Bukidnon


Bukidnon is a landlocked province in the Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao region. Its capital is the city of Malaybalay. The province borders, clockwise starting from the north, Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Sur, Davao del Norte, Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, and Lanao del Norte. According to the, the province is inhabited by residents.
The province is composed of 2 component cities and 20 municipalities. It is the third largest province in the country in terms of total area of jurisdiction behind Palawan and Isabela respectively.
The name "Bukidnon" means "highlander" or "mountain dweller." Occupying a wide plateau in the north central part of the island of Mindanao, the province is considered to be the food basket of the region, being the major producer of rice and corn. Products from plantations in the province also include pineapples, bananas and sugarcane.
Situated within Bukidnon is Mount Dulang-dulang, the 2nd highest mountain in the country, with an elevation of located in Kitanglad Mountain Range. Mount Kitanglad, Mount Kalatungan, Mount Maagnaw, Mount Lumuluyaw, and Mount Tuminungan, the 4th, 5th, 8th, 17th, and 30th highest mountains in the country respectively, are also found in the province.
Bukidnon was ranked 5th in the list of richest provinces in the Philippines according to the Commission on Audit's 2018 Annual Financial Report posted in 2019.

History

Political history

Bukidnon became a part of Misamis in the latter part of 1850. The whole area was then called "Malaybalay" and the people were known as Bukidnons. The Philippine Commission, then headed by Commissioner Dean C. Worcester, Secretary of Interior, proposed the separation of Bukidnon from Misamis Province. On August 20, 1907, the Philippine Commission Act No. 1693 was enacted the Province of Agusan and sub-province of Bukidnon. Bukidnon became a regular province on March 10, 1917 by virtue of the creation of the Department of Mindanao and Sulu under Act 2711.
In 1942, invading Japanese troops entered Bukidnon. Mount Capistrano was a civilian evacuation area in the World War II. In 1945, the province was liberated from Japanese occupation by Filipino and American troops with the aid of Bukidnon-based Filipino guerrillas during the Second World War.

Cultural history

According to oral history of the indigenous people of Bukidnon, there were four main tribes in Central Mindanao: the Maranaos who dwell in Lanao del Sur, and the Maguindanao, Manobo and Talaandig tribes who respectively inhabit the eastern, southern, and north-central portions of the original province of Cotabato. When the civil government divided central Mindanao into provinces at the turn of the 20th century, the groups included in the province of Bukidnon are the Talaandig and the Manobo, as well as other smaller Lumad tribes. The Visayans, particularly the Cebuanos and the Hiligaynons from the Northern Mindanao coastline and the southern Visayas, migrated into the province. The Visayans are still referred to by the Lumad as the dumagat to distinguish them from the original mountain tribes. This was followed by various groups from Luzon, namely, the Ilocanos, the Igorots and the Ivatans, many of whom were merchants and wealthy businessmen. All contributed massive acculturation among the indigenous tribes. Most of those who moved to the mountains and forest continued to hold on their ancestors' cultural heritage. The wide variety of Filipino groups now thrives in the province and contributed immensely in the socioeconomic development.

Geography

Bukidnon is a landlocked plateau in North Central Mindanao. It is bounded on the north by Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro; on the south by North Cotabato and Davao City; on the east by Agusan del Sur and Davao del Norte; and west by Lanao del Sur. It lies between parallels 7°25' and 8°38' north latitude and meridians 124°03' and 125°16' east longitude. Malaybalay, the capital town, is about by air from Manila and by road from Cagayan de Oro.
It has two important landmarks, Mount Kitanglad and Pulangi River. Mount Kitanglad has a peak of above sea level. Pulangi River, on the other hand, traverses through the northeastern and southern part of the province towards the Rio Grande of Mindanao

Land area

The province's total land area is, making it the largest in Mindanao in terms of land area. It accounts for 59 percent of Northern Mindanao. Thirty-eight percent is alienable and disposable. The rest is classified timberland.
It also accounts for 80 percent or 34 million metric tons of the region's nonmetallic mineral deposits, which include high grade white and red clay, gold, chromite, copper, serpentine, manganese, quartz and limestone deposits can also be found in the province.

