Atok, Benguet

The area of Atok was previously referred to by the natives and Spanish colonizers as Chontog, an Ibaloi word for "mountainous". Spanish military officials and missionaries arrived at Chontog in 1892, establishing precedencias (tax collection stations) in the area and its surrounding settlements.^[6]

The Ibaloi phrase Nay patok shi Chontog, which means "on the mountain top", was later shortened to Atok.^[7]

During the American rule, Atok was established as one of the 19 townships of the province of Benguet, upon the issuance of Act No. 48 by the Philippine Commission on November 22, 1900.^[8][9]

On August 13, 1908, Benguet was established as a sub-province of the newly created Mountain Province with the enactment of Act No. 1876. As a result, six townships of Benguet were abolished, but Atok remained a constituent town of Benguet sub-province.^[9]

During the Second World War, Atok was the scene of fierce pitch battles between the military forces and guerrilla fighters of the 66th Infantry Regiment, Philippine Commonwealth Army, USAFIP-NL and the Japanese Imperial Army forces. The steep terrain along the Halsema road suited Filipino troops, the Philippine Commonwealth military, and guerrillas to mount ambushes against the Japanese forces. One of these battles took place in what is now “Guerrilla Saddle” located at km. 26, in barangay Caliking.^[10]

On June 25, 1963, President Diosdado Macapagal issued Executive Order No. 42 converting eight (8) of the thirteen (13) towns (designated as municipal districts) of Benguet into regular municipalities. Atok was among them.^[11]

On June 18, 1966, the sub-province of Benguet was separated from the old Mountain Province and was converted into a regular province. Atok remained to be a component municipality of the newly established province.^[9][12]

Atok is located at 16°37′38″N 120°46′02″E / 16.6272°N 120.7672°E / 16.6272; 120.7672, situated at the central portion of Benguet. It is bounded by Kibungan on the north, Kabayan on the north-east, Bokod on the southeast, Tublay on the south-west, and Kapangan on the west.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 214.99 square kilometres (83.01 sq mi) ^[13] constituting 7.76% of the 2,769.08-square-kilometre- (1,069.15 sq mi) total area of Benguet.

The land is characterized as mountainous with many steep cliffs. It is home to Mt. Timbak, the third highest mountain in Luzon. The second highest point in the Philippine Highway System is also located at Barangay Paoay along Halsema Highway, at 2,255 metres (7,400 ft) above sea level.^[10][14] It held formerly the title as the highest point in the Philippine Highway System since World War II until early 2019. This is after the validation and assessment conducted by the Department of Public Works and Highways - Cordillera Administrative Region (DPWH-CAR) Regional Office last January 2019 declaring a new highest point at 2,428.66 meters (7968.045 feet) along the Kiangan-Tinoc-Buguias Road in Tinoc Town some 55 Kilometers east via Atok, Benguet.

Atok is situated 42.57 kilometres (26.45 mi) from the provincial capital La Trinidad, and 295.50 kilometres (183.62 mi) from the country's capital city of Manila.

Like most part of Benguet it has subtropical highland climate, during the cold months of the year, the municipality experiences very low temperatures reaching 9 degrees Celsius (48 degrees Fahrenheit). This causes common frost to settle on the ground, causing millions of damage to crops, but drawing tourists to the town.^[16][17]

Atok is politically subdivided into 8 barangays.^[18] Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

PSGC	Barangay	Population			±% p.a.
		2024[19]		2010[20]
141101001	Abiang	8.5%	1,643	1,766	▾	−0.52%
141101002	Caliking	17.4%	3,368	3,155	▴	0.47%
141101003	Cattubo	13.8%	2,674	2,674		0.00%
141101004	Naguey	8.7%	1,678	1,723	▾	−0.19%
141101005	Paoay	22.1%	4,285	4,181	▴	0.18%
141101006	Pasdong	6.7%	1,304	1,078	▴	1.38%
141101007	Poblacion	9.9%	1,914	2,045	▾	−0.47%
141101008	Topdac	12.2%	2,352	2,620	▾	−0.77%
	Total		19,346	19,218	▴	0.05%

In the 2024 census, Atok had a population of 19,346 people.^[25] The population density was 90 inhabitants per square kilometre (230/sq mi).

Poverty incidence of Atok

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority^{[26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33]}

Atok, belonging to the lone congressional district of the province of Benguet, is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is being held every three years.

The Atok Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools.^[37]

As of 2014, Atok has 22 public elementary schools and 2 public secondary schools.^[38][39][40]

• 
  Sayangan Church
• 
  Old Atok Municipal Hall
• 
  New Atok Municipal Hall
• 
  Northern Blossom Flower Farm

• Benguet–Kōchi Sisterhood Park