Sumilao, Bukidnon

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Map of Bukidnon showing the location of Sumilao

Sumilao is a 4th class municipality in the province of Bukidnon, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 17,958 people in 3,268 households.

1 History of Sumilao
2 Municipality's Vision and Mission
3 Physical Features
4 The People
5 Economy
6 Social Services
7 Tourist Spots
8 Barangays
9 External links

[edit] History of Sumilao

The word "SUMILAO" comes from a Binukid phrase "Kon Sumilaw Da", which means, "when lights come again". A story had been told that there lived a man named WALU who possessed supernatural powers. Many believed that the he lived at Sitio Kilabong, a place near Palaopao Hill. Time came when seven "baylans" (spiritual leaders who possessed special powers)who were living, fabricated degrading stories against Walu. This angered Walu. Standing on the hill, he shouted at the top of his voice and pointed to the seven men rebuking them for their evil intention. At this instant, a bright, glaring light emitted from the tip of his pointed finger and the seven "baylans" were blinded. It was said their eyesights would be restored when the same light will come again.

Oral history from the towns old timers suggested that before the Spanish colonization, the present site of the Poblacion was already inhabited. Four big buildings housing several families were constructed. These families were directly controlled by a settelement datu or chieftain. They have grouped to protect themselves from the fierce "mangangayaw" or head hunters from the hills.

[edit] Municipality's Vision and Mission

Vision

We envision Sumilao as a municipality of self-reliant people living in a just and humane society with a globally compatetive agro-industrial economy and an ecologically balanced environmnent.

Mission

The primary mission of Sumilao is the promotion of total human development. To achieve this, the municipal government shall pool its effort towards the delivery of basic services both social and physical through local autonomy, increase agricultural products and investment through technological transfer and cooperative development, create job opportunities, conserve and regenerate natural resources.

[edit] Physical Features

Political Subdivision

Sumilao is one of the 20 municipalities and of Bukidnon. Located in the mortheastern part of the province, it is approximately 62 kilometers from Cagayan de Oro City and 29 kilometers from the provincial capital, the City of Malaybalay. It is situated between the two growth centers of the province, Manolo Fortich and the City of Malaybalay. Sumilao occupies an aggregate land area of 20,749 hectares. It comprises ten barangays, six of which are traversed by the Kulaman River that separate them from the other four barangays. The ten barangays are Kisolon, Kulasi, Licoan, Lupiagan, Ocasion, Poblacion, Puntian, San Roque, San Vicente and Vista Villa. Unlike any other municipalities, the seat of government in Sumilao is located at barangay Kisolon, Barangay Poblacion serves as satellite barangay for other rural barangays.

Geographical Location

Sumilao is situated in the northern part of Bukidnon Province between latitudes 8 degrees, 11 seconds and 8 degrees, 12 seconds north and longitudes 124 degrees ,52 seconds and 125 degrees and 2 seconds east. It is bounded in the east by the Municipality of Impasugong, in the south by the municipalities of Baungon and Libona and in the north by the Municipality of Manolo Fortich. It is accessible by land transportation and vehicles plying the Cagayan de Oro City and Malaybalay/Valencia routes passing through the eight kilometer stretch of the National Sayre Highway, which traverses the municipal area.

Land Area

The total land area of Sumilao is 20,749 hectares representing 2.4% of the total land area of the province. Its participation in the region is 0.7212. Of the ten barangays, Lupiagan has the largest area accounting to about 29.18% of the total land area. San Vicente is the smallest with 854.4760 hectares or 4.14% of the total land area.

Land Classification

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) data revealed that the information on Sumilao's total land area which is 20,749 hectares can be classified as: 15,592 hectares are considered alienable and disposable and 5,157 hectares of which are forestal/timberland.

Topography

Generally, Sumilao's physical configuration is characterized by extreme features. From the south to the central portion moving towards the north and northwestern areas are the mountain ranges and high relief which include the part of the fames Mt. Kitanglad, the second highest mountain peak in the Philippines and the Palaopao Hill. Due to the fair lineament of the Upper Kulaman areas, settlements sprawl between the vast monotony of pineapple plantation. Per topographic map of the municipality from NAMRIA, the average elevation of Sumilao is 600 meters above sea level.

Climate

Bukidnon province has two prevailing climate variations based on rainfall pattern existing in its northern and southern sections. The northern partm where Sumilao is located falls under the third or intermediate A type. Under this type, seasons are not very pronounced; relatively dry from November to April and wet for the rest of the year, maximum rain period is not very pronouced. Specifically, the climate in the southern part of the municipality is relatively cool and humid throughout the year. These areas are along the foot of the Mt. Kitanglad while in the northern areas, rainfall is more or less evenly distributed throughout the year. Most often in these areas, heavy downpour occurs every afternoon while in the morning the sun shines. The average heaviest rainfall for the past five years occurs in June with 431.7 millimeters and the lowest in March with only 89.2 millimeters.

