Kabayan, officially the Municipality of Kabayan (Ilocano: Ili ti Kabayan; Tagalog: Bayan ng Kabayan), is a 4th class municipality in the province of Benguet, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 15,806 people.[3]

Kabayan
Municipality of Kabayan
Rice terraces
Rice terraces
Flag of Kabayan
Official seal of Kabayan
Map of Benguet with Kabayan highlighted
Map of Benguet with Kabayan highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Map
Kabayan is located in Philippines
Kabayan
Kabayan
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 16°37′24″N 120°50′17″E / 16.6233°N 120.8381°E / 16.6233; 120.8381
CountryPhilippines
RegionCordillera Administrative Region
ProvinceBenguet
District Lone district
Barangays13 (see Barangays)
Government
[1]
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • mayor of Kabayan[*]Florante B. Bantales Jr.
 • Vice MayorMike E. Badival
 • RepresentativeEric Go Yap
 • Electorate10,092 voters (2022)
Area
 • Total242.69 km2 (93.70 sq mi)
Elevation
1,613 m (5,292 ft)
Highest elevation
2,688 m (8,819 ft)
Lowest elevation
932 m (3,058 ft)
Population
 (2020 census)[3]
 • Total15,806
 • Density65/km2 (170/sq mi)
 • Households
3,752
Economy
 • Income class4th municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence
11.34
% (2021)[4]
 • Revenue₱ 116.2 million (2020)
 • Assets₱ 231.1 million (2020)
 • Expenditure₱ 92.33 million (2020)
 • Liabilities₱ 56.5 million (2020)
Service provider
 • ElectricityBenguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
2606
PSGC
IDD:area code+63 (0)74
Native languagesKankanaey
Ibaloi
Ilocano
Tagalog

Kabayan is the site of centuries-old Ibaloi mummies buried inside caves scattered around its villages.[5]

The third highest mountain in the Philippines, Mount Pulag, is located in the territorial boundary of the vegetable farming town.

Etymology

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The name Kabayan was derived from the term Kaba-ayan, from the Ibaloi word ba-ay, a root crop vine thriving in the place. Most of the early Ibaloi settlements, in the area, which include Eddet and Duacan, were named after grasses in the heavily forested area.[6]

History

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Pre-colonial period

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The first Ibaloi settlers in Benguet arrived at Imbose (or Embosi), located in present-day Kabayan.[6][7]

Mummification of the dead was practiced long before Spanish colonizers reached the place.[6][8]

Spanish period

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In the late 1800s, Spanish colonizers reached Kabayan via trails constructed throughout the mountain region. Organized into three rancherias, namely Adaoay, Kabayan, and Lutab (or Dutab), Kabayan was registered under the comandancia politico-militar of Benguet in 1846.[6][7] Lutab (currently barangay Poblacion or Kabayan Central[9]) was later integrated into the Kabayan rancheria.[7]

The practice of mummification of the dead would be discouraged by the Spaniards, until it would die out.[8][10]

American period

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During the American rule, Kabayan and Adaoay were established as two of the 19 townships of the province of Benguet, upon the issuance of Act No. 48 by the Philippine Commission on November 22, 1900.[7][11][12]

On August 13, 1908, Benguet would be established with the enactment of Act No. 1876 as a sub-province of the newly created Mountain Province. Six townships of Benguet were later abolished, including Adaoay, which was integrated into the township of Kabayan.[7][12]

Post-war Era

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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. Kabayan was among them.[13]

On June 18, 1966, the sub-province of Benguet was separated from the old Mountain Province and would be converted into a regular province. Kabayan remained to be a component municipality of the newly established province.[12][14]

Geography

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Kabayan is located at 16°37′24″N 120°50′17″E / 16.6233°N 120.8381°E / 16.6233; 120.8381, at the central-eastern section of Benguet. It is bounded by Buguias on the north, Kibungan on the north-west, Atok on the south-west, Bokod on the south, Kayapa on the southeast, and Tinoc on the north-east.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 242.69 square kilometres (93.70 sq mi)[15] constituting 8.76% of the 2,769.08-square-kilometre- (1,069.15 sq mi) total area of Benguet.

Kabayan is 82 kilometres (51 mi) from Baguio, 87 kilometres (54 mi) from La Trinidad, 332 kilometres (206 mi) from Manila, and 32 kilometres (20 mi) from Buguias.

