Greetings and Welcome to the BLGF-CAR Website!
- BLGF – CAR REGIONAL DIRECTOR AND STAFF
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ABOUT US
COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE
We the officials and employees of the
Bureau of Local Government Finance – Cordillera Administrative Region,
commit to:
Functional Statement
- Supervises and coordinate the conduct of local treasury and assessment operations of the provinces, cities and municipalities within the region for proper implementation of laws, decrees, rules and regulations and administrative issuances of the Department.
- Establish liaison and linkage with other regional offices and agencies of the national government in the region for the purpose of closer coordination in the execution of national regional plans or programs in the area.
- Coordinate in the prosecution of local government projects.
- Undertake researches, studies and related activities for purpose of formulation and execution of policies that would promote the financial stability and growth of the local government.
- Supervises and monitor the execution of taxmapping and other real property assessment projects of the local government units within the region.
- Approve the individual schedules of values of real property prepared by the provincial and city assessors in the region.
- Coordinate the plans, programs and activities of local treasury and assessment offices in the conduct of tax collections drives and tax information and education campaigns.
- Subject to the approval of the Department of Finance, conduct regional training programs, seminar-workshops, conferences, and other allied activities designed primarily for the improvement of administrative and technical skills in the local treasury and assessment offices.
- Perform such other functions as may be prescribed by law or as may be delegated by the Secretary of Finance.
History of BLGF-CAR
The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) was created on July 15, 1987 by virtue of Executive Order No. 220 issued by President Corazon C. Aquino.
The Bureau of Local Government Finance regional office for CAR was established on October 1989 with its temporary office at the City Treasury Office of Baguio City. City Treasurer, Atty. Juan D. Hernandez was then the concurrent ICO, Regional Director with six (6) working force running the office.
The region composed of the City of Baguio and five (5) provinces namely, Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga-Apayao and Mountain Province. The signing into law of Republic Act No. 7878 by President Ramos on February 14, 1995 made the provinces of CAR into (6) converting the Kalinga-Apayao into two separate regular provinces. There are seventy six (76) municipalities under the region.
Due to the needed wider space to cater the clients, the office moved to its present address at No. 85 Land Bank of the Philippines Bldg., Harrison Road, Baguio City in 1991.
Asst. Regional Director Oscar H. Micla of BLGF Region 1 was designated as Acting Regional Director until his full-pledge appointment as Regional Director on May 1, 1993. Likewise the appointment of additional manpower came in with the plantilla items almost filled-up. With almost six (6) years of management, Director Micla turnover the leadership on March 15, 2002 to Asst. Director Orlando L. Mina of Region 2 who was designated as ICO, Regional Director. He headed the region for almost a year and transferred to Region 1 on July 2003. On July 18, 2003, this marked the transfer of leadership to a Cordilleran. Acting Asst. Regional Director Ricardo T. Cawed was then designated as the ICO, Regional Director who managed the region up to present.
REGIONAL STAFF
Dir. RICARDO T. CAWED
ICO, Regional Director
LILIAN B. AGTULAO
Local Treasury Operations Officer III
VIRGINIA C. DELSON
Local Assessment Operations Officer III
MARY LOU G. GAMBOA
Financial Analyst III
GERALDINE B. DEGAY
Administrative Officer V
FREDDIE G. ALVARO
Financial Analyst I
JONARDE N. COTOONG
Administrative Officer I
GLENDA D. DAMOSLOG
Administrative Assisstant III
JEROME C. GABURNO
Administrative Assistant II
REYNALDO L. DE LOS REYES
Administrative Aide IV
LORETA ELLAG A. OLIDO
Administrative Aide IV
MODESTO S. SACNET
Administrative Aide I
JOB ORDERS
DENNIS T. DINAMLING
Administrative Aide IV
EMMANUEL G. BOGUEN
Administrative Aide III -
PROFILE OF THE REGION
CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION
Cordillera Administrative Region Map CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION
QUICK FACTS:Land Area (sq. Km.): 18,102.4 Population*: 1,616,867 No. of Registered Voters**: 898,696 No. of Provinces: 6 Provinces
