Mallig Plains

Mallig Plains Region
Economic alliance
Location (shaded area) of Mallig Plains in Isabela.
Country	Philippines
Region	Region II
Island	Luzon
Province	Isabela
Municipalities	Roxas Mallig
Legislative Districts	2nd District of Isabela
Government
• Type	Economic Alliance
Area[1]
• Total	1,199 km^2 (463 sq mi)
Population (March 30, 2010)
• Total	218,824
Time zone	Philippine Standard Time (UTC+8)

Mallig Plains Region is a region in the western part of the province of Isabela in the Philippines. Its name was derived from the rolling terrains or kilometers of plain lands in western Isabela. The municipality of Roxas serves as the business center of the region.

Component local government units

Mallig Plains Region, just like Metro Manila and Metro Cebu, is not an administrative political unit but an agglomeration of independent local government units (LGUs), the third level government in the Philippine political system.^[2]

Municipality	Population (2010)	Area	Income Classification
Roxas	57,699	184.80	1st Class[3]
Mallig	28,345	133.40	4th Class[4]
Quirino	22,285	126.20	4th Class[5]
Quezon	24,522	268.26	4th Class[6]
Burgos	22,521	73.10	5th Class[7]
Aurora	33,045	300.56	3rd Class[8]
San Manuel	30,407	112.77	4th Class[9]
Mallig Plains	218,824	1,199 km^2	-

Based on data from the 2010 census^[10]

History

In 1929, the late President Manuel L. Quezon declared the westernmost part of isabela as a resettlement area, historically known as the Mallig Plains Resettlement Area. The area was named after the Mallig River that traverses it. It includes the municipalities of Gamu, Quezon and some parts of past day Tumauini and Ilagan City. Quezon have long been seats of rich and colorful historical events that influenced the lives of the people of Isabela since its creation on May 1, 1856 through a Royal Decree issued in honor of Queen Isabella II of Spain (reigned 1843 to 1868). A Barrio Dalig of Gamu was created as an independent municipality named Aurora on 1927 and is referred as the Gateway to Mallig Plains.^[11] On 1948 President Elpidio Quirino signed Executive Order 136 creating the "Barrio Vira" of Gamu as an independent municipality named Roxas.^[12] In 1957, some baranggays of Roxas were separated to form the newly created municipality of Callang (now San Manuel).^[13][14]

From then on, the influx of settlers from the Central Luzon and the Ilocos Region encouraged more other settlers to migrate westward in these Kalinga-dominated plains.

On 1970s, the municipality of Mallig serves as the most progressive among the municipalities of Mallig Plains. But on 1980s, the municipality of Aurora overcame Mallig and became the business center. However, on 1990s to present, Roxas officially overcame the two municipalities and is now the business center of the Mallig Plains.

Geographical location

The Mallig Plains Region is composed of 1,199 km² with a total population of 205, 813 with Roxas as the most populated and the only 1st class municipality among seven. It is a lowland area with rolling terrain and kilometers of straight National Highway. The region is bordered by Paracelis, Mountain Province and Tabuk City on the west, Cabagan and Santo Tomas, Isabela on the north, Tumauini, Delfin Albano and Gamu, Isabela on the east, and Cabatuan, San Mateo and Reina Mercedes, Isabela on the south.

Government

Unlike Metro Manila or other settlement areas, Mallig Plains Region doesn't have a government that directly administers the settlement area. The government is still independent each municipality.

References

1. "List of Cities". Retrieved July 7, 2010.
2. Mallig Plains Region. Biyahero. Retrieved 2012-06-09
3. Roxas, Isabela National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 2012-06-10.
4. Mallig, Isabela National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 2012-06-10.
5. Quirino, Isabela National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 2012-06-10.
6. Quezon, Isabela National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 2012-06-10.
7. Burgos, Isabela National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 2012-06-10.
8. Aurora, Isabela National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 2012-06-10.
9. San Manuel, Isabela National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 2012-06-10.
10. 2010 Population Breakdown of the Philippines Census - National Statistics Office. Retrieved 06-29-2012.
11. Aurora, Isabela: History Aurora Official Website. Retrieved 2012-06-09.
12. Roxas, Isabela, Philippines Fly Philippines. Retrieved 2012-06-09.
13. R.A. No. 2048, An Act Creating the Municipality of Callang, Province of Isabela. LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-13.
14. R.A. No. 4600, An Act Changing the Name of Callang Municipality, Province of Isabela, to San Manuel Municipality. LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-13.