ARGAO, a municipality (with administrative centre and 36 barrios or districts), on Bohol strait, 36m. S.S.W. of the municipal ity of Cebu, the capital of the province of Cebu, Philippine islands. Population (1918) 39,121, of whom 18,627 were males; there were 12 whites; literacy (based on io years and up, 1918), 37.6%. Much excellent cacao is produced in the vicinity, and rice and corn are other important products. A small amount of cotton is raised and woven, and some sinamay is exported. In 1918 there were seven manufacturing establishments of all kinds and 18 schools. Legazpi, the first governor of the Philippines, assigned Argao in encomienda in 1571. The Augustinians and later the Jesuits carried on mission work in the early municipality.