Country Philippines Barangays ZIP code 2805 Local time Monday 4:43 AM | District Lone District of Abra Time zone PST (UTC+8) Area 102.2 km² Province Abra | |
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Region Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Weather 23°C, Wind SE at 3 km/h, 80% Humidity Neighborhoods Bugbug, Alaludig, San Miguel | ||
Bucay, officially the Municipality of Bucay (Ilocano: Ili ti Bucay, Filipino: Bayan ng Bucay), is a municipality in the province of Abra in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) of the Philippines. The population was 17,115 at the 2015 census. In the 2016 electoral roll, it had 11,456 registered voters.
Contents
Map of Bucay, Abra, Philippines
History
Bucay was established on October 29, 1846 and the first settlers were Itnegs. It became the first provincial capital 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.
Geography
Among the twenty-seven (27) towns of Abra, Bucay is the most centrally located, situated at 17°32′N 120°43′E. It is bounded on the north by the towns of Tayum and Lagangilang, on the south by Manabo, on the east by Licuan-Baay and Sallapadan, and on the west by Peñarrubia, Bangued and Villaviciosa.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 102.16 square kilometres (39.44 sq mi) constituting 7000245000000000000♠2.45% of the 4,165.25-square-kilometre- (1,608.21 sq mi) total area of Abra.
Barangays
Bucay is politically subdivided into 21 barangays.
Demographics
In the 2015 census, Bucay had a population of 17,115. The population density was 170 inhabitants per square kilometre (440/sq mi).
In the 2016 electoral roll, it had 11,456 registered voters.