History of Barangay Tibgao

Long before the Spaniards arrived, there was a place in what was to become Canaman which was thickly covered with a particular type of grass locally called tibgao. This kind of grass grew very tall, and the pollen of its flower was known to cause blindness if the pollen ever got into the eyes. Nonetheless, despite the risk, the people living nearby as well as those from farther places used to go to that locale to get Tibgao, the flowers of which they made into brooms, which they bartered for other goods they needed for daily use.

Apparently, the place – like many others all over the Philippines – got its name as a result of a communication gap between Iberian and indio. One day after the conquistadores had already “pacified” the land of Handiong, a group of Spaniards went to the place of the tall grass. Seeing a group of young natives gathering Tibgao the visiting white men hailed them to ask for the name of the place. Quite innocently thinking that they were being asked in that strange tongue what they were gathering, the Filipinos answered “tibgao”. The Spaniards, hearing the reply, rather rashly assumed that they had been understood; from that time on until posterity finally formally institutionalized the name over a century ago, the place with the tall grass became known as Tibgao.

(Taken from: Canaman Through the Centuries by Jose V. Barrameda, Jr.)

Physical Characteristics

Barangay Tibgao is bounded on the north by barangay Sta. Cruz, South by barangay Del Rosario, East by barangay Pangpang and on the West by barangay Sta. Teresita. It has an aggregate area of 73.6469 has. or 1.70% of the total land area of the municipality making it the 6th smallest barangay in the municipality in terms of land area. It is traversed by the Canaman River and is made up of seven puroks.

The barangay is one of the nine urban barangays of the municipality as classified by the National Statistics Office. It is also part of the “poblacion” of the municipality. The terrain is generally flat with 0-3% slope and the major economic activity is still in agriculture, particularly palay farming.

Educational, Health and Service Facilities

Immediate need for health services in the barangay is undertaken by 5 Barangay Health Workers and supplemented by twice a month visitation by the Municipal Midwife. The residents can also access the services of the Municipal Health Office located in the town proper situated 1 km from the barangay. Serious cases can be brought directly to Naga City which is about 5.5 kilometers from the barangay.

Barangay Tibgao has no elementary school. However, public elementary school can be accessed in the poblacion which is less than a kilometer away or in the neighboring barangay of Poro which is about a kilometer away. The nearest High School is located in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Canaman which is about 1 kilometer from the barangay.
Tertiary Education facilities can be found in Barangay Baras (about 2.5 kms. from the barangay) and Naga City (about 5.5 kms from the barangay).

A Day Care Worker (funded by the barangay with municipal counterpart) undertakes day care services to the children aged 3-5 years old.

Mode of Public Transportation

The entire 7 puroks of the barangay is traversed by a concrete provincial road serviced by around 35 “padyaks” (minimum fare is P5/person). There are also tricycles that ply the route of Poblacion-Poro or Poblacion-Liñaga and they all pass through barangay Tibgao. Given the road condition and the proximity of the barangay to the town proper (poblacion) public transportation for barangay Tibgao is highly accessible, which are usually available as early as 4 a.m. and as late as 12midnight. It can be noted that a number of people prefer to walk from the poblacion to their house in Tibgao, especially when they are not carrying heavy baggages.

Credit Institutions

The barangay is served by several credit institutions (private and government) including those offered by private individuals. TSPI and CARD Bank, are the more prominent private lending institutions in the barangay. The Municipal Government also offers micro-lending services to identified sectors, including the micro entrepreneurs and farmers. Private individuals (5-6 or bumbay type) and compradors also offer credit services to individuals in the barangay.

Water & Electric Supply

Barangay Tibgao is serviced by the Metro Naga Water District. However, most of the people in the barangay do not use the water from the pipeline for drinking, most of them get their drinking water from water lorry that ply the area for a fee (at P6 per 16 liter container). Others who can afford buy from water purifying stations that deliver water to their doorsteps at P35 per 16-liter container. This situation is amplified by the CBMS results which revealed that 85.2% or 254 of the total 298 households in the barangay have no access to safe water.

As to electricity, all the seven puroks of the barangay has electrical facilities through CASURECO II. However, there are still several households with no electrical connections (30 households) due to economic reasons.

Waste Management

The barangay has no Materials Recovery Facility and no established waste management system. Most of the residents dispose their wastes thru burning or in open pits. Some irresponsible residents throw their garbage in the river. It can be mentioned that the barangay is reached by roving “Bote-Bakal-Plastic” buyers.

Peace and Order

The barangay is generally peaceful. Peace and order in the barangay is handled by the 19 Barangay Tanods with regular detail duties and foot patrol every night. CBMS 2009 data shows that 7 households said that they were victimized by crimes – mostly crimes against property, ie. theft.

Barangay Officials

Barangay Tibgao has the following Barangay Officials, to wit:
Punong Barangay: Arnel N. Ibasco
Barangay Kagawads:
1. Noel J. Asanza
2. Loreto A. Belga
3. Roberto B. Camba
4. Gina L. Morales
5. Roxan E. Morano
6. Rosa A. Baylon
7. Alma B. Aguinaldo
8. Melanie F. Pangindian – SK Chairman

Barangay Secretary: Ronaldo S. San Carlos
Barangay Treasurer: Genedine T. Franco

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