Misamis Occidental

Misamis Occidental
Province
(from top: left to right) Mount Malindang as seen from Panguil Bay, Tangub Sports Complex, Downtown Ozamiz and Port of Ozamiz.
Flag Seal
Nickname:  Mis Occ
Location in the Philippines
Coordinates: 8°20′N123°42′E / 8.33°N 123.7°E / 8.33; 123.7
Country	Philippines
Region	Northern Mindanao
Founded	November 2, 1929 [1]
Capital	Oroquieta
Largest city	Ozamiz City
Government
• Type	Sangguniang Panlalawigan
•  Governor	Atty. Henry S. Oaminal Sr. (NP)
•  Vice Governor	Rowena L. Gutierrez (PDPLBN)
• Legislature	Misamis Occidental Provincial Board
Area [2]
• Total	2,006.63 km2 (774.76 sq mi)
• Rank	60th out of 81
Highest elevation (Mount Malindang)	2,404 m (7,887 ft)
Population  (2020 census) [3]
• Total	617,333
• Rank	50th out of 81
• Density	310/km2 (800/sq mi)
• Rank	26th out of 81
Divisions
•  Independent cities	0
•  Component cities	3 Oroquieta Ozamiz Tangub
•  Municipalities	14 Aloran Baliangao Bonifacio Calamba Clarin Concepcion Don Victoriano Chiongbian Jimenez Lopez Jaena Panaon Plaridel Sapang Dalaga Sinacaban Tudela
•  Barangays	490
•  Districts	Legislative districts of Misamis Occidental
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	7200–7215
IDD  :  area code	+63 (0)88
ISO 3166 code	PH-MSC
Spoken languages	Cebuano Subanen Maranao Tagalog English
Income classification	2nd class
Website	misocc.gov.ph

Misamis Occidental (Cebuano : Kasadpang Misamis; Subanen: Sindepan Mis'samis; Maranao : Sedepan Misamis; Filipino : Kanlurang Misamis), officially the Province of Misamis Occidental, is a province located in the region of Northern Mindanao in the Philippines. Its capital is the city of Oroquieta. The province borders Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur to the west and is separated from Lanao del Norte by Panguil Bay to the south and Iligan Bay to the east. The province of Misamis was originally inhabited by Subanens who were an easy target by the sea pirates from Lanao.

The province is named after the early settlement of the Spaniards at the entrance to the Panguil Bay. The name Misamis is believed to have been derived from the Subanen word kuyamis which is a variety of coconut, the staple food of the early settlers. During the years the name persisted as an inference of the geographical location, and upon the advent of the Spanish settlers, the word kuyamis easily gave way to the more convenient pronounceable but corrupted word Misamis. ^[4]

Etymology

The name Misamis is derived from Subanen word kuyamis which is a variety of coconut.

History

Spanish colonial era

The area of now Misamis Occidental was first occupied by Subanen which was followed by Maranao and later Visayans settled in the coastal areas. During the 1750s was the time that the coastal villages in southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao suffered attacks from bands of Muslim pirates, who burned houses and crops, and captured people to be sold as slaves in Maguindanao, Sulu, Borneo or the islands now known as Indonesia. In response, the colonial government in Manila created a flotilla and appointed a Spanish Jesuit missionary, José Ducos, as its commander.

After several successful battles against the pirates, when some peace had been restored, it was decided to build a stone fort at the mouth of Panguil Bay, at a place called Misamis, and Ducos was put in charge of the construction. The construction began in 1756. It was officially called “Fuerte de la Concepción y del Triunfo”. ^[5]

• Maps of Misamis, before its division into two provinces
• 
  in 1880
• 
  in 1899
• 
  in 1918

In 1818, Mindanao was organized into five politico-military districts, one of which was the Segundo Distrito de Misamis, the largest district in Mindanao. This area was composed of today's Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Camiguin, Bukidnon, Lanao, Zamboanga del Norte, and the northern part of Cotabato.

