Allacapan, officially the Municipality of Allacapan (Ibanag: Ili nat Allacapan; Ilocano: Ili ti Allacapan; Filipino: Bayan ng Allacapan), is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 35,234 people.

Allacapan is situated in the north-western periphery of Cagayan, bordering Apayao. It is the headquarters of GV Florida Transport. It is 93 kilometres (58 mi) from Tuguegarao and 574 kilometres (357 mi) from Manila.

Etymology

The municipality's name came to be when Francisco Umengan, an ex-municipal president from Aparri, was annoyed by the skittering of dried leaves heaped within the vicinity. On his inquiry about the significance of the noise, his Negrito guide told him "alla-appan" meaning "trap." Umengan then named the place "Allacapan" and the name has remained to the present.

History

Allacapan has its beginning as a small village in the jungle, inhabited by Negritoes, also known as Aetas. Ilocanos mainly from Ilocos Sur, among them future mayor Santos Martinez, discovered it in their quest for better land and eventually dominated the area.

In 1926, Allacapan was founded as a municipal district of Tauit, sub-province of Apayao, Mountain Province. On June 30, 1927, acting Governor General Eugene A. Gilmore issued Executive Order No. 68, separating Allacapan from Tauit and organizing it into an independent municipal district under the same name, effective the following day. It was ceded to Cagayan in 1928 and became a regular municipality in 1945 by virtue of Commonwealth Act No. 590 authored by Rep. Miguel Pio.

During the Japanese occupation, the Japanese forces established a garrison in the town which was the site of abuses against prisoners of war and civilians. Later on, the Japanese burned the municipal hall, including the school building in the old site of Daan-Ili. The incident aggravated the fear of the residents, many of whom fled to the mountains. After liberation, disgruntled former guerrillas who were not satisfied with their backpay and aggrieved by land reform issues took to the hills with their rifles and joined the underground movement. Allacapan then became a hotbed of the Huks (HMB or Hukbong Mapagpalaya sa Bayan). This resulted in the kidnapping of then Mayor Agustin Gorospe in September 1951, the burning of the newly constructed town hall, and the looting of the local treasury.

The construction of the highway from Magapit, Lallo to Bangag, Aparri traversing Allacapan and the opening of the Magapit Bridge to traffic, facilitated mobility of trade and commerce. Allacapan suddenly became a local point. It is now accessible from all points and is fast becoming an urban community.

On 23 September 2006, Mayor Nathaniel Onia was assassinated outside his residence in Barangay Centro East by two unidentified gunmen.

Geography

Barangays

Allacapan is politically subdivided into 27 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

Climate

Demographics

Population census of Allacapan

Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1939 3,342 —     1948 4,638 +3.71% 1960 7,112 +3.63% 1970 12,946 +6.17% 1975 15,752 +4.01% 1980 19,273 +4.12% 1990 21,916 +1.29%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1995 23,997 +1.71% 2000 26,960 +2.53% 2007 29,821 +1.40% 2010 31,662 +2.20% 2015 33,571 +1.12% 2020 35,234 +0.96%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

In the 2020 census, the population of Allacapan was 35,234 people, with a density of 110 inhabitants per square kilometre or 280 inhabitants per square mile.

Economy

Poverty incidence of Allacapan

5 10 15 20 25 30 2006 23.80 2009 21.21 2012 18.03 2015 12.30 2018 11.47 2021 13.35 Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

Government

Local government

Allacapan, belonging to the second legislative district of the province of Cagayan, 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

Members of the Municipal Council
(2022–2025)

Position	Name
Congressman	Baby Aline Vargas-Alfonso
Mayor	Harry D. Florida
Vice-Mayor	Yvonne Kathrina S. Florida
Councilors	Halen Dave G. Agcaoili
	Irene B. Ursulum
	Emorey Von T. Benosa
	Jaylord S. Osillos
	Mark Anthony I. Donato
	Arnolfo D. Espanol
	Robert M. Tamayo
	Patricio T. Tenedor

Education

The Schools Division of Cagayan governs the town's public education system. The division office is a field office of the DepEd in Cagayan Valley region. The office governs the public and private elementary and public and private high schools throughout the municipality.