Cauayan, Isabela

Cauayan
Component City
City of Cauayan
Official seal of Cauayan Seal
Nickname(s):  Mushroom City of the North, Bamboo City of Isabela; Agro-Industrial Capital of Cagayan Valley; Central Business District of Region 2
Map of Isabela showing the location of Cauayan
Country	Philippines
Region	Cagayan Valley (Region II)
Province	Isabela
District	3rd district of Isabela
Founded	1852
Cityhood	March 30, 2001
Barangays	65
Government
• Mayor	Bernard F. La Madrid Dy
Area
• Total	336.40 km2 (129.88 sq mi)
Population  (2010)
• Total	122,335
• Density	360/km2 (940/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PHT)
ZIP code	3305
Dialing code	78
Income class	3rd Class, partially urban
Website	cityofcauayan.gov.ph

Cauayan, officially the City of Cauayan or simply Cauayan City, is a component city in the province of Isabela, Philippines. Cauayan City is the Agro-Industrial Capital of Cagayan Valley and the Central Business District of Region 2. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 122,335 people.

History

Cauayan got its name from the word Kawayan meaning bulo in the Ilocano language, the early settlers of the place. How it got its name is vaguely told by the natives. In the tale, early Spaniards reached the place found abundant bamboo trees along creeks that circled the town site of Bulod, Sipat, Bungkol, and Marabulig creeks where few families lived. It was also a common to see crocodiles basking under the cluster of bamboo along the creeks in the early morning sun.

Another version of how the town was named is this way: One day the miraculous image of the Blessed Virgin Mary disappeared. For many weeks, a tireless search was undertaken but it was nowhere to be found. Then one day in October the image was found among the bamboo groves. Not a single sign of mishandling or scratch was detected on the image.

Cauayan used to be a big municipality in terms of land area. With the creation of the neighboring municipalities of Luna (Antatet) Cabatuan, Reina Mercedes (Callering), Aurora and San Mateo, however, the land area was reduced to about 336.40 square kilometers.

Cauayan town was once a part of the province of Cagayan. When Nueva Vizcaya was created as a province in 1839, Cauayan was transferred to it. On May 1, 1856, the province of Isabela was created by a Royal Decree, Cauayan was again administratively transferred, this time to Isabela. Founded in 1740, Cauayan antedates the establishment of Isabela by 116 years. The town site was first located in a place called Calanusian along the Cagayan River. After a series of disastrous floods, the town site was moved to its present location.

Vague and little information gathered from living descendants of the early inhabitants tell that few families lived in the place and three of the early natives were Enrique Baligod, Sebastian Canciller and Salvador Macaballug. Enrique Baligod was the head of the group of the early settlers. Sebastian Canciller who served for two terms as “Gobernadorcillo” succeeded him.

In 1866, a friar, Father Paulino, became the curate of the town. He put up “quita” or chapel, preached God’s words and baptized the people. He put semblance of government by appointing Fructuoso Gannaban as Gobernadorcillo. Sparse settlements are found along the Cagayan River and these barrios were Turayong, Labinab, Duminit, Baringin and Culalabat, believed to be the first barrios of Cauayan. Father Miguel Bonnet replaced Fr. Paulino who left for Manila. He proved to be a good missionary of God and leader. It was during his leadership that a big adobe and stone church was constructed. As the years passed, the town became well known for its tobacco industry luring other inhabitants from as far as Ilocos and Pangasinan to work on vast tobacco farmlands of the Tabacalera’s Hacienda de San Luis.

Historical structures still visible to this day are the big adobe stone church located at the Poblacion and the Tabacalera warehouse and La Insular bodegas found at barangay Turayong that date their construction during the Spanish rule.

With the establishment of the government under the United States of America, Don Domingo Damatan was appointed as the first “presidente municipal.” During American Commonwealth the town had the following elected municipal mayors: Guillermo Blas and Federico Acio. The first elected municipal mayor after the inauguration of the Republic of the Philippine was Mayor Jose Africano.

