Ligao

Ligao, officially the City of Ligao (Siyudad kan Ligao; Lungsod ng Ligao), is a 4th class component city in the province of Albay, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 118,096 people. Most of the city's economy came from agriculture sector.

Ligao is 27 km from Legazpi City and 500 km from Manila.

Etymology
Ligao was named after the word ticau, an abundant tree that has poisonous leaves used to catch fish from rivers and creeks. Another variation is from the Tagalog word ligaw which means to court or win a woman’s love. It was formerly known as Cavasi.

History
During the 16th century, Ligao was started as a small settlement. In 1606, it was founded as a barrio of Polangui, and then to Oas in 1665. One year later, in 1666, it became an independent municipality.

Cityhood
On January 2, 1997, Mayor Fernando V. Gonzalez's efforts has made possible the cityhood of Ligao. Four years later, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed Republic Act 9008 on February 21, 2001, making it as the sixth city in the Bicol Region. It was ratified by majority of voters in a plebiscite on March 24 of this year.

Barangays
Ligao City is politically subdivided into 55 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

There are 11 urban and 44 rural barangays, of which 3 are coastal barangays.


 * Abella
 * Allang
 * Amtic
 * Bacong
 * Bagumbayan (Poblacion)
 * Balanac
 * Baligang
 * Barayong
 * Basag
 * Batang
 * Bay
 * Binanowan
 * Binatagan (Poblacion)
 * Bobonsuran
 * Bonga
 * Busac
 * Busay
 * Cabarian
 * Calzada (Poblacion)
 * Catburawan
 * Cavasi (Poblacion)
 * Culliat
 * Dunao (Poblacion)
 * Francia
 * Guilid (Poblacion)
 * Herrera(Poblacion)
 * Layon
 * Macalidong
 * Mahaba
 * Malama
 * Maonon
 * Nasisi
 * Nabonton
 * Oma-Oma
 * Palapas
 * Pandan
 * Paulba
 * Paulog
 * Pinamaniquian
 * Pinit
 * Ranao-Ranao
 * San Vicente
 * Santa Cruz (Poblacion)
 * Tagpo (Poblacion)
 * Tambo
 * Tandarora
 * Tastas
 * Tinago (Poblacion)
 * Tinampo
 * Tiongson
 * Tomolin (Poblacion)
 * Tuburan (Poblacion)
 * Tula-Tula Grande
 * Tula-Tula Pequeño
 * Tupas

Climate
The area of Ligao belongs to a combination of Types II and IV climate, and these are characterized by rainy season from July to December and dry season from January to June.

Economy
As of May 2022, there are 2 major banks in operation. Landbank and Metrobank.

BPI Direct BanKo also opened one of their branches here last 2019.

A local Mall Chain, LCC Malls, opened one of their branches here last December 2013.

Education
Ligao City is home to several public and private schools.

Elementary schools
These are the current elementary schools in the city.


 * Amtic Elementary School
 * Abella Elementary School
 * Allang Elementary School
 * Bacong Elementary School
 * Bagacay Elementary School (Malama Elementary School Extension)
 * Balanac Elementary School
 * Baligang Elementary School
 * Barayong Elementary School
 * Basag Elementary School
 * Batang Elementary School
 * Batang Elementary School (Tobgon Extension)
 * Binanowan Elementary School
 * Bonga Elementary School
 * Busac Elementary School
 * Busay Elementary School
 * Cabarian Elementary School
 * Catburawan Elementary School
 * Cristina R. PrincElementary Schoola Memorial Elementary School
 * Culliat Elementary School
 * Don Teotimo Elementary School
 * Francia Elementary School
 * Greenfield Elementary School (LWCElementary School(B) Extension)
 * Herrera Elementary School
 * Layon Elementary School
 * Ligao East Central School
 * Ligao WElementary Schoolt Central Elem School (Binatagan)
 * Ligao WElementary Schoolt Central Elem School (Poblacion)
 * Macael Elementary School (Pandan Elementary School Extension)
 * Macalidong Elementary School
 * Mahaba Elementary School
 * Malama Elementary School
 * Maonon Elementary School
 * Nabonton Elementary School
 * Nabonton Elementary School (Buga Extension)
 * Oma-Oma Elementary School
 * Palapas Elementary School
 * Pandan Elementary School
 * Paulba Elementary School
 * Paulog Elementary School
 * Pinamaniquian Elementary School
 * Pinit Elementary School
 * Quiasa Elementary School (Macalidong Elementary School Extension)
 * San Vicente Elementary School
 * Sta. Cruz Elementary School
 * Tambac Elementary School
 * Tambo Elementary School
 * Tandarura Elementary School
 * Tastas Elementary School
 * Tinago Elementary School
 * Tinampo Elementary School
 * Tiongson Elementary School
 * Tupas Elementary School

High schools
These are the current high schools in the city.
 * Bacong National HS
 * Barayong National HS
 * Bicol Regional Science HS
 * Cabarian National HS
 * Deogracias P. Princesa Memorial High School
 * Ligao City National Technical Vocational HS
 * Ligao National High School
 * Moonon NHS(Cabarian HS Extension)
 * Oma-oma National HS
 * Palapas National HS
 * Paulba National HS

Private schools
These are the private schools currently opearting in the city.


 * Aletheia Christian Academy of Ligao Inc.
 * Arise and Shine Christian School of Ligao, Inc.
 * Cornerstone Development Center for Children Inc.
 * Fishermen of Christ Learning Center-Ligao
 * Holy Trinity Foundation Learning School
 * Kinder Home Learning Center
 * Ligao Adventist Elementary School Inc.
 * Ma. Cecilia Montessori School
 * Mayon Institute of Science and Technology
 * Nazarene Kindergarten School
 * One Asia Kids Academy
 * Our Children Montessori Foundation Inc.
 * St. Mary's Academy of Ligao
 * Vanderpol Christian Academy, Inc.

Higher educational institutions
These are the colleges in the city.
 * Ligao Community College (LiComCo)
 * Infotech Development System Colleges
 * RENET Technological College and the Computer Arts Technology
 * Computer Arts and Technological College (CAT College)

Notable

 * Jun Lozada