Tuguegarao City Siudad nat Tuguegarao (Ibanag) Ciudad ti Tuguegarao (Ilocano) Lungsod ng Tuguegarao (Filipino)
—  Component City  —
Nickname(s): The Country's Premier Ibanag City
Map of Cagayan showing the location of Tuguegarao City.
Country	Philippines
Region	Cagayan Valley (Region II)
Province	Cagayan
Districts	3rd Congressional District of Cagayan
Barangays	49
Incorporated (Town)	May 9, 1604
Incorporated (City)	December 18, 1999
Government
• Mayor	Delfin Telan Ting (Lakas-KAMPI)
Area
• Total	144.80 km2 (55.91 sq mi)
Population (2007)
• Total	129,539
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	3500
Area code(s)	78
Website	http://www.tuguegaraocity.gov.ph/

Coordinates: 17°37′0″N 121°43′0″E / 17.616667°N 121.716667°E / 17.616667; 121.716667 Tuguegarao City (Filipino: Lungsod ng Tuguegarao) is the city capital of Cagayan, Philippines and the regional capital of Region 02 (Cagayan Valley Region). Tuguegarao is the economic center of the Cagayan Valley Region; it is located on a peninsula in the Cagayan Valley. It is sheltered by the Sierra Madre Mountains in the East; Cordilleras in the West; and, the Caraballo Mountains in the South. It grew on the banks of the Cagayan River and the Pinacanauan River, near the southern border of the province.

Tuguegarao City is a Center of Excellence in Education, Commerce, Trade and Culture and as the Economic Center of Region 02, Tuguegarao City continuously aims for outstanding performance and competence in administration, citizen participation, community and economic development, cultural arts, education, fiscal management, infrastructure, intergovernmental cooperation, planning, public safety, recreation and leisure services, social services, and technology.

The current population is 129,539 as of the 2007 Census. Most people are Ybanags, Ilocanos, Tagalogs, Itawis, Pampangos and other ethniticities. Some are also of Chinese and Indian descent.

The highest recorded temperature in the Philippines and of the Western Pacific Region was in Tuguegarao on April 29, 1912 at 42.2°C (108°F).^[1] Average temperature during March and April is 38°C, one of the highest in the country for years.

Barangays[link]

Tuguegarao City is politically subdivided into 49 barangays.

History[link]

Origin of Name[link]

There are several versions looming about the origin of the name of the city of Tuguegarao. One is the abundance of "tarrao" trees in the area. Another is "garrao" meaning swift current, possibly of the Pinacannauan River. Another is from the word "tuggui" meaning fire. Another recorded version is, the town was formerly called Twerao by the people of the northern towns. Still another is that the name Tuguegarao comes from two Ibanag words "tuggui" (fire) and "aggao" (day), possibly referring to a daytime fire that happened in the town. The most accepted version is the Ibanag reply to Spaniards, "Tuggui gari yaw." meaning "This used to be fire." or the town was carved out of the wilderness by clearing and burning.^[2]

Founding of the Town[link]

Saints Peter & Paul Metropolitan Cathedral

It was a small settlement, in terms of population but was big in territory until 1850s. It was governed as a barangay until the Spaniards gave it the status of mission pueblo established May 9, 1604, making it one of the political units of the province of Cagayan, which then included all the territory which later became the province of Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino. As a mission-pueblo and with assigned encomenderos to Tuguegarao, the inhabitants were made to pay taxes in the form of poultry products and other foodstuffs. Resentment flared. The people of Tuguegarao revolted in 1605, killing the encomendero. Again, the people of Tuguegarao revolted in 1718 and then 1761 with a leader named Rivera.