No. of Municipalities: 75 Municipalities
No. of Barangays 1,176 Barangays Population Growth 6.0% Inflation Rate(2006=100,July 2015) 0.1% CPI (2006=100, July 2015) 139.1 Employment Rate (April 2015) 95.4% Underemployment Rate (April 2015) 19.5% Poverty Incidence among Families (2012) 17.5% Annual Per Capita Poverty Threshold (2012) P19,483 No. of Highly-Urbanized Cities: 1 (Baguio City) No. of Component Cities: 1 (Tabuk City, Kalinga)
Legal Basis of Creation: Executive Order No. 220 Date of Creation: July 15, 1987 References:* – 2010 NSO Census of Population** – 2010 Partial Data from COMELECNote: Baguio City is highly-urbanized city (HUC)Tabuk City is component city of KalingaLOCATION AND LAND AREAA landlocked region, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) is located in the northern central portion of Luzon. It is bounded on the north by the provinces of Ilocos Norte and Cagayan; on the south by the provinces of Pangasinan and Nueva Vizcaya; on the east by Cagayan Valley; and on the west by the Ilocos Region. It has a total land area of 18,293.70 square kilometers which is about 16% of the total land area of the Philippines.CREATIONCAR was created by Executive Order No. 220 signed by former President Corazon C. Aquino on July 15, 1987, otherwise known as the Organic Act of CAR. Originally, the region was composed of the provinces of Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga-Apayao, Mt. Province and the City of Baguio. The provinces of Abra, Benguet, Mt. Province and Baguio City were formerly part of the Ilocos Region while Kalinga-Apayao and Ifugao were part of the Cagayan Valley Region.On February 14, 1995, Republic Act No. 7878 was enacted which bifurcated the province of Kalinga-Apayao into 2 separate provinces – Kalinga and Apayao. With the conversion of the Municipality of Tabuk into a component city on June 23, 2007, there are now 75 municipalities, 2 cities and 1,176 barangays in CAR.PHYSICAL PROFILEThe region is dominated by a mountainous topography, characterized by very steep slopes and high elevation. About 71% of its land area have steep slopes, which constrains cost effective physical development. Infrastructure projects, for example, is 30% more expensive in CAR compared to similar projects in the lowland areas because along the process of incorporating mitigating measures it further aggravates construction costs. Thus, determining the appropriate location of projects is very critical in the face of the region’s topography and cost of construction.More than three-fourths of the region is classified as high elevation (500-2,000 meters above sea level). This gives the region its generally cool climate which nurtures many unique and rare bio-species, and attracts many domestic tourists escaping from the sweltering lowland heat.Located in a seismo-tectonically active area, and owing to its unique topography, the region is highly prone to geologic hazards such as mass movements, ground subsidence, seismic induced hazards, and flooding. The region is entirely traversed by numerous active fault lines including branches of the Digdig Fault. The July 16, 1990 earthquake caused major damages to private and public properties estimated at PhP 3.7 Billion.Geography
Physical
CAR Relief Map MountainsThe region is mainly 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.RiversThe region has several rivers. The most extensive in the region 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.POLITICAL SUBDIVISION
Political Map of Cordillera The region is composed of six (6) Provinces, one (1) Highly Urbanized City (HUC) and one (1) Component City, namely:CITY LAND AREA (sq.Km.) INCOME CLASS NO. OF BRGYS. POP.* NO. OF REG. VOTERS** OFFICIAL WEBSITE 1 BAGUIO CITY 57.5 1st 128 318,676 115,421 www.baguio.gov.ph 2 TABUK CITY 700.25 5th 42 103,912 47,410 www.tabuk.gov.ph PROVINCE / CITY
LAND AREA (sq.Km.) INCOME CLASS NO. OF MUN. NO. OF BRGYS. POP.* NO. OF REG. VOTERS** OFFICIAL WEBSITE 1 ABRA 3,180.8 3rd 27 303 234,733 151,913 www.abra.gov.ph 2 APAYAO 4,120.6 3rd 7 133 112,636 39,221 www.apayao.gov.ph 3 BENGUET 2,833 2nd 13 140 403,944 309,038 www.benguet.gov.ph 4 IFUGAO 2,506.3 3rd 11 175 191,078 98,924 www.ifugaoprovince.com.ph 5 KALINGA 3,070.64 3rd 7 152 201,613 132,430 www.e-kalinga.com 6 MT.PROVINCE 2,239.9 4th 10 144 154,187 100,605 www.mountain-province.com References:* – 2010 NSO Census of Population** – 2010 Partial Data from COMELECNote: Baguio City is highly-urbanized city (HUC)Tabuk City is component city of KalingaDemographics
