The name “Hingyon” comes from the Ifugao term “Hing-Ngiyon.”

“Hing-ngiyon” means a diversion from a major route.

The main route historically and currently is the national road between Lagawe and Banaue.

The diversion road is at Barangay Piwong, now part of Hingyon, leading toward the town center.

Established by BATAS PAMBANSA Bilang 239 under P.D. No. 1527 on September 12, 1982.

Originally consisted of 11 barangays from Lagawe and Banaue.

On September 6, 1991, Barangay Cababuyan was divided into Cababuyan North and South, creating a total of 12 barangays.

Formerly part of Lagawe: Anao, Bangtinon, Bitu, Mompolia, Namulditan, Piwong, Poblacion and Umalbong

Formerly part of Banaue: Northern Cababuyan, Southern Cababuyan, O-ong and Ubuag

Descendants of Wigan (man) and Bugan (woman), the first humans according to Ifugao mythology.

Three Distinct Tribes: Munkalyon Tribe (Barangays: Anao, Namulditan, Bangtinon, Bitu, Piwong), Mun-alyon Tribe (Barangays: Northern Cababuyan, Southern Cababuyan, O-ong, Ubuag, Umalbong, Mompolia, Poblacion) and Ayangan Tribe (Barangays: Humalophop, Mompolia)

Early Hingyon residents were pagans who worshipped idols and performed rituals involving the butchering of animals and drinking native rice wine (“baya”).

Wealth was measured by the number of animals butchered and the size of rice terraces owned.

Wealthy households (“kadangyan”) displayed carabao skulls as symbols of status. Shift from traditional wealth (land and animals) to monetary wealth.

Education and income replaced land ownership as markers of respect.

Efforts are being made to preserve traditional cultural practices.

Hingyon is classified as a 5th class municipality in the province of Ifugao.

Hingyon is a landlocked municipality in the province of Ifugao, located on the island of Luzon at 16°51’ North and 121°6’ East.

It sits at an elevation of 889.4 meters (2,917.3 feet) above sea level, offering scenic views of mountainous landscapes.

The town is approximately 351.5 km northeast of Manila, making it somewhat remote yet accessible from the capital.

Hingyon is bordered by the Municipality of Banaue to the north and east, Lagawe to the south, and Kiangan to the west, positioning it centrally in the Ifugao region.

The municipality spans 6,363.07 hectares, divided among its 12 barangays, each contributing to the rich cultural and geographical diversity of the area.

Barangay Umalbong is the largest, covering 1,435.54 hectares or 23% of the municipality’s total land area, playing a significant role in Hingyon’s landscape.

Barangay Bitu, on the other hand, is the smallest, with only 112.49 hectares, making up just 2% of the total land area.

Hingyon’s landscape is defined by narrow, steep-sided ravines formed by intermittent streams, creating dramatic terrain with steep slopes.

Annual erosion continues to steepen the slopes, leading to additional barren lands within the municipality’s pristine watersheds.

The Hingyon River flows year-round, carrying soil deposits that shape steep cliffs and expose massive rocks, further adding to the rugged beauty of the area.

Atugu (to the south) and Mt. Anapawon (to the west) are prominent peaks that stand as natural landmarks, enhancing the dramatic mountainous scenery.

Most of Hingyon features slopes between 30% and 50%, marking the terrain as notably steep.

Some areas have severely steep slopes exceeding 50%, while other sections have more moderate inclines, ranging from 8% to 30% in steepness, providing a mix of level to gently sloping lands in certain parts.

The two primary soil types present are Langa Silty Clay Loam and Mountain soil. Langa Silty Clay Loam, known for its agricultural suitability, supports a variety of crops due to its favorable characteristics.

The geological composition of Hingyon features Oligocene-Miocene deposits, which include diverse sedimentary rocks such as sandstone, shale, and limestone, formed in various environments, along with metamorphic rocks resulting from mountain-building and tectonic activities during the Miocene era.

Several barangays in Hingyon, including Namulditan, Piwong, Bitu, Mompolia, and Umalbong, are potentially traversed by a geological faultline, though its validation is pending confirmation from DENR maps. Additionally, Hingyon is located about 6 kilometers from the active Hapap Faultline in Hungduan, underscoring the importance of monitoring and verifying the faultline for proper risk assessment and safety measures.

