BRIEF HISTORY
Just like most of the municipalities of the country, Piat was created into municipality during the Spanish Regime. The first Spanish missionaries who came to the province found out that the existing settlements were sporadically distributed along the Chico River.
The Rio Chico flows down the province through flats and foothills and finally meets the Cagayan River in the Nassiping area. The people living on these flats and foothills are known as Itawes. The Itawes region formed the second part of Cagayan, and included the towns of Lobo (Tabang), Piat, Tuao, Malaueg and Sta. Cruz de Gumpat (Lingay). In 1603, the orders of the Alkalde Mayor Juan Clavijo were so oppressive that the natives rose up in revolt in the Itawes and the Yrraya regions. Bishop Benavides wrote up the king of Spain about these abuses of the encomienderos and Spanish officials. During the time of Bishop Diego de Soria, the King of Spain ordered him to make arrangements with the Dominicans for the pacification, and ultimately the conversion of these Itawes tribes. Accordingly, three friars were sent in 1603 to the estuary of Lobo (Rio Chico or Bangag). In 1591 there was an encomienda here consisting of 4,000 tributes (families) with a population of 16,000. In 1598 the Dominican Chronicle mentioned the mission of Lobo which was accepted ecclesiastically on May 9, 1604 and was later called Tabang. This was the first mission in the Itawes area.
The second mission built by the Dominicans in the Itawes was Piat, originally called "Pia". According to Fr. Malumbres there were encomiendas here before the coming of the friars. The encomienderos were Don Pedro Barrada, an army officer; Don Juan de Aranda and Dona Isabel de Cardona in the year 1617. The first mass was said on August 24, 1604 when there were already about 1,000 families. It became an ecclesiastical town on May 1, 1610 under the patronage of Sto. Domingo de Guzman. A convent and a church was put up in 1740 by Fray Francisco Jimenez but was burnt in 1865 and reconstructed by Fr. Gurumeta, and the roofing with iron sheets was done by Fr. Isidro Rodriguez.
The image of Our Lady of Piat was sculptured in Macao and brought to Nueva Segovia by Bishop Diego de Soria in 1604. In the pacification and conversion campaign of the Itawes, it was decided to bring the image to Sto. Domingo Church in Piat. Before long the people saw manifestations of divine favors through Our Lady, and devotion and attachment to her image bordered fanaticism. This can be gleamed from the fact that when Fr. Juan de Santa Ana took the image to Tuguegarao, the people of Piat protested and would not accept a replica of it in return even though how beautiful. Because of threats and fear of revolt, the original image was brought back to Piat, but because the people of Tuao were also clamoring for it, it was decided that the image will be placed in a chapel located between Piat and Tuao. Because of frequent inundations of the Rio Chico which caused so much damages to crops and properties. It was decided to build a sanctuary on a hilltop, half mile from the church of Sto. Domingo. The sanctuary was built and completed in 1623.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE MUNICIPALITY
There are places one visits that change his life. Places that challenge concepts of the world in which you live. Places which keep recurring in your memory.
The municipality of Piat, Cagayan is one such place.
In the minds of many, the very sound of the name, Piat, Cagayan is synonymous with the miraculous Lady of the Hill- Nuestra Señora de la Visitacion de Piat or Our Lady of Piat.
Piat has earned the distinction of being the “Antipolo of Northern Luzon”, “Mecca of the devoted Pilgrims“, and the "Pilgrimage Center of the Cagayan Valley”. Attesting to these are the millions of devotees and tourist who regularly flock to the municipality the whole year round.
Over the centuries, countless testimonials confirm that Piat has earned the reputation of being the Jerusalem of the Philippines for countless generations. It is for this reason that the Department of Tourism has included Piat as a tourist destination and included in their “Fiesta Islands “calendar of activities.
It is said that Piat got its name probably from the word “Apiyyat” (meaning Massage) as the predominant art of healing during those times and from the native word “Pia” which means goodness, usefulness, good health or pleasant looks. It is definite; however, that the old name of the town is Pias as this name is engraved in the old bells of Sto. Domingo Church. The name Pias, however, was changed to Piat because the Itawes dialect has a penchant of converting s at the end of words to t for instance: Dios to Diot, Lunes to Lunit, Martes to Martit and consequently Pias to Piat.
Piat was founded on May 1, 1610. The town proper is nestled in a plateau some 42 kilometers northeast of the capital town of Cagayan – Tuguegarao. It has 18 barangays and it is classified as 4th class municipality on July 1977. It has a population of 20,765 and of this number 95.83% can read and write. Based on the statistics of the last election, a total of 10,588 are registered voters but only 8,686 actually voted.
Piat also boasts of having the Robina Sugar Milling Corporation (CARSUMCO) within its territorial jurisdiction, thereby creating more employment opportunities of its constituents.
The Cagayan State University (CSU) has also one of its main branches in the municipality. The university offers high school and Bachelors degree such as BS in Education, BS in Agriculture, BS in Agricultural Business, BS in Elementary Education, BS in Information Technology and Associates in Agricultural Technology.
The district hospital, which is known as the Nuestra Señora de Piat District Hospital (NSPDH), is also located at Maguilling, Piat, Cagayan. It provides immediate health services not only to its own residents but also to residents of Sto. Niño, Solana, Amulung, Tuao and Rizal.
FUNCTIONAL ROLE:
Pilgrimage Center in the Cagayan Valley and Agro-Industrial Center in the Southwestern Cagayan.
MISSION:
To institutionalize governmental affairs as a common venture – a joint partnership between the community people and the people running the government and to restore the credibility of the local government as an institution that is created for the people and working with the people devoid of the uncompromising impositions of anarchy and over-stringent bureaucracy.
VISION:
Piat is envisioned to become the land of a unified people where a neighbor is a brother and everyone is an ally for peace and prosperity; the land where government and people are equally the benefactors and beneficiaries of the common good and welfare; the land free from the bondage of poverty and the misery of illness; free from the clutches of injustice dishonesty and corruption; free from the terrifying sword of oppression.
NATURAL AND PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTIC
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION AND BOUNDARY
Lying approximately forty-two kilometers northwest of Tuguegarao, Cagayan is the municipality of Piat. It is bounded on the north by the municipality of Santo Niño on the east by the municipalities of Amulung and Solana, on the west by the municipality of Rizal and on the south by the municipality of Tuao, Cagayan.
The municipality lies approximately between 17 degrees, 50 minutes and 17 degrees, 42 minutes, 30 seconds north latitude and between 121 degrees, 27 minutes, 30 seconds and 121 degrees, 35 minutes, 2 seconds east longitude.
AREA
Piat has a total land area of approximately 19,118 hectares or 191.18 square kilometers representing 2.12% of the total 9,002.7 sq. kilometers land area of the province of Cagayan.
The total land area of the municipality is divided among eighteen (18) barangays classified as five urban barangays and the remaining thirteen as rural barangays.
CLIMATE
There are two pronounced seasons in the municipality namely, the dry and wet season. The dry season extends from December to June while the rest of the month experiences rainy weather. It was observed however that there were years when the dry season becomes longer and the wet season even shorter. The long spell of dry season normally causes drought in the area.
TOPOGRAPHY, DRAINAGE AND PHYSIOGRAPHY
The municipality of Piat is composed of a mixed topography of plains, hills, valley and plateau. The Poblacion is situated in an elongated plateau lowering all other barangays and overlooking the winding Chico River. Most of the barangays are distributed along the Chico River where the soil is most fertile and suited for agriculture. The greater portion of the municipality consists of a wide area of semi-rolling terrain extending from the barangays between Piat and Sto. Nino to the boundary of Solana and Piat.
There are two main rivers that traversed the municipality, the Chico River which is the natural drainage of the municipality considering its central location and the Matalag River on the north which stretches way up north toward the municipalities of Rizal and Sto.Niño.
Other landscape features within the municipality are small elbow lakes or intermittent ponds sporadically found in the southern and central portions of the municipality.
SLOPE
Piat is mainly composed of a varied range of semi-rolling terrain. An aggregate area of 10,363 hectares or 54.24% of the total land area of the municipality is identified to be gently sloping, undulating to rolling crisscrossing the entire breath and length of the municipality. Level to nearly level area are contiguously located on the west, south and central portions of the municipality occupying an area of 7,800 hectare or 40.80% of the total municipal land area. Mountains are also present but are very minimal in area. These are located particularly in barangay Warat, Catarauan and along the boundary of Rizal, Cagayan.
SOILS OF THE AREA
The soils identified are the Bago, Bantog, Ilagan. Quinigua, San Manuel and Miscellaneous land type. These soils were classified under the series level by precise definition of the surface texture, slope group, erosion class, flooding hazard and other factors affecting its use.
BAGO SERIES
Soil under this series is poorly drained mainly because of the compact and fine textured subsoil and substructures. It is very difficult to work on this soil type especially during summer as it hardens and cracks. Soil type found mapped under this soil series is the Bago Sandy Clay Loam, which occupies a total aggregate area of 3,792 hectares.
QUINIGUA SERIES
The Quinigua soils are derived from stratified alluvial materials found on high river terraces above river flooding. The soils are level to nearly level, deep, fine clay and well drained. These soils are mostly under diversified crops with some areas utilized solely for lowland rice. Residential sites are also found on these soils.