Population census of Cordillera Administrative RegionYear Pop. ±% 1990 1,146,191 — 2000 1,365,412 +19.1% 2010 1,616,867 +18.4% FORESTRY, MINERAL, WATER AND ENERGY RESOURCESThe region derives much benefits from its abundant mineral natural resource base. A major wealth is its forest resources, which include an estimated 93.2 million cubic meters in dipterocarp timber and 27.10 million cubic meters of pine timber.The region, likewise, harbors rich metallic and non-metallic mineral deposits. Some 33,265 hectares are covered by mining claims, of which 27% are presently mined out. For the last 10 years, mining companies in the region have produced some US $1.92 Billion worth of gold, copper and silver. Mining is one of the region’s flagship industries and contributes about 21% to the region’s economy.The region’s mountainous topography, coupled with its extensive forests, also make it the watershed cradle of Northern Philippines. The headwaters of 9 major rivers emanate from the region and these provide irrigation and energy resources to the Luzon Island of the Philippines.Only a minor segment of the region’s natural energy potentials is currently exploited. The Ambuklao, Magat and Binga Hydro-Electric Plants and a number of mini-hydroelectric plants, mainly located in Bakun, Benguet, supply about 11% of the Luzon Grid’s power requirements. The San Roque Multi-Purpose Dam which is said to be the biggest dam in Asia, aside from providing irrigation and serving as a flood control structure, generates 345 megawatts of electricity and 947 GWH hydropower. Meanwhile, the region’s geothermal and oil potentials remain unexplored.CLIMATEThe region’s climate generally falls under types I and III. Type I is characterized by two (2) pronounced seasons dry season from December to May and wet from June to November. The provinces that fall under this type are Benguet including Baguio City; eastern part of Abra, Ifugao and Mt. Province. Type III has no pronounced maximum rain period with a short dry season lasting only from one to three months. The provinces of Kalinga and Apayao including the western part of Abra, Ifugao and Mountain Province fall under this type.The region is dominantly within the moist Agro-climate zone (74.97%) characterized by an average annual rainfall of 500-2500 mm and a growing period of 210-270 days. About 25.03% of the region is within the wet Agro-climate zone. The region has a favorable rainfall accumulation with substantial areas classified into type I and II.About 21.37% of the regional area is subjected to severe erosion and predominantly observed in the provinces of Ifugao and Mt. Province. Another 38.41% is sufferings for moderate erosion particularly noted in Apayao, Kalinga and Mt. Province.Northern portion of CAR experience as average of 5 cyclones in 2 years while the central and southern part experiences an average of 2 cyclones per year.LANGUAGES AND DIALECTSThe Cordillera region is the most diversified ethno-liguistic 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.
- Bontok – spoken in Bontoc
- Ifugao – spoken in Ifugao
- Isnag – spoken in Apayao
- Balangao – spoken in Natonin
- Kankanaey – spoken in Western Mountain Province and some municipalities in Benguet Province
- Ibaloi – spoken in Benguet Province
- Kalanguya – spoken in some municipalities of Benguet
- Itneg – spoken in Abra
Ilocano is spoken in almost all parts of the region.
MAJOR INDUSTRIESEconomy 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.
SPECIALTY FOODPINIKPIKAN
The Igorots love a dish called Pinikpikan. This is a way of cooking fowl, with some twists that you might find wierd – I don’t. I find it practical.
INNASIN
There is no Pinikpikan if there is no Innasin (Etag, as some other call it, although ETAG simply means fleshy part of the meat). Innasin, in its own right can also be a separate dish.
SAFENG
People unfamiliar with this dish better try this with stuffed noses. :-). Actually, the smell is somewhat unsettling, but so is the Durian fruit, the bagoong, etc. What may be unsettling to one may smell nice to another. This dish is very, very, similar to the German Sauerkraut in terms of taste and smell. However, the ingredients are original(There are no Cassavas in Germany).
TAPEY
TAPEY DEMISTIFIED! I have been to a lot of drinking sessions, and while I never make it a point to introduce myself as an Igorot, I hear during braggers’ time that they’ve tasted Tapey. This site is featuring an all original recipe.
A B R A
Lechon de Abra (Bagnet), similar with others, proudly have its crispy skin. However, it is still different with other lechon in the country. It is prepared with thinly sliced leaves and seasoned with lots of garlic, salt, and pepper.