Japanese Imperial forces entered Cauayan in 1942.

By 1945, Filipino soldiers and guerrillas attacked the Japanese forces and liberated Cauayan.

Mayor Tranquilino Dalupang 1956 to 1963. It was during the administration of Mayor Faustino N. Dy, from 1964 to 1972, that the municipality started to come alive from a rather slow development. The town’s development continued at an even faster pace under Mayor Benjamin G. Dy, (1983–1992), who envisioned the municipality to become a city. This vision became a reality under Mayor Faustino G. Dy, III who saw through the introduction of House Bill No. 3163 to Congress resulting in the passage of Republic Act No. 9017 and which was signed by Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on February 28, 2001. Cauayan became a component city of the Province of Isabela after it was ratified in a plebiscite by a majority vote on March 30, 2001. Thus, Mayor Faustino G. Dy, III was the last municipal mayor and the first to seat as City Mayor of the City of Cauayan, Isabela in hold over capacity while Mayor Caesar G. Dy was the first-ever elected City Mayor of Cauayan.

Barangays

Cauayan City is politically subdivided into 65 barangays.

3

Government

Isabela 3rd District Representative
Napoleon Sanchez Dy
City Mayor
Bernard Faustino La Madrid Dy
City Vice Mayor
Bartolome Agonoy Mallillin
City Councilors
Edgar Mariano De Luna
Francisco Nicolas Mallillin
Alejandro Quicho Uy III
Marco Paolo Arriola Meris
Salcedo Tagala Foronda
Eugenio Baccay Asirit Jr.
Bagnos Antonio Maximo
Edwin Gonzales Lucas
Gil Aquino Guzman
Danilo Baccay Asirit

Demographics

Population census of Cauayan

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1990	83,591	—
1995	92,677	+1.95%
2000	103,952	+2.49%
2007	114,254	+1.31%
2010	122,335	+2.52%
Source: National Statistics Office

Economy

Cauayan is a third class city in the province of Isabela. Cauayan City has been selected to host the Proposed Isabela Special Economic Zone and the Regional Agro-Industrial Growth Center. It is the location of 34 banks, 21 lending institutions, 44 insurance agencies, 89 real estate businesses and 35 pawnshops. There are over 4,442 commercial establishments that include distributors, wholesalers and retailers. Puregold, a large retail chain in the Philippines, is currently operating two supermarkets in Cauayan.

Recently, SM Prime opened a new mall in Cauayan City, the SM City Cauayan is situated in District II, National highway, Cauayan City, the former site of Isabela Colleges. SM City Cauayan is the first SM Supermall in Region II which caters at least 1 million residents of the province and neighboring states. SM City Cauayan is the first non-premier SM Supermall to offer Al-fresco malling experience, tapping the clean and fresh air that the city has to offer.

SM City Cauayan also delivers new stores, national and international brands, giving Cauayan City and other neighboring towns and cities the opportunity to experience high-end shopping on a vibrant and elegant environment—and most notably is the Japanese clothing line Uniqlo. The Cauayan, Isabela branch of UniQlo is the first in Northern Luzon. KFC is also expected to open a branch in SM City Cauayan, the company's first store in Cagayan Valley.

The construction of the The Greenway Market with Savemore and McDonald's is scheduled to start this year according to Mayor Bernard Dy's latest SOCA (State of The City Address). The new city mayor also confirmed the investment of Robinsons Land Corporation in the city. Construction of Robinsons Place Cauayan will start soon and will be closely monitored by the city government, the mayor added.

Philippine coffee shop/restaurant YAH! Coffee originated in Cauayan City, Isabela. Its first store is located along Barangay Cabaruan, Cauayan City. The emerging business opened a new store in Santiago, Isabela last February 9, and its second store in the City of Cauayan at SM City Cauayan. YAH! Coffee will also open new stores in Tuguegarao, Cagayan and Quezon City later this year.

Small Restaurants also made their part to the industry like Kinomo Restaurant, Hap Chan, and is located at San Fermin, Cauayan City.