In 1850, the town of Misamis became the capital of the district of Misamis until February 27, 1872, when the Spanish Governor General Carlos María de la Torre y Navacerrada issued a decree declaring Cagayan the permanent capital of Segundo Distrito de Misamis. During this era, the name of the town was Cagayan de Misamis.

American invasion era

On November 2, 1929, Legislative Act No. 3537 passed, dividing the old province of Misamis into Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental, which took effect on January 1, 1930. Misamis Occidental comprised the original nine towns of Baliangao, Lopez Jaena, Tudela, Clarin, Plaridel, Oroquieta, Aloran, Jimenez, and Misamis. Don José Ozámiz y Fortich became the first governor.

On January 6, 1930, the provincial council of Misamis Occidental selected Oroquieta to become the capital town (cabecera) of the province. ^[6]

In 1935, the Provincial Capitol Building, commonly called Capitolio, begun and became the seat of executive and legislative power of the province, in the town of Oroquieta.

Japanese occupation era

On May 6, 1942, the Japanese Imperial forces landed in Misamis Occidental, beginning their brief occupation of the province during World War II. In 1945, combined American and Philippine Commonwealth forces liberated the province, and with the help of the recognized guerilla units, defeated the Japanese forces.^{[ further explanation needed ]} During World War II, Misamis became the capital of the Free Philippines as the seat of government of the Free Philippines then was the Capitolio. The United States Forces in the Philippines under Colonel Wendell Fertig based in Misamis Occidental, was the rallying point for the guerrillas in Mindanao. This was historically significant because it is the only time in Philippine history when its capital was in Mindanao, in the region then known as Misamis. The Free Philippine Government was then issuing Misamis Occidental emergency notes. Late President Manuel L. Quezon, upon knowing that Oroquieta was made a capital of the Free Philippines and that the town was issuing emergency notes, authorized the printing of the Mindanao emergency note.

Philippine independence

On July 16, 1948 — the town of Misamis became a chartered city by virtue of Republic Act 321, ^[7] making it the 4th city in Mindanao after Zamboanga, Davao and Marawi, also renamed Misamis to Ozamiz after World War II hero Ozámiz who hailed from the province of Misamis Occidental and who at one time also served as its governor and congressional representative of the Lone District of Misamis Occidental, senator of the Philippines, a delegate to the 1935 Constitutional Convention that resulted in the creation of the 1935 Constitution for the Philippine Commonwealth Government.

On August 24, 1981 - Members of a fanatical pseudo-religious paramilitary sect called the "Rock Christ" strafed the house of the Gumapons, a family, in Barrio Lampasan, Tudela, Misamis Occidental. Ten of the twelve persons in the house, including an infant, were killed. ^{[8] [9]}

Contemporary

In May 2010 — the people of Misamis Occidental elected their first female governor, Herminia M. Ramiro.

Geography

Misamis Occidental is located near the narrow strip of land linking Northwestern Mindanao, to the North-central part of the island. Covering a total area of 2,055.22 square kilometres (793.52 sq mi) ^[10] , the province is bounded on the northeast by the Mindanao Sea, east by Iligan Bay, southeast by the Panguil Bay, and the west by the Zamboanga del Norte and Sur. Except along the coastal area, hilly and rolling land characterized the provincial terrain. Towards the western border, the terrain is particularly rugged.

Administrative divisions

Misamis Occidental comprises 14 municipalities and 3 component cities, which are organized into two legislative districts and further subdivided into 490 barangays.

