Gregorio del Pilar, Ilocos Sur

Gregorio del Pilar
Municipality
Municipality of Gregorio del Pilar

Seal

Map of Ilocos Sur with Gregorio del Pilar highlighted
Gregorio del Pilar
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 17°08′N 120°37′E / 17.13°N 120.62°E / 17.13; 120.62Coordinates: 17°08′N 120°37′E / 17.13°N 120.62°E / 17.13; 120.62
Country  Philippines
Region Ilocos Region (Region I)
Province Ilocos Sur
District 2nd District
Barangays 7 (see Barangays)
Government [1]
 • Type Sangguniang Bayan
 • Mayor Henry Sidingan Gallardo
 • Vice Mayor Rolando Oñie
 • Electorate 3,081 voters (2016)
Area [2]
 • Total 41.66 km2 (16.09 sq mi)
Population (2015 census)[3]
 • Total 4,875
 • Density 120/km2 (300/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code 2720
PSGC 012910000
IDD : area code  +63 (0)77
Climate type Tropical monsoon climate
Income class 5th municipal income class
Revenue (₱) 152,860,164.70 (2016)
Native languages Ilocano
Tagalog
Website www.gregoriodelpilar.gov.ph

Gregorio del Pilar, officially the Municipality of Gregorio del Pilar, is a 5th class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 4,875 people.[3]

Formerly named Concepcion (in honor of its patron saint, Nuestra Senora de Concepcion), it was renamed after general Gregorio del Pilar by virtue of Republic Act No. 1246 on June 10, 1955.[4] It was sponsored by Congressman Ricardo Gacula. The municipality was the site of the Battle of Tirad Pass where General Pilar fought to the death against the Americans.

Geography

The town lies among the western hills of the Cordilleras in the interior east of the province of Ilocos Sur. It is bounded in the north by the town of San Emilio, Quirino in the east, Sigay in the south and Salcedo in the west. Its 7 barangays and sitios are connected to another by winding foot trails and seasonal rugged roads. the town is likewise endowed with natural scenery and wonders such as the payoh or rice terraces, the distinctive Mt. Tirad peak and pristine waterfalls. There are also trails crisscrossing Tirad pass – the so-called Spanish trail which were built through polo y servicio or forced labor during the Hispanic times.

Barangays

Gregorio del Pilar is politically subdivided into 7 barangays. [2]

  • Alfonso (Tangaoan)
  • Bussot
  • Concepcion
  • Dapdappig (Mabatano)
  • Matue-Butarag
  • Poblacion Norte
  • Poblacion Sur

Sitios

Gregorio del Pilar is politically subdivided into 5 sitioss. [2]

  • Mabatano
  • Tangaoan
  • Ul-oling
  • Tubalina
  • Butarag

Demographics

Population census of
Gregorio del Pilar
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 99—    
1918 1,436+19.52%
1939 2,046+1.70%
1948 1,819−1.30%
1960 2,164+1.46%
1970 2,657+2.07%
1975 2,950+2.12%
1980 3,080+0.87%
1990 3,417+1.04%
1995 3,940+2.70%
2000 4,134+1.04%
2007 4,308+0.57%
2010 4,219−0.76%
2015 4,864+2.75%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[3] [5] [6] [7]


In the 2015 census, the population of Gregorio del Pilar was 4,875 people,[3] with a density of 120 inhabitants per square kilometre or 310 inhabitants per square mile.

The inhabitants are Igorots, but belong to the Bag-o ethno-linguistic group. This mixture of Ilocano and Igorot intermarriages speak the Kankanaey language but can speak and understand the dialects of their neighboring towns. Many have already acquired college education and some serve the government and private institutions.

Tourist attractions

  • Tirad Pass National Park and Shrine of Gen. Gregorio del Pilar (Brgy. Dapdappig)
  • Sibol Hot Spring and Swimming area (Brgy. Bussot)
  • Mt. Tirad Pass Summit and Mt. Peg-an Camping site (Brgy. Bussot)
  • Tirad Pass Museum and handicraft center (Poblacion Sur)

Battle of Tirad Pass

On December 2, 1899, American forces, who slept and rested during the night on newly harvested rice fields just below the Tirad Pass, got up and prepared for an assault of the Filipino forces fortification under the Command of General Gregorio del Pilar. On the narrow trail of Tirad Pass, the Filipino soldiers watched as their enemies began to move up the trail. On around a few hundreds yards above the pass, General Gregorio del Pilar with his staff and accompanied by two civilians from Sitio Mabatano, stood up and took his spy glass and scan it the surroundings area. He spotted the American forces as they were starting to move. But as he watched, he noticed that the American forces broke formations and instead sent a messenger on horse back with a white banner on his band. As the messenger was coming near the fortification of Filipino forces, the sound of gun was heard and the messenger fell. The American forces divided themselves into three separate groups. One group followed the trail towards the pass.

Another group ascended the hill facing the Filipino soldiers stationed in the pass. The third group, unnoticed, was led by the Filipino from the lowlands, Januario Galut, made their way up through the old trail which was hastily barricaded by falling trees a few days before the American forces arrived. This old path lead to the place where general Gregorio del Pilar stood watching, as the American forces dispersed, the general ordered the two civilians, Tucdaden and Abeng to proceed to the trenches and deliver breakfast of Filipino soldiers. All of a sudden a gunshot was heard continuously. The firing was unabated for several hours. General Gregorio del Pilar was gunned down and died. source: www.santa.gov.ph

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Municipality". Quezon City, Philippines: Department of the Interior and Local Government. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 "Province: Ilocos Sur". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Census of Population (2015). "Region I (Ilocos Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. PSA. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  4. ↑ "An Act Changing the Name of the Municipality of Concepcion, Province of Ilocos Sur, to Gregorio Del Pilar". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-11.
  5. ↑ Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region I (Ilocos Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. NSO. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  6. ↑ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region I (Ilocos Region)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. NSO.
  7. ↑ "Province of Ilocos Sur". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
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