Culture

Gawagaway-yan Festival of Cauayan City is a celebration of the city’s bountiful livelihood and merriment for the ethno-linguistic groups residing in Cauayan. It also traces and gives due recognition to the ancestry of Cauayenos from the ethno linguistic group called Gaddang and recognizes the diversity of the cultural groups residing in Cauayan City through streetdancing, float parade and other indigenous activities.

Infrastructure

In Cauayan City, there is a difference in the adequacy of infrastructure facilities in urban and rural areas. Generally, the closer the area is to the main service center of the city, i.e. the Poblacion, the better are the facilities for production and distribution of goods and services. The analysis in this sector is based on the existing infrastructure facilities and those considered in the pipeline for 2002–2006 implementation. No projects are as yet programmed beyond 2006 in higher levels of government.

Public Transport

The existing infrastructure Provision for Transport of Cauayan City is shown in Table 41. The town has a total of 512.27 kilometers of roads. Roads are classified into national, provincial, municipal/city and barangay roads including NIA access roads. All of the 18.16 kilometers of national roads are concrete roads while more than two-thirds of the 42.904 kilometers of Provincial roads are graveled and 17.86 kilometers of city roads are concrete roads, about 97.40% or 340.16 kilometers of barangay roads are gravel roads while the 56.40 kilometers of NIA access road is only 2.22% concrete. By type of pavement, the total of 512.27 kilometers of roads in the city, only 12.37% or 63.322 kilometers is concrete and 87.68% is graveled accounting to 448.948 kilometers. However, all settlement areas are provided with roads.

Roads

The national roads allow the operation of various bus and jeepney operators in the City of Cauayan and neighboring towns and areas to transport passengers and cargo to any point of Luzon, making the City of Cauayan one of the transport pivotal points in the Cagayan Valley.

The 18.16 kilometers of national roads in the City of Cauayan provide mobility and access to the neighboring towns, provinces and regions. This road is the Cagayan Valley Road (CVR). The CVR is the Cagayan Valley section of the Philippine-Japan Friendship Highway, also known as the Maharlika Highway.

The CVR from Alinam to Tagaran is the city’s longest stretch of concrete road. This road links the City of Cauayan to the rest of the region, to Region 03 and National Capital Region in the south and to Region 01 in the north.

The proposed Cauayan City Diversion Roads include the Minante I- Marabulig-I – Dadap (Mun. of Luna) - San Fermin - Tagaran with an approximate length of 12..5 kilometers; the Alicaocao - Turayong – District II – Labinab – District I – Minante I Diversion Road (4.8 km); and the San Fermin – Tagaran via CRAIGC (4.2 km) These Diversion Roads when constructed will improve the settlements, the movement of goods and services and even the flow of traffic in the city. The estimated construction cost for these tree (3) projects will reach PhP 119.5 million including drainage and 4 bridges.

Of the 59.66 kilometers of provincial roads, only 28.09% or 16.756 kilometers are concrete and the rest are all gravel roads constituting 42.904 kilometers accounting to about 71.91%.

Approximately 61.3% of city streets or 17.860 kilometers are concrete while 38.70% or 10.950 kilometers are gravel roads. In order for business to flourish in the poblacion, all city streets need to be concreted within the plan period.

Of the total 512.27 kilometers of roads within Cauayan, about 11.01% or an aggregate length of 56.40 kilometers is NIA access roads constructed and maintained by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA). However, in 1997, NIA turned over these roads to the city government for maintenance.

The barangay roads are important as they provide mobility and access in the settlement areas. With each new settlement area, barangay roads are initiated with private homeowners’ efforts, provided the road is donated to the government, for concreting and maintenance. The government later on augments the private road development.

Barangay roads totals 349.24 kilometers or 68.17% of the total 512.27 kilometers of roads in the city. Of this length, 97.40% or 340.16 kilometers are graveled. Only about 9.080 kilometers or 2.60% are concrete.