Topography

Bukidnon is generally characterised as an extensive plateau but the southern and eastern boundaries are mountainous area. The province's average elevation is above sea level. The slope gradient peaks at of Mount Kitanglad, an extinct volcano occupying the central portion. Two other mountain bodies are found in its southern portion, Mount Kalatungan and Mount Tangkulan, which rise to and, respectively. Gently rolling grassland plateau cut deep and wide canyons of the Cagayan, Pulangi, and Tagoloan Rivers and their tributaries, which cover a greater part of the province. The whole eastern and southern border adjoining the provinces of Agusan, Davao del Norte, and Cotabato are covered by lofty and densely forested mountains of the Pantaron Mountain Range. The Bukidnon plateau is mainly of volcanic zone consisting of pyroclastic, basaltic and andesitic cones.
of the Maapag Plain of central Bukidnon. The foothills of the Kalatungan Mountain Range is visible on the upper right.
The Central Cordillera is a mountain range of sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks. About 49% of the land resource of the province is of rugged hills and mountains and 33% of undulating to rolling terrain. The rest of the province is composed of nearly level terraces, alluvial lowland, canyons and gorges. The volcanic terraces and volcanic foot slopes that are ≥500 m above sea level are estimated to be about.
At Mailag, south of Malaybalay, the plateau begins to descend and gradually merges into the lowlands of Cotabato province.

Climate

Two types of climate prevail between the northern and southern sections of Bukidnon, The northern part is classified as belonging to Type III, that is, there is no pronounced rain period but relatively dry during the months of November to May. In the southern portion of the province, the climate is classified as Type IV with no dry season. The driest area is Baungon, while the wettest is the Calabugao plain. The climate is relatively cool and humid throughout the year.
The average annual rainfall is. Just like in other parts of the country, rainfall is more pronounced from June to October compared to other months of the year. February to April are the drier months.
Temperature ranges vary with elevation. In areas lower than above sea level, the recorded temperature range is between. Areas with elevations greater than above sea level would have temperatures ranging from.
Relative humidity also varies with elevation, with those above 500 m having relative humidity of about 80%, while areas lying below, 65-7 percent. Thus, the Malaybalay-Impasug-ong area and those around the volcanic cones approximate semi-temperate conditions and can support the cultivation of highland tropical crops.
Based on the records of climatological stations within and near the province, lithology and land form, three agro-ecological zones are identified. One covers the mountainous eastern side, which is generally wet, with rainfall of about per annum. Another covers the high altitude volcanic plains, the Malaybalay-Impasug-ong area and the footslopes of Mount Kitanglad and Mount Kalatungan. These areas have an annual rainfall in the range of. The third zone covers the south-central and the north-western parts of the province, with elevations of less than 500 meters, relatively dry with mean annual rainfall in the range of.

Bodies of water

Bukidnon is known as the watershed of Mindanao. It is endowed with six major river systems namely: Pulangi, Tagoloan, Cagayan, Manupali, Muleta, and Bobonawan Rivers. These rivers carved the landscape of the province creating numerous canyons.
The Pulangi River, considered the longest river in the province, is a tributary of the Rio Grande of Mindanao. Its headwaters are found in the mountains of Kalabugao, Impasugong. It is the largest as well as the longest river found in the province. It covers the following cities and municipalities of the province: Impasugong, Malaybalay, Cabanglasan, San Fernando, Valencia, Maramag, Quezon, Don Carlos, Kitaotao, Dangcagan, Kibawe and Damulog.
The Tagoloan River has its headwaters in the mountains of Can-ayan, Malaybalay. It traverses the province northwestward passing through Malaybalay, Impasugong, Sumilao, Manolo Fortich, Malitbog and finally empties into the sea at Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.
winding through the Maapag Plain in Valencia City
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 in Misamis Oriental, where it is the main source of potable water.
The Manupali River, a major tributary of the Pulangi River, start 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 and Lantapan. It flows eastward towards Malaybalay, eventually joining the Pulangi River in Valencia.
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.
The Bobonawan River, found in the municipality of Cabanglasan, is another tributary of the Pulangi River. It covers most of the parts of the municipality, flowing southward towards Pulangi River.
Aside from the relatively important river systems, various lakes also dot the landscape of the province. Pinamaloy Lake, in Don Carlos, Bukidnon, is the biggest in the province covering about 50 hectares. It was named after Barangay Pinamaloy, the place where the lake is located. Another lake is found in Pigtauranan, Pangantucan called the Napalit Lake. The lake covers an area of 36 hectares and is one of the tourist spots in Pangantucan, Bukidnon. There are 24 floating islets in the lake. The third significant inland body of water in the province is Apo Lake at Guinoyoran, Valencia. It occupies an approximate area of 25 hectares. A man-made lake called Maramag Basin is found in Maramag, Bukidnon, which was the result of the construction of the Pulangi IV Hydroelectric Dam of the National Power Corporation in the course of the Pulangi River.
There are numerous springs and waterfalls located in the province. Some of the waterfalls include the Alalum Falls, Dimadungawan Falls, Dila Falls, Gantungan Falls, Natigbasan Falls, Sagumata Falls, Magubo Falls, and Balisbisan Falls.

