Maligcong Rice Terraces

 mountain, village, interesting place

Bontoc is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Mountain Province, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Mountain Province. According to the latest census, it has a population of 24,798 people in 5,035 households.

Bontoc is politically subdivided into 16 barangays.

Alab Proper
Alab Oriente
Balili
Bayyo
Bontoc Ili
Caneo
Dalican
Gonogon
Guinaang
Mainit
Maligcong
Samoki
Talubin
Tocucan
Poblacion (Bontoc)
Calutit


Origin of the name

Bontoc is the capital of Mountain Province. The province is very mountainous. The word Bontoc is derived from two morphemes “bun” meaning heap and “tuk” meaning top which when taken together means mountain.

Brief history of Maligcong

Location
Maligcong is a barangay of the municipality of Bontoc, Mountain Province. It is located at the upland zone of Bontoc municipality. It is bounded on the north by barangay Mainit, on the south by barangay Caluttit, on the east by barangay Tocucan, on the west by barangay Guina-ang, and on the northeast by the municipality of Sadanga.

Maligcong has six scattered sitios namely : Favarey, Fang-orao, Adaan, Makunig and Mayayat.
Area (ha): 1,500

Early Settlers

The people of Maligcong originated from Kadangran. (A place between the present Maligcong and Bontoc)

One day, a pregnant sow wandered away and found itself beside a “Kangkonger” (big stone), where it gave birth. The owners of the pig followed and tried to force it to return but in vain,the pig don’t want to leave the place which is located at the ricefields called maligcong by the villagers. Instead, the couple and family went to establish their home near the “Kangkonger”. Since then, people from the original village joined them in what is now the village of Maligcong.

How Maligcong got its name

Maligcong is rooted in the word “ligcong” which means to level land for a rice field. After years of labor, the people had to carve the mountains and steeps surrounding the area into terraces for their fields and other crops.When the time came that the whole village was surrounded by rice fields, the people then named the village Maligcong, meaning surrounded by rice fields.

Population

According to the latest survey which was done this year (2010), the total population of barangay Maligcong is 761. The population increased since year 2007 where the surveyed population was 481.

Transportation

It is located 8.5 km north of barangay Caluttit. It is accessible through a seven km road that ends at sub-sitio Fabuyan. Any type of vehicle can travel this 30 minutes – 40 minutes. Jeepney travels from its jeepney station located at the market compound in front of Pines Kitchenette and Inn beside the municipal plaza, passing by Upper Caluttit, Sac-angan, and Tala. The jeepney fare is 20 pesos. At the end of the road is a 1.5 km footpath along rice paddies going to the village proper, which can be hiked in 30 minutes – 40 minutes. The road did not reach sitio Fang-orao and barangay proper because this is surrounded with rice fields. The community prefers to hike the 5.1 km pathway to preserve the beauty of the rice field.

Schedule of jeepney going to Maligcong from Bontoc
8:00 am
12:00 noon
2:30 pm
4:30 pm
5:30 pm
Schedule of jeepney from Maligcong going to Bontoc
6:30 am
8:00 am
9:00 am
2:00 pm
4:00 pm

Accomodation

Right now there are no hotels or transient homes in Maligcong that could accommodate tourists or researchers. However, the idea of a “Home Stay” arrangement which is being promoted by the government’s Department of Tourism is being considered by the local government. Some residents have already hosted some tourists recommended by their friends and relatives in Manila and other parts of the world in the past. Regular visitors are Asians and Europeans.

People to Contact When Visiting Maligcong

Tourists may seek assistance from the local Provincial Tourism Council. The current Provincial Tourism Director is Mr. Roger Sacyaten.

Office Number: (074)6021036
In Maligcong, guests may also coordinate with the following:
Mr. James Fayofay Sr. = Cellphone number 09108621451
Mr. Mathew Peckley = Cellphone number 09091217672
Mr. Herman Farnican = Cellphone number 09993567247
Mr. Jeffrey Pursen = Cellphone number 09067041329
Mr. Agustine Carlos = Cellphone number 09057164698

Restaurants/places to dine

There are no restaurants or groceries in Malicong. The nearest restauranst are still in Bontoc town proper about 30 minutes walk from Favarey (Heart of Maligcong) to Turning Point, and about 40 minutes jeepney ride to Bontoc town.

The following local cuisine are recommended to first time visitors:
Pinikpikan, (“killing me softly”)
Etag (salted meat)

Local Drinks:
Itsa Pagpag (Mountain tea)
Tapey (rice wine)
Basi

Maligcong Rice Terraces

Considered as the pride of the people of Maligcong, the Maligcong Rice Terraces is known for its stone walls which make the terraces more stable and stand erosion.

Upon reaching the turning point of Maligcong, one can already see the Maligcong Rice Terraces. There is no entrance fee for visiting the Maligcong Rice Terraces. You walk by this attraction while going to the barangay proper. The rice terraces here are more awesome as the main village is right at the center of the sprawling fields.

The best time to visit Maligcong Rice Terraces is during the month of April and May when the fields are green as palay planted in March have started to grow. Harvest time is August.

This “Stairways to the Sky” is definitely a site to visit.

It is advisable for visitors to wear rubber shoes, wear hat and bring food when visiting Maligcong because of the long walk beside the rice paddies from the turning point to the barangay proper.

Minimum payment for the tour guide in Maligcong: 300 pesos per tour guide. Payment for the guide is given before or after the visit depending on the person who will guide.

Events

May 21-23, 2010 : Sport fest