MI AMOR

EXPLORE QUIRINO

Tourist Destinations

Province – “Where adventure begins!”

Quirino province was blessed with diverse natural resources, such as awesome caves, rivers, breathtaking waterfalls, mountains and valleys, forests, plantations, and minerals. It is tagged as “where adventure begins”.

The six (6) municipalities offer different ecotourism features which make distinct to each other with its tagline: AGLIPAY- “The Heart Of The Province”, CABARROGUIS – “The Golden Park Of The Province”, DIFFUN:  “Gateway To The Province Of Quirino”,MADDELA- “Commercial Growth Center Of Quirino”, NAGTIPUNAN- “The Land Of Origins”, SAGUDAY: – “The Rice Granary Of The Province”.

FAST FACTS

Geography                     : Bounded by Isabela on the North, Aurora on the East     and Southeast, Sierra Madre mountain range on the Eastern and Southern border and the mamparang range on the Western part of the province

Capital                           : Cabarroguis

Population                  : 163, 610

Land Area                   : 3, 057.10 sm.kms

No. of Towns              : 6(Diffun, Cabarroguis, Saguday, Aglipay, maddela, Nagtipunan)

Commercial Centers   : Maddela & Diffun

Language/Dialect       : Iloco (major), English/Filipino

No. of Tribes               : 21

Proximity                     : 335 kms away from Metro Manila

: 65 kms from Diffun to Nagtipunan

Seasons                       : Wet and Dry

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

HISTORY

QUIRINO PROVINCE BRIEF HISTORY

Quirino Province acquired its juridical personality as a result of the division of the Province of Nueva Vizcaya and Isabela on June 18, 1966 under republic act 4734. Quirino was named in honor of the late President Elpidio A. Quirino.

On June 21, 1969, RA 5554 was enacted amending RA 4734 creating the Municipality of Cabarroguis taken from the portions of Diffun, Saguday and Aglipay. Finally, RA 6394 was passed on September 10, 1971 further amending RA 5554 separating the sub-province of Quirino from its mother province of Nueva Vizcaya constituting it into a regular province. Hon. Leonardo B. Perez had authored RA 6394.

The Province of Quirino was formally established on February 10. 1972 upon assumption to office of the first selected provincial and municipal officials headed by Dionisio A. Sarandi as Provincial Governor.

Eventually, on February 25, 1983, Batas Pambansa Blg. 345 was enacted, creating the Municipality of Nagtipunan, a division of the Municipality of Maddela.

OVERVIEW

Long before its creation, Quirino was the foreign region of the Province of Nueva Vizcaya inhabited by tribal groups known as Negritoes. These tribal groups roamed the hinterlands and built their huts in the heart of the jungle area. Ilocano dialect is widely used in the lowlands of the various municipalities while ifugao is the predominant in the upland parts. Other dialects are Bugkalot, Pangasinense and kankanai.

Diffun Town– “Gateway to Quirino Province”

Diffun was created as legal and corporate entity on July 2, 1950 during the incumbency of Congressman Leon C. Cabarroguis and Governor Manolo Maddela of Nueva Vizcaya.

Diffun was former sitio of Barrio San Isidro, Santiago, Isabela since 1926.  Later, before the outbreak of World War 11, Sitio Buntotan was established to become the barrio site of Diffun. During the survey of Santiago, Isabela ( 1924-1932)  Provincial Governor of Nueva Vizcaya discovered that Diffun is a part  of Nueva Vizcaya.  In the year 1948, Congressman Leon C. Cabarroguis presented a bill in Congress, Bill No. 1593 which authorized the President of the Philippines to define the boundaries of Nueva Vizcaya, with bearing and distance, as maybe prepared by the Bureau of Lands and secured from the most authoritative and latest maps of the Bureau of Coast and Geodetic Survey.  House Bill No. 1593 was made into law pursuant to Republic Act No. 236 which the Provincial Board of Isabela contested its validity.  To settle the boundary dispute between Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya,  Malacañang created a Fact Finding Committee under Administrative Order No. 69, S-1948.  The Fact Finding Committee found out that Diffun legally belong to the Province of Nueva Vizcaya thus Administrative Order No. 121 was proclaimed uplifting the provisions of RA No. 236. Later, President Elpidio Quirino of the Republic of the Philippines signed Executive Order No. 157 as amended by Executive Order No. 161 implementing the provisions of the RA No. 236, followed by the issuance of Executive Order No. 466,S-1950 creating the Municipality of DIFFUN.

