FACTS & FIGURES

... At a Glance

View CAR PSGC

View Selected Provincial Indicators

Kalinga is a landlocked province in the northernmost section of the Cordillera Region. It is bounded by the provinces of Cagayan and Apayao in the north, Mt. Province in the south, and Abra in the West. The greater sections of Cagayan and Isabela are found on its eastern part.

Sharp-crested interlinking mountain peaks, steep slopes, isolated flat lands, plateau's and valley characterize the western side while the eastern section is generally rolling with gradually sloping foothills, interlocking wide track of flat lands and floodplains along its main rivers. Among land and waterforms which constitute potential tourism sights are its waterfalls, hot springs, rice terraces and subterranean rivers.

Composed of eight municipalities, the province's land area totals to 3,119.4 square kilometers occupying 17 % of the Cordillera Administrative Region's area.

A total  85.96% of the total land area has been declared under the Revised Forestry Code inalienable and disposable or public land leaving only 14.04% as alienable disposable. This can be counted as a major issue aside from the inaccessibilty attributed by the terrain of the province.

Under the national population count conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO), Kalinga registered a pouplation of 154,145. This marked an annual average rate of 2.23% from the 1990 population of 137,074. The population size of Tabuk shared the highest percentage distribution at 63,507 persons. This is attributed by the fact that Tabuk is the capital town, thus it is the center of commerce, trade and industry making the municipality an immigration area. The least populated municipality is Pasil with 8,935 persons.

The province is richly endowed with mineral resources, both metallic and non-metallic which are mostly found in the municipalities of Balbalan and Pasil and are estimated at 107,001,469 MT for gold reserves and 95,543,460 MT for the primary copper. There are also evidences on the presence of non-metallic reserves such as sulphur, gravel and sand but there are reliable data on the exact volumes and grades of these reserves.

The province's timber resources are estimated at 11,214,438 cubic meters as of 1990. Such resources include dipterocarp, pine and other species. The non-timber resources such as rattan and bamboo constitute the province's non-timber resources.

Communication services have greatly improved with the installation of telephone lines in the eight municipalities aside from the PLECS network centered at the provincial capitol. There are only telegraph station serving the municipalities of Tabuk and Lubuagan.

Brief History

The name Kalinga is derived from the Ibang and Gaddang "Kalinga" which means " headhunters". In the past, headhunting was considered noble and it symbolizes bravery. Tatoos, a status symbol which men respect and which women admire are given to warriors as reward. Thus a "mingol" or warrior enjoys a high status in Kalinga society.

The "Bodong" to the Kalingas or peace pact is an indiginous socio-political system that defines intertribal relationships. This was developed to minimize traditional warfare and headhunting and serves as an institution renewal, maintenance and reinforcement of social ties. Recently, the "bodong" was expanded into a multi-lateral peace pact providing a means of strengthening unity in the Cordilleras.

The Spanish missionaries and politico-military forces successfully penetrated into the forbidding Apayaos and Kalinga Tribal territories as early as 1608 when Father Geronimo Molina started his mission work in Pudtol (Apayao) and also in 1689 at Tuga (Kalinga) where the first Catholic Mass was celebrated.

During the short-lived Philippine Republic, President Emilio Aguinaldo in his fight to Palanan crossed the upper Kalinga areas in his vain attempt to elude his American pursuers. For 35 days, President Aguinaldo established his headquarters at Lubuangan since March 18,1900. Here, he issued his orders to his military generals and the civil officials of his revolutionary government until he was forced out of Lubuangan upon learning that his pursuers were sighted at Mabongtoto. This prompted him to escape towards Tabuk in that historic last leg of his fight to Palanan, Isabela where he was later captured.

On February 4, 1920, Act No. 2772 was promulgated reorganizing the Lepanto-Bontoc Province into Mountain Province constituted by the five provinces of Benguet, Bonito, Ifugao, Kalinga-Apayao. Lubuagan was the capital of Kalinga while Kabugao was the capital town of Apayao.

On June 18, 1966, Republic Act No. 4695 was enacted creating from the old Mountain Province four separate and independent provinces: Benguet, Ifugao, Mt. Province (Bonito) and Kalinga-Apayao. On March 26, 1967, President Ferdinand E. Marcos administered the oath of office to the new officials of the four newly born provinces.

The first appointed provincial officials of Kalinga-Apayao province were: Cefereino B. Ramirez, Provincial Governor; Amadao B. Almazen, Vice Governor; and Board Members Castro B. Lamawin and Carlos Deguiom.

