The City of Iligan (Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Iligan; Tagalog: 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 2000 census, it has a population of 285,061 people in 57,179 households.
Iligan City is bounded on the north by the municipality of Lugait, Misamis
Oriental, to the south by the municipalities of Baloi and Linamon of Lanao del Norte, to the east by the
territories of Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon, and to the
west by Iligan Bay.
Known as the City of Majestic Waterfalls, there are more than 20 waterfalls in and around Iligan. Among them is
the magnificent Maria Cristina Falls, home of Mindanao's primary hydroelectric power station, and
Limonsodan Falls, believed to be Asia's highest waterfall.
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-Iligan Corridor, the fastest
developing area in northern Mindanao.
Iligan City 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. The climate is consistent
year around since Iligan is outside the typhoon belt with an average temperature of
just 22 degrees Celsius, and average rainfall of 109 mm per month.
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.
People and Culture
Iligan is predominantly Christian (93.61%). Iliganons are the mixture of the Muslim and Cebuano population with a minority of
Tagalog and some other cultural minorities and immigrants from other places.
Iligan City is known for its diverse culture and is also known as the city of waterfalls.
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 is fluent in English.
Major Industries
- National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) — (Barangay Ditucalan and Barangay Maria Cristina). Identified with power
generation, site of the Mindanao Region Center, housing compound of the executive and rank-and-file employees, and Agus IV, VI,
and VII Hydroelectric plants.
- Agus VI Hydroelectric Powerplant — (Barangay Maria Cristina). The Maria Cristina Falls, plunging 320 feet (98 m)
downward, is the main source of the city’s power. It was harnessed by the National Power Corporation (NPC) by establishing the
Maria Cristina Hydroelectric Plant or Agus VI in 1950. It has a 200 MW potential capacity which is the veritable source of
industrial lines in the city.
- Agus VII Hydroelectric Powerplant — (Barangay Maria Cristina). The last among the seven sites located along the Agus
river harnessed by NPC for power generation. It has a 54 MW potential capacity.
- Global Steel Philippines Incorporated (formerly National Steel Corporation) — (Barangay Suarez). One of the
largest steel manufacturers in ASEAN region, located in a 1.4
square kilometer area and extends almost about one kilometer vertically. Established in 1962. At present, it has four main
operating mills, Hot Mill, Billet Plant and the Thinning Line. Products: billet, round and square steel, flat steel like hot and
cold rolled coils and hot rolled plates. Manpower: more than 3,800.
- Mabuhay Vinyl Corporation — (Assumption Heights). Founded in 1935 by the late Judge Guillermo B. Guevarra, originally
as the family enterprise Mabuhay Rubber Shoe Factory (in Manila). MVC in its present location was constructed in 1964 and was set
on stream in 1965. Products: liquid chlorine, polyvinyl chlorine (PVC), caustic soda, and hydrochloric acid used in the
manufacture of various industrial products like soap, textile, insecticides, lubricants, explosives, polyesters, shoes, and many
others. Located on a hill top, MVC has a small park rimming a man-made lagoon.
- Granexport Manufacturing Corporation — (Barangay Kiwalan). Founded in 1954 bearing the name GRANEX Phils, later
changed to Grand Export in 1966. Then manned only by three personnel and involved in the study of copra business feasibility and
the coconut industry. Granex produces crude coconut oil and pellet. When the copra supply was abundant, the company decided to
expand with the crushing of Iligan Coconut Oil Mill from 500 to 1,000 MT in 1979, which made Granex Manufacturing the Biggest
Coconut Mill in the world.
- Petronas Energy Philippines, Incorporated (PEPI) — (Barangay Dalipuga). A subsidiary of PETRONAS Malaysia, was
organized on June 20,1995 and started commercial operation in July 1997 in bottling and marketing of liquefied petroleum gas
(LPG) with the brand name Gas Petronas for household and commercial use. It has also expanded the market for vehicles running on
environment - friendly alternative fuels by introducing Autogas Petronas.
- Pilmico Food Corporation — (Barangay Kiwalan). Primarily engaged in the manufacture of wheat, flour and its related
products like wheat germ (active). Aboitiz and company which originally thought of venturing into the flour milling business were
the original incorporators, later joined by the Soriano group of Companies, and finally the Pillsbury of Minnesota. The dainty
structure that stands six stories high attractively poses on a wide lawn guided by ball-shaped agoho sentinels surrounding the
complex.
- Maria Cristina Chemical Industry — (Assumption Heights). The first and only carbide producer in the Philippines,
organized in 1952 as a bold venture into the area of electro-metallurgy. Produces two basic types of electro-metallurgical
products: calcium and ferroalloys such as ferrosilicon, ferromanganese, silicomanganess, and silico chrome. It also produces
acetylene for the battery industry. Part of the complex is a pier capable of handling raw materials and finished goods.
- San Miguel Corporation – Iligan Coconut Oil — (Barangay Santa Filomena). One of the two copra solvent extraction
plants in the city. It was established in 1975.
- Mindanao Portland Cement Corporation — (Barangay Kiwalan). One of the cement factories in Iligan City.
- Holcim, Inc. —. Also one of the cement factories in Iligan City.
Barangays
Iligan City is politically subdivided into 44 barangays.
- Abuno
- Acmac
- Bagong Silang
- Bonbonon
- Bunawan
- Buru-un
- Dalipuga
- Del Carmen
- Digkilaan
- Ditucalan
- Dulag
- Hinaplanon
- Hindang
- Kabacsanan
- Kalilangan
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- Kiwalan
- Lanipao
- Luinab
- Maria Cristina
- Mahayahay
- Mainit
- Mandulog
- Pala-o
- Panoroganan
- Poblacion
- Puga-an
- Rogongon
- San Miguel
- San Roque
- Santiago
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- Saray
- Santa Elena
- Santa Filomena
- Santo Rosario
- Suarez
- Tambacan
- Tibanga
- Tipanoy
- Tomas Cabili
- Tubod
- Ubaldo Laya
- Upper Hinaplanon
- Upper Tominobo
- Villaverde
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History
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.
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 Japanese held
sway in the city until 1944 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.
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.
Educational Institutions
Tourist Attractions
Waterfalls
- Abaga Falls
- Bridal Veil Falls
- Dalipuga Falls
- Dodiongan Falls
- Gata Falls
- Guimbalolan Falls
- Hindang Falls
- Kalisaon Falls
- Kamadahan Falls
- Kibalaug Falls
- Languyon Falls
- Langilanon Falls
- Limunsudan Falls
- Linanot Falls
- Malaigang Falls
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Springs
- Abaga Spring
- Anahaw Spring
- Bagong Silang Spring
- Ditucalan Springs I & II
- Jardin Spring
- Matu-ug Spring
- Panaghoyan Spring
- Quarry Spring
- Timoga Spring
- Timoga Cold Spring Swimming Pools
Mountains
- Mt. gmearie
- Mt. karen
- Mt. ogoc
- Sagada teves
- Mt. la salle
Caves
bi\ulkang gemarie
- Buruun Caves
- Hindang Caves
- Matoog Cave
- Sagyaan Cave
Historical Pieces and Places
- Bayug Island
- Tartanilya
- Iligan City Hall
- Iligan City Public Plaza
- Laya Ancestral House
- Macaraeg-Macapagal Ancestral House
Others Places
- Anahaw Amphitheater
- Centennial Park
- Maze Country Resort
- MVC Park & Lagoon
- Iligan Golf & Country Club
- Tipanoy Shooting Range
Famous 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)
- 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
- 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
Television Networks
Sports Teams
External links
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