1. Historical Development

1.1 History and Etymology

Bangued is derived from the Iluko word “Bangen” which means road blockage. During the early days, when tribes frequently fought against each other, the Bangen was placed on the roads leading to the town to protect the settlement and discourage raids, which usually started at Patoc, now called Peñarrubia. When storms hit Abra, big trees were uprooted upstream and carried downstream by the strong current of the Abra River down to “Nagtalabongan” now called Barangay Santa Rosa. As the river’s current slowed down and narrowed, as it bent westward on its way to the China Sea across the gap of the Ilocos ranges, some of these trees were filed and left behind, obstructing travel along the river. This situation made the municipality serve as an obstruction of fast travel on both land and river, which is why people at that time called the municipality “Bangen”. The Spaniards pronounced it “Bang-ged”, substituting the “D” for the nasal sound of “H” and spelling it as Bangued. With the arrival of the Americans, the current pronunciation of “Bangued” was adopted.

1.2 Creation of the Municipality

The Town of Bangued has a rich history dating back to 1598 when the first missionary Fathers penetrated the interior of Abra, Marin, and Minon and established a Mission Station or “Visita” in the area. In 1599, Bangued was formally organized into a Pueblo under the Spanish Regime. By 1612, it was made an independent Mission Territory by the Augustinians with Father Pedro Columbo as the first Minister. Father Juan Pareja followed him and organized Bangued as a Mission Center in 1615, baptizing 3,000 Tingguians with the help of their Chief, Don Miguel Domaoal. According to the Catholic Church, Father Juan Pareja founded or organized Bangued only as a “Pueblo” in the year 1626. It was only in 1704 that the modern-day Bangued was formally organized according to Cavada. In 1861, Bangued was formally inaugurated as a Municipality and was proclaimed the Capital Town of Abra on the 25th of July, the Feast of Saint James the Elder. However, there is some discrepancy as another record states that it happened in 1863. Bangued was returned to the Augustinians after 270 years of secular administration in 1892.

Despite extensive research, there is currently no available record to establish the legal basis by which Bangued was created as a Municipality or became the Capital Town of the Province.

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION:

  • Located in the western part of the province of Abra, Bangued is bordered by the province of Ilocos Norte and the municipality of Danglas to the north; the municipalities of La Paz, Tayum, and Peñarrubia to the east; the municipality of San Isidro to the south; and the municipalities of Langiden and Pidigan to the west.
  • 409 Kilometers north of Manila, 197 kilometers northeast of Baguio City, and 60 kilometers east of Vigan City.

ACCESSIBILITY:

  • Abra-Ilocos Sur National Road from the west, Abra-Kalinga National Road from the northeast, and Abra-Ilocos Norte National Road from the north.

DEMOGRAPHY