Upi, Maguindanao

Upi
Municipality
Map of Maguindanao showing the location of Upi
Upi Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 7°1′44″N 124°9′54″E / 7.02889°N 124.16500°ECoordinates: 7°1′44″N 124°9′54″E / 7.02889°N 124.16500°E
Country	Philippines
Region	Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)
Province	Maguindanao
Founded	June 10, 1955
Barangays	23
Government[1]
• Mayor	Ramon A. Piang Sr.
Area
• Total	742.95 km^2 (286.85 sq mi)
Population (2010)
• Total	45,444
• Density	61/km^2 (160/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	9602
Dialing code	64
Income class	1st
Website	www.upians.com.ph

Upi is a 1st class municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 45,444 people in 11,337 households.

The town was part of the province of Shariff Kabunsuan from October 2006 until its nullification by the Supreme Court in July 2008.

Barangays

Upi is politically subdivided into 23 barangays.

• Bantek
• Bayabas
• Blensong
• Borongotan
• Bugabungan
• Bungcog
• Darugao
• Ganasi
• Kabakaba
• Kibleg
• Kibucay
• Kiga
• Kinitaan
• Mirab
• Nangi/Kamonsawi
• Nuro (Poblacion)
• Ranao Pilayan
• Rempes
• Renede
• Renti
• Rifao
• Sefegefen
• Tinungkaan

Etymology

Upi was probably derived from the term "ufi". It is a Teduray name for a certain tree that grows abundantly in the place in the early years. The bark of “Ufi” is used with betel nuts for chewing or "mama" in Teduray. Tedurays are the native inhabitants of the place.

History

The beginning of Upi as a district geographical and political entity largely began on the early part of 1901 to 1910 when the American forces set foot in the then Empire of Cotabato. Today the province is subdivided into five (5) major provinces: Sultan Kudarat, Cotabato, South Cotabato, Saranggani and Maguindanao where Upi municipality is located. Upi is a mountainous town situated in the south-western coastal portion of Maguindanao Province.

Known far and wide, an American Army Officer Captain Irving Bryant Edwards was assigned in Awang. He showed great interest in bringing the government closer to the people by establishing schools in the far-flung areas. He reached the fertile valley of Upi and founded the Upi Agricultural School on August 19, 1919. From a USAFFE soldier, Capt. Irving Bryant Edwards turned educator.

Upi was formerly a barrio of Dinaig (part of the province of Cotabato then). It was separated from the said town by virtue of Republic Act No. 1248, approved June 10, 1955.^[2]

The first Municipal Mayor, Vice Mayor and Councilors of Upi were appointed by the President of the Philippines to hold office. Maria Badoy was appointed as the first Municipal Mayor. In 1956, the citizens were encouraged to participate in the political affairs of the local government and there took place the first election wherein Mayor Ignacio Tenorio Labina, a Teduray leader, was the first elected mayor of Upi and held his office for four years.

The current mayor of Upi is Ramon A. Piang Sr., a former principal of Notre Dame of Upi, a local high school managed by the Archdiocesan Notre Dame Schools of Cotabato.

Maria Badoy - 1955 - 1956 - Appointed Mayor

Ignacio Tenorio Labina - 1956 - 1960 - First Elected Mayor

Datu Abdullah "Ugcog" Sinsuat - 1960 - 1963 - Elected Mayor

Datu Michael "Puti" P. Sinsuat - 1963 - 1980 - Elected Mayor

Bai Fatima P. Sinsuat -1980 - 1986- Elected Mayor

Datu Mohammad "Unting" Sinsuat - 1986 - 1987- Appointed Mayor

Datu Mohammad "Unting" Sinsuat - 1987 - 1992- Elected Mayor

Datu Michael "Puti" P. Sinsuat -1992 - 2001- Elected Mayor

Ramon A. Piang, Sr. -2001 - 2010 - Elected Mayor

Ruben D. Platon -2010-2011 - Elected Mayor

Ramon A. Piang, Sr 2011 - present Appointed Mayor

Demographics

Population census of Upi
Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1990	45,957	—
1995	46,440	+0.20%
2000	51,141	+2.09%
2007	41,757	−2.76%
2010	45,444	+3.13%
Source: National Statistics Office[3]

Meguyaya Festival

Meguyaya, a Teduray term for thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest, is an annual festival celebrated every December. The festivities incorporate street dancing competition depicting tri-people culture, Teduray, Moro and Settlers . Other activities includes the Cultural Nights, Local Government Unit Night, Ginoong Meguyaya male pageant, trade fair and Maisan Na. This is an activity in which a long stretch of grillers are placed by the roadside where everyone enjoys roasting corns, a symbol of togetherness and feasting.

References

1. "Official City/Municipal 2013 Election Results". Intramuros, Manila, Philippines: Commission on Elections (COMELEC). 1 July 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2013.
2. "An Act to Create the Municipality of Upi in the Province of Cotabato". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-11.
3. "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010". 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 6 October 2013.

External links

• Brief history of Upi
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Local Governance Performance Management System