panish occupation, Igorot/natives were recruited and
forced to work on a horsetrail coming from Baguio City and
Cervantes, Ilocos Sur bisecting Buguias leading to the province of
Ifugao. The Spanish authorities likewise established tribunals for
tax collection purposes and give some informal education. Though
little, these form part in the improvement of the crude mode of farm
living of the igorots.
The coming of the Americans has the most impact on the economic
development of the natives. With the construction and eventual
opening of a road crisscrossing Benguet and Mountain Province, now
known as the Halsema Highway, named after the American Engineer
Joseph Halsema who started building it in 1920, an opportunity for
trade and commerce was opened thereby affording the igorots the
opportunity to travel and seek for greener pasture. Americans
afforded likewise the first formal education among the early igorot
natives who in turn looked up with high regard to the Americans. The
democratic way of living little by little sipped through the
lifestyle of the local folks which could be claimed as the driving
force behind efforts of igorots to economically improve their lot.
Agriculture, though remained their main source of living.
During the Japanese occupation, the way of farming improved with the
introduction of pechay and other leafy vegetables for planting.
After the second world war, Chinese farmers settled in Loo and
Natubleng on leased paddies consequently converting them into
vegetable plantation. Their coming brought in the new way of modern
farming including root crops particularly the potato.
Today, vegetable plantations abound be it along creeks, slopes or
mountain plateaus. Buguias has emerged as the highland vegetable
capital of the country producing vegetables that finds its way at
the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post and marketed to Manila and
other urban centers of the country.
In the early 1930’s, logging concession was established in Sinipsip
and Bad-ayan. Forest resources were also taken for commercial
purposes from Natubleng, Lengaoan and nearby places. Later, Km. 102
Logging was established simultaneously with the opening of the ACME
mines in Nabalicong hiring natives for manpower.
In the beginning “KABUNYAN” created the first couple Bangan and
Bugan who started the first family after the great flood at Mt.
Kalawitan, the highest mountain north of Benguet. Their decendants
went and settled on the northwest to Gonogon and Bontoc following
the Chico river, others went southward to Ahin, Tococan, Ambanglo,
Tinok, Awa, Palatong, Amlimay, Man-atong, Bogeyas, Tanggawan, Labay,
Amgaleygey, Togtogyon and farther to Embusy, Batan, Kabayan and
Bokod, and rest went westward to Mankayan, Bakun and Kibungan who
later migrated to Kapangan.
In the 13th century, in Ambanglo east of Bot-oan lived a settler by
the name Talgen who begot eight sons who spread out in search for
greener pastures. Odan, the eldest, went to Hapaw, Kiangan, Baglaw,
the second son, a hunter and a trader roamed around the place and
later settled at Mangkew, southern part of Buguias, while Mantac,
the third went to Lubon, Tadian. Kitongan, the fourth son, went to
Tad-ew and farmed at a mountain which is now Mt. Kitongan above the
Loo Valley. Malawmaw, the fifth son settled at Sanil near Tococan.
Belka, a trader, went to Bauko and lived there. Padyog, the seventh
brother went to Benalian (now Nueva Viscaya).
On the later part, some of the settlers of the different places of
Buguias again grouped themselves and settled and raised vegetables &
animals at Palatang, the northern part of Buguias where they cooked
asin (Salt) which they bartered and sold in other places.
The people worship “Kabunyan’’ as their God and creator. They
perform “Sida’’(Canao), caon(Wedding), pidet/pudan and perform other
rituals for good luck.
In the early 19th century, there was a great thief named “Samiklay’’
also now known as the “Robinhood of Buguias’’. They also called him
“Buzo’’, but not the connotation of a head hunter which the people
of Mt. Province calls one. He’s a