About Hungduan
It is bounded on the north-east by the town of Banaue in the east by Hingyon and on the southeast by the town of Kiangan. It borders in the south with the town of Tinoc, Ifugao. On its westside, the town is bordered by the towns of Sabangan and Bauko, Mountain Province.
Early History of Hungduan
During the Pre-colonial times, people in this western region of Ifugao lived a dormant life. They only think of survival. They only value two things: life and family.
Political system does not exist among them. Customs that they inherited from their forefathers governed all human relations. The customs concerning marriage, divorce, death, inheritance, sales, disputes, debts and crimes were respected by everyone.
They believe in gods and these gods were invoked during “baki” rituals, they posses no writing system that their daily lives was immortalized by their oral literatures.
Their future survival directly lies on their continued dependence on land. Their cultural practices on land acquisition or ownership, beliefs in the spirit, obedience in customary laws and rituals are the main contributors in managing their resources and nature.
In was only in 1870s that the Spaniards established military posts in kiangan and hapao to reinforce their garrison in bontoc and at the same time supported the mission previously established in these districts, In Hapao, the first commanding officer was Don Basilio de Plana with 20 soldiers stationed in the area. While there are only few written accounts on the Spanish activities in the locality, the presence of the old Spanish trails connecting kiangan and Hungduan and Banaue-Hungduan-Tinoc-Buguias are the only proof of Spanish influence in hungduan.
In the 1990s, the thrust of the American regime was the development of natural resources. They established schools and constructed roads using the old Spanish trails.
During the last stages of World War II, Hungduan was the center of warfare. the mighty Japanese Imperial Army led by the Tiger of Malaya, General Tomoyoki Yamashita, entrenched themselves at Mount Napulawan .To flush them out, the combined American and Filipino forces used bombs leading to the immense destruction of the rice terraces, irrigation canals and massive evacuation of the people, many of whom died of hunger and diseases. Hungduan’s population of more than 14,000 inhabitants was reduced to around 3,540 after the war.
Government
Hungduan is politically subdivided into 9 barangays. These barangays are headed by elected officials: Barangay Captain, Barangay Council, whose members are called Barangay Councilors. All are elected every three years.
Barangays
- Abatan
- Ba-ang
- Bangbang
- Bokiawan
- Hapao
- Lubo-ong
- Maggok
- Nungulunan
- Poblacion
Etymology
Hungduan derived from the root word “hungdu” which means to proceed, pass, go through or traverse through. Hungduan, therefore, means a place where people pass through on their way to another place. In the early times, Hungduan was the main route of travelers from other municipalities on their way to Benguet and Baguio City. It is only more than a half day hike across the heavily forested border mountain of Bad-ayan to the town of Buguias, Benguet. The tribal Hudhud tale also often mentions hungdu as a stopping place for travelers.