BATANES 

      The islands of Batanes were settled by the Ivatans, an indigenous ethnic group that was Christianized in 1685 by the Dominican friars. Despite efforts to promote the economy of the islands through the growing of tobacco during the regime of Gov. Gen. Jose Basco, the provincial population did not significantly increase in proportion to the rest of the archipelago.       

This province is still completely rural. The severe climate during   the typhoon months and the area�s virtual isolation are the factors that have contributed to the slow development of Batanes. 

Former Name: Concepcion

Land Area: 209.3 square kilometers

Capital: Basco

Population: 12, 091 (1980)

Principal Dialect: Ilocano,Tagalog and Ivatan

Income Classification: Sixth Class Province

No. of Cities: None

No. of Municipalities: 6 (Basco, Itbayat, Ivana, Mahatao, Sabtang, and Uyugan) 

No. of Municipal Districts: 1(Uyugan) 

Topography: Because of its geographical situation, the province is exposed to yearly typhoons that visit the archipelago. The severity of climate is a major factor in the relative backwardness of the province compared to the rest of the country. 

No. of Principal Rivers: None

No. of Mountains: 5 

Climate: Typhoon season from July to October; heaviest rainfall is from August to November. 

Average Annual Rainfall: 90.46 inches 

Principal products/crops: Yams, carrots, garlic and onions 

Industries: Cattle-raising 

Mineral Resources: Copper, manganese, sulphur, lead, and limestone 

Forest Resources: Timber 

Tourist Attractions: White Beach Resort in Basco 

Governor: Telesforo F. Castillejos

Congressman: Florencio B. Abad      

 CAGAYAN 

      Cagayan boasts of many artistic Spanish-built churches which are relics of the Spanish colonization of the country. Many of these churches have historical markers.

          A series of eight revolts, all of which were suppressed from 1589 to 1762, rocked the province.

         To the lover of nature, Cagayan province beckons with its Caraballo mountains, its lovely hills and mystic forests, its extensive valleys and its enchanting seas. 

Former Name: Catagayan

Land Area: 9,002.7 square kilometers

Capital: Tuguegarao

Population: 711,476 (1980)

Principal Dialects: Ibanag, Gaddang and Ilocano

Income Classification: First Class Province

No. of Cities: None

No. of Municipalities: 29 (Abulug, Alcala, Allacapan, Amulung, Aparri, Baggao, Ballesteros, Buguey, Calayan, Camaliniugan, Claveria, Enrile, Gattaran, Gonzaga, Iguig, Lal-lo, Lasam, Pamplona, Pena-Blanca, Piat, Rizal, Sanchez- Mira, Santa Ana, Santa Praxedes, Sto. Ni�o- Faire, Santa Teresita, Solano, Tuao and Tuguegarao) 

No. of Municipal Districts: None  

Topography: The province�s seashores are lined with coconut trees and nipa swamps are on the delta of the Cagayan, Abulog, and other rivers. The eastern coasts are rugged and mountainous, and there are vast expanses of Babuyan islands consisting of Camiguin, Calayan, Babuyan, Fuga and Dalupiri. 

No. of Principal Rivers: 4 (prominent are Chico and Pamplona) 

No. of Mountains: 19 

Climate: A dry season from November to April characterizes the western and central portions. The eastern part has no dry season, but also lacks a heavy rainy period. The coldest month is January; the warmest month is May. 

Average Annual Rainfall: 82inches

Principal products/crops: Rice, corn and tobacco

Industries: Logging (major industry), fishing and small-scale industries

Mineral Resources: Iron ore, phosphate rocks, china clay, and manganese

Forest Resources: Timber, almaciga, rattan, buho and nipa 

Tourist Attractions: Punta Lakay-Lakay (Old Man) and Baket-Baket (Old Woman), Callao Cave, Dos Hermanas Islands, Aparri Beach, and the Sta. Maria Bell in Camaliniugan (reputedly the oldest church bell in the Philippines.) 

