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Since it is surrounded by the bays of iligan, Illana and Panguil and the Moro Gulf and Celebes Sea, this strategic location allows it to establish trade relations with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Japan. Since it is in a typhoon free area, it good potential for agribusiness and agro-industrial enterprises . POPULATION Based on the 2000 national census; the region had a total population of 2,494,000. This increased by 5.4% from its population of 2,359,808 in 1995. In 1990, there were 700,470 males (50.9%) and 675,938 females. CULTURAL GROUPS Around 70% of the total population in Central Mindanao are migrants Cebuanos, Hiligaynons, Ilocanos and Tagalogs. Native to the region are the Maranaos, Maguindanaons and other ethnic tribes. CLIMATE Heavy rain during the months of June to October. There are dry spells from February to June. The two provinces are seldom visited by typhoons. LAND USE Its total land area of 965,794 hectares are divided as follows: forest- land: 32%; agriculture: 65%; mining and quarrying: 1.69%; and the rest for other land uses. NATURAL RESOURCES Fishing is a major economic activity because of the rich fishing grounds of Iligan Bay, the Moro Gulf and the Celebes Sea. Its water resources include the Maria Cristina Falls, large and numerous rivers, lakes and streams. It has rich mineral resources such as gold, copper, iron, chromium, silver, zinc, clay gypsum, limestone and phosphate. It is also the main source for hydroelectric power for Mindanao. ECONOMY The major earners in the region are fishing, agriculture and forest- related products. Hydroelectric power is provided by the Maria Cristina Falls. Steel, cement and coconut oil are some of the important products of the region. Coconut, pineapple, rubber, sugarcane, rice, corn, banana and other fruits are the main agricultural produce. Central Mindanao is part of three Area Development Zones (ADZs): Cagayan – Iligan Industrial Corridor, the Greater Cotabato – Illana Bay ADZ and the Panguil Bay- Mt. Malindang ADZ. The Cagayan – Iligan Industrial Corridor will be the center for heavy industry and bulk supplier of industrial inputs and finished industrial products. It is envisioned to be a trade center for processed agri-based products as well as for intermediate and finished products. URBAN CENTERS The city of Iligan in Lanao del Norte serves as the urban center of Central Mindanao. Light to heavy industries, tourist facilities, and institutions of higher learning can be found in the area. FACILITIES Maria Cristina Falls and other tourist attractions are found in the region. Electricity, water systems, transportation, telecommunication and postal facilities are also available. |
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| Sources: -Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) -National Census and Statistics Office (NCSO) -(NAMRIA) -Department of Tourism (DOT) -Abigan Jr., Edmundo R. Philguides Maps Regions I - XIII (Manila: Philippine Guides, Inc.) 1999 -Regional Development Plan: Directions for the 21st Century Regions I –XIII, Cordillera Administrative Region (Philippines: Regional Development Council) 1998 -NEDA Medium Term Development Plan (Philippines, National Economic and Development Authority), 1999. -Actual Population per Region. http://www.PIDS.gov.ph Available online. January 2001 | |
