Misamis Occidental

Misamis Occidental (; Subanen: ''Sindepan Mis'samis''; ; ), officially the Province of Misamis Occidental, is a province located in the region of Northern Mindanao in the Philippines. Its capital is the city of Oroquieta while Ozamiz is the most-populous city. The province borders Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur to the west and is separated from Lanao del Norte by Panguil Bay to the south and Iligan Bay to the east. The province of Misamis was originally inhabited by Subanens who were an easy target by the sea pirates from Lanao.

The province is named after the early settlement of the Spaniards at the entrance to the Panguil Bay. The name ''Misamis'' is believed to have been derived from the Subanen word ''kuyamis'' which is a variety of coconut, the staple food of the early settlers. During the years the name persisted as an inference of the geographical location, and upon the advent of the Spanish settlers, the word ''kuyamis'' easily gave way to the more convenient pronounceable but corrupted word ''Misamis''.

Etymology

The name ''Misamis'' is derived from Subanen word ''kuyamis'' which is a variety of coconut.

History

Spanish colonial era

The area of now Misamis Occidental was first occupied by Subanen which was followed by Maranao and later Visayans settled in the coastal areas. During the 1750s was the time that the coastal villages in southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao suffered attacks from bands of Muslim pirates, who burned houses and crops, and captured people to be sold as slaves in Maguindanao, Sulu, Borneo or the islands now known as Indonesia. In response, the colonial government in Manila created a flotilla and appointed a Spanish Jesuit missionary, José Ducos, as its commander.

After several successful battles against the pirates, when some peace had been restored, it was decided to build a stone fort at the mouth of Panguil Bay, at a place called ''Misamis'', and Ducos was put in charge of the construction. The construction began in 1756. It was officially called “ Fuerte de la Concepción y del Triunfo”.
Misamis, before its division into two provinces" style="font-size:88%; line-height:130%">
File:Philippine territorial map 1880 MINDANAO.PNG, alt=Mindanao map in 1880 showing Misamis, in 1880
File:Misamis 1899.JPG, alt=Misamis map in 1899, in 1899
File:Misamis province 1918 map.JPG, alt=Misamis map in 1918, in 1918

In 1818, Mindanao was organized into five politico-military districts, one of which was the ''Segundo Distrito de Misamis'', the largest district in Mindanao. This area was composed of today's Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Camiguin, Bukidnon, Lanao, Zamboanga del Norte, and the northern part of Cotabato.

In 1850, the town of Misamis became the capital of the district of Misamis until February 27, 1872, when the Spanish Governor General Carlos María de la Torre y Navacerrada issued a decree declaring Cagayan the permanent capital of Segundo Distrito de Misamis. During this era, the name of the town was ''Cagayan de Misamis''.

American colonial era

On November 2, 1929, ''Legislative Act No. 3537'' passed, dividing the old province of Misamis into Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental, which took effect on January 1, 1930. Misamis Occidental comprised the original nine towns of Baliangao, Lopez Jaena, Tudela, Clarin, Plaridel, Oroquieta, Aloran, Jimenez, and Misamis. Don José Ozámiz y Fortich became the first governor.

On January 6, 1930, the provincial council of Misamis Occidental selected Oroquieta to become the capital town (''cabecera'') of the province.

In 1935, the Provincial Capitol Building, commonly called ''Capitolio'', begun construction and became the seat of executive and legislative power of the province in the town of Oroquieta.

Japanese occupation

On May 6, 1942, the Japanese Imperial forces landed in Misamis Occidental, beginning their brief occupation of the province during World War II. In 1945, combined American and Philippine Commonwealth forces liberated the province, and with the help of the recognized guerilla units, defeated the Japanese forces. During World War II, Misamis became the capital of the Free Philippines as the seat of government of the Free Philippines then was the Capitolio. The United States Forces in the Philippines under Colonel Wendell Fertig based in Misamis Occidental, was the rallying point for the guerrillas in Mindanao. This was historically significant because it is the only time in Philippine history when its capital was in Mindanao, in the region then known as Misamis. The Free Philippine Government was then issuing Misamis Occidental emergency notes. Late President Manuel L. Quezon, upon knowing that Oroquieta was made a capital of the Free Philippines and that the town was issuing emergency notes, authorized the printing of the Mindanao emergency note.

Philippine independence

On July 16, 1948 — the town of Misamis became a chartered city by virtue of ''Republic Act 321'', making it the 4th city in Mindanao after Zamboanga, Davao, and Marawi. It was also renamed to '' Ozamiz'' after José Ozámiz y Fortich who was also a congressional representative of the Lone District of Misamis Occidental, senator of the Philippines, and a delegate to the 1935 Constitutional Convention that resulted in the creation of the 1935 Constitution for the Philippine Commonwealth Government.

On August 24, 1981 - Members of a fanatical pseudo-religious paramilitary sect called the "Rock Christ" strafed the house of the Gumapons, a family, in Barrio Lampasan, Tudela, Misamis Occidental. Ten of the twelve persons in the house, including an infant, were killed.

Contemporary

In May 2010 — the people of Misamis Occidental elected their first female governor, Herminia M. Ramiro.

In September 2024, the Panguil Bay Bridge was opened, allowing the province to be connected to other provinces in the Northern Mindanao region by land.

Geography

Misamis Occidental is located near the narrow strip of land linking Northwestern Mindanao, to the North-central part of the island. Covering a total area of , the province is bounded on the northeast by the Mindanao Sea, east by Iligan Bay, southeast by the Panguil Bay, and the west by the Zamboanga del Norte and Sur. Except along the coastal area, hilly and rolling land characterized the provincial terrain. Towards the western border, the terrain is particularly rugged.

Administrative divisions

Misamis Occidental comprises 14 municipalities and 3 component cities, which are organized into two legislative districts and further subdivided into 490 barangays.

Demographics

The population of Misamis Occidental in the 2020 census was 617,333 people, with a density of .

The dense population along the coast consists mainly of ethnic Cebuanos. Thus, Cebuano is the lingua franca of the province. Most of the native Subanens live in the interior uplands. Other inhabitants not native in the province include Maranaos, Maguindanaons, Tausugs, Ilocanos, Kapampangans, Bicolanos, Tagalogs, Pangasinans, Hiligaynons and Warays. They are minority residents of the province who speak their respective native languages to varying degrees in addition to Cebuano.

Religion

Catholicism

As of 2013, Roman Catholicism remains the predominant faith of the people of Misamis Occidental having 70 percent affiliation and the second most members are with the Iglesia Filipina Independiente or Aglipayan Church with 20%.

Others

Several Protestant Churches as well as Islam are the minorities are present in the province.

Economy

The province economy depends firstly on fishing, secondly on coconuts, thirdly on rice. The province has of coastline fronting the rich fishing grounds of Panguil and Iligan bays. It also has the biggest area of brackish water fishponds in the region. Tangub City is a fishing port on Panguil Bay famous for seafood. Coconut is the chief crop. This is processed into oil, desiccated coconut, and coir, most of which are shipped to Cebu. Coconut processing is the main industry in Oroquieta City. Other crops grown are rice, corn, abaca, coffee, cacao and rubber.

Resources

Wood is the major forest product. Predominant species are the lauan group, apitong, tanguige yakal, and Philippine mahogany. There is also an abundant supply of bamboo, rattan and various vines. Forest land in the province has an area of 66,002.46 hectares; 53,262 hectares of which are considered a national park (which has legal implications).

The province has a considerable deposit of clay especially in the municipalities of Lopez Jaena and Concepcion. Plaridel is the largest in rice production, and the longest coastal town in the province.

There are also an abundant sources of sand and gravel.

The province is traditionally a net exporter of various commodities. Historical data from the Ozamiz Port District of the Bureau of Customs show that outgoing commodities, which is mainly of coconut products, far outweigh incoming cargoes.

