BARANGAY PICO

MISSION/VISION/GOALS

Vision

“We envision the Barangay Pico to be more progressive, loving and peaceful place to live in where people and residents enjoy harmonious way of life, business, at work and at home, and most especially for a more directed and progressive Barangay Governance.”

Mission

“We commit to perform better duties and responsibilities to carry out the plans and objectives of the barangay thru voluntary and excellent performance, most especially in the delivery of the basic needs such as improved roads and environment, water system, health care, education, housing and agricultural farming needs of the farmers and residents of the barangay.”

Goals

“Barangay Pico for a progressive community where residents are provided of the basic needs such as education, security, good sanitation and proper waste management, improved nutrition for the school and school children, livelihood projects for the various association or organizations and infrastructure projects, in coordination with concerned Government and private agencies for the full development of the barangay.”

BARANGAY PICO

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The news of the existence of gold in the Cordillera led the Spanish conquerors to expedition toward this area.  In 1846, a Spanish expedition led by Guillermo Galvey discovered the beautiful valley of La Trinidad.  Originally called “Benguet”, Guillermo Galvey renamed the valley after his wife Doṅa Trinidad.

Pico was already a thriving community of houses during the coming of the Spaniards.  Its original settlers were said to have come from Kabayan through Baguio.  They carried with them an Ibaloi and wet rice culture.  Descendants of these original settlers are the siblings named Bato, Soneng, Sula, Kufagey and Buhitay.  Other families are the Patrikin line of the Abaloses and the Babans.  While the staple food of the Ibaloi was consist of camote and gabi.  Rice was only used for ceremonial purposes.

Pico was the largest barangay consisting of Balili, Lubas, Ambiong, Betag, Beckel, Puguis, and Pico.  It was in Puguis where the Spaniards built the seat of the “Commandancio-Politico-Militar”, the governing body of the whole Province of Benguet with La Trinidad as its capital town.

The Spaniards introduced many social changes into the society of Ibalois.  They curtailed the celebration of Caṅaos.  They introduced coffee and corn.  They were made to produce food for the Spanish officials, designating a “polistas” to collect chicken, eggs and meat from the residents.  The Spaniards likewise needed numerous “cargadores” or carriers for travel around Benguet.  The Spaniards also imposed “diez dias” or ten days forced labor to construct Spanish trails, feed their horses, split his garden and perform other menial tasks.  They introduced the use of money and new farm implements.  Pico derived its name from the Ibaloi term “piho”, referring to the pick mattock which inhabitants used to flatten the hilly land.  Later, the term has been changed to Pico.  During the revolution, Juan “Ora” Cariṅo led the La Trinidad residents headed by Clemente Laoyan.  They burned the commandancia at Puguis.

During the American period, Pico is proud to have produced the leaders of La Trinidad namely:  Duna Nabus and Clemente Laoyan who served as Municipal District President equal to the position of Municipal Mayor.  After the war, Ezra Nabus and larry Ogas who are also from Pico served as Municipal Mayors.  Sometime in the 1960’s during the term of Mayor Cipriano Abalos, Pico was divided into six barangays which are now called:  Balili, Lubas, Betag, Beckel, Puguis, and Pico.

Today, Pico stands out among the 16 barangays of La Trinidad being the number one in terms of revenues.  For the year 2013, the revenue  of the barangay is Ᵽ9,469,676.00.  This is due to the fact that there is a total of 1,991 registered business establishments operating within the barangay.  The barangay is also suitable to a wide variety of crops and vegetables which serves not only the needs of the barangay but the municipality as well.

Pico is an urban barangay.  It is considered as a major commercial area.  It is also the seat of the Municipal Government of La Trinidad, La Trinidad Public Markets, and the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post.