Bislig

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Bislig
Dakbayan sa Bislig
Lungsod ng Bislig
Component city
Skyline of Bislig City at night taken at the Ocean View Park

Flag
Seal
Nickname(s): The Booming City by the Bay
Map of Surigao del Sur showing the location of Bislig City
Bislig
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 8°12.47′N 126°18.57′E / 8.20783°N 126.30950°E / 8.20783; 126.30950Coordinates: 8°12.47′N 126°18.57′E / 8.20783°N 126.30950°E / 8.20783; 126.30950
Country  Philippines
Region CARAGA (Region XIII)
Province Surigao del Sur
Districts 2nd district of Surigao del Sur
Barangays 24
Incorporated (town) 1921
Incorporated (city) 18 September 2000
Government
 • Mayor Librado Navarro
 • Vice Mayor Jonas Cacayan
Area
 • Total 488.86 km2 (188.75 sq mi)
Elevation 25 m (82 ft)
Population (2010)
 • Total 111,133
 • Density 230/km2 (590/sq mi)
Time zone PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code 8311
Area code(s) (+63) 8622
Income class 3rd class
Website www.bislig.gov.ph

Bislig is a 3rd class city in the province of Surigao del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines. Bislig is approximately 208 kilometers northeast of Davao City, 152 kilometers south of Tandag City (the provincial capital) and 158 southeast of Butuan City. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 111,133 people in 20,402 households.

Barangay Mangagoy, the downtown area often dubbed as "the little city within the city", is the center of trade and industry of Bislig which has a population of 50,000. It is the largest barangay in the city and happens to be arguably the largest barangay in the entire Philippines in terms of land area. It houses national and local banks. Telecommunication such as Internet, cellular phones, cable televisions and leased data lines are well-available in the vicinity of Mangagoy. There are also accommodating inns and hotels, as well as motorized tricycles, jeepneys, and buses ply its concrete roads and highways.

Bislig was the home of the defunct company PICOP Resources, Inc., which happened to be the largest paper mill in Asia and one of the largest in the world. Its concession is a sanctuary of the Philippine Eagle. The permanent shutdown was officially ruled on mid-2008.

A local language, called Kamayo is sometimes used by the residents, though they usually use the more general Cebuano language of the region.

In 2000, Bislig was converted into a city per Republic Act 8804.[1] It is the easternmost city in the Philippines in terms of geographical location.

History

The man-made "Causeway" island and the St. Vincent de Paul Parish Church.

Bislig has a rich recorded past, dating back to the dawn of civilization in this part of Mindanao. It has had its rich, turbulent and bloody episodes, but dynamic transition has led to its present social, economic, physical and political structure.

The legendary allusions as to how Bislig got its name date back to the era prior to the coming of the Spanish conquistadors. The town got its name from a forest vine of the rattan family that grew in abundance along the banks of its rivers. This vine was noted for its strength and became known for saving a royal couple who crossed the swollen river in one of their hunting expeditions and who almost died as they were carried downstream by the rushing current. The legend has it that these hunters had already lost hope of surviving until they were able to cling to a vine which was about 1/4 inch in diameter called Bislig. As a sign of thanksgiving, the ruler named this place Bislig.

Historically, Bislig derived its name from the word “bizlin”, a kind of gold, “which is worth two pesos a tael. The weight of a tael is one and one-eight ounces” in the 16th century, which the natives used for trade and barter. Prior to the coming of Spaniards, this terminology was understood in Luzon and in Mindanao. In the report of the Administrator of Royal Properties Andres Mirandaola dated 8 September 1573 sent to King Philip of Spain that “much gold found in the island of Mindanao, District of Butuan, Surigao ...” It is believed that this kind of gold found in the rolling hills and mountains of the southernmost portion of Bislig and Agusan Province.

