# Kapangan

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**Kapangan**, officially the **Municipality of Kapangan**, (ilo: *Ili ti Kapangan*; Tagalog: *Bayan ng Kapangan*), is a [municipality](/source/Municipality_of_the_Philippines) in the [province](/source/Philippine_Province) of [Benguet](/source/Benguet), [Philippines](/source/Philippines). According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 20,048 people.[1]

## 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](/source/Buguias,_Benguet) and [Bontoc](/source/Bontoc,_Mountain_Province), settled along the [Amburayan River](/source/Amburayan_River) and lived by the *[kaingin](/source/Kaingin)* system. They traveled to [Naguilian](/source/Naguilian,_La_Union) in [La Union](/source/La_Union) to trade goods with the [Ilocano people](/source/Ilocano_people) The appointed first town president (before now mayor) is Espiritu Cariño (1898–1900) .[2]

### Spanish period

During the [Spanish Regime](/source/History_of_the_Philippines_(1521%E2%80%931898)), Kapangan was organized into four [barrios](/source/Barrio); *Balacbac*, *Paykek*, *Pongayan*, and *Taba-ao*. The Spaniards appointed *Espiritu Cariño* as the first *Capitan del Barrio*, whose duty was overseeing [tax collection](/source/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.[2]

### American period

Under the [American Civil Government](/source/History_of_the_Philippines_(1898%E2%80%931946)), 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[2][3][4]

On August 13, 1908, Benguet was established as a sub-province of the newly created [Mountain Province](/source/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.[5][6]

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](/source/Diosdado_Macapagal) issued *[Executive Order](/source/Executive_order_(Philippines)) 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.[7]

On June 18, 1966, the sub-province of Benguet was separated from the old [Mountain Province](/source/Mountain_Province) and was converted into a [regular province](/source/Provinces_of_the_Philippines). Kapangan remained to be a component municipality of the newly established province.[2][3][5]

## Geography

The Municipality of Kapangan is at the mid-western section of Benguet. It is bounded by [Kibungan](/source/Kibungan,_Benguet) on the north-east, [Atok](/source/Atok,_Benguet) on the east, [Tublay](/source/Tublay,_Benguet) on the southeast, [Sablan](/source/Sablan,_Benguet) and [Bagulin](/source/Bagulin,_La_Union) on the south-west, [San Gabriel](/source/San_Gabriel,_La_Union) on the mid-west, and [Sugpon](/source/Sugpon,_Ilocos_Sur) on the north-west.

According to the [Philippine Statistics Authority](/source/Philippine_Statistics_Authority), the municipality has a land area of 164.39 square kilometres (63.47 sq mi) constituting 164.39% of the 2,769.08-square kilometre 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 1,700 metres (5,600 ft) above sea level with the lowest at 200 metres (660 ft) above sea level.

Kapangan is situated 27.32 kilometres (16.98 mi) from the provincial capital [La Trinidad](/source/La_Trinidad,_Benguet), and 280.26 kilometres (174.15 mi) from the country's capital city of [Manila](/source/Manila).

### Barangays

Kapangan is politically subdivided into 15 [barangays](/source/Barangay). Each barangay consists of [puroks](/source/Purok) and some have [sitios](/source/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 PD/km2.

### 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

## Government

Kapangan, belonging to the [lone congressional district](/source/Legislative_districts_of_Benguet) of the province of [Benguet](/source/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-Present)[8] Position Name Congressman Nestor B. Fongwan[l 1] Eric G. Yap (since January 20, 2020)[9] Mayor Harris Dizon Vice-Mayor Santos Bastian Councilors Bruno M. Canuto Rechel Marcelo Maribelle Diclas Grant Balagsa Johnson Andiso Anthony Andong Hector Mariano Marcelo L. Tayaban

## 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.[10]

### Public schools

As of 2014, Kapangan has 27 [public](/source/State_school) [elementary schools](/source/Elementary_school), 1 private secondary school, and 4 public [secondary schools](/source/Secondary_school).[11][12][13]

Elementary (2013–2014)[13] 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)[12] 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](/source/Private_school)**

Secondary (2023)[12] School Barangay Saint Theresita's High School of Kapangan Incorporated Labueg

## References

1. ["2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President"](https://psa.gov.ph/content/2024-census-population-popcen-population-counts-declared-official-president). *psa.gov.ph*. July 17, 2024. Retrieved November 15, 2025.