During the early days, an Spanish mestizo named Don Liberato Bayaua acquired the plains and hills of Diffun as his hacienda by virtue of a Titulo Enformasion de Possessoria.  They established and put up a cattle ranch then the Sitio Bontotan.  One of the guardia civiles of his ranch suffered celebral malaria and died after a few days.  The quack doctor termed the cause of death of the guardia civil as Siphon but the two Ilocanos mispronounced it Di-pon and from that time on the place was known in its present name DIFFUN.

Cabarroguis Town– “The Golden Park of the Province”

Prior to the advent of settlement, Cabarroguis is a vast forested area and form parts of the municipalities of Saguday, Diffun and Aglipay. It is originally occupied by the Aetas and later displaced by the Ilongot tribe because the Aetas are known of their nomadic characters. Many years later, permanent settlement were made by different civilized ethnic groups like Ilocanos, Tagalog and others in search of good fortune in this virgin land. As the population and settlement increases, regular barrios were created. These are the barrios of Zamora, Banuar, Burgos, Del Pilar, Dibibi, Eden, Villamor and five (5) more sitios of Villapena, Villarose, Tucod, Calaocan and Dingasan at the municipality of Aglipay: barrios of San Marcos, Gundaway and portion of Mangandingay at the municipality of Diffun and the other part of Mangandingay at the municipality of Saguday. The above stated barrios of different municipalities became the territorial jurisdiction of Cabarroguis by virtue of Republic Act No. 5554 enacted by the Philippine Congress authored by then Honorable Senator Leonardo Perez on June 21, 1969. The newly created municipality of Cabarroguis was named in honor of the late Congressman of Nueva Vizcaya, Honorable Leon Cabarroguis.

Cabarroguis operated as a regular municipality after the 1971 local polls wherein Honorable Anastacio dela Pena become the first Local Chief Executive.. Barangay Mangandingay also became the temporary seat of the municipal government, Years later, when Honorable Diomedes Dumayas was appointed as the town’s executive, the seat of the Local Government officially transferred to Barangay Zamora where a 12 hectares lot was donated. With its strategic location Cabarroguis became the capital town of Quirino.

Saguday Town- “The Rice Granary of the Province”

Among the most memorable event in the chronicle of Saguday is June 21, 1959, the founding of this town as a regular municipality of then Province of Nueva Vizcaya by virtue of House Bill No. 2541, authored by Hon. Leonardo B. Perez, then Congressman of the Lone District of Nueva Vizcaya which pursuant to the provisions of Article VI, Section 20 (1) of the Philippine Constitution, became a law without the signature of His Excellency President Carlos P. Garcia , entitled Republic Act No. 2519. Pursuant to Section 1 of this law, the seven barrios composing the municipality of Saguday are as follows: La Paz, Saguday (now Rizal and Magsaysay), Salvacion, Sto. Tomas which were separated from the Municipality of Diffun; while Dibul, Managandingay and Tres Reyes were separated from the Municipality of Aglipay.

Originally, Saguday was a barrio of the Municipality of Santiago, Isabela, however, upon the final settlement of the boundary dispute between Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya, Saguday became a regular barrio of Diffun by virtue of an Executive Order No. 386, issued by then His Excellency President Elpidio Quirino.