However, historical records shows that the name has been variously spelled by the Spanish chroniclers. Conquistador Miguel de Loarca, in his extreme exploratory survey trip of the archipelago, first mentioned and spelled it "Beslin" in his historical accounts “Relacion de los Yslas Filipinas” in 1582, as well as in the Confirmaciones de Encomienda (1616–1700) which Bislig was under the encomienda of Alferez Juan delas Marianas in 1619. In the “Historia general de los religiosos descalzos del orden de San Agustin” of Fray Andres de San Nicolas in 1664 spelled it "Bislin" and also in the “Historia general... del Orden de San Agustin” of Fray Luis de Jesus in 1681. A Franciscan writer, Fray Juan de San Francisco de San Antonio spelled it "Baslig" in his “Cronicas” in 1738. Other Spanish chroniclers spelled it "Bislic" and "Bisliq".

In the first detailed map of the Philippines in 1749, published in “Historia de la Provincia de Filipinas” by a Jesuit, Father Pedro Murillo Velarde spelled it Bislig, as did in the “Historia General ...” of Fray Pedro San Francisco de Assis in 1768 and in the “Mapa dela Provincia de Caraga” by Francisco Alegre in 1751. A complete statistical data of District of Caraga compiled in 1750 spelled as "Bislig", and also in the document titled “Provincia de San Nicolas de Tolentino de Agustinos descalzos dela Congregacion de España y Indias” in 1879.

From the time on, it is known and spelled as Bislig.

People

The first inhabitants of Bislig were believed to have come from the Agusan Valley in the hinterlands of Mindanao beyond the Magdiwata Mountains. These people used spears, bows and arrows and lived a semi-nomadic life and were called Manobos.

Annual Reggae band competition is one of the city's local tradition.

They were ruled during the later part of the seventeenth century by a native leader called "Bagani", meaning a formidable leader. They were very brave, tough and war-like. They also introduced edible crops such as rice, corn and rootcrops to the area.

At the turn of the century, Spanish Colonizers and Missionaries imposed the rule of Spain and brought with them Tagalogs, Ilonggos, and Visayans from the North as members of their expeditionary forces.

Long before it became a town on 1 January 1921 per Executive Order No. 62 issued by Governor General Francis Burton Harrison on 28 December 1920 with Primitivo A. Castillo as its first Municipal President, Vice-President: Sulpicio P. Laurente & Councilors: Ciriaco Alba; Bartolome Alvar; Higino Basañez; Escolastico Carmen; Tomas Masancay; Basilio Dua; Macario Tenchavez. Bislig was already an established political instrumentality or "pueblo" in the Province of Surigao (now Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Norte). Earlier, the province was a part of an even bigger territory stretching from Northeastern Mindanao down to the island's Southeastern "pueblo" of Caraga and Man-ay in Davao Oriental. Caraga was originally the seat of political, military and religious authority.

Since then efforts were made to improve and develop Bislig until the advent of Citihood campaign in 1999 and by virtue of Republic Act No. 8804 Bislig was converted into a component city duly ratified and approved in a plebiscite conducted in 18 September 2000.

The recent grand winner of Pilipinas Got Talent season 2 (2011) by ABS-CBN, Marcelito Pomoy, has given global recognition to Bislig City.

Geography and Culture

The Hagonoy Island.
A fire dance showdown scene in Hagonoy Island.

Climate

Type II Climate characterized by no dry season and with a very pronounced maximum rainfall from November to January. The City enjoys steady weather condition being outside the typhoon belt.

Festivals and events

  • Karawasan Festival
    • As part of the Charter Day Celebration, a dream come true for the City Government of Bislig. Karawasan is a festival of ethnic dances depicting the movement of crabs. Karawasan is actually a collective name given to the member of the crab family found to be great in the salty and freshwater of Bislig. The lavishness of such local marine resource has, in fact, made Bislig City known to other places in the country.
  • Charter Day Celebration
    • Every 18 September, the city celebrate its cityhood.
  • Mangagoy Fiesta
    • Celebrated every 19 July, the feast day of St. Vincent de Paul.
  • Sinulog Festival
    • Celebrated every third Sunday of January during the feast of Sto. Niño.
  • Kawadang Festival
    • Celebrated every 21 September, four days after the Karawasan Festival.
  • Uli Bislig
    • Celebrated every 16 September, it literally means "going back home to Bislig".

