A Glimpse of Lamut
Lamut is one of the eleven municipalities of Ifugao. It is located at the Southeastern portion of the Province and known to be the gateway to the famous banaue Rice Terraces which is about 53 kms drive away and 27 kms to Lagawe, the capital town. It is a 4th class municipality.
During the early years of the 19th century, Lamut is a barrio of Kiangan Municipality in the old Mt. Province. Ilocano settlers from Nueva Vizcaya and the Ilocos Provinces first occupied the place that was then known as Mabatobato, a rich pastureland. The settlers were attracted to the place due to its proximity to the Lamut river and the abundance of wildlife. It was because of the abundance of food that the place was later called Lamut, which means food in the Ilocano dialect.
As the population grows, a bill was introduced in Congress by then Congressman Luis Hora weaning Lamut from its mother Municipality. On April 5, 1959, by virtue of Republic Act 2111, it formally became a municipality, then composed of four pioneer barrios namely: Panopdopan, Payon Bugan (now Nayon), Mabatobato and Hapid. Presently it has eighteen barangays: Ambasa, Bimpal, Poblacion West, Poblacion East, Hapid, Lucban, Lawig, Panopdopan, Mabatobato, Pugol, Salamague, Nayon, Payawan, Pieza, Umilag, Sanafe, Hollowon, and Magulon.
Lamut is a metropolitan municipality of diverse cultures who speak the ifugao, Ilocano, tagalog, panggasinense, and other dialects.
Catholic dominates the various religious sects present in the municipality.
Now as a 4th class municipality, it has undergone a metamorphosis of many developments through the efforts of the past leaders. The present 9th leadership with the support of its Sangguniang Bayan opened a variety of opportunities for development and excellence to good governance.
Lamut based on 2019 census registers a total population of 27, 783 and land area of approximately 14, 965 hec.
Dry season falls from December to april while may to November is the wet season.
Around 40% of its total land area is devoted to agriculture where majority of the populace especially in the rural areas engage in food production as their means of livelihood. Rice is the staple crop followed by corn and fruit trees. Mangoes and bananas are the fruits in abundance while taro, gabi, and sweet potatoes are the major root crops being produced. Lowland vegetables such as ampalaya, squash, beans, and eggplants also thrive in abundance. Poultry and piggery are the fast growing industries while fishery boosts economy. Tilapia is the One Town One Product (OTOP).
Commerce and trade are centered along the National Highway in Poblacion east and West, Payawan, and nayon. While some residents in the interior barangays do small businesses like sari-sari stores. Following the fast growing population of Lamut, is the growth of bigger commercial centers such as the lamut public market which opens every Tuesdays and Saturdays. The Tourism Village with its Function hall to cater to conferences, seminars, and the like. The provincial Livelihood Center which displays and sell the best of the Province’ products ranging from wood carved figurines, baskets, bowls, furnitures, antiques, wall decors, loom woven bags, native products, necklaces, processed foods, wines, and beverages.
The industries include furniture making, wood carving, basketry, and food processing.
In terms of services; hostel, restaurants, gasoline stations, banks, ATM, internet shops, clinics, Transport (auto shops) are available in the municipality.
Lamut is adjudged as an educational center as it hosts the Ifugao State University, Ifugao provincial Science High School, Ifugao Technical-Vocational School and the only Integrated School in the province.
An LGU owned radio station known as the DWPH 105.3 Lamut FM and the official publication called “BANDO” were established for fast and reliable communication and information to the Public. Programs and activities of the Municipality were aired over the radio and published in the newsletter. The words of God handled by the various religious sectors take their respective time slots.
Lamut has vast production areas that can be turned into agro-tourism such as the camat organic Farm, Mango groves and fish ponds. There are also caves, rivers, falls and other places of interest for picnics and adventure trecking. Some of the hidden treasures were gently been developing such as the Halimutok Cave, Sanafe Dome Cave, dar-awan Viewpoint, Yamashita underwater Cave, Matangili cave and the matangili rock formation and many others.
The municipality celebrates its Annual Rambakan Festival, a time of thanksgiving and merriment for a successful year of prosperity. This is held during the 1st week of April in conjunction to its founding anniversary every 5th day of the month with various activities as sports, beauty/Talent competition, agro industrial fair and many more.
Setting direction to “Umuna Ti Lamut” (Lamut first) was made possible by implementing and promoting lamut’s best practices which have gained popularity among the neighboring municipalities and provinces. One of these is the “Walang Plastikan sa lamut” launched on November 1, 2013 by the Municipal Solid Waste Management Board in compliance to Municipal Ordinance No. 03-2012. This aims to reduce the volume of plastic waste that are harmful in the environment. It also prohibits business establishments from using, selling, providing plastic bags and Styrofoams to customers as packaging materials to dry goods. This gave birth to the eco bag production, a livelihood program of the solo parents and persons with disabilities. No smoking and No Spitting of Moma were also prohibited in public places. Helmet Law and other national laws including municipal ordinances were strictly implemented without fear of political repercussion.
In terms of achievement, the Sangguniang Bayan was given the recognition as the outstanding legislative Body for the 4th to 6th class municipalities category in ifugao and was the nominee to the regional level in 2015
Apart from being a hall of fame awardee of SGLG and Red orchid to which were localized to the over all in the national competitiveness index and 1st place resilience nationwide among 3rd to 6th class municipalities. Moreover, it was a recipient of “Galing sa paggabay sa mga bata para sa magandang buhay also known as gawad gabay in 2016 for its positive and non-violent discipline for the children in the community. A four-time awardee too as the child friendly municipality.
In agriculture, lamut was an outstanding municipality regionwide in its effort to implement organic agriculture apart from other recognitions received.
Environmental award was given in adherence to RA 9003. Lately is the most improved class C river under the Rivers for life nationwide sponsored by DENR.
Lamut piloted the Regional Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill which was recently conducted by DRRM Officials
At least three awards were given to Mayor Mariano Buyagawan, Jr. as the most outstanding mayor in support to the National Voluntary Blood services of the department of health. Also, the Presidential Lingkod Bayani Award, and outstanding Municipal Mayor of the Philippines by the Association of Local Social Welfare and development Offices.
These and many others were fished out due to the invested hard works of the officialdom and constituents of Lamut.
Today, the municipality envisions itself to be the agro industrial/trade and sports center of the province as it continouslystruggle to be socially and economically developed communities. All these shall be done with transparency and accountability with the highest degree of professionalism in the conduct of duties.