Lanao del Sur

Overview
Lanao del Sur is the land of the Maranaos, “people of the lake,” among the most devout of Muslim tribes as well as the most artistic. Nowhere is this more evident than in the the people’s most natural way of life and the land’s most attractive sites.

The life of the Maranaos centers on Lake Lanao, the second largest and deepest in the Philippines and one of the most breathtakingly beautiful. The lake is surrounded with myths and legends.

The climate here is envigorating and fine grazing land stretches into the distance. A commanding view of the lake is offered by Marawi City, the provincial capital. The unique natural setting of the Maranaos is perhaps best manifested in Marawi Cty, by the presence of the many large torogans, the Maranao houses, which are characterized by an antique royal high roof with curved designs.

The city’s Aga Khan Museum, located within Mindanao State University, is a repository of Maranao and other Moro artifacts. It boasts a huge collection of indigenous art and cultural materials, ethnic music, the native tools and weapons used by the Muslims, and Muslim houses of different artistic designs.

Founded in 1962, the university draws the most crowds to the city. The Maranaos’ flair for the creative is exhibited by their numerous ceremonial artifacts and everyday tools trimmed with the sensuous "okir" (carving) and colorful "nagas" (serpent figures). Their long, low, and sleek boats sport a rainbow of brilliant colors matched only by the exuberance of the malong, the native wear of the Maranao women. Worn as a shirt or dress, used to cover the head or as a blanket, the highly decorated malong is violet, purple, green, red, yellow, floral, and geometric.

Geography
Lanao del Sur forms the western portion of Northern Mindanao. It is bounded on the north by Lanao del Norte, on the east by Bukidnon, on the west by Illana Bay, and on the south by Maguindanao and Cotabato. Rolling hills and valleys, a placid lake and river dominate the landscape.

Climate
The province has a cool and pleasant climate that falls dominantly under type F, which is distinguished by an even distribution of rainfall throughout the year. The Philippine summer is not quite distinct here. The wettest month is February and the dryest month is June. Lanao del Sur is outside of the typhoon belt

Language / Dialect
The Maranao dialect is the most commonly spoken. Also spoken are Tagalog and Visaya as well as English and Arabic.


Lanao Del Sur Is Famous For...

Aga Khan Museum
This repository of Maranao and other Moro artifacts boasts a huge collection of indigenous art and cultural materials, ethnic music, the native tools and weapons used by the Muslims, and houses of different artistic designs. It was named so in honor of King Aga Khan who contributed significantly to the realization of the museum. It is located within Mindanao State University, Marawi City.

Moncado Colony
It was named in honor of Hilario Camino Moncado, a native Filipino, a leader, an organizer, an author of books, and a lecturer on the humanities. He graduated with honors at the age of nine from the India College of Mystery and Psychics. Moncado monuments as well as monuments of wild animals can be found on the site. It is located in Moncado, Cadingilan.

Torogans & Sambitory Old Building
The unique natural setting of the Maranaos in Marawi City is best manifested by the presence of the many large torogans, the Maranao houses, characterized by an antique royal high roof with curved designs. The torogans are found in Amito, Dayawan, Marawi City, Sambitory Building, Barrio Naga, Marawi City.

Lake Lanao
Lake Lanao is the second largest and deepest in the Philippines, at 2,300 feet above sea level. Marawi City, the provincial capital, lies in a rolling terrain commanding a majestic view of the fascinating Lake Lanao.

Bagang Beach
The beach is filled with rocks and boulders that serve as benches, and trees in the lakeside that provide shade. It is ideal for picnics, and its clear water makes it a good place for boating and swimming. Bagang Beach is located in Caloocan, Marawi City, two meters away from the commercial site of the city.

Agus River
Agus River is said to be the swiftest running in the country. Its famous cataract is the Maria Cristina Falls, an outlet of Lake Lanao to Illana Bay. It is located in between Saduc and Lilod, Marawi City.

Kilometer Zero Point Marker
It is an important landmark in Lanao del Sur, from which all distances in Mindanao are measured. This is similar to the measures of distances in Manila, which begin at the Rizal Monument in Rizal Park.

