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| Iligan City Dakbayan sa Iligan Lungsod ng Iligan |
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| Nickname(s): Industrial Center of the South and City of Majestic Waterfalls | |||
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| Coordinates: | |||
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| Region | Northern Mindanao (Region X) | ||
| Province | Lanao del Norte | ||
| District | 1st District of Lanao del Norte and Iligan City | ||
| Barangays | 44 | ||
| Incorporated (town) | 1832 | ||
| Incorporated (city) | June 16, 1950 | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor | Hon. Lawrence Lluch Cruz (LDP-NPC) [2007-2010 (2nd term)] | ||
| - Vice Mayor | Hon. Henry C. Dy (LDP-GO) [2007-2010 (2nd Term)] | ||
| - 1st Councilor | Hon. Providencio P. Abragan [2007-2010 (10th Term)] | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 813.37 km² (314 sq mi) | ||
| Population (2007 Census) | |||
| - Total | 308,046 | ||
| - Density | 378.73/km² (980.9/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | PST (UTC+8) | ||
| Area code(s) | 063 | ||
| Website: www.iligan.gov.ph | |||
The City of Iligan (Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Iligan; Filipino: Lungsod ng Iligan) is a Highly urbanized city in the province of Lanao del Norte, Philippines, and the province's former capital. It is approximately 795 kilometers southeast of Manila. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 308,046 people.
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Geography
Iligan City is bounded on the north by the municipality of Lugait, Misamis Oriental, to the south by the municipalities of Baloi, Linamon and Tagoloan, Lanao del Norte, to the east by the territories of Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon, and to the west by Iligan Bay. This is also the 2nd largest city in Northern Mindanao next to Malaybalay City.
Known as the City of Majestic Waterfalls, there are around 23 waterfalls in and around Iligan. Among them is the magnificent Maria Cristina Falls, home of Mindanao's primary hydroelectric power station, and Limunsudan Falls.
Iligan is also the Industrial Center of the South. It produces hydroelectric power for the Mindanao region through the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR), the site of the Mindanao Regional Center (MRC) housing Agus IV, VI and VII hydroelectric plants. It also houses industries like steel, tinplate, cement and flourmills. The National Steel Corporation, one of the largest steel manufacturers in the Southeast Asian region, now Global Steelworks International Incorporated was re-opened in 2003 after heavy setbacks resulting to its closure in 1999. Iligan along with its neighboring city, Cagayan de Oro City, are the two major components for the Cagayan de Oro-Iligan Corridor, the fastest developing area in Northern Mindanao.
To the west, Iligan Bay provides ferry and container ship transportation. East of the city, flat cultivated coastal land gives way to steep volcanic hills and mountains providing the waterfalls and cold springs for which the area is well known.
Climate
Iligan falls within the third type of climate wherein the seasons are not very pronounced. Rain is more or less evenly distributed throughout the year. Because of its tropical location the city does not experience cold weather. Neither does it experience strong weather disturbances due to its geographical location (being outside the typhoon belt) And also because of the mountains that are surrounding the city.
Transportation
Sea
There are five shipping lines serving Manila, Cebu City, Dipolog City and Ozamiz City routes namely: Superferry, Cebu Ferries, Carlos A. Gothong Lines, Negros Navigation, Sulpicio Lines, and Cokaliong Shipping Lines.
Land
Rural Transit (RTMI) and Super 5 Transport are the dominant public land transportation in this City. The Integrated Bus and Jeepney Terminal (IBJT) caters trips to and from Cagayan de Oro City and various parts of Misamis Oriental, while the Southbound Bus and Jeepney Terminal caters trips to and from Dipolog City, Pagadian City, Ozamiz City, various parts of Lanao del Norte and Marawi City. The public mode of transportation withinin this city is by Jeepneys, Taxis, and Pedicabs. There is also the famous "Tartanillas" (calesas) that is also a public mode of transportation which serves through Barangay Pala-o and Barangay Tambacan. Passenger vans are also available for the various municipalities in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.
