Calinog, Iloilo

Calinog, officially the Municipality of Calinog (, , ), is a municipality in the province of Iloilo, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 62,853 people.

History

Calinog is a municipality located in the central part of Panay Island in the Philippines. According to local legend, it was among the areas where ''Datu Marikudo'', the Ati chieftain, chose to settle after ceding the lowland regions of Panay to Malay settlers in exchange for gold and other goods. This event, often dated to around the 13th century, is rooted in oral tradition and referenced in the ''Maragtas'', a semi-legendary account of the early history of Panay.

Pre-colonial Era

The early inhabitants of Calinog were believed to be part of the indigenous Ati community, led by Datu Marikudo. After the barter with the Malays, Marikudo and his people gradually retreated inland, eventually settling between the Jalaur and Ulian rivers. Oral accounts state that Marikudo established his final settlement atop a series of hills that now overlook the present-day poblacion (town center) and are locally referred to as the ''Marikudo Hills''.

Following the retreat of the Ati, Malay groups—under the direction of Datu Sumakwel, one of the ten Bornean datus—moved into the area. To manage settlement among his people, Sumakwel reportedly delegated territories to his men: Lumakad was given land along the Jalaur River, and Dumara-ug was given the area along the Ulian River. Over time, conflicts arose between their descendants but were later resolved through intermarriage, reuniting the groups in anticipation of Spanish arrival.

Spanish Colonial Period

Spanish colonization of Panay began in earnest in the latter half of the 16th century. In 1569, Miguel López de Legazpi was encouraged by his men to transfer the Spanish stronghold from Cebu to Panay due to the island’s rich resources and strategic location. Legazpi arrived in 1570 and implemented the ''encomienda'' system, which redistributed land as grants to Spanish settlers and cooperative natives, thereby altering the existing barangay-based governance structure.

Calinog was among the settlements that came under Spanish control. Local tradition claims that the Spaniards, upon arriving, were impressed by the area’s tranquility and asked locals for the native term for "peaceful." The locals responded with ''Calinong''. Unable to pronounce the word precisely, the Spaniards adopted a simplified, Hispanized version—''Calinog''—which became the town’s official name.

In the early 18th century, Calinog was developed into a permanent town using the urban planning model prescribed by the Spanish colonial ''Laws of the Indies''. This model mandated a central plaza surrounded by key structures such as the church, municipal hall (''tribunal''), school, and public market—a layout that continues to define Calinog’s town center today. In 1763, Calinog was officially declared a ''pueblo'' (town) by the Spanish colonial government.

Geography

Jalaur River Multipurpose Project II

In July 2024, the Jalaur Dam was completed on the Jalaur River in Calinog. The dam is part of the Jalaur River Multi-Purpose Project Stage II (JRMP II) supported by Philippine President "Bongbong Marcos" and former Philippine Senator Franklin Drilon. The project will increase irrigation water in the area.

Climate

Barangays

Calinog is politically subdivided into 59 barangays.Philippine Standard Geographic Code listing for Calinog
- National Statistical Coordination Board Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

The central area, known as the "poblacion area," is composed of 4 barangays, namely: Poblacion Centro, Poblacion Ilaya, Poblacion Delgado and Poblacion Rizal Ilaud. A proposal has been made to add five more barangays to the urban land area. They are Barangays Carvasana, Dalid, Simsiman, Bo. Calinog, and Libot. They will constitute the greater Poblacion area.

* Agcalaga
* Aglibacao
* Aglonok
* Alibunan
* Badlan Grande
* Badlan Pequeño
* Badu
* Balaticon
* Banban Grande
* Banban Pequeño
* Binolosan Grande
* Binolosan Pequeño
* Cabagiao
* Cabugao
* Cahigon
* Barrio Calinog
* Camalongo
* Canabajan
* Caratagan
* Carvasana
* Dalid
* Datagan
* Gama Grande
* Gama Pequeño
* Garangan
* Guinbonyugan
* Guiso
* Hilwan
* Impalidan
* Ipil
* Jamin-ay
* Lampaya
* Libot
* Lonoy
* Malaguinabot
* Malag-It
* Malapawe
* Malitbog Centro
* Mambiranan
* Manaripay
* Marandig
* Masaroy
* Maspasan
* Nalbugan
* Owak
* Poblacion Centro
* Poblacion Delgado
* Poblacion Rizal Ilaud
* Poblacion Ilaya
* Baje San Julian
* San Nicolas
* Simsiman
* Tabucan
* Tahing
* Tibiao
* Tigbayog
* Toyungan
* Ulayan
* Supanga

Demographics

In the 2020 census, the population of Calinog, Iloilo, was 62,853 people, with a density of .

Ethnic groups

There are two ethnic groups identified. They are the Sulodnon or Bukidnon tribe and the Aeta. The Sulodnon or Bukidnon tribe comprises the thirteen (13) mountain barangays. The Aeta group resides in the different barangays of the municipality.

Languages

The main local languages are Hiligaynon, Capiznon and Kinaray-a. Filipino and English are also used and understood by the local residents, but are seldom used in daily life.

Tourism

Economy

References

External links

*
* Philippine Standard Geographic Code
Philippine Census Information

Local Governance Performance Management System

{{Authority control

Municipalities of Iloilo