The provision of heavy equipment necessary in the construction and maintenance of roads and other infrastructure facilities and utilities is of high importance in order for the city government to enhance mobility thereby increasing productivity.

Road Density

The standards for road provision are 2.40 kilometers for every 1,000 urban population and 1.50 kilometers for every 100 hectares of arable land in the rural areas. Presently, the rural road density (km/km²) is placed at 1.52 topping the list in the entire province in terms of rural road density. With 35.575 kilometers of roads in the 5 barangays with a CY 2000 population of 31,037, the city of Cauayan has an urban road density of only 0.872 kilometers per 1,000 urban populations. Additional roads must be constructed in the poblacion to hasten development. On the other hand, it has 313.665 kilometers in the 60 rural barangays with 23,501.21 hectares of arable land. This means a road density of only 1.33 kilometers for every 100 hectares of arable lands in the rural barangays. This implies that more roads have to be constructed in the rural barangays to fully support socio-economic development.

Bridges

The city’s road network includes 20 permanent bridges, 6 of which are reinforced concrete deck girder (RCDG) bridges. Thirteen concrete overflow bridges and one steel bridge account for a total aggregate length of 431.5 lineal meters. Two RCDG bridges along the Maharlika highway have recently been replaced under the Tulay ng Pangulo Program of former President Fidel Ramos and were inaugurated in 1999 by no less than President Joseph Estrada. However, The Alicaocao Overflow Bridge spanning 66 meters was hit by disastrous flood in 1998 causing the bridge to collapse particularly at the Carabbatan Chica portion. Replacement of the said bridge is crucial to the development of the other side of the Cagayan River since this is the only route going to that place except when you take Naguilian Bridge via Minanga in the municipality of Naguilian, which is a tormentous stretch aside from causing delay. Several overflow bridges within the city also needs immediate replacement and around 16 bridges and 18 RCCP culverts more need to be constructed/replaced in order to make the city road network system efficient.

Terminals

Cauayan road network is supported with privately owned terminals for jeeps and buses located at Barangay San Fermin.

An inter-provincial bus terminal with an estimated cost of PHP 70.00 million needs to be constructed in this rapidly urbanizing city to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the city’s transportation system and to provide additional prime commercial area and needed tourism support services.

Airport

Cauayan Airport

The Cauayan City Domestic Airport located at Barangay San Fermin completes the infrastructure provision for transport for the city of Cauayan with provincial and regional impact. It is a secondary airport as per BAT classification. The airport runway has a total length of 2,500 meters and 30 meters wide capable of accommodating Boeing 737s. It is equipped with VHF Omni Range Transmitter, VHF Air/Ground single band radio and provided with fire-fighting equipment and facilities. It is likewise provided with facilities for arriving and departing passengers. The entire airport facility is provided with a perimeter fence.

At present, the facility is undergoing upgrading of facilities intended to accommodate international cargo flights. When completed, it is also expected that normal operations of the Philippine Airlines will resume which is very crucial in the commerce and industry sector of the city. This is very timely since Cauayan City has been selected to host the Proposed Isabela Special Economic Zone and the Regional Agro-Industrial Growth Center.

Cebu Pacific Air fly in Cauayan three times weekly (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays effective July 26, 2012) utilizing an ATR aircraft.

Bus Companies

• Dalin Liner
• Victory Liner
• GV Florida Transport (Temporarily banned)

Radio Stations

• DWYE-FM 89.7 Yes! FM
• DWCY-FM 95.7 MHz - Rural Airwaves Media Services
• DZCI-FM 96.5 MHz - PrimeCities Broadcast Group
• DWIC-FM 100.5 MHz - Valley Broadcasting Services

Education

The Schools Division of the city of Cauayan has a total 64 public and 14 private elementary schools, eight public and seven private secondary schools, two universities and four private colleges.

Colleges:

2

High schools:

2

Elementary schools:

3

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• City Classification
• Philippine Census Information
• Cauayan City official site
• Local Governance Performance Management System