Atok, Benguet

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Municipality of Atok
Official seal of Municipality of Atok
Location
Map of Benguet showing the location of Atok.
Map of Benguet showing the location of Atok.
Government
Region Cordillera Administrative Region
Province &Benguet
District Lone Congressional District of Benguet
Barangays 8
Income Class: 4th class rural
Mayor Concepcion Balao
Official Website [1]
Physical characteristics
Area 223.85 km²
Population

     Total (2007)


16,657

Atok is a 4th class municipality in the province of Benguet, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 16,657 people in 3,397 households. The current mayor of Atok is Concepcion Balao.

Sunset in Atok
Sunset in Atok

Contents

[edit] Geography

Atok has a land area of 22,385 hectares or 223.85 square kilometer. A great portion of the land is mountainous hence the highest point in the Philippine Highway System is located in the municipality at 7,400 ft. above sea level.

Atok is centrally located in the heart of the province of Benguet. It is bounded by the municipality of Kibungan and Baguias on the north, the municipalities of the Kabayan and Bokod on the east, the municipality of Kapangan on the west and the municipality of Tublay on the south.

Since the municipality is one of Benguet's highland towns, the town's vegetable farmers have been hit three times by frost, causing millions of damage to crops.

[edit] History

The name of the municipality was derived from its location. It is a short term of the phrase Nay Patok shi chontog which means on the mountain top.

When the Americans came, the Philippine Commission enacted Act No. 48 on November 48 organizing the sub-province of Benguet into 19 towns: Baguio, La Trinidad, Galiano, Itogon, Tublay, Atok, Kapangan, Balakbak, Palina, Ampusongan, Loo Kabayan, Buguias, Adaoay, Bokod, Daklan, Sablan, Kibungan and Ambuklao.

In 1909, the town of Baguio became a chartered city and the number of towns of Benguet was reduced. Atok still stood as one.

During the Second World War, Atok was the scene of fierce pitch battles between the guerilla forces of the 66th Infantry and the Japanese Imperial Forces. This is so because of the terrain along the Halsema road which is suited and ideal for the guerillas to mount ambushes and use the guerilla’s strategy of fighting. The place is now called the “Guerilla Saddle” located at Km. 26, Caliking, Atok.

On June 25, 1963, President Diosdado Macapagal issued Executive Order No. 42 converting eight (8) of the thirteen towns (13) of Benguet into regular municipalities. Atok was among them.

[edit] Barangays

Atok is politically subdivided into 8 barangays.

  • Abiang
  • Caliking
  • Cattubo
  • Naguey
  • Paoay
  • Pasdong
  • Poblacion
  • Topdac

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 16°35′N, 120°42′E