Opol, Misamis Oriental

Opol
Municipality
Municipality of Opol
Seal
Map of Misamis Oriental with Opol highlighted
Opol Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 08°31′N 124°34′E / 8.517°N 124.567°E / 8.517; 124.567Coordinates: 08°31′N 124°34′E / 8.517°N 124.567°E / 8.517; 124.567
Country	Philippines
Region	Northern Mindanao (Region X)
Province	Misamis Oriental
District	2nd district of Misamis Oriental
Founded	June 15, 1950
Barangays	14
Government[1]
• Mayor	Maximino B. Seno
Area[2]
• Total	175.13 km2 (67.62 sq mi)
Population (2010)[3]
• Total	52,108
• Density	300/km2 (770/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	9016
Dialing code	88
Income class	2nd
Website	www.opolmisor.gov.ph

Opol is a second class municipality in the province of Misamis Oriental, Philippines. According to the 2010 Philippine census, it has a population of 52,108.^[3]

Opol was created from the barrios of Opol, Igpit, and Lower Iponan, formerly part of Cagayan de Oro, by virtue of Republic Act No. 524, approved June 15, 1950.^[4]

The municipality is gradually becoming more urbanized, as result of local population growth and the expansion of nearby Cagayan de Oro City. Historically, Opol was a more rural area focused on agriculture and fishing. The subdivision of rural land for new residential housing is a matter of some controversy amongst locals. The current Mayor, Dexter Q. Yasay (younger brother of the previous mayor), has held office in Opol since 2010.

History

The Municipality of Opol was once an uninhabited wilderness during the pre-Spanish time, until one group of Boholanos, lead by a Datu, migrated to the place. They settled in the area now known as Barangay Bonbon, where they planted different crops for their livelihood. One of the widely cultivated and most abundant crop was white squash or “opo”. Inhabitants from nearby villages came to the area to buy the famous “opo”, until the place became popularly known as “opo”. Due to slip of the tongue, most of the inhabitants began referring to the place as “opol”. Thus, from then on, the place has been called “Opol”.

Early settlers of the place were the Higaonons. A splintered group of the Manobos. They set along the seacoast but relocated themselves in the hinterland bringing with them their culture and tradition when the conquistadors came to occupy this part of the country. Those who remained contracted intermarriages with the foreigners who resulted to the presence of Spanish mestizas and mestizos in the area.

Other settlers include Chinese traders from Mainland China, Cebuanos and the Boholanos.

Barangays

Opol is politically subdivided into 14 barangays.^[2]

Demographics

Economy

Key economic activities in Opol include commercial fishing, farming, tourism/hospitality, and light industry. Notable economic infrastructure includes the San Miguel/Coca Cola bottling plant, Lechem Food Marketing, and fishing port at Luyong-Bonbon as well as the municipal market building, located adjacent to the Opol municipal centre.

The Cagayan de Oro - Iligan highway passes through Opol, alongside the coast. The highway is a key inter-regional transport route and comprises an integral part of the Cagayan de Oro - Iligan Corridor Special Development Project. This is a major infrastructure development initiative which is likely to result in significant economic growth for Opol, Misamis Oriental and the adjoining province of Lanao del Norte in coming years.

Attractions

• Philippine Ostrich & Crocodile Farm is the first combined ostrich and crocodile farm in the Philippines. The farm is home to several hundred ostrich and several dozen crocodiles, with both species being cultivated for leather and meat. The farm is open to the public for supervised tours.
• Apple Tree Beach Resort (formerly called Lauremar Beach Resort, after being under new management) is a popular tourist resort located on the main beach in central Opol.
• Opol Aviary and Mini Zoo features a wide variety of native birds and animals (Closed as of 2014).
• San Pedro Beach Resort is the first beach resort in Misamis Oriental. With big halls and cottages that could cater to seminars, weddings and other large gatherings. It also has medium to small size open air cottages for cozy and more private family or friends gathering. It also has affordable air-conditioned rooms with own bathroom and TV.
• D. Yasay Beach Resort is an affordable party place for family/barkada gimik and company events. With clean open air cottages, social hall and air-conditioned rooms to choose from, guests are sure to find one that is just right for their budget.

References

External links

• Official Municipality of Opol website
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Places to visit when you are in Opol, Misamis Oriental
• Local Governance Performance Management System

		Macajalar Bay
	El Salvador		Cagayan de Oro
	Opol
	Manticao	Iligan City

Province of Misamis Oriental Cagayan de Oro (capital) Municipalities Alubijid Balingasag Balingoan Binuangan Claveria Gitagum Initao Jasaan Kinoguitan Lagonglong Laguindingan Libertad Lugait Magsaysay Manticao Medina Naawan Opol Salay Sugbongcogon Tagoloan Talisayan Villanueva Component cities El Salvador Gingoog Highly urbanized city Cagayan de Oro (Administratively independent from the province, but grouped under Misamis Oriental by the National Statistics Office)