Barangays

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Kabayan is politically subdivided into 13 barangays.[16] Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.


PSGC Barangay Population ±% p.a.
2020[3] 2010[17]
141107001 Adaoay 4.4% 692 670 0.32%
141107002 Anchukey 1.8% 290 296 −0.20%
141107003 Ballay 19.0% 3,011 2,623 1.39%
141107004 Bashoy 13.7% 2,165 1,597 3.09%
141107005 Batan 6.8% 1,072 944 1.28%
141107009 Duacan 4.8% 758 709 0.67%
141107010 Eddet 5.9% 927 740 2.28%
141107012 Gusaran 9.2% 1,460 1,330 0.94%
141107013 Kabayan Barrio 2.7% 423 337 2.30%
141107014 Lusod 5.5% 872 794 0.94%
141107016 Pacso 7.6% 1,208 1,247 −0.32%
141107017 Poblacion (Central) 12.1% 1,918 1,567 2.04%
141107018 Tawangan 6.4% 1,010 734 3.24%
Total 15,806 15,806   0.00%

In the 2010 Census of Population and Housing, Barangay Anchukey would be the least populated barangay in the province of Benguet.[17]

Climate

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Climate data for Kabayan, Benguet
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 21
(70)
22
(72)
23
(73)
25
(77)
24
(75)
24
(75)
23
(73)
23
(73)
23
(73)
23
(73)
22
(72)
21
(70)
23
(73)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 13
(55)
14
(57)
15
(59)
17
(63)
18
(64)
18
(64)
18
(64)
18
(64)
18
(64)
17
(63)
15
(59)
14
(57)
16
(61)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 38
(1.5)
57
(2.2)
77
(3.0)
141
(5.6)
390
(15.4)
355
(14.0)
426
(16.8)
441
(17.4)
426
(16.8)
259
(10.2)
97
(3.8)
57
(2.2)
2,764
(108.9)
Average rainy days 10.4 12.1 15.4 20.4 26.7 27.1 28.7 28.0 26.4 19.9 14.1 12.3 241.5
Source: Meteoblue (modeled/calculated data, not measured locally)[18]

Demographics

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Population census of Kabayan
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 22—    
1918 2,841+38.27%
1939 4,190+1.87%
1948 3,805−1.07%
1960 5,869+3.68%
1970 7,116+1.94%
1975 8,363+3.29%
1980 9,072+1.64%
1990 10,306+1.28%
1995 10,510+0.37%
2000 12,344+3.51%
2007 12,657+0.35%
2010 13,588+2.62%
2015 15,260+2.23%
2020 15,806+0.69%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[19][17][20][21]

In the 2020 census, Kabayan had a population of 15,806.[3] The population density was 65 inhabitants per square kilometre (170/sq mi).

Economy

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Poverty incidence of Kabayan

10
20
30
40
50
60
2006
18.00
2009
58.61
2012
15.67
2015
10.37
2018
19.14
2021
11.34

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29]

Government

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Kabayan, 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

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Members of the Municipal Council
(2022-)[30]
Position Name
Congressman

Eric G. Yap (elected)[31]

Mayor Florante B. Bantales Jr.
Vice-Mayor Mike E. Badival
Councilors Rex Alwin G. Aquisan
Sario M. Minas
Roli Francis L. Wakit
Orlan W. Kelcho
Roli Nover L. Baskial
Ghislyn F. Lucio-Marave
Rudy B. Alos
Marylou B. Cosalan

Tourism

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Kabayan is best known for the antiquated centuries-old mummies and Mount Pulag, the third highest mountain in the Philippines. The Kabayan mummy burial caves are officially proclaimed Philippine National Cultural Treasures pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 374, and is under consideration as a World Heritage Site.[32] The mummified body of Apo Annu, a tribal leader, was stolen but recovered by an antique collector and was returned to the town. Archaeologists from various countries have visited the town to promote preservation of the mummies due to deterioration of the cadavers. The caves containing the cadavers of these mummies have been declared by Monument Watch as one of the "100 Most Endangered Sites" in the world.[33]

Mount Pulag is a destination for mountaineers, hikers, including picnickers. At its summit, the climbers can see the surroundings of the whole north Luzon.

