Kapangan, officially the Municipality of Kapangan, (; ), is a municipality in the province of Benguet, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 20,048 people.
History
Pre-colonial period Kapangan was formerly called Takdang (or Tacdang), which means "people from the east". The early natives, who came from eastern settlements such as Tinec in Buguias and Bontoc, settled along the Amburayan River and lived by the kaingin system. They traveled to Naguilian in La Union to trade goods with the Ilocano people The appointed first town president (before now mayor) is Espiritu Cariño (1898–1900) .
Spanish period During the Spanish Regime, Kapangan was organized into four barrios; Balacbac, Paykek, Pongayan, and Taba-ao. The Spaniards appointed Espiritu Cariño as the first Capitan del Barrio, whose duty was overseeing tax collection from local land owners. They also appointed Juan Ora-a Cariño to the position, eventually promoting him to Commandantes, one of the highest ranks in office during the time. Both Espiritu Cariño and Juan Ora-a Cariño appointed eight people in eight different barrios to serve as barrio capitans, whose tasks were to oversee the construction of Spanish trails throughout the mountain region.
American period Under the American Civil Government, Kapangan was established as one of the 19 townships of the province of Benguet, upon the issuance of Act No. 48 on November 22, 1900
On August 13, 1908, Benguet was established as a sub-province of the newly created Mountain Province with the enactment of Act No. 1876. Six townships of Benguet were later abolished, one of which was Balakbak, which was integrated into the township of Kapangan.
According to some stories, Kapangan got its name when an American once asked a local resident what was the name of the place. Since the resident doesn't understand English and so happened that they were about to eat in the party where they were in, she just said "kapangan" which means go eat in English. The American thought that the name of the place is Kapangan and hence the name .
Post-war era On June 25, 1963, then-President Diosdado Macapagal issued Executive Order No. 42 converting eight (8) of the thirteen (13) towns (designated as municipal districts) of Benguet sub-province into regular municipalities. Kapangan was among them.
On June 18, 1966, the sub-province of Benguet was separated from the old Mountain Province and was converted into a regular province. Kapangan remained to be a component municipality of the newly established province.
Geography The Municipality of Kapangan is at the mid-western section of Benguet. It is bounded by Kibungan on the north-east, Atok on the east, Tublay on the southeast, Sablan and Bagulin on the south-west, San Gabriel on the mid-west, and Sugpon on the north-west.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of constituting of the total area of Benguet.
The municipal's terrain is characterized by rugged mountains and hills. Rugged mountains have slopes of 50% while hills have slopes from 30%-50%. The highest elevation is above sea level with the lowest at above sea level.
Kapangan is situated from the provincial capital La Trinidad, and from the country's capital city of Manila.
Barangays Kapangan is politically subdivided into 15 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
Climate
Climate is divided into two seasons – the wet and the dry. Wet season occurs from May to October while dry season occurs November to April.
Demographics
In the 2024 census, Kapangan had a population of 20,048 people. The population density was .
Religion
Ascension Episcopal Mission, Cabilisan, Pudong Balakbak Southern Baptist Church, Balakbak Duntog Kalbaryo Lutheran Church, Balakbak Iglesia ni Cristo, Lokal ng Balakbak Iglesia ni Cristo, Lokal ng Kapangan Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Central Mount Zion Lutheran Church, Liblibeng, Gadang Taba-ao Faith Baptist Church, Taba-ao Saint Andrew's Episcopal Parish, Paykek Saint Luke Lutheran Church, Taba-ao Saint Mark Episcopal Mission, Gadang Saint Mark Lutheran Church, Landing, Sagubo Saint Michael Catholic Mission, Labueg Solid Foundation Bible Baptist Church, Lomon
Economy
The main source of economy in Kapangan is agriculture. Kapangan produces rice, corn, vegetables, and fruit trees. Kapangan is famous for its tiger grass, which is the source for broom-making industry. Kapangan raises swine and poultry as sources of livestock.
Kapangan focuses on scenic trekking and waterfalls as integral parts of its tourism sector.
Government Kapangan, belonging to the lone congressional district of the province of Benguet, 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(2025-2028) Position Name Congressman Eric Yap Mayor Harris M. Dizon Vice-Mayor Santos M. Bastian Councilors Bruno M. Canuto Rechel T. Marcelo Maribelle I. Diclas Grant A. Balagsa Johnson S. Andiso Anthony T. Andong Hector D. Mariano Danny T. Eke
Education The Kapangan Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools.
Public schools As of 2014, Kapangan has 27 public elementary schools, 1 private secondary school, and 4 public secondary schools.
+ Elementary (2013–2014) School Barangay Ampongot Elementary School Sagubo Baguionas Barrio School Gaswiling Balakbak Elementary School Balakbak Beleng-Belis Barrio School Beleng-Belis Boklaoan Elementary School Ampucao Catiaoan Barrio School Gaswiling Cayapes Barrio School Cayapes Cuba Barrio School Cuba Datakan Elementary School Datakan Gadang Elementary School Gadang Gaswiling Barrio School Gaswiling Kaliwaga Barrio School Gaswiling Kapangan Central School Poblacion (Central) Laoangan Barrio School Gadang Liblibeng Barrio School Gadang Lomon Elementary School Paykek Longboy Elementary School Labueg Pakawan Barrio School Cuba Paykek Elementary School Paykek Pongayan Barrio School Pongayan Pudong Elementary School Pudong Sagubo Elementary School Sagubo Taba-ao Elementary School Taba-ao Tadayan Barrio School Pudong Tawang Barrio School Beleng-Belis Toplac Barrio School Cuba Ubod Barrio School Taba-ao
+ Secondary (2013–2014) School Barangay Governor Bado Dangwa Agro-Industrial School Balakbak Governor Bado Dangwa Agro-Industrial School Extension – Taba-ao Annex Taba-ao Kapangan Central National High School Poblacion (Central) Kapangan National High School Sagubo
Private School
+ Secondary (2023) School Barangay Saint Theresita's High School of Kapangan Incorporated Labueg
Notes
References
External links [ Philippine Standard Geographic Code]