LAND RESOURCES

Land Classification

The legal status of land in Bontoc consists of Built-up, Agricultural and Forest land. Alienable and Disposable (A &D) lands are found in the Bontoc Ili, Maligcong, Samoki, Alab Oriente, Balili and Tocucan a total of 2,016 hectares representing 5% of the Municipal territory.

Built-up Areas

Built up areas is intended for settlements and infrastructures.  The total built up area of Bontoc is 569.55 hectares. It also includes all the major road infrastructures in the municipality.

Agricultural Areas

It covers an area of 2,456.34 hectares for corn, highland vegetables, lowland fruit trees, bananas, rice and inland fishing areas.

Forest Areas

The municipality has a total forest area of 36,226.20 hectares representing 91. 45% of the total municipal land area. 

Water Bodies

It covers a total of 359.91 hectares which includes lakes and wetlands, fishing grounds including major rivers and creeks.   This land use category accounts of 0.91 per cent of the total land area of the municipality.

Table 2.3 Existing General Land Use.  Bontoc, Mountain Province

Source:  DENR, MPDO

Urban Land Use Pattern

Among the 16 barangays of Bontoc, barangay Poblacion is considered an urban area considering its population, strategic location, and high development potentials, i.e., commercial space, institutional and residential areas. The barangays of Bontoc Ili, Caluttit and Samoki are adjacent to the Poblacion. These also comprise congested settlements which are considered urbanized.

Agricultural Area

The total agricultural land area of the four urban barangays is 1,468.03 hectares which accounts for 33.16 per cent of the total land area of the four barangays. 

Built Up Areas

This includes land uses for residential purposes of 22.12 hectares (36.26 %); commercial lands (6 hectares), 9.83 per cent; and institutional lands (2 hectares), 3.27 per cent   for a total of 30.12 hectares accounting for 49.37 per cent of the total urban land area.  This land use classification also includes the road infrastructures existing within the urban area.  The public market is the central business district in the municipality, which has been booming all over the Poblacion, creating a pseudo-commercial use within established residential areas. 

Industrial Area

This land category covers areas wherein industries such as manufacturing and processing establishments are located either wholly or partially devoted for industrial purposes.  However, in the case of Bontoc, Mountain Province, there are no assigned specific sites/areas particular to this land category.  Industries under this classification are spread out in residential as well as other land classifications. 

Forest lands

Among the sixteen barangays Bontoc Ili and Samoki have a total of 2,409.70 hectares of forest Lands. There are no forest lands in the other two urban barangays, Caluttit and Poblacion.

Table 2.4 Existing Urban Land Use, Bontoc, Mountain Province.

Source: Land Use Map