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. Tattoos, 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 indigenous socio-political system that defines intertribal relationships. This was developed to minimize traditional warfare and headhunting and serves as an institutional 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 some parts of the Cordilleras.
The Spanish missionaries and politico-military forces successfully penetrated into the forbidding Apayao 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 flight to Palanan, Isabela crossed the upper Kalinga areas in his vain attempt to elude his American pursuers. For 35 days, President Aguinaldo established his headquarters at Lubuagan 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 Lubuagan upon learning that his pursuers were sighted at Mabongtoto. This prompted him to escape towards Tabuk in that historic last leg of his flight to Palanan 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 five 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 Ceferino B. Ramirez, Provincial Governor; Amado B. Almazan, Vice Governor; and Board Members Castro B. Lammawin 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.
I. OVERVIEW
Location
Nestling on an elevation ranging from 300 to 5,000 feet above sea level of northsouth assemblage of mountain ranges within the Cordillera Central, Kalinga has been dubbed as the Prince of the Highlands Philippines.
A glance of the Philippine map will easily reveal the similarity of the physiography of Kalinga to that of a bust of a man, akin to Ex-President Ferdinand E. Marcos. The province's geographic feature is characterized in the western portion by sharp crested interlinking peaks of the steep slope, isolated flat lands, plateaus and valleys. The eastern portion generally rolling gradually sloping foothills. Interlocking wide tracks of flat lands and flood plains along its main drainage system, this rare geography interposes a great role expected of the province in national development pursuits.
Political Subdivision
The province is composed of eight (8) municipalities. These are Balbalan, Lubuagan, Pasil, Pinukpuk, Rizal, Tabuk, Tanudan and Tinglayan.
Climate
The prevailing climate of the province is categorized under type III classification of the Weather Bureau. The relatively dry season occurs from the month of November to April while the rest of the year is generally wet. Heaviest rain occurs during the month of September with an average rainfall of 2,000 mm. Typhoons frequently occur during the period from July to October.
Population
Kalinga has a total population of 174,023 as of 2000.
Industries
The updated records of the Department of Trade and Industry Provincial Office reveal that existing industries in the province are furniture making, garment craft, food processing, gifts and housewares and agricultural support.
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