Tumauini

Tumauini has politically subdivided into 46 barangays. [8] Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

Four of the barangays compose the center of the town whereas the other 42 are in the outlying areas. Some of them are even several kilometers away from the center of the municipality. The most populous are San Pedro, Antagan I, and Lanna.

In 2015, the retail giant SM Prime established its first Savemore Market branch along the National Highway in the town.[23] This was closely followed by the opening of the first Puregold Price Club store, a popular retail chain, in the same year. Two years later, in 2017, the well-known multinational fast-food chain Jollibee opened its first branch in the area, providing residents with a wider variety of dining options. The opening of Jollibee was just the beginning, as more fast-food chains like McDonald's and Mang Inasal have plans to establish branches in the town's first mall, Xentro Mall.[24] Furthermore, in 2019, 7-Eleven[25] opened a branch in the town, offering convenience store services and products to the residents.

On June 28, 2021, the municipal government inaugurated the newly built Tumauini Public Market. The multi-million modern market complex is composed of eight buildings located along National Highway and serves as the major trading hub of the town and nearby municipalities.[26][27]

Banking institutions like BDO Unibank,[28] Development Bank of the Philippines,[29] Producers Bank, FICO Bank, and other smaller financial institutions put up their branches in the town which is a good indication that the town is gearing towards rapid commercialization. As of 31 December 2021, Tumauini has a total of 10 banks with a total volume of bank deposits at Php 1.5 billion.[30]

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 Tumauini 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.

Tumauini, belonging to the first legislative district of the province of Isabela, is currently represented by Antonio T. Albano.[32]

On June 28, 2021, the municipal government inaugurated the new Tumauini Municipal Hall along National Highway in barangay San Pedro. The newly built multi-million peso structure is designed to accommodate government functions, delivery of basic services for the people and as a facility for various civic and cultural activities.[33][34]

On May 10, 2023, the municipal government inaugurated the new Tumauini Legislative Building and Tumauini Municipal Police Station. These newly built modern facilities were erected to accommodate legislative functions for the members and staffs of the municipal council and give a bigger office space for the Philippine National Police to help them perform their duties and responsibilities in maintaining the peace and order within the town’s territorial boundaries.[35]

San Matias Church Interior

The Parish Church of San Matias was built in the 1780s by the Dominicans. It is the best-preserved church ensemble in Isabela although its Convento is in ruins. It has a cylindrical, confectionery-like bell tower (a later addition). In the Convento vaulted ceiling impressions may still be seen of the mats that were used as forms to mold wet plaster during construction. A low, undulating brick wall circumscribes the front garden.[44]

San Matias Church Exterior

The building of the church from light materials by Francisco Nunez O. P. began in 1707 after Tumauini was separated from Cabagan and became a regular parish in 1751. The Roman Catholic Church was erected by the Dominican in 1753. They were made of bricks and coral stones with a cylindrical bell tower, the only of its kind in the Philippines which was constructed by Fr. Domingo Forto in 1793 and completed in 1805, became the capital of Isabela for some time in the 1880s. The Church was partly damaged during World War II but was repaired to its original form by the parishioners of Tumauini.

The church's architectural design bears traces of Chinese artistry which may confirm the belief that long before the Spaniards came to the Philippines, the Chinese had settled in the coastal towns of Northern Luzon.[45]

By virtue of Presidential Decree # 260, 11 August 1973, as amended by Executive Order No. 357, 14 January 1974, and No. 1505, 11 June 1978, the Church of Tumauini was declared a National Historic Landmark on February 24, 1989.[46]

The Tumauini Church is currently on the tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage Sites under the Baroque Churches of the Philippines (Extension). A proposal has been suggested by scholars to make a separate UNESCO inclusion for the Old Centre of Tumauini which includes the Tumauini Church. The same would be done for other churches listed in UNESCO's tentative sites, where each town plaza and surrounding heritage buildings would be added. No government agency has yet taken action on the proposal.[47]

The historic Camp Samal was the site of the National Jamboree in 1977 and is the home of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines. It is located at the eastern outskirts of the Spanish – built town of Tumauini, on a 23.5 hectares (58 acres) of the elevated mass of rolling hills 500 feet above sea level. It is endowed with natural springs, evergreen grasses, trees, and shrubs. It overlooks the Cagayan River, the Pinacanauan River, the town of Tumauini itself, the municipality of Delfin Albano, and the Sierra Mountain ranges.

Its name was derived from the first syllable of the surnames of the spouses, Ricardo C. Sadornas and Purificacion Malana who donated the camp to the Boy Scouts of the Philippines in 1954. After the holding of the 1977 National Jamboree, the camp was restored under the administration of Mayor Arnold S. Bautista in 2001, who drew out the support of the government and private sectors for its restoration and development. It is still the favorite destination of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of the Philippines for their annual district and provincial encampments. It hosted the 5th Northeastern Luzon Regional and Ilocos Region Invitational Jamboree of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines held on November 25 – 30, 2004 with a total of 5,281 participants.

The patronal town fiesta is in honor of St. Mathias and the promotion of Tumauini as a source of corn and its by-products.

One of the legacies of the Spanish colonial era in town is corn (maize). It was one of the plants that came aboard the galleons and became one of the primary crops of the Philippines. The late National Artist for Dance, Ramon Obusan traced the origins of a traditional dance inspired by the crop to Tumauini.[48]

Antagan 1st contains the Magoli River, which provides an ample source of water for irrigation, fields, and households.

One of the features of the river is the Blue Lagoon. The locals have named two large rocks in the center of the river "Kambal na Bato" (twin stones), which are also a tourist attraction because of their unique and unusual appearance.

The river is also a popular spot for swimming, fishing, and boating.