Bagulin, officially the Municipality of Bagulin (Ilocano: Ili ti Bagulin; Filipino: Bayan ng Bagulin), is a 5th class municipality in the province of La Union, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 14,428 people.

Etymology

Tradition reveals that Bagulin derived its name from a Kankanaey tribal leader. In the middle of the 18th century, the municipality was part of the township of Allabok which covered the moderate slopes of the mountain ranges overlooking the South China Sea. During those times, Allabok involved itself in a tribal war headed by Bagulin who led the community to victory. From then on until his death, people highly regarded him as their noble leader. After his death, consensus with the residents together with the concurrence of Spanish authorities resulted in naming the community after Bagulin.

Another etymological version dictates that "Bagulin" was derived from the term bago which means "lowland natives". This version is further supported by the fact that Kankanaeys comprise about 85% of the population.

History

The community was moved to Picdel, a narrow valley strip along the Naguilian-Bagulin river. By 1903, the American regime established a military government and institutional facilities. Education was introduced and a bamboo community hall roofed with cogon was erected. In 1903, the community was placed under the jurisdiction of the Mountain Province, sub-province of Benguet. By 1918, under the agreement of Governor Guzman of Mt. Province and Governor Pio Ancheta of La Union, Bagulin became a municipal district of Burgos under the province of La Union.

By 1928, the community centers were moved to a nearby settlement called Suyo where the present town center is situated. The former community center was named “Nangalisan” which means an abandoned place in the Ilokano language. Settlers who improved Suyo were Ilokano people who came from Naguilian. At that time, a bamboo chalet was constructed to serve as an administrative hall. The administration then was composed of the Mayor, a Secretary-Treasurer, and one policeman.

On June 25, 1963, Bagulin was transformed into a regular, full-pledged municipality by virtue of Executive Order No. 42.

Geography

Bagulin is situated at the interior eastern portion of La Union. It is generally mountainous and forested. It is bounded by the following municipalities:

• North — San Gabriel
• West — City of San Fernando
• Southwest — Naguilian
• South — Burgos
• East — Kapangan

Bagulin is 21 kilometres (13 mi) from the provincial capital San Fernando and 290 kilometres (180 mi) from Manila. The main entrance to lowland municipalities is through the Naguilian-Bagulin Road. It can be reached by vehicles and any regular means of transportation through the town of Naguilian.

Barangays

Bagulin is politically subdivided into 10 barangays.  Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Climate

Demographics

Population census of Bagulin

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1918	2,419	—
1939	3,584	+1.89%
1948	3,101	−1.60%
1960	4,407	+2.97%
1970	5,338	+1.93%
1975	6,423	+3.78%
1980	7,009	+1.76%
1990	9,418	+3.00%
1995	10,780	+2.56%
2000	11,857	+2.06%
2007	12,521	+0.75%
2010	12,590	+0.20%
2015	13,456	+1.27%
2020	14,428	+1.38%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

In the 2020 census, the population of Bagulin was 14,428 people, with a density of 130 inhabitants per square kilometre or 340 inhabitants per square mile.

Economy

Poverty incidence of Bagulin

10 20 30 40 50 2006 49.50 2009 35.07 2012 27.60 2015 12.96 2018 5.5 2021 16.21 Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

Government

Local government

Bagulin, belonging to the second congressional district of the province of La Union, 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
(2019–2022)

Position	Name
Congressman	Sandra Y. Eriguel
Mayor	Virgilio C. Flor
Vice-Mayor	Jaime A. Lictao
Councilors	Ferdinand D. Tumbaga
	Eduardo R. Compas
	Warton E. Sacpa
	Joel E. Nang-is
	Natalia R. Mazon
	Robeo B. Sallatic
	Prescila D. Dumaguing
	Juanito C. Badbadaoi

National Cultural Treasure

The town is home to one National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines, which is the Burial Caves of Sitio Alabok in Barangay Cambaly.

Gallery

• 
  Municipal hall
• 
  Police station
• 
  Street view
• 
  Landscape
• 
  Tiger grass, used for making soft brooms