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Experience Lanao del Norte - The Land of Beauty and Bounty

Lanao del Norte is a province of 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, Iligan City to the northeast, and is separated from Misamis Occidental by Panguil Bay to the northwest.

The Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte has been exerting its best effort to uplift the quality of life of the people in the rural and urban areas in the province through the promotion of Integrated Agriculture and Economics Tourism Development Programs. The primary goal of the development plan is to create conditions that will facilitate and accelerate economic word of the province. One of the conditions identified is to promote the tourism industry that would act as a catalyst for the development of trade and other economic interactions between outlying municipalities in the province and its neighboring provinces as well.

The province prides itself as a major contributor to the overall development of Mindanao. It hosts three of the seven Agus Hydropower Plants which generates 80% of the Mindanao power grid. There are more than 70,000 hectares of coconut land found in Lanao del Norte, and is the second largest producer of copra in the region. Other major products include rice, fruits, corn, and aquaculture products.

History

Republic Act No. 2228 divided Lanao in to two provinces, giving birth to Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur. The new province was inaugurated on July 4, 1959, making Iligan City as the capital. Salvador T. Lluch was the first Governor of Lanao del Norte. Second was Mohammad Ali Dimaporo, from January 1960 to September 1965 when Governor Dimaporo 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, Governor Quibranza was elected Governor in 1967 and almost unanimously re-elected in 1971 and again in 1980.

In 1977, President Ferdinand E. Marcos signed Resolution No. 805 series of 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, Tubod, Lanao del Norte.

By virtue of the power and impact of the People’s Power Revolution at Edsa, Manila 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” on February 1986. Local heads of offices and employees particularly those holding political positions were destabilized 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, Atty. Abalos was elected as governor of the province.

In the Synchronized National Election of May 11, 1992, Congressman Abdullah D. Dimaporo, a legislator and economist, 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. Despite the outbreak of the conflict of the MILF and the Philippine Army in Kauswagan last March 2000, through the provincial government's effort, peace and order was restored in the province.

The Provincial Government was also able to bring the province into the limelight with full media coverage, through the hosting of the First Mindanao Friendship Games at the Mindanao Civic Center in Tubod on November 11–15, 2001. Participants came from all over Mindanao representing the various LGUs in the island. The event was opened by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Tourism

Lanao del Norte offers world-class sporting facilities set against the backdrop of idyllic and majestic mountain formations and pristine sandy beaches.

Here athletes and any adventurous traveler can unwind and recharge their weary bodies to attain peak performance whether in sports or in the business arena.

Surrender to breathtaking scenic spots, cold mountain springs and mouth-watering food choices made only from the freshest catch of the day, all designed to renew your spirit and fortify your wellness.

Immerse yourself in our rich cultural heritage and discover exciting festivals that inspire your imagination and enrich your soul.

Experience Lanao del Norte and unlock the doors to a land of beauty and bounty.

Tourist Attractions

Historical

• Fort Almonte - repertory of the Spaniards during World War II. It is located along the national highway of East Bacolod, Lanao del Norte.

Cultural

• Lanao del Norte National Comprehensive High School - located at Baroy, Lanao del Norte, with complete sports facilities, to be the venue of the (Central Mindanao Athletic Association) CMRAA

Natural

• Tinago Falls - as literally implied, it is hidden in a deep ravine, the falls cascading beautifully into a basin-like pool, calm, deep and icy cold. It has an elevation of approximately 420 ft. It is located at Linamon, Lanao del Norte, 52 kilometers away from Tubod (capital town of Lanao del Norte).
• Pagayawan Falls - Three mini-waterfalls located at Pagayawan, Bacolod, Lanao del Norte, 32 kilometers away from Tubod.
• Cathedral Falls - Located at Barangay Cathedral of Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte. It is 3 kilometers away from Tubod.
• Sta. Cruz Falls - Located at Sta. Cruz, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte. It is approximately 2 kilometers from the national Highway and surrounded with growing trees and wild vegetation. Known among locals as a miniature  Niagara Falls.
• Kalilangan Cold Spring - Cool and pure water located at Kalilangan, Tubod, 12 kilometers away from Downtown.
• Pikalawag Public Beach - Blessed with very fine sand, rich underwater resources. Best time to visit is from November up to summer.
• Lake Nunungan - Composed of three lakes with three different sizes and abundant supply of fish grown by the local folks.
• LIDPA Subterranean River - Can be reached by a gradual climb to Munai, Lanao del Norte where the river bores into a hill and runs underground for about 100meters. Located fifteen kilometers from the National Highway, takeoff point is at the junction of Bacolod national highway.
• Mt. Inayawan -  An ideal sight for Ecotourism located at the heart of Nunungan, Lanao del Norte with a natural rain forest enriched with its biodiversity and wildlife enhanced by the Maranao settlers of the area.
• Pili Hot/Cold Spring - (Sapad, Lanao del Norte) a hot/cold spring located near the foot of Mt. Karkum, which has potential for geothermal energy.
• BALO-I River - 2001 Regional Winner of the Gawad ng Pangulo sa Kapaligiran and recently identified as one of the priority sites for Ecotourism. Entry point is at the river bank along the Poblacion of Balo-i, Lanao del Norte. A gentle river cruise along the river is certainly refreshing to the soul of the beholder.

Man-made

• Provincial Picnic Park - Located at Capitol, Tubod, Lanao del Norte.
• Mindanao Civic Center - Complete with world class sports facilities and a hotel. A perfect place for sports events, conventions and seminars as well as other social gatherings.
• BALO-I Lake - With Agus IV of the National Power as its source, the lake was made along the national highway of Balo-i. An ideal place for water sports and fishing activities.

Accommodations

Iligan City, an independent city in Lanao del Norte, offers adequate accommodation for every type of traveller. There are economy class hotels, pensionne houses, modest inns, and several lodging houses.

• Cheradel Suites - Bro. Jeffrey Road, Iligan City
• Maria Cristina Hotel - Gen. Aguinaldo St., Iligan City
• Farrah Hotel - Sabayle St., Iligan City
• Corporate Inn Boutique Hotel - Isabel Village, Iligan City
• Famous Pension House - Brgy. San Miguel, Iligan City
• Rene's Diner & Pension House - Andrada Compound, Brgy. Mahayahay, Iligan City
• Casa Royale Inn - Tino Badelles St., Iligan City
• Elena Tower Inn - Tibanga Highway, Iligan City
• Mango Tree Pension House (formerly Fleckstone Inn) - M. Roxas Ave., Tibanga, Iligan City
• Crystal Inn - Tibanga, Iligan City
• Jalexis Inn - Cors. Juan Luna & Zamora St., Iligan City
• Maxim Inn - Quezon Avenue, Iligan City
• Kingsway Inn - Padilla Bldg., Tibanga, Iligan City
• MSU-IIT - Hostel Tibanga, Iligan City
• D' Morvie Suites - Tibanga Highway, in Front of
• Famous Pension House - Brgy. San Miguel, Iligan City

Accessibility

The fastest and the most convenient way is to take a plane to Ozamis City, with daily flights from Manila for 1 hour and 20 minutes. From Ozamis City take the Roll on, Roll off (RORO) ferries to Mukas, Kolambugan. From Mukas, buses and passenger vans are readily available to take you to Tubod (the provincial capital of Lanao del Norte) in just 15 minutes.