Political map of Misamis Occidental

•  † Provincial capital and component city
•  ∗ Component city
•  Municipality

City or municipality [A] District [10] Population ±% p.a. Area [10] Density Barangay Coordinates [B] (2020) [3] (2015) [11] km2 sq mi /km2 /sq mi Aloran 1st 4.5% 27,934 27,625 +0.21% 118.06 45.58 240 620 38 8°25′00″N123°49′11″E / 8.4166°N 123.8198°E / 8.4166; 123.8198 (Aloran) Baliangao 1st 3.0% 18,433 17,092 +1.45% 81.72 31.55 230 600 15 8°39′37″N123°36′04″E / 8.6603°N 123.6012°E / 8.6603; 123.6012 (Baliangao) Bonifacio 2nd 5.6% 34,558 32,345 +1.27% 155.02 59.85 220 570 28 8°03′08″N123°36′49″E / 8.0523°N 123.6137°E / 8.0523; 123.6137 (Bonifacio) Calamba 1st 3.8% 23,227 21,676 +1.32% 104.64 40.40 220 570 19 8°33′29″N123°38′39″E / 8.5581°N 123.6443°E / 8.5581; 123.6443 (Calamba) Clarin 2nd 6.4% 39,356 37,548 +0.90% 84.50 32.63 470 1,200 29 8°11′59″N123°51′42″E / 8.1998°N 123.8616°E / 8.1998; 123.8616 (Clarin) Concepcion 1st 1.5% 9,324 10,937 −2.99% 61.60 23.78 150 390 18 8°25′22″N123°36′17″E / 8.4227°N 123.6048°E / 8.4227; 123.6048 (Concepcion) Don Victoriano Chiongbian (Don Mariano Marcos) 2nd 1.6% 9,664 10,183 −0.93% 284.60 109.88 34 88 11 8°15′56″N123°36′16″E / 8.2656°N 123.6045°E / 8.2656; 123.6045 (Don Victoriano Chiongbian) Jimenez 1st 4.7% 28,909 27,654 +0.85% 81.43 31.44 360 930 24 8°20′03″N123°50′24″E / 8.3343°N 123.8400°E / 8.3343; 123.8400 (Jimenez) Lopez Jaena 1st 4.1% 25,507 25,055 +0.34% 94.70 36.56 270 700 28 8°33′06″N123°46′03″E / 8.5516°N 123.7675°E / 8.5516; 123.7675 (Lopez Jaena) Oroquieta City † 1st 11.7% 72,301 70,757 +0.41% 237.88 91.85 300 780 47 8°29′07″N123°48′21″E / 8.4852°N 123.8059°E / 8.4852; 123.8059 (Oroquieta) Ozamiz City ∗ 2nd 22.7% 140,334 141,828 −0.20% 169.95 65.62 830 2,100 51 8°08′49″N123°50′43″E / 8.1470°N 123.8452°E / 8.1470; 123.8452 (Ozamiz) Panaon 1st 1.7% 10,797 10,209 +1.07% 46.80 18.07 230 600 16 8°21′53″N123°50′24″E / 8.3648°N 123.8400°E / 8.3648; 123.8400 (Panaon) Plaridel 1st 6.5% 39,840 38,900 +0.46% 80.00 30.89 500 1,300 33 8°37′15″N123°42′34″E / 8.6208°N 123.7095°E / 8.6208; 123.7095 (Plaridel) Sapang Dalaga 1st 3.3% 20,490 19,983 +0.48% 93.93 36.27 220 570 28 8°32′28″N123°33′59″E / 8.5412°N 123.5664°E / 8.5412; 123.5664 (Sapang Dalaga) Sinacaban 2nd 3.2% 19,671 18,391 +1.29% 99.09 38.26 200 520 17 8°17′07″N123°50′35″E / 8.2852°N 123.8431°E / 8.2852; 123.8431 (Sinacaban) Tangub City ∗ 2nd 11.1% 68,389 63,011 +1.57% 162.78 62.85 420 1,100 55 8°03′40″N123°45′03″E / 8.0610°N 123.7509°E / 8.0610; 123.7509 (Tangub) Tudela 2nd 4.6% 28,599 28,932 −0.22% 98.52 38.04 290 750 33 8°14′35″N123°50′43″E / 8.2430°N 123.8454°E / 8.2430; 123.8454 (Tudela) Total 617,333 602,126 +0.48% 2,006.63 774.76 310 800 490 (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).

