Balungao

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Balungao
Municipality of Balungao
Balungao,PangasinanHalljf6365 17.JPG
Balungao Town Hall
Flag of Balungao, Pangasinan.png
Balungao.png
Ph locator pangasinan balungao.png
Map of Pangasinan with Balungao highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Balungao
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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 after 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 21,533 voters (2025)
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
 (2024 census) [4]
  Total
30,678
  Density420/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
   Households
7,908
Economy
   Income class 4th municipal income class
   Poverty incidence
15.67
% (2021) [5]
   Revenue 265.7 million (2022)
   Assets 704.4 million (2022)
   Expenditure 148.2 million (2022)
   Liabilities 38.95 million (2022)
Service provider
  ElectricityPangasinan 3 Electric Cooperative (PANELCO 3)
Time zone UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
2442
PSGC
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 municipality in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 30,004 people. [6]

Contents

History

Early settlers

The town of Balungao was first inhabited by nomadic people who found their way to the area from the Ilocos region through San Fabian, Pangasinan. They were farmers looking a place in which to settle and engage 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 Pangasinense. [1] Some Tagalogs from Bulacan & Nueva Ecija also migrated into the town after some time.

Foundation

Balungao was originally called Panaclaban and was a part of Cuyapo town in the adjacent province of Nueva Ecija until 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, along with Rosales, was transferred to Pangasinan.

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

The Municipality of Balungao is located in the south-eastern part of the province bordering the province of Nueva Ecija to the south. It is partially urban community with an area of 7,325 hectares (18,100 acres). [8]

Balungao is situated 70.88 kilometres (44.04 mi) from the provincial capital Lingayen, and 178.19 kilometres (110.72 mi) from the country's capital city of Manila.

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
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
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 days171717152019192021201719221
Source: World Weather Online [9]

Demographics

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 30,004−0.76%
2024 30,678+0.53%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [10] [11] [12] [13] [14]

Economy

Poverty incidence of Balungao

10
20
30
40
2000
30.06
2003
19.26
2006
31.70
2009
21.38
2012
12.23
2015
10.95
2018
9.49
2021
15.67

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22]

Government

Local government

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) [23]
PositionName
CongressmanMarlyn Primicias-Agabas
MayorMaria Theresa R. Peralta
Vice-MayorPhilipp D. Peralta
CouncilorsJohn 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 Balunaojf6134 01.JPG
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. [24]

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 [25]

Education

The Balungao Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public elementary and high schools. [26]

Primary and elementary schools

  • Balungao Central School
  • Capulaan Elementary School
  • Don Francisco D. Toliao Elementary School
  • Esmeralda Elementary School
  • Irenio L. Guieb Sr. Elementary School
  • Kita-Kita Elementary School
  • Mabini Elementary School
  • Mauban Elementary School
  • Pugaro Elementary School
  • Rajal-Angayan Elementary School
  • San Andres Elementary School
  • San Aurelio Elementary School
  • San Aurelio 3rd Elementary School
  • San Joaquin Elementary School
  • San Julian Elementary School
  • San Leon Elementary School
  • San Marcelino Elementary School
  • San Raymundo Elementary School
  • UCCP N-K and Grade School

Secondary schools

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

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "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. "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  5. "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  6. "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  7. "Town mayor shot". Manila Standard . Kamahalan Publishing Corp. April 26, 1993. p. 3. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  8. "Province: PANGASINAN". PSGC Interactive. Makati, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Archived from the original on 14 November 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  9. "Balungao, Pangasinan: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". World Weather Online. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  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 I (Ilocos Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. "Province of". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  15. "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  16. "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
  17. "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 March 2009.
  18. "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012.
  19. "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.
  20. "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019.
  21. "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  22. "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  23. "2022 National and Local Elections" (PDF). Commission on Elections. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  24. "Philippines Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)- List of Inactive Volcanoes" Archived 2008-12-06 at the Wayback Machine
  25. "Pangasinan Travel: Balungao Hilltop Adventure – longest Zipline in Region 1". 11 October 2011.
  26. "Masterlist of Schools" (PDF). Department of Education. January 15, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2025.