Ligao, officially the City of Ligao (Central Bikol: Siyudad kan Ligao; Filipino: Lungsod ng Ligao), is a 4th class component city in the province of Albay, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 118,096 people.[3] Most of the city's economy came from agriculture sector.

Ligao
City of Ligao
Ligao City Hall
Ligao City Hall
Flag of Ligao
Official seal of Ligao
Nickname: 
″Sunflower Capital of the Philippines″
Anthem: Here Forever I will Be
Map of Albay with Ligao highlighted
Map of Albay with Ligao highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Map
Ligao is located in Philippines
Ligao
Ligao
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 13°13′N 123°31′E / 13.22°N 123.52°E / 13.22; 123.52
CountryPhilippines
RegionBicol Region
ProvinceAlbay
District 3rd district
Founded1608
CityhoodFebruary 21, 2001
Barangays55 (see Barangays)
Government
[1]
 • TypeSangguniang Panlungsod
 • MayorFernando Vallejo Gonzalez
 • Vice MayorJaypee David
 • RepresentativeFernando T. Cabredo
 • City Council
Members
 • Electorate70,983 voters (2022)
Area
 • Total246.75 km2 (95.27 sq mi)
Elevation
197 m (646 ft)
Highest elevation
2,442 m (8,012 ft)
Lowest elevation
3 m (10 ft)
Population
 (2020 census)[3]
 • Total118,096
 • Density480/km2 (1,200/sq mi)
 • Households
26,049
Economy
 • Income class4th city income class
 • Poverty incidence
24.74
% (2021)[4]
 • Revenue₱ 860.3 million (2020)
 • Assets₱ 3,042 million (2020)
 • Expenditure₱ 657.3 million (2020)
 • Liabilities₱ 2,688 million (2020)
Service provider
 • ElectricityAlbay Electric Cooperative (ALECO)
 • WaterLigao City Water District
 • TelecommunicationsConverge, DCTV
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
4504
PSGC
IDD:area code+63 (0)52
Native languagesTagalog, West Miraya, Central Bikol
Major religionsChristianity
Feast dateDecember 26
Catholic dioceseLegazpi
Patron saintSan Esteban Protomartir
Websiteligaocity.albay.gov.ph

Ligao is 27 kilometres (17 mi) from Legazpi City and 500 kilometres (310 mi) from Manila.

Etymology

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Ligao was named after the word ticau, an abundant tree that has poisonous leaves used to catch fish from rivers and creeks. Another variation is from the Tagalog word ligaw which means to court or win a woman’s love.[5] It was formerly known as Cavasi.

History

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Historical Ligao Municipal Hall

During the 16th century, Ligao was started as a small settlement. In 1606, it was founded as a barrio of Polangui, and then to Oas in 1665. One year later, in 1666, it became an independent municipality.

Cityhood

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On January 2, 1997, Mayor Fernando V. Gonzalez's efforts has made possible the cityhood of Ligao. Four years later, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed Republic Act 9008 on February 21, 2001, making it as the sixth city in the Bicol Region. It was ratified by majority of voters in a plebiscite on March 24 of this year.

Geography

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Barangays

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Ligao City is politically subdivided into 55 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

There are 11 urban and 44 rural barangays, of which 3 are coastal barangays.

  • Abella
  • Allang
  • Amtic
  • Bacong
  • Bagumbayan (Poblacion)
  • Balanac
  • Baligang
  • Barayong
  • Basag
  • Batang
  • Bay
  • Binanowan
  • Binatagan (Poblacion)
  • Bobonsuran
  • Bonga
  • Busac
  • Busay
  • Cabarian
  • Calzada (Poblacion)
  • Catburawan
  • Cavasi (Poblacion)
  • Culliat
  • Dunao (Poblacion)
  • Francia
  • Guilid (Poblacion)
  • Herrera(Poblacion)
  • Layon
  • Macalidong
  • Mahaba
  • Malama
  • Maonon
  • Nasisi
  • Nabonton
  • Oma-Oma
  • Palapas
  • Pandan
  • Paulba
  • Paulog
  • Pinamaniquian
  • Pinit
  • Ranao-Ranao
  • San Vicente
  • Santa Cruz (Poblacion)
  • Tagpo (Poblacion)
  • Tambo
  • Tandarora
  • Tastas
  • Tinago (Poblacion)
  • Tinampo
  • Tiongson
  • Tomolin (Poblacion)
  • Tuburan (Poblacion)
  • Tula-Tula Grande
  • Tula-Tula Pequeño
  • Tupas

