Before the Spanish era, the people in this once

thickly forested area that is now Pinukpuk were

warring tribes. The chieftains, mengal or pangat
in the native dialect, were rulers of sub-tribes in
small villages. Fierce fighting marked relations
between these groups until the introduction of
bodong or peace pact system. It was during this
period that the area got its name Pinukpuk, which in
the local vernacular meant to strike with the use of
bolo or any sharp weapon in deference perhaps to
the frequent feuds at that time.

In 1904, the American Lt. Governor of the subprovince of Kalinga, better known as Sapao among
the people, arrived at Pinukpuk. He appointed the
village chieftain as president whose help enabled
him to convince the people to cooperate with him. A
tribal chieftain by the name of Panabang was the
first such president appointed by Sapao.

The municipality of Pinukpuk was only created as a

regular municipality on June 25, 1963 with the seat
of the municipal government established at Taga,
Poblacion b