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Entrance way to Bacolod Lanao del Norte
Rupagan, Bacolod Lanao del Norte |
History of the Municipality
Bacolod comes from a Maranao word that means “Rock”. This maybe because, Bacolod is a rocky place, but the Bacolodians believe that the “Rock” is the symbol of the Christian Messiah, that helps them achieve their slogan of “Padayon Pagsidlak Bacolod”.
The municipal government was organized on July 23, 1956, by virtue of R.A. 1415, signed and approved sometime in May 10, 1956, by the late President Ramon Magsaysay. The creation of the Municipality of Bacolod was sponsored by then Congressman Domocao Alonto, when Lanao Province was not yet divided into two (2) with Kolambugan as its mother municipality. It started to operate sometime in July 23, 1956 with the late Nolan J. Antonio as the first Mayor.
It is endowed with rich natural resources. The Pagayawan Waterfalls is known for its vast potentials to generate electricity that can cater not only the Province of Lanao del Norte, but also with its three (3) neighboring provinces. It has three (3) attributary falls that is suitable as tourist attraction not only in the municipality, but also in the whole province of Lanao del Norte. The pristine and scenic beauty of these waterfalls is awe inspiring to behold. Many foreign investors have already come and manifested their desire to harness it.
The municipality is proud of its historical past. Unknown to the people outside, this town was not spared by the insatiable appetite for conquest by the Spanish conquestadores. They have constructed a fort, (Fort Al Monte, in honor of Admiral Pedro Al Monte, a Spanish soldier who conceived the building of forts to strategic locations in the archipelago), in barrio Liangan, now, Liangan East, through forced labor rendered by captured Filipinos. It served as their stronghold against their enemies, however, the relentless onslaught waged by the natives, with the aid of the American soldiers, finally, repulsed the foreign invaders. During the Japanese occupation, the Nipongo soldiers utilized the fort as their citadels against Filipino guerillas but was then recaptured.
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HISTORICAL FORT ALMONTE
Photo by: Alfons Janssen Marcera |
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GEM PROJECT
ESPERANZA-BABALAYA FOOT BRIDGE
BACOLOD, LANAO DEL NORTE
under the administration of Mayor Judith V. Miquiabas
Photo by: Alfons Janssen Marcera |
Chapter II Geo-Physical Environment
2.1 Geographical Location
Bacolod is one of the coastal municipalities in the Province of Lanao del Norte. It covers a total land area of 10,410 hectares, per latest tax mapping activities of the Municipal Assessor and Staff with the assistance of the Provincial Assessor’s Office. It extend sixteen (16) kilometers from the shoreline to the south. It is more or less thirty two (32) kilometers away from Tubod, Lanao del Norte, which is the capital town of the Province westward, and thirty (30) kilometers from Iligan City, the industrial hub of Mindanao in the eastern side.
The Barangays along the coast are traversed by the national highway, while the interior barangays are accessible by provincial and barangay roads, which serves as farm to market roads. With the existence and proper maintenance and improvement of these roads, transporting farm products to the market will be enhanced. The main product is copra, although, bananas are also abundant with other minor crops. Its shoreline area is in Iligan Bay which connects the Panguil Bay, provides a rich fishing waters to the fisher folks, and its beach is rich with shells, thus, the “Hudyaka Kinhason Festival” which is shown every thanksgiving and tourism month celebration serves as its main attraction, derives its theme.
2.1 Political Subdivision and Land Area:
The Municipality covers a total land area of 10,410 hectares. It extend sixteen (16) kilometers from the shoreline to the south. It is more or less thirty two (32) kilometers away from Tubod, Lanao del Norte, which is the capital town of the Province westward, and thirty (30) kilometers from Iligan City, the industrial hub of Mindanao in the eastern side. It is politically subdivided into sixteen (16) barangays, Seven (7) along the coast ; namely: Liangan East, Esperanza, Poblacion, Binuni, Demologan, Minaulon and Rupagan; and Nine (9) upper barangays; Alegria, Kahayag, Babalaya, Mate, Pagayawan, Babalayan Townsite, Dimarao, Punod and Delabayan West.
2.2 Topography
The land feature of Bacolod is rolling. The land evenly rolls up to the boundary of the Municipality of Munai. It is bounded by two (2) rivers, the Rupagan River in the eastern side with the Municipality of Kauswagan and the Tunob River from the Municipality of Maigo in the western side. The biggest river traverse in the center of the land area, from the coast of Barangay Liangan. The Liangan River is where the Pagayawan Waterfalls is located together with its three (3) attributtary falls.
2.2.1 Elevation
The coastal barangays, including Poblacion has an elevation of from 10 to 20 ft above sea level. Barangay Pagayawan is 200 feet high while Alegria is about 150 feet high above sea level. Coconut thrives well in the rugged terrain. The forest reserved is the rugged and rocky sides of the rivers are being preserved for water shed reservation
Table 2.1 Land Area by Elevation Ranges
LGU:
Elevation Range (m) | Area Coverage (ha) | Share to Total (%) |
Below 100 | 3,574.2659 | 34.33 |
100 – 300 | 6,835.7341 | 65.67 |
300 – 500 |
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500 – 1000 |
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1000 and above |
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Total | 10,410.000 | 100 |
2.2.2 Slope
Table 2.2 Slope and Area Coverages
LGU:
Slope Range (%) | Brief Description | Area Coverage (ha) | Share to Total (%) |
0 – 3 | Level to gently sloping |
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3 – 8 | Gently sloping to undulating |
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8 – 18 | Undulating to rolling |
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18 – 30 | Rolling to hilly |
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30 – 50 | Hilly to steeply hilly |
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Above | Steeply hilly to mountainous |
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Total |
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| 100 |
2.3 Geology
2.3.1 Rock Formations
2.3.2 Land Forms
Table 2.3 Main Landforms and Area Coverage
LGU:
Main Landforms | Sub-Landform Description | Area Coverage (ha) | Share to Total (%) |
Coastal | Tidal flat, fishpond, fluvio-marine, level to nearly level |
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Tidal flat, mangrove and nipa, fluvio-marine level |
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Beach ridges and swales, fluvio-marine level |
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Broad Alluvial Plains | River terrace, alluvium .02% slope |
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Andesitic hills, low relief 18% - 30% slope |
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Andesitic hills, high relief 30% - 50% slope |
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Volcanic Mountains | Volcanic rocks, basalt, andesite, tuff 50% and above slope |
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| TOTAL |
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2.3.3 Soils
Table 2.4 Soil Types and Area Coverages
LGU: Bacolod, Lanao del Norte
Soil Type | Area Coverage (ha) | Share to Total (%) |
Hydrosol | 3,938.94 | 37.84 |
Clay | 3,455.56 | 33.19 |
Clay Loam (Stony Phase) | 1,630.00 | 15.66 |
Clay Loam | 1,385.50 | 13.31 |
Total | 10,410.00 | 100% |
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DEMARAO, BACOLOD LANAO DEL NORTE
Photo by: Alfons Janssen Marcera |
The cheers and shout is a manifestation of a happy and excited crowd.
