Barangays ZIP code 9716 Local time Monday 5:51 AM | Founded January 19, 1954 Time zone PST (UTC+8) Area 485.2 km² Mayor Bobby Balicao | |
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Weather 18°C, Wind W at 0 km/h, 88% Humidity Neighborhoods Park Area, Katutungan, Balatin, Kili-Kili, Manila Group | ||
Wao is a second class municipality in the province of Lanao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 45,862 people. It is the only municipality in the Philippines that begins with W.
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Map of Wao, Lanao del Sur, Philippines
Wao is also surrounded by Bumbaran in the north and west, Bukidnon in the east, and Cotabato to the south.
Barangays
Wao is politically subdivided into 26 barangays.
History
The LASEDECO resettle program of then-President Ramon Magsaysay made possible the foundation of Wao as a municipality in Lanao del Sur province in January 19, 1954. The first settlers in the area were sixty (60) families of various ethnicities from the then-undivided Cotabato province. Only one person (Elvino B. Balicao, Sr) among the 1st batch of settlers became one of the Municipal Mayors of Wao. Mr Balicao, along with members of the 1st batch of 60 settlers that included the late couple Aludio & Sofia Emborgo, were welcomed by the native Muslim inhabitants of Wao led by Sultan Mamaco Saripada (the municipality's first appointed and elected mayor), Datu Tao Pagul and Datu Maki Saripada. They were treated to a sit-down meal in the house of Sultan Mamaco Saripada.
Wao is a native place of Amai Mamco.