NUEVA VIZCAYA TRAVEL INFORMATION
Where to Stay in Nueva Vizcaya | Brief History | Nueva Vizcaya Descriptions
Cultural Attractions | Natural Attractions | Religious and Man-Made Attractions
Festivals and Special Interest Tours
BRIEF HISTORY
 The province of Nueva Vizcaya was named after the people living in the coast of Mar de Vizcaine in Spain. In the beginning of the 19th century, it was a part of the vast “Territorio de Missiones” of the Spanish-controlled government of Cagayan, covering the eastern half of Northern Luzon from Nueva Vizcaya to Aparri including the Batanes Islands.
On May 24, 1839, Governor Luis Lardizabal, upon the advice of the Alcalde Mayor of Cagayan, issued an order creating Nueva Vizcaya as a separate politico-military province. The order was approved by a Royal Decree on April 10, 1841. Governor Pedro Menchaca was the first appointed governor. The province had its first taste of civil government in 1902 when it was reorganized by the Philippine Commission.
The present territory of Nueva Vizcaya was the result of changes emanating from the formal creation of the province of Isabela in May 1856, wherein a great portion of its northern territory was ceded to the newly born province.
The organization of the province of Ifugao in 1908 further reduced the area of Nueva Vizcaya which was forced to give up its northwest territory. The survey executed by the Bureau of Lands in 1914 caused the diminution of its area once again upon the enactment of Administrative Code of 1917.
Finally, in 1971, with the passage of Republic Act No. 6394, Quirino, then a sub-province of Nueva Vizcaya, was separated from its mother province and made into a regular province. But even with slices of land given away to new emerging territories, the province of Nueva Vizcaya still holds a wide territory today.
NUEVA VIZCAYA DESCRIPTIONS
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 Nueva Vizcaya 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 Nueva Vizcaya 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
Population
The year 2000 census of population for Nueva Vizcaya was registered at 366,692.
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.
Major 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.
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HISTORICAL AND NATURAL TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Historical Attractions
Dalton Pass
A rugged piece of terrain where Caraballo Sur reaches south and joins with the Sierra Madre. Being the only access between Pampanga and Cagayan Valley, the pass became the scene of much bloody fighting during the final stages of WW II and bore witness to the death of almost 17,000 Japanese, American, and Filipino soldiers. Commemorative markers stand by the road’s highest point, which also offers a good view into the headlands. The Dalton Pass National Shrine commemorates the death of General Dalton by a sniper’s bullet during WW II. At 3,000 feet above sea level, Dalton Pass is also the gateway to the Cagayan Valley Region and the Ifugao Rice Terraces.
Kirang Pass
A monument to the gallantry of the Japanese and Filipino soldiers during WW II, located at Barangay Kirang, municipality of Aritao, about 50 kilometers from Bayombong. Built in 1978 by the Rakunsankai Society of Japan, it was recently rebuilt using a black glazed stone, and a memorial was engraved in the tablet in Japanese and English. Also offers a breathtaking view of reforested mountains and hills.
Natural Attractions
Mt. Pulag National Park (Kayapa & Ambaguio)
The gateway to Mt. Pulag, the country’s second highest peak at 2,922 feet above sea level. Accessible by foot from the capital town of Bayombong and located west towards the boundary of Nueva Vizcaya and Benguet. The trail in Ambaguio town, 20 km. from Bayombong, promises a different kind of terrain from gradual ascent to rugged path amid mossy forests and cold temperature. Before the peak lies an area of Bonzai forests followed by grasslands with dwarf bamboos. A perfect ecotourism destination, the park is home to rare plants like the pitcher plant and rare animals like the giant cloud rat and whiskered pitta. Mt. Pulag provides resources to the indigenous Kalanguya, Ibaloy, Kankanaey, and Karao tribes.
Mt. Palali
1,705 meters above sea level, bounded by the municipalities of Quezon and Bayombong. Once the hunting ground of the Bugkalots, Gaddangs, and Ifugaos, this majestic mountain range offers a magnificent view of the low-lying municipalities of the province. Its diptherocarp forest contains a unique diversity of flora and fauna (bonsai forest, wild orchids and flowers). It was once the crash site of a WW II tora-tora plane.
