Kalinga, officially referred to as the Province of Kalinga (in Ilocano: Probinsia ti Kalinga; Tagalog: Lalawigan ng Kalinga), is a landlocked province located in the Philippines within the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Its capital city is Tabuk, and it shares borders with Mountain Province to the south, Abra to the west, Isabela to the east, Cagayan to the northeast, and Apayao to the north. Kalinga and Apayao became separate provinces in 1995, following the partitioning of the former Kalinga-Apayao province. This division aimed to better address the distinct needs of the various indigenous communities in the area.
Interestingly, it’s not widely known that President Emilio Aguinaldo designated Lubuagan town as the temporary seat of government for a period of 73 days, from March 6, 1900, to May 18, 1900, before ultimately relocating to Palanan.
Demographics
Age Groups and Populations:
- The age group with the highest population: 5 to 9 years old, totaling 24,047 individuals.
- The age group with the lowest population: 75 to 79 years old, comprising 2,025 individuals.
Age Group Aggregates:
- Young Dependents (aged 14 and below): This group includes infants, babies, children, and young adolescents/teenagers, making up approximately 33.39% of the total population, with 71,012 individuals.
- Economically Active Population (aged 15 to 64): This category, representing the workforce and potential workforces, constitutes a significant 61.50% of the population, totaling 130,803 individuals.
- Old Dependents (aged 65 and over): This group accounts for 5.11% of the total population, equivalent to 10,865 individuals and consists of senior citizens.
Age Dependency Ratios:
- Among the population of Kalinga, there are 54 youth dependents (aged 14 and below) for every 100 individuals in the working age population.
- There are 8 aged/senior citizens (aged 65 and over) for every 100 of the working population.
- Overall, there are 63 dependents (combining young and old-age) for every 100 of the working population. These ratios provide insights into the population’s dependency on different age groups.
Median Age:
- The median age of Kalinga in 2015 was 23 years. This statistic indicates that half of the entire population was younger than 23, while the other half was older than 23. It provides a vital measure of the age distribution within the province.
| Name | City/ Municipality | Population (2020) | Population (2015) | Annual Population Growth Rate (2015‑2020) | Area (km2) | Density (2020), per km2 | Brgy count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balbalan | municipality | 12,914 | 12,195 | 1.21% | 542.69 | 24 | 14 |
| Lubuagan | municipality | 9,323 | 8,733 | 1.39% | 234.20 | 40 | 9 |
| Pasil | municipality | 10,577 | 9,644 | 1.96% | 189.00 | 56 | 14 |
| Pinukpuk | municipality | 34,275 | 32,026 | 1.44% | 743.56 | 46 | 23 |
| Rizal | municipality | 19,554 | 17,038 | 2.94% | 281.79 | 69 | 14 |
| Tabuk | city (CC), capital | 121,033 | 110,642 | 1.91% | 700.25 | 173 | 43 |
| Tanudan | municipality | 8,746 | 9,534 | -1.80% | 307.55 | 28 | 16 |
| Tinglayan | municipality | 13,148 | 12,868 | 0.45% | 283.00 | 46 | 20 |
| Kalinga Total | 229,570 | 212,680 | 1.62% | 3,282.04 | 70 | 153 | |
Economy
Kalinga’s educational institutions instill values of discipline and excellence. The province envisions a future where its youth are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to the region’s growth while preserving their cultural roots.
Tourism
Kalinga’s tourism industry thrives on its untamed natural beauty and vibrant indigenous culture. The province is blessed with pristine landscapes, including lush forests, untamed rivers, and terraced rice fields carved into the mountainsides.
Adventurous travelers can hike to the stunning Tinglayan Rice Terraces or immerse themselves in Kalinga’s rich history through traditional tattoo practices and cultural performances. Visitors can also partake in community-based tourism initiatives that empower local communities.
