City of Iligan Dakbayan sa Iligàn Lungsod ng Iligàn Iligàn
—  Component City  —
Official seal of City of Iligan Seal
Nickname(s): Industrial Center of the South and City of Majestic Waterfalls
Map of Lanao del Norte showing the location of Iligan City.
Coordinates: 8°13′N 124°14′E / 8.217°N 124.233°E / 8.217; 124.233
Region	Northern Mindanao (Region X)
Province	Lanao del Norte
District	Lone District of Iligan City
Barangays	44
Incorporated (town)	1832
Incorporated (city)	June 16, 1950
Government
• Mayor	Lawrence Lluch Cruz (LP-VCD) [2010-2013 (Last term)]
• Vice Mayor	Henry C. Dy (LP-VCD) [2010-2013 (Last Term)]
• 1st Councilor	Ruderic C. Marzo [2010-2013 (1st Term)]
Area
• Total	813.37 km2 (314.04 sq mi)
Population (2010 Census)
• Total	322,821
• Density	391.02/km2 (1,012.7/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	9200
Area code(s)	63
Website	www.iligan.gov.ph

The City of Iligan (Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Iligan; Tagalog: Lungsod ng Iligan) is a highly urbanized industrial city north of the province of Lanao del Norte, Philippines, and the province's former capital. It is approximately 795 kilometers southeast of Manila. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 322,821 people.

History[link]

Iligan City had its beginnings in the village of Bayug, four (4) kilometers north of the present Poblacion. It was the earliest pre-Spanish settlement of native sea dwellers. The monotony of indigenous life in the territory was broken when in the later part of the 16th century, the inhabitants were subdued by the Visayan migrants from the island kingdom of Panglao. In the accounts of Jesuit historian Francisco Combes, the Mollucan King of Ternate invaded Panglao. This caused Panglaons to flee in large numbers to Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte. In Dapitan, the surviving Prince of Panglao Pagbuaya, received Legazpi's expedition in 1565. Later, Pagbuaya's son Manook was baptized Pedro Manuel Manook. The Christianized Manook subdued the Higaunon village in Bayug and established it as one of the earliest Christian settlements in the country. The settlement survived other raids from other enemies, and, because of their faith in God and in their patron saint, Saint Michael the Archangel, the early Iliganons moved their settlement from Bayug to Iligan. The name Iligan is from the Higaonon word iligan or ilijan' meaning "fortress of defense" against frequent attacks by pirates and other hostile Mindanao tribes.

A stone fort called Fort St. Francis Xavier was built in 1642 where Iliganons sought refuge during raids by bandits. But again, the fort sank due to floods. Another fort was built and this was named Fort Victoria or Cota de Iligan. In 1850, because of floods, Don Remigio Cabili, then Iligan's governadorcillo, built another fort and moved the poblacion of the old Iligan located at the mouth of Tubod River west of the old market to its present site. Iligan was already a town of the once undivided Misamis Province in 1832. However, it did not have an independent religious administration because it was part of Cagayan de Oro, the provincial capital. It was one of the biggest municipalities of Misamis Province. In 1903, the Moro Province was created. Iligan, because of its Moro residents was taken away from the Misamis Province. Then Iligan became the capital of the Lanao District and seat of the government where the American officials lived and held office. Later in 1907 the capital of the Lanao District was transferred to Dansalan.^[1]

The Spaniards abandoned Iligan in 1899, paving the way for the landing of the American forces in 1900. In 1914, under the restructuring of Moroland after the end of the Moro Province (1903–1913), Iligan became a municipality composed of eight barrios together with the municipal district of Mandulog. After enjoying peace and prosperity for about 40 years, Iligan was invaded by Japanese forces in 1942. The liberation in Iligan by the Philippine Commonwealth forces attacked by the Japanese held sway in the city until 1944 to 1945 when the war ended. On November 15, 1944, the city held a Commonwealth Day parade to celebrate the end of Japanese atrocities and occupation.^[2]

Using the same territorial definition as a municipality, Iligan became a chartered city of Lanao del Norte on June 16, 1950.^[3] It was declared a first class city in 1969 and was reclassified as First Class City "A" on July 1, 1977 by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 465. In 1983, Iligan was again reclassified as a highly urbanized city.

Geography[link]

Iligan City is bounded on the north by the 3 municipalities of Misamis Oriental (namely Lugait, Manticao and Opol), to the south by the 3 municipalities of Lanao del Norte (Baloi, Linamon and Tagoloan) and the 2 municipalities of Lanao del Sur (Kapai and Tagoloan II), to the northeast by Cagayan de Oro City, to the east by the municipality of Talakag, Bukidnon; and to the west by Iligan Bay. This is also the 2nd largest city in Northern Mindanao next to Malaybalay City, capital of Bukidnon Province.

