Iligan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Iligan
Highly urbanized city
City of Iligan
Skyline of Iligan from Mount Lelong, pictured in 2023
Flag Seal
Nickname(s):  The Industrial Center of the South City of Majestic Waterfalls
Anthem: Martsa Iliganon (English: Iligan March)
Map of Northern Mindanao with Iligan highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Iligan Location in Philippines
Country	Philippines
Region	Northern Mindanao
Province	Lanao del Norte (geographically only)
District	[[{{#property:P7938}} | — Lua error in Module:Wd at line 1804: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).]]
Founded	1609
Chartered	1914
Cityhood	June 16, 1950
Highly urbanized city	November 22, 1983
Barangays	44 (see Barangays)
Government
• Type	Sangguniang Panlungsod
Area
• Total	813.37 km2 (314.04 sq mi)
Elevation	262 m (860 ft)
Highest elevation	1,195 m (3,921 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (2020 census)
• Total	363,115
• Density	446.433/km2 (1,156.255/sq mi)
• Households	87,239
Demonym(s)	Iliganon
Economy
• Gross domestic product	₱77.015 billion (2022) $1.36 billion (2022)
• Income class	1st city income class
• Poverty incidence	11.80 % (2021)
• Revenue	₱ 2,472 million (2020)
• Assets	₱ 11,534 million (2020)
• Expenditure	₱ 2,360 million (2020)
Service provider
• Electricity	Iligan Light and Power Incorporated (ILPI)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	9200
PSGC	[https://psa.gov.ph/classification/psgc/?q=psgc/barangays/{{#pro000&regcode={{&provcode= p {{#property:P988}} ]
IDD : area code	+63 (0)63
Native languages	Maranao Cebuano Binukid Tagalog
Website	www.iligan.gov.ph

Iligan, officially known as the City of Iligan, is a major city in the Northern Mindanao region of the Philippines. It's a "highly urbanized city," which means it manages itself independently. In 2020, about 363,115 people lived there. This makes it the second-largest city in Northern Mindanao by population, after Cagayan de Oro.

Iligan is located in the province of Lanao del Norte. It's the biggest city in that province both in terms of people and land area. Even though it's grouped with Lanao del Norte, it runs its own government. Iligan is about 90 kilometers from Tubod, the capital of Lanao del Norte. It's also about 800 kilometers away from Manila, the capital of the Philippines.

The city covers a large area of 813.37 square kilometers. This makes it one of the ten largest cities in the Philippines by land size. Iligan is also known as the "City of Majestic Waterfalls" because of its many beautiful waterfalls.

What does the name Iligan mean?

The name Iligan comes from the Higaunon word "Ilig," which means "to go downstream." Some people also believe the name comes from "iligan" or "ilijan." This Higaunon term means "fortress of defense." This name made sense because the area was often attacked by pirates and other tribes.

A brief look at Iligan's past

How did Iligan start?

Iligan was first settled by the Higaonon Manobos people. Their first home was on Bayug island, which is now part of Barangay Hinaplanon. This early settlement was home to people who lived by the sea.

Later, around the end of the 1500s, a leader named Manooc helped make Bayug one of the first Christian settlements in the Philippines.

Iligan under Spanish rule

Even though Bayug faced many attacks, the early settlers moved their home. They moved to the area now known as Iligan in 1609. Spanish soldiers arrived in Iligan to help protect the area.

A stone fort called Fort St. Francis Xavier was built in 1642. People in Iligan would go there for safety during attacks. But the fort was damaged by floods. So, another fort was built and named Fort Victoria or Cota de Iligan.

In 1850, due to more floods, the town leader, Don Remigio Cabili, moved the main town area to where it is today. Iligan was one of the largest towns in the Misamis Province. The Spanish left Iligan in 1899.

Iligan under American rule

U.S. army camp Overton in Iligan in 1900

Iligan, c. 1903-1913

American forces arrived in Iligan in 1900. In 1903, Iligan became the capital of the Lanao District. This was because many Moro residents lived there. American officials lived and worked in Iligan. However, the capital was later moved to Dansalan in 1907.

In 1914, Iligan became a municipality. It included eight smaller communities. During World War II, Japanese forces invaded Iligan in 1942. Philippine forces later freed Iligan in 1944-1945. On November 15, 1944, the city celebrated the end of the Japanese occupation.

Iligan after World War II

When did Iligan become a city?

Iligan officially became a city on June 16, 1950. It was declared a "first-class city" in 1969. Later, in 1983, it was reclassified as a "highly urbanized city." This meant it could govern itself more independently.

What was the Iligan Steel Mill?

The Iligan Steel Mill was built in 1952. It was a big government project. In 1963, a private company bought the steel mill. This mill was very important for Iligan's economy.

How did Iligan become its own district?

In 2009, a law was passed that made Iligan its own special legislative district. This meant Iligan could have its own representative in the Philippine Congress. This change helped the city get more attention and resources from the national government. It also helped Iligan focus on its own needs and development.

Where is Iligan located?