Spanish Era[link]

Ermita de Piedra de San Jacinto

The first Spanish to set foot in what is now the town of Lal-lo is Juan de Salcedo --- Miguel Lopez de Legazpi’s grandson --- in 1572. Don Juan Pablo Carrion established it as a pueblo in 1581 and named it Nueva Segovia in memory of his hometown in Spain. In 1595, Pope Clement VIII created the Diocese of Nueva Segovia and in 1596, the Dominicans accepted it as an ecclesiastical mission. Nueva Segovia had three churches: the cathedral that was under the secular clergy, and the parishes of Bagumbayan and Tocolona under the supervision of the Dominicans. But because of its distance from Manila and the constant threat of the Cagayan River’s rampaging waters, the Diocese of Nueva Segovia was transferred to Vigan in 1755. This affected the closure of the cathedral and the fusion of the three churches into the single parish of Bagumbayan. The two other churches were abandoned and eventually destroyed because of neglect while the church of Bagumbayan, dedicated to Sto. Domingo de Guzman became what is now the present church of Lal-lo. The remains of three bishops are interred in the church: Bishop Miguel de Benavidez who was Nueva Segovia’s first bishop and later of Manila where he founded the University of Santo Tomas, Bishop Diego de Soria who was the second bishop of the diocese, and Bishop Diego Aduarte who was the sixth. The diocese’s name went along with the transfer to Vigan and, to avoid confusion, Bishop Miguel Garcia requested that Nueva Segovia and its suburbs be called Lal-lo while Vigan became known as the Diocese of Nueva Segovia until today. Lal-lo means twisting two strands to make a rope, and may also refer to the strong river current. It also used to be the capital of Cagayan province until 1839 when the provincial seat of power was relocated to Tuguegarao. The decline of Lal-lo is the transformation of Tuguegarao as the most important town in Cagayan. It was accepted as an ecclesiastical mission by the Dominicans in 1604 --- 23 years after the foundation of Lal-lo. Its origins is probably a place called Tubigarao that was listed as a Spanish encomienda in 1591.

The first parochial building to be constructed in 1598 is a chapel that became the foundation of what is now the Ermita de Piedra de San Jacinto. The present chapel is the latest in a process of rebuilding --- beginning in 1724 when it was rebuilt by Fr. Bernabe dela Magdalena (OP) until 1892 when it was destroyed in an earthquake.

Tuguegarao after World War II[link]

In 1959, sitio Capatan was converted into a barrio.^[3]

Tuguegarao in the 1980s and 1990s[link]

The year 1983 marked the quadricentennial celebration of the establishment of the Civil Government of the Province of Cagayan. In the week long celebration held in Tuguegarao, several Ministers visited the town and province.

New barangays had been formed, so that by 1981, Tuguegarao had 49 barangays, 12 of which were urban. The late 1980s saw the gradual expansion of the urban core of Tuguegarao to the outlying barangays of Ugac, Caritan and Atulayan. With the fast rising prices of real estate in the Poblacion. Residents found it very profitable to sell their houses and lots in the Poblacion and to buy lots in the barangay surrounding the Poblacion, so that they would still be near the market, the schools, their offices and business, the church, the stores and recreation spots.

By 1980, Tuguegarao had a population of 73,507. The increase in population could be attributed to various factors. One is the increasing peace and order problems in the other towns in the region, driving the people to Tuguegarao, which relatively is free of the insurgency problem with the visible presence of the military and due to the town's geographic location. Another factor is the presence of the schools, whose quality of education is highly comparable to that of Metropolitan Manila. Others come because of trade and industry. Another reason is the completion of the Maharlika Highway, which made Region 02 more accessible. Of very great consideration is the town's tremendous improvement in social services and infrastructure facilities since 1975.

Tuguegarao's sky line has greatly changed over the years. In the 1980s and 1990s, there are multi-story buildings in the Poblacion, landscaped schools and homes, cable television, air-conditioned buses, jet flights, telegraph and telex services, door-to-door delivery services, domestic and overseas long-distance calls, luxurious social amenities and other trappings of a highly urbanized town.

