Region II – Cagayan Valley

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Overview

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The Region II, or Cagayan Valley Region, is the second largest in the Philippines, with a land area of 2,826,520 ha. It is comprised of 5 provinces namely: Batanes, Cagayan (including Babuyan Islands), Isabela, Quirino, and Nueva Vizcaya. It has four cities namely: Cauayan City (the industrial center), Tuguegarao (its regional center), City of Ilagan (its investment hub) and Santiago City (its Premier City).

Located at the most northeastern part of the Philippines, between the Pacific Ocean and the Cordilleras, 540,812 ha. (almost 20%) of the land of Cagayan Valley is used for agricultural purposes (in 2013). With its Type III Climate (relatively dry from November to April, and wet during the rest of the year), and the rich soil in the region, it is no wonder the 2^nd top producer of rice and the top producer of corn in the country. Aside from these crops, Cagayan Valley is also known to be one of the top producers of Sugarcane, Banana, Hog, and Chicken. In 2013, 846,000 out of the 1,475,000 employed people in the region are working in the agriculture sector wherein around 596,000 are male and 250,000 are female.

Batanes
History
batanes history.png

Culture
The people of Batanes, Ivatans, racially originated from the Malays. The native language that they speak is also called Ivatan, although English and Filipino could be widely understood.

One of the distinct characteristics of their culture is the evident adaptation to strong winds and typhoons due to their geographic location. A product of this adaptation is seen in the construction of their houses made of stone walls and thick cogon roofs that could withstand strong typhoons. They have a unique food production and consumption pattern due to the scarcity of resources in some of the months. They have become masters of food preservation and almost every household is self-sufficient. They also have rituals and festivities, which include native songs and dances, that are associated with food production such as planting and fishing.

Economy
Batanes is composed of three main islands (Itbayat, Sabtang, and Batan) and other islets. Because of this, its major livelihood relies on fishing, especially during the summer months when the waters are calm. Another major produce of Batanes are cattle and garlic, and they even export the said products. They also produce other crops such as yam, sweet potato, and taro.

Tourism

Mt. Iraya http://introvertedpinoytraveler.blogspot.com/2014/09/batanes-tour-day-one-northern-batan-and.html

Diatay Beach http://ofpalatesandwalking.blogspot.com/2012/09/breathless-in-batanes-day-1.html

Honesty Coffee Shop http://www.pinoyadventurista.com/2014/05/batanes-honesty-store-coffee-shop-philippines.html

Valugan Bay https://www.flickr.com/photos/50218043@N00/5896466603

Ruins of Songsong https://www.flickr.com/photos/melovillareal/3022010950

For a more detailed list of the famous tourist spots in Batanes, visit http://www.dotregion2.com.ph/welcome/batanes/

Cagayan
History

Culture
There are 3 major ethnic groups of people in Cagayan: the Ybanags, Itawits and Malawegs. The Ybanags, the dominant group, are known to be the tallest among the ethno-linguistic groups all over the Philippines. They are know for their excellence in making seacrafts and blacksmithing. The Itawits, on the other hand, almost look the same as the Ybanags. However, they are more known for their knowledge in pottery and basket-weaving. Lastly, the group of Malawegs are known for their skills in agriculture, mainly lowland rice and corn.

The official language of the province is Ybanag. However, due to the large number of Ilokano immigrants over the years, majority of the population now speak Ilokano.

Economy
Cagayan is known to be one of the major producers of agricultural products, especially grains and legumes, in the Philippines. Among these are rice, corn, vegetables, sugar, mango, cassava, banana, cacao, coffee, tubers, and watermelon. They also produce livestock such as carabao, cattle, goat, hog, poultry, and sheep. Meanwhile, its forests also contribute to the livelihood of Cagayan because the timber, rattan, bamboo, and nipa that are turned into final products are of export quality.

