Pugalo, Alcoy (Cebu, Philippines)

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Pugalo is a barangay in Alcoy, Cebu, Philippines. It is known for its large deposit of dolomite mineral. With a size of 571 hectares of mining claims and an estimated balance of deposits at 220 million metric tons, since the extraction began in 1981, it is currently the world's biggest dolomite mining found in Asia. It is for this mining activity that the town of Alcoy} has earned for itself the nickname, "the dolomite town of the Philippines".

Pugalo has an area of 4.818036 km² comprising three sitios (a political subdivision of barangay) with a total population of 1,869 as of year 2000 census. Most of the population are native inhabitants who have developed their own distinct dialect and speech timbre.

Legend has it that the name of the barangay is derived from a fugitive man named Alo during the Spanish period. If true, then the naming of the barangay was unique in itself compared to other places. The naming convention at that time, according to some legends, was based on how the Spaniards interpreted the answers they got from the locals asking about the name of the place they were in. Unable to comprehend sompletely the strange language, the locals would somewhat respond rather indistinctly, often in one or two words, that the Spaniards thought was the name of the place.

Today, Pugalo is a progressive barangay whose major income comes from dolomite mining. Its main economic activities, aside from mining, include subsistence farming, fishing, and to a lesser extent, retailing and services. Although tourism is not yet an income-generating industry, the barangay has a few interesting natural wonders especially its rich marine resources. It has a barrier reef running parallel to the contour of the barangay's shoreline. Its coral reefs are among the most diverse in this part of the country which would potentially earn for the barangay much-needed revenue if developed.

Pugalo is the northernmost barangay of Alcoy bounded to the north by Dalaguete, to the south by barangay Pasol, to the east by Cebu Strait, and to the west by Nug-as. Its distance is almost three kilometers from the town proper called Poblacion, the seat of the town.

Its patron saint is St. Joseph, Foster Father of Jesus (San Jose) and its annual feastday {barangay fiesta} falls every last Sunday of March.

Pugalo is 88 kilometers from the city and is approximately 2 hours away via bus or car. One can catch a bus (regular or with air-con) ride from the South Bus Terminal in Cebu City bound for Oslob or Dumaguete in Negros island.