Governor: Rodolfo Aguinaldo

Congressman: Domingo A. Tuzon, Leoncio M. Puzon, Tito M. Dupaya (deceased) 

IFUGAO 

    The Ifugao, a sub-tribal grouping of the Igorots, are native to the province. The Ifugaos are famous for their daring skills. The mountain terraces which they fashioned from mountain slopes stand as engineering marvels and are the most famous in the mountain region.

     Internationally renowned as the eighth wonder of the world, the Banaue rice terraces constitute the leading tourist destination in the Philippines. The Banaue of the Ifugao rice terraces cover an area of nearly 400 square kilometers, and if the terraces were placed end to end, they would reach more than half-way around the earth.  

Those of Banaue, Hapao, and Hungduan are among the oldest in Luzon. Archaeological studies indicate that it took the Ifugaos more than 2,000 years to build them. The stone-walled terraces of Ifugao are the highest, best built, and most extensive in the world. 

Former Name: None

Land Area: 2,517.8 square kilometers

Capital: Lagawe

Population: 111,368(1980)

Principal Dialect: Ifugao (Igorot)

Income Classification: Fifth Class Province

No. of Cities: None

No. of Municipalities: 10 (Aguinaldo, Banaue, Hingyon, Hungduan, Kiangan, Lagawe, Lamut, Mayaoyao, Potia, and Tinoc) 

Topography: Ifugao is extremely rugged with mountain ranges breaking the horizon. It has a high elevation. 

No. of Principal Rivers: None

No. of Mountains:  5 (Tabayoc, Amuyao, Pulog, Kapilingan, and Sabangan) 

Climate: The province has a cool climate, dry season from November to April and rainy during the rest of the year. 

Average Annual Rainfall: 73.40 inches 

Principal products/crops: Rice and corn 

Industries: Logging, agriculture and tourism 

Mineral Resources: Gold, silver, copper, zinc, cadium, and iron ore 

Forest Resources: Timber

Tourist Attractions: The famous Banaue Rice Terraces, and the tribal villages 

Governor: Benjamin B. Cappleman

Congressman: Gualberto B. Lumawig 

  ISABELA 

     Isabela is acknowledged as one of the rice granaries of the Philippines and its cigar-filler tobacco is said to be one of the world�s best.

          The province of Isabela originally consisted of the area known as Irraya (from Cagan to Ilagan), Diffun (from Gamu to Cauyan), and Paniqui (from Cauyan to Nueva Vizcaya). Two of the original groups settlers of Isabela were the Negritos and the Ibanags.

           During the second phase of the Philippines Revolution, Isabela feel under the control of the revolutionary forces, commanded by Col. Simeon Villa who established his headquarters in Carag. On March 23, 1901, General Emilio Aguinaldo was captured by the Americans in the historic town of Palanan. 

Former Name: None

Land Area: 10,664.6 square kilometers

Capital: Ilagan

Population: 870,604 (1980)

Principal Dialects: Ilocano, Ilongot, and Negrito

Income Classifications: First Class Province

No. of Cities: None 

No. of Municipalities: 37 (Alicia, Angadanan, Aurora, Benito, Soliven, Burgos, Cabagan, Cabatuan, Cauyan, Cordon, Dinapiqui, Divilican, Echague, Gamu, Ilagan, Jones, Luna, Delfin Albano, Maconacon, Malig, Naguilian, Palanan, Quezon, Quirino, Ramon, Reina, Mercedes, Roxas, San Agustin, San Guillermo, San Isidro, San Manuel, San Mariano, San Mateo, San Pablo, Santa Maria, Santiago, Santo Tomas, and Tumauini) 

No. of Municipal Districts: 2 (Divilican and Maconacon)

Topography: Although the province lies along the typhoon belt, it is vulnerable only

on the north because two mountain ranges shield the province. Along its eastern portion extending close to the coast is the Sierra Madre Mountain Range and on the west is the Cordillera Central. Between these two mountain ranges is a vast plain drained by the Cagayan River. 