Mindanao State University (MSU)
Marawi City draws the most number of visitors within Lanao del Sur due in most part to MSU. Founded in 1962, it serves as an educational institute and a center of social and cultural integration.

Dasalan Handicraft Building
It houses Maranao art-in-execution. Expert carvers and weavers offer live demonstrations here, displaying their impressive craft and skills.

Tugaya Town
It has a near-exclusive reputation for producing brassware, being the only community in the province that produces excellent brassware. Practically every family has a bellows in the area where the metals are smelted. Using the cire perdule or lost wax technique, cannons and gongs, betelnut boxes and rice pots are made. (wowphilippines)

Lanao del Norte

Overview
The Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte, “Land of Beauty and Bounty,” has been exerting its best effort to uplift the quality of life of the people in the rural and urban areas in the province through the promotion of Integrated Agriculture and Economics Tourism Development Programs.

The primary goal of the development plans is to create conditions that will facilitate and accelerate economic word of the province. One of the conditions identified is to promote the tourism industry that would act as a catalyst for the development of trade and other economic interactions between outlying municipalities in the province and its neighboring provinces as well.

Geography
The province of Lanao del Norte is located in the Northern Mindanao Area along the North western Coast. Three known fishing grounds bound ten of its 22 Municipalities, namely: Iligan Bay, Panguil Bay, and Illana Bay.

The province is bounded by the provinces of Maguindanao and Cotabato on the North, South Cotabato on the South; Davao del Sur on the East and Celebes Sea on the west.
Land Area: 355,636 sq. kms.

Topography
The province is traversed by several rivers, the most important of which is the Agus River which feeds the Ma. Cristina Falls, a major source of hydroelectric power for the Mindanao Grid.
Generally ranges are plain and surrounded by high mountain ranges from all directions.

Political Subdivisions
The province is comprised of 22 municipalities, namely: Bacolod, Balo-i, Baroy, Kapatagan, Kauswagan, Lala, Linamon, Magsaysay, Maigo, Matungao, Munai, Nunungan, Pantao Ragat, Pantar, Poona Piagapo, Salvador, Sapad, Sultan Naga Dimaporo (Karomatan), Tagoloan, Tangkal, and Tubod. It has 462 barangays. The municipality of Tubod is the capital town of the province. It has 2 Districts, (1st) Iligan City to the Municipality of Baroy and (2nd ) from Municipality of Balo-I to Sapad.

Population
Has a population of 387,324 with a population density of 109.00 per square kilometers.

Language / Dialect
The Christian-Muslim ratio is 60:40 in favor of the Christians. Cebuano, English & Filipino are widely spoken among Christians, and Maranao for Muslim.

Climate
Lanao del Norte is outside the typhoon belt and has a non-seasonal climate with an average yearly rainfall of 60 inches. The average temperature is 80 degrees on the Fahrenheit scale.

Industries
Rice, corn, coconut, marine products (crabs, shrimps, sea shells, sea woods), and wood products.


A. Products

· Seaweeds

B. Key players

· 1 association with 246 members

C. Market

· Domestic

D. Trade and investment opportunities

· Appropriate trainings and exposures
· Establish production support facilities
· Establish data bank system for easy access to information such as market trends (application of ICT)
· Establish mechanism for project monitoring
· Advocate, formulate and implement policies for seaweeds

History
The term Lanao is derived from the Maranao word “Ranao” meaning a body of water. “Maranao” means lake dweller. They are the natives of the place occupying the land around Lake Lanao, which is situated at the central part of Lanao del Sur. Lanao applied to the entire area before its division.

When it was divided into two provinces, the southern portion became Lanao del Sur and the northern part became Lanao del Norte.

The Maranaos are a tribe of Malay-Arabic descent. They settled in the area long before the advent of the Spaniards in the Philippines. They possess their own culture and civilization which makes them quite unique. Their language, customs, traditions, religion, social system, costumes, music, and other features are factors that make Lanao peculiar and distinct from other Philippine provinces. (maranao, wowphilippines & DTI)

Zamboanga del Sur

Overview
The province of Zamboanga del Sur is bounded on the north by the province of Zamboanga del Norte; on the south by the Moro Gulf; on the southwest by Zamboanga Sibugay; and on the east and northeast by Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Panguil Bay.

