Benguet Attractions & Activities - The Best Holiday Destinations for 2020
Benguet Province is in Luzon in the Philippines.
Benguet is home to the Ibaloy, Kankana-ey, and Kalanguya peoples. Benguet became a full province in 1968.
Area 2,655 sq km/1,025 sq mi;
The capital is La Trinidad.
At 5,000 feet above sea level, the province lies on top of the Cordillera Mountains (containing Mount Pulog, the second highest mountain in the Philippines. Amidst these mountain peaks is a wide plateau wherein the capital town, La Trinidad, is located.
The Province is bounded on the south by Pangasinan and on the west by La Union and Ilocos Sur, Benguet serves as the gateway to the highland provinces of the Cordillera Region.
In the sparsely populated Cordillera Region, Benguet stands out as having the highest population among the provinces with 313,833 and a population density of 120.4 persons per square kilometer. Migrants have joined the local tribes such as the Kankana-eys, Ibaloys and Kalanguyas to settle in this rich highland province. Although the three tribes speak different dialects, they share similar cultures and have common beliefs and rituals.
The 13 Munilicipalities
1. Atok " The small Alaska of Benguet"
2. Bakun
3. Bokod
4. Buguias
5. Itogon
6. Kabayan
7. Kapangan
8. Kibungan
9. La Trinidad "The Salad Bowl of the Philippines"
10. Mankayan "The Golden Town"
11. Sablan
12. Tuba
13. Tublay
Cities
The only City in Benguet is Baguio City. It was the original Capital of the Province of Benguet.
During the Spanish Era. Benguet was not a remote area for the Spaniards to explore. The vastness and promising economic potential of the place lured the Spaniards to conduct a series of expeditions. Series of attempts to pacify the "Igorots" but failed. Finally in 1846, commandante de Galvey established his Commandante at La Trinidad, Benguet (named after his wife). The first Kapitan of Benguet was Pulito of Kafagway, Now Baguio, a minor rancheria of about 20 houses.
The Americans came early in 1900 and established its government with H. Whitmarsh as the appointed governor of Benguet and Baguio City as the capital. This was the first provincial government to be established in the Philippines and this happened a year prior to the inauguration of the civil government of the Philippines. Their best administrators and teachers were fervent boosters and promoters: Worcester, Wright Forbes, Pack Barrows, Eckman and others who together with Filipinos committed to make the place a haven.
The mines near Baguio were developed and became productive. Business in the city flourished with commercial centers put up. Recreation facilities were installed. The city was growing before the outbreak of the war.
Baguio was bombed December 8, 1941by the Japanese and they occupied it on December 27 of the same year, However, the war changed course and on September 3, 1945, General Yamashita surrendered to the Americans at the US Ambassador's residence in Camp John Hay, after which, Baguio immediately set to the task of rehabilitation.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Benguet
