Mountain Province

Mountain Province
Province

Flag
Seal

Location in the Philippines
Coordinates: 17°05′N 121°10′E / 17.08°N 121.17°E / 17.08; 121.17Coordinates: 17°05′N 121°10′E / 17.08°N 121.17°E / 17.08; 121.17
Country Philippines
Region Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)
Founded 1908
Capital Bontoc
Government
 • Type Sangguniang Panlalawigan
 • Governor Boni Lacwasan (acting) (Independent)
 • Vice Governor Francis Tauli (acting) (Independent)
Area[1]
 • Total 2,157.38 km2 (832.97 sq mi)
Area rank 58th out of 81
Population (2010 census)[2]
 • Total 154,187
 • Rank 76th out of 81
 • Density 71/km2 (190/sq mi)
 • Density rank 75th out of 81
Divisions
 • Independent cities 0
 • Component cities 0
 • Municipalities
 • Barangays 144
 • Districts Lone district of Mountain Province
Time zone PHT (UTC+8)
ZIP code 2616–2625
IDD : area code  +63 (0)74
ISO 3166 code PH-MOU
Spoken languages
Website mountainprovince.gov.ph

Mountain Province (Filipino: Lalawigang Bulubundukin), is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Its capital is Bontoc.

Mountain Province was formerly referred to as Mountain in some foreign references. The name is usually shortened by locals to Mt. Province. The province was named so for being in the Cordillera Central mountain range found in the upper realms of Luzon island.

Mountain Province was also the name of the historical province that included most of the current Cordillera provinces. This old province was established by the Philippine Commission in 1908,[3][4][5] and was later split in 1966 into Mountain Province, Benguet, Kalinga-Apayao and Ifugao.[6][7][8]

The province is also known for its mummy caves, which contain naturally mummified bodies, and for its hanging coffins.[6]

History

Spanish period

The area of the Cordillera mountains proved difficult to control by the Spaniards. From 1566 to 1665, they sent expeditions to conquer the land but the rugged terrain and hostile indigenous population at the time were major obstacles to complete subjugation.[9]

Formerly called La Montañosa by the Spanish colonizers due to its mountainous terrain,[6][10] the area was subdivided into 6 comandancias politico-militar.[11]

The 6 former Comandancias Politico-Militar of La Montañosa [11]
Comandancia Year established Comandancia Year established
Benguet 1846 Amburayan 1889
Lepanto 1852 Kayapa 1891
Bontoc 1859 Cabugaoan 1891

American period

In August 19, 1908, during the American rule, the Philippine Commission enacted Act No. 1876, which organized the entire area of the Cordilleras into one large province, named Mountain Province.[3][5][6][12] The first governor was Samuel Cane, and the town of Bontoc was made the capital. It was originally composed of the sub-provinces of Amburayan, Apayao, Benguet, Lepanto-Bontoc, Ifugao and Kalinga.[5][10]

Amburayan was later abolished in 1920 and its corresponding territories were transferred to the provinces of Ilocos Sur and La Union. Lepanto was also reduced in size and its towns were integrated into the sub-provinces of Bontoc and Benguet, and to the province of Ilocos Sur.[9][13] [14]

Historical sub-provinces of Mountain Province under Act No. 1876[3][5][11][14]
Sub-province Abolished? Notes
Amburayan Yes, in 1920 Territories annexed to Ilocos Sur and La Union[5][14]
Apayao No
Benguet No Eastern towns annexed to Ilocos Sur and La Union in 1920[14]
Ifugao No
Kalinga No
Lepanto-Bontoc Yes, in 1920 Territories annexed to Ilocos Sur, Bontoc and Benguet[5][14]
Old map of Mountain Province in 1918
The province in 1918 
Old map of Bontoc sub-province of Mountain Province in 1918
Bontoc sub-province in 1918 

Post-war era

Effective on April 7, 1967, Republic Act No. 4695 abolished the old Mountain Province, converting its sub-provinces into 4 independent provinces: Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga-Apayao and Mountain Province (corresponding to the former Bontoc sub-province).[6][8][10] On June 15, 1987, the Cordillera Administrative Region was established upon the issuance of Executive Order 220 by then-President Corazon Aquino, and Mountain Province was made one of its provinces.[9][15][16]

Geography

The Chico River with the capital town of Bontoc in the background

Mountain Province is bounded in the east by Isabela, in the north by the provinces of Kalinga, Apayao, and Abra, in the south by Benguet and Ifugao, and in the west by the province of Ilocos Sur.