The naming of Saguday has no legendary story or folktale. It was named by Mr. Jose Cardenas of San Jose, Nueva Ecija, the grandfather of former Mayor Leandro G. Cardenas who came to visit his kins in Saguday. The word Saguday is an Ilocano term which connotes that one possesses good traits and blessed with clean mind, heart and soul.

The first settlers of Saguday were spearheaded by the adventurous and hardworking Ilocanos composed of the families of Corpuz, Cortez, Cabiles, Guzman and Bacani who hailed from the province of Pangasinan, The Pagbilao and Olonan family from Ilocos Region, and the families of Cardenas, and Tomas from the Province of Nueva Ecija, who all came to exploit the vast virgin lands and forest of this very promising valley.

In August 16, 1959, the founding set of local officials to govern Local Government Unit appointed by then President of the Republic of the Philippines His Excellency Carlos P. Garcia have assumed office, with late Hon. Luis C. Lucas, Sr. as the Municipal Mayor, while the late Hon. Nicanor Pagbilao as the Municipal Vice Mayor.

Saguday was categorized as a sixth (6) class municipality composing of seven (7) barrios, however, in the year 1980 and 1981, two additional barangays were created. Barangay Cardenas was created in 1980 pursuant to Sangguniang Bayan Resolution No. 02, series of 1980, while Barangay Gamis was founded in 1981, pursuant to Resolution No. 05 series of 1981. At present, Saguday is still a 5th Class Municipality due to its limited income which is attributed to scarce resources.

Upon the creation of the Municipality of Saguday, the urban core was divided into two barrios: District I now Barangay Magsaysay, and District II now Barangay Rizal. District I has been the seat of the Municipal Government from then up to present.

As to demographic features, per official publication of then National Census and Statistics, actual population in 1960 is 3,264; five years after, its population had increased to 4,866 registering a population growth rate of 4.07%. Another national census on population was conducted in 1980 wherein Saguday had registered 6,673 individual population, however, the average growth rate had abruptly decreased from 4.05% to 2.3%.

In 1995, a national mid decade Census on Population and Housing was conducted wherein Saguday registered a total population of 10,900 with a 2,252 households. During the National Census on Housing and Population conducted by the NSO in the year 2000, Saguday had 12,217 individual populations, with 2,567 households which shares 8.23% population of the Province of Quirino.

As to government buildings, the main municipal building was constructed in the year 1976. The ABC Building was constructed in 1996, while the Legislative Bldg. was constructed in 1997 funded through the 20% development fund of the provincial Government. The Rural Health Unit Buildings were also constructed in 1978. The steps of progress although very slow has not hampered the rapid increased of population of Saguday, hence, due the urgent need of having an spacious hall to hold social gatherings, the LGU had constructed the Municipal Social Hall in the later months of Calendar Year 1988, out of NALGU funds. Due to a need of a place to conduct bigger gatherings and indoor sports activities, the Municipal Gymnasium was constructed in the year 1996 through the financial assistance of the Department of Tourism amounting to P2.5M, which was augmented by the Provincial Government in 1999 allocating P 950,000.00 for the construction of stage, dressing rooms and one span bleacher.

Saguday is basically agriculture – based economy wherein 87.89% of the total population are engaged in farming as a means of livelihood of the total land area of 6,826.0000 hectares, 78% representing 5,415.6226 has. are devoted to agriculture. In 1983, the vast barren lands of the five (5) barangays traversed by the NIA Canal were all converted into fertile rice fields, which triggered the fast transformation of socio-economic upliftment of the farmers; hence, Saguday emerged as the rice granary of the Province  of Quirino.

At present, the total irrigable area in Saguday being serviced by the National Administration is 1,688 hectares, having a total yield/Production of 19,240MT cav./year. Area planted with corn is 680 hectares, total yield is 5,440MT.

Another milestone of development which was an instrument in helping our farmers particularly the cooperatives to avail good price of agriculture products is the establishment of the satellite grains center of the National Food Authority in the year 1986 whose formal procurement operation started in 1987.

