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 Agusanons 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.

Points of Interest

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.

How to get 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.

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