Air
Iligan City is served by Maria Cristina Airport located in the nearby municipality of Baloi. Philippine Airlines served the city for many years before stopping services in 1998 due to the Asian financial crisis. After a decade of not serving the city, PAL subsidiary PAL Express is expected to return to the city with four weekly flights to Manila and three weekly flights to Cebu. Both services are tentatively scheduled to start on September 27, 2008.
The opening of Laguindingan International Airport in 2012, which is expected to replace Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro City, is also expected to replace the city's airport. The new airport is a flagship project of the Cagayan de Oro-Iligan corridor.
People and culture
Iligan is predominantly Christian (93.61%). Iliganons are the mixture of the Maranao and Cebuano population with a minority of Tagalog and some other cultural minorities and immigrants from other places.It is not only rich in natural resources and industries but it is also the home of a mix of cultures, Maranaos of Lanao del Sur, Higaonons of Bukidnon, and many settlers and migrants from other parts of the country. It is known for its diverse culture.
Cebuano is the major language in the city (about 93%). The rest speak Tagalog, Maranao, Hiligaynon, Ilocano, Chavacano, and Waray-Waray. The majority of the population can speak and understand English.
Government
Iligan City is a chartered city and thus is independent from Province of Lanao del Norte. Registered voters of the city cannot vote for provincial candidates unlike its nearby towns that make up the provinces.
Iligan City is governed mainly by city hall, composed of one mayor, one vice-mayor and twelve councilors. Each official is elected publicly to 3-year terms. The day to day administration of the city is handled by a city administrator.
Economy
The economy of Iligan is largely based on heavy industries. After the construction of Maria Cristina (Agus VI) Hydroelectric Plant by National Power Corporation (NPC, NAPOCOR) in 1950, the city experienced rapid industrialization and continued until the late 1980s. The largest steel plant in the country, National Steel Corporation (NSC), was also established during that period (Specifically in 1962).[1]
During the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, the city experienced severe slowdown in terms of economic growth. A good number of industrial plants are closed, notably the National Steel Corporation. Its closure also created a domino effect on its ancillary industries, causing some companies to close shop while putting others in grave financial distress.[2]
The city made its economic revival on the reopening of the National Steel Corporation, named Global Steelworks Philippines, Inc on 2004. Thus, putting the city back on its track.[3]
Lessons learned from the crisis, the city government makes its move to diversify the economy. Among those are tourism, agriculture, and agribusiness. In One Town, One Product (OTOP) Project of Department of Trade and Industry, the city is producing abaca and its product lines.[4]
The current industrial plants in operation and their locations are:
- Treasure Steel Corporation (Formerly National Steel Corporation Billet Plant) — Barangay Suarez
- Global Steelworks Philippines, Inc. — Barangay Suarez
- Mabuhay Vinyl Coporation — Barangay Maria Cristina
- Granexport Manufacturing Corporation — Barangay Kiwalan
- Petronas Energy Philippines, Inc. — Barangay Dalipuga
- Pilmico Foods Corporation — Barangay Kiwalan
- Platinum Group Metals Corporation (Formerly Maria Cristina Chemical Industries, Inc.) — Barangay Maria Cristina
- San Miguel Corporation-Iligan Coconut Oil Plant — Barangay Santa Filomena
- Refractories Corporation of the Philippines — Barangay Dalipuga
- Iligan Cement Corporation — Barangay Kiwalan
- Mindanao Portland Cement Corporation — Barangay Kiwalan
- Holcim Philippines, Inc. (Formerly Alsons Cement Corp.) — Boundary of Barangay Dalipuga and Lugait, Misamis Oriental
Barangays
Iligan City is politically subdivided into 44 barangays.
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History
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Iligan has its beginnings in the village of Bayug, 2.5 kilometers north of the present Poblacion. It was the earliest pre-Spanish settlement of native sea dwellers, known as Maragats. The monotony of indigenous life in the territory was broken when in the later part of the 16th century, the inhabitants of Iligan were subdued by the Visayan migrants from the island kingdom of Panglao.
