Cordillera Administrative Region

Cordillera Administrative Region CAR
Region
From top, left to right: Batad Rice Terraces; Tayum Church; Lubuagan, Kalinga
Flag Seal
Location in the Philippines
Coordinates: 17°10′00″N 121°10′00″E / 17.166666666667°N 121.16666666667°E / 17.166666666667; 121.16666666667Coordinates: 17°10′00″N 121°10′00″E / 17.166666666667°N 121.16666666667°E / 17.166666666667; 121.16666666667
Country	Philippines
Island group	Luzon
Regional center	Baguio
Area
• Total	19,422.03 km2 (7,498.89 sq mi)
Population (2015 census)[1]
• Total	1,722,006
• Density	89/km2 (230/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ISO 3166 code	PH-15
Provinces	6 Abra Apayao Benguet Ifugao Kalinga Mountain Province
Cities	2 Baguio Tabuk
Municipalities	75
Barangays	1,176
Cong. districts	7
Languages	Ilocano Ibaloi Kankanaey Kalanguya Kalinga Ifugao Itneg Isneg Pangasinan Filipino English others

Cordillera Administrative Region (Ilocano: Rehion/Deppaar Administratibo ti Cordillera; Filipino: Rehiyong Pampangasiwaan ng Cordillera), designated as CAR, is an administrative region in the Philippines situated within the island of Luzon. The only landlocked region in the country, it is bordered by the Ilocos Region in the west and southwest, and by the Cagayan Valley on the north, east, and southeast. Prior to the 2015 census, it is the least populated and least densely-populated Region in the country.

The region comprises six provinces: Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mountain Province. The regional center is the highly urbanized city of Baguio.

The region, officially created on July 15, 1987,^[2] covers most of the Cordillera Central mountains of Luzon, and is home to numerous ethnic people collectively known as the Igorot.

History

An old U.S. Army map showing Mountain province covering the present areas of Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Apayao

During the Spanish occupation of the Philippines, Christianization and eventual subjugation of the mountain region proved difficult for the Spanish colonial government.^[3] Several comandancias were established by the Spanish colonial government in strategic areas of the mountain region. Among them were Amburayan, Cabugaoan, Kayapa, Quiangan, Itaves, Apayaos, Lepanto, Benguet, Bontoc, Banaue, and Tiagan.^[4][5][6]

On August 18, 1908 during the American regime, Mountain Province was established by the Philippine Commission with the enactment of Act No. 1876. Ifugao, which was part of Nueva Vizcaya province,^[7] and the former Spanish comandancias of Amburayan, Apayao, Benguet, Bontoc, Kalinga and Lepanto, were annexed to the newly created province as sub-provinces.^[8][9] 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.^[3][10][11]

On June 18, 1966, Republic Act No. 4695 was enacted to split Mountain Province and create four separate and independent provinces namely Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga-Apayao, and Mountain Province.^[12][13] Ifugao and Kalinga-Apayao were placed under the jurisdiction of the Cagayan Valley region,^[14] with Benguet and Mountain Province placed under the Ilocos Region.

Creation of the region

On July 15, 1987, President Corazon C. Aquino issued Executive Order 220 which created the Cordillera Administrative Region. The provinces of Abra, Benguet and Mountain Province (of the Ilocos Region), and Ifugao and Kalinga-Apayao (of the Cagayan Valley) were annexed as part of the newly created region.^[2][15]

Modern history

On February 14, 1995, Kalinga-Apayao, one of the five provinces of the region was split into two separate and independent provinces of Apayao and Kalinga with the enactment of Republic Act No. 7878.^[16][17]

Several attempts at legalizing autonomy in the Cordillera region have failed in two separate plebiscites.^[18][19] An affirmative vote for the law on regional autonomy is a precondition by the 1987 Philippine Constitution to give the region autonomy in self-governance much like the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao in southern Philippines. The first law Republic Act No. 6766, took effect on October 23, 1989^[20] but failed to muster a majority vote in the plebiscite on January 30, 1990.^[18][19] The second law, Republic Act No. 8438 passed by Congress of the Philippines on December 22, 1997,^[21] also failed to pass the approval of the Cordillera peoples in a region-wide referendum on March 7, 1998.^[18][19]

At present, a third organic act of the Cordillera is in the offing supported by the Cordillera Regional Development Council.

Recent events

In September 2000, the municipal council of Itogon, Benguet, withdrew support for the San Roque Dam project. The project had met a lot of resistance, because of the reported failure of its proponents to update its Environmental Certificate of Compliance (ECC) and to submit a watershed management plan required for a project of that magnitude. The San Roque Dam was to become one of the biggest dams in the world and would threaten the living environment of the Igorot.

The Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA), an indigenous rights organization in the region, in co-operation with other organizations, had highly resisted this project and thus booked a little victory. However, in May 2001, president Arroyo declared that the San Roque Dam project would continue anyway because it had already started and therefore was difficult to stop. At the same time she promised to not sacrifice the environment, to resettle the people who will lose their houses, to compensate other people, and to initiate no other large-scale irrigation projects in the future. Time will tell whether that promise will be kept.

In December 2000, the Supreme Court of the Philippines dismissed a petition that questioned the constitutional legality of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA), and act which came into existence in 1997 giving the peoples of the Cordillera decisive influence over the establishment of foreign mining companies. In this act, ownership over the lands was regarded as communal, rather than individual and thus coincided more with the view on ownership of the Igorot. The IPRA was totally different in tone than the 1995 Mining Code.

Without consulting the Cordillera people, this code gave companies the freedom to devastate tribal lands, allowed 100% foreign ownership, and gave companies the right to displace and resettle people within their concessionary areas. Some influential people filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court against the IPRA, because it contradicted with the Mining Code and would therefore be unlawful. The fact that the Supreme Court had to dismiss the petition, because the vote had been 7-7, could be understood as another victory of the CPA.

Geography

Relief map

Political map

Cordillera Administrative Region is the only landlocked region in the Philippines, bounded on the northeast and east by the Cagayan Valley, and on the southwest and west by the Ilocos Region.

The region is primarily mountainous, situated within the Cordillera Central mountain range. Mount Pulag, the highest mountain in Luzon, is located at the tri-point of Benguet, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya provinces.

Within the region are several streams and rivers. The most extensive is the Chico River, a major tributary of the Cagayan River, traversing the provinces of Mountain Province and Kalinga. Other major rivers include Agno, Amburayan, Bued in Benguet, Abulog in Kalinga, Abra River in Abra, Ahin River in Ifugao, Apayao River in Apayao, and Siffu River in both Ifugao and Mountain Province.^[22][23]

Administrative divisions

Cordillera Administrative Region is politically subdivided into 6 provinces. It has 2 cities; the highly urbanized city of Baguio, and the component city of Tabuk. There are 1,176 barangays in the region.

Demographics

Ethnic groups

A man from Tinglayan vested in traditional garb holding a handcrafted weapon first produced during the Second World War; traditional Kalinga cloth is draped over Orthodox icons in the manner of Russian nabozhnyks.

Cordillera is home to many ethnic tribes living on the Cordillera mountain range. They are commonly referred to as the Igorot.

Ethnic people of Abra

The Tingguians are composed of sub-groups known as the Itneg tribes which includes Adasen, Balatok, Banaw, Belwang, Binungan, Gubang, Inlaud, Mabaka, Maeng, Masadiit, and Muyadan or Ammutan.:^[27] Their places in Abra are as follows:

1. Adasen — Lagayan, San Juan and Tineg
2. Banaw — Daguioman, Malibcong, also found in Balbalan, Kalinga
3. Binungan — Baay-Licuan and Lacub
4. Balatok — in the villages of Amti, Kilong-olaw, & Danak, all in Boliney
5. Belwang — in the village of Dao-angan in Boliney
6. Gubang — Malibcong
7. Inlaud — Lagangilang and Peñarrubia, in Lumaba village of Villaviciosa, in the villages of Abang and Patoc in Bucay, in Langiden, San Isidro, San Quintin, Danglas (also found in some parts of Nueva Era)
8. Mabaka — Lacub and Malibcong
9. Maeng — Luba, Tubo and Villaviciosa, (also found in San Emilio, Ilocos Sur, Banayoyo and other towns in Ilocos Sur)
10. Masadiit — Sallapadan, Bucloc and in the village of Sapdaan in Manabo, and in barangays Poblacion, Bawiyan, and Dumagas in Boliney
11. Ammutan a.k.a. Muyadan tribe — in Manabo

Ethnic people of Apayao

1. Isnag tribe — also known as Isneg comprising the sub-groups known as the Ymandaya and Imallod (Isnag refers to the people, while Isneg refers to the dialect). Isnags are found not only in Apayao but also in the eastern section of Ilocos Norte and northwestern portion of Cagayan. Their places of abode in Apayao are as follows:
2. Ymandaya (Isnag) — Calanasan (Bayag)
3. Imallod (Isnag) — Kabugao, Conner, Pudtol, and some parts of Luna (Macatel)
4. Malaweg — Conner

Ethnic people of Benguet Ibaloi Kankanaey Kalanguya[28] Karao Tribe Ethnic People of Ifugao Tuwali Ayangan Kalanguya

Ethnic people of Kalinga Kalingan Banao Tanudan Ethnic people of Mountain Province Bontoc — Bontoc Balangao — Natonin Baliwon — Paracelis Applai — Bauko, Besao, Sabangan and Sagada

Man of the Ifugao tribe in traditional costume.