No. of Principal Rivers: 5(prominent are Cagayan and Magat)

No. of Mountains: 8

Climate: The western portion of the province is usually dry for one to three months. The eastern part has a climate characterized by continuous rainy weather. In this part of the province, rainfall is more or less evenly distributed throughout the year. 

Average Annual Rainfall: 73.04 inches

Principal products/crops: Tobacco and rice 

Industries: Logging (major industry), fishing and home industries such as pottery, hat weaving, salt making, broom making, and wine and vinegar manufacturing. 

Mineral Resources: Copper ore and manganese

Forest Resources: Timber 

Tourist Attractions: Palpallatoc Resort, Tumauini Church, Magat River Irrigation Dam, Siffu Irrigation System, San Pablo Spanish Church, and the Naguilian Bridge. 

Governor: Faustino N. Dy

Congressman:  Rodolfo Albano, Simplicio B. Domingo Jr., Santiago B. Respicio, Antonio M. Abaya.

 KALINGA-APAYAO              

        Kalinga-Apayao is one of the country�s least explored and developed area�s. Of the four Mountain Province�s, Kalinga-Apayao, which barely touches the northern coastline of Luzon, is the northern-most territory. (The three other provinces are Benguet, Ifugao and Mountain Province.)

   Agriculture is the principal source of income of the people of Kalinga-Apayao. The tribes of the province are gradually adopting Christianity due to the missionary work of both the Catholic and the Protestant churches of the highlands.

           Kalinga-Apayao became a province when the sub-provinces of Kalinga and Apayao were combined on March 11, 1966 by virtue of Republic Act No. 4695. 

Former Name: None

Land Area: 7, 047.6 square kilometers

Capital: Tabuk

Population: 185,063 (1980)

Principal Dialects: Kalinga and Apayao

Income Classification: Fourth Class Province

No. of Cities: None

No. of Municipalities: 15 ( Balbalan, Calanasan, Conner, Flora, Kabugao, Lubuagan, Luna, Pasil, Pinukpok, Pudtol, Rizal, Santa Marcela, Tabuk, Tanudan, and Tinglayan)

No. of Municipal Districts: None 

Topography: Rugged terrain characterized by high mountain peaks and thick forests. Its highest mountains are Mt. Alchanar (2,576 meters), Mt. Cauitan (2, 569 meters), Mt. Bangbanglang (2,464 meters), and Mt. Sapocoy (2, 456 meters). 

No. of Principal Rivers: 2 (Sultan and Pasil) 

No. of Mountains: 5 (Alchanar, Cauitan, Bangbanglang, Sapocoy, and Kabunian) 

Climate: There are no pRonounced seasons in the province. It is one of the coolest provinces in the country because of its high elevation, which ranges from 3,000 to 5,000 feet above sea level. Peak rainfall period is from July to November. 

Average Annual Rainfall: 73.40 inches 

Principal products/crops: Rice, sweet potato, orange, pineapple, banana, coconut and coffee 

Industries: Logging (major industry), handloom weaving and woodcarving 

Mineral Resources: Gold, zinc, copper and sulphur

Forest Resources: Narra, lauan, tanguile, mayapis. Benguet pine, rattan and almaciga 

Tourist Attractions: �Sleeping Beauty Mountain�, Kabunian Mountain, natural caves of Luna, Balbalan and Lubuagan, and the legendary spring of Galdang in Pasil town. 

Governor: Lawrence B. Wacnang

Congressman: William F. Claver  

    NUEVA VIZCAYA          

         The history of Nueva Vizcaya dates back to the 1600s when the Spanish Expeditionary Forces moved toward the north to convert the Filipinos to Christianity. There were many attempts made by the Spaniards to advance north but because of the difficulty of going through the rugged terrain, it took them some years to reach this province.    

 A number of Spanish missions were established in the region. The Dominicans in 1632 were followed by the Augustinians in 1717.

