Cagayan de Oro River
The province of Bukidnon is widely acknowledged as the food basket of Mindanao, thanks in part to the many river systems it has been blessed with that help irrigate its vast tracts of farmland. This wealth of rivers has also earned it the honor of being called the "Watershed of Mindanao."
Bukidnon is endowed with six major river systems namely: Pulangi, Tagoloan, Cagayan, Manupali, Muleta, and Bobonawan Rivers. These rivers have carved the landscape of the province, creating numerous canyons.
Aerial View of Pulangi River
• Flowing down the inlands of Bukidnon, the Pulangi River is a majestic river with lush forests and hills along its riverbank. Considered the longest and the largest river in the province, it is a tributary of the Rio Grande of Mindanao. Its headwaters are found in the mountains of Kalabugao, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon. It covers the following cities and municipalities of the province: Impasug-ong, Malaybalay City, Cabanglasan, San Fernando, Valencia City, Maramag, Quezon, Don Carlos, Kitaotao, Dangcagan, Kibawe and Damulog.
• The Tagoloan River has its headwaters in the mountains of Can-ayan, Malaybalay City. It traverses the province northwestward passing through Malaybalay City, Impasug-ong, Sumilao, Manolo Fortich, Malitbog and finally empties into the sea at Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.
• The Cagayan River watershed is found mostly in the municipality of Talakag. Its headwaters are found in the Kitanglad Mountain Range in central Bukidnon. The river flows northward through the municipalities of Talakag and Baungon. Its mouth lies at Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental, where it is the main source of potable water.
• The Manupali River, a major tributary of the Pulangi River, starts in the mountains of Lantapan, Bukidnon, picking up tributaries along the way from the Kalatungan and Kitanglad Mountain Ranges. It forms part of the natural boundary of the Valencia City and Lantapan. It flows eastward towards Malaybalay City, eventually joining the Pulangi River in Valencia City.
• The Muleta River is found in the southern portion of the province covering the municipalities of Pangantucan, Don Carlos, Kitaotao, Dangcagan, Kibawe, Kadingilan and Damulog. It is another important tributary of the Pulangi River and flows southward. It will join the Pulangi River in the boundary of Bukidnon and Cotabato province.
• Bubonawan River is a tributary river of the Sil-ipon River, Undilawan River and Buganay River. This important water channel navigates the barangays of Sil-ipon, Capihan, Pongol, Nangka, Kiliog, Kinawe, and Gango of the Municipality of Libona and barangays Imbatug and Pualas of the Municipality of Baungon. At Bobonawan, a waterfall measuring 100 meters high located between Barangay Kiliog and the Poblacion can also be seen. Bubonawan River is Bobonawan Power Corporation-CEPALCO’s water source for hydro power generation.
How to get there
To get to Bukidnon, one must travel by land from Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental Province. Most local airlines have daily flights from Manila to Cagayan de Oro City. Bukidnon is about two hours away by land from Cagayan de Oro City. Local Bus companies in Cagayan de Oro operate routes to Bukidnon.
Accommodations:
• GV Hotel Bukidnon - Sayre, National Highway Valencia City, Bukidnon, Bukidnon, Philippines
• Dahilayan Forest Park - Brgy. Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, Bukidnon, Philippines