FACTS & FIGURES

... At a Glance

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Formerly dubbed as " La Montanosa"  by Spanish administrators for its mountainous terrain, Mt. Province lies in the heart of the Grand Cordillera, known to be the Philippine's biggest and highest chain of mountains. The province is bounded on the North by Kalinga, on the south by Benguet and Ifugao, on the east by Isabela, and on the west by Ilocos Sur and Abra.

Mt. Province's total land area is 209,733 has., 23% of which were classified as alienable and disposable, and 77% as forest lands. Towering peaks and sharp ridges describe the central and western parts of the province, while gradually sloping and rolling foothills are the general features of the eastern towns.

Mt. Province is geo-politically subdivided into 10 municipalities and 144 barangays. For 1999, the projected population is 140,085. Mt Province is classified as a 4th class province with an average family income of P59,426. Agriculture is the main source of income with tourism providing a significant boost to its economy.

Although Bontoc is the province's capital,  the town of Sagada is more famous among tourists. Its rice terraces, though lesser known  compared to the Banaue rice terraces, are equally spectacular. Whereas the walls of the Banaue's terraces are of compacted earth, Sagada's walls are small rocks laboriously piled one on top of the other. The town is also known for its limestone caves that served as burial grounds during the pre-Christian Sagada era.

Brief History

Mountain Province became a special province of the Philippines in 1907. It was made up of the sub-provinces of Bontoc-Lepanto, Amburayan, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao and Kalinga. The provincial supervisor was appointed Governor of the province and Bontoc was then the capital town.

Mountain Province became an independent province on March 25, 1967 when President Ferdinand E. Marcos officially appointed and inducted into office the first set of provincial officials. On April 7, 1967, the new Mountain Province came into operation. This date was unanimously adopted by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on their regular meeting held on June 10, 1980 as the Mountain Province Day.

To date, Mt. Province is growing in popularity as a " Spelunkers Delight and Weavers Paradise ". It is becoming a favorite destination of both local and foreign visitors.

Points of Interest

MOUNT DATA. Just across the boundary of Benguet and Mountain Province, the fount of big rivers in Northern Luzon, namely the Agno, Chico and Abra Rivers.

BURIAL CAVES. Ancient burial grounds full of coffins. Mostly located in the municipality of Sagada which is 19 kilometers west of Bontoc

RICE TERRACES. Just as spectacular as the Banaue rice terraces.

BARLIG. A village famous for its basket weaving as a home industry.

ALAB, BONTOC PETROGLYPHS. A barrio where one can see petroglyphs carved on stone or rock boulders.

BONTOC IGOROT MUSEUM. One must see the museum of artifacts and proto-types while in Bontoc

Sagada Weaving House (Sagada); Sabangan Loom Weaving (Sabangan); Samoki Weaving House (Samoki, Bontoc) - Various woven materials like knapsack, bags, purses, etc. are being made at the Sagada Weaving House. Sabangan Loom Weaving features placemats, napkins, table runners, and bags while the Samoki Weaving Industry is distinct from that of Sagada Weaving and Sabangan Loom Weaving by way of how the woven materials are made. Samoki's tapis, G-strings, belts and blankets are made by backstraps weaving.

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  

+ Photo courtesy of the PEENRA Project Team

Page last updated: August 3, 2005