Lanao del Norte

Lanao del Norte
Province
(from top: left to right) Maria Cristina Falls, Provincial Capitol, Downtown Iligan, Port of Mukas in Kolambugan and Linamon aerial view.
Flag Seal
Nickname(s):  "The Land of Beauty and Bounty" "Motocross Capital of the Philippines" [1]
Anthem: "Himno ng Lanao del Norte"
Location in the Philippines
OpenStreetMap
Coordinates: 8°02′N124°00′E / 8.03°N 124°E / 8.03; 124
Country	Philippines
Region	Northern Mindanao
Founded	May 22, 1959
Capital Province or Second district	Tubod
Largest city	Iligan
Government
•  Governor	Imelda Dimaporo (PFP)
•  Vice Governor	Allan Lim (PDP–Laban)
•  Legislature	Lanao del Norte Provincial Board
Area [2]
• Total	3,354.16 km2 (1,295.05 sq mi)
• Rank	40th out of 81
	(excluding Iligan which is the First district)
Highest elevation (Mount Inayawan)	1,535 m (5,036 ft)
Population  (2020 census) [3]
• Total	722,902
• Rank	42nd out of 81
• Density	220/km2 (560/sq mi)
• Rank	46th out of 81
	(excluding Iligan)
Divisions
•  Independent cities	1 Iligan (Highly urbanized city)
•  Component cities	0
•  Municipalities	22 Bacolod Baloi Baroy Kapatagan Kauswagan Kolambugan Lala Linamon Magsaysay Maigo Matungao Munai Nunungan Pantao Ragat Pantar Poona Piagapo Salvador Sapad Sultan Naga Dimaporo Tagoloan Tangcal Tubod
•  Barangays	462 including independent city of Iligan: 506
•  Districts	Legislative districts of Lanao del Norte Legislative district of Iligan
Time zone	UTC+8 (PHT)
ZIP codes	9201–9222
IDD  :  area code	+63 (0)63
ISO 3166 code	PH-LAN
Spoken languages	Cebuano Maranao Tagalog English
Income classification	2nd class
Website	www.lanaodelnorte.gov.ph

Lanao del Norte (Cebuano: Amihanang Lanao; Tagalog : Hilagang Lanao; Maranao: Pangotaraan Ranao), officially the Province of Lanao del Norte, is a province in the Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao region. Its capital is Tubod.

The province borders Lanao del Sur to the southeast, Zamboanga del Sur to the west, Illana Bay to the southwest, Iligan Bay to the north, Misamis Oriental to the northeast, and is separated from Misamis Occidental by Panguil Bay to the northwest. According to the 2020 census, the province has a total population of 722,902 people. ^[3]

Situated within Lanao del Norte is the highly urbanized city of Iligan, which is governed independently from the province and also the largest city in both land area and population.

History

Further information: Lanao (province)

Lanao province map in 1918

The province of Lanao existed from 1914 until 1959. In 1959, Republic Act No. 222 was passed by the Philippine Congress, partitioning Lanao into two provinces: Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur. ^[4] The new province was inaugurated on July 4, with Iligan City as its capital. Back in the Spanish period, Iligan was founded by thousands of Visayan immigrants and garrisoned by a hundred Spanish soldiers. ^[5]

The province then consisted of the municipalities of Baloi, Kauswagan, Bacolod, Maigo, Kolambugan, Tubod, Baroy, Lala, Kapatagan, Karomatan and the following municipal districts that got converted into regular municipalities of Matungao, Pantao Ragat, Munai, Tangcal, and Nunungan.

In 1977, President Ferdinand E. Marcos signed Resolution No. 805, s. 1977 of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Parliamentary Bill No. 586) sponsored by Assemblyman Abdullah D. Dimaporo, into Presidential Decree 181 transferring the province's capital from Iligan City to the municipality of Tubod.

In October 1984, inaugural ceremonies were held to celebrate the occasion of the transfer of the Provincial Capitol from Poblacion, Tubod to the Don Mariano Marcos Government Center (now Governor Arsenio A. Quibranza Provincial Government Center) at Pigcarangan, in Tubod.