As to trade and commerce, during the early years of the decade ‘90’s, commercial activity had increased, as evidenced by the establishment of grains buying stations, gasoline stations, drugs stores, agriculture stores, groceries and other business establishments at the public market and other parts of the Poblacion.

The first market building was constructed in the year 1961, followed by another open air building and the construction of an slaughter house in 1973. Two Additional open air buildings were constructed in 1987 and 1990 out of NALGU Funds, then followed by the relocation of the slaughter house in 1988 into a 700 sq. m. lot purcjased by the LGU in 1985 at Barangay Rizal whose operation started in 1989. the mushrooming of stalls erected by the Local Government Unit and private individuals in the public market followed in the mid 1009’s.

On educational institutions, the first and only secondary school known as Saguday Barangay High School was established and opened to enrollment in July 08, 1968. Subsequently, said High School was converted into Saguday Municipal High School, then operated by the Municipal Local government Unit of Saguday in the year 1972 up to its nationalization in June 10, 1983 pursuant to Batas Pambansa Bilang 511, known as Saguday National High School which at present is catering to the Scholastic needs of the municipality and adjacent barangays of Aglipay, Diffun, and Isabela. The municipality has ten (10) complete elementary schools, and five (5) Preparatory Schools.

On health services, the Municipality is catered by one Rural Health Officer and four (4) Barangay Health Stations being manned by one (1) Municipal Health Officer , one (1) PHN, one (1) Medical Technologist, four (4) Midwives and one (1) Sanitarian, whose services is augmented 64 BHW’s. The four Barangay Health Stations in Saguday are found in Dibul, La Paz, Sto. Tomas and Tres Reyes.

To revive the ecological balance of Saguday, through the strong will and leadership of then Mayor Reynaldo M. Galinato upon his arrival from a one month scholarship study from Australia in June 1, 1993, was the issuance of unnumbered Executive Order of the LCE, creating and organizing the groups of agencies and the launching of massive Tree Planting Program in July 1, 1993 of the LGU, further declaring every Friday of May to September as Tree Planting day. As an Off-shoot of this very laudable activity which was launched almost 13 years ago, the Municipality of Saguday is now sparkling with its verdant trees along the main street and thorough  fares connecting the Barangays, hence, Saguday gained the fame as cleanest and greenest Municipality in 1995, 1996 and 1997 up to the present under category B.

In the year 1996, the Department of Interior and Local government had launched the Annual search for the region’s Outstanding Municipality of the Tear (ROMY), and Region’s Outstanding Local Legislature of the Year (ROLLY) wherein the Municipality of Saguday has been adjudged as the Provincial Level most Outstanding Municipality in the Province of Quirino, distinguished as one of the 10 most Outstanding Municipalities in Region 02. Other prestigious awards conferred to the Municipality in the year 1996 up to CY 2008 are the following:

  1. Most outstanding in the implementation of the Population Management Program in the Province likewise in Region 02
  2. Outstanding on Human Ecological Security Program implementation in the Region
  3. Green Banner Awardee on Nutrition Program in the Provincial level, and 3rd. Place in Region 02 for the Calendar Year 1996 and 1997
  4. Regional 4th. Placer in the DOH Search for the Municipal knock-Out Polio Performer in 1996
  5. Provincial Champion – Region’s Outstanding Municipality of the year CY 1997-1998
  6. Provincial Champion – Region’s Outstanding Local Legislature of the year CY 1997-1999
  7. Provincial Champion – Region’s Outstanding Municipality of the year Category B CY 1999-2001
  8. 1st. Runner up – Region’s Outstanding Local Legislature of the year CY 2000
  9. Provincial Champion – Region’s Outstanding Local Legislature of the year CY 2001
  10. 2nd. Place – Green Banner Award on Nutrition Program CY 2003
  11. Senrtong sigla Seal of Excellence Award on the Delivery of Health program – Cy 2003
  12. Champion on cleanest and Greenish Municipality Category B – CY2004
  13. Most Functional Local Health Board in the Province of Quirino – CY 2004
  14. Most Outstanding Local Government Organization in the Province of Quirino CY– 2005
  15. Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran Award CY 2005
  16. 4th. Place – Banner Award CY 2005
  17. 1st. Place on the 2006 Search Outstanding Municipal Nutrition Committee awarded on 4th. Day of November 2007 during the Nutrition Program Outstanding Performers Awarding Ceremony at the Provincial Gymnasium, Capitol Hills, Cabarrogius , Quirino
  18. Regional Awadee – Municipal Peace and Order Coucil CY 2006
  19. Green Banner Awardee on Nutrition Program CY 2007
  20. Most child friendly Municipality in the province of Quirino on CY 2008
  21. Saturday was the winner, Pinakamalaking TilApia during the 37th. Araw ng Quirino last September 8-10, 2008
  22. Booth of Saguday won the second prize in the Best Dressed Booth during the 37th. Araw ng Quirino  last September 8-10, 2008

Aglipay Town-  “The Heart of Quirino Province”

Is a historic town having patterned his name from Fr. Gregorio Aglipay, a Philippine Independent Church SUPREME HEAD OF INDEPENDENT CHURCH who LED REBELLION against the Spanish colonizers in his time and set at the banks of Addalam River in Aglipay.

The municipality of Aglipay is one of the six (6) towns comprising the province of Quirino. It is located at the northeastern portion of the province and bounded on the north by the municipality of Saguday, on the south by the municipality of Maddela, on the east by the province of Isabela, and on the west by the municipality of Cabarroguis. A land-locked municipality, its absolute location is between 121’28 to 16’33 latitude north.

Its main access is a national highway that traverses in a general west east to north south directions virtually slicing the municipality lengthwise and connects it with the other municipalities of  Quirino. It is approximately 10 kilometers ( linear road distance) from Cabarroguis, the province’ capital town; about 100 kilometers from Ilagan, the capital town of Isabela, about 267 kilometers from Tuguegarao City, the regional center and about 350 kilometers from Manila with an average travel time of 7-8 hours by land.

The Local Autonomy existed during the framing of the Malolos Constitution, which brought about the enactment of the Republic Act 7160.

The Municipality of Aglipay was formerly known to be part of Jones, Isabela.  It was named after the head of a solely existing religious sect in the municipality during that time the late Gregorio Aglipay.

The Municipality is identified for its mountainous and hilly characteristics and lies ten (10) kilometers from the capital town – Cabarroguis, Quirino.  Aglipay is bounded by the Municipality of Saguday from the North, South by Maddela, West by Cabarroguis and East by the Province of Isabela.

A physical identification wherein it s easily located in the Geographic Map is the Addalem River which traverses the municipality from South to West of Aglipay.

Total land area covers THIRTY THOUSAND AND EIGHTEEN (30,018) hectares.  Total population rose up to TWENTY THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED FIVE (20,205) with an Annual Growth Rate of 4.76% based from the 1995 NCSO Census.

Reaching CY-98; the Municipality is now condensed under the category of 4th class composing of 25 barangays.  Barangay Ligaya and San Leonardo are considered as the municipality’s Urban Area.

The main occupation of the people is farming wherein its major crops are rice, corn and banana while other livelihoods are wood and rattan furniture making.  The prevailing economic crisis has always been a big problem which hampers development likely on social involvement in the community.

Nevertheless, the Municipal Government considering its meager IRA continually delivers to the community hand in hand with the National Government through the different agencies.  To date the Municipality estimated IRA figure for CY-1999 is P20, 56.716 of which the 20% amounting to P4, 109, 343.20 is for development.

The transfer of the seat of Government and public market from their old location (Brgy. Progreso) to their present location on 1993 has greatly facilitated the increase of economic activities of the municipality’s resulted to 3rd class category of the municipality from 4rt class in 1998.

