Iligan City Background

Iligan's history began four centuries ago in the Kingdom of Panglao, a trading post southwest of Bohol. In the accounts of Jesuit historian Fr. Francisco Combes, the Mollucan King of Ternate invaded Panglao. This caused Panglaons to flee in large numbers to Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte.

In Dapitan, the surviving Prince of Panglao, Pagbuaya, received Legazpi's expedition in 1565. Later, Pagbuaya's son Manook was baptized Pedro Manuel Manook. The Christianized Manook subdued the Higaunon village in Bayug and established it as one of the earliest Christian settlements in the country. The settlement survived other raids from other enemies, and, because of their faith in God and in their patron saint, Saint Michael the Archangel, the early Iliganons moved their settlement from Bayug to Iligan.

The name Iligan is from the Higaunon word "iligan" or "ilijan," meaning "fortress of defense" against frequent attacks by pirates and other hostile Mindanao tribes.

In 1850, because of floods, Don Remigio Cabili, then Iligan's governadorcillo, built another fort and moved the poblacion of the old Iligan located at the mouth of Tubod River west of the old market to its present site.

A stone fort called Fort St. Francis Xavier was built in 1642 where Iliganons sought refuge during raids by bandits. But again, the fort sank due to floods. Another fort was built and this was named Fort Victoria or Cota de Iligan.

The Spaniards abandoned Iligan in 1899, paving the way for the landing of the American forces in 1900. After enjoying peace and prosperity for about 40 years, Iligan was invaded by Japanese forces in 1942. The Japanese held sway in the city until 1944 when they left Iligan suddenly. On November 15, 1944, the city held a Commonwealth Day parade to celebrate the end of Japanese atrocity and occupation.

Iligan became a chartered city of Lanao del Norte on June 16, 1950. It was declared a first class city in 1969 and was reclassified as First Class City "A" on July 1, 1977 by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 465. In 1983, Iligan was again reclassified as a highly urbanized city.

LAND AREA

Iligan City encompasses 44 barangays with a land area of 81,337 hectares, which is about 25 percent of the total land area of Lanao del Norte and is 3.13 percent of the land area of Central Mindanao.

The land classification map for Iligan illustrates that less than 30% of the total land area is alienable and disposable (A and D) while the rest are either Permanent or Productive Forests. Based on existing land use by broad category , about 37 percent of the total land area is utilized for agriculture; 56 percent is forest land; only 6.3 percent are built-up areas and the remaining 0.7 percent are mineral lands.

TOPOGRAPHY AND VEGETATION
Iligan City's topography is characterized by a narrow coastal alluvial plain fronting Iligan Bay at the foot slopes of undulating hills and mountains. Several river valleys are found in the city with relatively steep slopes. At the mouth of Agus River, very steep slopes separate the coast line and the highland areas. Over 12% of the city's land area has elevations of less than 100 meters above mean sea level (amsl), 21% are within 100 to 300 meters amsl, while the remaining areas of more than 65% are with elevations of 300 meters amsl and above.

The predominant vegetative cover consistS of coconut groves and banana plantations which are found in plateaus and other lowlands as well as in slopes and highlands. Heavy tropical forests are found in slopes of 30% and greater and these are mostly located inland. A few swampy areas covered with marsh grass are within the barangays of Del Carmen and Bagong Silang. Some fruit trees such as mango, durian, jackfruit and tropical hardwood like lauan, molave, apitong, etc., are scattered in cultivated areas in the hinterland barangays.

CLIMATE CONDITION

Iligan falls within the third type of climate wherein the seasons are not very pronounced. Rain is more or less evenly distributed throughout the year. Because of its tropical location the city does not experience cold weather. Neither does it experience strong weather disturbances due to its geographical location (being outside the typhoon belt) And also because of the mountains that are surrounding the city.

TRADITION AND CULTURE

In the 1950's when Iligan's famous Maria Cristina Falls became the major source of power, Iligan's population increased rapidly. Majority of Iligan's population come from the Visayas and migrants from the other places of Mindanao. Iligan is literally and geographically located at the crossroad of rich culture the Maranao's of Lanao del Sur, Higaunon's of Bukidnon, the dominantly Christian settlers and migrants. Evidence of this peaceful co-existence of the varied cultural mix on its general community. Evidence of this peaceful co-existence manifested during the annual celebration of the city fiesta honoring its miraculous patron saint, St. Michael the Archangel. KASADYA, a street dancing celebration, showcases these rich and varied cultural tradition. Highlighted by the traditional Diandi, eskrima and the street dancing, Sinulog.