Despite the outbreak of the conflict of the MILF led by Abdullah Commander Bravo Goldiano Macapaar bin Sabbar and the Philippine Army in Kauswagan in March 2000, through the provincial government's effort, peace and order was restored in the province. ^{[6] [7]}

In 2018, the Bangsamoro Organic Law was passed into law; this law provided for the establishment of a new Bangsamoro autonomous region to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. According to this law, the six municipalities of Munai, Tagoloan, Pantar, Baloi, Tangcal, and Nunungan would be incorporated into this new region should a majority of voters in both the affected municipality and the parent province vote in favor of inclusion of the aforementioned municipalities in the proposed autonomous region in a plebiscite. The plebiscite was held the following year. ^[8] A majority of voters in the affected municipalities voted in favor of inclusion in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region; however, the rest of Lanao del Norte voted strongly against, ^[9] and as a result, none of the six municipalities were included in the new autonomous region after the provincial government campaigned against their inclusion. ^[10]

Geography

Political map of Lanao del Norte

Lanao del Norte is a rugged province that ranges from the coastal shorelines in the north to the high plateaus and mountains in the south. It has also diverse flora and fauna.^{[ further explanation needed ]}

Lanao del Norte covers a total area of 3,346.57 square kilometres (1,292.12 sq mi) ^[11] occupying the southwestern section of the Northern Mindanao region in Mindanao. When Iligan is included for geographical purposes, the province's land area is 4,159.94 square kilometres (1,606.16 sq mi). ^[11] The province is bordered by Lanao del Sur to the southeast, Zamboanga del Sur to the west, Illana Bay to the southwest, Iligan Bay to the north, and Misamis Oriental to the northeast, and Panguil Bay to the northwest.

Administrative divisions

Lanao del Norte comprises 22 municipalities. The city of Iligan administers itself independently as a highly urbanized city.

•  † Capital municipality
•  Municipality
•  ‡ Highly urbanized city (geographically within but independent from the province)
• ∞ Largest settlement

