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Cagayan de Oro
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The City of Cagayan de Oro ; abbreviated CDO, CDOC or Cag. de Oro ; Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Cagayan de Oro; Tagalog: Lungsod ng Cagayan de Oro; lies along the northern coastline of Mindanao. It is the provincial capital of the province of Misamis Oriental and the regional center for Northern Mindanao (Region 10). According to the 2007 census, the city has an estimated population of 553,996 people.
There are several places in the Philippines named Cagayan. One must distinguish Cagayan de Oro City from Cagayan Province in Northern Luzon. There are also islands in the Sulu Sea named Cagayan.
HistoryThe area was first inhabited around 377 AD (the late Neolithic Period), island natives lived in a settlement then known as Himologan (now known as Huluga), eight kilometers from present day Cagayan de Oro. The natives were polytheistic animist and paid tributes to Sultan Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat, the Sultan of Maguindanao. In 1622, two Spanish Augustinian Recollect missionaries came in contact with the natives of Himologan and in 1626, Fray Agustin de San Pedro persuaded the chief of Himologan, Datu Salangsang, to transfer his settlement down river, to the present day Gaston Park. Fray Agustin later fortified the new settlement against warriors who were sent by Sultan Kudarat.
On February 27, 1872, the Spanish Governor General Carlos Maria de la Torre issued a decree declaring Cagayan the permanent capital of Segundo Distrito de Misamis. During this era, the name of the town was known as Cagayan de Misamis. On January 10, 1899, Cagayan de Misamis joined the Philippine government of Emilio Aguinaldo and celebrated its independence from Spain. It was the second time the Aguinaldo government was declared and the new Philippine flag raised on the Mindanao island. By virtue of the 1898 Treaty of Paris, Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States; this caused friction and resulted in the Philippine-American War. In March 31, 1900, the Americans occupied Cagayan de Misamis and on April 7, 1900, battle erupted in the town center led by General Nicolas Capistrano and Filipino resistance fighters. The Americans won the war, and about forty years later, gave the Philippines its independence July 4, 1946.
Through the efforts of Congressman Emmanuel Pelaez, the town of Cagayan de Misamis became a city on June 15, 1950 and its name changed to Cagayan de Oro. Congressman Pelaez appended "de Oro" to "Cagayan" in recognition of the gold mining activities in the area known to Spanish explorers.
GeographyCagayan de Oro is located along the central coast of Northern Mindanao. To the south, the city is bordered by the Bukidnon Province and Lanao del Norte. The Municipality of Opol, Misamis Oriental borders the city on the west and Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental to the east. To the north lies Macajalar Bay facing the Bohol Sea. Its total land area is 488.86 km² representing 13.9% of the entire Misamis Oriental Province. It includes 25 kilometers of coastline and a fine deep water harbor, Macajalar Bay. 44.7% of the surface of Cagayan de Oro is classified as agricultural land, and 38.4% is classified as open spaces.
ClimateCagayan de Oro has a tropical climate. The average temperature whole year round is 28 °C (82 °F). The highest recorded temperature in the city was 36 °C (97 °F) on May 1998. Cagayan de Oro receives an even amount of rain through out the year. The driest month is April, while July is the wettest. Wet season in the city starts in June and ends in November. Drier season starts in December and ends in May. Cagayan de Oro is rarely visited by a typhoon since it is outside the Pacific typhoon belt.
People"About 44 percent of the household population in Cagayan de Oro City classified themselves as Binisaya/Bisaya, 22.15 percent as Cebuano, 4.38 percent as Boholano, while 28.07 percent as other ethnic groups." (2000 Census)
LanguageThe city's major languages are: Cebuano / Visayan, English, and Filipino .
Cebuano or Visayan, is the city's main conversational language. English is mainly used for business, written text and is also widely used by the academic community. Most of the local population are also fluent in Filipino, the country's national language.
ReligionThe city's major religion is Roman Catholic. Other religions include, but are not limited to; Other Christians (Latter-day Saints, Aglipay, Baptists, and Iglesia ni Kristo), Muslims, and other religions.
EconomyCagayan de Oro is the base to both local and multi-national companies such as Del Monte Philippines, Nestle, Coca-Cola, Pepsi Cola, and others. The city's economy is largely based on industry, trade, service and tourism. Link2Support and Arriba are among the few call centers that have recently opened their doors to the city. Cagayan de Oro is a young city compared to other highly urbanized cities in the Philippines. The city's annual income has reached a local record of 1.345 Billion Pesos as of the fiscal year, 2006. With the ongoing construction of the Laguindingan International Airport, business analysts predict the entry of more foreign and local investments and an increase in tourism activity in the region will make Cagayan de Oro as one of the chief cities in the southern part of the Philippines.