Transportation

The province is very well accessible by road primarily from the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Davao with alternate road networks as well to the cities of Butuan, Iligan, Marawi, Tagum, and the province of Cotabato.
in Malaybalay City
The entire province is bisected from north to south by the four-lane Sayre Highway from Cagayan de Oro to Kabacan, North Cotabato via Maramag; and by the two-to-four lane Bukidnon–Davao Road from Quezon to Davao City. Both are components of the National Route 10 of the Philippine highway network, and a spur of the Asian Highway 26 of the Asian highway network. The Sayre Highway intersects with the BuDa Road in the town of Dologon in Maramag, where it changes to route N943 and continues on to Dangcagan, Damulog, and Kabacan.
The Sayre Highway was renamed in honor of Francis Bowes Sayre, Sr., the U.S. Philippine High Commissioner who spearheaded its construction during the American occupation of the Philippines.
There are several airstrips in the province being used by private firms. Commercial flights used to be flown from the Malaybalay Airstrip, but it was closed down by the provincial government in the late 1990s. The airport where it used to be located was converted into a low-cost housing project. A proposed domestic airport site in the municipality of Don Carlos has already been on the talks since 2008 and in 2013, the Bukidnon Airport Development Project proposal was finalized. Budget allocation was done in 2017 and construction started in 2018. There are no seaports in Bukidnon because the province is landlocked. The nearest passenger seaport is in Cagayan de Oro City.

Politics and administration

Administrative divisions

Bukidnon is subdivided into 20 municipalities and 2 cities.

Barangays

The province has 464 barangays under its jurisdiction. The table below shows the Top 20 Largest Barangays according to population.
RankBarangayCity/MunicipalityPopulation
1PoblacionValencia City35,793
2CasisangMalaybalay City25,696
3LumboValencia City16,082
4PoblacionQuezon15,247
5North PoblacionMaramag14,799
6DologonMaramag14,093
7ButongQuezon13,258
8South PoblacionMaramag12,165
9DamilagManolo Fortich11,713
10BatanganValencia City11,550
11KisolonSumilao11,532
12Don Carlos Sur Don Carlos11,385
13PoblacionImpasugong11,279
14PoblacionPangantucan10,970
15BagontaasValencia City10,619
16Halapitan San Fernando10,221
17Agusan CanyonManolo Fortich11,385
18SumpongMalaybalay City9,302
19AlaeManolo Fortich9,135
20Barangay 9 Malaybalay City9,033

Legislative districts

Bukidnon has four legislative districts namely the first, second, third and fourth districts.
1st District
2,229.17 km²302,272125.14 person/km²
2nd District
3,144.44 km²374,395106.60 person/km²
3rd District1,816.11 km²450,839228.08 person/km²
4th District1,104.06 km²287,720244.71 person/km²

Demographics

Based on the, Bukidnon has a total population of residents.
In the 2000 census, males slightly edge the females with 546,234, accounting for about 52% of the province's total population while females, with 514,181, account about 48%. Based on age distribution, Bukidnon has a fairly young population, with ages 14 and below accounting 42.15% or 446, 952. The 15-34 age bracket account for 33.68% of the province's population or 357,112. Ages 55 and above barely accounts 6.5% of the total. The average population growth rate of the province is 2.05% from 2000-2010. Male-to-female ratio in the province stood at 1.06.

Population density

The average population density for the province is 128 persons per square km. The cities/municipalities with the highest population densities are the following: Don Carlos, Kitaotao, Valencia City, Maramag and Quezon. The cities/municipalities with the lowest densities, on the other hand are: Impasugong, Talakag, San Fernando, Malitbog and Damulog.

