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PROVINCE OF BENGUET History Benguet, together with Abra, Apayao, Baguio City, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province comprise the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) in Northern Luzon. It has a Mountainous terrain of peaks, ridges, and canyons; and a temperate and generally pleasant climate. Long before the coming of the Spanish colonizers to the Philippines, the people of Benguet walked and lived on the land, mountain and valleys of the southern Cordillera mountain range down to the sea coasts of Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, and La Union to as far as the ancient trading enters of Ituy in the northern plain of Luzon. There were no political subdivisions or subjugations. Movements and settlements were in search of rich hunting grounds, fertile valleys and abundant resources of the earth, rivers and seas, and places of barter and trade. (Province of BENGUET, 2018) Geography Benguet covers an area of 2,769.08 square kilometres (1,069.15 sq mi) occupying the southwestern tip of the Cordillera Administrative Region. If Baguio City is included for geographical purposes, the total area of Benguet is 2,826.59 square kilometres (1,091.35 sq mi). The province is bordered on the northeast by Mountain Province and Ifugao, on the southeast by Nueva Vizcaya, on the south by Pangasinan, on the west by La Union, and on the northwest by Ilocos Sur. Situated within the Cordillera mountains, Benguet is dominantly mountainous. Mount Pulag, the highest in Luzon is located within Kabayan. The mountains form the headwaters of several rivers, the major ones which include the Agno, Amburayan, Bued, Bakun, Balili and the Asin. Some of these run through river valleys or gorges. Several natural lakes, small in size, are found within the hinterlands. The largest are the "Four Lakes" in Kabayan; Lake Bulalacao, Lake Detepngepos, Lake Incolos and Lake Tabeyo. The province is the location of several conservation areas, the largest of which are the Upper Agno River Basin Resource Reserve, Mount Pulag National Park, Mount Data National Park and Lower Agno Watershed Forest Reserve. (Wikipedia, 2020)

Demographics According to the 2015 Census, the age group with the highest population in Benguet is 20 to 24, with 87,298 individuals. Conversely, the age group with the lowest population is 80 and over, with 5,727 individuals. The population of Benguet grew from 133,221 in 1960 to 446,224 in 2015, an increase of 313,003 people. The latest census figures in 2015 denote a positive growth rate of 1.91%, or an increase of 42,280 people, from the previous

population

of

403,944

in

2010.

(PhilAtlas, 2020) credit: philatlas

Provincial Governor of Benguet MELCHOR D. DICLAS, M.D., was born on March 18, 1973 in Buguias, Benguet. A Filipino citizen, a Medical Doctor and a Politician, elected as the 22nd Governor of Benguet at the age of 46, the youngest Governor so far in the political history of Benguet Province. Due to his dedication to serve his hometown, even at a young age while in college, he was elected as SK Chairman of his native place, Natubleng, Buguias, Benguet, in 1992. By then, in 2007, thinking of how to be of great help to others, he decided to run for Municipal Vice-Mayor and Photo credit: Province of Benguet official website

succeeded, he pursue practicing his profession as a Medical Doctor. After one term as Vice-Mayor, he decided to run as a

Municipal Mayor and got the heart of the people of Buguias. With his outstanding performance during his two (2) terms as Mayor, he was awarded the Seal of Good Housekeeping in 2011 and Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping in 2014. (Province of BENGUET,2018)

Culture and Traditions Culturally, these tribes are speaking diverse dialects. However, they have no difficulties with cultural diversities because they still possess commonalities; with respect to their unusual rituals and beliefs. In the succeeding sections of this article, it will extensively explore on the cultural beliefs of Benguet Province. Of course, this is not meant to be bias or judgmental insofar as their cultural beliefs are concerned. Hence, this interesting write up aims to discover how this marvelous province was able to maintain their noteworthy cultural belief systems, despite of the varying and extensive influences of today’s Modern Era, Social Revolution dynamics, evolving societal components and principles. Benguet Province is culturally endowed in everything. Its belief systems for instance are mainly centered on the existence of “unseen spiritual beings, which predominantly come from both the sky and underworlds which are presumed to possess enormous magical powers of which an ordinary human being does not have. Furthermore, these invisible spiritual entities are being regarded as fatal to human nature. However, the universal and diverse human wisdoms can manipulate them for the advantage of the latter. So, some people of Benguet Province are trying to befriend these supernatural beings. Meanwhile, another amazing belief system of Benguet Province is about the death of a human. Accordingly, these ancient people of this remarkable and charismatic province do believe that when a man dies his spirit will go to another dimension called as the “skyworld” Hence, those wicked people will be brought the underworld paranormal realm.