Being a coco-based province, major manufacturing firms in Misamis Occidental are engaged in the production of crude coconut oil, cooking oil, lard, margarine, laundry soap and desiccated coconut. Other products are furniture, ceramics gifts toys and housewares, processed food like banana chips and marine products.

Locally fabricated agri-industrial machines and equipment are also available in the province.

Tourism and attractions

* Langaranan Festival, Plaridel
* Baobaon Islets, Plaridel
* Shang's Resort, Plaridel
* Century-Old Nazareno Dam, Plaridel
* Caluya Shrine, Sapang Dalaga
* Baliangao Protected Landscape and Seascape
* Binalbal Festival, Tudela
* Christmas Festival of Lights, Tangub City
* Dalit Festival, Tangub City
* Dampawan Festival, Concepcion - September
* Fuerte de la Concepcion y del Triunfo, Ozamiz City
* Hoyohoy Highland Stone Chapel & Adventure Park, Tangub City
* Asenso Global Gardens and View Deck, Tangub City
* Immaculate Conception Cathedral Pipe Organ, Ozamiz City
* Inug-og Festival, Oroquieta City
* Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park
* Mount Malindang Range Natural Park and Lake Duminagat
* Grand Perangat Festival - November
* Baga Falls, Sapang Dalaga
* Suman Festival, Clarin
* Sinakbang Festival, Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental

Government

Current officials

Misamis Occidental

*Governor: Atty. Henry S. Oaminal ( NP)
*Vice Governor: Rowena “Wheng” L. Gutierrez (Asenso Pinoy Party)
*ABC President: Salvador C. Canlas Jr. - Ex-Officio Board Member
*SK Federation Chairman: Clara Mie V. Villanueva - Ex-Officio Board Member
*IPMR: Juanidy M. Vina - Ex-Officio Board Member
*PCL President: Lowida L. Alcalde - Ex-Officio Board Member

1st District

*Member, House of Representatives: Jason P. Almonte ( NP)
*Members, Sangguniang Panlalawigan:
**Alejandro “Alex” J. Guantero Jr. (Asenso Pinoy)
**Winston “Dondon” V. Catane (Asenso Pinoy)
**Rosanne Marie “Tata” L. Paylaga-Lim (Asenso Pinoy)
**Donna R. Iyog (Asenso Pinoy)
**Agnes C. Villanueva, CPA (Asenso Pinoy)

2nd District

*Member, House of Representatives: Sancho Fernando “Ando” F. Oaminal ( Lakas)
*Members, Sangguniang Panlalawigan:
**Calven Tito C. Decina (Asenso Pinoy)
**Nemesio D. Lahaylahay Sr. (Asenso Pinoy)
**Eduardo “Tata” C. Cebedo (Asenso Pinoy)
**Atty. Heinjie B. Estano (Asenso Pinoy)
**Jerry R. Cuizon (Asenso Pinoy)

Former governors

* Atty. Florencio L. Garcia Sr.
*Diego Ty Deling
* Anselmo Bernad
* Gella Caay
* Loreto Leo S. Ocampos
* José Ozámiz
* Gedeon G. Quijano
* Henry Y. Regalado Sr.
* Atty. Ernie D. Clarete
* Gorgonio F. Buaquiña II
* William Chiongbian
* Benito Chiongbian
* Herminia Ramiro
* Philip T. Tan
* Alfonso D. Tan

Notable people

* Allen Dizon - actor
* Eunice Encarnada - ABS CBN'S Tawag ng Tanghalan Season 7 Grand Finalist, 2nd Placer
* Cherry Lou - actress

See also

* Laguindingan Airport, the first international airport in Northern Mindanao region.

References

External links

*
*

Official website

Philippine Standard Geographic Code

Local Governance Performance Management System

{{Authority control

Provinces of the Philippines
Provinces of Northern Mindanao
States and territories established in 1939
1939 establishments in the Philippines