Gamu

Nickname(s): 17°03′N 121°50′E / 17.05°N 121.83°E / 17.05; 121.83CountryPhilippinesRegionCagayan ValleyProvinceIsabelaDistrict 2nd districtFoundedDecember 5, 1741Barangays16 (see Barangays)Government • TypeSangguniang Bayan • MayorTimoteo M. Galanza • Vice MayorMitzi P. Cumigad • RepresentativeEd Christopher S. Go • Electorate20,144 voters (2022)Area • Total129.40 km² (49.96 sq mi)Elevation51 m (167 ft)Highest elevation89 m (292 ft)Lowest elevation29 m (95 ft)Population • Total30,655 • Density240/km² (610/sq mi) • Households7,501Economy • Income class4th municipal income class • Poverty incidence% (2018)^[4] • Revenue₱ 139.2 million (2020) • Assets₱ 249.3 million (2020) • Expenditure₱ 121.9 million (2020) • Liabilities₱ 72.33 million (2020)Service provider • ElectricityIsabela 2 Electric Cooperative (ISELCO 2)Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)ZIP codePSGCIDD : area code +63 (0)78Native languagesIbanag
Ilocano
TagalogWebsitewww.gamu-isabela.gov.ph

Gamu [gɐˈmu], officially the Municipality of Gamu (Ilocano: Ili ti Gamu; Tagalog: Bayan ng Gamu), is a 4th class municipality in the province of Isabela, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 30,655 people.^[3]

Etymology

The name Gamu or gamu-t in ancient texts refers to the roots of tall grasses, akin to those of cogon grass, deeply embedded in the soil. Gamu was originally called 'Gamut', likely from a local plant whose roots were made into a type of medicine ('gamot'). From Fr. Jose Bugarin's Ibanag dictionary as follows:

"Gamu-t, root or stump [name] a town whose patroness is St. Rosa de Lima, under of the province of Cagayan until the year 1839, when the province of Nueva Vizcaya was established, and was added to it."

History

Gamu was founded in December 5, 1741 as a result of the merging of the towns of Batavag (near present-day Lullutan in Ilagan) and Itugod (now barangay Lenzon). The town was established on its present site as a compromise for residents of the two towns and also the fact that both towns were too few in population to survive on their own. The population problem was later partially resolved through the forced settlement of conquered tribes into the town by the Spanish.^[5]

Originally part of the Cagayan Valley, Gamu was later annexed to Nueva Vizcaya when the province was established on May 24, 1856. Subsequently, on March 31, 1859, it became part of Isabela with the subdivision of Cagayan Valley and the creation of the Province of Isabela.

San Gabriel de Batauag, the first mission to Christianize the area, was established by Dominican missionaries in 1612, led by Father Luis Flores and his assistant, Fr. Juan de Sta Ana. The mission was initially situated in Batauag, now known as Lulutan, a barrio in Ilagan. However, due to grievances and maltreatment by the Spaniards, the natives of Batauag revolted, leading to the abandonment of the mission. In 1673, the mission was restored by Fr. Pedro Sanchez and Fr. Geronimo Ullos. Despite resistance from some natives, Fr. Pedro Jimenez, appointed as Ambassador of Peace, successfully persuaded many to settle in Cabagan and Itugod. Consequently, the towns of Cabagan, Itugod, and Santa Rosa de Gamu-t emerged from the original seven envisioned by the mission.

Santa Rosa de Gamu-t and Our Lady of Victories of Itugod merged on December 5, 1741, due to financial constraints, with Gamu serving as the central settlement. Fr. Martin Fernandez constructed the church and planned the town, which was annexed to Gamu-t in 1774. In 1779, the two entities merged under the leadership of Fr. Sanin, with Gamu as the central seat of the mission.

Initially under the care of Dominican Fathers until 1922, Gamu saw a transition during the American Regime when Fr. Felix Domingo, a Filipino secular priest, took charge. The La Salette missionaries assumed responsibility for Gamu from 1962 to 1977.

In December 1949, an earthquake devastated the church and convent, leading to the construction of a wooden church in 1950-1951 adjacent to the ruins of the Spanish Church.^[6]

Geography

Gamu is located in the central part of the province of Isabela. It is 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) away from the provincial capital, Ilagan, and 391 kilometres (243 mi) from the country's capital, Manila.

It is bounded on the north by the city of Ilagan, or the north-west by the municipality of Quirino, on the south by the municipality of Reina Mercedes and on the south-west by the municipality of Burgos, and on the Southeast by the municipality of Naguilian.

Gamu has a total land area of 129.40 square kilometers with 16 barangays, 3 of which are classified as urban barangays, District I, II, and III, and the rest are considered rural barangays.^[7]

Barangays

Gamu is politically subdivided into 16 barangays. ^[8] Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

Barangays District I, II, and III are considered as urban (highlighted in bold) while the rest are rural.^[7]

Climate

Demographics

Population census of Gamu

Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1903 3,581 —     1918 6,096 +3.61% 1939 18,201 +5.35% 1948 11,744 −4.75% 1960 18,762 +3.98% 1970 12,586 −3.91% 1975 13,635 +1.62% 1980 16,922 +4.41%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1990 19,141 +1.24% 1995 22,765 +3.30% 2000 25,901 +2.81% 2007 27,479 +0.82% 2010 28,657 +1.54% 2015 29,904 +0.81% 2020 30,655 +0.49%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[10][11][12][13]

In the 2020 census, the population of Gamu, Isabela, was 30,655 people,^[3] with a density of 240 inhabitants per square kilometre or 620 inhabitants per square mile.

Economy