The original inhabitants of the Zamboanga peninsula were the Subanons, who settled along the riverbanks. The next group of settlers to arrive were Muslim migrants from the neighboring provinces.

The Maguindanaoans and Kalibugans were farmers; the Tausugs, Samals, and Badjaos were fishermen; and the Maranaos were traders and artisans. The Muslim settlers also looked on mat weaving as its major occupation.

Then came an exodus of migrants from nearby provinces. Historians say that majority of them came from the Visayas, Cebu, Bohol, Negros, and Siquijor.

Together with the original settlers, these pioneers helped develop Zamboanga del Sur into the abundant and culturally diverse province that it is.

Today the province comprises two congressional districts with 26 municipalities and one component city.

Pagadian City, its capital, with a total of 681 barangays, has been declared as the new regional seat of Region IX.

Geography
Zamboanga del Sur occupies the southern section of the Zamboanga peninsula that forms the western part of the Island of Mindanao. It is located within a longitude of 122º 30"" and latitude of 7º 15"" north. It has a total land area of 473, 491hectares or 4,734.91 sq. m.

Stretching northward from Sibugay in the southwest and running along the northern boundary to Salug Valley in the east is the province’s mountainous countryside.

The coastal plains are extending regularly from south to west then spreading into wide flat lands when reaching the coastal plains of the Baganian peninsula in the southeast.

Political Subdivision
Zamboanga del Sur consists of two congressional districts with 26 municipalities and one city, with a total of 681 barangays.

Language/ Dialect
The major dialect is Cebuano, spoken by 61.31% of the population. Also spoken are Tagalog, Subanon, Chavacano, Ilonggo, Maguindanao, Tausug, Boholano, and Ilocano.

Population
As of the year 2000 census, Zamboanga del Sur had reached a population of 836, 147.

Climate
The province has a relatively high mean annual rainfall that varies from 1,599 millimeters in drier areas to 3,500 millimeters in the wettest portion. Temperature is relatively warm and constant throughout the year ranging from the minimum temperature of 22 to 35 degrees Celsius.

Trade and Industry
Agri-based manufacture of coco oil, livestock feed milling, rice/ corn milling, including the processing of fruits; gifts and housewares made from indigenous materials like handmade paper, roots, rattan, buri, and bamboo; wood-based manufacture of furniture and furniture components from wood, rattan, and bamboo; marine and aquaculture including support services; construction services and manufacture of marble, concrete, and wooden construction materials.

A. Products

· Seaweeds

B. Key players

· All the 342 members of the Federated Barangay Seaweed Planters Assocition (FEBASPA)

C. Market

· Domestic

D. Investment opportunities

· Access to financial assistance for working capital, nursery and postharvest facilities
· New markets for new applications
· Strong support and priority focus on the industry from LGU and Las i.e., organized seaweed task force
· Easy access to markets
(wowphilippines & DTI)

Butuan

Widely recognized as the earliest known place of settlement and sea trade in the Philippines, Butuan was already a commercial center of the country in early 10th century. The people from Butuan have already established trading relations with the kingdom of Champa which is now South Vietnam.

By the 11th century, Butuan was the center of trade and commerce in what will be know as the Philippines. The best evidence to prove this fact is the discovery of 9 balanghays and other archaeological finds in the vicinities of Butuan City, particularly in Ambangan, Libertad near the old El Rjo de Butuan and Masao River.

The city is located at the northeastern part of Agusan Valley in northern Mindanao, sprawling across the Agusan River. It is bounded to the north, west and south by Agusan del Norte, to the east by Agusan del Sur and to the northwest by Butuan Bay.

Land Area 758 sq km
Population 267,279 (2000 census)
Distance from Manila 491 miles south
Dialects Spoken Butuanon, Others Include Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon, Majority can speak and understand Tagalog and English

Background
Butuan, chartered city, southern Philippines, capital of Agusan del Norte Province, near the mouth of the Agusan River, on the northern coast of Mindanao. The city is a trade center for the Agusan river valley, where lumber, gold, abaca, and copra are produced.