Mapped under this soil series is the Quinigua Sandy Clay Loam, 1-2% slope and occupying an aggregate area of 3,650 hectares.
ILAGAN SERIES
Soils under this series have excessive external drainage and in the absence of a thick vegetative cover necessary for soil protection, erosion tends to be very severe. The compact nature of the substratum also prevents the rapid infiltration of water that during heavy rains most of the water becomes run-off while an insignificant volume is absorbed. The parent rock of this series is soft sandstone, which is poorly stratified.
The soil type mapped under this series is the Ilagan Sandy Clay Loam, which is slightly to moderately eroded and with slope category of 2-25%. Total area occupied by this soil type is 1,167 hectares.
SAN MANUEL SERIES
The San Manuel soils are recent alluvial deposits of mixed mineralogy. They are found in weakly stratified alluvium on flood plain areas of medium terraces subject to seasonal river flooding. The soils are moderately deep to deep, level to nearly level and well-drained fine loamy soils. Cultivated areas are utilized for the production of diversified crops like rice, corn, bean, mango and tobacco. Uncultivated areas are vegetated with talahib used for grazing animals.
Mapped under this series is the San Manuel Sandy Loam, which occupies a minimal area of 317 hectares.
MISCELLANEOUS LAND TYPE, RIVER WASH, GRAVELLY
These are very recent deposits found along the Chico River. They consist of materials that are shifted or carried away. They are sandy, stony, and gravelly, and are not suited for cultivation due to low fertility, severe seasonal river flooding and drought during the dry season months. These can be used for making hollow blocks and for other concreting purposes.
An area of 75 hectares has been mapped under this land type and is found to be within Barangay Sta. Barbara.
WET SPOT
Mapannao Lake is stretching 7 km. north of Sto. Domingo is wet all year round. This area can be improved or ponded and utilized for fishpond culture.
An aggregate area of 117 hectares has been mapped under this land type.
LAND CAPABILITY
The soils of the municipality of Piat belong to the following land capability classes and sub-classes.
Land Capability Class “A”- Very good land can be cultivated safely but requires only simple but good form management practices.
The soil unit mapped under this class is the Quinigua Silty Clay Loam with slope 1-2% occupying an area of 3,600 hectares or 18.83% of the total land area of Piat.
Land-Sub-class “Be”- Good land, nearly level to gently sloping, slightly to moderately eroded, can be cultivated safely but requires erosion control measures and easily applied conservation practices.
The Soil Mapping Units are as follows:
Bago Sandy Clay Loam, 1.0-2.0%
Bago Sandy Clay Loam, 2.0-5.0%, slightly eroded
Ilagan Sandy Clay Loam, 2.0-5.0% slope slightly eroded
Ilagan Sandy Clay Loam, 5.0-8.0% slightly eroded
The soils under this category occupying a contiguous area of 9,793 hectares or 51.22% of the municipalities land area.
Land-Sub-Class “Cc”- Moderately good land, moderately sloping to severely eroded can be cultivated safely if carefully erosion control measures, careful management and intensive conservation practices are observed.
The Soil Mapping Units are as follows:
Quinigua Silty Clay Loam- 1.0-2.0% slope
Ilagan Sandy Clay Loam- 5.0-8.0% slopes
An aggregate area of 4,725 hectares or 24.72% of the total land area of the municipality has been mapped under this land capability class.
Land-Sub-Class “De”- Fairly good land, strongly sloping severely to very severely eroded, can be cultivated occasionally with planting of shade trees, improve forage grasses, use of fertilizers and organic materials like compost and farm manure, complex soil conservation practices like contour plowing, terracing and leveling when utilized for clean tilled crops, use of overhead irrigation and other recurrent inputs. Best suited for pasture or forest.
The soil unit mapped under the class is the Ilagan Sandy Clay Loam, 8.0- 25.0 slope, moderately eroded which occupies an area of 900 hectares representing 4.715 of the total land area of Piat
Land Sub-Class “Ls” Level to nearly level too strong which makes cultivation impractical. Recommended for pasture or road fills and other concreting materials.
The land type under this class is river wash gravelly with an area of 25 hectares.
Land Class “X”- level land, wet most of the time and cannot be economically drained. Suited for fishpond, duck-raising. The miscellaneous land type is wet spot occupying an aggregate area of 75 hectares comprising 39% of the municipality’s total land area.
EROSION POTENTIALS
Yearly inundations are brought about during the rainy months when the Chico and Matalag Rivers overflow their banks. Marked erosions along their banks have been observed. Other areas within the municipality also experience erosion ranging from slight to severe.
31.08% or 5,942 hectares, however, are apparently free from erosion hazards. These areas are centrally located. Slight erosion is concentrated within Barangay Sta. Barbara. Moderate erosion occurs along areas with areas with higher terrain in barangay Warat, Sto. Domingo and the northern barangay of Piat. Severe erosion has been observed on the steep terrain of Barangay Catarauan.
GEOLOGY
There are four (4) sedimentary formations identified in the municipality of Piat. These are the (1) Pint sediments, (2) Alluvium, (3) Baggao Sediments and (4) Shale/Sediments.
The Pint Sediments are transgressive and thickly bedded marine clastics consisting predominantly of poor consolidated and poorly sorted shale, sandstone, silt stone inter bedded with conglomerates to form a very unstable bed rock formation. A greater area of 9,868 hectares representing 51.62% of the municipal land area has been identified and is found to be encompassing the central portion of the municipality.
Fluviatile alluvium is composed of unconsolidated clay, silt, sand, gravel, cobbles and boulders derived from weathering and erosion of pre-existing rocks deposited along flood plains, streambeds and banks. These formations are sporadically located at the northern and northeastern portions of the municipality and on areas along the entire length of the Rio Chico. An aggregate area of 7,500 hectares or 39.23% of the total area of the municipality is composed of fluviatile alluvium.
Baggao Sediments are more stable than Pint Sediments and alluvium. These are transgressive and extensive marine clastic composed mainly of very thick and well-bedded shade and sandstone sequence inters bedded with sorted conglomerates. An area of 1375 hectares has been identified to the made – up of Baggao Sediments, shale or Sandstone which are of older formation is found to be the most stable bedrock formation in the municipality. Occupying an area of 375 hectares, it is located along the southwestern portion of the municipality. This formation is of thick, extensive transgressive mixed shelf marine deposits largely hard, compacted and well bedded shale and sandstone sequence inter bedded with thin layer of compacted conglomerates and lenses of coal in some places.
DEMOGRAPHY
Historical Growth of Population
The population of Piat as gleamed from the NSO records as early as 1903 to the latest survey conducted by the Local Government Unit reflected a trend of increasing population through the years. It started off with 3,632 in 1903 that slowly increased to 4,646 in 1918 indicating a slow growth rate of 1.01655% over a period of 15 years. This steadily increased to 6,507 in 1939, which slowly rose to 7,099 in 1948. In 1960, over a period of 12 years, population suddenly increased by 4,000 heads registering a relatively high annual growth rate of 1.00972%. In 1970 and 1975, population increase was very slow revealing that over a period of 15 years, only 850 was added to the existing population. The period 1975-1980 showed a sharp increase in population registering an average growth rate of 1.03287%. This steadily increased in 1990 to 17,771 but suddenly dropped by 299 counts in 1995. In 1998 population count for the municipality reached 20,765 revealing a considerably higher growth rate of the municipal population over a period of three years.
Municipal vis-a-vis Provincial Population
In 1995, the municipality of Piat is the fifth least populated municipality in the province. Its share relative to the provincial population was 1.95%.
1998 Population by Barangay
The primary survey conducted by the local Government Unit of Piat in 1998 revealed that the total population of the municipality was 20,765 unevenly distributed among eighteen (18) barangays broken down as five (5) urban barangays and thirteen (13) rural barangays. Barangay Maguilling, a rural barangay but adjacent to the urban Poblacion is the most thickly populated barangay of the municipality. Ranking second in population is barangay Sto. Domingo, the site of the Cagayan Robina Sugar Manufacturing Company. Another rural barangay, Barangay Gumarueng, a western lowland area, ranked third in population count.
Barangay Catarauan and Warat located at the boundaries of the municipalities of Amulung and Solana, Cagayan respectively are the two least populated barangays of the municipality, the former barangay ranking as number one and the later, the second least populated barangay.
Population Density
The population to land ratio of the municipality is almost a one to one ratio or 1:1.05 persons per hectare indicating that Piat is an entirely rural community.
Population Distribution
Population distribution for 1998 revealed that the population of Piat is more concentrated in farming areas outside the Poblacion representing 82.46% of the total municipal population.
Urban population distributed among three barangays constituted only 17.54% of the total population of the barangay.
Age Composition
The population of Piat is relatively young. A count of 6,925 belonged to young age population of 1-14 representing 33.35% of the total municipal population. The productive age population aging from 15 to 64 with total count of 12,635 represented 60.85% of the total population. The senior citizens belonging to the retirement age of 65 and above accounted for 1,205 comprising 5.80% of the total population of the municipality.