Population by congressional districts

By congressional districts, District III has the highest population among the four capturing 31.86% of the total population of the province. It is followed by District II with 26.45% of the total population. Third is District I has a population percentage of 21.36%. The least populated district is District IV with population percentage of 20.33%.
Valencia City has the highest population among the cities/municipalities of the province with 192,993 inhabitants, accounting 13.64% of the province's total. It is closely followed by Malaybalay City with 174,625 inhabitants or 12.34% of the total. Quezon is at third with 104,116 inhabitants or 7.36% of the total. Maramag and Manolo Fortich are 4th and 5th with 102,089 and 100,210 inhabitants, respectively.
The four largest local government units of Bukidnon are clustered together in the central part of the province. It is also in the national roads of these cities/municipalities that daily road use volume are high.

Languages

The lingua franca of the region is Cebuano. Also spoken, although at low percentages, are Higaonon, Bukid, Ilianen, Matigsalug, Hiligaynon, Maranao, Iranun, Ilocano, and Waray. English is generally understood and is widely used in schools, business, and government offices.

Religion

Majority are Christians. Islam has 4% while the percentage who listed as others are at 0.3%.

Ethnicity

According to ethnicity, majority of the people in Bukidnon are Cebuano accounting approximately 41% of the total population. The Bukidnon lumads account about 24% of the total population of the province. The Maranaos are about 8% of the total population. The Hiligaynon/Ilonggo and Boholano groups follow with 12.7% and 7.37%, respectively, of the province's total population.
Indigenous inhabitants of Bukidnon are the Lumad peoples, including the Bukidnon, Higaonon, Manobo, and Talaandig. Their cultures and traditions are embodied in oral folk literature of the province, which are classified into; Antoka, Basahan, Kaliga, Limbay, Sala, Idangdang, Ulaging, and Nanangon. Religion is monotheistic. They believe in one God. Magbabaya has minor gods and goddesses under his command.
Many of the province's inhabitants, however, are descendants of immigrants from Cebu or elsewhere in Central Visayas.

Economy

Bukidnon is an agricultural economy. It is a major producer of rice, maize, sugar, coffee, rubber, pineapple, banana, tomato, flowers, cassava, and other fruits and vegetables. Almost all large firms operating in the province are into production or processing of these agricultural products. Recognized by the Food and Agriculture Organization as a foot-and-mouth disease-free province, it is also a major producer of poultry, hogs, goats, and cattle.
The Philippine Carabao Center's outlet in Central Mindanao University make dairy products from water buffalos. Due to being landlocked, Bukidnon relies on the nearby cities of Cagayan de Oro and Davao for the supply of marine products. However, the province has its own supply of freshwater products such as tilapia, carp, catfish, mudfish, gourami, goby, freshwater eels, giant freshwater prawn or shrimps, native freshwater snails, and freshwater crabs, either via inland fishing or fry production aquaculture in inland fish farms and fish hatcheries.
Del Monte Philippines, Inc., Lapanday Diversified Products Corp. and Mt. Kitanglad Agri-Development Corporation are engaged in pineapple production. Dole Philippines and Mt. Kitanglad Agri-Ventures, Inc. are into banana production. DMPI is also engaged in cattle fattening. Bukidnon Sugar Milling Corporation and Crystal Sugar Milling are into sugar milling and refining.
Phil-Agro Industrial Corporation is in starch production. Menzi Agricultural Development is in cacao production. Agaropyta Phils. Inc., Bukidnon Greens Inc., FP Obrero Farms and ARDEM, Inc. are in cutflower production.
. The Sayre Highway is visible on the upper right.
Food manufacturing giants, San Miguel Foods Corp., Monterey Farms Corp., Swift Foods, Inc. have intensified their contract breeding and growing operations in the province. Valencia Rubbertex, Inc., an 80-20 Japanese-Filipino joint venture produces rubber boots and rubber shoes for Japan.
As one of the major anchors in crop production, Bukidnon is moving forward towards establishing its position as a principal trader of rice, corn, sugar, potato, tomato and many other commercial and industrial crops. As the second largest producer of corn in the country, it reached a total production of 481,370 metric tons. In year 2000, vast tracts of cornfields, rice paddles, and sugar plantations are distributed all over the province.
Bukidnon has already assumed its role as producer and supplier of fresh fruits and vegetables. These produce are either sold in domestic markets or exported to Japan and other neighboring countries. Fresh pineapples, banana, sugarcane and cutflower grown over the years are among its exports. New agri-business industries are still growing such as strawberry farming. Even export of rubber boots and shoes, an infant industry in the province is increasing tremendously.
A wide variety of resource-based handicrafts is extensively produced from rattan, bamboo, and wood. San Fernando is known for its rattan furniture. Bamboo baskets, wood wares and carvings, mats, and other handmade products are ideal souvenir items.

