Northern Mindanao (Region X Profile)

by Jane Dacumos on September 15, 2012

Region 10's administrative jurisdiction covers a total area of 17,855 square kilometers. It is composed of the landlocked province of Bukidnon in the south; Misamis Oriental in the north; the paradise island of Camiguinin the northeast; Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental in the west; the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Gingoog, Iligan, Malaybalay, Ozamiz, Oroquieta, Tangub, and Valencia; a total of 85 municipalities; and 2,020 barangays.

A number of factors are conducive to the development of Region X. Foremost is its very favorable social environment. The very good alliances among local chief executives, heads of regional line agencies, NGO/private sector partners, and the members of academic institutions together with the support of its friendly, literate and highly skilled population make the region generally secure and orderly and a very ideal place to locate investments.

Physically, the region enjoys distinct advantages over other areas in the country. It is:

1. Strategically located serving as the gateway to and from the rest of Mindanao, linking this resource-rich island to the rest of the country and the world via its relatively modern seaports, airports, and an extensive arterial road network;

2. Located outside the typhoon belt and enjoys a climate that is favorable to agriculture and industrial activities;

3. Geologically a combination of plains, mountains, rolling hills, and coastal areas with rich soil, abundant minerals, agriculture, forest, and aquaculture resources;

4. Blessed with abundant hydro-electric power supply this constitutes the bulk of power available in the Mindanao grid;

5. Accessible through various communication facilities, with amenities on information technology which have increased the people's proximity to global information.

Profile of Northern Mindanao

Location

Bounded on the North by Bohol Sea, on the East by the Provinces of Agusan del Norte and Sur on the South by Davao del Norte, and on the West by the Provinces of Zamboanga del Sur and Lanao del Sur.

Climate

Located outside the typhoon belt area; rainfall evenly distributed throughout the year. Vegetation, natural springs and high elevations are factors that make the region's climate cool and invigorating.

Brief History

An old legend would tell us that the name Cagayan is derived from the root word “kagay” which means river. “Kagay-an” the place where the gold is panned owing to the rich tributaries that abound with gold. With the arrival of the Spaniards, however, “Kagay-an” was changed to “Cagayan”. Later on, when gold was found in the river traversing the village, the phrase “de Oro” was added. The signing of the charter creating the city of Cagayan de Oro on June 15, 1950 by then President Quirino marked its birth as a charter city.

Geography

Cagayan de Oro is located along Macabalan Bay in Central Coast of Northern Mindanao. It serves as Regional Center for Region X, bounded by Barangay Bugo on the east; on the west by Barangay Iponan; and Barangay Tumpagon on the south. Its total land area is 48,885 has. or 488.8583 sq. km.

Languages

Cebuano/ Visayan, Tagalog, Hiligaynon, Maranao, Waray, Higa-onon, Ilocano, Spanish, English.

People

The vast majority of the region's inhabitants are migrants from Cebu and Bohol. Some inhabitants are of Waray, Tagalog and Maranao descent.

Economy

The economy of Northern Mindanao is the largest regional economy in the island of Mindanao. The economy in Northern Mindanao is mainly agricultural, but there is also a booming growth of industries particularly in Cagayan de Oro City and in Iligan City. The famous Del Monte Philippines located in the province of Bukidnon and its processing plant are located in Cagayan de Oro City, which ships to the entire Philippines and Asia-Pacific region. The Agus-IV to VII Hydroelectric Plants in Iligan City and Baloi, Lanao del Norte supply most of the electrical power in Mindanao.

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