Sex Composition
The male population was relatively higher than the female population in 1998. Total male count was 10,847 constituting 52.24% of the total municipal population while the female population was 9,918 or 47.76% of the total population of Piat.
Marital Status
The marital status of the population of Piat 10 years old and over revealed the following noteworthy characteristics: the females outnumber the males in contracting marriage; more females are widowed than males; more females get separated or divorced than males; and more females are in common-law or live-in state of marriage than their male counterpart.
The single state of civil status is the only category wherein the male population outnumbers the female population.
Likewise observed among the population is that most marriages were contracted between ages 25-39 there being 3,131 of them counted and revealing that among the legally married population, 43.13% married between this age bracket.
Mother Tongue/Ethnic Origin
The municipality of Piat is inhabited by people of different ethnic origin. The 1990 NSO data reported there are thirty-one (31) kinds of dialects of the populace. Ilocano was the predominant dialect spoken by the population during their earliest childhood. Of the total household population of 17,449 in 1990, 10,250 accounting for 58.74% spoke Ilocano. The Itawes speaking population with a count of 6,815 or 39.07% of the total household population ranked second while ranking third is the Tagalog with a count of 208 or 1.19% of the household population of Piat. Other ethnic groups in Piat are Ibalsi, Kalinga, Itwak, Ifugao and other local dialects comprising the remaining 1% of the total household population.
Ilocano is the medium of communication of the different ethnic groups residing in the municipality.
Educational Attainment
The 1995 NSO report showed that out of the 15,320 persons belonging to the household population 5 years old and over, 1,014 or 6.62% of the total household population are academic degree holders’ eight of which pursued post-baccalaureate studies. A total of 664 persons have reached college but were unable to graduate. This figure represents 4.33% of the total household population 5 years old and over.
The report further revealed that out of the 3,284 who enrolled in high school only 1,310 students completed their secondary education while 1,974 were unable to finish their high school. Post-secondary education was availed by 228 students wherein 206 were successful in completing their studies while 22 entered but were unable to graduate.
Elementary education was availed by 8424 pupils representing 54.99% of the total household population 5 years old and over. Out of this number, 3,607 pupils experienced enrolling from 1st – 4th grades while 4,817 pupils reached the 5th-7th grades level comprising 23.54% and 31.44% of the total household population, respectively.
There were 521 pupils who were enrolled in pre-school while 1,094 or 7.14% of the total household population 5 years old and over have no schooling whatsoever.
The NSO report likewise revealed that there are more females than males who have been exposed to educational opportunities. A total of 7,298 males representing 92.79% of the total population 5 years old and over have experienced schooling in varying levels while the female population numbered 6,928 or 92.93% of the total household population count showing a female advantage of .14% over the male population. The report further showed that there are more female professionals or academic degree holders then male professionals by 156 counts. However, post-baccalaureate holders are higher in males than females by 2 counts.
As to highest grade completed by age group, it could be gleaned from the NSO report that most of the population 5 years old and over acquired their education in varying ages. Those who were able to graduate in college were between ages 18-35 and over wherein the majorities successfully completing a college course at age group 25-29; 30-34, and 35 & over with a total of 874 graduates. The remaining 140 college graduates finished their college degree between 18-24 years of age. The post-baccalaureate degree holders with a count of 8 finished their degrees at a late age of 30-34; and 35 and over with 1 and 7 counts, respectively.
It was further noted that the school going age when a student normally finishes an educational level is not being strictly observed by the household population 5 years old and over. The students enrolling in the various educational levels usually graduate late of age. This maybe attributed to the poor economic status of the populace who may have staggered their schooling depending on the finances of their respective households aggravated by the lack of cheap educational opportunities within the municipality.
AGRICULTURAL LAND USE
The municipality’s total farm area based on the 1998 data supplied by the Municipal Agricultural Officer is 9,458.44 hectares which is approximately 49.47% of the total land area of the municipality. The basic crops grown are rice, corn, tobacco, legumes, fruit trees, root crops, lowland vegetables and sugarcane.
CROPS GROWN AND HECTARAGE
A. Food Crops
1. Area Devoted to Rice Production and Yield
The municipality of Piat engages in rice production as its secondary agricultural activity. Its fertile soils ablative rains and the presence of the Chico river and other water bodies that serve as sources of irrigation has enabled the municipality to produce rice sufficient enough for the entire population. A total effective area of 2,457.50 hectares is devoted to rice production. Of this total rice land, 1226.50 hectare is irrigated while rain fed areas accounts for 1231.31 hectares.
In 1998, total production for both irrigated and rain fed areas reached 7,981.87 metric tons valued at P125,870,000.00. Average yield per hectare for irrigated rice is 4.5 metric tons while for non-irrigated areas average yield is 2 metric ton per hectare.
The cost of production per hectare for irrigated areas is P15,000.00. With an average value of production P88,569.10 per hectare, a farmer in the municipality has a net income of P73,569.10 per year. For non-irrigated areas, a farmer was expected to net P6,001.35 per hectare after deducting cost of production.
2. White Corn
White Corn is the secondary source of cereal requirement for the population of the municipality. A total aggregate of 58.50 hectares is grown to this product. Total white corn production in 1998 was 351 metric tons valued at 2.04 million pesos. After deducting cost of production of approximately P10,000 per hectare, the farmer earned an annual average of P7,436.00 per hectare.
Assuming that at least seven (7) kilograms of corn seed is needed for every hectare, 342.38 metric tons was available for human cereal consumption in 1998.
At a recovery rate of 65% from the total weight of shelled corn available for human cereal consumption, milled corn supply total 222.55 metric tons which is sufficient enough to supply the cereal requirement of the entire population of the municipality.
B. Feed Crops
Yellow corn production is the primary user of agricultural land of the municipality. A total effective area of 5,598.06 hectares is planted with this corn variety. Total production in 1998 was 23,841.27 metric tons valued at approximately P178.81 million.
At an average cost of production of P15,000 per hectare, a farmer in 1998 had an annual net income of P18,750.00 per hectare for this particular agricultural product.
C. Commercial Crops
1. Legumes
1.a. Peanuts
Peanuts are grown in a small-scale basis only. An aggregate area of 13.25 hectares is devoted to this activity. An average yield of 2.8 metric tons per hectare and a market value of P15.00/kilo of unshelled peanut, total value of production in 1998 was P55,650.00.
1.b. Beans
An aggregate area of 25.08 hectares is planted to beans. Approximately market value of the total production of 20.06 metric tons reached P320,960.00 in 1998.
1.c. Mongo
A total area of 22.58 hectares is devoted to mongo production in 1998. A total market value of P325,080.00 was estimated for the total annual yield of 20.06 metric tons.
1.d. Habituelas
Habituelas, a legume species, is also grown on a small-scale basis only. An aggregate area of 22.20 hectares is planted to this legume. In 1998, total yield was 17.76 metric tons valued at P284,160.00.
2. Fruit Trees
2.a. Mango
In 1998, an aggregate area of 63.67 hectares was planted to mango. Average yield per hectare was estimated at 8 metric tons which was valued at P5.09 million considering that a kilo of mango was sold as P10.00.
2.b. Citrus
An aggregate area of 11.76 hectares was planted with citrus like calamansi, oranges and mandarin. A total annual of 100,000 kilograms valued at P2.0 million was harvested in 1998.
2.c. Coconut
The total hectarage for coconut trees was estimated to be 41.82 hectares. A total of 3500 nuts were harvested in 1998. At P10.00 per nut, total value of production of coconuts was P35,000.00.
2.d. Bananas
An effective area of 29.51 hectares is devoted to the production of banana. At an average yield of 338.87 kilograms and a market price of P20.00 per kilo, total value of production of bananas in 1998 reached approximately P.2 million (200,000.00).
3. Root crops
3.a. Sweet Potato
Among the tubers grown in the municipality, sweet potato has the largest hectarage involved. However in terms of average yield it has the lowest produce. Out of the 12.10 hectare grown with this product, total yield was only 20,000 kilograms valued at P100,000 in 1998.
3.b. Cassava
A total aggregate area of 3.89 hectares was devoted to cassava planting which produced the highest yield among the tubers grown within the municipality. For 1998, a hectare averaged 6169.67 kilograms. At P5.00 per kilogram, total value of production in 1998 was P120,000.00.
3.c. Gabi
An effective area of 6.05 hectares was planted with gabi. For year 1998, a total of 20,000 kilograms was harvested valued at P100,000.00.
3.d. Ube
A minimal area of 2,600 sq. m. was planted with Ube. A total of 10,000 kilograms was harvested in 1998 valued at P50,000.00
4. Vegetables
A total effective area of 222.65 hectares is devoted to vegetable production. Vegetable commonly grown are squash, string beans, eggplant, ampalaya, tomatoes and other lowland vegetables. In 1998, a total of 16,250 kilograms was harvested with a market value of P81,250.00.
5. Industrial Crop
Sugarcane
In 1998, a total aggregate area of 809.74 hectares was planted with sugarcane. At an average yield of 46 metric tones per hectare and a market value of P2,000/ton, the total value of production in 1998 was P74.50 million.
Sugar cane production is a promising economic activity for the farmers on the municipality not only in terms of marketability in as much as the sugar mill which processes the product is within the municipality, but also in terms of net profit. After deducting the cost of production of P25,000.00 per hectare, a farmer can earn an income as high as P60,000.00 per year in planting sugar cane.