Iligan is surrounded by different places. To the north, it borders three towns in Misamis Oriental. To the south, it borders three towns in Lanao del Norte and two towns in Lanao del Sur. Cagayan de Oro is to the northeast, and Talakag, Bukidnon is to the east.

To the west is Iligan Bay. This bay is used for ferries and cargo ships. East of the city, the land rises into hills and mountains. These mountains are where Iligan's famous waterfalls and cold springs come from.

What is the climate like in Iligan?

Iligan has a climate where the seasons are not very clear. Rain falls fairly evenly throughout the year. Because it is in a tropical area, the city never gets cold weather. It also doesn't experience strong typhoons. This is due to its location outside the main typhoon path and the mountains that surround the city.

What are the barangays in Iligan?

Lluch Street

Echiverri Street

Iligan is divided into 44 smaller areas called barangays. Each barangay is then divided into even smaller sections called puroks or zones.

Who lives in Iligan?

Most people in Iligan speak Cebuano. There are also local groups like the Maranaos and Higaonon people. Many settlers and migrants from other parts of the Philippines also live here. Iligan is known for its mix of cultures.

What languages are spoken in Iligan?

Cebuano is the most common language, spoken by over 92% of the people. Other languages include Maranao, Hiligaynon, and Ilocano. Most people can also speak and understand Tagalog (Filipino) and English. These are the official languages of the Philippines and are taught in schools.

What religions are practiced in Iligan?

Interior of Saint Michael Cathedral in Iligan

Most citizens in Iligan are Christians, mainly Roman Catholics. The city is home to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Iligan. This diocese covers Iligan City and twelve towns in Lanao del Norte. About 65.5% of the people in this area are Roman Catholics.

Muslims are the largest minority group, making up about 11.48% of the population. Most of them are Sunnites.

What is Iligan's economy like?

Downtown Iligan

Iligan's industries

Iligan is known as the "Industrial Center of the South." Its economy mostly relies on large industries. It creates hydroelectric power for the Mindanao region. This power comes from plants like Agus V, VI, and VII.

The city also has major factories for steel, tinplate, cement, and flour. Holcim Philippines has its largest cement plant in Mindanao here. After the Maria Cristina (Agus VI) Hydroelectric Plant was built in 1950, Iligan grew quickly with many new industries. The country's largest steel plant, National Steel Corporation (NSC), was also built in 1962.

During the 1997 Asian financial crisis, many factories closed, including the National Steel Corporation. This caused a big slowdown in Iligan's economy. However, the city's economy started to get better when the National Steel Corporation reopened in 2004. It was renamed Global Steelworks Infrastructures, Inc. (GSII). This brought back many jobs and helped the local economy. In 2005, GSII changed its name again to Global Steel Philippines.

Farming and livestock in Iligan

Gazpachos, a homegrown local restaurant in Iligan

Besides big industries, Iligan also produces and exports many plants and crops.

• Banana Plantations: 12,780.40 hectares
• Coconut Plantations: 11,036.95 hectares
• Corn Plantations: 4,193.86 hectares
• Coffee Production: 969.43 hectares
• Livestock: 28,992 heads
• Poultry: 17,728 heads

What can tourists see in Iligan?

Maria Cristina Falls

Iligan is famous as the "City of Majestic Waterfalls." There are about 24 waterfalls in the city. These beautiful waterfalls attract visitors from all over the world. The most famous one is Maria Cristina Falls. It also provides electricity for the city through the Agus VI Hydroelectric Plant.

Other waterfalls include Tinago Falls, which you can reach by climbing 300 steps. There's also Mimbalut Falls, Abaga Falls, and Dodiongan Falls.

Limunsudan Falls are the highest waterfalls in the Philippines. They are 265 meters (870 feet) tall. You can find them about 50 kilometers from the city center.

Iligan is also home to the famous San Miguel of Iligan. This is an image of Saint Michael the Archangel. He wears a special Native American headdress, especially when he is shown fighting evil. People from different cultures in Iligan, like the animist Lumad, the Muslim Moro, and the Christian Visayans, celebrate a festival for San Miguel. They even have special Eskrima dances dedicated to him. The martial art called San Miguel Eskrima is named after this saint.

How is Iligan governed?

Iligan City Hall

Iligan is a "highly urbanized city." This means it is politically separate from the province of Lanao del Norte. People who vote in Iligan do not vote for provincial leaders like the Governor. This is because Iligan became a chartered city in the 1950s.

The city hall, where the local government works, is located at Buhanginan Hills. The local government has one mayor, one vice mayor, and twelve councilors. Each of these officials is elected by the public for a three-year term. They can be re-elected up to three times in a row. A city administrator helps manage the city's daily operations.

Who are Iligan's mayors since 1986?

Who are Iligan's vice mayors since 1986?

How do people travel in Iligan?

Seaports

The Port of Iligan is on the northern coast of Mindanao, facing Iligan Bay. It serves people and cargo from Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, parts of Misamis Oriental, and the cities of Iligan and Marawi.