Languages

The Cordillera region is the most diversified ethno-linguistic region in the Philippines with its major languages having sub-dialect variations. The topographic formation of the Cordillera mountain range, which has greatly influenced the upstream migration of peoples in the Cordillera into the hinterland, corresponds the various dialects pattern formation. The disparity in linguistic ethnicity however, did not form variation in cultural development as almost every Cordillera people shares similar cultural identity among different tribes.

Ilocano is spoken in almost all parts of the region.

Regional economy

Economy of the region is diverse; mining, agriculture, export processing zone, tourism are among economic activities in the different provinces of the region.

The region is abundant with mineral reserves. These include metallic ores such as gold, copper, silver, zinc, and non-metallic minerals like sand, gravel and sulfur. Mineral reserves are found in all the provinces. However, mining is concentrated in Benguet.

Its timber resources has dwindled since the introduction of slash-and-burn method of farming in all parts of the Cordillera mountain range.

Vegetable crop production is well developed in Benguet, rice production in Ifugao and Abra, corn production in Mountain Province, and Kalinga.

Baguio and La Trinidad are considered as the industrial centers in the region. Baguio City hosts Baguio Export Processing Zone where operations of big companies like Texas Instruments, and MOOG are located. The city also hosts offshore and outsourcing companies operating call centers.

The primary growth centers of the region are Metro Baguio and the Eastern Cordillera Growth Corridor.

Culture

The Bontoc Museum, run by the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, hosts many of the materials used by the different Ethnic Tribes in the Mountain Province.

The Cordillera region is known for its unique musical instruments including the gangsa kalinga, nose flute, bamboo flute, buzzer, bangibang, tongatong, diwdiw-as, saggeypo, and bamboo zither.

Festivals

The region also has various festivals. They include:

• Panagbenga Festival (Baguio Flower Festival) — celebrated in the city of Baguio every February. The festival focuses on the city as the Flower Garden City of the North. Highlights include flower exhibits, lectures, garden tours, floral competition and a parade of floats.^[29]
• Adivay Festival — celebrated in the province of Benguet every November. Adivay means "coming together of people to celebrate". The month-long activities highlights the Agro-industrial and trade fair which showcase the different products of the province.^[30]
• Ullalim Festival — celebrated in the province of Kalinga every February 13–16.^[31] The festival celebrates the founding of the province, showcasing the cultural heritage and way of life of the Kalingas.^[32] Highlights include exhibits of weaved clothes (laga), coffee beans and other products of the province.
• Lang-ay Festival — celebrated in Mountain Province every April 7. This is a week-long agro-industrial trade, tourism and cultural fair with tribal dances and songs.^[33] Lang-ay is a native term which describes the tradition of the people of Mountain Province to celebrate festivities, share happiness, foster family solidarity, hospitality and nurture friendship — all with a toast of home-brewed wine.
• Matagoan Festival — celebrated in the city of Tabuk every June 16.^[31] The festival features G-String marathon (runners wear G-String only), cultural dances and songs, and showcases the different products of Tabuk coming from the different parts of Kalinga such as the aromatic Kalinga coffee.

• Kulpi ad Asipulo (Asipulo, April 16-19) — Town Fiesta adopting the ritual term kulpi, a family thanksgiving after transplanting the rice seedlings.
• Tungoh ad Hungduan (Hungduan, April 17-19) — Town fiesta adopting the cultural festival term tungoh, where the community celebrates the end of rice planting season.
• Gotad ad Hingyon (Hingyon, April 23-25) — Town fiesta adopting the festival term Gotad which is culminating activity of a bimmayah — a well-to-do.
• Kulpi ad Lagawe (Lagawe, April 25-27) — Town Fiesta adopting the ritual term kulpi, a family thanksgiving after transplanting the rice seedlings.
• Urpih Bannawar (Banaue, April 26–27) — Town fiesta also performing the cultural ritual of the urpih by the town mayor. Similar to the kulpi of Lagawe & Asipulo except that Banaue has no "K" in their dialect.
• Immbayah (Banaue, April 27–29) — A festival celebrated every 3 years. The event title was coined after the term bumayah referring to a well-to-do who celebrates his good health or ripe old age with gong-beating and dancing culminating in the feast.
• Gotad ad Kiangan (Kiangan, April 30-May 2) — Same as that of Hingyon where the program includes cultural dances, presentation or Contested ethnic songs and games.
• Among ad Alfonso Lista (Alfonso Lista, May 11) — Town fiesta adopting the Ifugao term ammong which means "a gathering".
• Keleng di Tinek — town fiesta of the municipality of Tinoc which adopt or practice the ritual of a keleng. Keleng means a bountiful thanksgiving of a couple to the Kabunyan, the highest god. Gongs and dances were practiced by the community and bountiful meals were served.

