By Estanislao Albano, Jr.
In a report on the colonization of Tabuk, Nicasio Balinag, Jr., who was deputy governor of Bontoc from 1919 to 1925 and of Kalinga from 1925 to 1936, wrote that during his visits to the Tabuk Plain in previous years, he “found out that the place is fitted for agricultural purposes in view of its area and location.” This prompted him to apply for a 50 hectares of agricultural land at Balani, then a sitio of Naneng, to lead and encourage people to participate in the settlement of the area.
He wrote further: “Meanwhile I referred the matter to the Honorable Provincial Governor of the Mt. Province explaining in detail the condition, situation and location of the agricultural land sleeping. In my conference with the Honorable Provincial Governor, we made and arrangement to refer the matter to higher authorities. Necessary steps were then made thru channels and a suggestion for the establishment of a colony at Balani was recommended. After a thorough study of the matter, the establishment of the proposed colony was started and known as the Bontoc Colony. Before the establishment of the colony, I have exerted efforts privately and officially campaigning people who are interested in agricultural works to visit the place.
Later on, in the year 1926, I was able to convince people of Bontoc and Samoki and that I escorted them to the place. Upon our arrival thereat, I showed them the location of the land for their respective homesteads. Because they knew I was aspiring for certain hectares of land, they inquired about the location of the land. I showed them the right place and they changed their minds and did not accept the same. Inspite of the fact that they wanted to cultivate a portion of the lots under my application for reasons that they wanted to connive with me. Instead of continuing my application for the 50 hectares, and not wanting to disappoint them I being the author of their coming, I thought it wise and proper to have distributed my proposed agricultural land in their favor in order to start the colonization.
When the people of Cervantes, Ilocos Sur knew that a colony was established thereat (at Bantay), some zealous agriculturists approached me for the purpose of getting a permission to visit the place. I being also interested to have more colonists in order to improve the place, permitted them to go and instructed them to visit the plain and select the right place they want. Upon their return from the visit, they reported to my office. After our conferences about the matter, they revealed that according to the best of their observation, they preferred to acquire lots at Gobgob. They inquired from me the necessary steps in the filing of their applications and I instructed them to prepare the list showing the number of colonists interested to reside in Gobgob and to file the same to the Honorable Director of Non-Christian Tribes together with their petition.
The Director of Non-Christian Tribes referred the matter to the Honorable Provincial Governor and meanwhile in 1928, I received an official order that I proceed to Cervantes, Ilocos Sur for the purpose of bringing the colonists applicants to Gobgob which can be proven by an official issued in my capacity as Deputy Governor for the sub-province of Kalinga.
In order to encourage more colonists in the cultivation of agricultural lots in the plain, the government appointed Mr. Miguel Moldero as superintendent of the colony with the supervisions at Gobgob and Tuga. For the enforcement of sanitation in the colony, Mr. Manuel Guiwan was likewise employed as Chief Nurse of the colony.
Mr. Francisco Viloria who was an employee of the Bureau of Education requested permission to apply for a certain lot at Bulanao in which I instructed him to file his application thru proper channels.
Mr. Yandoc from Baguio, Mr. Liquete and Mr. Baldomero Apolinar, both of Cervantes, intended to acquire hacienda at Bulanao, Appas and Laya, respectively. Because Mr. Viloria objected the desire of Mr. Yandoc in the acquisition of a hacienda in Bulanao which is inconsistent with the policy, rules and regulations of the establishment of homesteads, Mr. Yandoc transferred his wish to Liwan.”
Contrast
Tabuk had come a long way since the frontier days. With a number of hospitals and clinics and pharmacies and good roads leading to Tuguegarao City, Baguio City and Manila where there are more advanced health facilities, it is hard to imagine how during the pioneering days, when the traditional doctor runs out of remedies, a sick person would just be left at the mercy of fate because it was out of the question to bring him to hospitals outside the province. Because of that situation, so many pioneers died without proper medical attention.
Served by a road and bridge network now, it is hard to imagine that during those days, people had to swim or ride bancas across the Chico River and walk or ride on carabaos and horses from one point of the valley to the other.
And of course, with the advent of farm machineries it is hard to conjure in the mind the pioneers trying to open and made the wilderness productive with their primitive tools and sheer physical powers.
But the pioneers of Tabuk proved equal to the task and challenges of the new land including the malaria killer disease and as a result, they eventually tamed the wild place. Because of their intrepidity, determination and sacrifices, Tabuk was soon on its way to becoming the Rice Granary of the Mt. Province and later on, the second city of the Cordillera. **