In the accounts of Jesuit historian Fr. Francisco Combes, the Mollucan King of Ternate invaded Panglao. This caused Panglaons to flee in large numbers to Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte. In Dapitan, the surviving Prince of Panglao, Pagbuaya, received Legazpi's expedition in 1565. Later, Pagbuaya's son Manook was baptized Pedro Manuel Manook. The Christianized Manook subdued the Higaunon village in Bayug and established it as one of the earliest Christian settlements in the country. The settlement survived other raids from other enemies, and, because of their faith in God and in their patron saint, Saint Michael the Archangel, the early Iliganons moved their settlement from Bayug to Iligan.[5]
The name Iligan is from the Higaunon word "iligan" or "ilijan," meaning "fortress of defense" against frequent attacks by pirates and other hostile Mindanao tribes.
In 1850, because of floods, Don Remigio Cabili, then Iligan's governadorcillo, built another fort and moved the poblacion of the old Iligan located at the mouth of Tubod River west of the old market to its present site.
A stone fort called Fort St. Francis Xavier was built in 1642 where Iliganons sought refuge during raids by bandits. But again, the fort sank due to floods. Another fort was built and this was named Fort Victoria or Cota de Iligan.
The Spaniards abandoned Iligan in 1899, paving the way for the landing of the American forces in 1900. In 1914, under the restructuring of Moroland after the end of the Moro Province (1903-1913), Iligan became a municipality composed of eight barrios side-by-side the municipal district of Mandulog. After enjoying peace and prosperity for about 40 years, Iligan was invaded by Japanese forces in 1942. The liberation in Iligan by the Philippine Commonwealth forces attacked by the Japanese held sway in the city until 1944 to 1945 when they left Iligan suddenly. On November 15, 1944, the city held a Commonwealth Day parade to celebrate the end of Japanese atrocities and occupation.[6]
Using the same territorial definition as a municipality, Iligan became a chartered city of Lanao del Norte on June 16, 1950. It was declared a first class city in 1969 and was reclassified as First Class City "A" on July 1, 1977 by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 465. In 1983, Iligan was again reclassified as a highly urbanized city.
Education
The City of Iligan has one state university and 7 private colleges specialized in Engineering Information Technology, Health Services, Maritime Science, Business and Administration, Primary and Secondary Education, and Arts and Social Sciences. Among these educational institutions is Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology, one of the few autonomous external campuses of Mindanao State University Main Campus, acknowledged as one of the best universities in Philippines.
Capitol College of Iligan, Inc., more popularly known as Iligan Capitol College (ICC), is a private, non-sectarian, co-educational institution of learning which was established in 1963 by the late Engr. Sesenio S. Rosales and Madame Laureana San Pedro Rosales. It was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in February 12, 1964.[7]
St. Michael's College, Iligan City is known as the oldest school in the Lanao area, founded as a catechetical center way back 1914 by Fr. Felix Cordova, S.J. It was formally established in 1915 as Escuela de San Miguel in honor of the patron saint, St. Michael the Archangel. Now on its active bid to become the city's first Private Catholic University, Saint Michael's College of Iligan currently offers 6 disciplines: Business Administration, Hotel and Restaurant Management,Engineering and Information Technology, Nursing, Criminology, Education, Arts and Sciences and the Basic Education. It also offers the TESDA Ladderized Courses and the education - related Graduate Studies Program. SMC is currently expanding its infrastructures to support the growing needs of the academic community and even to the City of Iligan.[7]
The colleges primarily focused on Medicine and Health Services are Iligan Medical Center College and Mindanao Sanitarium and Hospital College.
Tourism
Iligan is also known as City of Majestic Waterfalls because there are about 20 waterfalls within the city. The famous waterfall in the city, as well as the city's famous landmark, is Maria Cristina Falls. It is also the primary source of electric power of the city, harnessed by Agus VI Hydroelectric Plant. Other famous waterfalls in the are Tinago Falls, Mimbalut Falls, Abaga Falls, and Dodiongan Falls. Some waterfalls like Limunsudan Falls are inaccessible to vehicles, which requires trekking for several hours to two days (in case of Limunsudan Falls) to the destination.