Peace and order situation in the municipality is visibly stable and generally peaceful.

Maddela Town “Commercial Growth Center of Quirino”

Pre-Maddela formerly Pinappagan was inhabited by numerous nomadic tribes, living generally at a priorities level. The first settlers entered to what is now Maddela (formerly Pinappagan) 72 years ago. The first Pinappagan an exploration was headed by Forester Vicente Velasco together with 20 Ilocanos formed settlements along the river banks in 1919. Two large groups inhabited the area.  The nomadic Ilongot tribes of the west and up stream the Cagayan river up to Dupax, Nueva Vizcaya and the Ngilinan and Manglad river towards the Pacific Ocean. For more than 3 years, they presented permanent settlement of the area. Pinappagan was coined from the Ilocano words, pinatay- “killed” and Pagano –“Pagan’. The natives live along the fringes of the Sierra Madre Mountain within the hinter land of the Mamparang ranges.

The first Military government was introduced by Lt. Quintin Alcantara who initiated the opening of trail connecting Pinappagan,  Nueva Vizcaya and Panang, Isabela in the year 1922-1925. In 1928, Pinappagan was created as a Municipal District town of Bagabag, Nueva, Vizcaya. Governor Juan Manzano of Nueva Vizcaya appointed Ho. Eusebio Martin as the first President of the district from 1928 to 1930. He was succeeded by Hon. Rafael Daguio, Hon. Federico Ramos, and Hon. Rodrigo Pascual up to the outbreak of World War II. Hon. Marcos Pimentel and Hon. Poncio Castillo were elected municipal district mayors during the Japanese occupation.

Maddela was officially created on November 11, 1950 by virtue of Executive Order No. 364 and became regular municipality in honor of Nueva, Vizcaya Governor Tomas Maddela. Simultaneously, the creations of 18 barangays were approved which comprises barrios:  1. Abbag 2. Bisangal  (Now Divisosia Sur) 3. Buenavista 4. Cofcaville 5. Diduyon 6. Dipintin 7. Dumabato Norte 8.  Dumabato Sur 9. Lusod 10. Manglad 11. Poblacion 12. San Bernabe 13. San Pedro 14. San Salvador 15. Santo tomas 16. Santo Nino 17. Villa Sur ( Villa Norte)

Population had reaches about 5,000 inhabitants at the peak of the newly created town of Maddela in 1951. Hon. Jose Ancheta was chosen as the first mayor in 1951. He died before his first term ended so Vice-Mayor Gregorio Baroma took over the local administration in 1955. More  Ilocanos migrated and anyone desirous to reach Maddela formerly Pinappagan is to brave themselves to the treacherous rapids of the Cagayan River.

Hon. Dionisio A. Sarandi was elected municipal mayor in 1956 to 1959, the first regular election of local officials together with vice mayor and six councilor. Vice Mayor Jose Medina took over in 1962. Hon. Jose V. Ylanan served from 1964 and was again replaced by Hon. Dionisio Sarandi from 1968 to 1971. On his second term, tangible accomplishment of infrastructures had been accomplished.

Other ethnic groups like the Gaddangs and Ibanag settled in 1960. The Igorots and Ifugaos were larger in groups who later came in 1961.

Hon. Arnulfo C. Agullana was elected in 1971 and served his term up to 1978. more barrios were created by virtue of P.D. 86- A dated January 22, 1973 and among these are: 1 Cabaruan 2. Cabuaan 3. Divisoria Norte 4. Pedlisan 5. San Dionisio  6. San Martin 7. Matmad 8.  Landingan 9. Pongo 10. Anak 11. San Dionisio II and 12. Balligui.

At the end of the first quarter of 1979, Hon. Salustiano C. Ladia then MECS district Supervisor was appointed Municipal Mayor and was formerly elected on January 30, 1980 and served up to June 30, 1986.