Sinuman and Patupat are the local version of rice cakes in Abra. The taste is even comparable to a world-class dessert! Sinuman is a triangular-shaped rice cake that is served as it is. Patupat on the other hand is served with muscovado sugar.
Palileng is actually a name of a certain specie of river fish that is abundant in the province of Abra.
Abuos or the eggs of big red ants is a famous exotic food in Abra especially during the summer season. These are collected through poking hole in the treetop nests of the red ants. Abuos are then sauteed together with garlic, onions, and tomatoes. Because of its rich and tangy taste, it is indeed a rare delicacy one should try!
Cascaron comes with molasses production. After the sugarcane is gathered, the tedious, dizzying and time-consuming going round-and-round of the carabao to move the wooden contraption that squeezes its juice follows. Then the juice is boiled in very high heat inside humongous vats called siliasi.
When the juice has turned a brown and sticky tagapulot (molasses), the malagkit (sticky rice) prepared earlier and shaped into small balls with coconut and sesame seeds, is poured into the vat. Once the balls float, they are cooked. They are retrieved with a contraption made out of a long bamboo pole with a roughly woven linaga or basket-like container at the end. – Positively Filipino
A P A Y A O
Pinikpikan is a common soup dish among the provinces in the Cordillera Region. However, instead of using native chicken, Apayao’s version of Pinikpikan found its taste with native ducks. It is much more tastier and gives a much stronger soupy taste according to the locals.
Sininggub or the stir-fried red chili pepper, mixed together with a few sliced lemon leaves. Sininggub is served as an appetizer.
Other delicacies of Apayao:
Sinursur is a native course cooked in a young bamboo shoot. In the duration of its cooking, it is smashed with a stick to crush the contents until it is entirely squashed. It is either mixed with Atang (gabi leaves and stalk), Tuka’ (frog), Iwat (eel), Palilang (gobi) , Tangingi (Bean pods) and other combinations relished with plenty of sili that rouses the heat that interests one to take a dose.
This dish is usually served in anyone’s home enjoyed by the whole family.
Pinaltit, meanwhile is an appetizer consisting of ground pork cooked with coconut milk and garnished with plenty of chili powder and thin strips of pomelo leaves. This is a usual meal course in an Isnag’s daily menu.
Sagket on the other hand is the native bagoong (fish sauce) of the people of Apayao. It is usually prepared from a fish called Palilang, a local specie of Goby. It is preserved for three days or more for a more savoring and aroma which is eventually cooked with plenty of sili together with selected vegetables. This symbolizes gallantry and bravery of the people of Apayao.
The Binungor, another popular Kalinga dish is also making its way to every I-Apayao’s dining table, is an exotic dish of stir-fried snails eaten with bamboo shoots and siling labuyo.
It is not for everyone, but if you want to try authentic Kalinga delicacy, binungor is the perfect thing to order.
Agurong a common black freshwater mollusk with elongated spiral shell usually found in abundance in creeks and rivers are often cooked with coconut milk and lowland vegetables are among the popular native dishes of the province.
M T . P R O V I N C E
Etag, or the salted pork in Bontoc, Mountain Province, is a usual ingredient in many indigenous delicacies in the province. Etag is actually a product of preserving the meat hence, it’s really flavorful!
Biko that is made using the heirloon Mountain Violet sticky rice (locally known as Ominio) that are harvested directly from the terraces of the Philippines, can any other biko taste any better than that?
Tasty Biko made using the heirloom Mountain Violet Sticky Rice.
