MUNICIPALITY OF BAGGAO (CAGAYAN), Historical Data of
[Cover letter]
HISTORICAL DATA
of
BAGGAO DISTRICT
[Note to the reader: The first page of the original document on file at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections is missing. Hence, pagination in this transcription begins at page 2.]
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Gustavo Cruz (Appointive, Post Liberation Period)
Angel Canillas (Appointive, Post Liberation Period)
Angel Canillas (Elective in 1947)
Angel Canillas (Elective in 1951 to date)
Baggao was fused with another town. Its separation from Alcala in 1898 marked a significant event in the history of the town. Immigrants from other places began to pour in. Its vast agricultural lands began to be developed. It has progressed in such a way that, within the span of fifty years, there are more people in it than its mother town.
However, during the Japanese time, it suffered a great shortage of food. Many died of hunger and sickness. Much of the property of the people was destroyed and stolen by the enemies. People from other towns and those living near the Sierra Madre rushed to the town for refuge. But thousands of them were caught in the enemies' hands.
After the war, rehabilitation of the damages began. Through the help of the War Damage Funds, roads and public buildings were reconstructed and repaired. If one visits the place now, one can see yet the traces of the ravages of war.
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HISTORICAL DATA OF BAGGAO (Continued)
Barrio settlements flourished here and there during the Spanish rule and during the early part of the American regime. During the American administration, it progressed in such a way that within a span of fifty years, it has more people than its mother Alcala. Wide agricultural lands irrigated through the ingenuity of the present inhabitants can be found among the upstream barrios. The harvest in rice and corn is more than sufficient to support five times its present population.
During the Japanese occupation, thousands of immigrants from the neighboring towns evacuated to the barrios located at the foot of the Sierra Madre range. In September 1944, the famous Eastern Cagayan Guerrilla Forces under the leadership of First Lieutenant Cecilio R. Peñaflor, now a Major of the 11 BCT, was organized at Nalattan, Bitag Pequño to divert the attention of the Japanese soldiers. Its principal mission was to impress the Japanese forces that there was a strong Filipino force in enemy territory in the First District of Cagayan.
Raids here and there in the towns of Iguig, Amulung, Baggao, Alcala, Peñablanca, and among the rolling hills of the Sierras were conducted to center their attention here and make them forget the thousands of evacuees in the Second District of Cagayan. The greatest service rendered to the people was the convoying of hundreds of evacuees weekly from the Sierras to the other side of the Cagayan River from January 1945 to June 1945. When the American forces pushed the Japanese soldiers into the Sierra Madre Mountains, thousands of Filipino boys, girls, women, and men were trapped and massacred by the Japanese within the jurisdiction of Baggao. Others died of famine, sickness, and crossfire. Much worth of properties and lives was sacrificed because of the cruelty of World War II.
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HISTORICAL DATA OF BAGGAO (Continued)
(SGD.) ELISA TAN
(SGD.) EDAVERDA REYES
Committee Members