Butuan is reputed to be the site at which the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan proclaimed Spanish sovereignty over the Philippine Archipelago in 1521. Population (1999 estimate) 247,074.

A description of Butuan is not complete without infusing it with the significance of the Agusan River and its tributaries that provide the valley with rich soil from periodic floods. Its serpentine route through the city and the two Agusan provinces provide the people with easy means of transportation for trade and commerce and encourage settlement along its banks. The Agusan River greatly helped the booming of the "Logging Industry" which earned Butuan the name " Timber City of the South".
Butuan sprawls across the Agusan River nine kilometers from its mouth. Towards this, to the north and seaward, run fertile rice lands.

Halfway round the city to the southwest, roll the gently sloping hills over there Mount Mayapay looms. To the east, the majestic Hilong-hilong and Diwata mountain ranges protect the entire valley from fierce Pacific storms. Its very difficult to pinpoint the exact time when the name Butuan first emerged.

People and Culture
Butuan, the prehistoric city by the river, is reportedly the site of the oldest settlement in the Philippines, and where the first catholic mass is said to have taken place.

The Butuanons are warm and kind-hearted, just like its name, Butuan, from the word "But-an" meaning "good".

Area Profile
Butuan, the provincial capital, is located at the central part of Agusan del Norte province. It lies flat along the banks of Agusan River following along course within the province of Davao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte and drains into Butuan Bay.

Butuan serves a strategic center of the Northern Mindanao region. The national highways from Misamis Oriental, Surigao and Davao traverse the city and meet at the junction of Barangay Ampayon, effectively linking the Northern Mindanao provinces together.

Commerce and Industry
Butuan, like the Caraga Provinces, is primarily an agricultural province. It is also one of the leading rice producer after Bukidnon. Butuan is also a major timber producer in the region.

There are 23 lumber producers and plywood plants in the city. Butuan's rattan is one of the best in the country. Other products include corn, vegetable, coconuts and bananas.

Amenities
Butuan has hotels with convention facilities which can accommodate 500 people and can provide audio-visual equipment upon request. Butuan caters to every filipino taste.

There are a lot of inexpensive restaurants that serve both local and international dishes. One can enjoy the most tasty dishes with the abundant supply of seafood, pao ( the native rootcrop), kayam, and onao from the sorroundings.

How to get There
By Air, Butuan is, 1 hour and 30 minutes away by plane from the national capital, Manila and 50 minutes from Cebu City. Philippine Airlines flies from Manila three times a week (Monday, Wednesday & Friday) for Cagayan de Oro and Cebu flies daily.

By Boat,Butuan is easily accessible by boat from Manila, Cebu and Bohol. Gothong Lines sails from Cebu to Butuan every Tuesday. By Land,Buses leave from capital cities of Mindanao to Butuan several times a day.

History
The name "Butuan" is believed to have originated from the sour fruit "Batuan". Other etymology sources say that it comes from a certain "Datu Buntuan", a chieftain who once ruled over Butuan.

As early as the 10th century, people from Butuan had already established trading relations with the Kingdom of Champa (now southern Vietnam).

By the 11th century, Butuan was the center of trade and commerce in the Philippines. The evidence to prove this fact is the discovery of 9 balangays (the Butuan Boat) and other archeological find in the vicinities of Butuan City, particularly in Ambangan, Libertad near the old El Rio de Butuan and Masao River.

Much controversy and debate have been generated with regard to the holding of the first mass. Whether it was held in Limasawa, Leyte or in Masao, Butuan City. It is sure, however, that Ferdinand Magellan did drop anchor by the mouth of Agusan River in 1521 and held mass to commemorate the event.

The first municipal election in Butuan took place on March 1902 in accordance with Public Law No. 82 which coincided with the American occupation of the place.

During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World War II, Butuan was razed to the ground when the guerilla forces attacked the enemy garrison during the middle of 1943.

On October 20, 1948, still recovering from the war, the entire municipality was ruined by a fire.