FAMOUS ACTIVITIES/FESTIVALS
Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) Month of January Baguio City
Panagbenga (Baguio Flower Festival) Month of February Baguio City
Ullalim Festival February 13-16 Kalinga Day
Abrenian Festival March 9 Bangued, Abra
Lang-Ay Festival April 7 Mountain Province
Parade of Cordillera Festival End of November Baguio CityProvincial and City Activities/Festivals: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.Panagbenga, which translates to “a season of blooming” is the most visited celebration of Baguio City, Philippines.In GeneralThe Panagbenga is held yearly during the month of February.The celebrations are held for over a month sometimes while its peak periods are the parade weekends.The Panagbenga, also known as the Baguio Flower Festival, showcases floral floats, native dances, a flea market, food street, and other Panagbenga-related activities such as Pony Boys Day, the Flower Tee Golf Tournament, a barangay garden competition,Panagbenga is a Kankana-ey term for “a season of blooming.” Since 1995 it has paid homage to the beautiful flowers the city is famous for as well as a celebration of its re-establishment as a premier Philippines tourist destination after the devastating 1990 earthquake that hit the Summer Capital.Since February 1995, it has been held to provide the City of Pines with it’s very own fiesta that draws a myriad of visitors on a month when the weather is generally chilly and relatively dry — simply perfect for the enjoyment of outdoor activitiesThe Panagbenga will have spectators enjoying a multiple floral and float parades. Street dancing and band competitions are participated in by local residents and institutions that put on a great show yearly, after months and months spent at rehearsals, costuming and choreography.KAWAYAN FESTIVAL
Kawayan Festival means Bamboo Festival. It is the fiesta celebration of the provincial government of Abra. Abra is located at northern part of the Philippines, in the Cordillera region where majority of its people belong to Itneg tribe.It is celebrated annually on March 9th for their founding anniversary and in appreciation of the abundance of bamboo in the region.Aside from the grand streetdancing and ethnical programs where gongs and bamboo musical instrument are played, their program includes the different products and crafts made from bamboo.Anyone who visits Abra will be amazed by its pristine nature and cultural values and traditions.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.Adivay Festival is held every month of November; with month-long activities for the coming together of people to celebrate. The Adivay is a time for the province of Benguet to promote its products. Benguet is one of the country’s major sources of temperate vegetables and metal requirements such as gold and silver. To highlight the different indigenous and unique products of each of the 13 municipalities of Benguet, an Agro-industrial and Trade Fair is held , as well as a festival parade.ULLALIM FESTIVAL – celebrated in the province of Kalinga every February 13–16. The festival celebrates the founding of the province, showcasing the cultural heritage and way of life of the Kalingas. Highlights include exhibits of weaved clothes (laga), coffee beans and other products of the province.The Ullalim Festival is a tourism and industry promotional event for three days (February 13-16) showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the people and their bountiful natural resources.A cultural festival showcasing the life and culture of the Kalinga through sports, crafts including indigenous food.MATAGOAN FESTIVAL
The Matagoan Festival celebrates the warm and peaceful relationship between and among the different tribes that reside in Tabuk. The festival highlights the indigenous practices, arts, and dances of the different sub-tribes. It is celebrated on the 16th of June every year.
A showcase of the cultural practices of the eight sub-tribes of Tabuk (Biga, Tobog, Dallac, Malbong, Naneng, Gaddang, Guilayon, Colminga). Serves as a culminating activity of Tabuk Day. Events include: Dornat – strenthening of the Bodong ties between two tribes; presentation of cultural songs and dances; and Matagoan Run or a 6-kilometer run from Bulanao up to the municipal hall in the Poblacion.
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. 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.
Town Activities/Festivals:
STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
La Trinidad, Benguet is the Guinness World Record Holder of the “Largest Strawberry Cake,” a recognition awarded during the Strawberry Festival in March 2004.
During the festival locals and visitors alike can enjoy various activities, including Agro Trade fair, the search for Ms. Strawberry Festival 2009 and Mr. La Trinidad, jobs fair, strawberry contests, Strawberry Farm tour and berry picking, Dumba ni Kabajo, Benguet Grand Battle of the Country Western bands, and many more.
A civic and float parade in the morning of March 18 will be followed by the Strawberry Festival main program, which will be held at the municipal gym. The day’s program will also feature the 2009 Strawberry Cake Slices, a cultural presentation, and an “Uwik.” A fireworks display will light the night to cap the entire day’s activities.
Ifugao
Kulpi ad Asipulo (Asipulo, Ifugao – April 16–19) – Town Fiesta adopting the ritual term “kulpi”, a family thanksgiving after transplanting the rice seedlings.
Tungoh ad Hungduan (Hungduan, Ifugao – 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, Ifugao – 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, Ifugao – April 25–27) – Town Fiesta adopting the ritual term “kulpi”, a family thanksgiving after transplanting the rice seedlings.
Urpih Bannawar (Banaue, Ifugao – 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, Ifugao – 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, Ifugao – 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, Ifugao – 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
The Sagada Rice Terraces, one of the main tourist spots of the region.
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.
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 meters 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.
