Apayao is a sub-province in the sparsely settled northern part of Mountain Province.
After the surrender of USAFFE forces on May 6, 1942, provincial officials of Mountain Province surrendered to the Japanese. However, in the remote sub-province of Apayao, Deputy Governor Milton Ayochok refused to surrender and assumed the authority to print emergency currency, which had been granted by President Quezon to the Mountain Province.
On September 11, 1942, the Apayao Provincial Board authorized the printing of emergency currency to provide funds for fiscal year 1942-1943. A Currency Committee was formed, with Deputy Governor Ayochok as chairman and Deputy Treasurer M. Medina and Deputy Auditor F.A. Enciso as members.
The notes from the first issue were printed from hand-carved plates, and the amount (and quality) of ink used varied a bit. At points, India Ink was used, other times, thinned out house paint (or anything in between!). Due to this, it is possible to obtain notes of any denomination in which the printing was the same and yet the notes look very different… one way for a collector to form a highly specialized collection…
The second issue notes have many interesting varieties as well, due to differences in cutting and printing of the various sheets.
Many notes where also printed on paper that was stamped in purple with
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
MOUNTAIN PROVINCE
Municipal notes:
- <em>There are no known municipal issues by this province.</em>
Provincial notes:
- First Issue (1942, undated)
The first issue of Apayao notes was printed from hand-carved plates at Kabugao in late 1942. A total of 102,495 pesos was issued. The fourth issue of Cagayan notes was also printed at Kabugao during the same period, which explains the similarity between the two issues.
- Second Issue (1943, undated)
Mimeographed on different colored paper for each denomination. All notes are Series “A”. These notes were produced after the Japanese had driven the Provincial Government into hiding in a remote area. The Japanese captured Governor Ayochok on April 1st, 1943. along with the official records of the Currency Committee. Due to this, there are no records as to the quantity issued in this issue. It is believed to be more than the first issue.