Tourist Spot 1. Strawberry Farm The La Trinidad Strawberry Farm is a farm in the town of La

Trinidad,

Benguet,

Philippines primarily used for the

cultivation

of

strawberries. The farm is also open to tourism Photo Credit: Wikipedia

2. Northern Blossom Flower Farm in Atok, Benguet

3. Mount Ulap in Itogon,

Photo credit: Kanto Ave

Photo credit: Point and Shoot + Wanderlust

4. Aran Cave in Tuba, Benguet

Benguet

Photo credit: Daniel Maches

Natural Resources

Agriculture and mining are the major industries in Benguet. It’s cool climate and high altitude has made it an ideal place for producing highland vegetables. Benguet is often called the Salad Bowl of the Philippines. The La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post in the capital town of La Trinidad serves as the hub of vegetable trading in the province, attracting farmers, merchants, and traders from the local community and the Philippine’s different provinces. Majority of Cordillera’s population engage in farming and small-scale production. The region is rich in natural resources and has abundant mineral reserves. Gold, copper, silver, and zinc are among the metallic ores that can be found in the region. Non-metallic reserves include sand, gravel, and sulfur. Although mineral reserves are found all over the region, mining is concentrated in Benguet. Silver smithing is a large industry in Benguet.

Human Resources The great majority of the region's population are peasants engaged in farming and other small-scale production and side occupations. The next biggest sector is composed of formal wage workers and informal odd-job workers in non-farm occupations. There is also a sizeable number of students, salaried employees, and professionals in the few urban and town centers. Bigger and more diverse populations are found in Cordillera's melting pot areas, such as those in urban (or rapidly urbanizing) Baguio-Benguet and in the foothills and valleys adjoining the great lowlands of Luzon. In these areas, the original indigenous communities have given way to hybrid communities composed of varied mixtures of indigenous and migrant peoples. The province's mining vigor has never translated into better quality of life of the Benguet people, simply because a bulk of the mining firm's taxes are not paid directly to the province. The Igorot Indigenous Peoples in Benguet coping and adapting mechanisms including the establishing peoples organizations and informal education as ways of working in the community.

Products of the Province of Benguet Among the provinces of CAR, Benguet had the largest crop production with 153,313.1 MT during the reference period sharing 65.1 percent to the total crop production of the region owing to wide farming areas and temperate weather suitable of producing highland vegetable crops. Crop production in the province decreased by 1.4 percent or 2,241.3 MT during first semester of 2018 compared to the

155,554.4 MT output in 2017. Major crops produced which include the potatoes, Baguio beans, peas, strawberries, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, sayote and carrots are shipped throughout the country. (Agriculture and Fishery Statistics, 2018) Percentage Distribution of Crop Production in Benguet: 1st Semester 2018

Credit to: Agriculture and Fishery Statistics

The top three crops produced by the province were cabbage with 25.4 percent or 38,925.0 MT contribution to the total crop production of the province, followed by white potato with18.7 percent or 28,600.0 MT and carrots with 11.9 percent or 18,209.0 MT. Benguet was the top producer in the region for the following crops: cabbage with 93.2 percent of the regional cabbage production; white potato with 90.10 percent of the regional white potato production; carrots with 94.2 percent of the regional carrots production; and chayote fruits with 97.78 percent of the total regional chayote production. (Agriculture and Fishery Statistics, 2018) Horticulture and floriculture are practiced in the province.

The province supplies flowers to the

different municipalities, including Baguio City, as well as to Metro Manila, including other parts of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Roses are produced, particularly in Barangay Bahong in La Trinidad, earning the barangay the title Rose Capital of the Philippines. Apisang, a plant endemic to the Philippines, is grown in the municipalities of Kapangan and Kibungan as a potential alternative source of fuel and energy, rivaling the jatropha biofuel plant. Other agricultural-related activities are monggo processing, fruit preservation, peanut brittle manufacturing, broom making and basket weaving. Aside from the fields of vegetables, Benguet is also a home to various fruits attuned to subtropical climate. Known for its bright red color, succulent texture, and sweet-and-sour tang, strawberry is one

of the most important fruit crops commercially produced in the province. Because of high quality harvest of strawberries every year, Benguet received yet another deserved title as the “Strawberry Capital of the Philippines”. As the province’s one-town one-product (OTOP), strawberry became one of the commodities highly valued by the LGU and the academe. (Bureau of Agricultural Research, 2012) Mining is a major industry in Benguet, which is one of the country's leading gold producers. Other mineral deposits are silver, copper, pyrite, and limestone. Silver smithing is a large industry in Benguet, and many entrepreneurs sell silver works at lower prices in Baguio compared to Manila.