Capisaan Cave System
The fifth longest cave system in the country and ranked among of the best, considered a geologist’s paradise due to its varying rare calcite formations and unique stalagmite and stalactite formations. Within its four kilometer length is a subterranean river that doubles as a passageway to the best part of this multi-chambered cave. Part of the cave network are the Lion and Alayan Caves, measuring 4.2 kilometers and relatively new hotspots, located in Brgy. Capisaan, Malabing Valley, Kasibu town.
Tours can be arranged with the Sang-at Salug Mountaineering Club or the Provincial Government of Nueva Vizcaya. The spelunking adventure tour includes an orchard tour at Brgy. Malabing, Kasibu, where the famous perante oranges grow. Kasibu is about one and a half hours from Bayombong.
Heaven Cave (Brgy. Capisaan, Kasibu)
Features two big chambers of various calcite formations and a mezzanine of pure white limestones that has to be explored barefoot. Brgy. Capisaan is about four hours by jeep from Solano, on feeder-and-clay-soil road curved out of mountain sides. Other caves in the area are Alayan, Lion, and Sabrina.
Imugan Waterfalls (Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya)
A 35-foot two-level falls with a shallow catch basin of refreshing mountain spring interestingly located between two mountains. Trek over streams and rivers emanating from the falls. Enjoy trekking, exploration, swimming, fishing, and cultural immersion. Accessible by a 30-minute hike from Imugan poblacion which is about 30 minutes from the national highway.
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RELIGIOUS AND MAN-MADE TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Religious Attractions
St. Dominic Cathedral
Preserved to become the first cathedral in the province. Razed twice and rebuilt in the same old site, it is now approximately twice its original size. It maintains its original 18th century Spanish style façade.
St. Vincent Ferrer Church (Dupax del Sur)
One of the oldest and biggest churches in North Luzon, constructed in the 16th century as commissioned by two Augustinian priests. Declared by the National Museum as a National Cultural Treasure, it features a belltower that is among the town’s well-preserved Spanish colonial monuments and an ecclesiastical museum. Beside the church is what is acclaimed as the oldest acacia tree (Semanea-saman) in Luzon, planted by settlers from Nueva Ecija in 1880. Reachable in 45 minutes from Bayombong town proper.
Man-Made Attractions
Villa Margarita Mountain Resort
It rests on rolling hills and has spring-fed pools and water slides. The Banaue Rice Terraces, eighth World Wonder, is only two hours away. Located some 260 kilometers from Manila along the Maharlika Highway at Barangay Busilac, Bayombong.
Nueva Vizcaya Capitol Complex
A study of architectural ingenuity, the complex built by Governor Patricio Dumlao has a park with exotic plant species, concrete benches and sidewalks lighted with giant mercury lamps, a water pool, and a man-made lagoon ideal for rowing the colorful miniboats that are offered for rent and managed by a group of handicapped workers. Located along the national highway, it also houses the provincial offices of government.
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FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL
INTEREST TOURS
Festivals
Panagyaman Festival / Nueva Vizcaya Day (May 19-24)
Celebrated with parades, beauty pageant, trade shows, and agro-industrial fair, among others.
Citrus Festival (Malabing Valley, Kasibu; August)
During the festivities, visitors are allowed to pick-and-pay in the town’s popular citrus farms.
Kalanguya Festival
Celebrates the indigenous way of life of the Kalanguya tribe in the town of Sta. Fe.
Special Interest Tours
Ecotourism Adventure
Trekking/spelunking at Alayan Caves and Malabing Rainforest and Citrus Farms, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya. You may also try to explore Mt. Pulog Natural Park from Kayapa or Ambaguio.
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Where to Stay in Nueva Vizcaya | Brief History | Nueva Vizcaya Descriptions
Historical and Natural Attractions | Religious and Man-Made Attractions
Festivals and Special Interest Tours
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