Atok, Benguet

Atok, officially the Municipality of Atok, (Ilocano: Ili ti Atok; Tagalog: Bayan ng Atok), is a 4th class municipality in the province of Benguet, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 19,668 people. [3]

Atok
Municipality
Municipality of Atok
Seal
Map of Benguet with Atok highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Atok
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 16°34′00″N 120°42′00″E
Country Philippines
RegionCordillera Administrative Region (CAR)
ProvinceBenguet
DistrictLone District
Founded1900
Barangays8 (see Barangays)
Government
 [1]
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • MayorRaymundo S. Sarac
 • Vice MayorAngelito D. Galao Sr.
 • RepresentativeNestor B. Fongwan
 • Electorate11,364 voters (2019)
Area
 [2]
 • Total214.99 km2 (83.01 sq mi)
Elevation
1,780 m (5,840 ft)
Population
 (2015 census) [3]
 • Total19,668
 • Density91/km2 (240/sq mi)
 • Households
4,332
Economy
 • Income class4th municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence11.48% (2015)[4]
 • Revenue₱80,604,720.51 (2016)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
2612
PSGC
141101000
IDD : area code +63 (0)74
Climate typetropical rainforest climate
Native languagesKankanaey
Ibaloi
Ilocano
Tagalog
Websitewww.atok.gov.ph

History

Spanish period

The area of Atok was previously referred to by the natives and Spanish colonizers as Chontog, an Ibaloi word for "mountainous". Spanish military officials and missionaries arrived at Chontog in 1892, establishing precedencias (tax collection stations) in the area and its surrounding settlements.[5]

The Ibaloi phrase Nay patok shi Chontog, which means "on the mountain top", was later shortened to Atok.[6]

American period

During the American rule, Atok was established as one of the 19 townships of the province of Benguet, upon the issuance of Act No. 48 by the Philippine Commission on November 22, 1900.[7][8]

On August 13, 1908, Benguet was established as a sub-province of the newly created Mountain Province with the enactment of Act No. 1876. As a result, six townships of Benguet were abolished, but Atok remained a constituent town of Benguet sub-province.[8]

World War II

During the Second World War, Atok was the scene of fierce pitch battles between the military forces of the 1st, 2nd, 12th, 13th, 15th and 16th Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, 1st Constabulary Regiment of the Philippine Constabulary, the USAFIP-NL 66th Infantry Regiments, the Igorot and Cordilleran guerrilla fighters and the Japanese Imperial Army forces. The steep terrain along the Halsema road suited Filipino troops, the Philippine Commonwealth military, and guerrillas to mount ambushes against the Japanese forces. One of these battles took place in what is now “Guerrilla Saddle” located at km. 26, in barangay Caliking.[9]

Post-war era

On June 25, 1963, President Diosdado Macapagal issued Executive Order No. 42 converting eight (8) of the thirteen (13) towns (designated as municipal districts) of Benguet into regular municipalities. Atok was among them.[10]

On June 18, 1966, the sub-province of Benguet was separated from the old Mountain Province and was converted into a regular province. Atok remained to be a component municipality of the newly established province.[8][11]

Geography

Atok is located at 16°34′00″N 120°42′00″E, situated at the central portion of Benguet. It is bounded by Kibungan on the north, Kabayan on the north-east, Bokod on the southeast, Tublay on the south-west, and Kapangan on the west.

Highest point in the Philippine Highway System marker along Halsema Highway

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 214.99 square kilometres (83.01 sq mi) [2] constituting 7.76% of the 2,769.08-square-kilometre- (1,069.15 sq mi) total area of Benguet.

The land is characterized as mountainous with many steep cliffs. It is home to Mt. Timbak, the third highest mountain in Luzon. The second highest point in the Philippine Highway System is also located at Barangay Paoay along Halsema Highway, at 2,255 metres (7,400 ft) above sea level.[9][12] It held formerly the title as the highest point in the Philippine Highway System since World War II until early 2019. This is after the validation and assessment conducted by the Department of Public Works and Highways - Cordillera Administrative Region (DPWH-CAR) Regional Office last January 2019 declaring a new highest point at 2,428.66 meters (7968.045 feet) along the Kiangan-Tinoc-Buguias Road in Tinoc Town some 55 Kilometers east via Atok, Benguet.

Atok is 48 kilometres (30 mi) from Baguio City.