InfrastructureEducationCagayan de Oro has 3 major universities namely: , Liceo de Cagayan University, and Xavier University, and one state college Mindanao Polytechnic State College. These institutions specialize in various disciplines such as medicine, nursing, commerce, engineering, law, masteral and doctorate degrees. While and Philippine Women's University are campus branches offering fewer courses.
See also: List of colleges and universities in the Philippines
Health CareThe city has a hospital bed to population ratio of 1:474 as of 2003. There are 12 major well-equipped private and government-run hospitals including 50 Barangay Health Centers and 20 Family Planning Centers. There are also modern diagnostic centers and laboratories operating in the city.
Northern Mindanao Medical Center (Provincial Hospital) and JR Borja Memorial Medical Hospital (City Hospital) are the two main government run hospitals in the city. The new Capitol University Medical City Hospital is one of the newer developments of the health services in city. In the recent years, private hospitals in the city have embarked on an aggressive expansion program. There has been a strong demand for medical facilities not only within the city but from nearby Mindanao provinces.
TransportationLumbia Airport caters to domestic flights to and from Manila and Cebu. From Manila, it is an hour and fifteen minutes away by plane and from Cebu it is forty-five minutes away. There is ongoing construction on the Laguindingan International Airport. When finished, the international airport will serve Northern Mindanao including its major cities; Iligan and Cagayan de Oro.
The Macabalan seaport serves regular trips to Manila, Cebu, Tagbilaran, Bacolod, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Iligan, Jagna and Nasipit/Butuan. It is the busiest seaport in the region.
Cagayan de Oro Seaport is a modern international seaport situated near the estuary of Cagayan de Oro River, it has an anchorage depth of 18 meters and is around 400 meters from the shoreline. Cagayan de Oro Seaport has two authorized cargo handling operators. With the recent completion of the 250 Million Peso Rehabilitation Project, the Cagayan de Oro seaport is now the largest international and domestic seaport in Mindanao. General Milling and Del Monte Philippines also operates their own port facilities within Cagayan de Oro. The US $85 Million Mindanao Container Terminal located in Tagoloan, 17 kilometers from Cagayan de Oro serves the PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate.
There are three bus and jeepney terminals in the city which offer regular land trips. The Agora Bus Terminal caters trips to and from Balingoan (port going to Camiguin), Gingoog, Davao, Butuan and Surigao in the Caraga Region, Valencia and Malaybalay in Bukidnon. While the Bulua-Westbound Bus Terminal caters trips to and from Iligan, Ozamiz, and western parts of Mindanao.
Utilities- There are four major land based phone companies (Philcom, Misortel, Cruztelco and Italtel) serving the city.
- Mobile phone services are provided by Globe-Touch Mobile, Smart-Talk'n'Text-Addict Mobile, Sun Cellular and Extelcom.
- There are several internet companies operating in the city offering dial up, broadband, Wi-Fi and cable services. The Pueblo de Oro IT Park located in Upper Carmen is the first PEZA-registered IT park in Mindanao. The IT Park currently houses one of Cagayan de Oro's call centers.
- Water services is provided by the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD), it was the first water district established in the entire country.
- Electricity is provided by the Cagayan Electric Power and Light Company (CEPALCO), it covers 64 barangays and caters to more than 80,000 consumers. They are also operating a 1-megawatt photovoltaic-solar power plant in Indahag; it is the biggest solar power plant that is connected to the power grid in South East Asia.
Government
Cagayan de Oro City has been administered by elected and appointed officials since June 15, 1950. The city political government is composed of the Mayor, Vice-Mayor, two Congressional Representatives, sixteen City Councilors, one Sangguniang Kabataan Federation representative and an Association of Barangay Captain representative.
Law EnforcementNational PoliceCamp Vicente Alagar is the headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP). It is located in Barangay Lapasan on top of a hilly area overlooking the city. Camp Alagar has jurisdiction over the entire Northern Mindanao. Recently the national government provided new vehicles and equipments to improve Police response time and increase Police visibility in the city streets.
MilitaryCamp Edilberto Evangelista, located in Barangay Patag of Cagayan de Oro, is the largest military camp in Mindanao with an area of 129 hectares. It is home to the 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army. Camp Evangelista's external jurisdiction covers the Northern Mindanao and Caraga region. Minor military camps are also located in Barangay Lumbia and upper Puerto.
