When the early Spanish missionaries were busy laying the foundation of a church late in the 16th century at a site about six kilometers from the present town of Tuao, a big bird came circling over them and then alighted on the wooden cross erected to mark the place where the cornerstone was laid. It flapped its wings noisily, onomatopoetically sounding like "battuao, battuao, battuao" and then flew away.
History
When the civil authorities founded the town in 1604, the natives insisted that it be called Tuao. Eight years later on May 13, 1612, Tuao was accepted ecclesiastically. Father Miguel de San Jacinto, O.P. gave the town Santos Angeles Custudios (Holy Guardian Angels) as its patron saints.
The early missionaries in Tuao were zealous evangelists and tactful pacifiers of warlike natives. One of them was Father Francisco Capillas, who later became the first martyr in China. The first parish priest, Father Juan B. Cano, O.P. worked patiently with the people. Another missionary, Father Gabriel Serrano, O.P. built a strong brick and mortar church, a rectory (convento) and a fort (cotta) in which the Spaniards and the natives sought refuge every time the town was raided by the Kalingas from the Cordillera ranges. These landmarks were destroyed by a strong earthquake on December 29, 1949.
During World War II, Tuao was the seat of the provincial resistance government of Governor Marcelo Adduru. The Japanese Forces garrisoned the town when Adduru was captured late in 1943, but Adduru returned shortly after having been freed by the guerillas early in 1944. Donald Blackburn, "assisted by his intelligence officer Lt. Mariano D. Manawis, from the prominent Daquial family who served in the 11th Infantry;";[7]:112–113 staged from Tuao, his guerrilla headquarters, attacks against the Japanese in Tuguegarao.[8]:299–302
Geography
Tuao is situated 42.35 kilometres (26.32mi) from the provincial capital Tuguegarao, and 510.24 kilometres (317.05mi) from the country's capital city of Manila.
Barangays
Former flag of Tuao
Tuao is politically subdivided into 32 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.
In the 2024 census, the population of Tuao was 66,147 people,[15] with a density of 310 inhabitants per square kilometre or 800 inhabitants per square mile.
Tuao is part of the third legislative district of the province of Cagayan. It is governed by a mayor, designated as its local chief executive, and by a municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the municipal councilors are elected directly by the people through an election held every three years.
The Schools Division of Cagayan governs the town's public education system.[25] The division office is a field office of the DepEd in Cagayan Valley region.[26] There are two schools district offices which govern al the public and private elementary and high schools throughout the municipality. These are Tuao East District, and Tuao West District.[27]
Primary and elementary schools
Accusilian Elementary School
Alabiao Elementary School
Alabug Primary School
Angang Elementary School
Bagumbayan Elementary School
Barancuag Elementary School
Battung Elementary School
Bicok Elementary School
Bugnay Elementary School
Bulagao Elementary School
Cagumitan Elementary School
Cato Primary School
Culung Elementary School
Dagupan Elementary School
Lakambini Elementary School
Fugu-Alabug Elementary School
Lallayug Elementary School
Malalinta Elementary School
Malummin Elementary School
Mambacag Elementary School
Mungo Elementary School
Naruangan Central School
Palca Elementary School
Pata Elementary School
San Juan Elementary School
San Luis Elementary School
San Vicente Elementary School
Sto. Tomas Elementary School
Taribubu Elementary School
Tuao Central Elementary School
Tuao Great Shepherd Academy
Villa Laida Elementary School
Secondary schools
Itawes National High School
Lyceum of Tuao
Sto. Angel dela Guardia Academy
Technical and vocational schools
Itawes National Agricultural and Technical School
Itawes National Agricultural and Technical School - Bagumbayan Annex
Tuao Vocational and Technical School
Tuao Vocational and Technical School - Culung Annex
Tuao Vocational and Technical School - Malummin Annex
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