Claveria, Cagayan

Claveria, officially the Municipality of Claveria (Ibanag: Ili nat Claveria; Ilocano: Ili ti Claveria; Tagalog: Bayan ng Claveria), is a municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 32,997 people.

Claveria was officially established as a Spanish mission called Cabicungan on 17 April 1633. It was made into a civil town on 9 March 1865. Initially named after the Cabicungan river that runs through the town, it was renamed Claveria in the 19th century after the Spanish Governor-General Narciso Clavería. In 1661, the town was attacked by rebels from the Ilocos led by Pedro Almazan, resulting in the death of the resident missionary, Jose Navarro de Santa Maria. In the 18th century, the Spanish established a military garrison in the town to launch expeditions against the unconquered Isneg tribes of Apayao and to guard the mountain route to the Ilocos.

Claveria is situated 179.82 kilometres (111.73 mi) from the provincial capital Tuguegarao, and 608.78 kilometres (378.28 mi) from the country's capital city of Manila.

Claveria is politically subdivided into 41 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

In the 2024 census, the population of Claveria was 32,997 people, with a density of 170 inhabitants per square kilometre or 440 inhabitants per square mile.

Poverty incidence of Claveria

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

Claveria is part of the second legislative district of the province of Cagayan. It 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.