The city is also famous for Timoga Springs. It is well-known for icy-cold and crystal-clear springs flow freely to the swimming pools. There are around five spring resorts along the highway which is easily accessible by land to all locals and tourists.
Successful Iliganons
- Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo - President of the Philippines (2001-Present); Senator 1992-1998, Vice President 1998-2001, economist (daughter of former President Diosdado Macapagal)
- Dra. Evangeline Macaraeg - former First Lady 1961-1965 (wife of former President Diosdado Macapagal)
- Mr. Randy A. Garcia - writer - ABS-CBN, Ayala's Young Leaders Congress Representative
- Nikki Bacolod - 1st runner-up ABS-CBN's Search for a Star in a Million Season 1, Recording Artist of Viva Records, QTV 11's Posh main cast
- Helario Honoredez - member of the First Philippine Mount Everest Climbing Team of 2006
- Gene Orejana - TV host and producer
- Atty. Wilfredo R. Bacareza, Jr. - President & CEO, PNOC Development & Management Corp.
- Tomas Cabili - Assemblyman 1930s-40s, former guerilla fighter in the Second World War, Secretary of National Defense 1945, Senator 1946-1957 (died alongside President Ramon Magsaysay in a plane crash, March 1957)
- Quintin Badelles Cueto III - Commissioner on Human Rights Philippines
- Noela Mae Evangelista - Bb. Pilipinas 2002 2nd Runner-Up, crowned as the Queen of the Tourism International 2003 held in Cancun, Mexico
- Michael Anthony Garcia - Pinoy Pop Superstar Season 1 Finalist, Recording Artist of GMA Records, GMA 7's SOP mainstay
- Julie Lluch Dalena - sculptor
- Sari Lluch Dalena - Film maker of "Rigodon"; Fulbright scholar
- Junix Inocian - film, tv and theater artist. a "Ms Saigon" cast member, he starred in numerous international movies such as "A Dangerous Life" (1988), "Legacy" (1998), "The 51st State" (2001) and many more.
- Felindo Obach - film, tv and theater artist. "A Dangerous Life" (1988), "Fatal Mission" (1990)
- Ric-Ric Marata - former Philippine Basketball Association and Metropolitan Basketball Association player
- Romulo "Bong" Marata - brother of Ric-Ric Marata and like his brother, former Philippine Basketball Association and Metropolitan Basketball Association player. Marata played for the Philippine Lhuiller team in 2002 that captured the South East Asia Basketball Association (SEABA) Club Championship. He recently led his hometown team, Iligan Crusaders, to its first ever National Basketball Conference Cup championship and earned the 2007 NBC Cup Most Valuable Player Award
- Cyrus Baguio - Philippine Basketball Association All-Star player, currently playing for the Red Bull Barako. He is a nephew of former PBA stars Ric-Ric and Bong Marata
- Ricardo Caluen - Historian/Writer, Editor, Filipino Bulletin, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dr. Steven P.C. Fernandez, DFA - Palanca Award recipient, Founder/Artistic Director of internationally-acclaimed Integrated Performing Arts Guild (IPAG), and member, National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA)
- Dr. John F. Sandoval - Founding President, Philippine Cyber-Architects, National Programmer, Owner, ByteDoctor Programming Resource
External links
- Iligan City Government Portal
- Iligan City Online Travel Guide
- First Free Email in Iligan
- Philippine Standard Geographic Code
References
- ^ Prof. Geoffrey G. Salgado, Iligan: A History of the Phenomenal Growth of an Industrial City, Iligan City Official Website
- ^ Maricar T. Manuzon, A Giant Awakens, Philippine Business Magazine
- ^ Genalyn D. Kabiling, National Steel Plant reopens, Manila Bulletin Online
- ^ Abaca of Iligan City, One Town, One Product Philippines.
- ^ Camilo P. Cabili, Early History, Iligan City Official Website
- ^ Prof. Leonor Buhion Enderes, Japanese Occupation in Iligan City, Iligan City Official Website
- ^ a b Iligan City Schools, City Development Strategies in Philippines.
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