Balungao

Balungao
Municipality
Municipality of Balungao
Balungao Town Hall
Flag Seal
Map of Pangasinan with Balungao highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Balungao Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 15°54′N120°42′E / 15.9°N 120.7°E / 15.9; 120.7
Country	Philippines
Region	Ilocos Region
Province	Pangasinan
District	6th district
Founded	March 19, 1815 [1]
Named for	Mount Balungao
Barangays	21 (see Barangays)
Government   [2]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
•  Mayor	Maria Theresa R. Peralta
•  Vice Mayor	Philipp D. Peralta
•  Representative	Tyrone D. Agabas
•  Municipal Council	Members Jose T. Peralta III Wilfredo N. Mina Marlon V. Guerzo Pastor S. Tabrilla Crisanto M. Luna Salvador M. Alejandro Joseph N. Pascua Roderick M. Soriano
•  Electorate	20,935 voters (2022)
Area [3]
• Total	73.25 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]
• Total	30,004
• Density	410/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
•  Households	7,908
Economy
•  Income class	4th 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
• Electricity	Pangasinan 3 Electric Cooperative (PANELCO 3)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	2442
PSGC	015507000
IDD  :  area code	+63 (0)75
Native languages	Pangasinan Ilocano Tagalog

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]

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

Early settlers

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

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

Barangays

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

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

Population census of Balungao

Year	Pop.	±% 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]

Government

Local government

Main article: Sangguniang Bayan

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

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

Mount Balungao

Mount Balungao

Mount Balungao ( 15°51′44.90″N120°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

Balungao opened its doors to adventure travel tourism with the opening of Balungao Hilltop Adventure ( 15°52′2″N120°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

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

• 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

• List of inactive volcanoes in the Philippines

References

1. "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. 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.
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

• 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