FISHERY
The municipal inland fisheries include fishes from rivers, creeks, rice fields, canals and fishpond. Fishes coming from rivers and rice fields are usually for home consumption. There is no recorded catch on production of fishes from those sources.
The increasing demand for fish coupled with good and attractive prices of fish have attracted some farmers to shift to fishpond operation. Based on the data supplied by the MAO, there are currently twenty-seven (27) fishpond operators in the municipality who are either engaged in backyard fishpond or in large-scale operation. Backyard operations numbering thirteen in all are recipients of the tilapia dispersal program of the Department of Agriculture. The remaining fourteen (14) are independent fishpond operators whose fishponds are located in eight different barangays. The largest of these fishponds is located in Barangay Sto. Domingo.
Fishpond operators usually culture tilapia and african hito. These species are fast growing and can be grown easily. Further, fingerlings are readily available and the grown fish commands a high price in the market.
LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY
The total domestic livestock and poultry population of the municipality in 1998 was 46,851 heads broken down as: 15,917 livestock and 30,934 poultry.
Carabao population reached 5286. These are usually agricultural helpers except for the old ones, which find their way to the slaughterhouse. The cattle population reached 579, which are usually raised for meat consumption.
The hog population has the highest count in the municipality. A total of 5,408 have been estimated in 1998 and mostly raised backyard. This reflects that hog raising is still the most convenient and acceptable backyard livelihood project of the residents of the municipality. In rural areas, goat raising is becoming lucrative due to the terrain and the availability of large tracts of open grassland. Meat demands of the population can be easily met by the current number of animal population in the municipality.
AGRICULTURAL FACILITIES, ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES
There are currently four hundred forty two (442) agricultural facilities available to farmers for the whole municipality. The irrigation system is considered as the most beneficial among these facilities for this enables the farmers to plant palay twice a year. Multi- purpose pavements constructed in the different barangays proved to be very helpful among farmers in easing their problem of drying their harvest. To date there are already 37 solar dryers in the municipality.
The operation and existence of credit facilities and cooperatives have unburdened the farmers from the heavy chains of loan sharks and usurpers. They can now avail of financial assistance at low interest rates that will redound to a better quality of life for their families. There are currently 13 active cooperatives in the municipality.
Agricultural services extended to the farmers by agricultural personnel in the municipality include dispersal of fingerlings, dispersal of vegetable seedlings, farm management, veterinary services and other allied agricultural services.
Agricultural Personnel
The municipality of Piat has fourteen (14) regular agricultural officers headed by a Municipal Agricultural Officer. Ten are maintained by the local Government Unit while the remaining four are drawing their salaries from the coffers of the Provincial Government.
Major and Minor Occupation Groups
Based on the data supplied by the MAO, there are 6,046 families gainfully engaged in either farming or fishing. Farming families totaled 5,990 while fishermen numbered 56 in all. Among the farming families, 2,816 are considered crop and plant farmers; orchard farmers numbered 275 while farmers raising livestock and poultry were 2,831 in all. Aqua-farm cultivators totaled 68 in 1998.
The municipality’s total farm area based on the 1998 data supplied by the Municipal Agricultural Officer is 9,458.44 hectares which is approximately 49.47% of the total land area of the municipality. The basic crops grown are rice, corn, tobacco, legumes, fruit trees, root crops, lowland vegetables and sugarcane.
COMMUNICATION
The municipality’s communication facilities include the telegraph, mail services, broadcast media and hand held radios. Newspapers in national circulation usually reached the municipality on time. Magazines and other reading materials are likewise sold within the municipality.
Postal Services
Postal services in Piat are provided by the Philippine Postal Corporation whose office is located within the Municipal Compound.
The Piat Office is manned by one (1) postmaster and two (2) letter carriers. It is equipped with a 2 kilogram Teraoka weighing scale, three (3) steel filing cabinets, one (1) type writer, three (3) clerical tables, four (4) clerical chairs, two (2) benches and one (1) pigeon hole.
Mail delivery is done daily within the Poblacion by the letter carriers. Letters addressed to rural barangays are usually given to the barangay captains who deliver them personally to the addressee, however some are taken by the addressees themselves whenever they visit the Poblacion.
Aside from the processing of mails, the Post Office also accepts postal money orders services.
Volume of mails for the past three years 1996-1998 revealed that there was a gradual increase in transactions. It was further recorded that there were more incoming mails than outgoing mails for the period.
Data on income generated for the same period showed that money order services realized a higher income by a ratio of 1:2.25 of income coming from postal stamp services.
Telegraph Services
The Bureau of Telecommunications (BUTEL), a government- owned telecommunication office within the Poblacion serves the most urgent communication needs of the populace. All municipalities and cities all over the country are contact points of the telecommunication office.
The radio system of the local PNP is also available for emergency and official among the different municipalities in the province.
Telephone Services
There is no telephone exchange in the municipality. The residents rely on the telephone facilities located in nearby Solana or they travel to Tuguegarao City to place emergency domestic or overseas calls.
Within the municipality, the handheld radios of the barangay captains maybe utilized for emergency communications.
Others
The population of Piat greatly relies on their radio sets as source of local and international news. A few numbers depend upon their television sets as their medium of information for events happening outside their municipality.
Determination of Development Needs:
Letter Carrier – Population Ratio
For year 1998, there were two (2) letter carriers serving a population of 20,765 revealing a letter carrier –population ratio of 1:10,382 which is below the ideal ratio of 1 letter carrier to 5000 population.
There is need to hire additional 2 letter carriers for the same year for the efficient handling and delivery of postal services to the population of Piat.
EDUCATION
A. Number of Schools by Level and by Sector
The educational needs of the Municipality of Piat are provided by one (1) primary school eleven (11) elementary schools, two (2) secondary schools and one (1) state university.
The lone primary school and eleven elementary schools strategically located at selected barangay are public institutions.
For the secondary level, the Our Lady of Piat High School found in Poblacion 02 is privately operated by the Franciscan Order of Sisters.
The Cagayan State University offers both secondary and tertiary education. The high school level has in its curriculum emphasis on laboratory science education while the collegiate level offers a multitude of college courses.
B. School Going-Age Population
The school going-age population for year 1998 is 7,510 ranging from 6-21 years old, broken down as follows: 6-10 (primary) 2,398; 11-12 (intermediate) 1,391; 13-16 (secondary) 1,732; and 17-21 (tertiary) 1,989.
The school going-age population is 36.17% of the total municipal population. Percentage-wise, figures show that the elementary school going-age population accounts for the biggest share (31.93%) seconded by the tertiary level with 26.49% closely followed by the secondary level with 23.06% share. The intermediate school going-age population accounts for the lowest (18.52%).
C. School going-Age Population and Present Enrolment
Enrolment Participation Ratio
The total enrolment for school year 1998-1999 in the elementary level is 3,255 while the total school going-age population is 3,789, equivalent to an enrolment participation ration of 85.91%. This reveals that the number of enrollees is less than the total school-going-age population which can be attributed to the fact that children of the municipality don’t attend school due to low family income.
For the secondary level, the total current enrolment is 770 while the school going-age population is 1,332. Hence, the EPR is 44.46% revealing that out of 100 school going-age population only 44 are able to enroll while 56 are not attending school due to economic reasons. This is likewise attributable to the absence of a public secondary school that offers free secondary education.
In the tertiary level, for school year 1998 – 1999 there were 587 enrolled students compared to the tertiary school going-age population of 2,359. This shows a very low EPR of 24.88% or 25 students in college while 75 not pursuing a college education. Poverty is seen to be the primary reason for non-enrolment. Another reason is that a lot of students prefer to study at the regional center of Tuguegarao City where universities offering higher standard of tertiary education are found.
D. Literacy Rate
Literacy rate for the municipality is 95.83%. This means that for every 100 population, there are only 96 who are schooled while 4 are not able to read and write.
E. Adequacy of Teacher/Classroom Facilities
For the primary level, the lone school has a student-teacher ration of 32:1. This reflects that the numbers of teachers serving the primary level are adequate.
In the elementary level, the combined student:teacher ratio is 31:1. This shows adequacy in the number of teachers serving the school elementary population.
For the secondary schools, the OLOPHS has a student:teacher ratio of 47:1 while the Cagayan State University Laboratory High School has a ration of 29:1. The data reveals insufficiency of teachers for the OLOPHS while the latter, has enough teachers to educate its high school enrollees.
As to adequacy of classrooms, all schools at all levels except for the Apayao Elementary School, the Gumarueng Elementary School, the Minanga Elementary School and the OLOPHS conform to the ideal standard of 1 classroom for every 40 students.
F. Adequacy of School Lots
Almost all the schools in the municipality are not wanting in school area. These are located within a more than a hectare lot that gives the students ample breathable space to conduct their school curricular activities.
Only the Macapil and the Sto. Domingo Elementary Schools have school grounds below the minimum standard of 5,000 sq. m.
G. Condition of School Buildings
Data submitted by the schools on conditions of their school buildings show that generally, these buildings are in good condition. There are however some school buildings that need repairs, some minor but some needing rehabilitation works.