Known as the City of Majestic Waterfalls, there are around 23 waterfalls in and around Iligan. Among them is the Maria Cristina Falls, home of Mindanao's primary hydroelectric power station, and Limunsudan Falls.

Iligan is also the Industrial Center of the South. It produces hydroelectric power for the Mindanao region through the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR), the site of the Mindanao Regional Center (MRC) housing Agus IV, VI and VII hydroelectric plants. It also houses industries like steel, tinplate, cement and flourmills. The National Steel Corporation, one of the largest steel manufacturers in the Southeast Asian region, now Global Steelworks International Incorporated was re-opened in 2003 after heavy setbacks resulting to its closure in 1999. Iligan along with its neighboring city, Cagayan de Oro City, are the two major components for the Cagayan de Oro-Iligan Corridor, the fastest developing area in Northern Mindanao.

To the west, Iligan Bay provides ferry and container ship transportation. East of the city, flat cultivated coastal land gives way to steep volcanic hills and mountains providing the waterfalls and cold springs for which the area is well known.

Climate[link]

Iligan falls within the third type of climate wherein the seasons are not very pronounced. Rain is more or less evenly distributed throughout the year. Because of its tropical location the city does not experience cold weather. Neither does it experience strong weather disturbances due to its geographical location (being outside the typhoon belt) And also because of the mountains that are surrounding the city.

Tropical Storm Washi[link]

On the night of December 16, 2011, Tropical Storm Washi, or locally known as Sendong, made landfall in Northern Mindanao, travelling inland of Mindanao. In just 10 hours, torrential rainfall led to catastrophic flooding in Iligan and other provinces of Mindanao.

Transportation[link]

Sea[link]

There are five shipping lines serving Manila, Cebu City, and Ozamiz City routes namely: Superferry, Cebu Ferries, Carlos A. Gothong Lines, Negros Navigation, Sulpicio Lines, and Cokaliong Shipping Lines.

Land[link]

Rural Transit (RTMI) and Super 5 Transport are the dominant public land transportation in this City. The Integrated Bus and Jeepney Terminal (IBJT) caters trips to and from Cagayan de Oro City and various parts of Misamis Oriental, while the Southbound Bus and Jeepney Terminal caters trips to and from Dipolog City, Pagadian City, Ozamiz City, and Zamboanga City. various parts of Lanao del Norte and Marawi City. The public mode of transportation withinin this city is by Jeepneys, Taxis, and Pedicabs. There is also the famous "Tartanillas" (calesas) that is also a public mode of transportation which serves through Barangay Pala-o and Barangay Tambacan. Passenger vans are also available for the various municipalities in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.

Air[link]

Iligan City was served by Maria Cristina Airport in the late 1980s at Baloi. Aerolift, a defunct regional airline, ceased its services when its passenger plane crashed at some structures at the end of the runway of the Manila Domestic Airport in 1990 which resulted to its bankruptcy. Thus, it ended its service to Iligan's airport at Balo-i which also resulted to the closure of the airport. Philippine Airlines served the city for many years before stopping services in 1998 due to the Asian financial crisis. After a decade of not serving the city, PAL subsidiary, PAL Express, revealed in August 2008 of its interest in returning to the city with four weekly flights to Manila and three weekly flights to Cebu. However, this development did not push through with the advent of the recent US and World depression.^{[citation needed]}

The opening of Laguindingan International Airport in 2011 which is located at Laguindingan town in Misamis Oriental, It is expected to augment the city's need for a nearby airport as the new airport is only 65 kilometers away or at most 35 to 40 minutes away from Iligan. The new airport is a flagship project of the Mindanao Super Regions project of the President as a major project of the Cagayan de Oro-Iligan Corridor (CIC).

People and culture[link]

Iligan is predominantly Christian (93.61%), with Catholics constitutes the majority of the Christians. Saint Michael is the Patron saint of the city, and the city fiesta in devotion to the saint is held every September 29. Iliganons compose of the Cebuano speaking locals and the minority that compose of the Maranao, Tagalog and some other cultural minorities and immigrants from other places. It is not only rich in natural resources and industries but it is also the home of a mix of cultures, Maranaos of Lanao del Sur, Higaonons of Bukidnon, and many settlers and migrants from other parts of the country. It is known for its diverse culture.