RecreationParks and resorts
- Gaston Park and Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral Gaston Park is located in front of the San Agustin Metropolitan Cathedral. The park, noted for its water fountain, is a favorite place to unwind for many locals, especially during Sundays. Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral is the home of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro. Every 28th of August, Cagayan de Oro celebrates the feast of Saint Augustine, now known as the Kagay-an (kä-gi-än) Festival. It is highlighted by the Miss Kagay-an Tourism beauty pageant, Sakay-Sakay sa Lambago fluvial parade, street dancing in native costumes and the Golden Float parade.
- Whitewater river rafting along the Cagayan de Oro river has gained popularity through the years after President Macapagal-Arroyo herself went whitewater rafting last 2002.
- Catanico Falls is concealed by huge boulders, the rapids, cascading falls and natural pool of Barangay. F.S. Catanico.
- Mapawa Nature Park is ideal for horseback riding, biking, zipline and nature trekking.
- Gardens of Malasag Eco-Tourism Village is located in a reforested area in Malasag Hill. This 7 hectare village has replicas of tribal houses in the region and a panoramic view of Macajalar Bay. The tourism village is owned and managed by the Philippine Tourism Authority.
- Vicente de Lara Park is situated in front of the Provincial Capitol of Misamis Oriental with age-old mahogany trees that provide a therapeutic canopy for the promenades. The park is a popular jogging area during the morning.
- Plaza Divisoria was built in 1901 as a town divider and fire breaker after a large fire burned most of the town. It is now a park dedicated to national heroes like President Ramon Magsaysay, Andres Bonifacio, Dr. Jose Rizal, as well as other local Philippine heroes.
- Bonifacio Park is among several parks located in Plaza Divisoria. Most of the local soldiers who died during the Philippine-American War of 1900 are buried beneath the monument.
- Kagay-an Resort, formerly known as Lawndale Spring Resort, in the Taguanao Area, is usually packed with families and groups on weekends lounging in the cold springs.
- The Pueblo de Oro Golf Course in upper Carmen is an 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones II.
Museums and historical places- La Castilla Museum is a museum of Philippine household heirlooms and antiques. This is the Rodolfo and Elsa Pelaez family memorabilia administered by the Liceo de Cagayan University.
- Museo de Oro is a museum located within the campus of Xavier University. The museum exhibits artifacts dug from Huluga Cave and repertoire of Bukidnon and Maranao Cultures that have survived the ravages of time.
- Huluga is an archaeological site in sitio Taguanao, barangay Indahag. It is composed of an open site and two caves where skeletal remains of a child and woman were found. A fragment of the woman's skull was dated 377 AD by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, California. The open site is the venue of prehistoric settlement.
- Macahambus Cave and Gorge is an underground cave with a 130 foot (40 m) circular gorge. The ravine is thick with various species of plants and huge trees. It is the site of the historic battle between local and American soldiers during the Philippine-American War (1900).
- Plaza de los Heroes is a memorial dedicated to the heroes of the Three Battles of Cagayan de Oro during the Philippine-American War. It is located along Masterson Avenue.
Shopping
Cagayan de Oro City is the shopping capital of the Northern Mindanao region. Residents from nearby provinces visit the city to shop and enjoy the mall facilities. Ayala Land recently launched its residential estate in Indahag and would soon construct its own shopping center, the Ayala Mall. SM City and Robinsons Mall are drawing plans to further expand their operations in the city center. Plans are also underway for the construction of the Pacific Island City Mall along Barangay Nazareth.
Major Shopping Centers, are as follows:
- is located in Barangay Lapasan, near the National Highway. The Atrium located inside the mall is ideal for conventions, concerts, exhibits, and other events. Events held in the Atrium include concerts by local and foreign artists, beauty pageants, including the annual Miss Cagayan de Oro, and local and national conventions.
- Robinsons Cagayan de Oro is located behind the Limketkai Mall. It is right beside Grand Caprice Restaurant and Convention Center.
- Gaisano City Mall is at the Claro M. Recto Avenue cor Corrales Extension, Lapasan Highway. Gaisano also has branches in Cogon and Carmen.
- SM City Cagayan de Oro at Masterson Avenue, Upper Carmen
- Makro at Kauswagan Highway.
- Ororama Chain of Stores in Lapasan, Cogon, and Carmen.
- The Night Café at the Divisoria area is set up on Friday and Saturday nights. Locals and visitors gather in the streets of Divisoria to have barbecue and seafood, among many choices, and enjoy the music, beer, and also the great bargains from the nearby Night Market.
Tourism
Due to the national government's aggressive tourism campaign, local and foreign tourist arrivals in the city is on the rise. In 2004, the city registered a tourist arrival of 307,820; an increase from a previous of 232,257 in 2003.
Sister Cities- Tainan, Taiwan (2005)
- Harbin, China
- Norfolk, United States
MediaSee: Media in Cagayan de Oro City
External links
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