Provincial Profile

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The Province of Nueva Vizcaya, which was named after the people living in the coast of Mar de
Vizcaine in Spain, was a part of the vast Territorio de Missionares of the Spanish controlled

government of Cagayan. The

territory covered the eastern half of Northern Luzon, from Nueva Ecija to Aparri, including the
Batanes Islands.
On May 24, 1839, Governor-General Luis Lardizabal, upon the advice of the Alcalde Mayor of
Cagayan, issued an order making Nueva Vizcaya a separate politico-military province. The King of
Spain through a royal decree approved the order on April 10, 1841. Governor Pedro Menchaca was
the first appointed politico-military governor of the new province. However, the Spanish sovereignty
ceased upon the arrival of the Philippine revolutionary forces in Bayombong on August 1898.
The province had its first taste of civil government in 1902 when the Philippine Commission
organized it. The present territory of Nueva Vizcaya was a result of the changes emanating from the
formal creation of the province of Isabela in May 1865, wherein a great portion of its northern
territory was ceded to the newly born province. The organization of the Ifugao province in 1908
further reduced the area of Nueva Vizcaya. The survey executed by the Bureau of Lands and the
enactment of the Administrative Code in 1914 and 1917 respectively retrenched the provinces
scope. In addition, the Republic Act No. 6394 in 1971 made Quirino a regular province further
reducing the territory of the province.
Since its birth as a province, its history could still be reflected from the culture and customs of the
early settlers, i.e., Ilongots, Igorots, Ifugaos, Isinais and the Gaddangs. The influx of civilization and
the infusion of modern technology to the life stream of the province induced many settlers from
adjacent provinces primarily the Ilocanos, Tagalogs, Pangasinenses and the Kapampangans to
migrate here.
Today, Nueva Vizcaya stands strong and is proudly transforming into a fast developing province with
its fifteen municipalities, viz: Alfonso Castaeda, Ambaguio, Aritao, Bagabag, Bambang,
Bayombong, Diadi, Dupax del Sur, Dupax del Norte, Kayapa, Kasibu, Quezon, Solano, Sta. Fe and
Villaverde.

ETHNIC ORIGIN OF THE PEOPLE

The original inhabitants of Nueva Vizcaya were wild and semi-wild tribes. The wild tribes were the
Igorots, Ifugaos, Ilongots and the Aetas. The semi-wild tribe includes the Gaddangs and the
Maalats. The former led a nomadic life and roamed over the Cordillera, Ilongot Regions and Sierra
Madre Mountain Ranges. The latter pursued a semi-nomadic existence along the river valleys and
plains through hunting, fishing and cultivating of rice and sweet potatoes.
Endowed with rich natural resources, particularly in agriculture, the province attracts other tribes from
other regions of the country. Among the migrants who form a big portion of the population are the
Ilocanos, Tagalogs, Pangasinenses, Kapampangans and others.

PAST & INCUMBENT

CONGRESSMEN/ASSEMBLYMEN
1935 1938

BERNABE BUENAFE

1938 1941

LEON CABARROGUIS

1945 (Elected)

LEONARDO B. PEREZ, SR.

1953 1965 (Elected)

LEONARDO B. PEREZ, SR.

1970 (Elected)

BENJAMIN PEREZ

1978 1983 (Regionwide) (Elected)

CARLOS M. PADILLA

1984 1986 (Elected)

LEONARDO B. PEREZ, SR.

1986 1992 (Elected)

CARLOS M. PADILLA

1992 1995 (Elected)

LEONARDO B. PEREZ, SR.

2004 2007 (Elected)

RODOLFO Q. AGBAYANI

2007 June 2013 ((Elected)

CARLOS M. PADILLA

July 2013 Present (Reelected)

CARLOS M. PADILLA

REGION II (CAGAYAN VALLEY) > Nueva Vizcaya

Brief
Description
The history of Nueva Vizcaya could still be reflected from the culture and customs of its early settlers,
which included the Ilongots (now called Bugkalots), Igorots, Ifugaos, Isinais, and Gaddangs. The influx
of civilization and the infusion of modern technology to the lifestream of the province induced many
immigrants from the adjacent provinces, primarily Ilocanos, Tagalogs, Pangasinenses, Kapampangans,
among
others.

Located about 268 north of Metro Manila, the province is tagged to be the new alternative destination
for outdoor and environment enthusiasts. Considered a watershed haven, it is 70 percent forestland.
It is strategically bounded by the Sierra Madre Mountain Ranges, Caraballo Mountains, and Cordillera
Mountains. It is also the gateway to the Cagayan Valley Region and the Banaue Rice Terraces, eighth
Wonder of the World.

Geography
Home of the Isinais, Nueva Vizcaya is located in the northcentral part of Luzon in Region 2. It is
surrounded by notable mountain ranges such as the Sierra Madre on the east, Caraballo on the south,
and Cordillera on the west. The province has several principal rivers: Magat, Matuno, Marang, Sta. Fe,
and Sta. Cruz. All these rivers are tributaries of the Magat River which flows into the Cagayan River.
The province is bounded on the north and northeast by the province of Ifugao and Isabela, on the east
and southeast by Qurino and Aurora, on the south by Nueva Ecija, and on the west by Benguet and
Pangasinan.
Political
Subdivision
The province is considered as one congressional district and has 15 municipalities and 274 barangays.
Bayombong is the provincial capital while Solano and Kayapa are its commercial and summer capital,
respectively
Language/Dialect
The majority of the people speak Ilocano, comprising 66.9 percent of households.

Climate
Nueva Vizcaya is relatively dry from November to April and relatively wet during the rest of the year.
Maximum temperature ranges from 22-25 degrees Celsius. December and January are the coldest
months when temperature falls to about 20 degrees Celsius while the warmest months are April and
May. Nueva Vizcaya is often referred to as lowland Baguio because of its pleasant climate.
Industries
The province has basically an agricultural economy with commerce, trade, and industry contributing to
its growth and development. Among other major economic activities are farming and cattle and swine
raising. Primary crops are palay and corn. Minor crops are rootcrops, vegetables, and fruits. The
province produces quality onions and vegetables often sold in Metro Manila. Oranges and mangoes are
now major crops being exported fresh to Asian countries.