Climate

Like most part of Benguet it has subtropical highland climate, during the cold months of the year, the municipality experiences very low temperatures reaching 9 degrees Celsius (48 degrees Fahrenheit). This causes frost to settle on the ground, causing millions of damage to crops, but drawing tourists to the town.[13][14]

Climate data for Atok, Benguet
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 24
(75)		 25
(77)		 26
(79)		 27
(81)		 26
(79)		 25
(77)		 24
(75)		 23
(73)		 24
(75)		 25
(77)		 25
(77)		 24
(75)		 25
(77)
Average low °C (°F) 15
(59)		 16
(61)		 17
(63)		 19
(66)		 20
(68)		 19
(66)		 19
(66)		 19
(66)		 19
(66)		 18
(64)		 17
(63)		 15
(59)		 18
(64)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 42
(1.7)		 48
(1.9)		 74
(2.9)		 110
(4.3)		 269
(10.6)		 275
(10.8)		 362
(14.3)		 325
(12.8)		 330
(13.0)		 306
(12.0)		 126
(5.0)		 61
(2.4)		 2,328
(91.7)
Average rainy days 11.2 12.0 17.1 21.2 27.1 26.8 28.1 27.0 26.0 24.5 17.7 12.4 251.1
Source: Meteoblue [15]

Barangays

Atok is politically subdivided into 8 barangays.[16]

PSGC Barangay Population ±% p.a.
2015 [3] 2010 [17]
141101001 Abiang 8.9% 1,757 1,766 ▾ −0.10%
141101002 Caliking 17.3% 3,402 3,155 ▴ 1.45%
141101003 Cattubo 12.6% 2,482 2,674 ▾ −1.41%
141101004 Naguey 8.8% 1,723 1,723 ⬄ 0.00%
141101005 Paoay 22.3% 4,395 4,181 ▴ 0.95%
141101006 Pasdong 6.1% 1,193 1,078 ▴ 1.95%
141101007 Poblacion 10.6% 2,077 2,045 ▴ 0.30%
141101008 Topdac 13.4% 2,639 2,620 ▴ 0.14%
Total 19,668 19,242 ▴ 0.42%

Demographics
Population census of Atok
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 5—    
1918 3,605+55.07%
1939 6,047+2.49%
1948 5,913−0.25%
1960 8,353+2.92%
1970 10,215+2.03%
1975 11,589+2.56%
YearPop.±% p.a.
1980 14,466+4.53%
1990 13,853−0.43%
1995 14,862+1.33%
2000 16,657+2.47%
2007 19,253+2.02%
2010 19,242−0.02%
2015 19,668+0.42%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [3] [17] [18][19]

In the 2015 census, Atok had a population of 19,668. [3] The population density was 91 inhabitants per square kilometre (240/sq mi).

Education

Public schools

As of 2014, Atok has 22 public elementary schools and 2 public secondary schools.[20][21][22]

See also

References
  1.  Municipality of Atok | (DILG)
  2. "Province: Benguet". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  3. Census of Population (2015). "Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. PSA. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  4. "PSA releases the 2015 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Quezon City, Philippines. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  5. "Municipality of Atok". Province of Benguet (official website). Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  6. "Municipality of Atok, Benguet". Department of Interior and Local Government - Cordillera Administrative Region. 29 April 2013. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  7. "Facts & Figures: Benguet Province". Philippine Statistics Authority - National Statistical Coordination Board - Cordillera Administrative Region. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
  8. "History: Benguet Province". Province of Benguet (official website). Archived from the original on 19 October 2014. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
  9. "Natural Attractions found in Atok". Province of Benguet. Archived from the original on 31 March 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  10. "Executive Order No. 42, s. 1963: Declaring Certain Municipal Districts in the Philippines as Municipalities". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  11. "Republic Act No. 4695: An Act Creating the Provinces of Benguet, Mountain Province, Ifugao and Kalinga-Apayao". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. 18 June 1966. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  12. Lancion, Jr., Conrado M.; de Guzman, Rey (cartography) (1995). "The Provinces". Fast Facts about Philippine Provinces (The 2000 Millenium ed.). Makati, Metro Manila: Tahanan Books. pp. 38–39. ISBN 971-630-037-9. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  13. Diola, Camille (2 January 2014). "Icy 9-degree temperature frosts crops in Benguet town". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on 5 February 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
  14. Cabreza, Vincent; Quitasol, Kimberlie (6 January 2014). "Benguet frost welcomed by visitors, hated by tillers". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
  15. "Atok: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  16. "Municipal: Atok, Benguet". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  17. Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. NSO. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  18. Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. NSO.
  19. "Province of Benguet". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  20. "Masterlist of Public Elementary Schools for the School year 2012- 2013". Department of Education (Philippines), July 15, 2013. Archived from the original (XLSX) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  21. "Masterlist of Secondary Schools (School Year 2013- 2014)". Department of Education (Philippines), July 4, 2013. Archived from the original (XLSX) on 1 July 2014. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  22. "Masterlist of Public Schools SY 2013-2014". Department of Education (Philippines), 22 October 2014. Archived from the original (XLSX) on 2016-04-21. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
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