City or municipality [A] District [11] Population ±% p.a. Area [11] Density Barangay Coordinates [B] (2020) [3] (2015) [12] km2 sq mi /km2 /sq mi Bacolod 1st 3.4% 24,367 23,034 +1.08% 104.10 40.19 230 600 16 8°11′25″N124°01′13″E / 8.1903°N 124.0204°E / 8.1903; 124.0204 (Bacolod) Baloi 1st 9.5% 68,465 58,383 +3.08% 90.98 35.13 750 1,900 21 8°06′52″N124°13′16″E / 8.1145°N 124.2211°E / 8.1145; 124.2211 (Baloi) Baroy 1st 3.4% 24,683 22,600 +1.69% 72.35 27.93 340 880 23 8°01′32″N123°46′44″E / 8.0256°N 123.7789°E / 8.0256; 123.7789 (Baroy) Iligan City∞ ‡ Lone District — 363,115 342,618 +1.11% 813.37 314.04 450 1,200 44 8°13′43″N124°14′17″E / 8.2286°N 124.2381°E / 8.2286; 124.2381 (Iligan) Kapatagan 2nd 8.7% 62,571 62,853 −0.09% 242.89 93.78 260 670 33 7°53′54″N123°46′11″E / 7.8982°N 123.7697°E / 7.8982; 123.7697 (Kapatagan) Kauswagan 1st 3.3% 24,193 26,278 −1.56% 60.37 23.31 400 1,000 13 8°11′29″N124°05′17″E / 8.1914°N 124.0881°E / 8.1914; 124.0881 (Kauswagan) Kolambugan 1st 3.9% 28,265 27,005 +0.87% 134.55 51.95 210 540 26 8°06′43″N123°53′45″E / 8.1119°N 123.8958°E / 8.1119; 123.8958 (Kolambugan) Lala 2nd 10.2% 73,425 67,727 +1.55% 140.25 54.15 520 1,300 27 7°58′23″N123°44′51″E / 7.9730°N 123.7475°E / 7.9730; 123.7475 (Lala) Linamon 1st 2.9% 21,269 20,341 +0.85% 76.38 29.49 280 730 8 8°10′58″N124°09′42″E / 8.1828°N 124.1616°E / 8.1828; 124.1616 (Linamon) Magsaysay 2nd 2.8% 20,463 19,019 +1.40% 151.83 58.62 130 340 24 8°02′08″N123°54′49″E / 8.0355°N 123.9135°E / 8.0355; 123.9135 (Magsaysay) Maigo 1st 3.2% 23,337 21,666 +1.42% 121.45 46.89 190 490 13 8°09′33″N123°57′32″E / 8.1592°N 123.9590°E / 8.1592; 123.9590 (Maigo) Matungao 1st 2.0% 14,756 13,975 +1.04% 45.74 17.66 320 830 12 8°08′00″N124°09′59″E / 8.1334°N 124.1664°E / 8.1334; 124.1664 (Matungao) Munai 2nd 4.8% 35,020 32,973 +1.15% 197.50 76.26 180 470 26 7°58′21″N124°03′42″E / 7.9725°N 124.0618°E / 7.9725; 124.0618 (Munai) Nunungan 2nd 2.6% 18,827 18,367 +0.47% 473.28 182.73 40 100 25 7°48′39″N123°56′39″E / 7.8108°N 123.9442°E / 7.8108; 123.9442 (Nunungan) Pantao Ragat 2nd 4.2% 30,247 27,866 +1.57% 124.30 47.99 240 620 20 8°03′36″N124°10′56″E / 8.0601°N 124.1823°E / 8.0601; 124.1823 (Pantao Ragat) Pantar 1st 3.7% 26,599 21,773 +3.89% 70.40 27.18 380 980 21 8°03′52″N124°15′47″E / 8.0644°N 124.2630°E / 8.0644; 124.2630 (Pantar) Poona Piagapo 2nd 4.0% 29,183 27,018 +1.48% 260.07 100.41 110 280 26 8°04′58″N124°08′27″E / 8.0827°N 124.1408°E / 8.0827; 124.1408 (Poona Piagapo) Salvador 2nd 4.4% 32,115 31,845 +0.16% 113.99 44.01 280 730 25 7°54′10″N123°50′28″E / 7.9027°N 123.8411°E / 7.9027; 123.8411 (Salvador) Sapad 2nd 3.2% 22,974 21,309 +1.44% 140.03 54.07 160 410 17 7°50′43″N123°50′13″E / 7.8452°N 123.8369°E / 7.8452; 123.8369 (Sapad) Sultan Naga Dimaporo (Karomatan) 2nd 8.4% 60,904 56,764 +1.35% 230.99 89.19 260 670 37 7°47′42″N123°42′55″E / 7.7951°N 123.7152°E / 7.7951; 123.7152 (Sultan Naga Dimaporo) Tagoloan 1st 2.1% 15,091 13,253 +2.50% 69.70 26.91 220 570 7 8°07′37″N124°16′33″E / 8.1269°N 124.2757°E / 8.1269; 124.2757 (Tagoloan) Tangcal 2nd 2.2% 16,075 15,181 +1.10% 178.62 68.97 90 230 18 7°59′47″N123°59′50″E / 7.9964°N 123.9971°E / 7.9964; 123.9971 (Tangcal) Tubod † 1st 6.9% 50,073 47,165 +1.15% 246.80 95.29 200 520 24 8°03′12″N123°47′30″E / 8.0534°N 123.7917°E / 8.0534; 123.7917 (Tubod) Total [C] 722,902 676,395 +1.27% 3,346.57 1,292.12 220 570 462 (see GeoGroup box) ^ Former names are italicized. ^ Coordinates are sortable by latitude. (Italicized entries indicate the generic location. Otherwise, they mark the city or town center). ^ Total figures exclude the highly urbanized city of Iligan.

Demographics

People in traditional Maranao attire doing a performance as part of the Araw ng Lanao del Norte (lit. 'Lanao del Norte Day') festivities.

