Bontoc

Bontoc is a municipality in Mountain Province, Philippines. It serves as the provincial capital and is located in the central Cordillera region of northern Luzon. The town sits in a valley and is surrounded by rugged mountains, with a climate that is cool and characterized by distinct wet and dry seasons.

Bontoc is home to the Bontoc people, one of the indigenous Igorot groups. The Bontoc language, part of the Central Cordillera language family, is traditionally spoken alongside Filipino and Ilocano in daily life. The community is known for traditional rice agriculture, weaving, and woodcarving, practices that reflect a long-standing adaptation to the Cordillera environment.

Administratively, Bontoc functions as the government center of Mountain Province, housing the provincial capitol and offices. The municipality includes several barangays and is linked by roads to Sagada and other towns. The area is known for its cultural heritage sites, including the Bontoc Museum, which preserves ethnographic artifacts and displays textiles, tools, and traditional houses from the Cordillera.

Tourism and crafts contribute to the local economy, with visitors drawn to traditional villages, scenic valleys, and cultural performances. The Bontoc peoples’ practices and crafts are an important aspect of the region’s identity, reflecting a long-standing relationship with the mountain landscape and its resources.