Metro Cagayan de Oro

Geography

Metro Cagayan de Oro is bounded by Macajalar Bay, which curves north. Forty percent of its area is elevated plains, located partially in Bukidnon. In the western portion the Cagayan de Oro River outlines the area, which is divided by the river's tributaries from district 2 of Cagayan de Oro to Gitagum (including Laguindingan, Alubijid, El Salvador and Opol). The eastern and southern regions run from district one of Cagayan de Oro to Tagoloan to Claveria and Malitbog to Talakag, which is bordered by Bukidnon-Central Mindanao and Lanao del Norte.

Metro Cagayan comprises hills, mountains and rain forests. Its biodiversity and greenery helps keep the area's temperature cool. The southern portion has semi-active volcanoes in the Kalatungan Mountain Range, although the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PhilVolcs) maintains that there is little risk of eruption or earthquakes.

Climate

Under the Köppen climate classification system Cagayan de Oro has a tropical climate, with an annual average temperature of 28 °C (82 °F). In June 1998, the city recorded its highest temperature to date, 39 °C (102 °F). The city receives a varying amount of rainfall throughout the year; March and April are the driest months, and August and September the wettest. The rainy season lasts from June to November, and the drier season from December to May. The city lies outside the typhoon belt, but is affected by the Intertropical Convergence Zone.

Government

Cagayan de Oro is the provincial capital of Misamis Oriental. The executive and judicial branches of government are based in the Misamis Oriental Provincial Capitol Building.

Metro Cagayan de Oro has the fourth-largest population in the Philippines, and is the third-largest metropolitan area geographically. Most of its cities and municipalities are located in the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon.

Since the 1986 People Power Revolution, political power has returned to Misamis Oriental. Each city and municipality is self-governing, divided into barangays led by mayors.

Demographics

Metro Cagayan de Oro is inhabited by distinct Visayan cultural communities. Christianity (particularly Roman Catholicism) is the predominant religion. Several cultural minorities exist in central Mindanao (Talakag, Sumilao and Baungon), including the Bagobos, Subanons and Badjaos. The city of Cagayan de Oro has a population of 602,088 people, making it the most-populous city in northern Mindanao.

Religion

Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion, although Protestant denominations (including Pentecostalism and the Seventh-day Adventist Church are increasing in numbers. Followers of Islam were mainly Maranao traders and immigrants.

Population

About 44 percent of households in Metro Cagayan de Oro classify themselves as Visayan (Binisaya or Bisaya), 22.15 percent as Cebuano and 4.38 percent as Boholano; 28.07 percent are from other ethnic groups, including Maranao and Bukidnon. In addition to the city of Cagayan de Oro, there is rapid growth in nearby cities and municipalities (including Tagoloan and El Salvador). According to the Statistical Yearbook of the Philippines, this urban growth is a result of migration from neighboring provinces.

Cultural communities and ethnic groups living primarily in remote areas of Talakag, Baungon and Bukidnon include the Maranaws, T’boli and Bagobo. These groups have declined in population by about 12 percent since 2000 and, despite comprising 20.4 percent of the population of Mindanao, they experience discrimination in Filipino society.

Economy

Cagayan de Oro is the "melting pot of Mindanao" because of its accessibility, business growth and attractions. It is a business hub of the northern Mindanao region, with a reported income of ₱1.8 billion in fiscal year 2010. The city's economy is based on industry, commerce, trade, services and tourism. The city of Cagayan de Oro reported seven billion pesos in investment during the first six months of 2012, primarily in the service and industrial sectors. Investment in Metro Cagayan de Oro focuses on tourism, agriculture and the hospitality industry.

Healthcare

Metro Cagayan de Oro has a number of hospitals:

Public

Private

Education

Education, which has the largest share (about 40 percent) of the Metro Cagayan de Oro budget, is supervised by the Northern Mindanao Region X Department of Education. The 2010 census counted 203 schools in the metropolis, including six universities, 12 colleges, 52 high schools and 64 elementary and primary schools (primarily in urban areas). The student population of Metro Cagayan de Oro is estimated at 380,580.

Colleges and universities in Metro Cagayan de Oro are:

Colleges

Universities

Land

Metro Cagayan de Oro is accessible by land. There are three bus and jeepney terminals with regular service: Agora Integrated Bus Terminal, Eastbound-Gusa Jeepney Terminal and Westbound-Bulua Integrated Bus and Jeepney Terminal.

Air

Lumbia Airport, also known as Cagayan de Oro Airport, hosted domestic service to Manila, Cebu, Davao and Iloilo. Manila is 75 minutes away by air, Iloilo one hour and Cebu and Davao 45 minutes. It was the second-busiest airport in Mindanao, after Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City.

Laguindingan International Airport (which opened June 15, 2013, replacing Lumbia) is in the municipality of Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental. It serves northern Mindanao (including Iligan and Cagayan de Oro), offering domestic service throughout the Philippines.

Sea

Cagayan de Oro Port is an international seaport situated near the estuary of the Cagayan de Oro River. It has an anchorage depth of 18 metres (59 ft), with two cargo-handling operators. With the recent completion of the 250 million peso rehabilitation project, it is the largest seaport in Mindanao. The port has regular service to Manila, Cebu, Tagbilaran, Bacolod, Dumaguete, Iloilo and Jagna.