Bucay, Abra

Bucay
—  Municipality  —
Seal
Map of Abra showing the location of Bucay.
Bucay Location in the Philippines
Coordinates: 17°32′N 120°43′E
Country	Philippines
Region	Cordillera Administrative Region
Province	Abra
District	Lone District of Abra
Founded
Barangays	21
Government
• Mayor	Jun Baroña, Jr.
Area
• Total	97.60 km2 (37.7 sq mi)
Population (2007)
• Total	16,266
• Density	166.7/km2 (431.6/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code
Income class	5th class municipality

Bucay is a 5th class municipality in the province of Abra, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 16,266 people in 2,944 households.

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, and has an area of 12,063 hectares and traversed by numerous rivers, brooks and springs.

Barangays

Bucay is politically subdivided into 21 barangays.

Barangay	Pop. (2007)
Abang	746
Bangbangcag	1,064
Bangcagan	557
Banglolao	547
Bugbog	689
Calao	669
Dugong	1,377
Labon	579
Layugan	927
Madalipay	304
Pagala	1,106
Palaquio	960
Pakiling	664
Patoc	772
North Poblacion	1,140
South Poblacion	579
Quimloong	501
Salnec	361
San Miguel	688
Siblong	897
Tabiog	1,139

Brief history

Bucay town was established on October 29, 1846 and the first settlers were Itnegs. It became the first provincial capital of the province 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 Governadorcilloo of Bucay in 1862, and the old American structure House which was built in 1908 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 "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, sometime 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 suddenly disappeared.

Scenic Spots

• Borikibok Mini Park and Cave
• Roces Cave
• Casa Real
• New Mini Park Along Boundary Bucay & Penarubia

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• 2007 Philippine Census Information
• Casa Real de Bucay, 1st. Capital of Abra