Natonin, officially the Municipality of Natonin, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Mountain Province, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 10,339 people.

Geography

Natonin is bordered by Kalinga to the north, Paracelis to the east, Barlig to the west, and Ifugao to the south. The barangays are mostly carved at the foot of the mountains along which the now National Highway was carved with the exception Barangay Maducayan and some far-flung sitios of Barangay Banawel. Natonin is 72 km from Bontoc and 464 km from Manila.

Barangays

Natonin is politically subdivided into 11 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Climate

Demographics

The locals of Natonin are generally called iNatonin. By ethnolinguistics, the majority of the locals belong to the tribe Balangaos, or Iferangao, and speak the Finerangao language. However, there are two sub-tribes: the Hakki, who inhabit the western part of the town, and the Majukayong (the people are called iMajukayongs), who inhabit the barangays of Saliok and Maducayan. The iMajukayongs are closely related to the Ga'dang people of Paracelis, and speak the iMajukayong dialect which has similarities to the dialects of the iKalingas. Populations of the town are of Igorot lineage. Headhunting was practiced throughout Natonin as late as the mid-1930s, but was set aside in favor of Christianity and education after World War II.

Languages

Natonin is home to two indigenous languages which have existed there since before the arrival of the Spanish: the Balangaw language and the Majukayong language. Immigrants from the Ilocos Region came in the 1970s and imported the Ilokano language during the era of martial law.

Economy

The primary crop is rice, although limited arable space, mechanization and innovative agriculture renders the harvest to a subsistence level only. Backyard piggery mostly produce the pork supply. Vegetable gardening, fruit tree growing and tilapia raising are also starting to see commercial viability. Whatever is of shortage or lacking are imported outside the municipality. Few local handicrafts are promoted and are only made to order.

Government

Local government

Natonin, belonging to the lone congressional district of the province of Mountain Province, 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.

Elected officials

Members of the Municipal Council (2019–2022):

Transportation

Since the widening of the national highways started in 2010, the Paracelis-Natonin Road is paved now. Although, some parts are either eroded or slipping away, and during rainy seasons landslides can render the roads impassable. Public utility or for-hire vans are the easiest transportation either to and from the municipality (e.g. Baguio and Manila).

Tourism

Though it's not yet that improved, Natonin has the following sites: