Amburayan

Former politico-military comandancia
Former sub-province of
Former sub-province of Mountain Province

1890-1920

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Capital

Alilem (1890–1907)
Tagudin (1907–1920)
16°53′18″N 120°31′44″E / 16.88833°N 120.52889°ECoordinates: 16°53′18″N 120°31′44″E / 16.88833°N 120.52889°E

Historical era

Spanish colonial period
American colonial period

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Established as comandancia

April 10, 1890

•

Disestablished

February 4, 1920

Today part of

Benguet
Ilocos Sur
La Union

Amburayan was a former administrative division of the Philippines, existing as a politico-military comandancia from 1890 to 1902, and a sub-province from 1902 to 1920. Its territory encompassed most of the Amburayan River watershed, initially predominantly inhabited by the Kankana-ey. The sub-province ceased to exist when its territory was divided between Ilocos Sur, La Union and Mountain Province (sub-province of Benguet) in 1920.

At its greatest extent, Amburayan consisted of portions of the present-day provinces of:

Amburayan was established on April 10, 1890 as a politico-military comandancia by the Spanish colonial government, with the commandant stationed at Alilem. Aside from consolidating government control over the scattered Kankana-ey groups in the Amburayan River watershed, the establishment of the comandancia was also intended to spur development in this hinterland area between Ilocos Sur and La Union, which was populated by upland peoples who were dependent on the Christian towns of the coast. By 1900 Amburayan had an estimated population of 30,000 “pagans” and 150 Christians, living in 34 “towns” and 76 “hamlets.” The majority-Kankana-ey inhabitants were classified as “Igorot,” while a minority that lived in the northern Sigay district were classified as Tinguian.

On May 28, 1902 through Act No. 410 of the Philippine Commission, the comandancia of Amburayan became one of the three sub-provinces of the newly-created province of . The designated seat of the lieutenant-governor of the sub-province was Alilem.

Amburayan was first enlarged on October 12, 1905 when the eastern hilly areas of La Union which lay north of the Cabassitan River were annexed to the sub-province by virtue of Act No. 1403. Three townships were later organized within this newly annexed territory: San Gabriel (1906),Sudipen (1906) and Santol (1908).

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Wikipedia