Tourism

The Tinuy-an Falls, located in Burboanan, Bislig City.

Bislig's main tourist attraction is the Tinuy-an Falls, known as the "Niagara Falls" of the Philippines. It is a white water curtain that flows in three levels about 55 meters high. Its critically acclaimed majestic and unique natural formation was once appeared in the International Travel Magazine. It is also known as the widest waterfalls in the Philippines.

A Philippine Eagle found in the city's wild sanctuary.

Other known tourist attractions include the white-sand beaches of Hagonoy Island; the Lawigan Beach which faces and considered a part of the Pacific Ocean; the underground river of the educational Delot and Hinayagan Cave; the Togonan Cold Spring which is a 30-minute ride a far from the city proper; the wild sanctuary of the Forester's Park; the wide range waters of the Mone River or the man-made Lake 77 which offers a boat ride tour and a floating cottage for picnic and fishing; the Kamayo Heritage Park; the Florland Highland Resort at Brgy. San Vicente; the Ocean View Park; International Doll House; and the City Baywalk Park.

Bislig hosts the annual festival called "The Karawasan Festival" during the charter day of the city which features an inter-school ethnic dance competition. Karawasan came from a local dialect which means "movement of the crabs". Karawasan is held every 17th day of September.

Developments

Currently, the city is developing a sea port at Barangay Lawigan and Caramcam District in Barangay Mangagoy for the increasing demand of people travelling to other provinces. The concrete runway of the commercial airport can accommodate light commercial planes of the Fokker 50 class, though most of the time the airport is only used for the occasional private plane.

Transportation

Air travel

  • From Manila or Cebu to Davao City as transit point, Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Airphil Express ply the Manila-Davao-Manila (approx. 1-1/2 hours travel time) and Cebu-Davao-Cebu (approx. 45 minutes travel time) several trips daily.
  • From Manila or Cebu to Butuan City as transit point, Philippine Airlines, Airphil Express and Cebu Pacific ply these routes three times a week.

In early 2012, Jetstream of Mid-Sea Express announced the routes Cebu-Bislig v.v. and Davao-Bislig v.v. already operational at the Bislig Commercial Airport.[2]

Land travel

  • From Davao: Air-conditioned vans may be hired for a 5-hour trip to Bislig City at reasonable rates located in the Ecoland Bus Terminal. Regular trips of Bachelor Express aircon and non-aircon buses also ply the Davao-Bislig route as early as 2:00 a.m. daily.
  • From Butuan: Air-conditioned vans may be hired for a 3-hour trip to Bislig City at reasonable rates located in the City Bus Terminal. Regular trips of Bachelor Express air-con and non-aircon buses also ply the Butuan route as early as 2:00 a.m. daily.

Sea travel

  • Inter-island vessels like the SuperFerry and Sulpicio Lines ply the Manila-Butuan or Cebu-Butuan routes on regular schedules with Nasipit Port as transit point. Air-con vans are available at the wharf and in the Nasipit terminal or a jeepney ride to the Butuan City terminal for the regular bus trips to Bislig.

Infrastructures

A mildly busy street scenario in Barangay Mangagoy during both day and night time.
The Bislig City Baywalk.
Amusement park locally called "peryahan" is very popular in the city especially during the feast day of Barangay Mangagoy.