Climate

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Climate data for Ligao
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 26
(79)
27
(81)
28
(82)
30
(86)
30
(86)
30
(86)
29
(84)
29
(84)
29
(84)
28
(82)
28
(82)
27
(81)
28
(83)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 22
(72)
22
(72)
22
(72)
23
(73)
24
(75)
25
(77)
25
(77)
24
(75)
24
(75)
24
(75)
24
(75)
23
(73)
24
(74)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 138
(5.4)
83
(3.3)
74
(2.9)
50
(2.0)
108
(4.3)
165
(6.5)
202
(8.0)
165
(6.5)
190
(7.5)
186
(7.3)
188
(7.4)
183
(7.2)
1,732
(68.3)
Average rainy days 16.8 11.9 13.5 13.8 20.5 25.2 27.4 26.2 26.1 24.7 20.7 18.5 245.3
Source: Meteoblue[6]

The area of Ligao belongs to a combination of Types II and IV climate, and these are characterized by rainy season from July to December and dry season from January to June.

Local government

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Elected officials

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2022–2025 Ligao City Officials
Position Name Party
Mayor Fernando V. Gonzales + NUP
Vice Mayor Jaypee M. David + NUP
Councilors Albert Francis S. Bichara + NUP
Amado V. Manlangit, Jr. ‹› NUP
Ana P. Manlangit ‹› NUP
Sherwin P. Quising ‹› NUP
Teodorico A. Residilla, Jr. + NUP
Felipe O. Alday ‹› NUP
Jurlan N. Buello + NUP
Emmanuel C. Ribaya ‹› NUP
Esteban M. Gonzales + NUP
Sophia Garcia-Monasterial ‹› NUP
Ex Officio Municipal Council Members
ABC President Jona L. Peñalosa (Mahaba) Nonpartisan
SK Federation President John Michael O. Surbano (Tuburan) Nonpartisan
Legend
  1. A + indicates that the official is elected for the first term
  2. A indicates that the official is re-elected to a higher position
  3. A ‹› indicates that the official is re-elected to the same position

Demographics

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Population census of Ligao
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 17,687—    
1918 21,467+1.30%
1939 27,927+1.26%
1948 37,331+3.28%
1960 53,376+3.02%
1970 56,765+0.62%
1975 61,548+1.64%
1980 69,860+2.56%
1990 72,560+0.38%
1995 80,861+2.05%
2000 90,603+2.47%
2007 101,179+1.53%
2010 104,914+1.33%
2015 111,399+1.15%
2020 118,096+1.15%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[7][8][9][10]

Economy

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Poverty incidence of Ligao

10
20
30
40
50
2006
45.90
2009
40.52
2012
29.10
2015
27.81
2018
23.07
2021
24.74

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]

As of May 2022, there are 2 major banks in operation. Landbank and Metrobank.

BPI Direct BanKo also opened one of their branches here last 2019.

A local Mall Chain, LCC Malls, opened one of their branches here last December 2013.

Education

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Presently, there are almost 60 Day Care Centers, 55 public elementary schools, 12 private elementary schools, 12 public high schools, 6 private high schools and 7 tertiary/vocational institutions/schools in the city.

