
23. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
24. ^ "2019 National and Local Elections" (PDF). Commission on Elections. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
25. ^ "History of DepED SDO Cagayan". DepED SDO Cagayan | Official Website of DepED SDO Cagayan. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
26. ^ "DEPED REGIONAL OFFICE NO. 02". DepED RO2 | The official website of DepED Regional Office No. 02.
27. ^ "Masterlist of Schools" (PDF). Department of Education. January 15, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2025.

## External links

[edit]

* Philippine Standard Geographic Code
* Philippine Census Information

Places adjacent to Tuao

| Rizal | Piat |

|
|

|  |
Conner, Apayao |

Tuao

| Solana
|  |
| Pinukpuk, Kalinga |

* v
* t
* e

Province of Cagayan

Tuguegarao (capital and largest city)

Municipalities|

* Abulug
* Alcala
* Allacapan
* Amulung
* Aparri
* Baggao
* Ballesteros
* Buguey
* Calayan
* Camalaniugan
* Claveria
* Enrile
* Gattaran
* Gonzaga
* Iguig
* Lal-lo
* Lasam
* Pamplona
* Peñablanca
* Piat
* Rizal
* Sanchez Mira
* Santa Ana
* Santa Praxedes
* Santa Teresita
* Santo Niño
* Solana
* Tuao

Component city|

* Tuguegarao

Barangays|

See: List of barangays in Cagayan
*[PSGC]: Philippine Standard Geographic Code
*[Pop.]: Population
*[±% p.a.]: Per annum growth rate. Executive Order 135 §6 states that for "census years" (years divisible by 10) the reference date would be May 1st, but for all other years, the reference date is to be the "middle of the year". This means that growth rates, although correct, are not necessarily simple year-on-year comparisons.
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template