SOIL TYPES AND SOIL EROSION
About 65 percent of its total land area, has the unclassified mountainous type of soil. This type is mostly found in the Mainit and Rogongon areas. Also predominant in the Barangay of Rogongon is the Jasaan Clay Loam which comprises about 15% of Iligan's land area. Along the coastal barangays, predominant soil types are Isabela Clay Loam, Matina Clay Loam, San Miguel Silt Loam and Bolinao Clay Loam. These are commonly called the alluvial plains and comprises about 20% of Iligan's land area.

DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT
Economic Development will be directed towards agriculture and tourism at the same time maintaining Iligan City’s role as industrial center.

Human Resource Development will focus on the improvement of the physical aspect of human development such as health, nutrition and social services. Labor-intensive agriculture, industry and services will be encouraged. Cooperatives and barangay corporations shall be strengthened.

Environmental Development will focus on preserving life support functions of natural systems especially in efforts at achieving material progress.

Development Pattern or Spatial Strategy will focus on allocating lands into 3 major uses, which are agricultural, forest, and urban land. Business activity will be distributed by creating nodes or satellite business districts thereby decongesting the central business district. A circumferential road will connect these nodes.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Poverty incidence in Iligan City (for 1998) is 54.64 percent. Out of the 54.64 percent, 43.2 percent are in the subsistence level. These are the households whose income cannot even meet the minimum food requirement that is necessary to ensure the caloric needs (2,000 calories per day) for survival. The remaining 11.44 percent belong to a relatively higher income bracket but are nevertheless characterized as poor, albeit poor, whose income suffice to cover the subsistence food needs but not the non-food essentials (e.g. housing, medical care, education and clothing expenses).

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Iligan City will assume the following roles in the future: industrial center, tourist destination; orchard and cut flower center; catchment and transhipment point in the western terminal of the CIC and from Central Mindanao and Zamboanga. Efficient transport and mobility system, modern and reliable communication and adequate infrastructure therefore is important in the realization of the plan.

Infrastructure sector composed of six (6) sub-sectors namely: Transport and Mobility, Water Supply, Power, Drainage, Sewerage and Communication takes into account the more recent data and endeavored to include the various suggestions and comments derived from previous workshops/consultations.

ENVIRONMENT PLAN

The Philippines Agenda 21 which states that, for the benefit of future generations, present generations should be modest in utilizing the natural resources. This has brought the concern of Local Government Units (LGU’s) not only in matters of environmental protection but equally in matters of development. Development that is desired to be achieved must create a balance between economy and ecology. Thus, the existence of this plan will lead the way for realization of Iligan’s desire for a sustainable development.

The environment sector plan consists of three (3) sub-sectors; The Upland and Watershed Environment, Coastal Environment and Urban Environment. These sub-sector plans are the output of series of workshops done by the environment stakeholders who graciously shared their time and knowledge to direct the city to a better future.

Existing Land Uses. Of the city’s total area of 81,337 ha., 6.5% are used for urban land uses; 37% is effective agricultural land; 56% are second growth and old growth forests; while less than 1% is mineral land.

The existing Zoning Ordinance of 1975 specified the following land use areas/zones: residential, commercial-residential, heavy industry, light industry, buffer and open zones.

Iligan has about 900 ha. of inland bodies of water. The city has an abundant supply of water for domestic and industrial use.

Commercial development in the city is comprised of the old Central Business District (CBD), an extension of the CBD and commercial activities found in major and minor thoroughfares.

There are 2 types of industrial zones in the city: Light Industry and Heavy Industry. These areas are along coastal barangays. Agro-industrial uses can also be found in the city center.

URBAN LAND DEMAND
As of Year 2000, the estimated population of the city is 325,184. By Year 2010, the population is projected to be 461,370. New household formation is estimated to be 26,000.

Land Demand in the next ten years for all zones is 541 hectares.