It has an area of 215,738 hectares (533,100 acres),[1] with 83% mountainous while 17% make up hills and levels. The province has many rivers, waterfalls, mountains, and caves. The central and western areas of the province are characterized by rugged mountains and steep cliffs, while the eastern portion has generally sloping terrain.[6][10]

Administrative divisions

Mountain Province comprises ten municipalities, all encompassed by a lone legislative district.[17]

  •  †  Provincial capital

Municipality Population (2010)[17][18] Area[17] Density Brgy. Coordinates[A]
km2 sq mi /km2 /sq mi
Barlig 3.8% 5,838 228.64 88.28 26 67 11 17°02′29″N 121°05′57″E / 17.0415°N 121.0993°E / 17.0415; 121.0993 (Barlig)
Bauko 19.6% 30,172 153.00 59.07 200 520 22 16°59′20″N 120°52′04″E / 16.9888°N 120.8679°E / 16.9888; 120.8679 (Bauko)
Besao 5.1% 7,818 173.62 67.04 45 120 14 17°05′43″N 120°51′22″E / 17.0952°N 120.8560°E / 17.0952; 120.8560 (Besao)
Bontoc † 15.6% 23,980 396.10 152.94 61 160 16 17°05′21″N 120°58′38″E / 17.0891°N 120.9773°E / 17.0891; 120.9773 (Bontoc)
Natonin 6.5% 10,048 252.00 97.30 40 100 11 17°06′33″N 121°16′43″E / 17.1092°N 121.2785°E / 17.1092; 121.2785 (Natonin)
Paracelis 17.2% 26,476 570.16 220.14 46 120 9 17°10′52″N 121°24′13″E / 17.1812°N 121.4036°E / 17.1812; 121.4036 (Paracelis)
Sabangan 5.7% 8,741 72.04 27.81 120 310 15 17°00′19″N 120°55′22″E / 17.0052°N 120.9228°E / 17.0052; 120.9228 (Sabangan)
Sadanga 6.0% 9,181 83.30 32.16 110 280 8 17°10′07″N 121°01′34″E / 17.1685°N 121.0262°E / 17.1685; 121.0262 (Sadanga)
Sagada 7.3% 11,244 83.32 32.17 130 340 19 17°05′04″N 120°54′02″E / 17.0844°N 120.9006°E / 17.0844; 120.9006 (Sagada)
Tadian 13.4% 20,689 145.20 56.06 140 360 19 16°59′45″N 120°49′18″E / 16.9957°N 120.8218°E / 16.9957; 120.8218 (Tadian)
Total 154,187 2,157.38 832.97 71 180 144 (see GeoGroup box)
  1. ^ Coordinates mark the town center, and are sortable by latitude

Barangays

Mountain Province has 144 barangays comprising its 10 municipalities.[18]

As of 2010, the most populous barangay in the province is Poblacion in the municipality of Paracelis, with a total of 5,687 inhabitants. Balintaugan in the municipality of Bauko has the least population with only 144.[18]

Demographics

Population census of
Mountain Province
YearPop.±% p.a.
1990 116,535—    
1995 130,755+2.18%
2000 140,631+1.57%
2007 148,661+0.77%
2010 154,187+1.34%
Source: National Statistics Office[2][19]

Based on the 2000 census survey, 52% of the population are Kankana-ey. Other ethnic groups living in the province are the Balangao 13.6%, Ibontoc 12%, and other ethnicity, such as the Ilocano, comprise about 21.6% of the province's population.[20]

An Anglican church in Sagada

Religion

Roman Catholicism predominates in the province with approximately 60% adherence. In 2014, The Apostolic Vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe recorded a 61.5% Roman Catholic adherence. Like the neighboring province of Ifugao, the most significant religion other than Roman Catholicism is the Aglipayan Church while many people are still professing indigenous beliefs. Other denominations include the Anglican Church.