The Hotel Delfino siege was a bloody coup attempt that happened on March 4, 1990, when suspended Cagayan governor Rodolfo Aguinaldo and his armed men of 200 seized Hotel Delfino in Tuguegarao. Brigader General Oscar Florendo, his driver and four members of the civilian staff, and several other people were held hostage for several hours. A gunfight was launched to kill Aguinaldo and his men but one of the suspended governor's men was found dead in a checkpoint shootout, Brig. Gen. Florendo and 12 others were also dead and 10 more wounded. Aguinaldo is also slightly wounded in a car gunfight until eventually escaped and hid into the mountains.

Further development[link]

Buntun Bridge

The city developed gradually, then more rapidly after the provincial capital was transferred from Lallo, in 1839. It was occupied by American troops on December 12, 1899. During World War II, the city was captured by the Japanese on December 8, 1941, and its airfield was of some significance; the city and airfield were bombed by the US and Philippine regularly between January and May 1945. The Japanese had left by the time Filipino guerrillas helped by entering the town of the Philippine Commonwealth troops came in early June; the town was officially liberated on June 25, 1945.

Tuguegarao was once the only first class municipality in the province of Cagayan. It has served as the provincial capital of Cagayan since 1893 because of the notable socio-economic progress of the town. In 1975, having adequate facilities and amenities aside from being the region's geographic center and having capabilities of serving as the administrative seat of government for the region, Tuguegarao was declared the regional capital of Region II (Cagayan Valley).

The city also boasts colonial buildings like the Saints Peter and Paul Metropolitan Cathedral built in 1761 to 1766 under the supervision of the Spanish Dominicans who came to evangelize Cagayan Valley. The Diocese of Tuguegarao was created by Pope Pius X on December 6, 1911. The cathedral edifice suffered destruction during World War II and as a result lost its pipe organ, three wooden retablos, pulpit,wooden choir loft and the painted wooden ceiling all of which were approximately from the early 18th century. The old convent adjacent to the cathedral church was also razed to the ground during the war and was demolished to make way for a new one. The cathedral was rebuilt by the Belgian Mons. Constance Jurgens. The traditional ringing of the cathedral bells for the Angelus and during Mass is still being practiced today. The oldest brick structure is also found in the city. The Ermita de Piedra de San Jacinto dedicated to Saint Hyacinth is the first parochial building to be built by the Dominican fathers in Tuguegarao. The current structure is the latest in a process of rebuilding beginning in 1724 until 1892 when it was rebuilt after being destroyed in an earthquake. The chapel wasn't damaged during the war and as a result retains its original wooden retablo which dates back to the 18th century. Tuguegarao as a component city was affirmed in a plebiscite held on December 18, 1999, with Randolph Sera Ting as the first city mayor. As of July 2, 2007, Delfin Telan Ting (who was then a municipal mayor from 1988 to 1998) has been elected to become the 2nd city mayor.

Economy[link]

Within the past three decades, its economy gradually shifted from agriculture to secondary/tertiary economic activities such as trading, commerce and services. The shift was ushered by Tuguegarao's role as the Regional Government Center and Center of Commerce in Northern Luzon.

Given its role as the seat of the provincial and regional government, the city serves as commercial and institutional hub. Thus, trade and service establishments together with industrial and tourism-related activities mushroom in the area. On the average, about 142 additional business establishments are registered every year reflecting an average increase of 7.83%. Thus, as of 2006, there were 5,709 registered business establishments for which more than half are located in the Poblacion and less than one-third (1/3) are in the urban barangays. Of the 5,709 registered establishments, 53.48% or 3,053 are wholesale and retail trade establishments. Financing, insurance and real estate firms contributed 488 or 8.54%, and the remaining 2,168 or 37.98% consist of service enterprises and social amenities to include business, recreational, personal, utility and other services. At present, there are 31 banks operating in the city.

As the Economic Center of Region 02, banking, educational and commercial entities proliferate in the city.

Pav-vurulun Festival[link]

Pav-vurulun Festival is a weeklong celebration that usually ends on August 16 annually. Pav-vurulun is an Ibanag word which means get-together or a sense of belongingness. It is in this context that Tuguegarao City annually celebrates its patronal fiesta. It gathers Tuguegaraoeños to a weeklong festivities culminating with a mass and procession of the patron saint on August 16. The patronal fiesta is in honor of St. Hyacinth, the city's patron saint.