The OLOPHS has school buildings which are semi-permanent in nature already needing major repairs. Other buildings are new and in concrete form.
The CSU has generally very stable school buildings made up of concrete, permanent materials. Some buildings within the school compound but not used as classrooms like the students’ dormitory and farm buildings are declared as dilapidated.
H. Existing School Facilities
A rundown of facilities of the different schools under the DECS administration in SY 1998-1999 shows that all schools have academic buildings. Administrative offices where the principal or head teacher holds office are however not found in all schools whereby seven out of the twelve schools are deficient in this aspect. Comfort rooms which are compulsory facilities within a school are insufficient in seven elementary schools and in the primary school. Some schools are blessed with playgrounds and equipped with libraries, industrial arts building and home economics buildings but most have either one or two of these facilities. The lack of complete facilities in most schools is primarily because of limited budget allocation for the education sector.
In the secondary level, both the schools have complete school facilities.
Playgrounds, basketball courts, volleyball courts and softball diamonds are also provided within the school premises.
I. Classroom and Teacher Requirement
Using the standard formula for computing the classroom requirement, the municipality needs four classrooms for the elementary level and one classroom in the primary school for the current year.
Considering the standard teacher-student ratio, the municipality is short of one (1) teacher for the elementary level for the current school year.
J. Facility Requirement
As to facility needs in all school levels, for the school year 1998-1999, it is imperative that the schools without a playground must establish their own.
The seven public schools with no administrative building must likewise be provided and seven libraries must be installed to the schools devoid of learning resource centers.
Comfort rooms which is lacking in some schools must likewise be constructed to promote health hygiene among the students.
K. Projected Enrolment
Projections for the school enrolment from SY 2000-2001 to SY 2003-2004 was computed based on population projections and the anticipated participation rate consisting of 90% of the school-going-age population for the elementary level.
Projected number of enrollees therefore ranges from 3,410 to 4,200 in the elementary level.
For the secondary level, projected enrolment for the secondary level ranges from 1,212 to 2,010 for the next five years suing a projected EPR of 70%.
In the tertiary level, EPR is expected to increase to 50% hence projected enrolment shall be 994 to 1,500 college students for the next five years.
L. Projected Classroom Requirement
For the next five years, additional seventeen classrooms must be constructed to accommodate projected increases in enrolment.
In the secondary level, thirty-one classrooms must be constructed within the SY 2002-2004 for a conducive learning atmosphere for the projected number of high school students. This also necessitates the establishment of a public high school to encourage elementary graduates to enter high school.
For the tertiary level, twenty-one classrooms are needed to accommodate future increases in college population. The opening of the other fields of interests in the state university would encourage students to enroll in the locality and not be attracted to study at universities in Tuguegarao City or other educational centers like Metro Manila.
M. Projected Teacher Requirement
For the next five years, the existing teacher force is adequate enough to serve the elementary school population.
For the secondary level, however, for the next five school years, a need for sixteen (16) teachers must be fulfilled to ensure quality secondary education for the high school student’s population of Piat.
The existing number of teachers in the tertiary level is found sufficient enough to serve whatever increases in college enrolment for the next five years.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
A. Environmentally Critical Areas
1. Flooding Areas:
Typhoons are very common in the municipality. They usually occur from July to November bringing in heavy and torrential rains that eventually causes flooding.
The low- lying barangays along the Rio Chico River and Matalag River are often subjected to severe inundation during typhoons. Barangays along these rivers are underwater during high river flows. Damage to arable land and crops are frightening and present a serious threat to profitable income in farming.
However, arable lands along creeks are not gravely affected by floods in as much as these are inundated only for a short period by flowing backwaters that are not erosive. Damage is usually restricted to crops and reduced average long term yield
2. Erosion Condition
Erosion is usually the aftermath of typhoons and floods. A number of barangays along the main tributary of Rio Chico River are usually subjected to erosion.
Flooding and erosion problem within the municipality can be prevented by major flood and erosion control works.
B. Waste Disposal
1. Solid Waste Disposal
The usual manner of garbage disposed within the municipality is either through service, storage collection or disposal. There is no organized solid waste disposal system in the municipality.
2. Liquid Waste Disposal
The municipality has an organized sewerage disposal within the Poblacion. However, in the rural barangays, households dispose their liquid waste in open canals.
3. Human Waste Disposal
Disposal of human excreta in the municipality is accomplished through two means: through water sealed toilets that are considered sanitary and through open pits that are unsanitary. Of the total number of households of 4,431, 3,386 households constituting 4.52 % use open pits while 345 households or 7.79% of the total number of households have no toilet of their own.
4. Cemetery
The municipality has seven (7) existing cemeteries. Two are located within the Poblacion while five are located in the rural barangays. The Roman Catholic Cemetery found in Barangay Baung is owned and managed by the Roman Catholic Church while the Municipal Cemetery located at Barangay Poblacion 01 is government owned.
The existing cemeteries at barangay Calaoagan, Catarauan, Dugayung Villarey and Warat are government owned and controlled. They are maintained by their respective barangays.
HEALTH
Medical Health Facilities and Personnel
The health and medical needs of the residents of Piat are basically provided by three (3) public health institutions, namely:
1. Nuestra Señora de Piat District Hospital
2. Main Health Center
3. Barangay Health Stations
The Nuestra Señora de Piat District Hospital located at Barangay Baung serves not only the population of Piat but also the residents of nearby municipalities of Sto. Niño, Solana, Tuao, Rizal, Western Amulung and Conner, Kalinga. It is manned by twenty-nine (29) personnel, namely: seven (7) medical officers, fourteen (14) nurses, five (5) midwives, one (1) dentist, one (1) pharmacist and one (1) medical technologist. Facilities are limited to 50 beds and the basic equipment needed for medical treatment. Services offered are general surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, laboratory services, X-ray, ECG and outpatient services.
The Main Health Center supplements the services of the district hospital. Stationed at Poblacion 01, it is provided with nine (9) medical personnel, namely: one (1) municipal health officer, one (1) public health nurse, two (2) rural health midwives, one (1) dentist and four (4) rural sanitary inspectors. Services rendered are limited to medical, dental and environmental health care.
To bring closer to barangay folks public health care are four (4) barangay health stations located at Barangay Sta. Barbara, Villarey, Apayao and Dugayung. Manned by one (1) midwife each, these health centers calls to the immediate health concerns of not only their respective barangay but also catchment close or contiguously located near them.
Medical services in these stations are very inadequate due to very scarce facilities, medicine and manpower. To abate this inadequacy, “hilots” and barangay nutrition scholars have been trained as potential first-aiders. These paramedics have the advantage of availability and total familiarity with the barangay folks used to indigenous medicine; hence they enjoy better and greater acceptability.
Health Personnel Population Ratio
Health population ratios for the municipality are one (1) doctor for every 2,595 population; one (1) nurse for every 1,384 population, 1:1887 for midwife, 1:10,383 for dentist, 1:5191 for sanitary inspector; and one (1) medical technologist for every 20,765 population. The bed to population ratio is 1:415, which is within the standard ratio.
Health and Vital Statistics
For the past five (5) years the leading causes of death in the municipality are cardio-vascular diseases, assaults accidents and tuberculosis. In 1994, the number of deaths was minimal which slightly increased in 1995 and 1996. In 1997, a sharp rise in the number of deaths occurred, the cause of which are attributed to diseases of the heart and nervous system.
Fertility, Mortality and Morbidity
In 1998, the municipality had total live births of 413. There were more males born than females. Sto. Domingo has the highest number of live births of 51 followed by barangay Maguilling with 46 live births and barangay Sta. Barbara with 43 babies born. These three barangays are the most thickly populated barangays of the municipality. Barangay Sicatna has the least number of live births registered for the same year with 8 babies born for the same year.
There were 114 deaths from all causes in 1998. More males died than females by 10. Nine (9) died while still infants; three (3) died while still aged 1-4; and SWURDPMUR accounted for eighty –two (82) deaths wherein more females died than males by 2 counts.
The crude birth rate for 1998 is 19.89/1000 population while the crude death rate is 5.49/1000 population. Infant mortality rate is 4.84/1000 population while young child mortality rate is 7.26/1000 population.
Morbidity rate, which includes only cases of general medical consultation, is 125/1000 population.
Nutrition
The 1998 data supplied by the Municipal Health Office shows that a total of 3,898 children with ages 0-14 were weighed to determine their nutritional status. Out of this total number of children, 1,177 are first degree malnourished; 96 are classified as second-degrees malnourished while nine (9) are third degree malnourished. The majority of the children numbering 1,282 were grouped as normal and healthy.
Barangay Catarauan has the highest percentage of malnutrition among its children, which registered 84.84% followed by Barangay Sicatna with 66.7% of the total weighed children. Barangay Baung, an urban barangay, has the lowest malnutrition rate among its children registering a low 11.13%
HOUSING
The Municipality of Piat has a total of 3,669 housing units and 3,604 households as reported by the National Statistic Office (NSO) in 1990
Housing Units by Type of Occupancy
The NSO report of 1990 showed a comparison of the total housing units being occupied over a period of 30 years with a ten – year interval from 1960-1990. It showed that through the years a number of housing units are usually not inhabited or are left vacated by their owners.
