Upi, Maguindanao del Norte

Etymology

The name Upi probably derives from the term ufi. Ufi is a Teduray name for a certain tree (piper betel) that grew abundantly in the place in the early years. The bark of the ufi is used with betel nuts for chewing or mama in Teduray. The Teduray are the native inhabitants of present-day Upi.

History

The beginning of Upi as a district geographical and political entity largely began from the early part of 1901 to 1910, when American forces set foot in the then Province of Cotabato.

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

Upi was formerly a barrio of Dinaig. It was separated from Dinaig by virtue of Republic Act No. 1248, which was approved on June 10, 1955. On December 16 of the same year, President Elpidio Quirino signed Executive Order No. 142, creating 42 barrios of Upi.

The first municipal mayor, vice mayor and councilors of Upi were appointed by the president of the Philippines. Maria Badoy was appointed as the first municipal mayor. In 1956, residents of the town were encouraged to participate in the political affairs of the local government, and there took place the first election wherein Mayor Ignacio Tenorio Labina, a Teduray leader, was the first elected mayor of Upi and held his office for four years.

In 2006, Upi lost about 147 km2 when the coastal barangays Kinimi, Laguitan, Lapaken, Matuber, Meti, Nalkan, Penansaran, Sedem, Sinipak, Resa, Tambak and Tubuan were separated from the municipality to create the new municipality of Datu Blah T. Sinsuat.

Geography

Upi is a mountainous town situated in the south-western coastal portion of Maguindanao province.

Barangays

Upi is politically subdivided into 23 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

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

Climate

| access-date = 19 January 2019 }}

Demographics

Economy

**Poverty Incidence of **

;Gross Domestic Product The Gross Domestic Product of the Municipality (2022) is 22,238,700,000(PHP).

Government

The current mayor of Upi is Ma. Rona Cristina A. Piang-Flores, who was elected in 2022 during the National and Local Elections.

List of former mayors:

• Maria Badoy - 1955 to 1956 - Appointed Mayor
• Ignacio Tenorio Labina - 1956 to 1960 - First Elected Mayor
• Datu Abdullah "Ugcog" Sinsuat - 1960 to 1963 - Elected Mayor
• Datu Michael "Puti" P. Sinsuat - 1963 to 1980 - Elected Mayor
• Bai Fatima P. Sinsuat - 1980 to 1986 - Elected Mayor
• Datu Mohammad "Unting" Sinsuat - 1986 to 1987 - Appointed Mayor
• Datu Mohammad "Unting" Sinsuat - 1987 to 1992 - Elected Mayor
• Datu Michael "Puti" P. Sinsuat - 1992 to 2001 - Elected Mayor
• Ramon A. Piang, Sr. - 2001 to 2010 - Elected Mayor
• Ruben D. Platon - 2010 to 2011 - Elected Mayor
• Ramon A. Piang, Sr - 2011 to 2022 - Elected Mayor

Culture

Meguyaya festival

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

References

References

1. {{DILG detail
2. "An Act to Create the Municipality of Upi in the Province of Cotabato". LawPH.com.
3. "Executive Order No. 142, s. 1955 | GOVPH".
4. (2006). "Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No.198: An Act Creating The Municipality of Datu Blah T. Sinsuat in The Province of Maguindanao, Providing Funds Therfor, and for Other Purposes.". Arellano Law Foundation.
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