Maddela has a total land area of 225,972 hectares and the southern part of Maddela was ceded to Nagtipunan under Batas Pambansa 245 dated February 25, 1963. Due to the creation, six barangays were separated namely: 1. San Dionisio II 2. Wasid  3. Landingan 4. Anak 5. Matmad 6. Pongo.

After the presidential snap election in February 1986, President Corazon C. Aquino was installed by PEOPLE’S POWER and appointed OIC municipal mayors throughout the country. Hon. Eduardo M. Balderas was appointed OIC Mayors on July 1, 1986 and was formally elected on January 18, 1987 up to the present. Under his leadership, the municipality continued its long large environment programs.  Construction began on network of Multi- Purpose pavement in all barangays.

The synchronized election of 1992 saw the emergence of a political leader in the person of Hon. Renato G. Ylanan who won the mayoralty race by landslide over his predecessor, former Mayor Eduardo Balderas. Since the leadership took the reins of the local government last July, 1992 several tangible projects were implemented in a span of only six months. With the way things are being accomplished in the municipality, Maddelanians can expect for better things to come.

Due the reclassification of municipality by Executive Order No. 429 of the President of the Philippines there was an increase of income bracket and Maddela was reclassified as fifth (5th.) class from the 2nd Class group of municipality. The 1990 census shows that Maddela composed of 32 barangays.

Maddela perhaps more widely known for its climate than for anything else in its natural environment the climate is often described as being sunny summer throughout the town are quite dry. Rainy season are generally cool to moderately warm with occasional periods of very pleasant weather. Much of the rainfall is more or less distributed throughout the year. The highest recorded temperature is 30.6 C and the lowest is 27.7 C.

Much of Maddela is covered by forest with in extensive rolling terrain. The flat terrains are usually found along the Cagayan River. Terrains are generally rolling due to the Sierra Madre Mountain. The northern and Southern portions are gently sloping to rolling due to Mamparang Mountain ranges.

Maddela is endowed with numerous wonders to attract visitors with its natural and man-made scenic spots. Upon reaching the Maddela’s town proper visitors are warmly welcomed by a 3 star class Hotel, the Villa Caridad Resort, Hotels and Restaurant, located at Villa Sur, Maddela, Quirino. Moving to the southern part almost seven kilometers away from the town proper you will discover Maddela’s pride tourist destination the Maddela Water Falls and Forest Resort, located at Dumabato Sur, Maddela, and Quirino. These two (2) developed tourist spots of Maddela plays a great role in the economic development of the town. Since majority of Maddela’s land area is forestland, there are still potential and undeveloped tourist destinations. Like the Governor’s Rapids and Caves located at Barangay Divisoria Sur, Maddela, and Villa Ylanan, Busibus Caves at Barangay San Pedro, Burubor Caves at Barangay Cabaruan. Moving to the Eastern part of the Municipality where the Sierra Madre ranges is located; you will discover the Diginis Water Falls at Barangay Villa Gracia and Villa Agullana Water Falls at Barangay Villa Agullana.

Nagtipunan Town – “ The Land of Origins”

It was only in the first half of the 18th. Century, after the conduct of archeological and historical investigations over the racial origin of the Ilongot tribes that Pinappagan (now Maddela, the mother town of Nagtipunan) which was formerly a barrio of Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya was found to be inhabited by suspicious and head hunting tribes of Ilongots aside from the aboriginal Dumagats who are basically nomadic by nature.

By tribal agreements, the Dumagats occupied the eastern banks of the Cagayan River and rest of the vast territory has been the ancestral hunting grounds of the Ilongots both for wildlife and the traditional human heads as a sign of manhood, which is needed as an offering by the groom to his bride prior to wedding rites. The Ilongots have their own way of writing and reading. They lived in the pockets of villages with organized but simple government.