Ships from the Port of Iligan travel to Manila, Cebu City, and Ozamiz. There are also about seven private seaports in Iligan. These are owned by large industrial companies.

Airports

Laguindingan Airport serves the City of Iligan and the rest of Northern Mindanao

The main airport for Iligan is Laguindingan Airport. It opened on June 15, 2013, and is located in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental. This airport replaced Lumbia Airport as the main airport for Northern Mindanao. It has daily flights to and from Manila, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, and Clark.

Maria Cristina Airport was Iligan's main airport in the late 1980s. However, it closed after an airline stopped its services in 1990.

Bus terminals

A highway portion of the Butuan–Cagayan de Oro–Iligan Road (National Route 9) at Iligan City.

Iligan has two main bus terminals.

• The Integrated Bus and Jeepney Terminal (IBJT) handles trips going west. These trips go to Cagayan de Oro, Davao, and other parts of Misamis Oriental.
• The Southbound Bus and Jeepney Terminal handles trips going east. These trips go to Dipolog, Pagadian, Cotabato City, Ozamiz City, Zamboanga City, and various parts of Lanao del Norte and Marawi.

Bus companies like Rural Transit and Super 5 Land Transport have daily trips to and from Iligan. Vans and jeeps also travel to nearby towns.

City transportation

Within Iligan City, people travel using jeepneys (both old and new models) and pedicabs. Tartanillas (horse-drawn carriages) are also used on some main roads.

What are the schools in Iligan?

Iligan City has one state university and seven private colleges. These schools offer courses in engineering, information technology, health services, maritime science, business, and education.

With 181 schools, including vocational and technical schools, Iligan has a high literacy rate of 94.71%. This is one of the highest in the Philippines.

Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology

The Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) is a top university in the Philippines. It is known for its excellent programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Natural Sciences. Many students from MSU-IIT achieve high scores in national board exams.

Colleges in Iligan

• St. Michael's College, Iligan City, is the oldest school in the Lanao area. It was founded in 1914. It offers many courses like Business Administration, Engineering, Nursing, and Education. It is working to become the city's first private Catholic university.
• St. Peter's College, Iligan City, was founded in 1952. It specializes in engineering, accounting, and business administration.
• Capitol College of Iligan Inc. (ICC) was started in 1963. It is a private school that offers many different courses. In 1997, it opened a sister college called Lyceum Foundation of Iligan.
• Iligan Medical Center College, founded in 1975, is a private school for Medicine and Health Services.
• Adventist Medical Center College – Iligan focuses on healthcare courses. These include Nursing, Nutrition, Medical Technology, and Pharmacy.
• The Lyceum of Iligan Foundation offers maritime and engineering courses. It also has programs in Hotel and Restaurant Management and Nursing.
• Other notable colleges and technical schools include Iligan Computer Institute (ICI), Santa Monica Institute of Technology (SMIT), STI College, and Masters Technological Institute of Mindanao.

Basic education schools in Iligan

• Iligan City National High School is the largest high school campus in Iligan.
• Lanao Chung Hua School is the first and only Chinese school in Iligan. It was founded in 1938.
• La Salle Academy is a Lasallian school. It was one of the first of the "third generation" La Salle schools in the country.
• Corpus Christi Parochial School of Iligan is a private Catholic school founded in 1964.
• Iligan City East National High School specializes in research, sciences, mathematics, and technology. It was founded in 1986.
• Integrated Developmental School was first established as Iligan High School in 1946. In 1968, it became part of Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology.
• Del Carmen Integrated School
• Suarez National High School

Famous people from Iligan

The Macapagal-Macaraeg Heritage House and Historical Marker

Former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo briefly resided in Iligan, the hometown of her maternal grandparents

• Tomas Cabili – A former Senator and Secretary of National Defense. He was a veteran of World War II.
• Gloria Macapagal Arroyo – The 14th President of the Philippines. She also served as Vice President and Speaker of the House of Representatives. She lived in Iligan for a short time as a child.
• Cyrus Baguio – A basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association.
• Riego Gamalinda – Another basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association.
• Nikki Bacolod – A singer and recording artist. She was the 1st runner-up in Search for a Star in a Million Season 1.
• Shamcey Supsup – She was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2011 and placed 3rd runner-up in Miss Universe 2011. She was born in Iligan.
• Kath Arado – A volleyball player for the UE Lady Warriors and PLDT High Speed Hitters.
• Junix Inocian – An international actor and comedian, known as "Kuya Mario" from Batibot.
• Jeson Patrombon – An international tennis player.
• Sheila Surban – An international singer-songwriter.
• Pia Wurtzbach – Miss Universe 2015. She briefly lived in Iligan as a child.

Sister cities

Local sister cities

• Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental
• General Santos, South Cotabato
• Makati, Metro Manila
• Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte
• Ozamiz, Misamis Occidental
• Butuan, Agusan del Norte
• Tagbilaran, Bohol

See also

• List of cities in the Philippines
• Roman Catholic Diocese of Iligan
• Iligan Crusaders
• Iligan Steel Mill
• Mount Agad-Agad
• Timoga Spring