Population census of Lanao del Norte

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1903	8,272	—
1918	25,928	+7.91%
1939	99,427	+6.61%
1948	131,606	+3.16%
1960	270,603	+6.19%
1970	245,449	−0.97%
1975	262,456	+1.35%
1980	293,691	+2.27%
1990	387,524	+2.81%
1995	440,783	+2.44%
2000	473,062	+1.53%
2007	538,283	+1.80%
2010	607,917	+4.53%
2015	676,395	+2.05%
2020	722,902	+1.32%
(excluding Iligan) Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [12] [13] [13]

Languages Spoken (incl. Iligan City, 2010) [14] [15]
Language			Speakers
Cebuano/Bisaya/Boholano			601,525
Maranao			283,007
Others			43,740

The population of Lanao del Norte in the 2020 census was 722,902 people, ^[3] with a density of 220 inhabitants per square kilometre or 570 inhabitants per square mile. When Iligan is included for geographical purposes, the province's population is 1,019,013 people, with a density of 245 inhabitants per square kilometre (630/sq mi).

The people in Lanao del Norte are a mixture of Maranaos and Cebuanos, with some Maguindanaons, Zamboangueños, Tausugs, Yakan, and Sama-Bajau. Historically, immigrants who came from the Christian provinces of Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon tended to settle in the northern part of Lanao while the Maranaos inhabited the south. There are also a minority of Higaonons settling in the hinterlands of Iligan. Kankanaey, an ethnic group from the Cordilleras in Luzon, can also be found as a minority in the province. ^[16]

The Maranao had settled in the area long before the arrival of the Spaniards in the Philippines. Like other groups, they possess their own culture which makes them quite unique. Their language, customs, traditions, religion, social system, costumes, music, and other features are factors that make Lanao peculiar and distinct from other Philippine provinces.

The main languages are Maranao, Cebuano, and Binukid, with the latter being the native language of majority of the citizens of the province. Aside from this, Filipino (Tagalog) and English are understood and spoken.

Religion

Religion in Lanao del Norte (2020) [17]
Religion			percentage
Roman Catholic			47.3%
Islam			45.5%
Other Christian, including Protestants			6.4%
Others			0.7%

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) report in 2020, Roman Catholicism makeup for 47.3% of the population of Lanao del Norte while 45.5% are adherents of Islam. ^[17] Other religions include other denominations of Christianity, Buddhism and other beliefs.

Economy

Poverty incidence of Lanao del Norte

10 20 30 40 50 2006 40.71 2009 46.24 2012 49.06 2015 45.69 2018 25.81 2021 25.50 Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25]

The economy in Lanao del Norte is predominantly based on agriculture and fishing. Factories are mostly based in Iligan City. Lanao del Norte is the home of Agus Power plants 4-7 that stretch from Balo-i to Iligan City. It serves major parts of power supply in Mindanao. ^{[26] [27]} Tourism is also a growing economy in the province.

Politics and government

Salvador T. Lluch was the first Governor of Lanao del Norte. Second was Mohammad Ali Dimaporo, who ruled from January 1960 to September 1965 when he ran and won the congressional seat of the province. By operation of the law of succession, Vice Governor Arsenio A. Quibranza became the third Provincial Chief Executive of the province. By the mandate of the inhabitants, Quibranza was elected governor in 1967 and almost unanimously re-elected in 1971 and again in 1980. ^{[28] [29]} When Martial Law was declared, Quibranza was arrested as ordered by President Marcos. While in prison, Vice Governor “Toto” Felix Z. Actub would succeed him as Governor

By virtue of the power and impact of the People Power Revolution on EDSA on February 25, 1986, local government all over the Philippines changed the political atmosphere overnight. Lanao del Norte became one among the many provinces affected by the sudden changes brought by the "Snap Election" in February 1986. Local heads of offices and employees particularly those holding political positions were removed but with the installation of President Corazon Aquino as president, OIC Atty. Francisco L. Abalos became the appointed governor of the province on March 3, 1986. On February 2, 1988, Abalos was elected as governor of the province.

In the synchronized National Election of May 11, 1992, Congressman Abdullah D. Dimaporo, a legislator, economist and son of Mohammad Ali Dimaporo, was elected Provincial Governor. The Provincial government embarked on a comprehensive planning and set the groundwork for the development of the province.

In the 1998 national and local elections, Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo, wife of Governor Abdullah D. Dimaporo was elected as Provincial Governor until 2007, and from 2016 up to present.

