Cordon, officially the Municipality of Cordon, is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Isabela, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 46,477 people. Being a town bordered by Santiago City, it became a favored destination for local businessmen. It houses resorts and hotels such as Punta Amelita and Villa Diana.

History

Cordon was originally founded in 1878 as a settlement under the jurisdiction of Carig (now Santiago). It was established as a rest stop for travelers and a military outpost as it lies on the edge of the mountain pass that separates the provinces of Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya. In 1896, it was converted into a town by a Spanish Royal Decree. The origin of the name is unclear, with the first mention of the name dating from 1837 when a Spanish military expedition mentioned the existence of a warehouse called Cordon in the area. Other accounts mention that the place was a quarantine stop for travelers to and from the Cagayan Valley.

After Independence

On July 18, 1972, a military raid on a New People's Army hideout in Barrio Taringsing led to the discovery of the so-called Taringsing Documents, outlining plans by the CPP-NPA to overthrow the Philippine government by 1973. This became one of the reasons used by President Ferdinand Marcos in declaring Martial Law later in September 1972.

Geography

It is bordered by Santiago City to the north and east, Diffun, Quirino to the south, and Diadi, Nueva Vizcaya to the west. Cordon is 82 km from Ilagan, 10 km from Santiago City, and 316 km from Manila. The present area of Cordon is totally different from its previous area as defined in its charter, the law creating this town, much of the previous Carig town (Modern day Santiago City) territories were annexed to Modern Cordon including the Magat Reservoir Territories (Barangay Taliktik and Barangay Dallao) and the diadi region barangays (San Juan, Aguinaldo, Villamarzo, Camarao, and Rizaluna). The map of Modern Isabela Province and Modern Municipality of Cordon has been changed showing the new boundaries of each towns and cities.

Barangays

Cordon is politically subdivided into 26 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

Climate

Demographics

In the 2020 census, the population of Cordon, Isabela, was 46,477 people, with a density of undefined PD/km2.

Economy

As a suburb of first class city Santiago, Cordon benefits from rapid growth of commercial demand in the district. Toyota Isabela, the first branch of Japan-based car company in the province, has opened an outlet in Cordon. Some hotels and "stop overs" are also located in Cordon. Recently, the Primark Town Center in Cordon has opened its doors to the public. This new mall houses Savemore Market, McDonald's, and many more.

Government

Local government

As a municipality in the province of Isabela, government officials in the provincial level are voted by the electorates of the town. The provincial government have political jurisdiction over local transactions of the municipal government. The municipality of Cordon is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is being held every three years. Barangays are also headed by elected officials: Barangay Captain, Barangay Council, whose members are called Barangay Councilors. The barangays have SK federation which represents the barangay, headed by sK chairperson and whose members are called SK councilors. All officials are also elected every three years.

Elected officials

Congress representation

Cordon, belonging to the fourth legislative district of the province of Isabela, currently represented by Hon. Joseph S. Tan.

Education

The Schools Division of Isabela governs the town's public education system. The division office is a field office of the DepEd in Cagayan Valley region. The office governs the public and private elementary and public and private high schools throughout the municipality.