- Provincial Profile

BRIEF PROFILE OF MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL

Geographical Location

Misamis Occidental is located near the narrow strip of land linking northwestern Mindanao, to the north central part of the island. Shaped like a collapsible fan or a loaf of American Bread or the fourth letter in the alphabet “D”, it is bounded on the northeast by the Mindanao Sea, in the east by the Iligan Bay, southeast by the Panguil Bay, and by the west the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur.

2. Land Area

The province has a total land area of 205,522 hectares or 20.552 sq. km. representing about 0.65 percent of the total land area in the Philippines.

Political Subdivision
2 Legislative Districts
14 municipalities
3 cities (Oroquieta – Capital City, Ozamiz and Tangub)
490 barangays

Historical Origin

There are two versions regarding the history of where the word Misamis was derived. The first version states that the name “Misamis” is believed to have been derived from the Subano word “Kuyamis” which is a variety of sweet coconut – the staple food of the early settlers in this place. During the years, the name continued to be a suggestion of geographical location and upon the advent of the Spanish settlers, the word “Kuyamis” easily gave way to the more conveniently pronounceable but corrupted word “Misamis”. Another version is that Misamis is a Subanen word which means “garden of the world” or “a garden within a garden” because of ancient belief that it is inseparable and existed within misamaya (garden of god) and misarais (garden of spirit).

Population

As of the May 2020 census, Misamis Occidental has a total population of 617,333 persons. It accounts for about 12.29 percent of the total population of Northern Mindanao. It ranks fifth among the five provinces in the region.

a) Its density is about 300 persons per sq. km in 2020, which is higher than that of the previous census 2015 of 293. Compared to other provinces in the region, it is the third least dense, next to Lanao Del Norte (216). However, it is higher than the regional density of 245 and lower than that of the national density of 363 persons per sq.km.

b) Misamis Occidental is the slowest growing province among the five provinces of the region. It’s average growth rate of 0.84 percent between 2010-2020 is lower than that of the region and of the country, at 1.57 and 1.67 percent, respectively.

c) At the end of the planning period 2024, there is an estimated increase in population of 21,005 or a total population of 638,338 with an average increase of 5,251 every year. The population density will then increase to 311 persons per sq.km. by 2024 from 300 in 2020.

d) Ozamiz City has the biggest population among the three cities in the province of about 140,334 persons. This is about 22.73 percent of the 2020 total population of the province. It has already established its position as the center for trade and commerce and major provider of services (education, banking and finance, health, among others). Due to the presence of airport and seaport facilities, it has established strong linkages with Cagayan de Oro, Iligan City, Cebu and Manila that serve as trade partners.

e) Ozamiz City is the gateway to the province. It is the largest service center and has strong linkages with its adjacent municipalities such as Clarin and the City of Tangub. Thus, Clarin is one of the fast-growing municipalities in the province due to its proximity to Ozamiz City.

f) Plaridel is experiencing brisk economic activities due to the presence of its seaport facility and is expected to spur economic activities in its adjoining areas, Calamba and Lopez Jaena.

g) Oroquieta City as the second largest city will continue to attract people as the provincial capital and seat of provincial government. It houses national government offices and commercial and cooperative banks. It complements the services of Tangub City, the third largest population settlement in the province, and Ozamiz City.

Economy

The economy of Misamis Occidental is primarily an agri-based with 118,933 hectares or 61.33 percent of its total land being developed as croplands. Food crops occupied an area equivalent to 13,861 hectares or 11.65 percent of the total cropland, while 105,072 hectares or 88.35 percent are devoted to commercial crops. The province has 169 kilometres (105 mi) 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.

Being an agricultural province, Misamis Occidental’s strength of its economy is greatly anchored on the abundance on its agricultural and fishery resources. Most of its populace derives their income on farming and fishing activities. Among the province’s major crops are rice, corn, coconut and banana.

Fishery and tourism are also thriving in Misamis Occidental owing to its long stretch of coastline with 169 kilometers, the 2nd longest coastline in Region-10. The province is a place of natural beauty, wetlands, unspoiled forests and rich, fertile soil. It is the base for most of the region’s aquaculture industries which includes prawn, shrimps, crabs, grouper, tilapia, seashells and other sea products, the trade products of the province. These products are the all-time favorite of local and foreign tourists. With government’s support in terms of investment capital, modern technology, hatcheries, cold storage, processing plants and marketing, the industry can generate additional income and employment to fishermen. Protection of the environment, from upland to the coastal, is an important aspect in the development of the aquaculture industry.

Tourism

Misamis Occidental has a rich cultural heritage. Religious practices and traditions like fiesta celebrations are of Spanish influence while ritual practices before, during and after planting are of Subanen cultures. This abundant culture of the people of Misamis Occidental has become the impetus of the province’s tourism industry.

The tourism industry continues to stimulate the economic development in the province. It is one of the local industries that the province boosts of. It offers opportunities for employment and improves the economy of the province. It is becoming increasingly sophisticated, as evidenced by the varied segments and products that comprise the industry. The local tourism industry is largely comprised of facilities, attractions and events designed to interest travelling visitors who come to the province each year.

Also, the province ventures on eco-cultural tourism since its location is accessible to most ports in Northern Mindanao and has a wide range of pristine natural grandeur. There are tourist attractions in the province which are natural wonders. One of these is Mt. Malindang, a favorite hub of mountain trekkers during vacation and has been declared as ASEAN Heritage Park in 2012. Furthermore, there are spectacular beaches and beautiful places that abound in the province with on-going development like the Caluya Shrine in Sapang Dalaga and the Gardens of the World in Tangub City. Misamis Occidental is blessed with pristine beaches and marvelous natural wonders with interesting historic sites such as Cotta Shrine in Ozamiz City and Jimenez Catholic Church. A few years ago, Jimenez was declared by the National Historical & Heritage Commission as a “heritage town”, including the delineation of the heritage buffer zone.

Tourism Destinations

Provincial Capitol (Oroquieta City)

Built in 1935 and adjudged as the most beautiful capitol and park in 1973 in the whole Philippines).

Fort Santiago (Fort of Nuestra Señora del Triunfo dela Cruz), Ozamiz City

A Spanish outpost built in 1756 by Father Jose Ducos. Inside the walls of the fort is a special chapel. Enshrined within is an image of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception in pink and blue attire. Outside the fort on the wall facing the bay is a carved image of the Virgin Mary. The fort was restored to its original design in 2006.

Bukagan Hill, Ozamiz City

On top of the Bukagan Hill is a concrete tower with four large German bells. The bells named after St. Peter, St. Marian, St. Joseph and St. Michael were originally intended for the Immaculate Conception Cathedral but were found to be too heavy and too large for the cathedral’s belfry. The bells were instead installed on the hill and officially inaugurated on July 16, 1948. Bukagan Hill has a great view of the city, Panguil Bay and the provincs of Lanao del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur.

The Parish Church in Jimenez

Located at Barangay Poblacion, this old Spanish century church was built in the 19^th century and is one of the oldest Catholic Churches in the Philippines. Inside the church, people can see the old church altar including the Gothic-style pillars keep its beauty throughout the years. One of the central attractions in the church is the paintings on its ceiling which is really interesting and fascinating. The church was declared by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) a National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines in 2001.

Heritage Houses

Misamis Occidental has many ancestral houses established during the Spanish era which still exist up this time. Most of these houses are found in the heritage town of Jimenez.

Century Old Nazareno Dam

A century-old dam, it is an irrigation canal which is considered as one of the best in the Philippines without the aid of the sophisticated machinery. The settlers of Plaridel were able to build this canal from Larangan River along a hill of solid rock.