The town of Pugo is situated at the southeastern part of La Union in Region I. It is bound on the north by the Municipality of Aringay; on the east by Tuba, Benguet; in the south by Sison, Pangasinan; and on the west by Rosario and Tuba, Benguet. It has a total land area of 8,711.75 hectares and a population of 19,690 as of 2015. It is comprised of 14 barangays.

 The historical account of the municipality and its 14 barangays starts from the Spanish Era to contemporary times, how Pugo became what it is today as reflected by the history of its barangays reflecting Pugo’s rich history and diverse culture. It is the Spanish Era that had more impact in the municipality than others after it, hence the accounts are those discussed below.

Mythical Origin:

 According to folktales, Pugo, was formerly named Ranchera, Tulosa a sitio of Barrio Tubao, Agoo, and La Union. When a Spanish hunter from Agoo came to hunt, he asked his Filipino guide the name of the low-flying birds that were abundant around the place. The guide said they were “pogo”, and since then bird trappers and hunters named Rancheria Tulosa, Rancheria Pogo. When barrio Tubao became a town in 1887, Rancheria Pogo subsequently became a barrio of the new town.

Establishment of Pugo:

As population grew, sitios and barrios were formed. The township of Pugo became a municipal district in the year 1919. On February 4, 1920, it became part of the Province of La union in accordance with Section 2 of Act Number 2877 enacted by the Philippines Senate and House of Representatives.

Upon the establishment of the township of Pugo in 1911, Pugo became a Municipal District and became a regular Municipality of La Union in accordance with Executive Order Number 72, signed by President Manuel A. Roxas on July 30, 1947.

Spanish Era:

During the last hundred years of Spanish occupation in the Philippines, the lands comprising the town of Pugo were simultaneously occupied, cleared and settle by people who migrated from the eastern towns of Ilocos Sur, western towns of Abra and some parts of the Mountain Province, particularly those who lived near Tirad Pass and Cervantes road.

The exodus of families southward was due to Spaniards tyranny who forced men to compulsory labor during the construction of the Tirad Pass and Cervantes Roads. These group of migrants were composed of Tinguains and other Igorot.