[edit] The People

Population

Sumilao has the lowest population in the censal year 1990 and second lowest in 1995, among the 21 municipalities. However, if you look at the population growth, it ranks the highest percent increase of 18.90% with an increase population of 2,146 between 1990 and 1995. On the census conducted by the National Statistics Office on the year 2000, the population of Sumilao increased to 17,958 brought about by in-migration of agro-industrial workers from the neighboring twons of Manolo Fortich, Impasugong, Malaybalay City and from the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Camiguin, Bohol and other places in Luzon.

Population Density

The urban barangay of Kisolon and the two urbanizable barangays of San Vicente and Poblacion and one rural barangay of Vista Villa have a density of 1.60 persons per hectare. The density appears very good and ideal noting the density per hectare against the census of 100 persons per hectare.

[edit] Economy

Sumilao is basically an agriculture-based community where most of the populace are dependents on agriculture as its main economic activity and as source of main income. Ordinary farmers are planting rice, corn and vegetables both traditional and high value crops while the large corporations, the DOLE Philippines-Skyland Division and the De Monte Philippines, Inc. are engaged in planting commercial crops of sweet lakatan variety banana and pineapple. There is also an influx of agro-industrial establishment in the area, the piggery and breeder farms but required a minimal employment only. The municipality boost of its natural and man-made attractions which when developed can be a source of income for the populace. Small cottage industries like broom making made of guiyong, ceramics and pot made of clay and hollow blocks making are gaining headway in the area.

[edit] Social Services

Health

Health as a devolved function, the Municipal Government through the Local Health Board and the Municipal Health Office,has given priority on health related programs. Crude birth rates and crude death rates are maintained and improved through the implementation of programs and projects of health. The Municipal Health Office of Sumilao was renovated and a Philhealth station was constructed adjacent to it manned by the personnel from the Provincial Government under the Provincial Indigency Health Program of Hon. Jose Ma. R. Zubiri, Jr. The Municipal Health Office is manned by the designated Officer-in-Charge who is at the same time its medical technologist, including other personnel like the DOH representative, public health nurse, rural sanitary inspector and midwives with the barangay health workers and trained hilots as extension workers. The functions of the OIC of the said office are only focused on signing Daily Time Records, payrolls, communication representing head of office and other administrative functions but not on signing death certificates, medico legal and all claims which are referred to the Provincial Health Office in Malaybalay City.

[edit] Tourist Spots

ALALUM FALLS

The falls is located along the Sayre Highway and less than a kilometer distance from the Municipal Hall. Its imposing grandeur can easily be seen by travelers on motor vehicles. It is approximately 148 feet high.

SUMALASAG CAVE

Known as the longest cave in the first Congressional District of Bukidnon, Sumalsag Cave is located in Kilabong, Vista Villa, Sumilao, Bukidnon. It is generally wet or filled with water. The total length of Sumalsag Cave's three branches is approximately 1,859 meters. Its wide entrance, boasting of huge stalactites, opens to a spacious chamber floored with mud. From its mouth, a gigantic column that dwarfs any person standing near it can be seen. Beyond this chamber is a bigger chamber, which allegedly used to be a rebel headquarter. Remnants of the headquarter facilities can still be founc. Stalactites, stalactites and rimstones can be seen.

LAGUNDANG CAVE

Lagundang Cave boasts of its 225 foot entrance, a mini Niagara Falls and ponds full of crabs and fishes. It is a wonder how crabs and fishes got into this cave, the only opening of which is a vertical drop. Except for treasure hunting, there has been no known activities pertaining to Lagundang Cave. Had the public known of its existence, repelling enthusiast would be thrilled therein and the fascinating rock formations inside the cave.

PALAPAO HILLS

Stretching along the boundary of Sumilao and Manolo Fortich from the northeast, Palaopao Hill stands 836 fet above sea level. The top was once covered with virgin forest while the side contain several caves, rock shelters and limestones overhangs contain wooden coffin and artifacts which designs are traced back during the metal age. These places were used as burial ground in the early part of the 19th century.

MAPASO SPRING

Mapaso is a binukid term for hot. The spring is located at the northeast part of Sitio Alas-as, Barangay Licoan, Sumilao, Bukidnon. It is reachable in two-hour hike through a poisonous ivy trail or cliff rappeling. As one of the potential tourist spots, the KIN-PAMB LivelihooD Committee and the Integrated Area Fund approved the Development Fund of Three Million Pesos for the development of the area.