Philippine Regions: Cagayan Valley or Region II

Philippine Regions: Cagayan Valley or Region II

Found in the northeastern part of Luzon, Region II is Cagayan Valley. It is between the Cordilleras and the Sierra Madre mountain ranges. The five provinces of Region II are Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino.

Although highly mountainous and heavily forested (settled by several Negrito and other ethnical tribes), Region II has been considered as the Tilapia Capital of the Philippines. The growth of tilapia production using fish ponds is helping its economy, among other main livelihood such as aquaculture and tobacco production.

Tourist activities in Cagayan Valley include swimming, diving, forest trekking and hiking, mountain climbing, and fishing – all may be summarized to nature tripping. It also offers its visitors some heritage and archaeological sites. Among its beautiful spots are the Callao Cave and Pinacanauan River in Isabela, The Lighthouses of Batanes and Mount Iraya in Batanes Islands, and St. Mathian Church and San Pablo Church in the Isabela Province.