Ifugao was formerly a part of the old Mountain Province. It was created as an independent province on June 18,1966 by virtue of Republic Act No. 4695, otherwise known as the Division Law of Mountain Province. Under this law, Mountain Province was divided into four (4) provinces namely: Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga-Apayao and Mountain Province.
The name is derived from the word IPUGO. Pugo means hill while the prefix I means from. The Spaniards changed "Ipugo" to "Ipugaw" and was finally changed by the Americans to Ifugao. The Ifugaos are one of the different tribes that inhabited the old Mountain Province. Their culture and tradition, being unique and striking, have made them subject of many studies by foreign scholars.
For the Ifugaos, custom is the basis of all laws. But these customs would mean nothing if these were not supported by ancestry knowledge. Among the Ifugaos, extensive pedigrees exist. They are the graphic representation that puts in evidence one of the most basic principles of the Ifugao culture. We can not but do what our ancestors told us.(Lambretch CICM 1964).
During the Spanish regime, the Spaniards confined their activities in Kiangan (Quiangan at that time) but it was the cross not the sword that conquered the people. During their stay in Ifugao, the Spaniards were able to organize pueblos (towns) headed by the Alcalde Municipal and barangays (barrios) headed by the Cabesa de Barangay. In 1888, the Spanish rule and influence ended with the outbreak of the Philippine Revolution. During the American regime, a significant accomplishment made was the setting of boundaries of the five (5) ethnic groups in the Mountain Province in 1920 namely: Benguet, Bontoc, Kalinga-Apayao and Ifugao. The main thrust of the American rule in the region was the development of the natural resources. Farming and industries were developed. The construction of schools and roads were also built all over the province. During the Japanese occupation, Ifugao became the center of warfare during the last stages of World War II. It was in Ifugao, particularly in Mt. Napulawan in Ifugao where Gen. Yamashita, the known Tiger of Malaya decided to put his last stand against the Filipino and American forces. He informally surrendered to Capt. Grisham of the 6th US Army in the Philippines based in Kiangan, Ifugao before he was flown to Camp John Hay where he formally surrendered.
In 1905, Ifugao was made a sub-province of the old Mountain Province. The sub-province was administered by a Lt. Governor, which was later changed to Deputy Governor. Captain Pedro Bulan was the first native and last official to assume the office of Deputy Governor. Hon. Luis Pawid of Kiangan became the first Deputy Governor during the regime. At the outbreak of the war in 1942, five (5) municipal districts were created in Ifugao namely: Burnay (later changed to Lagawe by virtue of R.A 3380 and the capital town of the province), Kiangan, Banaue, Hungduan, and Mayoyao. The municipalities of Potia, now Alfonso Lista, and Lamut were created after the war. Ifugao finally gained provincial status on June 18,1966 with the municipality of Lagawe as the capital town. The first provincial officials were: Gov. Gualberto Lumauig, Vice Gov. Manuel Tuguinay, and Board Members- Napoleon Hangdaan and Gaspar Ponchinlan. They were inducted into office on March 26, 1967.
I. OVERVIEW
Location
Ifugao, a land-locked area located at the foot of the Cordillera Mountain Ranges, is bounded on the west by the province of Benguet, Nueva Viscaya on the south, Isabela on the east and on the north by Mountain Province. It is located at 120 degrees 40' longitude and 16 degrees 35' latitude.
Area
The total land area of Ifugao is 251,778 hectares, which is about 13.76% of the region's total land area. Of these, Aguinaldo covers the most (45,451.04) hectares followed by Lista (43,474.7), Lamut (28,220.30), Asipulo (25,400.00), Mayoyao (22,246.36), Banaue (18,240.46), Tinoc 14,948.17), Kiangan (14,534.61) Lagawe (14,411.70), Hungduan (13,394.70) and Hingyon with the least area of (11,455.96) hectares.
Political Subdivision
As of 1988, the province is politically sub-divided into eleven (11) municipalities and 178 barangays with Lagawe serving as the provincial capital town. Of these, Mayoyao has the highest number of barangays 27). The rest are Alfonso Lista (20), Lamut (18), Banaue (18), Aguinaldo (16), Tinoc (12), Hingyon (12), Hungduan (9), Asipulo (9) and Kiangan (14).
Climate
The climate of the province is described as having dry season from November to April and the rainy during the rest of the year. The hottest months are March and April while the coolest months are November up to February.
Population
Census data from the NSO (2000) indicates that Ifugao has a population level of 161,623.
Language / Dialect
The most common mother tongue used in Ifugao is the Ifugao dialect. Based on the NSO data of 1995 regarding the distribution of household population by mother tongue. 83% speaks the Ifugao dialect followed by the Ilocano dialect with 17%.
Major Industries
Based on the DTI accomplishment report of 1997, there are about 564 firms in Ifugao. The table below shows the distribution.
Major Industries
Trading, Gift, Toys & House wares, Services, Other Manufacturing, Garments & Textiles, Other (Agri) and Food & Beverages.
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