List of some notable or known infrastructures in the city:

Major commercial centers

  • Tony's Super Store (Abarca St., corner P. Lindo St.)
  • G-Mar Commercial Center (Espiritu Street)
  • G-Mar Commercial Center (Barreda Street)
  • Bayalas Commercial Center
  • Estrella Bowling Lane Center and Grocery Store
  • NOVO Jeans and Shirts
  • Affordale Photoshop & Enterprise

Fast food and restaurants

  • G-mar's Fast Food
  • Zam's Food and Fudge
  • Highland Function Farm
  • Dan's Grill
  • Fritzche's Store
  • Jykhies Chinese Cuisine
  • JM Star
  • Chicken Inato
  • Mangagoy BBQ Plaza
  • Uncle Macs Siomai House
  • Frostylicious Bites
  • Highland Function Farm Restaurant
  • Russell's Ihaw-Ihaw Liempo & Chicken Haus
  • Nang Titay's Kamayan and Restaurant
  • Whammy Burger
  • TFanny's Cuisine
  • Jollibee On-Wheels (occasionally)
  • Mangagoy Inasal
  • The Rock
  • Try Me Lechon Manok Grills and Diner
  • J Foodshop
  • Pen Balls Jadulco's Recreation Center
  • Biaño's Pizzaderia
  • Uyans Letchon Manok
  • My Dung Restaurant
  • Gails Restaurant
  • Karlo's Restaurant
  • Mai Burger House

Hospitals

  • Andres Soriano Memorial Hospital Cooperative, Inc. (Private)
  • Family Medical Clinic – Hospital (a.k.a. Babano Hospital) (Private)
  • Bislig District Hospital
  • Saint Vincent de Paul College General & Maternity Hospital

Banking institutions

  • Philippine National Bank (PNB)
  • Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP)
  • Green Bank of Caraga
  • Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP)
  • Cooperative Bank of Surigao del Sur
  • Cantilan Bank
  • People's Bank
  • Enterprise Bank
  • Quedancor
  • Rural Bank
  • PCCCI
  • Eastwest Bank (EWB) (under construction)

Hotels, lodges and inns

  • Pensionne La Salle
  • Paper Country Inn
  • Hotel One Eleven
  • Shielah's Pension House
  • Casa de Babano
  • St. Francis Pension House (Melasa)
  • Salud Villa Resort
  • Bislig Town House
  • Jen-Jen Lodge
  • Florland Ventures
  • Rainbow Lodge
  • Sleep Inn
  • Violy’s Pension House and Restaurant
  • Yolanda Inn

Education

Private schools:

Public schools:

  • Elementary
    • Mangagoy District I – 6 schools
    • Mangagoy District II – 8 Schools
    • Bislig District I – 11 schools
    • Bislig District II – 24 schools
  • TESDA
    • Bislig City TESDA School

Other media and telecommunications

Telephone lines in Bislig are connected through PLDT, PhilCom and Globelines. Mobile communications are provided by Smart, Talk 'N Text, Globe, TM and Sun Cellular.

Bislig City's cable and TV satellite providers are:

While the city's Internet Service Providers are:

  • PLDT MyDSL
  • Smart Broadband
  • Globe / Globelines Internet
  • PhilCom DSL and Auto-Access

It has also five local FM radio stations and one AM station:

  • 91.7 Radyo Natin
  • 93.9 SMILE FM
  • 99.3 WOW FM
  • 101.7 REAL RADIO
  • 101.6 KISAW FM
  • DXBL 801 Sonshine Radio

Barangays

Aerial view of Bislig city at nighttime.

Bislig City is politically subdivided into 24 barangays.

  • Bucto
  • Burboanan
  • Caguyao
  • Coleto
  • Cumawas
  • Kahayag
  • Labisma
  • Lawigan
  • Maharlika
  • Mangagoy (City Downtown)
  • Mone
  • Pamanlinan
  • Pamaypayan
  • Poblacion (Bislig Proper – Seat of the City Government)
  • San Antonio
  • San Fernando
  • San Isidro (Bagnan)
  • San Jose
  • San Roque (Cadanglasan)
  • San Vicente
  • Santa Cruz
  • Sibaroy
  • Tabon
  • Tumanan

See also

References

  1. ↑ NSCB – 2001 Factsheet – 12 New Cities Created, July–December 2000.
  2. ↑ http://midseaexpress.com/index.php

External links

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Bislig.
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