Ligao, officially the City of Ligao (Central Bikol: Syudad kan Ligao; West Miraya Bikol: Syudad nin Ligao; Filipino: Lungsod ng Ligao), is a component city in the province of Albay, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 119,779 people. Most of the city's economy came from the agricultural sector.
Ligao is 27 kilometres (17 mi) from Legazpi and 500 kilometres (310 mi) from Manila.
Etymology
Ligao was named after the word ticau (Callicarpa candidans), an abundant tree that has poisonous leaves used to catch fish from rivers and creeks. Another variation is from the Tagalog word ligaw which means to court or win a woman’s love. It was formerly known as Cavasi.
History
During the 16th century, Ligao was established as a small settlement. In 1606, it was founded as a barrio of Polangui, and then ceded to Oas in 1665. In the following year, it became an independent municipality. The 1818 census showed the area had 2,968 native families and 24 Spanish-Filipino families.
Cityhood
On February 21, 2001, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed Republic Act 9008 into law, granting cityhood to Ligao. It was ratified by voters in a plebiscite on March 24 of the same year.
Geography
Barangays
Ligao City is politically subdivided into 55 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
There are 11 urban and 44 rural barangays, of which 3 are coastal barangays.
- Abella
- Allang
- Amtic
- Bacong
- Bagumbayan (Poblacion)
- Balanac
- Baligang
- Barayong
- Basag
- Batang
- Bay
- Binanowan
- Binatagan (Poblacion)
- Bobonsuran
- Bonga
- Busac
- Busay
- Cabarian
- Calzada (Poblacion)
- Catburawan
- Cavasi (Poblacion)
- Culliat
- Dunao (Poblacion)
- Francia
- Guilid (Poblacion)
- Herrera (Poblacion)
- Layon
- Macalidong
- Mahaba
- Malama
- Maonon
- Nasisi
- Nabonton
- Oma-Oma
- Palapas
- Pandan
- Paulba
- Paulog
- Pinamaniquian
- Pinit
- Ranao-Ranao
- San Vicente
- Santa Cruz (Poblacion)
- Tagpo (Poblacion)
- Tambo
- Tandarora
- Tastas
- Tinago (Poblacion)
- Tinampo
- Tiongson
- Tomolin (Poblacion)
- Tuburan (Poblacion)
- Tula-Tula Grande
- Tula-Tula Pequeño
- Tupas
Climate
The area of Ligao belongs to a combination of Types II and IV climate, and these are characterized by rainy season from July to December and dry season from January to June.
Local government
Elected officials
- A + indicates that the official is elected for the first term
- A ♯ indicates that the official is re-elected to a higher position
- A ‹› indicates that the official is re-elected to the same position
Economy
Poverty incidence of Ligao (%)
10
20
30
40
50
60
2000 50.96
2003 10.14
2006 45.90
2009 40.52
2012 29.10
2015 27.81
2018 23.07
2021 24.74
2023 28.45
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority
As of May 2022, there are 3 major banks in operation. Landbank, Metrobank and PNB.
BPI Direct BanKo also opened one of their branches here last 2019.
A local Mall Chain, LCC Malls, opened one of their branches here last December 2013.and JnF Mall on July 21, 2025
Education
Presently, there are almost 60 Day Care Centers, 55 public elementary schools, 12 private elementary schools, 12 public high schools, 6 private high schools and 7 tertiary/vocational institutions/schools in the city.
Tertiary / Vocational / Technical Education
The cit has seven tertiary schools:
- The Ligao Community College (LiComCo) its present location is at Brgy. Tomolin, Ligao City. The Courses offered are Bachelor of Secondary Education Majors in (Social Studies, Mathematics, English)
- The Bicol University College of Veterinary Medicine (BU Ligao) is still under construction at Brgy. Bay and Tinago, Ligao City.
- The Infotech Development System Colleges, Inc. (IDSC) is a Non-sectarian institution and is located at Padre Natera St., Dunao, Ligao City.
- The RENET Technolical College and the Computer Arts Technology (RENET), which offers technical and vocational courses, located at corner R. Santos and Concepcion sts. Dunao, Ligao City.
- The Computer Arts and Technological College (CAT College), is located at McKinley st., Binatagan, Ligao City.
- Global Site for I.T. Studies - Ligao Branch, Inc. at Barangay Calzada
- The Jesse Robredo Productivity Center (JRPC), is a TESDA training center located at Brgy. Tuburan, Ligao City.
- The BFP Regional Office and Training Center located at Brgy. Tuburan, Ligao City.
Secondary Education
Public High Schools
- Ligao National High School (LNHS) was originally named Ligao Municipal High School, in the then municipality of Ligao, now Ligao City. This was opened on June 20, 1980 through the efforts of the municipal officials who acted on a barangay resolution passed by several barangays which had long wished to have a secondary school. Hence, the passage and approval of Sangguniang Bayan Resolution Nos. 15, 17 and 19 s. 1980 which stated the public demand for the opening of Ligao Municipal High School supported by municipal funds. Thus, on June 24, 1980, the Department of Education, Culture and Sports finally signed and issued Permit No. 36, s. 1980 which marked the opening of the Ligao Municipal High School effective school year 1980 – 1981. Due to the petition received by the Sangguniang Bayan, the school was renamed as Ligao Municipal Technical Vocational School which offered vocational and technical subjects that would meet the needs of the community. Sometime in 1993, LMTVS was renamed Ligao National High School under Republic Act No. 7794. Since then LNHS has gained a name for itself by the achievements it earned from academic and non – academic competitions.
- The Ligao City National Technical-Vocational High School (LCNTVHS) is located at Ligao-Sabloyon-Tabaco Road, Brgy. Nasisi Ligao City. Is a Technical-Vocational High School was established through Republic Act No. 10984, on March 14, 2018.
- The Bicol Regional Science High School (BRSHS) was conceived by virtue of DECS Order No. 69, series of 1993. In the beginning of the school year 1994–1995, students were enrolled in Ligao National High School since BRSHS had no site of its own. The organization used the LNHS's facilities and classrooms for its daily operations. In 2000, after six years of existence, BRSHS achieved independence and completely separated from its mother school. The institution was then transferred to barangay Tuburan.
- Deogracias P. Princesa Memorial High School, located at Ranao-Ranao, Ligao City
- Amtic National High School
- Bacong National High School
- Barayong National High School
- Cabarian National High School
- Maonon National High School
- Oma-oma National High School
- Palapas National High School
- Paulba National High School
Private High Schools
- St. Mary’s Academy (formerly St. Stephen’s Academy) at San Esteban st., Guilid, Ligao City
- Mayon Institute of Science and Technology at Brgy. Tuburan
- Vanderpol Christian Academy at Brgy. Layon, Ligao City
- CAT College– SHS at Brgy. Binatagan, Ligao City
- RENET College– SHS at Brgy. Dunao, Ligao City
- Infotech Development Systems Colleges, Inc. (IDS Colleges)– SHS at Brgy. Dunao, Ligao City
- Global Site for I.T. Studies - Ligao Branch, Inc. - SHS at Barangay Calzada
Notable people