Tertiary / Vocational / Technical Education

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The cit has seven tertiary schools:

  • The Ligao Community College (LiComCo) its present location is at Brgy. Tomolin, Ligao City. The Courses offered are Bachelor of Secondary Education Majors in (Social Studies, Mathematics, English)
  • The Bicol University College of Veterinary Medicine (BU Ligao) is still under construction at Brgy. Bay and Tinago, Ligao City.
  • The Infotech Development System Colleges, Inc. (IDSC) is a Non-sectarian institutions and is located at Padre Natera St., Dunao, Ligao City.
  • The RENET Technolical College and the Computer Arts Technology (RENET), which offers technical and vocational courses, located at corner R. Santos and Concepcion sts. Dunao, Ligao City.
  • The Computer Arts and Technological College (CAT College), is located at McKinley st., Binatagan, Ligao City.
  • Global Site for I.T. Studies - Ligao Branch, Inc. at Barangay Calzada
  • The Jesse Robredo Productivity Center (JRPC), is a TESDA training center located at Brgy. Tuburan, Ligao City.
  • The BFP Regional Office and Training Center located at Brgy. Tuburan, Ligao City.

Secondary Education

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Public High Schools

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  • Ligao National High School (LNHS) was originally named Ligao Municipal High School, in the then municipality of Ligao, now Ligao City. This was opened on June 20, 1980 through the efforts of the municipal officials who acted on a barangay resolution passed by several barangays which had long wished to have a secondary school. Hence, the passage and approval of Sangguniang Bayan Resolution Nos. 15, 17 and 19 s. 1980 which stated the public demand for the opening of Ligao Municipal High School supported by municipal funds. Thus, on June 24, 1980, the Department of Education, Culture and Sports finally signed and issued Permit No. 36, s. 1980 which marked the opening of the Ligao Municipal High School effective school year 1980 – 1981. Due to the petition received by the Sangguniang Bayan, the school was renamed as Ligao Municipal Technical Vocational School which offered vocational and technical subjects that would meet the needs of the community. Sometime in 1993, LMTVS was renamed Ligao National High School under Republic Act No. 7794. Since then LNHS has gained a name for itself by the achievements it earned from academic and non – academic competitions.
  • The Ligao City National Technical-Vocational High School (LCNTVHS) is located at Ligao-Sabloyon-Tabaco Road, Brgy. Nasisi Ligao City. Is a Technical-Vocational High School was established through Republic Act No. 10984, on March 14, 2018.
  • The Bicol Regional Science High School (BRSHS) was conceived by virtue of DECS Order No. 69, series of 1993. In the beginning of the school year 1994–1995, students were enrolled in Ligao National High School since BRSHS had no site of its own. The organization used the LNHS's facilities and classrooms for its daily operations. In 2000, after six years of existence, BRSHS achieved independence and completely separated from its mother school. The institution was then transferred to barangay Tuburan.
  • Deogracias P. Princesa Memorial High School, located at Ranao-Ranao, Ligao City
  • Amtic National High School
  • Bacong National High School
  • Barayong National High School
  • Cabarian National High School
  • Maonon National High School
  • Oma-oma National High School
  • Palapas National High School
  • Paulba National High School

Private High Schools

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  • St. Mary’s Academy (formerly St. Stephen’s Academy) at San Esteban st., Guilid, Ligao City
  • Mayon Institute of Science and Technology at Brgy. Tuburan
  • Vanderpol Christian Academy at Brgy. Layon, Ligao City
  • CAT College– SHS at Brgy. Binatagan, Ligao City
  • RENET College– SHS at Brgy. Dunao, Ligao City
  • IDS Colleges– SHS at Brgy. Dunao, Ligao City
  • Global Site for I.T. Studies - Ligao Branch, Inc. - SHS at Barangay Calzada

Primary Education

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Public Elementary Schools

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Notable

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References

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  1. ^ City of Ligao | (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 Census of Population (2020). "Region V (Bicol Region)". 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. ^ "HISTORY". City of Ligao. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  6. ^ "Ligao City, Albay : Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  7. ^ Census of Population (2015). "Region V (Bicol Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
  8. ^ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region V (Bicol Region)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  9. ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region V (Bicol Region)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ "Province of Albay". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  11. ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  12. ^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. November 29, 2005.
  13. ^ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. March 23, 2009.
  14. ^ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. August 3, 2012.
  15. ^ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. May 31, 2016.
  16. ^ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 10, 2019.
  17. ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  18. ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
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