About Tuguegarao City
Mayor: Maila Rosario S. Ting-Que
Short History
Tuguegarao City, the Capital of the Province of Cagayan, stands as the Regional Center of Cagayan Valley. It is recognized as the Center of Excellence for Higher Education, Science, and Medicine in Region 02. Tuguegarao’s economy is driven by a robust and dynamic tertiary sector, establishing it as the Regional Primary Growth Center. This vibrant economy positions the city as a key player in economic and enterprise activities throughout the region and even extends its influence to the border municipalities of the Ilocos Region and the Cordillera Administrative Region.
The city’s comprehensive social and economic infrastructure supports its role as the Regional Trading Center, the Regional Support Service Center for Agricultural Development, Tourism, and Industrial Development. Additionally, Tuguegarao serves as the backbone to the Regional Industrial Center in Cauayan City, Isabela, and the Cagayan Special Economic Zone in Sta Ana, Cagayan. Leveraging its strategic location and rapidly growing knowledge-based economy, Tuguegarao has earned the distinction of being the only Digital City in Region 02.
Tuguegarao’s rich history began as a mission-pueblo and became the provincial capital of Cagayan on May 24, 1839. It achieved city status on December 18, 1999, through RA 8755, known as “An Act Converting the Municipality of Tuguegarao, Cagayan Province into a Component City to be known as Tuguegarao City.”
Nestled in the lush Cagayan Valley, Tuguegarao is shielded by the Sierra Madre Mountain Ranges to the east, the Cordilleras to the west, and the distant Caraballo Mountain to the south. The city flourished along the banks of the mighty Cagayan River and the swift Pinacanauan de Tuguegarao. It is located approximately 483 kilometers north of Manila, accessible via a 10-12 hour land travel through the Maharlika Highway, the region’s primary transportation route, or a 55-minute air travel.
Key Information
- Population: 153,502 (PSA 2015)
- Land Area: 113.95 Square Kilometers
- Geographic Coordinates:
- Longitude: 121º43’ 46”
- Latitude: 17º 36’ 54”
- Plain Coordinates: 20,011.95 north and 20,106.67 east
Tuguegarao City is a thriving hub of education, commerce, and innovation, continuously paving the way for regional growth and development.
