History of the Cordillera Administrative Region

Summary

The script details the history of administrative changes in the Philippines, focusing on the colonization and governance of its mountain regions. During Spanish rule, various command centers were established, but the region's Christianization and control were difficult. The Mountain Province was created under American rule in 1908, with multiple regions annexed over time. Several administrative reconfigurations occurred, including Republic Act 4695 in 1966, which split Mountain Province into four provinces. In 1987, President Corazon Aquino issued an executive order forming the Cordillera Administrative Region, later refined in 1995 with the establishment of modern-day provincial boundaries.

Takeaways

• 🇪🇸 The Spanish colonial government faced difficulties in Christianizing and subjugating the mountain regions of the Philippines.
• 🏰 Several command areas were established in strategic locations within the mountain regions, including Amburayan, Kabuga, Cayapa, Kangan, Itav, Apaya, Lepanto, Benet, Bonto, Bana, and Andag.
• 🇺🇸 In 1908, during the American occupation, the Mountain Province was created through Act No. 1876 by the Philippine Commission.
• 🗺️ The newly created Mountain Province included the former Spanish command areas of Amburayan, Apaya, Benet, BTO, Kalinga, and Lepanto.
• 🔄 In 1920, Amburayan was abolished, and its territories were transferred to the provinces of Ilocos Sur and La Union.
• 🏛️ On June 18, 1966, Republic Act No. 4695 was enacted, splitting the Mountain Province into four separate provinces: Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga-Apayao, and Mountain Province.
• 📜 Benguet and Mountain Province were placed under the jurisdiction of the Ilocos Region, while Ifugao and Kalinga-Apayao were placed under the Cagayan Valley Region.
• 🏢 On July 15, 1987, President Corazon Aquino issued Executive Order 220, creating the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
• 🗂️ The newly formed CAR included the provinces of Abra, Benguet, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and Kalinga-Apayao, along with the cities of Baguio and Tabuk.
• 🏞️ In 1995, Kalinga-Apayao was split into two separate provinces: Apayao and Kalinga, finalizing the modern-day configuration of the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Q & A

What challenges did the Spanish colonial government face in the Philippines' mountain regions?

The Spanish colonial government faced difficulties in Christianizing and subjugating the mountain regions of the Philippines due to the challenging terrain and resistance from indigenous groups.

What were some of the Spanish commanderies established in the mountain region?

Some of the Spanish commanderies established were Amburayan, Kabuga, Cayapa, Kangan, Itav, Apaya, Lepanto, Benet, Bonto, Bana, and Andag.

When was Mountain Province established under American rule, and by which law?

Mountain Province was established on August 18, 1908, during the American period through the enactment of Act Number 1876 by the Philippine Commission.

What areas were annexed to Mountain Province when it was created?

The areas annexed to Mountain Province included the former Spanish commanderies of Amburayan, Apayo, Benet, BTO, Kalinga, and Lepanto.

What happened to Amburayan in 1920?

Amburayan was abolished in 1920, and its corresponding territories were transferred to the provinces of Ilocos Sur and La Union.

What was the significance of Republic Act Number 4695 enacted on June 18, 1966?

Republic Act Number 4695 split the Mountain Province into four separate and independent provinces: Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga-Apayao, and Mountain Province.

Which regions were the newly created provinces of Kalinga-Apayao and Benguet placed under?

Kalinga-Apayao was placed under the jurisdiction of the Cagayan Valley region, while Benguet and Mountain Province were placed under Region I (Ilocos Region).

What did Executive Order 220 issued by President Corazon Aquino in 1987 accomplish?

Executive Order 220 created the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), annexing provinces like Abra, Benguet, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and Kalinga-Apayao to the newly formed region.

When was Kalinga-Apayao split into two separate provinces?

Kalinga-Apayao was split into two provinces, Kalinga and Apayao, on February 14, 1995, through the enactment of Republic Act Number 7878.

What is the modern composition of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)?

The modern Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) consists of the provinces of Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and Benguet, along with two cities: Baguio City and Tabuk City.