Misamis Oriental History

Profile of Misamis Oriental Province (Geography)
Location –> Northern Mindanao Region, Philippines (See map below)
Neighboring Provinces –> Agusan Del Norte, Bukidnon, and Lanao Del Norte
Capital –> Cagayan De Oro City
Area –> 3,131.52 km2 (1,209.09 sq mi)
Population –> 1,684,302 including Cagayan De Oro (2020) Population –> 1,564,459 including Cagayan De Oro (2015)
Terrain –> Mountainous with narrow coastal plains
Industries –> Agriculture, Manufacturing, Trading
Major Products –> Rice, Corn, Coconut
People/Language –> Bisaya (Cebuano)

Government Officials
Go here to see the elected provincial officials in Misamis Oriental.

Cities –> Cagayan De Oro, Gingoog, El Salvador
Municipalities (Towns) –> (23) Alubijid, Balingasag, Balingoan, Binuangan, Claveria, Gitagum, Initao, Jasaan, Kinoguitan, Lagonglong, Laguindingan, Libertad, Lugait, Magsaysay, Manticao, Medina, Naawan, Opol, Salay, Sugbongcogon, Tagoloan, Talisayan, Villanueva

Misamis Oriental History

Archaeological finds from the town of the Alubijid prove that the province of Misamis Oriental had been inhabited as early as 3,000 B.C. When the Spaniards came, the area now covered by the province was under the Rajahnate of Butuan. During the Spanish regime, Misamis was under the jurisdiction of Cebu until 1818 when it was separated to become another province.

In 1917, Misamis was placed under the Department of Mindanao and Sulu. On November 28, 1939, it was split into Occidental and Oriental by virtue of Act. No. 3777. Don Gregorio Pelaez became the first governor of Misamis Oriental.

In 1931, Misamis Oriental sent Isidro Vamenta as its first representative to the 9th Philippine Legislature (1931-1934).

On June 15, 2013, Laguindingan Airport, located in the municipality of Laguindingan, was formally opened, replacing Lumbia Airport as the main gateway of Misamis Oriental and Northern Mindanao.

Go here to see all the famous people of Misamis Oriental Province.

Go here to see the candidates and results of the 2019 election in Misamis Oriental.

Read the history of Misamis Oriental in Tagalog here.

Economy of Misamis Oriental Province

Most of the people in Misamis Oriental are engaged in farming and fishing as their main source of livelihood. Rice, corn, and coconut are the main agricultural products.

The province, however, together with Iligan City in Lanao del Norte, is the chief economic engine of the whole Mindanao Island and has been dubbed as the CDO-Iligan Economic Corridor. Several large manufacturing plants are located here like the Del Monte pineapple cannery in Cagayan De Oro City and the cement plant in the town of Lugait. The municipality of Tagoloan is home to the PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate which is also the location of an international container terminal.

With the opening of the Laguindingan International Airport, the province of Misamis Oriental is now considered the gateway not just to Northern Mindanao but to the whole island.

RELATED: Profile of Bohol Province
See also: List of Philippine Provinces and Capital by Region

Map of Province