    Bayombong, the capital of Nueva Vizcaya, was founded in 1737. In 1896, Nueva Vizcaya was greatly affected when Isabela and Cagayan fell into the hands of the revolutionary forces. The Spanish forces in the province surrendered to Col. Jose Layba on September 15, 1898. The Igorots of the province, however, refused to cooperate with the revolutionary forces and fled to the mountains. 

Former Name: None

Land Area: 3,903.9 square kilometers

Capital:  Bayombong

Population: 241, 690 (1980)

Principal Dialect: Ilocano and Tagalog

Income Classification: Fourth Class Province

No. of Cities: None

No. of Municipalities: 15 (Alfonso Casta�eda, Ambaguio, Aritao, Bagabag, Bambang, Bayombong, Diadi, Dupax del Norte, Dupax del Sur, Kasibu, Kayapa, Quezon, Santa Fe, Solano, and Villa Verde) 

No. of Municipal Districts: 2 (Ambaguio and Diadi) 

Topography: Generally mountainous with elevations rising as high as 1,500 meters. The eastern portion near the Quezon boundary are vast virgin forest watered by several rivers. The Cagayan River flows from the southern part of the province. 

No. of Principal Rivers: 2 (Cagayan is the longest)

No. of Mountains: 21 

Climate: No pRonounced maximum rainy period and a relatively short dry season. The province is exposed to the southwest monsoon and is frequently visited by cyclonic typhoons. 

Average Annual Rainfall: 60 inches

Principal products/crops: Rice, coffee, and cacao

Industries: Logging (major industry)

Mineral Resources: Manganese, gold, silver, copper, lead, pyrite, iron, feldspar and white clay.

Forest Resources: Timber

Tourist Attractions: Dalton Pass, the Santa Fe mountain road, and the Salinas Salt Spring 

Governor: Patricio G. Dumlao

Congressman: Carlos M. Padilla    

     QUIRINO 

           One of the youngest provinces in the country, Quirino is bigger than provinces of Bulacan, Laguna or Cavite. The boundaries of the province extend to the Sierra Madre Mountain Range and as far as Isabela. Quirino is rich in natural resources and its soil fertile enough for cultivation. It also has thick forests and its streams and rivers give the province a primeval setting.

             With 3,000 square kilometers and six municipalities, Quirino has a relatively small population at approximately 83,000. Compared with Tarlac, Ilocos Norte and Lanao del Sur whose areas are close to that of Quirino, the province is one of the most sparsely populated in the country. 

Former Name: None

Land Area: 3,057.2 square kilometers

Population: 83,230 (1980)

Principal Dialect: Ilocano

Income Classification: Fifth Class Province

No. of Cities: None

No. of Municipalities: 6 ( Aglipay, Cabarroguis, Diffun, Maddela, Nagtipunana, and Saguday)

No. of Municipal Districts: None

Topography: Quirino is made up of undulating hills and mountains laced with small valleys and farmlands. There are caves in Diffun and Saguday which regularly attract visitors. 

No. of Principal Rivers: None

No. of Mountains: 1 

Climate: No pRonounced rainy period. There is also a short dry season between December and May. The province is exposed to the southwest monsoon and is frequently visited by cyclonic storms. 

Average Annual Rainfall: 54 inches

Principal products/crops: Rice, mango, pomelo, jackfruit, potato, and vegetables 

Industries: Logging and furniture making

Mineral Resources: Manganese, iron, and white clay

Forest Resources: Timber

Tourist Attractions: The caves in Diffun and Saguday 

Governor: Mariano J. Pimentel

Congressman: Jun Evangelista Cua

Click here to proceed  Region III from Bataan--Zambales

-- HOME -- << Click to subscribe to Living Retiring, Traveling and Doing Business In The Philippines    FREE INFORMATION FROM EXPATS, FOREIGNERS WHO LIVE HERE,  DO BUSINESS, TRAVEL OR HAVE JUST RETIRED IN THE PHILIPPINES