The Philippine province of
AGUSAN DEL NORTE
Capital: Butuan
No of Municipalities: 12
Land Area: 2, 590.3 sq.
km.
Location. Bounded on the
north by Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur on the east, Misamis Oriental
on the west and Agusan del Sur on the south.
Brief History. Long before
the West found its way to the East, there existed in Agusan a thriving
settlement having brisk trade with its Asean neighbors. The extent on
volume of artifacts that have dug around Butuan City attest to the fact
the Agusanons were trading with Chinese junk merchants as early as the
11th century.
A close scrutiny of early records, reconciled with certain unalterable
physical facts and geography, made local historians propose that the first
Christian Mass, in fact, celebrated in Masao, a settlement at the mouth
of Agusan River, not in Limasawa, Leyte.
Though it will take some time and a lot of technicalities to rewrite this
portion of our history, the Philippine Historical Commission had decided
to put up in Butuan City the capital of Agusan del Norte, the Northern
Mindanao Regional Museum, inaugurated last August 30, 1978, which houses
exhibits of uncovered artifacts, mute evidence of Agusan´s past
civilization.
Up to 1911, Agusan was part of Surigao, then known as Caraga District
Act. 1693, creating non-Christian provinces, separated the province from
Surigao.
The approval of Republic Act. No. 4979 on June 17, 1967, devided the
province into Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur. This Act took effect
on January 1,1970.
Topography. Made up of flat
rolling lands, the province is surrounded by mountains, the highest of
which is Mt. Hilong-Hilong. 2,012 meters above the sea level. This highland
is found on the northeastern portion of the province in the municipality
of Remedios T. Rumualdez. In the municipality of Tubay is Mt. Mabaho,
with an elevation of 1,823 meters. Flanking the province are Mt. Cabutuan
(918 meters aove sea level) on the northeastern municipality of Kitcharao
and Mt. Mayapay with an elevation of 718 meters on the northeastern side
between the municipalities of Buenavista and Butuan City. Adjacent to
the boundary of Misamis Oriental, in the municipality of Carmen, rises
Mt. Piglagahan with an elevation of 810 meters above sea level.
9 rivers criscross the entire province, the longest of which is the Agusan
River which starts from Davao, cuts through Agusan del Sur and empties
into Butuan Bay. Other rivers are the Calinawan River (Tubay River) which
crosses the municipalities of Jabonga, Santiago, and Tubay. 3 other rivers:
the Puto, the Kinahiloan and MInuswang River, all found in Tubay. The
Magallanes River in the municipality of Magallanes which, for the present
is being utilized as a long pond, links up with the Agusan River. The
Marapot and the Cabadbaran Rivers provide Class "A" source of
sand and gravel for the province.
Climate and Soil. Agusan
del Norte is outside the typhoon belt. There is no definite dry season.
Rainfall is pronounced throughout the year with maximum rainfall occuring
from November to January.
Annual average rainfall is 91.5 inches, an annual total of 217 rainy days
or a monthly average of 18,01 rainy days per month. The average annual
temperature is 27.5 °C and annual humidity average 85%.
The soil types in the province are generally suitable for rice, corn,
coconuts, vegetables and root crops cultivation. The San MIguel clay loam
covering some 10,021.54 hectare is suitable for lowland rice, corn, sugarcane,
vegetables, camote, tobacco, abaca and banana. The San Miguel clay loam
(7,309.22 hectares) is good for corn, rice, root crops, peanuts and vegetables.
The Bolinao silt loam type with a coverage of 14,695.58 hectare is suited
for banana, corn and sugarcane. Most abundant of all is the Camanesa clay
loam (59,371.39
hectares), good for bananas, root crops, abaca, coconuts, corn and upland
rice. Other types of soil include the hyrozol soil (5,647. 98 hectares).
Language/Dialect. Most of
the Nasipitnons use Cebuanons and Butuanon as their medium of communications
and about 1.5% speak Tagalog although a good portion of the population
can understand and
communicate in Tagalog. Majority of the population can speak English.
Religion. The population is overwhelmingly Roman Catholic representing
89.9%. Other religions includes Protestant, Philippine Independent Church,
Iglesia ni Cristo, Mormons, Rizalians, Jehovah´s Witness and Islam.
Major Industries. The province
main industries are logging, fishing, and farming. Recent discoveries
of gold deposits are attracting prospection and investors. Gold panning
has become a lucrative "business" for all types of livelihood.
Interesting Places to Visit:
Tinago Beach. Located
in Tinago, Buenavista, about 15.6 kms. from the city proper. A wide expanse
of fine sandy beach with several privately owned resthouses and scattered
huts for rent to the bathers.
Dagani Beach.
Located in Tolosa, Cabadbaran about 29 kms. from the city proper. This
clean, wide sandy beach is a good place for family excursion. It allows
small children to romp freely and safely.
Vinapor Beach.
Located in Vinapor, Carmen, about 48.2 kms. from city proper. A wide sandy
beach set against towering coconut palms and lush vegetation.
Bolihon Beach.
Located in Bolihon, Carmen, about 36,3 kms. from the city proper. A white
sandy beach with beautiful rock formations and hidden inlets.
Ata-Atahon Beach.
Located in Ata-Atahon, Nasipit about 18.6 kms. from the city proper. A
wide sandy beach set against towering coconut palms fronting the Bliss
I area and the MHS training center.
Cubi-Cubi Beach.
