This week’s historical milestones (Nov. 13 to Nov. 19)

 Nov. 16
The Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (formerly Iuhiut Penal Settlement) is established in 1904 in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan province. Prisoners who could not be accommodated at Bilibid Prison in Metro Manila are sent to Iwahig.

Nov. 17
The Suez Canal, the shipping lane that links Mediterranean Sea to Red Sea, is opened in 1869. It allowed the Philippines to have direct business relations with Spain and shortened travel time to 30 days for Filipinos pursuing further studies in Europe.

Nov. 19
Republic Act No. 6734 is ratified in 1989 in a plebiscite, establishing the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Only the provinces of Lanao del Sur (except Marawi City), Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi out of the proposed 13 provinces and 9 cities voted to join ARMM. Marawi City and Basilan province later joined the region.

COMPILED BY KATHLEEN DE VILLA, INQUIRER RESEARCH

Sources: Bucor.gov.ph, suezcanal. gov.eg, armm.gov.ph, Department of Tourism and Inquirer Archives