Camalaniugan, officially the Municipality of Camalaniugan (Ibanag: Ili nat Camalaniugan; Ilocano: Ili ti Camalaniugan; Tagalog: Bayan ng Camalaniugan), is a 4th class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 25,236 people.

Camalaniugan is 90 kilometres (56 mi) from Tuguegarao and 571 kilometres (355 mi) from Manila.

Etymology

The town was named after the "malaniug" trees which grew in abundance during the early years. In Fr. Jose Bugarin's Ibanag dictionary "malaniug, a wild palm...Camalaniugan, place where there are many of these [also] a town in this province."

History

Camalaniugan was founded on June 15, 1596, a rather early date because of its proximity to Nueva Segovia (Lallo). San Jacinto de Polonia was selected as their patron saint. The early settlers were the Ybanags and Ilocanos, both peace-loving citizens. They built their houses along the banks of the Cagayan River. They brought with them their knowledge of farming and skills in making weapons. According to the story related by the elders, among these "happy" settlers was Guiab, a famous strongman and leader of Camalaniugan. He did not like the missionaries. Because of this, he was arrested and later hanged from a malaniug tree by order of Juan Pablo Carreon. For years the people suffered injustice.

Between 1887 and 1888, Fray Marcelino Cascos, O.P., built a convent. It was in this convent where Col. Daniel Tirona billeted his men after arresting the missionaries when he occupied the town in 1898 after landing his vessel, the Compania de Filipinas.

It is in this town where the oldest Christian bell in the Far East is located. It is also the birthplace of Don Vicente Nepomuceno, author of the history book "Historia Nac Cagayan" which is written in Ybanag.

The town has a church dedicated to San Jacinto or Saint Hyacinth which houses the oldest church bell (Sancta Maria, 1595) in the far east.

Geography

Barangays

Camalaniugan is politically subdivided into 28 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

Climate

Demographics

Population census of Camalaniugan

Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1903 6,216 —     1918 7,655 +1.40% 1939 9,436 +1.00% 1948 7,708 −2.22% 1960 11,456 +3.36% 1970 13,268 +1.48% 1975 13,878 +0.91% 1980 15,078 +1.67%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1990 17,276 +1.37% 1995 19,915 +2.70% 2000 21,186 +1.34% 2007 22,489 +0.83% 2010 23,404 +1.46% 2015 24,923 +1.20% 2020 25,236 +0.25%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

In the 2020 census, the population of Camalaniugan was 25,236 people, with a density of 330 inhabitants per square kilometre or 850 inhabitants per square mile.

Economy

Poverty incidence of Camalaniugan

5 10 15 20 2006 19.50 2009 16.94 2012 17.06 2015 11.92 2018 13.50 2021 10.00 Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

Government

Local government

Camalaniugan, belonging to the first 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
(2019–2022)

Position	Name
Congressman	Ramon C. Nolasco Jr.
Mayor	Angelica C. Dela Cruz
Vice-Mayor	Isidro T. Cabaddu
Councilors	Milagros C. Libatique
	Helie C. Cervano
	Dante B. Canillo
	Edna M. Fillon
	Jamie C. Rosario
	Manuel U. Barsatan
	Marlon I. Tenorio
	Leslie G. Casauay

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.

• Camalaniugan National High School