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Cagayan - A True Spelunker's Paradise

2023-08-15 08:06


Cagayan is a province of the Philippines in the Cagayan Valley region in the northeast of Luzon Island, and includes the Babuyan Islands to the north. The province borders Ilocos Norte and Apayao to the west, and Kalinga and Isabela to the south. Its capital is Tuguegarao.

Known as the spelunker's, trekker's, and game fisher's paradise rolled into one, Cagayan provides a never-ending adventure with ecotourism in the forefront of its offering. Both foreign and local tourists continue to explore its caves, engage in game fishing expeditions, trek its mighty mountains and retreat to its centuries-old churches.

Present day chroniclers say that the name was derived from the word "tagay," a kind of plant that grows abundantly in the northern part of the province. Thus, "Catagayan" which means a place where the tagay grows abundantly was shortened to "Cagayan," the present name of the province.

Quick facts

Governor: MANUEL N. MAMBA

Vice Governor: MELVIN K. VARGAS, JR

POPULATION:1,268,603 (As of 2020)

GEOGRAPHY: Cagayan occupies the northeastern tip of the Philippines, bounded by the Batanes Islands on the north, the Philippine Sea (Pacific Ocean) on the east, Isabela Province on the south, and the Cordillera mountain ranges on the west, Cagayan has a total land area of 9,002.70 sq. km.

CITY: 1 (Tuguegarao City)

TOWNS/MUNICIPALITIES:28  (Abulug, Amulung, Alcala, Allacapan, Aparri, Baggao, Ballesteros, Buguey, Calayan, Camalaniugan, Claveria, Enrile, Gattaran, Gonzaga, Iguig, Lallo, Lasam, Piat, Pamplona, Peñablanca, Rizal, Sta. Ana, Sta. Teresita, Sto. Niño, Sanchez Mira, Sta. Praxedes, Solana, and Tuao.)

BARANGAYS: 820

LANGUAGE: English and Filipino are widely used and spoken in Cagayan. Predominant local languages are Ilocano, Ybanag, Ytawes and Malaueg. Pangasinense, Maranao and other dialects are also used in some areas where migrants abound.

Majority of the Cagayanos can speak at least two of the local languages and have good command, or at least a working knowledge, of the English language.

RELIGION: Roman Catholic (30%) Protestant (30%) Iglesia ni Cristo (30%) others (10%) 

Majority (76.15 percent) of the population of Cagayan Valley Region are Roman Catholics. Evangelicals (4.24 percent) and Aglipayans (3.66 percent) are followed. About 15.65 percent are belonged to other religious affiliations.

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