Tourism

The province has several rice terraces in its different towns:[10]

  • Ambasing Rice Terraces — Sagada
  • Bangaan Rice Terraces — Sagada
  • Bangen Rice Terraces — Bauko
  • Barlig Rice Terraces — Barlig
  • Bayyo Rice Terraces — Bontoc
  • Besao Rice Terraces — Besao
  • Bontoc Poblacion Rice Terraces — Bontoc
  • Bucas Rice Terraces — Besao
  • Bulongan Rice Terraces — Sagada
  • Dalican Rice Terraces — Bontoc
  • Fidelisan Rice Terraces — Sagada
  • Focong Rice Terraces — Sadanga
  • Kapayawan Rice Terraces — Bauko
  • Kiltepan Rice Terraces — Sagada
  • Maligcong Rice Terraces — Bontoc
  • Natonin Rice Terraces — Natonin
  • Sadanga Rice Terraces — Sadanga
  • Suyo Rice Terraces — Sagada
  • Tanulong Rice Terraces — Sagada

Government

List of former governors

References

  1. 1 2 "List of Provinces". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010" (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 Worcester, Dean C.; Philippine Commission (1908). Seventh Annual Report of the Secretary of the Interior to the Philippine Commission for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 1908. Manila: U.S. Government Printing Office. pp. 17–19. Archived from the original (Digitized by Google on 23 Nov 2005 (Original file from the University of Michigan)) on 23 Nov 2005. Retrieved 2 January 2015. (Google Books link)
  4. ↑ Keesing, Felix Maxwell; Keesing, Marie Margaret; Keesing, Marie Martin; Institute of Pacific Relations (contributor); International Research Committee (contributor) (1934). Taming Philippine Headhunters: A Study of Government and of Cultural Change in Northern Luzon. Stanford University Press. p. 69. ISBN 9780804721103. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ingles, Raul Rafael (2008). 1908 :The Way it Really was : Historical Journal for the UP Centennial, 1908-2008. Diliman, Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press. p. 339. ISBN 9789715425803. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Lancion, Jr., Conrado M.; de Guzman, Rey (cartography) (1995). "The Provinces". Fast Facts about Philippine Provinces (The 2000 Millenium ed.). Makati, Metro Manila: Tahanan Books. pp. 108–109. ISBN 971-630-037-9. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  7. ↑ "Natural Attractions found in Atok". Province of Benguet. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  8. 1 2 "Republic Act No. 4695: An Act Creating the Provinces of Benguet, Mountain Province, Ifugao and Kalinga-Apayao". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  9. 1 2 3 "Mt. Province". VisitMyPhilippines.com The Ultimate Travel Guide for Tourists. Department of Tourism. Retrieved 23 December 2013.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 "Facts & Figures: Mountain Province". Philippine Statistics Authority - National Statistical Coordination Board - Cordillera Administrative Region. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  11. 1 2 3 "Benguet History". Province of Benguet (official website). Retrieved 22 October 2014. Benguet was once part of Mountain Province.
  12. ↑ "Act No. 1876". PhilippineLaw.info. 18 August 1908. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  13. ↑ Philippines. Census Office; Buencamino, Felipe; Villamor, Ignacio (1920). Census of the Philippine Islands Taken Under the Direction of the Philippine Legislature in the Year 1918, Volume 1. Bureau of printing. p. 68.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 "Cordillera Administrative Region History". Cordillera Connection (Blogspot). 14 August 2009. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  15. ↑ "Regional Profile: Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)". CountrySTAT Philippines. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  16. ↑ "The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)". Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  17. 1 2 3 "Province: Mountain Province". Philippine Statistics Authority - National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  18. 1 2 3 "2010 Census of Population and Housing: Population Counts - Cordillera Administrative Region" (PDF). National Statistics Office (Philippines), April 4, 2012. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  19. ↑ "Population and Annual Growth Rates for The Philippines and Its Regions, Provinces, and Highly Urbanized Cities" (PDF). 2010 Census and Housing Population. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 26 August 2013.
  20. ↑ http://www.census.gov.ph/data/pressrelease/2002/pr0212tx.html

External links

 Abra Kalinga
Ilocos Sur Isabela
   Mountain Province  
Benguet Ifugao
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