The hazard map produced by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau highlights landslides as the predominant risk in the municipality. The susceptibility assessment categorized areas into four levels: low, moderate, high, and very high susceptibility.

Hingyon, located in the Ifugao province of the Philippines, typically experiences a tropical rainforest climate. It belongs to Type III climate based on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) climate classification system.

The atmospheric temperature in Hingyon, Ifugao, tends to vary throughout the year due to its tropical climate. Typically, temperatures range from around 20°C to 32°C (68°F to 90°F). However, it’s essential to note that temperatures can fluctuate slightly based on factors like elevation, time of day, and seasonal variations.

Hingyon, Ifugao, experiences significant rainfall due to its tropical rainforest climate. The region typically receives abundant rainfall throughout the year, with the rainy season occurring from May to October.

In Hingyon, Ifugao, humidity levels are typically high due to its tropical climate. Humidity measures the amount of moisture in the air relative to the maximum amount the air can hold at a given temperature.

The age distribution reveals that school-going individuals include 2,082 females and 1,762 males, with 1,265 in elementary and 193 in kinder.

The labor force consists of 4,026 individuals (58% males and 42% females), alongside 2,901 young dependents and 1,308 elderly dependents, highlighting notable gender differences and population dynamics.

The age distribution reveals that the 5-9 years age group has the highest population with 1,063 persons, while the 80 and over group has the lowest at 128 persons.

The Productive Age Group (15-64) comprises 5,715 individuals (60% of the population), followed by the Young Age Group (0-14) with 2,903 individuals (31%), and the Old Age Group (65 and over) with 829 individuals (9%), indicating a robust labor force alongside a significant dependency group.

Hingyon has a total land area of 6,363.07 hectares and currently exhibits an overall population density of 1 person per hectare, with barangay Piwong having the highest density at 6 persons per hectare and Bitu at 5 persons per hectare.

Despite these figures indicating low overall density, future population growth is anticipated to change density patterns, particularly in currently less inhabited areas, leading to shifts in overall population density over time.

The five-year trend from 2018 to 2022 shows a significant decline in the Crude Birth Rate (CBR) from 27.76 to 3.52 and a slight decrease in the Crude Death Rate (CDR) from 1.13 to 0.99, with notable fluctuations in annual percentage changes, particularly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, indicating a demographic shift that warrants further analysis of contributing factors and data reliability.

In 2020, Tuwali was the predominant mother tongue in 97% of Hingyon’s 2,211 households, while Ayangan represented 3%, highlighting the community’s strong Tuwali presence alongside some linguistic diversity.

In 2022, Roman Catholicism was the dominant religion in Hingyon, comprising 72% of the population, followed by Evangelical groups (35%), Pentecostal (14%), Born Again (4%), with smaller communities like Iglesia Ni Cristo (3%) and Jehovah’s Witnesses (2%) contributing to the town’s religious diversity.

In 2020, Hingyon’s labor force of 6,544 individuals aged 15 and over exhibited high employment rates of 96.7% for both males and females, with a low unemployment rate of 3.3%, reflecting a stable local economy with balanced gender participation in the workforce.

Public elementary and secondary schools in Hingyon have varying facilities with some schools serving as evacuation centers and certain areas being susceptible to landslide hazards.

Secondary schools like Hingyon National High School and Namulditan Senior High School are public, with Southern Hingyon National High School noted for its poor facilities, highlighting key areas for educational and infrastructural improvement.

The Municipal Health Center in Bitu has the most personnel (13) and is in good physical condition, though moderately susceptible to landslides, while Barangay Health Stations (BHS) exist in all barangays except Bitu.

Some BHSs, like those in Anao, Poblacion, and O-ong, share spaces with Barangay Halls, while others, such as Bangtinon and Humalophop, share with schools, while several, including Mompolia and Ubuag, have their own dedicated facilities.

Senior Citizen Centers in Bitu, Piwong, O-ong, Mompolia, and Umalbong serve 623 individuals, with publicly owned centers in fair condition, though several barangays lack such facilities.