Presently, Kalinga is fast emerging as an "Eco-Tourism Discovery of the Cordilleras" since its operation as a regular and separate province on February 14, 1996.

Points of Interest

HISTORICAL

Aguinaldo Hill - is located at Barangay Asibanglan-Pinukpuk Road at Allaguia junction. This hill was used as a common post by Gen, Aguinaldo during the Philippine-American war.

CULTURAL

Mini-Museum of Kalinga - a mini-museum was initiated and established by the Kalinga Special Development Authority situated in their office building at Bulano, Tabuk.

NATURAL

• Sungang View Point - the viewpoint affords a majestic view of the valleys villages and mountains of Tinglayan, Tanudan, Tabuk and Lubuangan. A very good view of the Tulgao and Dananao Rice Terraces can be seen at the view point.

• Palan-ah falls and hotsprings - this waterfalls is located at Tulgao West, Tinglayan. The name is derived from the native term "Pinalpallang-ah" which means chair. The falls spray down from approximately 100 meters above forming a pool where during a sunny day, one practically swims at the end of the rainbow.

• Mt. Mating-oy Dinayao (Sleeping Beauty)- these fabled mountain ranges border the municipalities of Tinglayan and Tanudan and they take the form of a sleeping lady supinely lying its back. A vantage view of the profile can be seen from the Sungang view or from Basao.

• Tinglayan Rice Terraces - from the Sungang View Point, the Dananao and Tulgao Rice Terraces can be viewed. These rice terraces are like an amphitheater along the whole mountain slopes.

• Lubo and Mangali Rice Terraces - the rice terraces surrounds the villages of Lubo. The best time to view the rice terraces is during the planting season and when the rice terraces is already ready for harvest.

• Mount Binaratan - this fabled mountain is located in Dacalan. It is the entry point of General Emilio Aguinaldo during his retreat to Kalinga.

• Tiga-aran aran Kabunian - this area is located above Barangay Lubo at the source of Gaburao Creek. At the side is a cave where Kabunian stayed while sawing lumber for his house.

• Ugid Maling Subterranean River - located four kilometers away from Poblacion, Balbalan and a good three and a half hours ride from the Capitol Town. It is a maze of cavernous boulders and rocks a top each other forming a cavern.

• Balbalasang National Park - this is a monument of the opposition of the Kalingas against the logging companies.

• Buaya Caves - It is similar to Sagada Caves with stalactites and stalagmites formation. The caves are interconnected with each other and cover the whole mountain slope.

• Aciga Tree - this is perhaps the biggest acacia tree in Kalinga within a village. It is found at the school ground of the Aciga Elementary School and it is rumored that the tree is a landmark for the treasures of Yamashita.

• Bonnong Lakes and Asibanglan Lakes - this is a mountain lake in Pinukpuk where eels thrive and can be recommended area for research.

• Aguinaldo Hill - this is the hill where the Katipuneros made their last stand in Kalinga from pursuing the American from Abra.

• Padcharao Lake - the name is derived from the plants that abounds in the lake called "Chargo" in the Pasil and is located approximately from 1800 to 2000 meters above sea level.

• Pasil Natural Dam - it is located at Puapo, Dangtalan and was formed after the mountain side eroded. It is ideal for boating and picnic site during the summer months.

• Kabunian Bridge and Springs - these two natural landmarks are found in Maglucsad and Galdang respectively.

• Guinaang - this village has its historical importance to Kalinga as the retreat haven of President Aguinaldo. This is where the Headquarters were located and the campsite.

• Malibong Weavers Village - this is the center of the ethnic weaving industry in the province. The village is along the road and one can buy souvenirs right from the weavers.

• Bananao and Manangol Viewpoint - this is along the road towards Tinglayan and on can have a panoramic view of the Chico River.

• Elephant Hill - this is located in Rizal and is a site of an archeological digging where the other half of the remains of the elephant dug.

• Capitol Tourism Plaza - the tourism plaza is located at the Capitol Ground and one can have a view of the Tabuk Valley.

• Rizal Lagoon - a man made lagoon fronting the Rizal Municipal Hall.

MAN-MADE

• Chico Dam - project located at Sitio Ngipen, Calanasan, Tabuk, constructed by the National Irrigation Administration.

• Rice Terraces - rice terraces at Barangay Tulgao, Tinglayan, 14 kilometers from the National Highway Road could be reached by vehicle. The barangay road was constructed by Father Gilbert Obin, a catholic missionary assigned in Tinglaya. It offers a better panoramic view of the rice terraces and the sprawling villages of the different barangays of Tinglayan

SSources: 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  

+ Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism

Page last updated: August 3, 2005