THE FORMATION OF CORDILLERA

Before colonialism, the Philippines was a collection of communities and villages. Early travelers noted the natives' proficiency in various languages. The Laguna Copper Plate Inscription, dating back to 900 AD, shows Hindu-Malayan cultural influences. Spanish colonization began in 1521, initiating written records but also replacing indigenous cultures with Spanish influences.

A simplified Philippine map from the 16th to 17th century illustrates areas claimed by Spain, those under expansion, and uncharted territories like 'Region de la Cordillera'. While most of the islands were subjugated, communities like the Igorots of the North remained largely free and unconquered throughout 300 years of Spanish colonization. The Spanish interest in the Igorots' gold led to several failed expeditions due to strong Igorot resistance. Baguio City (Kafagwai) was noted but remained unclaimed.

The American regime began in 1898. William Howard Taft, suffering from the heat in Manila, dispatched Dean Conant Worcester to find a cooler area, leading him to La Trinidad, Benguet. Worcester became a leading American expert on the Philippines and a supporter of the colonial mission. In 1908, to prevent the Filipino-led Philippine Assembly from achieving self-governance and to ensure Americans maintained control over the region, the Philippine Commission created the Mountain Province through Act No. 1876. This province was formed by annexing Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Ambungayan, and Lepanto, and dividing them into seven sub-provinces, primarily for geographical and political reasons rather than tribal divisions.

The Ambungayan province was abolished in 1920, and Lepanto's sub-province was reduced. After Philippine independence in 1966, Republic Act Number 4695 abolished Mountain Province, splitting it into four independent provinces: Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga Apayao, and Mountain Province. Ifugao and Kalinga Apayao were placed under Region 2, while Benguet and Mountain Province were placed under Region 1.

The Cordillera autonomy movement began in the 1980s, spurred by a growing sense of Igorot identity, partly fueled by media attention following the death of Kalinga leader Macli-ing Dulag. On July 15, 1987, Executive Order 220 created the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), consolidating Abra, Benguet, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and Kalinga Apayao. Nueva Vizcaya, despite its Igorot population, remained outside CAR. In 1995, Kalinga Apayao split into two separate provinces. Attempts at autonomy through plebiscites in 1990 and 1998 failed. In 2017, provincial congressmen jointly filed a new bill for an autonomous Cordillera, supported by President Rodrigo Duterte, aiming for unity, self-government, and preservation of Igorot culture and resources. The Cordillera Administrative Region now comprises six provinces, two cities, a population of over 1.7 million, and nine major languages.