The week-long celebration is dubbed as a festival of activities. It is marked by parades, beauty contests, pancit(noodle) eating contest, street dancing competition, music festival, sports fest, and trade fairs among others.

Education[link]

Universities and Colleges[link]

There are several universities and colleges that reside in the city. Majority of the universities and colleges of the Province of Cagayan are in Tuguegarao. Hence, Tuguegarao has been considered to be the University Capital of Region 02. The following are the universities and colleges:

Hence, there are numerous technological and vocational institutes that are in the city. The TESDA offers short-term courses to all Cagayanos.

Note: SPUP and USLT are two of only few prestigious schools in the country that are granted Full Autonomy Status by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). They are the only schools in Region 02 that were re-granted the status at present.

High Schools[link]

There are many public and private schools here in Tuguegarao.

Elementary[link]

Soon to open: Bagumbayan Elementary School

Daycare Centers[link]

Tuguegarao City has 63 Barangay Daycare Centers. Currently, there are about 3,000 Daycare Pupils who are under the program. Moreover, there are also several privately operated daycare centers that are scattered in the city.

Specialized Education[link]

Far East Christian Deaf Academy provides education from pre-school to middle school operated and funded by the Church of the Living God at Sharon Village, Barangay Cataggaman Nuevo. The University of Saint Louis of Tuguegarao also has an elementary school program for the hearing impaired.^[4]

International Students[link]

Students from China, Congo, India, Nigeria, Pakistan and South Korea have come to study at St. Paul University Philippines, University of St. Louis Tuguegarao and Cagayan State University. Most of the international students have come to study degrees such as Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Biology, Bachelor of Secondary Education and Doctor of Medicine.^[5]

Television Networks[link]

• ABS-CBN: Channel 3
• GMA Network: Channel 7
• RJTV: Channel 9
• National Broadcasting Network: Channel 13
• Sonshine Media Network International: Channel 33

Transportation[link]

Tuguegarao City serves as a vital transportation and communication hub. It can be reached using buses with en route to Tuguegarao City, Baggao, Aparri, and also Santiago City. These includes buses which offers services like Sleeper, Super De Luxe, De Luxe, Airconditioned, and Ordinary Fare.

Medical Institutions[link]

• Dr. Ronald P. Guzman Medical Center (Private), Enrile Blvd., Caggay, Tuguegarao City
• Cagayan Valley Medical Center (Public), Maharlika Highway, RGC, Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City
• Tuguegarao City People's General Hospital (Public), Luna Street, Tuguegarao City
• Holy Infant Hospital (Private), Washington St., Centro, Tuguegarao City
• Clinica De Leon (Private), Bonifacio Street, Centro 1, Tuguegarao City
• Divine Mercy Wellness Center (Private), Rizal Street, Tuguegarao City
• Saint Paul's Hospital (Private), Luna Extension, Ugac Norte, Tuguegarao City

Note: SPH, RGMC, HIH and CDL are four of only 54 hospitals in the whole country that were recognized as Centers of Excellence by PhilHealth. They are the only hospitals chosen in Region 02.

Shopping Centers[link]

• FCI Citimall (Private), Bonifacio St., Centro, Tuguegarao City
• Brickstone Mall (Private), Maharlika Highway, Pengue, Tuguegarao City
• Paseo Reale (Public), Rizal St., Centro, Tuguegarao City
• Mall of the Valley (Public), Bonifacio St. Tuguegarao City

Soon to open: Mall of the City, Don Domingo Wet Market, Centro 11(Balzain East), Tuguegarao City

Subdivisions[link]

• University Hills Subdivision, Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City
• Golden Harvest Subdivision, Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City

Government[link]

Current Elective City Officials (Fiscal Year 2010-2013)[link]

City Department Heads[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official Website of Tuguegarao City
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• 2000 Philippine Census Information
• 2007 Philippine Census Information
• Tuguegarao City Government on Facebook
• Tuguegarao City Government on Twitter

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