1. ["Municipality of Kapangan: History of Kapangan"](http://www.benguet.gov.ph/index.php?Itemid=261). *Province of Benguet (official website)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20141019203004/http://www.benguet.gov.ph/index.php?Itemid=261) 19 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 21 December 2015.

1. ["Kapangan, Benguet ...At a Glance"](http://www.nscb.gov.ph/rucar/fnf_bngt_kapangan.htm). *Philippine Statistics Authority – National Statistical Coordination Board – [Cordillera Administrative Region](/source/Cordillera_Administrative_Region)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20151114044517/http://www.nscb.gov.ph/rucar/fnf_bngt_kapangan.htm) 14 November 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 9 October 2014.

1. ["Municipality of Kapangan, Benguet"](http://www.dilgcar.com/index.php/lgu/car-profile/benguet/kapangan). *[Department of the Interior and Local Government (Philippines)](/source/Department_of_the_Interior_and_Local_Government_(Philippines)) – [Cordillera Administrative Region](/source/Cordillera_Administrative_Region)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20151222165433/http://www.dilgcar.com/index.php/lgu/car-profile/benguet/kapangan) 22 December 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 9 October 2014.

1. ["History: Benguet Province"](http://www.benguet.gov.ph/index.php?Itemid=268). *Province of Benguet (official website)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20141019211257/http://www.benguet.gov.ph/index.php?Itemid=268) 19 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 9 October 2014.

1. Igualdo, Lolito T. ["The Social World of the Kankana-eys (Dissertation)"](http://cariana.wikispaces.com/Kankanaey-+Social+World). Retrieved 11 November 2014.[dead link]

1. ["Executive Order No. 42, s. 1963: Declaring Certain Municipal Districts in the Philippines as Municipalities"](https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1963/06/25/executive-order-no-42-s-1963/). *Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines*. 25 June 1963. Retrieved 25 October 2014.

1. ["2019 National and Local Elections"](https://comelec.gov.ph/php-tpls-attachments/2019NLE/ElectionResults/2019NLE_LIst_of_Elected_CityMun_Candidates.pdf). *Commission on Elections*. Retrieved March 12, 2022.

1. ["House names party-list solon as Benguet caretaker"](https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1091630). *Philippine News Agency*. January 22, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2022.

1. ["Masterlist of Schools"](https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/SY-2020-2021-Masterlist-of-Schools-Address-only-1-1.pdf). *Department of Education*. January 15, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2025.

1. ["Masterlist of Public Elementary Schools for the School year 2012–2013"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053100/http://www.deped.gov.ph/sites/default/files/datasets/2013/Masterlist%20of%20Elementary%20Schools.xlsx) ([XLSX](/source/Office_Open_XML)). [Department of Education (Philippines)](/source/Department_of_Education_(Philippines)), July 15, 2013. Archived from [the original](http://www.deped.gov.ph/sites/default/files/datasets/2013/Masterlist%20of%20Elementary%20Schools.xlsx) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2014.

1. ["Masterlist of Secondary Schools (School Year 2013–2014)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140701223137/http://deped.gov.ph/index.php/resources/facts-figures/document/masterlist-of-secondary-schools?format=raw) ([XLSX](/source/Office_Open_XML)). [Department of Education (Philippines)](/source/Department_of_Education_(Philippines)), July 4, 2013. Archived from [the original](http://www.deped.gov.ph/index.php/resources/facts-figures/document/masterlist-of-secondary-schools?format=raw) on 1 July 2014. Retrieved 20 November 2014.

1. ["Masterlist of Public Schools SY 2013–2014"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160421172857/http://www.deped.gov.ph/sites/default/files/datasets/2014/SY%202013-2014%20Masterlist%20of%20Schools.xlsx) ([XLSX](/source/Office_Open_XML)). [Department of Education (Philippines)](/source/Department_of_Education_(Philippines)), 22 October 2014. Archived from [the original](http://www.deped.gov.ph/sites/default/files/datasets/2014/SY%202013-2014%20Masterlist%20of%20Schools.xlsx) on 21 April 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2014.

## External links

- [ Philippine Standard Geographic Code]

1. Died on December 18, 2019.[14]

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Kapangan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapangan) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapangan?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.