Tourist attractions

Tourist attractions in the region include the Banaue Rice Terraces in the province of Ifugao. The terraces, ancient sprawling man-made structures from 2,000 to 6,000 years old, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and are part of the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras. The Philippine Eagle and the Crested-Serpent Eagle was also found in the Last forest frontier of the North the Province of Apayao.

Panorama of the Banaue Rice Terraces

Other natural attractions of the region include the Sumaguing Cave in Sagada and the mummy caves of Benguet and Mountain Province. There are four national parks: Cassamata Hill, Mount Data, Balbalasang-Balbalan, located in the province of Kalinga, and Mount Pulag, the highest mountain in Luzon at 2,922 metres (9,587 ft) above sea level. Kalinga also offers white water rafting along the Chico River.

The city of Baguio, dubbed the "summer capital of the Philippines", is a major tourist destination in the region.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cordillera Administrative Region.

• Department of Interior and Local Government - Cordillera Administrative Region
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Cordillera Administrative Region
• Tribal Art of the Cordilleras

Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)
Regional Center	Baguio
Provinces	Abra Apayao Benguet Ifugao Kalinga Mountain Province
Metropolitan Area	Metro Baguio
Highly Urbanized City	Baguio
Component City	Tabuk
Provincial Capitals	Bangued Bontoc Kabugao (de jure) La Trinidad Lagawe Luna (de facto) Tabuk
Municipalities	Aguinaldo Alfonso Lista Asipulo Atok Bakun Balbalan Banaue Bangued Barlig Bauko Besao Bokod Boliney Bontoc Bucay Bucloc Buguias Calanasan Conner Daguioman Danglas Dolores Flora Hingyon Hungduan Itogon Kabayan Kabugao Kapangan Kiangan Kibungan La Paz La Trinidad Lacub Lagangilang Lagawe Lagayan Lamut Langiden Licuan-Baay Luba Lubuagan Luna Malibcong Manabo Mankayan Mayoyao Natonin Paracelis Pasil Peñarrubia Pidigan Pilar Pinukpuk Pudtol Rizal Sabangan Sablan Sadanga Sagada Sallapadan San Isidro San Juan San Quintin Santa Marcela Tadian Tanudan Tayum Tineg Tinglayan Tinoc Tuba Tublay Tubo Villaviciosa
Luzon, Republic of the Philippines

Administrative divisions of the Philippines
Capital	Manila (National Capital Region)
Island groups	Luzon Visayas Mindanao
Regions	Administrative I – Ilocos Region II – Cagayan Valley III – Central Luzon IV-A – Calabarzon IV-B – Mimaropa V – Bicol Region VI – Western Visayas VII – Central Visayas VIII – Eastern Visayas IX – Zamboanga Peninsula X – Northern Mindanao XI – Davao Region XII – Soccsksargen XIII – Caraga CAR – Cordillera Administrative Region NCR – National Capital Region NIR/XVIII – Negros Island Region Autonomous Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
Provinces	Abra Agusan del Norte Agusan del Sur Aklan Albay Antique Apayao Aurora Basilan Bataan Batanes Batangas Benguet Biliran Bohol Bukidnon Bulacan Cagayan Camarines Norte Camarines Sur Camiguin Capiz Catanduanes Cavite Cebu Compostela Valley Cotabato Davao del Norte Davao del Sur Davao Occidental Davao Oriental Dinagat Islands Eastern Samar Guimaras Ifugao Ilocos Norte Ilocos Sur Iloilo Isabela Kalinga La Union Laguna Lanao del Norte Lanao del Sur Leyte Maguindanao Marinduque Masbate Misamis Occidental Misamis Oriental Mountain Province Negros Occidental Negros Oriental Northern Samar Nueva Ecija Nueva Vizcaya Occidental Mindoro Oriental Mindoro Palawan Pampanga Pangasinan Quezon Quirino Rizal Romblon Samar Sarangani Siquijor Sorsogon South Cotabato Southern Leyte Sultan Kudarat Sulu Surigao del Norte Surigao del Sur Tarlac Tawi-Tawi Zambales Zamboanga del Norte Zamboanga del Sur Zamboanga Sibugay
Cities	List of cities in the Philippines
Municipalities	List of cities and municipalities in the Philippines
Barangays	Lists of barangays by province Poblacion
Other subdivisions	Puroks Sitios List of primary LGUs Legislative districts Metropolitan areas
Historical	Former provinces Formally proposed provinces