National Museum-Kabayan

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In May, 2024, the National Museum of the Philippines RAOD Chief Paolo Mar Chan announced the PHP25 million rehabilitation of National Museum-Kabayan's Site 1, the home to female mummies. It houses a geological collection and natural history artifacts on local death rites and rituals, mummies, plants used in mummification process and Kabayan-Ibaloi people items. The Museum also conserves and protects the Timbac burial caves and the mummy rocks, which features the famous “Apo Anno” mummy, a revered ancestor, in Buguias, Benguet. Timbac fire mummies are kept and preserved in the Timbac Mummy Rock Shelters or Timbac Caves in Mount Timbak (Mt. Singakalsa, 2717 meters above sea level, Luzon's 3rd highest and the 9th highest in the Philippines, especially in Barangay Pacso, Kabayan). Kabayan is home to Ibaloi Bendian festival where the 15th Eco-Tourism and Bindiyan Festival-Bendian dance 2024 was held in May 1. Kabayan mummies sites are the Opdas Mass Burial Cave, Tinongchol Burial Rock, Timbac Burial Rock Shelter, Pongasan and Kangal and Kabayan Museum.[34][35]

Education

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Public schools

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As of 2014, Kabayan has 22 public elementary schools and 3 public secondary schools.[36][37][38]

Notes

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References

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  1. ^ Municipality of Kabayan | (DILG)
  2. ^ "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.
  3. ^ a b c d Census of Population (2020). "Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  4. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  5. ^ "Kabayan Mummies". Mummy Tombs. Archived from the original on October 28, 2000. Retrieved September 17, 2014.
  6. ^ a b c d "Municipality of Kabayan: History of Kabayan". Province of Benguet (official website). Archived from the original on December 3, 2014. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Municipality of Kabayan, Benguet". Department of the Interior and Local Government - Cordillera Administrative Region. Archived from the original on January 22, 2016. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  8. ^ a b Deem, James M. "Kabayan Mummies". Mummy Tombs. Archived from the original on July 8, 2015. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  9. ^ Baucas, Biano L. (1998). A Brief History of Kabayan, Benguet. Benguet, Philippines: Hamada Publishing. p. 43. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  10. ^ "Kabayan Mummy Caves". World Monuments Fund. Archived from the original on May 26, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  11. ^ "Facts & Figures: Benguet Province". Philippine Statistics Authority - National Statistical Coordination Board - Cordillera Administrative Region. Archived from the original on February 28, 2016. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
  12. ^ a b c "History: Benguet Province". Province of Benguet (official website). Archived from the original on October 19, 2014. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
  13. ^ "Executive Order No. 42, s. 1963: Declaring Certain Municipal Districts in the Philippines as Municipalities". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
  14. ^ "Republic Act No. 4695: An Act Creating the Provinces of Benguet, Mountain Province, Ifugao and Kalinga-Apayao". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. June 18, 1966. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 12, 2016.
  15. ^ "Province: Benguet". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  16. ^ "Municipal: Kabayan, Benguet". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  17. ^ a b c Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  18. ^ "Kabayan: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  19. ^ Census of Population (2015). "Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
  20. ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
  21. ^ "Province of Benguet". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  22. ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  23. ^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. November 29, 2005.
  24. ^ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. March 23, 2009.
  25. ^ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. August 3, 2012.
  26. ^ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. May 31, 2016.
  27. ^ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 10, 2019.
  28. ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  29. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
  30. ^ "2019 National and Local Elections" (PDF). Commission on Elections. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  31. ^ "House names party-list solon as Benguet caretaker". Philippine News Agency. January 22, 2020. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  32. ^ "Kabayan Mummy Burial Caves". Tentative Lists. UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on May 25, 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
  33. ^ "The Kabayan Branch". National Museum of the Philippines. Archived from the original on March 30, 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
  34. ^ Agoot, Liza (May 2, 2024). "P25-M museum rehab to boost Benguet town's tourism". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  35. ^ Alimondo, Lauren (November 18, 2019). "Kabayan cave still closed". SunStar. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  36. ^ "Masterlist of Public Elementary Schools for the School year 2012- 2013". Department of Education (Philippines), July 15, 2013. Archived from the original (XLSX) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
  37. ^ a b "Masterlist of Secondary Schools (School Year 2013- 2014)". Department of Education (Philippines), July 4, 2013. Archived from the original (XLSX) on July 1, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  38. ^ a b "Masterlist of Public Schools SY 2013-2014". Department of Education (Philippines), October 22, 2014. Archived from the original (XLSX) on April 21, 2016. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
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