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About Quirino
Development Vision
The development vision of the province is to become the “Prime Agro-Industrial and Eco-Tourism Destination in the North”
Geographical Location
Quirino Province lies in the southeastern portion of Cagayan Valley (Region II), approximately between 15° 54.8’ to 16° 38.6’ N latitude and 121° 00’ to 122° 02’ E longitude. It is situated within the Upper Cagayan River Basin bounded by Isabela on the north, Aurora on the east and southeast and Nueva Vizcaya on the west and southwest. The province occupies an aggregate land area of 305,718 hectares (3,057.18 sq. km.) which is approximately 11.4 percent of the regional area and 1.02 percent of the total land area of the country.
Physical Features
Bountifully endowed with vast natural resources and development potentials, from its rich soil, widespread forests and grasslands, exquisitely carved mountain gorges, undiscovered pristine caves, renowned rivers and waterfalls, and teeming with a highly creative and skilled workforce, the Province of Quirino is positioned to become the “Prime Agro-Industrial Hub and Eco-tourism Destination of the North.”.
Quirino is geographically characterized as a landlocked and mountainous province. It is located at the southeastern portion of Region 2, bounded by the province of Isabela in the north, the province of Aurora in the east and the province of Nueva Vizcaya in the south and west. The Sierra Madre Mountain range provides a natural barrier on the eastern and southeastern border, while the Mamparang range shields the western part of the province. The province’s center is approximately 49.5 km from Santiago City, 163.4 km from Tuguegarao City, and 376.5 km from Manila.
Land Area/Demography
| Land Area (has.): | 305,718 |
| Number of Municipalities: | 6 |
| Number of Barangays: | 132 |
| Number of Congressional Districts: | 1 |
| Capital Town: | Cabarroguis |
| Population (2020 Census): | 203,828 |
| Total No. of Households (2020 Census): | 49,546 |
| Labor Force: | 119,000 |
| Employment Rate: | 91.5% |
Climate
The climate of Quirino is tropical, according to the Köppen-Geiger climate classification system (www.climate-data.org). It receives a significant amount of rainfall throughout the year, even during the driest months. Having a tropical climate, it experiences a longer wet season and is affected by monsoon winds, locally known as “hanging habagat” (southwest monsoon) and “hanging amihan”(northeast monsoon). The hanging habagat brings rains to the province from June to October. The highest amount of rainfall is experienced during the months of July and August. The annual average rainfall within the province ranges from less than 1,500 mm to over 2,100 mm (PDPFP 2011-2030).
Number of Municipalities, Cities, or Barangays
Quirino Province is composed of 6 municipalities and 132 barangays.
Population / Labor Force
It has a total population of 203,828, and households numbering 49,546. Based on the latest Labor Force Survey of 2015, it has a total labor force of 119,000 and an employment rate of 91.5 percent.
Languages / Dialects
In the province, around 41 languages are spoken at home. They are as follows: (source: 2010 census)
Adasen
Agta
Ayangan
Bago
Balatok
Bikol/Bicol
Bisaya/Binisaya
Bontok
Bugkalot/Ilongot
Chinese
Dibaben
Gubatnon
Hanunuo
Henanga
Higaonon
Hiligaynon Ilonggo
Ibaloi/Ibaloy
Ibanag
Ifugao
Ilianen
Ilocano
Iranon/Iranun/Iraynon
Isinai
Isoroken
Itawis
Itneg/Tingguian
Kalanguya
Kalinga
Kankanaey
Maranao
Obu-Manuvu/Ubo-Manobo
Palawani
Panay-Bukidnon
Pangasinan/Panggalato
Tagalog
Tagbanua/Calamian
Tausug
Tuwali
Waray
Yapayaoa
Yogad
History
The youngest province in Cagayan Valley, Quirino consists of only six (6) municipalities namely Cabarroguis (the capital), Diffun, Saguday, Aglipay, Maddela and Nagtipunan. During its creation as a province in 1970, Quirino had an estimated population of 49,767. On Census Year 2000, after thirty (30) years of existence, its population had swelled to 147,100, which marked a 2.50% annual growth rate.
Quirino acquired its juridical personality as a sub-province following the division of the Province of Nueva Vizcaya on June 18, 1966 as mandated by Republic Act No. 4734. It was named in honor of Elpidio A. Quirino, who served as the sixth President of the Philippines. The municipalities of Diffun, Maddela, Saguday and Aglipay made up the newly born sub-province which made Hon. Jose B. Aquino as its first elected Lieutenant Governor in the 1967 general elections.
On June 21, 1969, three years after its birth as a sub- province, R.A. No. 5554 was enacted. Amending R.A. No. 4734, this law created the Municipality of Cabarroguis from portions of the municipalities of Diffun, Saguday and Aglipay. This law was introduced and sponsored by then Congressmen Floro S. Crisologo and Melanio T. Singson.
Finally, R.A. 6394 was passed on September 10, 1971. An amendment of R.A. No. 5554, this act separated the sub-province of Quirino from its mother province of Nueva Vizcaya and constituted it into a regular province. Hon. Leonardo B. Perez, a Congressman at that time who would later become Senator, Chairman of the Commission on Elections while serving as Political Affairs Minister, and Hon. Benjamin B. Perez, also a Congressman at that time who would become the Assemblyman for Region II at the Interim Batasang Pambansa (IBP), worked for the passage of R.A. No. 6394.
Of note, a portion of Quirino was formerly part of the province of Isabela which was recovered and restored to the province of Nueva Vizcaya through the efforts of the late Congressman Leon Cabarroguis after whom the provincial capital was named.