Alitagtag, officially the Municipality of Alitagtag (Tagalog: Bayan ng Alitagtag), is a 4th class municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 26,819 people.[3]
Etymology
Alitagtag derived its name from the Tagalog word alinagnag, which means "a small distinct light."[5][6]
History
Much of Alitagtag was once part of Bauan. On August 10, 1908, the resolution by the electorate of barrios Alitagtag, Balagbag, Dalipit, Munlawin, and Muzon was transmitted to the Provincial Committee, who would approve it in three months' time. Batangas GovernorGalicano Apacible later endorsed it to the Civil Commission for a hearing that would be held on January 2, 1909.[7]
The aforementioned barrios were separated from Bauan to constitute the new independent municipality of Alitagtag by virtue of Executive Order No. 43 dated May 7, 1909. The order
took effect on January 1, 1910.[8]
In 1957, the following barrios were created: Pingas, composed of sitios Pingas and Corral; Tadlak, composed of sitios Tadlak and Malukan; and Sambi composed of the sitio of Sambi.[9]
Geography
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 24.76 square kilometers (9.56 sq mi)[10] constituting 0.79% of the 3,119.75-square-kilometer (1,204.54 sq mi) total area of Batangas.
Alitagtag is politically subdivided into 19 barangays.[11] Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
Climate
Demographics
In the 2020 census, Alitagtag had a population of 26,819.[3] The population density was 1,100 inhabitants per square kilometer (2,800/sq mi).
Economy
Alitagtag Public Market
Poverty incidence of Alitagtag
Culture
The town is notable for being the original location where a replica of the True Cross was erected in the early Spanish colonial period. Known as the Holy Cross of Alitagtag or Mahal na Poong Santa Cruz, the image which was supposedly hewn from the post of a fallen house made of anubing hardwood, is venerated in surrounding towns for its reputedly auspicious powers.
The sublî dance, now popular throughout the province and beyond, is the most widely recognised ritual associated with the Catholic devotion to the Holy Cross of Alitagtag.
^"2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
^ a b c dCensus of Population (2020). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
^"PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
^"Alinagnag: A small distinct light of future". DILG CALABARZON. March 8, 2018. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
^"ALINAGNAG". Tagalog Lang (in Tagalog). September 3, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
^"History". Alitagtag, Batangas. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
^Executive Order No. 43 (May 7, 1909), Creating the Municipality of Alitagtag, retrieved July 6, 2023
^Republic Act No. 1662 (June 20, 1957), "An Act Creating Certain Barrios in the Municipality of Alitagtag, Province of Batangas", LawPH.com, archived from the original on May 9, 2012, retrieved January 19, 2021
^ "Province: Batangas". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
^"Municipal: Alitagtag". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
^ a bCensus of Population and Housing (2010). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
^"Alitagtag: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
^Census of Population (2015). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
^Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region IV-A (Calabarzon)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)