In 1960 out of the 2,140 housing units, 2,058 units or 96.17% are occupied while 82 units or 3.83% are vacant. In 1970, the number of vacant units decreased to .10% from the total 2,029 total housing units. In 1980, the vacant housing units again increased to 3.42% showing total occupied housing units of 2,709 out of the 2,803 total housing units. For 1990, 3,564 units or 97.14% are currently occupied and 105 units or 2.86% of the total housing units are vacant or are not inhabited.
Dwelling Units by Type of Structure
The biggest bulk of the total dwelling units of the municipality are single detached houses which comprise 3,566 units or 97.19% of the total housing units .36 units or .98% of the total dwelling are shared equally by the duplex-type and multi-unit residential type of building unit which has been categorized as either commercial, industrial or agricultural type of building while 1 unit falls under the institutional living quarter type of building.
Housing Units by Type of Building Materials
1. By the Construction Materials of the Outer Walls
In 1990, out of the 3,564 total occupied housing units, the majority comprising 68.88% or 2,455 units are made up of temporary materials of either bamboo, sawali, cogon or nipa or any combination of these materials. 440 units or 12.35% of the total occupied housing units are a combination of half – concrete, brick, stone and half – wood. Housing units made up entirely of wood comprise 10.69% or 381 units while 362 units or 10.16% is of concrete, brick concrete, brick or stone walling.
There are 23 units whose outer walls are made up of galvanized iron or aluminum; 2 units of asbestos or glass walling and 1 unit with no walls at all representing .20%, .06% and .03% respectively, of the total occupied housing units in the municipality.
2. By Construction Material of the Roof
The majority of the roofs of the housing units in the municipality are made up of cogon, nipa or anahaw. A total of 1,966 units or 55.16% belong to this roof category. This is followed by roof material made up of galvanized iron or aluminum, which accounted for 39.06% of the total occupied housing units. Other roofing materials of the dwelling units in Piat are wood with 71 units; half-galvanized iron and half- concrete with 66 units; 48 units with asbestos roofing and 21 units with tile, concrete or clay tile roof comprising 1.995; 1.87%; 1.35% and .59% of the total occupied housing units, respectively.
Occupied Housing units by State of Repair and Year Constructed
1. By State of Repair
In 1990, there are 3,564 currently occupied housing units. Out of this figure, a total count of 2,646 were declared to be in a generally good condition, hence, don’t need repair or requires minor repairs only. They made attributed to the fact that most of these housing units are of recent construction built from 1981-1990.
A count of 749 units or 21.02% are already in need of major renovation. Housing units considered dilapidated or condemned number 8 in all. There are 93 units being constructed while 24 units being repaired or renovated. A total of 44 housing units were found to be unfinished but are being occupied.
2. By Year of Construction
Most of the occupied housing units in Piat were of recent make. During the period 1981-1990, a total of 2,077 units were constructed representing 58.28% of the total occupied housing units. From 1971-1980, a count of 860 houses were built while from 1961-1970, 349 units were established. Meanwhile from 1951-1960, 169 units were constructed while the period 1950 or earlier showed a construction count of 87 units. There were 22 housing units whose year of construction cannot be ascertained.
The figures above revealed further that of the total occupied housing units and average of 73.14% are in generally good condition, an average of 21.78% of all housing units are in need of major make over while 0.65% are declared dilapidated or condemned. Further, housing construction was found to be in boom in the municipality during the recent years between 1981-1990.
Occupied Housing units by Number of households
Majority of the occupied housing units of the municipality of Piat is inhabited by one household in 1990 comprising 98.93% of the total occupied housing units. Doubled –up households numbered 37 or 1.04% of the total occupied housing units. One (1) housing unit sheltered four households representing a minimal .03% of the total occupied housing units in Piat. The mean number of households to one shelter unit is therefore 1:1. 011
.
Occupied Housing Units by Floor Area and Number of Occupants
1. By Floor Area
It was observed in 1990 that a greater portion on the total occupied housing units in Piat have a floor area of 50 sq.m. or less. A count of 3,193 houses constituting 89.59% of the total occupied housing units’ exhibit this characteristic broken down as follows:
1,069 units with floor area of 10-19 sq. m.; 709 with a floor area of less than 10 sq. m.; 811 units with a 20-29 sq. m. floor area; and 604 units with a floor area of 604 sq. m.
A total count of 371 housing units representing 10.41% of the total housing units have floor areas of 50 sq. m. and more. A greater share falls under the 50-69 sq. m. category with 189 units, which is followed by a floor area of 70-89 sq. m. with 86 units, counted. There are 96 housing units with relatively wider floor areas which maybe considered as palatial in size these being with floor areas of 90-120 and over.
2. By Number of Occupants
The total housing units of Piat is being inhabited by varying number of occupants. The highest number per housing unit is 10 occupants or more which maybe the doubled –up households. A total of 121 housing units carry this number of occupants. The least number of occupants is one member each for 107 housing units.
Between one and 10 occupants are the following number of people occupying the remaining 3,336 housing units in descending order: 4 occupants each for 703 units; 5 occupants for 666 units; six occupants for 544 units; 3 occupants for 508 units; seven occupants each for 323 units; 2 occupants for 282 units; eight occupants for 216 units; and nine occupants each for 94 housing units.
The mean number of occupant per housing unit is 4.984 implying that for every occupied housing unit there is on the average 4.984 member-occupant.
Households by Type of Building and Tenure Status of the Housing Unit
In 1990, there are 3,604 households in the municipality. 3,575 households or 99.20% owned and/or amortized their housing units which are classified as either single detached, duplex, multi-unit residential, commercial/ industrial agricultural or institutional living quarter numbering 3,566; 18; 18; 1; respectively.
Meanwhile, there are 28 households who occupy for free with the owner’s consent their housing units classified as 27 single houses and 1 multi- unit residential structure. One household living in a single house is occupying for free his shelter without the consent of the owner.
Owner – Households in Occupied Housing Units by Tenure status of Lot
Out of the 3,575 owner-households in occupied housing units, 431 owner-households or 12.06% are living in urban areas while the majorities comprising 3,144 owners – households or 87.94% are rural dwellers.
The tenure status varies significantly. The bigger share of the pie fall under the being owned or amortized category numbering 2,289 units or 64.03% of the total occupied housing units of owner-households followed by 1,156 units being occupied for free with consent of the lot owner comprising 32.34% of the total housing units 130 lots or 3.64% are under lease agreement.
Owner-Households in Occupied Housing Units by Mode of Acquisition of the Housing Unit
In 1990, there were 3,575 owner- households in occupied housing units. A greater percentage of 73.1% or 2.613 units were constructed by the owner with or without help of friends and relatives. 608 units or 17% were purchased; 214 units or 6.0 % were constructed by hired and skilled workers while 17 units or .5% was constructed by an organized contractor. Other modes of acquisition by the owner are through inheritance with 78 housing units and as a gift or won through lottery with 35 units. The mode of acquisition of 10 housing units cannot be ascertained.
Owner Households Who Had Purchased or Constructed their Housing Units by Reported sources of Financing
Out of the 3,451 owner-households who had purchased or constructed their housing units, 85.6% or 2,954 built their own housing units through their own resources or interest-free loans from relatives and friends. Others availed of government assistance or employer assistance numbering 28 and 24, respectively while 10 owners bought the help of private persons. A few numbering 28 constructed their housing units by tapping other sources while 407 owners have not reported the kind of financing they relied on when putting up their houses.
Determination of Housing Needs
Housing Backlog
The housing backlog for year 1990 was 40 housing units indicating that there are 40 households who are sharing a housing unit with another household.
Current Housing Demand
The current housing demand for 1990 was 442 units, which includes the 40 doubled-up households or housing backlog and the total unacceptable housing units composed of 5% of housing units made up of mixed light materials.
Future Housing Needs
In 1980, there were a total of 2,717 occupied housing units which increased to 3,564 housing units in 1990. The rate of increase of the housing units between 1980-1990 was computed to be .0271 or 2.71%
Assuming that the growth rate is constant, it is projected that the future housing demand for year 2000 is 4,669 housing units.
INDUSTRY
There are currently twenty-five (25) industrial establishments on the municipality of Piat. There are categorized as either agro-industry, manufacturing or service-oriented industry.
Agro-Industry
The most significant economic agro-industrial activity of the municipality in terms of income and labor is the sugar manufacturing industry located in barangay Sto. Domingo, the Cagayan Robina Sugar Manufacturing Company (CARSUMCO). Enclosed in a 31.4742 hectares land the sugar mill manufactures raw as well as a refined sugar. The industry has attracted farmers to invest in sugar cane production and has generated untold income for them. Even farmers from neighboring municipalities of Solana, Tuao, Sto. Niño and even Enrile have benefited from the establishment of the sugar mill. Agricultural lands not cultivated for many years are now veritable sources of income and livelihood to many.
The company employs two hundred twelve people (212) to run the industry. However during the milling season, which lasts for at least five (5) months, additional staffs are usually hired in order to meet labor requirements of sugar milling.
Grain processing is likewise a major source of agro-industry in Piat. There are currently nine (9) rice mills operating within the municipality.
