Mountain Province, situated in the Cordillera Administrative Region of Luzon, with Bontoc as its capital. In some foreign references, it was previously referred to as “Mountain” and is often locally shortened to “Mt. Province.”
The province derives its name from its location within the Cordillera Central mountain range in the northern part of Luzon.
Historically, there was an older province called “Mountain Province,” established by the Philippine Commission in 1908, which encompassed much of what are now the individual Cordillera provinces. However, in 1966, it was divided into separate provinces, including Mountain Province, Benguet, Kalinga-Apayao, and Ifugao.
Mountain Province is also renowned for its mummy caves, housing naturally mummified remains, and for the practice of hanging coffins.
Demographics
1. Population by Age Group:
- The age group with the highest population in Mountain Province is 10 to 14, with 17,079 individuals.
- Conversely, the age group with the lowest population is 75 to 79, with 1,949 individuals.
2. Population Composition:
- Young Dependent Population (Aged 14 and Below): This group, including infants/babies, children, and young adolescents/teenagers, makes up an aggregate of 32.00% of the population, amounting to 49,473 individuals.
- Economically Active Population (Aged 15 to 64): Roughly, the economically active population and potential workforce constitute 61.69% of the population, with a total of 95,370 individuals.
- Old Dependent Population (Aged 65 and Over): Senior citizens aged 65 and over make up 6.31% of the population, totaling 9,747 individuals.
3. Age Dependency Ratios:
- Youth Dependents: Among the population of Mountain Province, there are 52 youth dependents for every 100 working-age individuals.
- Aged/Senior Citizens: There are 10 aged/senior citizens for every 100 working-age individuals.
- Overall Dependency: In total, there are 62 dependents (combining both the young and old-age) for every 100 working-age individuals.
4. Median Age:
- The median age of 24 indicates that half of the entire population of Mountain Province is aged less than 24, while the other half is over the age of 24.
| Name | City/ Municipality | Population (2020) | Population (2015) | Annual Population Growth Rate (2015‑2020) | Area (km2) | Density (2020), per km2 | Brgy count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barlig | municipality | 4,796 | 4,819 | -0.10% | 228.64 | 21 | 11 |
| Bauko | municipality | 32,021 | 31,065 | 0.64% | 170.37 | 188 | 22 |
| Besao | municipality | 6,873 | 7,040 | -0.50% | 173.62 | 40 | 14 |
| Bontoc | municipality, capital | 24,104 | 24,643 | -0.46% | 396.10 | 61 | 16 |
| Natonin | municipality | 10,339 | 10,272 | 0.14% | 252.00 | 41 | 11 |
| Paracelis | municipality | 31,168 | 28,121 | 2.19% | 570.16 | 55 | 9 |
| Sabangan | municipality | 9,621 | 9,315 | 0.68% | 72.04 | 134 | 15 |
| Sadanga | municipality | 8,427 | 8,799 | -0.91% | 259.79 | 32 | 8 |
| Sagada | municipality | 11,510 | 11,127 | 0.72% | 109.71 | 105 | 19 |
| Tadian | municipality | 19,341 | 19,389 | -0.05% | 157.00 | 123 | 19 |
| Mountain Province Total | 158,200 | 154,590 | 0.49% | 2,389.43 | 66 | 144 | |
Economy
| Fiscal Year | Annual Regular Income | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 384,621,126.28 | – |
| 2010 | 416,439,162.61 | 8.27% |
| 2011 | 449,696,052.56 | 7.99% |
| 2012 | 459,001,701.20 | 2.07% |
| 2013 | 490,164,120.24 | 6.79% |
| 2014 | 554,699,304.29 | 13.17% |
| 2015 | 629,713,130.43 | 13.52% |
| 2016 | 665,867,642.95 | 5.74% |
| End notes:Annual Regular Income = Locally Sourced Revenue + Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) Current Year + Other Shares from National Tax CollectionLocally Sourced Revenue = Real Property Tax (General Fund) + Tax on Business + Other Taxes + Regulatory Fees + Service/User Charges + Receipts from Economic Enterprises | ||
Tourism
Mountain Province’s tourism industry thrives on its breathtaking natural beauty and rich indigenous culture. The province is renowned for the picturesque town of Sagada, home to the famous hanging coffins and serene caves.
Adventurous travelers can explore the stunning landscapes along the Halsema Highway, traverse scenic trails to reach remote villages, and immerse themselves in the Igorot way of life. Visitors can also savor the province’s cuisine, with its unique flavors and culinary traditions.
