FACTS & FIGURES

... At a Glance

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Apayao is located deep in the Cordillera mountains of Northern Luzon. These mountain range form a natural boundary between the Ilocos Region in the west and the Cagayan Valley in the east. The Apayao river rises from its extensive watershed along its western slope and peaks. The river courses along the heartlands of the province, meanders beside the town of Kabugao following a northward route towards the Pacific Ocean through the coastal town of Abulug, Apayao.

The province is classified into upper and lower. Upper Apayao with 3 municipalities occupies 67.2% of the total land area and has mountainous topography classified by towering peaks, plateaus and intermittent patches of valleys. Lower Apayao on the other hand with 4 municipalities is 32.8% of the total land area is generally flat with rolling mountains and plateaus.

The total population of Apayao, as of September 1, 1995. was 83,660 persons. This implies an increase of 8,940 persons or about 12 percent, over the 1990 census count of 74,720. The Itnegs are the dominant ethnic group in the area.

Anthropologists mostly foreigners who conducted ethnographic study of the people write various speculations on the origin of the term. Some say that the town Pudtol use to be inhabited in colonial times by "people who speak the Isnag language" and were classified as "Filipinos who have come to be called a cultural minority" the writers say that all other people living outside of the Hinterlands who speak other vernaculars are simply called "Filipinos".

The apparent focus of early studies on ethnic cultures in the islands showed the emphasis on classifying the inhabitants into minority and majority cultural groups. The purpose of this was administrative in nature. The Spanish and the American regimes found that Filipinos along the Coastal places and lowlands were easily brought into the folds of law under these respective regimes. Those living in the mountainous and hills were rebellious and opposed to the presence of foreign rulers in their midst. Different set of laws were implemented in governing these so-called minority and majority cultures. The term Itneg, therefore, became demanding tag of identity for the Apayao people for many years until the end of the American rule in the country.  


Brief History

The first reported Spanish expedition to this place was made in 1663.  this was followed 122 years later in 1785 by the Spanish explorer Guillermo Galvez who was sent from Cagayan Valley to put down a revolt.  At the close of the Spanish regime Apayao was organized into 2 separate "Politico Commandancias" for administrative purposes. These were known as "Apayao" which was established in 1901 as part of Cagayan province and "Itawes" which was also form as part of Cagayan.  In 1707, Apayao and Itawes became separate sub-provinces.  Itawes later became known as Kalinga sub-province.  Both became part of the Lepanto-Bontoc province which was created by Act No.  1876 of the Philippine Commision.

Thirteen years later on Feb. 4, 1920, Apayao and Kalinga became sub-provinces of the mountain province which was created by operation of Act. No. 2772 of commission.  Included in this province were Bontoc, Benguet and Ifugao.  On June 18, 1966, Republic Act 4695 was enacted by the Philippine Congress providing for the division of the mountain province into four autonomous provinces.  This resulted in the merging of Apayao and Kalinga into one province known as Kalinga-Apayao for almost 30 years.

Apayao became an independent province by virtue of RA 7878 authored by congressman Elias K. Bulut.  Kabugao was legislated as the capital town.  The inauguration of the new province was held last Aug. 1, 1995.  The signing of the law creating the province was done last February 14 of the same year.

Apayao consists of seven municipalities: Kabugao, Calanasan, Conner, Pudtol, Flora and Santa Marcela.

The town Kabugao is the oldest of the municipalities, having been organized as early as 1913 under the American military regime in the islands.  It became a regular municipality on June 25, 1963 under executive order No. 42 together with the municipalities of Luna, Calanasan, Conner and Pudtol.  These five towns have been existing as township since the Spanish and American colonial rules in the country.  The rest of the municipalities were created by legislation only after the last Pacific war.

Flora was created on June 22, 1963 under RA 3672.  It was formally a part of Pudtol township.  The area that is now Santa Marcela was taken again from Flora and Luna and created into a municipality on June 17, 1967 under RA No. 4974.

Points of Interest

The Apayao River - Unpolluted, Traversing 6 Apayao municipalities navigated by motor boats, with wildlife and fishes still visible along its banks. Various Water Falls of different sizes along Apayao river.

POTENTIAL SCENIC SPOTS

Dacao Irrigation Intake - Flora
Negritos village
Jamboree site - Flora Proposed Panay Airport Site - Sta. Marcela
Swan Hilltop view - Pudtol (overlooking Apayao river and 4 municipalities of Apayao)
St. Solo - Pudtol, the highest peak in Apayao
Lizardo Brooks - Pudtol
Turod View Deck - Luna
Bue Heaven - Calanasan
Agamata Park - Calanasan
Various Water Falls of different sizes along Apayao river 

POTENTIAL GAMES AND RECREATION SITES

Maton Subterrian River - Pudtol
Agora Wildlife Sanctuary - Pudtol
Anag-Sicapo Wildlife Sanctuary - Kabugao
Apayao River - Calansan to Luna
Purit Cave and Danao Lake - Calanasan
Anganupan Cave - Paco Valley
Malabanag Hot Spring - Paco Valley
Malabisin Lake and Underground River - Paco Vallley
Gululan Falls - Bacubac, Paco Valley
Bayugao Lake - Dibagat, Kabugao
Ladda Pond - Musimut, Kabugao
Bacut Dam - Sta. Marcela
Abbot Cave and Lover's Lane - Luna
Swan Ogee Dam - Pudtol

HISTORICAL SPOTS

Spanish church at Brgy. Mataguisa, Pudtol. One of the oldest in the Philippines.
Spanish Church Ruins at Brgy. Emilia, Pudtol

MAN-MADE

Dacao Irrigation Intake Structure - located at Flora
Bacut Dam - located at Sta. Marcela
Swan Ogee Dam - Pudtol
NPC Tunnels - located at Ginned Pudtol

Sources: Cordillera Source Book on Autonomy
              First Regional Media Conference
              Sagada, Mt. Province
              March 4 - 8, 1997
              by the Cordillera Executive Board     

              1997 Tourism Situationer
              Department of Tourism
              Cordillera Administrative Region  

Page last updated: August 5, 2005