Demographics

Population census of Misamis Occidental

Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1903 45,370 —     1918 81,015 +3.94% 1939 210,057 +4.64% 1948 207,575 −0.13% 1960 248,371 +1.51%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1970 319,855 +2.56% 1975 356,319 +2.19% 1980 386,328 +1.63% 1990 424,365 +0.94% 1995 458,965 +1.48%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 2000 486,723 +1.27% 2007 531,680 +1.23% 2010 567,642 +2.41% 2015 602,126 +1.13% 2020 617,333 +0.49%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [11] [12] [12]

The population of Misamis Occidental in the 2020 census was 617,333 people, ^[3] with a density of 300 inhabitants per square kilometre or 780 inhabitants per square mile.

The dense population along the coast consists mainly of ethnic Cebuanos. Thus, Cebuano is the lingua franca of the province. Most of the native Subanens live in the interior uplands. Other inhabitants not native in the province include Maranaos, Maguindanaons, Tausugs, Ilocanos, Kapampangans, Bicolanos, Tagalogs, Pangasinans, Hiligaynons and Warays. They are minority residents of the province who speak their respective native languages to varying degrees in addition to Cebuano.

Religion

As of 2013, Roman Catholicism remains the predominant faith of the people of Misamis Occidental having 70 percent affiliation and the second most members are with the Iglesia Filipina Independiente or Aglipayan Church with 20% while several Protestant Churches as well as Islam are the minorities.^{[ citation needed ]}

Further information: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Ozamis

Economy

The province economy depends firstly on fishing, secondly on coconuts, thirdly on rice. The province has 169 kilometres (105 mi) of coastline fronting the rich fishing grounds of Panguil and Iligan bays. It also has the biggest area of brackish water fishponds in the region. Tangub City is a fishing port on Panguil Bay famous for seafood. Coconut is the chief crop. This is processed into oil, desiccated coconut, and coir, most of which are shipped to Cebu. Coconut processing is the main industry in Oroquieta City. Other crops grown are rice, corn, abaca, coffee, cacao and rubber.

Resources

Wood is the major forest product. Predominant species are the lauan group, apitong, tanguige yakal, and Philippine mahogany. There is also an abundant supply of bamboo, rattan and various vines. Forest land in the province has an area of 66,002.46 hectares; 53,262 hectares of which are considered a national park (which has legal implications).^{[ citation needed ]}

The province has a considerable deposit of clay especially in the municipalities of Lopez Jaena and Concepcion. Plaridel is the largest in rice production, and the longest coastal town in the province.

There are also an abundant sources of sand and gravel.

The province is traditionally a net exporter of various commodities. Historical data from the Ozamiz Port District of the Bureau of Customs show that outgoing commodities, which is mainly of coconut products, far outweigh incoming cargoes.

Being a coco-based province, major manufacturing firms in Misamis Occidental are engaged in the production of crude coconut oil, cooking oil, lard, margarine, laundry soap and desiccated coconut. Other products are furniture, ceramics gifts toys and housewares, processed food like banana chips and marine products.

Locally fabricated agri-industrial machines and equipment are also available in the province.

Tourism and attractions

• Langaranan Festival Plaridel, Misamis Occidental
• Baobaon Islets Plaridel, Misamis Occidental
• Shang's Resort Plaridel, Misamis Occidental
• Century-Old Nazareno Dam Plaridel, Misamis Occidental
• Caluya Shrine Sapang Dalaga, Misamis Occidental
• Baliangao Protected Landscape and Seascape
• Binalbal Festival, Tudela, Misamis Occidental
• Christmas Symbols Festival, Tangub City
• Dalit Festival, Tangub City
• Dampawan Festival, Concepcion, Misamis Occidental - September
• Fuerte de la Concepcion y del Triunfo, Ozamiz City
• Hoyohoy Highland Stone Chapel & Adventure Park, Tangub City
• Immaculate Conception Cathedral Pipe Organ, Ozamiz City
• Inug-og Festival, Oroquieta City
• Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park
• Mount Malindang Range Natural Park and Lake Duminagat
• Pas'ungko S'g Mis. Occ. Festival of all Festivals - November
• Sapang Dalaga Falls
• Suman Festival, Clarin, Misamis Occidental - Clarin, the Suman Capital of Misamis Occidental
• Sinakbang Festival, Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental

Government

Main article: Misamis Occidental Provincial Board

Misamis Occidental Provincial Capitol

Asenso Misamis Occidental

• Governor: Atty. Henry S. Oaminal (NP)
• Vice Governor: Rowena “Wheng” L. Gutierrez (PDPLBN)
• ABC President: Freddie B. Malicse - Ex-Officio Board Member
• SK Federation Chairman: Alyssia Ann D. Pao - Ex-Officio Board Member
• IPMR: Juanidy M. Vina - Ex-Officio Board Member
• PCL President: Lowida L. Alcalde - Ex-Officio Board Member

Asenso Distrito Uno

• Member, House of Representatives: Jason P. Almonte (PDPLBN)
• Members, Sangguniang Panlalawigan:
  • Alejandro “Alex” J. Guantero Jr. (Asenso Pinoy)
  • Winston “Dondon” V. Catane (Asenso Pinoy)
  • Rosanne Marie “Tata” L. Paylaga-Lim (Asenso Pinoy)
  • Donna R. Iyog (Asenso Pinoy)
  • Agnes C. Villanueva, CPA (Asenso Pinoy)

Asenso Segundo Distrito

• Member, House of Representatives: Sancho Fernando “Ando” F. Oaminal (NP)
• Members, Sangguniang Panlalawigan:
  • Calven Tito C. Decina (PDPLBN)
  • Nemesio D. Lahaylahay Sr. (Asenso Pinoy)
  • Eduardo “Tata” C. Cebedo (Asenso Pinoy)
  • Atty. Heinjie B. Estano (NP)
  • Jerry R. Cuizon (PDPLBN)

Former governors

• Diego Ty Deling
• Anselmo Bernad
• Gella Caay
• Loreto Leo S. Ocampos
• José Ozámiz
• Gedeon G. Quijano
• Henry Y. Regalado Sr.
• Atty. Ernie D. Clarete
• Gorgonio F. Buaquiña II
• William Chiongbian
• Benito Chiongbian
• Herminia Ramiro

See also

• Laguindingan Airport, the first international airport in Northern Mindanao region.

References

1. "Act No. 3537". Philippine Supreme Court e-Library. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
2. "List of Provinces". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Archived from the original on 17 January 2013. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
3. Census of Population (2020). "Region X (Northern Mindanao)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved 8 July 2021.
4. "Socio Economic: Brief History". Archived from the original on 2011-08-31. Retrieved 2010-06-10.
5. BERNAD, M.. Father Ducos and the Muslim Wars, 1752-1759. Philippine Studies: Historical and Ethnographic Viewpoints, North America, 16, dec. 1968. Available at: <http://philippinestudies.net/ojs/index.php/ps/article/view/2272/4273>. Date accessed: 10 Feb. 2015.
6. "Oroquieta City | Official Government Website - History". Archived from the original on 2015-02-11. Retrieved 2015-02-10.
7. "Republic Act No. 321 - An Act Creating the City of Ozamiz". Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
8. Doyo, Ma. Ceres P. "Martial law massacres" . Retrieved 2018-06-18.
9. Report of an Amnesty International Mission to the Republic of the Philippines, 11 – 28 Nov 1981 (PDF) (Report). Amnesty International. November 28, 1981.
10. "Province: Misamis Occidental". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved 8 January 2016.
11. Census of Population (2015). "Region X (Northern Mindanao)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved 20 June 2016.
12. Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region X (Northern Mindanao)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office . Retrieved 29 June 2016.
13. "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
14. "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
15. "2009 Official Poverty Statistics of the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 8 February 2011.
16. "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. 27 August 2016.
17. "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. 27 August 2016.
18. "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. 27 August 2016.
19. "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. 4 June 2020.

External links

• Media related to Misamis Occidental at Wikimedia Commons
• Geographic data related to Misamis Occidental at OpenStreetMap
• Official website
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Local Governance Performance Management System