The boom of the logging industry during the 1950s up the middle of 1970s has made Butuan the "Timber City of the South". The outcome of which was the influx of business and fortune seekers from other provinces.

The once lethargic town suddenly became a bustling locality. The flourishing logging industry inspired and prompted Congressman Marcos M. Calo to file a bill converting Butuan into a city. On August 2, 1950, Butuan became a city by virtue of Republic Act No. 523 otherwise known as the City Charter of Butuan.

From being a chartered City, Butuan was reclassified into a highly urbanized city on February 7, 1985 pursuant to the provision of section 166 and 168 of Local Government code of 1997 and Memorandum circular 83-49 of the ministry of local Government.

The re-classification was based on its outcome and population as certified by the ministry of finance and national census and statistics office.(LGU)

Siargao

Siargao, in Surigao del Norte province, is home to Cloud 9, the best known surfing break in the Philippines. It has the reputation of being one of the top Surfing Waves in the world.

The tear-drop shaped island is situated 800 kilometers southeast of Manila. It has a land mass of approximately 437 kilometers. The east coast is relatively straight with one deep inlet -- Port Pilar with a coastline marked by a succession of reefs, small points and white sandy beaches.

The Island's Pacific-facing reefs are situated on the edge of the Philippine Trench, and the extremely deep offshore waters assure the ocean swells have undiluted power when they encounter the many coral and rock reefs, giving Siargao excellent surfing conditions, particularly during the southwest "habagat" monsoon from August to November, when the prevailing wind is offshore.

The best known surfing wave on Siargao with a worldwide reputation for thick, hollow tubes is "Cloud 9". This right-breaking reef wave is the site of the annual Siargao Cup, a domestic and international surfing competition sponsored by the provincial government of Surigao del Norte. The wave was discovered by traveling surfers in the late 1980's, and named and made famous by American photographer John S Callahan, who published the first major feature on Siargao Island in the US based SURFER Magazine in March 1993, and hundreds of photos in many other books and magazines since. Callahan has returned to the island many times since his first visit in 1992, and his efforts to photograph and publish surfing related and general location material from Siargao in books and magazines around the world has put the island on the international map and drawn thousands of surfers and tourists to Siargao.

There are several other quality waves on Siargao and nearby islands, but Cloud 9 has received more publicity than any other wave in the area, indeed in the Philippines as a whole. It is the only wave in the area accessible without a boat, leading to overcrowding and the nickname of "Crowd 9" among surfers worldwide as eager foreign and locally owned accommodation and tourist facilities attempt to profit from the magazine publicity and the annual influx of visitors drawn by the Siargao Cup competition in September.

While there are few rental craft on the island, Siargao has superb sea kayaking opportunities – on the east side, facing the Philippine Trench, the deep blue sea runs straight up against a perfect tropical coast, offering unparalleled wave-running.

On the other side of the island, one of the country’s largest expanses of virgin mangrove swamp provides an entirely different kind of exploration. This centuries-old ecosystem is a rich breeding ground for marine life, including the salt-water crocodile, and is an adventure no kayaker will want to miss.

Long stretches of wetlands likewise indicate potentials for commercial seaweed propagation. Siargao Island is greatly influenced by the winds and currents coming uninterrupted from the Pacific Ocean, intensified by the Mindanao current running westward through the Siargao Strait.

Offshore, a classic tropical island lay protected within its surrounding coral reef and the dozen coconut palms dressed in the center circle of the island rustled gently in the morning breeze. (wowphilippines)

Agusan del Norte

Overview
Agusan del Norte is the smallest province in the Caraga Region, classified as a second-class province. It is mountainous along its northeastern and western parts.

In between are flat, rolling lands, particularly where the Agusan River cuts through as it empties into Butuan Bay. The highest peak, Mt. Hilong-hilong, at 2,012 meters above sea level, is located in the Diwata Mountain Ranges near the eastern boundary of Surigao del Sur. Indigenous peoples of the Mamanwa, Manobo, and Higaonon/Tala-andig tribes populate its many mountains.