Tourism

Callao Cave http://www.cagayanvalley.net/photo/callao-cave-2#.V0BLsfl97IU

Saint Philomene Church http://www.panoramio.com/photo/64488816

Magapit Hanging Bridge https://www.flickr.com/photos/liddaykenragsak/4565863746

Calvary Hill, Iguig http://vigattintourism.com/tourism/articles/Mt-Calvary-of-the-Far-East-Calvary-Hills-in-Cagayan-Valley

Portabaga Falls http://www.panoramio.com/photo/114867311

For a more detailed list of the famous tourist spots in Cagayan, visit http://www.dotregion2.com.ph/welcome/batanes/ and http://www.cagayan.gov.ph/index.php/tourism/scenic-attractions

Isabela
History

Culture
Isabela’s population is composed mainly of Ilokanos because of their migration yaers ago. The second largest ethno-linguistic group is the Ibanags, the same people found in Batanes. Gaddangs, Yogads, Agtas, and other Negrito groups also compose of the population in Isabela.

Economy
Agriculture is the main source of income of the families in Isabela. Some of the crops they harvest include monggo, tobacco, coffee, banana, and mango. Its livestock and poultry industries are also considered as top livelihood programs.

Tourism

Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park http://z6.invisionfree.com/flipzi/index.php?showtopic=252

St. Clare Monastery https://macvergado.wordpress.com/2015/08/21/visita-iglesia/

Magat High Rise Dam and Hydro-electric Powerplant http://panaylakbay.com/blog/2011/03/06/the-majestic-magat-dam/

Bonsai Forest http://cityofilaganmyhome.blogspot.com/2015/06/tourism-isabela.html

San Pablo Church http://vigattintourism.com/tourism/articles/San-Pablo-Church

For a more detailed list of the famous tourist spots in Isabela, visit http://www.dotregion2.com.ph/welcome/isabela/

Nueva Vizcaya
History
nueva vizcaya history

Culture
The Nueva Vizcaya provinnce was once dominated by tribes such as Igorots, Ifugaos, Ilongots, Aetas, Gaddangs, and the Maalats. But due to the rise in migrants over the province, it is now dominated by the Ilocanos, Tagalogs, Pangasinenses, Kapampangans and other groups. Although, up until now, there are around 18 ethnic groups living in Nueva Vizcaya. Their cultural diversity and unity is celebrated annually in the Grand Ammungan Festival.

The major language spoken in the province is Ilocano, comprising of 66.9 percent of the population.

Economy
Among the activities that contribute to the economy of Nueva Vizcaya are commerce, trade, and agriculture as its main industry. The major crops that it produces are corn and palay, while the minor crops are rootcrops, vegetables, and fruits among others. Other towns have their own specialty of yield such as flowers and strawberries in Kayapa; lettuce, apple tomatoes, sweet and bell peppers in Sta. Fe; pineapples in Bagabag; and locally grown Perante Orange in Bayombong. Aside from agriculture, businessmen are also attracted to the province due to the deposits of gold and copper.

Tourism

Imugan Waterfalls http://denciotravel.blogspot.com/2014/10/imugan-waterfalls-how-to-get-there.html

Capisaan Cave System http://vigattintourism.com/tourism/articles/Capisaan-Cave-System-Fifth-Longest-Cave-System-in-the-Country

St. Dominic Cathedral http://outoftownblog.com/st-dominic-cathedral-in-bayombong-nueva-viscaya/

Mt. Ugu https://yabagmc.wordpress.com/mt-ugu-trek/

Lower Magat Ecotourism Park http://www.ironwulf.net/2014/05/30/nueva-vizcaya-lower-magat-eco-tourism-park/

For a more detailed list of the famous tourist spots in Nueva Vizcaya, visit http://www.dotregion2.com.ph/welcome/nueva-vizcaya/

Quirino
History
Quirino history Culture
Quirino is the youngest among the provinces in Region II.

Most of its residents in the lowlands are Ilokanos. There also indigenous groups who live in the mountains or scattered among its municipalities such as the Ilongots, Kankana-ey, Inibaloi, and Agtas.

Economy
Even though Quirino was just established recently, it has a lot to offer to its residents and visitors. A variety of crops grow in the province, trees grow freely in its forests, and there are large deposits of minerals. Among their agricultural products are rice and corn, coffee, peanuts, and bananas. They also have rich raw materials that are enough to supply furniture making, builder woodworks, rattan baskets and novelty items such as fossilized flowers and hand-made papers.

Tourism