Lantapan, Bukidnon

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Lantapan is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Bukidnon, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 42,383 people in 7,880 households.

Its main industry is agriculture. It has two banana plantations, the Dole Banana Plantation and the Mt. Kitanglad Agriventure, Inc. (MKAVI).

[edit] History of Lantapan

Lantapan is a landlocked plateau, situated between the Kalatungan and Kitanglad Ranges. Because of its location, the place was named after a native word "Lantapan" which means "level-on-top". It was formerly a barrio of Malaybalay but under Republic Act 4787, Lantapan was segregated and became a regular municipality on June 18, 1968. The new municipality struggled to support its early operations with meager funds. But through strong political will and sound managements by its elected officials, it has survived difficulties and continues to face the emerging challenges of development. Today, Lantapan's various potentials continue to attract more and more visitors, migrants and investors.

The Municipal Hall of Lantapan, Bukidnon

[edit] Geography

Land and Water

Nestled in the heart of Bukidnon, Lantapan is bounded on the north by the municipalities of Sumilao and Impasugong; east by Malaybalay; south by Valencia; and west by Talakag. It lies above sea level at an average of 600 meters and a maximum of 2,938 meters of the Kitanglad range. Blessed with rich agriculture and forest lands, it has an aggregate area of 31,820 hectares. It has six river channels and 40 creeks and springs traversing across different points in the landscape. Lantapan is strategically located between two cities of Bukidnon, Malaybalay and Valencia. It can be reached via Aglayan crossing, which is a potential convergent zone of four cities: Iligan, Butuan, Davao and Cagayan de Oro City. Politically, it is sub-divided into 14 barangays and 68 sitios. The central district of the Poblacion is almost midway between the north and south sections of the municipality.

Climate

The climatic condition of Lantapan is relatively cool and humid with winds blowing northward direction. November to April is relatively dry and May brings the start of the rains which continue 'til October. Mountains of neighboring towns in the north protect it from cyclone storms.

[edit] The People

Originally, the Talaandig were the main inhabitants of Lantapan. Then, migrants from the Visayas and Northern Luzon started to settle in the area, even during the Spanish colonial period. More inflow took place after the Second World War. This stream of settlers eventually led to the varied mix of ethnic groups in Lantapan. Visayan is the predominant language, followed by "Binukid". 1990 Census showed Lantapan's population have reached 41,581 with Kibangay as the most populated barangay. Its population growth rate between 1980-1990 of 4.18% was well above the national rate of 2.3 percent. With this, the population is expected to double in less than twenty years. In general, Lantapanons are friendly, you feel at home with them, straight away.

[edit] Socio-Economic Profile

Education

Presently, there is a total of 24 primary, elementary and secondary schools in Lantapan. There are privately owned and one is semi-private and semi-government, while the rest are government-owned. These schools serve approximately 7,000 children. Day care centers under the Department of Social Welfare and Development provide preparatory education to pre-schoolers in the barangays.

Agriculture

Lantapan has agri-based economy. Farming has remained a dominant economic activity among the Lantapanons. The major crops grown are corn, coffee, cabbage and potatoes. Sugarcane also becoming an important commercial crop.

Cassava chips and corn being dried in the community solar dryer. Lantapan's economy is basically agri-based.

Commerce

There are 428 commercial establishments registered at the Licensing Division of the municipality, 15 of which are classified under agro-industrial, manufacturing and servicing. Trading activities include wholesale buying of corn, coffee and vegetables by traders from within Lantapan, neighboring towns in Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro City.

Finance

For finance, the informal credit or "suki" system prevails. In this arrangement, the trader is usually the "suki" who provides credit too and buys the products of the farmer. A few cooperatives in some barangays also extend small loans to their members. An Asian Hills Bank located at the Poblacion and established in 1978, is owned by a private corporation. Its portfolio includes agricultural, commercial and real estate loans.

Health Services

The rural health unit (RHU) maintains one central health unit and 14 barangay health stations. The RHU provides medical, dental, family planning and laboratory services. Recently, it has started to provide special care and rehabilitation to malnourished children. One privately owned clinic for urgent care on minor cases and two registered mini-pharmaceutical stores are found in the Poblacion.

Water Works

Potable water is distributed through individual installations of 3,958 households. A feasibility study is being developed for the establishments of an improved and modern water system for Lantapan which entails tapping the Kulasihan and Songco water sources for an estimated flow of 45,018.168 cubic meter per hour.

Peace and Order

Lantapan is generally peaceful. Security in the area is ably maintained by the local police force. Trained civilian forces, the "Bantay-Bayan" and the Civilian Volunteer Organization (CVO) in the barangays also provide support to crime prevention.

The municipality of Lantapan has a fairly well-paved road system especially the National Road the runs lengthwise through the municipality.

[edit] LGU Plans and Programs

• Agrarian Reform Community Project (ARCP) of DAR and ADB
• Made an Annual Investment Plan
• LGU - Urban Water Supply and Sanitation (LGU-UWSSP) of World Bank
• Infrastructure Projects at the Municipal and Barangay Level, 29 projects completed
• Construction of Municipal Hall Building
• Completion of Municipal Gymnasium

Recent developments in the municipality includes many infrastructures for the benefit of the people including this communication facility erected in the Poblacion that makes communcication easier.

[edit] Barangays

Lantapan is politically subdivided into 14 barangays.

• Alanib
• Baclayon
• Balila
• Bantuanon
• Basak
• Bugcaon
• Ka-atoan (Kaatuan)
• Capitan Juan
• Cawayan
• Kulasihan
• Kibangay
• Poblacion
• Songco
• Victory
• Babahagon

[edit] External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• 2000 Philippine Census Information