Bukidnon Investment Grid

During the mid-1990s, the provincial government of Bukidnon, after careful studies and consultation, has adopted a strategic program called the Bukidnon Investment Grid or BIG. This program is aimed to confine all its investment promotion activities and projects to the strip of land three kilometers from both sides of the Sayre Highway from Damulog to Manolo Fortich, and along the national/provincial road from Kibawe to Kadingilan; Don Carlos to Kadingilan; Maramag to Quezon; Maramag to Kadingilan; Kadingilan to Pangantucan; Valencia City to San Fernando; Malaybalay City to Cabanglasan; Malaybalay to Lantapan; Manolo Fortich to Libona; Libona to Cagayan de Oro; Talakag to Pangantucan; and Malitbog to Tagoloan in Misamis Oriental.

Education

Universities and colleges

The following universities and colleges of Bukidnon are the tertiary schools.
grounds
SchoolLocation
AMA Computer Learning CenterHagkol, Valencia City
Bukidnon State UniversityMalaybalay City
Central Mindanao UniversityMusuan, Maramag, Bukidnon
Don Carlos Polytechnic CollegePoblacion, Don Carlos, Bukidnon
IBA College of MindanaoValencia, Bukidnon
Maramag Polytechnic CollegeNorth Poblacion, Maramag, Bukidnon
Mindanao Arts and Technological InstituteMalaybalay City
Mountain View CollegeMVC Complex, Mt. Nebo, Valencia City
Northern Bukidnon Community CollegeManolo Fortich, Bukidnon
Philippine College FoundationValencia, Bukidnon
Philippine Countryville CollegeMaramag, Bukidnon
Quezon Institute of TechnologyQuezon, Bukidnon
San Agustin Institute of TechnologyValencia City
San Isidro CollegeImpalambong, Malaybalay City
STI Learning CenterMalaybalay City and Valencia City
St. James School of Science and TechnologyMalaybalay City
Valencia Colleges, Inc.Valencia City

Festivals

The province celebrates the Kaamulan Festival, an ethnic cultural festival held annually in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon from the mid-February up to March 10, the founding date of the Bukidnon as a province in 1917. It is held to celebrate the culture and tradition of the seven ethnic tribal groups—Bukidnon, Higaonon, Talaandig, Manobo, Matigsalug, Tigwahanon, and Umayamnon—that originally inhabit the province. Kaamulan comes from the indigenous Binukid word amul meaning "to gather". Kaamulan is gathering for a purpose—a datuship ritual, a wedding ceremony, a thanksgiving festival during harvest time, a peace pact, or all of these together. The festival started in 1974 and is celebrated until now. It is the only authentic ethnic festival in the Philippines.

Bukidnon Hymn: ''Bukidnon My Home''

The Provincial Hymn was composed by Filomeno Bautista between 1925 and 1932. Nimecio Jun Beltran authored a provincial resolution requiring the singing of the provincial hymn in all and every events in the Province of Bukidnon where the Philippine National Anthem is also sung.
Official Binukid Version:
Bukidnon Kanak Ha Banuwa		Official English- version:
Bukidnon My Home		Unofficial Cebuano Version:
Bukidnon Matahum


Bisán pa hindu a
Lalag ku'g ulì a
Dini ta Bukidnun
Kanak ha banuwa
Buntud ha matangkaw,
Kalasan...makupal,
Pátag ha malu-ag,
Ha tungkay madagway.
Chorus:
Bunturen, balalayan
Basakan, kapatagan
Pastuhan, kapinyahan
Alan-alan kauyagan
Langit din piglambungan
Pig-aldawan kalamagan
Singenem uranan
Alan-alan kaayaran


Wherever I may roam
The distant lands to see
I long to go back home
To sweet Bukidnon home
Her lovely mountains high
Her forests old and grand
Bring memories to me
The home I long to see.
Chorus:
There my heart, yearns to be
In far away, Bukidnon land.
Under its blue starry sky,
Where love and joy never die.


Bisan asa kita
Sa hakayong dapit
Mobalik gihapon
sa atong Bukidnon
Nindot ang Kabukiran
Lunhaw'ng Kalasangan
Tam-is palandungon
Yuta ko'ng matahum
KORUS:
Dughan ko nagahandum
Sa yuta ko nga Bukidnon
May Kahayag ug Kalinaw
Gugma'g kalipay sa kanunay

Notable people