Geography
Located in the northeastern part of Mindanao, it is bounded on the north by Butuan Bay and Surigao del Norte; east by Surigao del Sur; west by Misamis Oriental; and south and southwest by Agusan del Sur. Agusan del Norte occupies a total land area of 2, 503.9 sq. kilometers.

Political Subdivision
Agusan del Norte is composed of 11 municipalities. Capital is Cabadbaran, which also serves as the administrative center. The commercial center is Butuan City.

Population
Agusan del Norte had a population of 299,313 as of 2003, growing at an annual rate of 1.89%.

Language/Dialect
Pilipino, English, Spanish, Fukienese, Cebuano, Butuanon, Ilonggo, Manobo, Mamanwa, Higa-onon, Maranao.

Climate
The province is located outside of the typhoon belt and has no definite dry season. Rainfall is pronounced throughout the year, occurring heavily from November to January.

Industries
Primarily an agricultural province, Agusan del Norte is the region’s leading rice producer. Other major products are coconut, corn, mango, bananas, palm oil, vegetables, and prawns.The province continues to be a major timber producer despite its extensive deforested areas. There are 23 lumber producers and plywood plants, most of them operating in Butuan City. Minor licensees concentrate on gathering rattan, considered the best in the country.The emerging industry mix is on agri-business, where its two special economic zones will play a vital role in transforming the place from a timber-dependent industry to a balanced agri-forestry-tourism industry.

Products

· Fresh cavendish bananas

Key players

· 2 people's organizations
· 2 investors

Market

· Domestic
· Export: Japan and China through local investor

Trade and investment opportunities

· Expansion of plantation/production area
· Increased production (wowphilippines & DTI)

Agusan del Sur

Overview
Located in Southern Philippines, Agusan del Sur is the fourth largest province in the country. It is endowed with rich natural resources contained in its vast agricultural, forest, and marsh lands. Its vision is to become an agro-processing center and an eco-tourism destination.

Agusan del Sur is a promising paradise found in the northeastern part of Mindanao. It is the land of the proud and brave Agusanons, a land of multi-ethnic and cultural diversity.

It is hidden in the vastness of 896,550 hectares of endless green carpets and undulating forest cover which envelope its half a million people with fresh mountain air. The long winding Agusan River passes through the middle valley of Agusan del Sur.

Geography
Agusan del Sur lies along the Maharlika Highway that links the three major island groups of the country. It has a land area of 896,550 hectares, with a flat and rolling topography suitable for agriculture, industry, and forestry.

It takes the shape of an elongated basin with mountain ranges in the eastern and western sides, which form a valley occupying the central longitudinal section of the land.

The Agusan River, which is among the many rivers that crisscross the province, cuts it into two along a north-south direction, fertilizing the land all year round. The southern part teems with swamps and lakes, forming one of the largest wetlands in Southern Asia.

Political Subdivision
Agusan del Sur occupies a portion of the Northern Mindanao Region bounded on the north by Agusan del Norte, on the east by Surigao del Sur, on the south by Davao del Norte, and on the west by Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon. The province has one congressional district, which is composed of 14 municipalities and 314 barangays. Its capital town is Prosperidad, also the seat of the provincial government.

Language/Dialect
Cebuano, Boholano, Ilonggo, English, Filipino, and Visayan.

Climate
The climate is pleasant, with no dry season but a very pronounced rainy period usually occuring in December to January. Monthly rainfall is 302 mm. while the average temperature is 27 degrees Celsius.

Industries
An industrial estate in Talacogon, the Agusan del Sur Provincial Industrial Center forms the nucleus of the Agusan del Sur growth diamond. It is expected to boost agro-industrial production and aid in the further growth of the economy. The Economic Zone will be hosting light to medium scale industries engaged mostly in agro-industrial processing.

Products

· Fresh fruit bunches (FFBs) for processing into crude palm oil and palm kernel
· Palm oil

Key players

· 1 processor
· 1 processor/large grower
· 2 large growers
· 1 farmers' group
· 64 individual growers

Market

· Domestic

Trade and investment opportunities

· Expansion of plantations/production areas due to large demand of FFBs from local processors (wowphilippines & DTI)