Manufacturing
Represents of this category are the manufacture of furniture and fixtures, manufacture of bakery products, manufacture of candles, manufacture of wearing apparel and CHB manufacturing.
1. Manufacture of Furniture and Fixtures
Engaged in this activity are four (4) furniture shops. Market for these products is usually Manila and in some extent exported abroad.
2. Manufacture of Bakery Products
There are currently five (5) existing. These products are usually for local needs and domestic consumption only.
3. Manufacturing of Wearing Apparel
There are two (2) shops located at Poblacion 01 that cater to the clothing needs of the populace.
4. Candle Manufacturing
The manufacturer of candles has become a profitable business for a resident in Poblacion 01. The demand of the product is brought about by the influx of pilgrims who pay homage to the Miraculous Lady of Piat by lighting candles to strengthen their position and prayers.
5. CHB Manufacturing
There are five (5) industries engaged in hallow block making. Production is minimal due to limited outlet for the product. The peak season of this industry is only during the months of March-June when people usually construct their dwelling units.
Service – Oriented Industry
Included in this category are six (6) welding shops located at Sta. Barbara, Sto. Domingo, Maguilling, Poblacion 01 and Aquib. The industry is engaged in repair of motor vehicles, vulcanizing body – building and metal craft.
With the exception of CARSUMCO, which promises to be a good source of income and livelihood, the existing industries within the municipality have manifested very poor performance in terms of job generation and as a complementary service to the growth of agricultural income.
PROTECTIVE SERVICES
Police Force and Facilities
The maintenance of peace and order in the municipality is the prime responsibility of the members of Philippine National Police (PNP). However the increasing trust and confidence of the people in this law enforcement instrumentality of the government, their heightened awareness of their rights to security and the growing realization that peace and order is everyone’s social responsibility have been and will continue to be the best assurance that the crime situation will remain stable and under control within the municipality.
The PNP headquarters is located with the Municipal Hall Compound. It is housed in a semi-concrete building north of the Municipal Hall. Manned by twenty- one (21) policeman, it is headed by a Chief of Police with the rank of Police Inspector.
Existing facilities of the Local PNP include the necessary office tables, chairs and other office equipment like a two-way radio system, which facilitates communication among different PNP stations within the province. For mobility, the PNP has two (2) patrol jeeps and one (1) motorcycle.
Force population ratio is 1:985, which is within the ideal ratio of one policeman for every 1000 population.
There are no members of the Bureau of Jail Management for the municipality has no prison cell. There 19 members of the Bureau of Fire Protection, with one fire –fighting equipment but have no or rescue trucks.
Para Military Members
Assisting the local PNP in the maintenance of peace in the municipality are members of barangay Tanods of the different Barangays whose remuneration comes from the Local Government Unit. Though wanting in training and experience, the Barangay Tanods are a great help in ensuring a normal peace and order situation in the municipality. To date, all barangays have activated and organized their Barangay Tanod.
Crime Incidence:
The municipality is relatively a peaceful and orderly community. This could be gleamed from the type and number of crimes committed during the last five (5) years. From 1994-1998 a total number of 33 offenses were recorded which is very minimal. The highest number of crimes in a year was committed in 1997 with a count of 9 followed closely in 1998 with 8 crimes committed.
The highest crime committed is murder, otherwise classified as crime against person or life. A total of 6 offenses were committed during the period. Homicide and violation against P.D. 1866 ranked second followed closely by robbery, violation against P.D. 1602 and frustrated murder and homicide.
SOCIAL WELFARE
Welfare service is being primarily rendered by the Municipal Social Welfare Development Office whose nucleus is at the Municipal Hall from where one Municipal Social Welfare Development officer, one Social Welfare Assistant and one Welfare Aid regularly holds office. The three workers have to reach out all the barangays of the municipality.
The main concern of the MSWD office is addressing the immediate social problems in the locality. The services offered are reinforced by the involvement of the civil members and some religious groups of the community.
The target-clienteles of the social welfare program are those belonging to the 30% poorest members of the community, the pre-schools, women, out-of-school youth, and those with special needs like the handicapped and disabled.
Social Welfare Services Offered
1. Day Care Centers
Each of the 18 barangays in the municipality has its own Day Care Center (DCC). The rationale behind the creation of DCC is the provision of supplement feeding to undernourished pre-school children of poor families and at the same time serve as a substitute for parental care. While the children are being taken cared of in the center where they are taught nursery school lessons, their parents can concentrate on their works completely relieved of the care of the children.
The Day Care Center is a second home of the child. In 1998, a total of 740 were enrolled in the different DCC’s and 652 children were recipients of supplemental feeding. Barangay Apayao has the highest number of recipients while Barangay Villarey has the least beneficiaries of the DCC services.
2. Family Planning Assistance
The MSWD office compliments the work of other line agencies in family planning by helping identify married couples at reproductive age, motivating them to adopt methods of family planning.
In 1998, there were 292 couples who were assisted in family planning.
3. Family Life Education and Counseling
The role of the MSWD Office is purely informational and motivational. It develops the awareness of married couples and prospective husbands and wives for responsible parenthood as a way of life.
For 1998, a total of 406 availed of this particular service.
4. Self -Employment Assistance
Under this program, the clientele is given free skills training courses and at the end of the course qualified clients are given a loan without collateral which he has to invest in an income- generating venture for him to pay back his loan and become a self-reliant member of the society.
Seventy-three (73) clients from the 18 different barangays were accorded this welfare service in 1998.
5. Specific Services
a. Medical Care
Free medical care and attention were given to 124 needy person in 1998. Medicines were likewise distributed and serious medical cases were referred to other concerned agencies.
b. Relief and Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation of victims of catastrophic events like floods and typhoons was also extended to local target clienteles. The MSWDO distributed free medicines, clothing, foodstuff and shelter assistance to identified beneficiaries which reached 1,835 in 1998.
c. Senior Citizens
Organizations and documentation of senior citizens is a continuing activity of the MSWDO. A total of 139 senior citizens were registered in 1998.
Social enhancement activities are likewise conducted at least once a year to empower the senior citizen to be still useful constituents of the community.
Distribution of Cases by Type of Clientele System
In 1998, the social welfare program has reached out to its various clienteles in all the barangays of the municipality. The local MSWDO was able to serve 3,849 target beneficiaries broken down as follows: 744 families in extremely difficult circumstances (EDC); women in EDC numbering 337 in majority of the barangays except barangays Maguilling, Villarey, Villareyno and Warat where there are no identified target clientele; children and youth in EDC with 740 counts; senior citizen totaling 139; 54 persons with disabilities; and 1,835 victims of natural or man made disasters.
SPORTS AND RECREATION
As has always been a part of national policy, sports and recreational development is also a municipal endeavor. There are however, no recreational facilities such as those found in urban centers which one can enjoy in Piat. The residents have to travel to Tuguegarao City where they can choose from an array of recreational facilities ranging from movie-watching, bowling, disco dancing and others for better entertainment.
Sports and recreational facilities in the municipality are limited to basketball courts, playgrounds, two (2) billiard halls and one (1) local cable T. V. Nonetheless, the government has filled in such inadequacy by promoting sports at the grassroots level regularly staging tournaments during the summer months, annual fiestas and during public holidays. Such sports events are special treats to the recreation-deprived population. School athletic events are also looked forward to and have been proven to be a well- attended activity as the residents really flocked to witness them
Within the Municipal Hall Compound is a municipal park, which proved to be a popular hangout not only of the children but also of adults in the evenings.
For passive recreations, households with television sets prefer T.V. viewing made available by the local cable T.V. as their nocturnal recreation. Others without TV connections make do with radio listening to while away their time.
Reading is also another recreational activity. Vernacular magazines and illustrated comics are popular reading materials among barangay folks.
TOURISM
In the minds of many, the very sound of the name Piat, Cagayan is synonymous with the miraculous lady of the Hill, Nuestra Señora de Visitacion de Piat, the greatest attraction of the municipality.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Piat was elevated into a Basilica Minore by virtue of a proclamation decree by the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II on March 10,1998. The decree was granted as a tribute to the enduring faith of the Cagayanos which started as a simple show of faith to the lady of the Holy Rosary during the Spanish Regime that grew into a massive flow of devotion due to the countless testimonies of miraculous cures circulating throughout the Itawes region.
Thousands of pilgrims and devotees from all over the region as well as the country regularly visit the shrine the whole year round. Balikbayan make it a point to schedule a visit whenever they are within the country. Piat has therefore earned the distinction and honor of being “Mecca of the North,” “Jerusalem of the Philippines,” and “Pilgrimage Center of the Cagayan Valley.” It is for this reason that the Department of Tourism has included Piat as a tourist destination thus included in their “Fiesta Islands” calendar of activities.
The busiest season of patronage and devotion is during the months of June and July when the Miraculous Lady of Piat celebrates her feast on the 2nd day of July. A dosage of pageantry that speaks of courage, faith and devotion is regularly held in a grand celebration called “Sambali Festival.” This annual season of festival usually lasts for two weeks that culminates on the Feast day of the Lady of Piat.