Bestowed with water bodies teaming with marine life, vast virgin forest lands, picturesque spots and other natural resources, the place attracted a group of sturdy daring adventurous people from the Ilocos region, Nueva Vizcaya and Isabela who dared upstream the swift currents of the Cagayan River searching for greener pasture.

Unlike the Dumagats, and Ilongots, these land seekers are more civilized. They possessed skills in farming handicraft, carpentry and other industrial activities.

The conflict of culture and interest between the settlers and the Ilongots, the first inhabitants of the area, have complicated the situation, so the head hunting aside from their various customs and traditions, became deterrent factor among the immigrants.

However, the Ilocano migrants driven by the force of purpose, determination and persistence in the midst of hardship failures and discouragement, they succeeded in winning the friendship of the natives for the new-found-land. With the Ilocano traits of friendliness, a peace pact was made. Intermarriages among them followed, thereby strengthening their relationship until conflict of culture and purpose disappeared especially when the Christian Missionaries (New Tribes Mission) penetrated these territories in the late 50’s. Under the Madiboy tribal peace pact of 1967 head hunting was totally stopped and integration among the Ilongots and lowlanders began.

Owing to the renowned abundance of natural resources in the place, other group of people, namely: Itawis, Gaddang, Pangasinenses, Ifugaos and Igorots migrated to this land. The last group of settlers were the Tagalogs, Bicolanos, Pampaguenos, and other business minded people bringing along with them their trade and industry.

Unmindful of the fact that these different migrants having various ethnic origins with diverse customs, traditions and beliefs, intermarriages among them took place which resulted to close and harmonious relationships. There is unity and active participation of everyone towards a certain goal thus, making this rich rolling plains a prosperous, more productive and a happy place of abode. Hence, the Ilocano word “Nagtipunan” which attributed to this place of conglomeration of migrants with different ethic origins.

On the other hand.”Nagtipunan” also connotes: Converging Point which is attributed   to the fact that several major tributaries of the Cagayan River found in the provinces of Quirino, Aurora and Nueva Vizcaya meet are geographically located within the area. With the unwavering support of the masses, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Quirino unanimously endorsed the creation of Nagtipunan, which become a separate and distinct local government unit upon the passage and approval of Batas Pambasa Bilang 345 on February 25, 1983 and after the plebiscite on September 24, 1983. The officialdom of the province favorably endorsed the formerDistrict Forester Andres C. Blando as the first Chief Executive of this infant municipality together with the other municipality officials on November 14, 1983. Mayor Andres C. Blando served as mayor until June 30, 1998. However, with the break of EDSA Revolution on 1986 ousting President Marcos from his throne including all government officials, Mrs. Lolita M. Lapitan was appointed Officer-in-Charge of the Municipality until November 1987. On May 1998 election Hon. Edward M. Salvador was elected Mayor and served a single term. The former Vice Mayor and Chieftain of Ilongot’s federation, Hon. Rosario K. Camma and majority of his running mates won the 2001 political exercise up to the present.

The municipality is located at the southeast and southwest tip of Cagayan Valley. It is bounded on the east and southwest by the Province of Aurora on the west and southeast by the Province of Nueva Vizcaya and Nueva Ecija; and the Municipality of Maddela, Aglipay and Cabarroguis on the north and northwestern side. The Municipality occupies an area of 160,740 hectares is approximately 52.8% of the total Provincial area.

The town has two types of climate, type III and type IV with an average rainfall of 272 mm. And average temperature of 26.75 degree Celsius respectively. Warmest months are April and May; least dry months are March and August while rainy days occur in September to November.

Nagtipunan has 16 regular barangays. These are Anak, Asaklat, Dipantan, Disimungal, Gino Giayan, Keat, La Conwap, Landingan, Mataddi, Matmad, Ponggo, San Dionisio II, Sangbay, San Ramos, and Wasid. The seat of the Municipal Government is Ponggo. The municipality is relatively young at only 17 years old and has a great potential for growth considering its abundant resources.

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