The eldest son of former governor and now 2nd district representative Abdullah D. Dimaporo and Imelda Q. Dimaporo, Mohammad Khalid Q. Dimaporo entered the politics in the province from 2007 until 2016. ^[30]

Notable person

Within the province jurisdiction

• Marlon Tapales - Professional Boxer (Kapatagan)

Outside the province jurisdiction (highly-urbanized city of Iligan)

Main article: Iligan § Notable personalities

See also

• Lanao
• Lanao del Sur

References

1. "Lanao Norte hosts national motocross". ABS-CBN Corporation . December 22, 2013. Archived from the original on November 13, 2021.
2. "List of Provinces". PSGC Interactive. Makati, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Archived from the original on January 11, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2014.
3. Census of Population (2020). "Region X (Northern Mindanao)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved July 8, 2021.
4. "Republic Act No. 2228 - An Act to Create the Provinces of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. Retrieved December 24, 2015.
5. San Agustín, Conquistas, lib. 2 cap 37: 545
6. Gallardo, Froilan (November 16, 2012). "Clash between soldiers, MILF averted in Lanao del Norte". MindaNews. MindaNews. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
7. "2 Lanao Norte towns under attack by suspected MILF". GMA News. August 18, 2008. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
8. "Several North Cotabato, Lanao del Norte towns vote in second round of Bangsamoro plebiscite". CNN Philippines. CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on May 18, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
9. Tomacruz, Sofia. "Lanao del Norte rejects inclusion of towns in Bangsamoro region". Rappler. Rappler. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
10. Luczon, Nef; Jerusalem, Jigger; Suson, Divina. "6 towns to remain in Lanao Norte after BOL plebiscite". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
11. "Province: Lanao del Norte". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved January 8, 2016.
12. Census of Population (2015). "Region X (Northern Mindanao)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved June 20, 2016.
13. Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region X (Northern Mindanao)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office . Retrieved June 29, 2016.
14. Table 11. Household Population by Ethnicity and Sex: 2010 (Lanao del Norte)
15. Table 11. Household Population by Ethnicity and Sex: 2010 (Iligan City)
16. "The Kankanaey People of the Philippines: History, Culture, Customs and Tradition [Indigenous People | Cordillera Ethnic Tribes]".
17. "Religious Affiliation in the Philippines (2020 Census of Population and Housing) | Philippine Statistics Authority | Republic of the Philippines". psa.gov.ph. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
18. "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
19. "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. November 29, 2005.
20. "2009 Official Poverty Statistics of the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. February 8, 2011.
21. "Annual Per Capita Poverty Threshold, Poverty Incidence and Magnitude of Poor Population, by Region and Province: 1991, 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. August 27, 2016.
22. "Annual Per Capita Poverty Threshold, Poverty Incidence and Magnitude of Poor Population, by Region and Province: 1991, 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. August 27, 2016.
23. "Annual Per Capita Poverty Threshold, Poverty Incidence and Magnitude of Poor Population, by Region and Province: 1991, 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. August 27, 2016.
24. "Updated Annual Per Capita Poverty Threshold, Poverty Incidence and Magnitude of Poor Population with Measures of Precision, by Region and Province: 2015 and 2018". Philippine Statistics Authority. June 4, 2020.
25. "2021 Full Year Official Poverty Statistics of the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. August 15, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
26. Ellorin, Bencyrus (December 20, 2010). "Agus 6 hydroelectric power plant to be upgraded". MindaNews. MindaNews. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
27. "Finally, P2.6-B rehab of Mindanao's Agus power plant set". Rappler. Rappler. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
28. Arguillas, Carolyn (May 11, 2013). "SPECIAL REPORT: The ruling clans of Mindanao: same families in 50 years, 25 years". MindaNews. MindaNews. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
29. "Supreme Court G.R. No. L-17358". www.lawphil.net. The LawPhil Project - Arellano Law Foundation. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
30. "THE LEADERS YOU VOTED: Lanao del Norte 1987 to 2019". MindaNews. MindaNews. May 12, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2019.

External links

• Media related to Lanao del Norte at Wikimedia Commons
• Geographic data related to Lanao del Norte at OpenStreetMap
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code