Business Enterprise and Company Industry in Benguet Province Business Name: Cosmic Farm Location: La Trinidad, Benguet Services and Products Provides advices and tips on organic farming and on



marketing. Can also provide seminars, lectures, workshops on



organic farming, Organic Training ( 3days, 1day, with food and



accommodation) Farm Tour (except Sunday) at Cosmic Farm with minimum of 10 pax, maximum of 20 pax



Organically Grown Vegetables Lettuce (Romaine, Red Wave), Arugula, Peppermint, Cucumber, Carrots, Chingkang, Spinach,



Pechay, French Beans, Mountain Beans, Strawberries, Lemons, Oranges, Calunay and many other vegetables. New Variety of Vegetables Heirloom Brocoli, Black Tomato, Sweet Pod Garden Pea, annual Flowering Pechay and Real



Ashitaba. Health Products 

Home-Made (Yogurt Cream & Yogurt Drink), Gluten, Strawberry Jams, and Strawberry Jelly.

Process Products



Ashitaba - In tea bag and capsule



Guyabano - In tea bag and capsule



Parsley - In capsule



Arabica Coffee



Turmeric tea in powder



Ginger tea in powder

Company Name: Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company Location: Mankayan, Benguet Company Information: Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company was established in 1936. 2016 marks the company's 80th year in the business. Lepanto is a Filipino primary gold producer. The Lepanto mines are located in Mankayan, Benguet where the Company has about a thousand employees. Lepanto has a 60% interest in Far Southeast Gold Resources, Inc. which owns the Far Southeast Project, a world-class, high-grade gold and copper porphyry deposit. Lepanto is looking to develop the Far Southeast Project through a partnership with Gold Fields

Photo Credit: Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company Webpage

Limited of South Africa, one of the biggest gold miners in the world, with whom Lepanto executed an Option and Shareholders' Agreement in September 2010. Lepanto has been a publicly-listed company since 1947. Its shares are traded on the Philippine Stock Exchange under the symbols LC and LCB and are highly liquid. Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company is committed to achieving its business objectives with utmost care for the environment and concern for the welfare, safety and health of its employees and host communities. Market Structure Benguet is a highland province known as the Salad Bowl of the Philippines. It’s cool climate and high altitude has made it an ideal place for producing highland vegetables. The La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post in the capital town of La Trinidad serves as the hub of vegetable trading in the province,

attracting farmers, merchants and traders from the local community and the Philippines' different provinces. Benguet main source of economic activity is agriculture. There are several farmers selling identical products to the market, and many buyers. The products are very similar like Carrots, potatoes, Cabbage and other highland vegetables with many farmers producing them. As the product is homogenous, it is easy to buy some land and farm it. Additionally, it is also easy to leave the market too. In the market, it is easy to compare prices. Therefore, Benguet market structure often get close to Perfect Competition.

References: Province of BENGUET, (2018). History https://benguet.gov.ph/v4/?page_id=523

Wikipedia (2020, October 18). Benguet https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benguet PhilAtlas, (2020). Benguet https://www.philatlas.com/luzon/car/benguet.html Province of BENGUET, (2018). The Governor http://benguet.gov.ph/v3/officials/governor/#menu2 Driftwoodjourneys, (n.d.). BELIEF SYSTEMS OF BENGUET PROVINCE AND ITS CULTURAL LABYRINTHS http://driftwoodjourneys.com/belief-systems-of-benguet-province-and-its-cultural-labyrinths/ GOVPH, (n.d.). DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Regional Field Office- Cordillera Administrative Region. Regional Profile http://car.da.gov.ph/regional-profile/ Cordillera Peoples Alliances, (2006, December 12). THE CORDILLERA: ITS LAND AND PEOPLE https://cpaphils.org/cordillera.htm Agriculture and Fishery Statistics, (2018, December 27). 1st Semester 2018 Crop Production of CAR http://rssocar.psa.gov.ph/agriculture-releases/1st-semester-2018-crop-production-car Bureau of Agricultural Research, (2012, September). Benguet: An exquisite haven of strawberries and more https://www.bar.gov.ph/index.php/digest-home/digest-archives/367-2012-3rd-quarter/4415julsep2012-benguet-straberries Cosmic Farm ,2009. Products and Services https://cosmicfarm.webs.com/productsandservices.htm Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company, (2017). https://www.lepantomining.com/...