Bucay, Abra

Bucay
Municipality
Official seal of Bucay Seal
{{#property:P242}} Map of Abra showing the location of Bucay
Bucay Location within the Philippines
Coordinates:
Country	[[{{#property:P17}}]]
Region	Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)
Province	Abra
District	Lone District of Abra
Barangays	21
Government
• Mayor	Victorion B. Baroña Jr.
Area
• Total	102.16 km2 (39.44 sq mi)
Population (2010)
• Total	17,126
• Density	170/km2 (430/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	{{#property:P281}}
Dialing code	{{#property:P473}}
Income class	5th class municipality

Bucay is a fifth class municipality in the province of Abra, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 17,126 people.

Geography

Among the twenty-seven (27) towns of Abra, Bucay is the most centrally located. It is bounded on the north by the towns of Tayum and Lagangilang, on the south by Manabo town, on the east by the towns of Baay-Licuan and Sallapadan, and on the west by Penarrubia, Bangued and Villaviciosa. It has a total land area of 12,063 hectares and is traversed by numerous rivers, brooks, and springs.

Barangays

Bucay is politically subdivided into 21 barangays.

Barangay	Population (2007)	Population (2010)
Abang	746	820
Bangbangcag	1,064	1,088
Bangcagan	557	616
Banglolao	547	598
Bugbog	689	698
Calao	669	721
Dugong	1,377	1,532
Labon	579	632
Layugan	927	1,002
Madalipay	304	369
Pagala	1,106	1,262
Palaquio	960	994
Pakiling	664	708
Patoc	772	787
North Poblacion	1,140	1,123
South Poblacion	579	579
Quimloong	501	526
Salnec	361	370
San Miguel	688	653
Siblong	897	972
Tabiog	1,139	1,076

History

Bucay town was established on October 29, 1846 and the first settlers were Itnegs. It became the first provincial capital of the province of Abra when the military form of government was set up in May 1847. At the back of the present municipal hall is the centuries-old façade of the ruined Casa Real (Provincial Capitol Building). Across the town plaza, stand the centuries-old Catholic church, convent and learning school, Spanish structure house owned by the late Don Teodoro Arias who served as Gobernadorcillo of Bucay in 1862, and the old American structure house which was built in 1908 and owned by the late US Corporal Ernest D. Smith who served the Spanish–American War and the Filipino-American war from 1896 to 1901. Prior to the invasion of the Spaniards, the place had become footfalls of invading headhunters from the dense jungles of the Cordillera range.

There are two versions on how this town got its name as "Bucay". Some residents say that there was a tribe leader by the name of Bucay. When this leader was still young, while patrolling, he found a pretty young lass lying on the way which prompted him to extend assistance, and brought her home. After a period of time, he developed his love with the young lass and took her as his wife. In several occasions, the girl suddenly disappeared. At some instances, Bucay used to see her at the corner of his bamboo hut sitting alone with her bowed head which prompted him to approach and touch her, but always disappeared.

Demographics

Population census of Bucay
Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1990	13,346	—
1995	14,499	+1.56%
2000	14,881	+0.56%
2007	16,266	+1.23%
2010	17,126	+1.89%
Source: National Statistics Office

Attractions

• Borikibok Mini Park and Cave
• Roces Cave
• Casa Real
• Mini Park along boundary Bucay & Penarubia

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Casa Real de Bucay, 1st. Capital of Abra
• Abra