Bucay
Municipality
Municipality of Bucay
Casa Real arch
Flag Seal
Map of Abra with Bucay highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Bucay Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 17°32′N 120°43′E / 17.54°N 120.72°E / 17.54; 120.72
Country	Philippines
Region	Cordillera Administrative Region
Province	Abra
District	Lone district
Barangays	21 (see Barangays)
Government  [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor	Jay Dominador G. Go(Asenso)
• Vice Mayor	Judor P. Zales(Asenso)
• Representative	Menchie B. Bernos(NP)
• Municipal Council	Members Mikhail C. Baroña Raplh Gerald P. Bernardez Nathan C. Bernardez Juanito P. Zales Jr. Ludevina G. Co Jason A. Cantil Diosdado P. Gonzales Juan S. Palcon
• Electorate	13,026 voters (2022)
Area [2]
• Total	102.16 km2 (39.44 sq mi)
Elevation	172 m (564 ft)
Highest elevation	567 m (1,860 ft)
Lowest elevation	60 m (200 ft)
Population  (2020 census)[3]
• Total	17,953
• Density	180/km2 (460/sq mi)
• Households	4,339
Economy
• Income class	5th municipal income class
• Poverty incidence	20.43 % (2018)[4]
• Revenue	₱ 126.9 million (2020)
• Assets	₱ 331.6 million (2020)
• Expenditure	₱ 110.4 million (2020)
• Liabilities	₱ 60.92 million (2020)
Service provider
• Electricity	Abra Electric Cooperative (ABRECO)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	2805
PSGC	140103000
IDD : area code	+63 (0)74
Native languages	Itneg Ilocano Tagalog

Bucay, officially the Municipality of Bucay (Ilocano: Ili ti Bucay; Tagalog: Bayan ng Bucay), is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Abra, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 17,953 people.^[3]

Etymology

There are two versions of how this town got its name "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 for the young lass and took her as his wife. On several occasions, the girl suddenly disappeared. In 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.

History

Early history

Prior to Spanish Colonization, the place had become the footfalls of invading headhunters from the dense jungles of the Cordillera range.

Spanish colonization era

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, the Spanish structure house owned by then 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 then US Corporal Ernest D. Smith who served the Spanish–American War and the Filipino-American war from 1896 to 1901.

Geography

Among the twenty-seven (27) towns of Abra, Bucay is the most centrally located, situated at 17°32′N 120°43′E / 17.54°N 120.72°E / 17.54; 120.72. 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) ^[5] constituting 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.^[6] Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

PSGC	Barangay	Population			±% p.a.
		2020[3]		2010[7]
140103001	Abang	4.3%	766	820	▾	−0.68%
140103002	Bangbangcag	6.4%	1,156	1,088	▴	0.61%
140103003	Bangcagan	3.7%	658	616	▴	0.66%
140103004	Banglolao	3.3%	590	598	▾	−0.13%
140103005	Bugbog	4.2%	754	698	▴	0.77%
140103006	Calao	4.4%	790	721	▴	0.92%
140103007	Dugong	9.1%	1,628	1,532	▴	0.61%
140103008	Labon	4.2%	748	632	▴	1.70%
140103009	Layugan	5.9%	1,053	1,002	▴	0.50%
140103010	Madalipay	2.1%	376	369	▴	0.19%
140103016	North Poblacion	6.5%	1,175	1,123	▴	0.45%
140103011	Pagala	6.6%	1,184	1,262	▾	−0.64%
140103013	Pakiling	4.5%	799	708	▴	1.22%
140103012	Palaquio	5.9%	1,063	994	▴	0.67%
140103014	Patoc	3.7%	671	787	▾	−1.58%
140103018	Quimloong	2.9%	514	526	▾	−0.23%
140103019	Salnec	2.0%	357	370	▾	−0.36%
140103020	San Miguel	4.9%	874	653	▴	2.96%
140103021	Siblong	5.8%	1,036	972	▴	0.64%
140103017	South Poblacion	3.5%	623	579	▴	0.73%
140103022	Tabiog	6.3%	1,138	1,076	▴	0.56%
	Total		17,953	17,953		0.00%

Climate

Demographics

In the 2020 census, Bucay had a population of 17,953.^[3] The population density was 180 inhabitants per square kilometre (470/sq mi).

Economy

Government

Local government

Bucay, belonging to the lone congressional district of the province of Abra, is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is being held every three years.

Elected officials