Daycare Centers across various barangays, including Bitu, Piwong, and Namulditan, serve 408 children, with all centers publicly owned and also in fair physical condition.

Hingyon’s economy is mainly comprised of the Secondary Sector, which focuses on manufacturing and processing raw materials into finished goods.

The Tertiary Sector plays a crucial role by providing service-oriented businesses rather than producing physical goods, meeting community needs.

This combination of Secondary and Tertiary Sectors highlights Hingyon’s diversified economy, contributing to the municipality’s economic development.

Hingyon’s secondary businesses, including Construction Firms, Water Refilling Stations, Gasoline Stations, Furniture Shops, and Bakery Shops, are primarily concentrated in Piwong, the municipality’s economic hub.

Hingyon’s tertiary sector dominates the local economy, featuring a diverse array of businesses such as Wholesale and Retail.

Hingyon saw a 44% increase in establishments from 121 in 2022 to 216 in 2023, alongside a 41% rise in employment from 199 to 337 individuals.

Notable growth occurred in Wholesale and Retail Trade (from 69 to 88 establishments) and Hotel and Restaurants (from 28 to 83 establishments).

Significant increases were also observed in Other Community, Social, and Personal Service Activities, with establishments rising from 9 to 27 and employment increasing from 53 to 106.

Hingyon relies primarily on land transportation, featuring 63.18 kilometers of roads with 70.76% being concrete and 29.24% earth-filled surfaces, categorized into National Secondary and Tertiary roads, Provincial Roads, Municipal Roads, and Barangay Roads.

Key infrastructure includes two bridges: the Kayapa Bridge, which links the Kayapa-Mompolia road, and the Latapango Bailey Bridge, connecting the Kayapa-Poblacion road, enhancing regional connectivity.

National Secondary roads facilitate major connections, while Provincial and Municipal Roads serve local transportation needs, with Barangay roads encompassing all local roads within each barangay.

Hingyon has a total of eighteen public schools, including 14 Elementary Schools, 1 Primary School, 2 Secondary Schools, and 1 Senior High School, demonstrating a commitment to accessible education.

The municipality operates a Rural Health Unit and has Barangay Health Stations (BHS) in most barangays, facilitating essential healthcare services, although some BHS are in areas prone to landslides.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provides various social welfare facilities, including Day Care Centers and Senior Citizen buildings, with a recognized need for expansion to better serve disadvantaged populations.

Protective services in Hingyon include two Police Stations and a Bureau of Fire Protection headquarters, with ongoing efforts to enhance their operational capacity and community safety.

Sports and recreational facilities mainly consist of school-owned gymnasiums, with 11 schools equipped for physical activities, promoting health and community engagement.

Agriculture in Hingyon is a vital sector requiring a robust support system, including infrastructure facilities and modern equipment, to ensure functionality and stability.

A significant portion of municipal land is dedicated to rice cultivation, but challenges with irrigation have led to the conversion of rice farms into High Value Commercial Crop (HVCC) lands, necessitating enhanced agricultural operations.

Water classification in Hingyon categorizes bodies of water based on quality and potential uses, including agricultural, domestic, industrial, and recreational purposes, emphasizing their integral role in community well-being.

Water services are categorized into three levels: Level I (Point Source), Level II (Communal Faucet System), and Level III (Waterworks System), each designed to meet different population densities and access needs.

Level I primarily serves rural areas, allowing households to fetch water directly from improved spring sources, with Barangays Anao and Ubuag showing significant access to upgraded facilities.

Only ten out of twelve barangays in Hingyon have Level II water sources, with Northern Cababuyan and Anao having the highest numbers, indicating uneven distribution and hazard vulnerabilities that need addressing.

Telecommunications are vital for daily activities and economic growth in Hingyon, with two major providers, SMART and Globe, operating in the municipality.

The Hingyon Local Government Unit is enhancing waste management practices by promoting the segregation and collection of non-biodegradable waste to prioritize public health and environmental preservation.

Currently, the municipality is establishing a sanitary landfill, resulting in a temporary suspension of garbage collection at the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Akilli, Piwong, with households encouraged to manage their waste at home.