Iligan City
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Iligan City is a thriving city in the northwestern part of the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. It is approximately 800 kilometers southeast of the capital, Manila and is located in the province of Lanao del Norte.
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Known as the City of Majestic Waterfalls (approximately more than 20 waterfalls), 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, pulp and paper and flourmills. The National Steel Corporation, one of the largest steel manufacturers in the ASEAN region, now Global Steelworks International Incorporated was re-opened in 2003 after heavy setbacks resulting to its closure in 1999.
According to the 2000 census Iligan City has a population of 325,000, with a majority of Cebuano speakers (94%), and both Muslim and Christian cultural influences. Iligan City is not only rich in natural resources and industries but it is also the home of cultural mixes, Maranaos of Lanao del Sur, Higaonons of Bukidnon, 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 rolling hills and mountains providing the waterfalls and cold springs for which the area is well known.
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The City
Geography
To the north, Iligan City is bounded by the municipality of Lugait, Misamis Oriental; to the south by the municipalities of Balo-i 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.
Population
According to the year 2000 census, there are 325,000 Iliganons. Iligan is predominantly Christian (93.61%). Iliganons are a mixture of the Muslim and Cebuano population with a bit of Tagalog and some other cultural group minorities and immigrants from other places.
Language/dialect
Cebuano is the major dialect in the city (about 93%). The rest speak Tagalog, Maranao, Ilonggo, Ilocano, Chavacano, Hiligaynon, and Waray-Waray. Also, majority of the population is fluent with English.
Major Industries
- National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) — (Ditucalan, Maria Cristina; 10 kilometers from the city proper). Identified with power generation, site of the Mindanao Region Center, housing compound of the executive and rank and file, and Agus IV, VI and VII Hydroelectric plants.
- Agus IV Hydroelectric powerplant — (Langka – Balo – I; 18 kilometers from the city proper). The first underground hydroelectric plant in Mindanao and the third in the Philippines, located 120 meters below ground surface. The plant is said to be sufficient to light a city more than 12 times the size of Iligan or to run 20 cement factories.
- Agus VI Hydroelectric powerplant — (Barangay Maria Cristina; 9.3 kilometers from the city proper). 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 Christina 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 Christina; 8 kilometers from the city). The last among the seven sites located along the Agus river harnessed by NPC for power generation. It has a 54 MW potential capacity.
- National Steel Corporation (now Global Steelworks International Incorporated) — (Barangay Suarez; 6.5 kilometers from the city proper). One of the largest steel manufacturers in the ASEAN, 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; 9.5 kilometers from the city proper). 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; 9.0 kilometers from the city proper). 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.
- Pilmico Food Corporation — (Barangay Kiwalan; 9.0 kilometers from the city proper). 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.
- Refractories Corporation of the Philippines — (Bo. Mapalad, Dalipuga; 12.5 kilometers from the city proper). The only and largest and oldest refractory, established in 1977. Products: burned bricks, monolithic refractory, basic refractory bricks; and now, with a recent expansion, ceramic raw materials. Sprawling on a hill which is a stone’s throw away from the beckoning beach of Mapalad, it is the first industrial plant seen upon entering the boundary of Iligan City from Misamis Oriental.
- Maria Cristina Chemical Industry — (Assumption Heights; 9.5 kilometers from the city proper). 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.
- Iligan Cement Corporation — (Barangay Kiwalan; 9.0 kilometers from the city proper). One of the top ten cement corporations in the country, established in 1977 by Mr. Conrado Alcantara. The 16th processing plant in the Philippines and the only local cement firm that has an automated loading system for bulk cement clinker exports. Manufactures two types of cement: Premium and Rockland Pozzolan. Its products are sold to both foreign and domestic markets.
- San Miguel Corporation–Iligan Coconut Oil — (Barangay Filomena; 7.8 kilometers away from the city proper). One of the two copra solvent extraction plants in the city. It was established in 1975.
- Mindanao Portland Cement Corporation — (Barangay Kiwalan; 9.0 kilometers from the city proper). One of the cement factories in Iligan City.
History
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Iligan's history began four centuries ago in the Kingdom of Panglao, a trading post southwest of Bohol. 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.
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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. 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 atrocity and occupation.
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.