Located in Cubi-Cubi, Nasipit, about 28 kms. from the city proper. This
wide expanse of clean sandy beach offers cottages for rent.
Tubay Coastline from Pook to Tinigbasan. Located
in La Fraternidad, Tubay, about 39 kms. from the city proper. A natural
scuba diving area with clear, blue waters, beautiful rock formations,
hidden caves and a variety of colored flat pebbles.
Humilig Caves.
The five caves of beautiful formations of stalactites and stalagmites
in their echoing chambers.
Vinafor Caves. Grotto-like caverns set
on cliffs of Punta Diwata overlooking Butuan Bay.
Sumag-a Falls. Located in Calamba, Cabadbaran,
about 28 kms. from city proper. A developed natural scenic spot promises
refreshing coolness to bathers.
Mayagda Falls.
Located in Poblacion, Jabonga, about 59.7 kms. from the city proper. A
falls by the roadside, a refreshing change of scenery for the travelers.
Sumaliklik Falls.
Located in Jaguimitan, Nasipit, about 31 kms. from the city proper. Trekking
to this exotic waterfalls as rewarding experience for outdoor enthusiasts.
Sak-a Falls.
Located in an interior barangay of San Antonio, the falls are in
several elevations. Starting from the slopes of Mt. Hilong-Hilong, the
falls are a fascinating site as it cascades over huge boulders bordered
by virginal vegetation of towering trees and giant ferns. The falls have
created a natural swimming pool deep enough for a safe vertical plunge
and wide enough for a satisfying swim.
Tagnote Falls. Located in San Antonio, this waterfall
has height of seven meters. Its cascading water is broken by boulders
which also serve as diving points for bathers.
Historical
Historic Magellanes
Marker. Located at Poblacion, Magallanes
about 35.9 kms from city proper. Erected in 1872 under Governor Maria
Caravello, this historic marker commemorates the celebration of the first
Catholic Mass in Mindanao held on April 8, 1521.
Man-made
Nalco and Wallboard Plants.
Located at Poblacion, Nasipit,
about 25.4 kms. away from the city proper. A vast 29.6 hectare industrial
complex, producing lumber, plywood, wallboard, placarol doors, woodtiles,
and prefab trusses to supply domestic as well as foreign markers.
Sta. Ines Plywood Corporation.
Located in Magallanes, about 35.9 away from the city proper. A modern
wood processing complex which specializes in veneer and plywood both for
domestic consumption and for export.
Eurasia (Phimco).
Located in Magallanes, about 35.9 kms away from the city proper. The only
match factory in Mindanao, it has a daily output of 1.08 million matchboxes
a day.
Northern Mindanao Regional Museum. Located near
the city hall, a repository of historics and cultural artifacts of Northern
Mindanao.
Balanghai Shrine.
Located 5 kms. away from the city proper. A graveyard of the first native
boat in Southeast Asia called "Balanghai", or small Badjao boat
to be about 1,200 years old, thus giving testimony to Butuan as one of
the oldest cities in the Philippines.
Nipa Wine Distillery.
An ancient type of distillery believed to have been used by the early
Butuanons who produced palm wine called "laksoy".
Natural
Lake Mainit Shoreline.
Located in San Roque, Kitcharao, about 73.9 kms away from the city
proper. A stretch of the Maharlika highway at San Roque, offers a breathtaking
view of the lake.
Lake Mainit Shore Area. Located
in Jabonga, about 63 kms. away from the city proper. A beautiful place
for bathing, boating and fishing.
Mt. Hilay-Hilay. Located at Remedios T. Romualdez.
This mountain range with its peak of 2,012 meters above sea level is the
highest in Agusan del Norte. A challenge for mountain climbers who would
venture to the yet undiscovered and unfamiliar passages of jungles, waterfalls
and a lake reputed to be enchanted. The mountain is rich in species of
flora and fauna.
Mt. Minaosog. Located
in La Fraternidad, Tubay, about 39 kms. away from the city proper. The
sight of a mountaineer after an hour and a half of trekking to reach the
peak. Spring and waterfalls are picturesque land marks in the Seaside
descent from the peak.
Mapaso Hot Spring. Located in Mapaso, Santiago, about
40 kms. away from the city proper. A geothermal spring which can be reached
by crossing the Calinawan River and following a foot trail.
Aciga River.
Located in Santiago, about 40 kms. away from the city proper.
The rushing of water over huge boulders is a facinating site from the
top of the Aciga Bridge.
Century Old Bitaug Tree.
Located in Caloc-an, Magallanes about 27 kms. away from the city proper.
Claimed to be over 150 years old, this tree used to be the favorite perch
of thousands of fireflies at night making it a natural landmark for fishermen
during night time.
Mounts Mabalo and Mayapay.
The favorite sites for climbing enthusiasts. These are perfect camping
sites for urbanites needing a breather from the congested urban setting.
Agusan River. The long and winding river at Butuan
City. This serpentine river has made the city famous as "The Timber
City of the South". Wood-based industries of plywood factories, rattan
factories abound along the riverbank.
Getting There:
Agusan del Norte is accessible by Philippine Airlines and Aerolift from
Manila and Cebu daily; aerotransport, aircoasters from Cagayan de Oro
City daily; by ship from Manila to Cebu, and by motor vehicles
from Surigao City, Davao, Gingoong City and Cagayan de Oro almost every
hour.
Source: Map produced by www.clickmindanao.com
