[3] The name "Pugo" is believed to have originated from two prominent theories that reflect both the natural environment and the linguistic heritage of the area.

While the town itself is not an island, the term is thought to describe the large rock beds and boulders found in the Tapuacan River.

These geological formations, resembling small islets, are a distinctive feature of the river that flows through the town and shape its unique landscape.

Trade in this region involved a diverse array of traders and merchants, including Cordillerans (Igorots), Ilocanos, Pangasinans, Tagalogs, and even foreigners from China, Japan, and Maritime Southeast Asia.

[6] In June 1572, when the colonial Spaniards arrived, they successfully pacified and subjugated the locals and foreign merchants in Agoo to their authority and Christianity in the name of the Spanish monarch.

By the 1700s, the area became a ranchería called Tulosa and was designated as a visita (satellite mission station) under the jurisdiction of the larger church district in Agoo.

[6] Due to population pressure and the oppressive conditions under Spanish rule, Ilocano migrants from the Ilocos provinces and nearby towns began settling in the coastal areas of La Union.

Initially arriving in Agoo and Aringay (then part of Pangasinan province), they gradually moved inland to the fertile plains of Pugo.

[13] By the 1880s, the Ranchería Tulosa, then part of Barrio San Isidro de Tubao and still a visita of Agoo, was known as a hunting ground for quail birds, locally referred to as pugo.

Under the leadership of General Manuel Tinio y Bondoc, a close ally of Emilio Aguinaldo, the locals engaged in significant resistance efforts in Northern Luzon.

5, under the leadership of Captain Santiago Fontanilla, operated in the area and its neighboring towns of Agoo, Aringay, Santo Tomas, and Rosario.

[17] Guerrilla warfare ensued in pursuit of General Emilio Aguinaldo and his forces, leading to decisive battles in La Union, including in Pugo.

[5] By January 1, 1912, Pugo was officially organized as a town under the sub-province of Benguet, Mountain Province, in accordance with Executive Order No.

[5][19] On February 4, 1920, Pugo, which was then a municipal district of Benguet, was restored to La Union, along with other barrios and sitios previously annexed to Mountain Province.

By January 1945, American forces launched a successful campaign during the Battle of Lingayen Gulf, marking the turning point in liberating Northern Luzon from Japanese control.

Pugo was officially freed in March 1945 following the Battle of Bacsil Ridge in San Fernando, La Union, which signified the full liberation of the province from Japanese occupation.

[20] Pugo is an inland, landlocked town located at the foot of the Santo Tomas Mountain Range, along the southeastern side of La Union province.

The town's topography is predominantly hilly and mountainous, as it is nestled at the foothills of the Mount Santo Tomas (Cordillera Central) a stratovolcano.

[27] In 2020, 19,215 persons in Pugo had their births registered at the Local Civil Registry Office (LCRO), accounting for 99.39 % of the total household population.

[27] Pugo is predominantly Roman Catholic, with significant populations adhering to other Christian denominations, including Iglesia ni Cristo, Protestantism, Aglipayan, Pentecostal, and Jehovah’s Witnesses.

The town is steadily progressing by relying on agriculture, cottage industries, and services, while also embracing its potential as a gateway to eco-tourism and trade.Poverty incidence of Pugo Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37] Pugo is widely recognized for its agricultural products, particularly rice, corn, tobacco, root crops, fruits, and vegetables.

Agriculture remains the backbone of the local economy, with limited tracts of fertile land dedicated to crop production.

Farmers in the area also practice diverse farming techniques to maintain sustainability and ensure a steady supply of produce for both local consumption and regional markets.

Livestock farming is a significant part of Pugo’s economy, where residents engage in raising various animals such as poultry, particularly quail eggs and meat, along with cattle, swine, carabao, and goats.

The town’s livestock sector also plays a critical role in providing employment opportunities and contributing to local trade and commerce.

The town is renowned for its woodcarving industry, which produces high-quality furnishing products such as chairs, tables, cabinets, and home decor.

Additionally, basketry and the making of other woven products from bamboo also thrive in Pugo, where skilled artisans craft various items like baskets, bags, and mats.

Pugo’s economy is further supported by a range of small-scale businesses in the town proper, including retail stores, trading establishments, and a growing number of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Many of these small businesses are family-owned and help stimulate employment, providing a steady income stream for local households.. Pugo is also embracing its tourism potential with a focus on agri-tourism and eco-tourism.

[42] As of 2012, the 1909 Holy Family Parish Church of Pugo (canonically erected in 1909), celebrates its fiesta every Last Sunday of December.