The existing infrastructure facilities cannot support the throngs of people that come to visit the shrine during the peak season. As a result during this period, roads and secondary streets leading to the Basilica are congregated with people who used those utilities as their temporary abode wherein domestic chores like cooking is done. Other pilgrims camp along vacant lots within the Basilica compound and on vacant lots within the vicinity.
Toilets too are inadequate and cannot service people during these times. Safe, potable and sufficient water supply is not available to the pilgrims due to the limited capacity and the deteriorating condition of the existing waterworks system of the municipality.
COMMERCE AND TRADE
Next to agriculture, the secondary source of income and livelihood of the residents of the municipality is commerce and trade. There are two hundred thirteen (213) establishments engaged in commerce and trade.
The Public Market found in Poblacion 01 is the largest concentration of commerce in the municipality housing a variety of commercial activities. Thursday and Sundays are the market days of the municipality. During these days, people from neighboring municipalities of Tuao and Solana and those from the barangays sell their products in the market, which is structurally divided into dry section, wet market and vegetable section.
Based on major types of business, the commercial establishments are classified as follows:
a. Wholesale Trade – Engaged in this business category are six (6) establishments engaged in palay-buying. Three (3) are located in Poblacion 01 while the remaining three (3) are in Poblacion 02.
b. Retail Trade – Resale or sale without transformation of new and used good title general public comprises the majority of commercial activities within the municipality. A total of one hundred thirty-seven (137) establishments belong to this category. The number includes one hundred ten (110) neighborhood sari-sari stores sporadically distributed among the 18 barangays, two (2) general merchandise, two (2) hardware, two (2) grocery, four (4) rice retailers, four (4) dry goods, seven (7) religious article outlets and one gasoline service includes eleven (11) restaurants all located within the Poblacion.
c. Services – Included in this business category two (2) billiard halls, catering to the recreational needs of the residents of Piat. Personal services include eleven (11) restaurants all located within the Poblacion.
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation harnesses the economic development of a community. It provides mobility of its population, movement of people, and circulation of information within and beyond the municipality. It facilitates the delivery of services even to the remotest rural barangays.
Piat is one of the municipalities of Cagayan which is not accessible by public transportation at all times of the day. This is due to the location of the municipality, it being virtually isolated at the western tip of the province and not connected to any other municipality except on the south by the municipality of Solana by the Maharlika Highway which is the only main road link to the area. Public utility vehicles are very available only in the mornings and decrease in number till 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon. In order to travel south to Solana after 3 PM, a commuter must take a four kilometers tricycle ride to the intersection of Daang Maharlika and the Provincial Road at Barangay Maguilling where Jeepneys and Public Utility Buses coming from the Municipality of Tuao are very available.
Movement within the municipality relatively follows the same pattern. It is during the mornings that public transport vehicles traveling to the different barangays are busy but come afternoons, trips are already very rare.
Road Network
a. By Type of Administration
The total road network of the municipality is 175.407 kilometers. This is composed of 17.815 kms. National Road or 10.01% of the total road length; 30.45 kms. Provincial Road or 17.36% share; 5.2 km. Municipal Road or 2.96% share; and 121.943 kms. Barangay Roads linking the different barangays to the urban Poblacion comprising 69.52% of the total road length.
b. By Type of Pavement
The total length of the National Road is generally in good condition considering 13.77 kilometers or 77.29% of the national road total length is already paved or concreted. Only the 3 kilometers in Barangay Gumarueng and 745 meters road in Barangay Sta. Barbara are still gravel-surfaced. The good condition of the major portion of the national roads enables motorists to drive smoothly in all types of weather conditions.
Almost the total length of the provincial roads within the municipality are still gravel-filled compose of 26.85 kilometers or an 88.18% share. The remaining 3.6 kilometers is already paved. Fortunately, the unpaved provincial roads are passable even during rainy weather.
Municipal Roads are either paved or gravel-surfaced. Out of the 5.2 kilometer municipal roads only 1.25 kilometers is paved; 500 meters is asphalt road while the rest is gravel-surfaced.
The barangay roads are either concrete, gravel or earth-filled. The major length however is gravel road composes of 93.136 kilometers or 79.38% of the total barangay roads. Dirt roads composed of 27.022 kilometers or 22.16% share while the remaining barangay road length of 1.785 kilometers is concrete pavement. Generally, the roads are in poor or fair condition.
Bridges
The existing bridges are all under the administrative category of either provincial or municipal bridges. There are seven (7) bridges in the entire municipality; two each are in barangays Baung and Maguilling; and one each at barangays Gumarueng, Macapil and Warat. The total length of the bridges is 60 linear meters and the width of bridges at Gumarueng, Macapil, one each at Maguilling and Baung is 4 meters wide while the rest are 6 meters wide.
All the bridges within the municipality are found to be in good condition considering they are made up of reinforced concrete materials.
Existing Land Transportation
The data of the LTO showed that municipality has a total of 498 registered vehicles. The greatest number of the vehicles plying the area is tricycles totaling 145 units which are for hire to transport residents within and outside the municipality. Second most widely used by motorist are private motorcycles numbering 138 in all. Public utility jeepneys, buses and vans numbering 66, 3 and 10 respectively have as their franchise Piat to Tuguegarao route and vice-versa. Other motor vehicles present in the municipality are 39 owner-type jeeps, 41 cars, 2 patrol cars, 39 cargo trucks that can travel to any point of Luzon, 9 dump trucks, 3 ambulances and 1 fire truck.
Existing Transportation Terminal
There are no bus or public utility terminals within the municipality. Only a designated area at the entrance of Barangay Baung is being utilized as parking area where commuters can wait for scheduled trips to places outside the municipality.
Jeepneys bound for inner barangays park temporarily at the road shoulder near the market compound which usually causes traffic congestion most especially during market days and on Sundays which are the busiest days for the locality.
Road Density
The standard for the road provision are 2.4 kilometers for every urban population and 1.5 kilometers for every 100 hectares arable land. The municipality has a total of 121.943 kilometers of road. With an urban population of 5,976, urban road density should be 14.34 kilometers. On the other hand, with an agricultural land of 5,837.66 hectares, rural road length should be 87.57 kilometers. This indicates that the existing road network within the municipality is more than the required road density by 20.o33 kilometers.
Projected Road Requirements
Until the end of the plan period, the existing road length within Piat is adequate enough to serve the transportation needs of the population. Construction of additional roads however shall be at the discretion of the LGU to improve mobility within the urban core. Concreting of unpaved roads and proper maintenance of paved roads shall be undertaken for the convenience of motorist and to facilitate movement of goods and services.
WATER
Waterworks System:
The water needs of the urban core population of Piat are provided by a Level III waterworks system. The system has two pumping stations located at Poblacion 01 and Poblacion 02. The pumping station located at Poblacion 01 is sustained by a one-unit 4 inches diameter Turbine Head Drive run by a six-cylinder diesel engine with a pumping capacity of 311 gallons/minute. A water reservoir has been built along it with a tank capacity of 28,000 gallons.
The pumping station at Poblacion 02, installed to reinforce the main pumping station at Poblacion 01, fills the water tank located within the Municipal Hall compound. Run by a one-unit 2 inches diameter submersible pump powered by electricity, it has a low pumping capacity of 29.16 gallons/minute. It therefore takes 16 hours to fill its reservoir with a tank capacity of 14,000 gallons. The main pumping station thereby supports in filling its tank in order to generate enough water for the consumers.
Both pumping stations have great difficulty in providing safe water for the residents. The area of coverage is generally on a rolling terrain. Pumping Station No. 1 draws water from the foot of a hill discharging it to the different households whose dwelling units are generally straddled along the hillsides and on top of the hill. Coupled by their limited capacity are the deteriorating condition of distribution lines and household connections. The distribution lines have gone deeper due to the concreting of the roads hindering the efficient flow of water. The joints and connections have damages that cause leakage’s resulting to the systems loss and inadequacy of potable water. The water tanks have no top covers exposing the water supply to outside elements like air pollutants and insects.
Service Coverage:
The waterworks system is currently serving three adjoining barangays in the urban core namely: Poblacion 1, Poblacion 2 and Aquib. Out of the total number of 785 households in the three barangays, only 301 or 38% of the total households have piped water. Residential consumers pay a flat rate of P 100.00 per month regardless of water consumed in as much as the system has no metering devices to measure water consumption of every household. Commercial, industrial and institutional establishments are charged a fix rate of P150.00 per month. Delinquent consumers are imposed a penalty of P5.00 for every month of delay.
Due to the dilapidated condition and limited capacity of the waterworks system, delivery of water is only from one to two hours in the morning. Such inability of the water system to dispose water all day through has discouraged the urban residents to avail of the services of the existing waterworks system in the municipality.
Other Services of Water:
In the urban core, the households and the different consumers who have no piped water have installed their own water system. A total number of 484 households have either jetmatic pumps, pumpwells or shallow wells as their source of water supply.
In the rural barangays, the Level I and II source of water supply is being utilized. It is noted that deep well is the most common source of drinking water followed by dug wells.
Barangay Villarey has a Level II water system. The pumping capacity of its submersible pump is 4000 liters per hour. The piped water system has a total of 13 communal faucets that could serve at least one-half of the total household population of the barangay.
MPDO & DaNiProductions2007
