Laguindingan, officially the Municipality of Laguindingan (; ), is a 4th class municipality in the province of Misamis Oriental, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 26,363 people.
Its most notable landmark is the Laguindingan Airport, located between Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.
History
Laguindingan used to be called "Daligdigan" coined from the words "daligdig", meaning trickling water from Soloan Creek, and "digan", a buri plant, which was used by the early settlers as roofing and walling materials. The name later evolved into "Laguindingan" because it is easier to pronounce and has a melodious sound.
The presence of an old Spanish port "Moog" at Punta Sulawan manifest the claim that before the settlers came to Laguindingan, the place was the hideout of robbers, pirates and bandoleros because of the once thick forest cover of the municipality. A brave man named Calixto Caseres together with his family moved in from Alubijid and settled for good. Other settlers (including migrants from Luzon and Visayas) followed and soon the place became a thriving community. A number of Cagayan de Oro civilians and government officials hide in Laguindingan during the second world war. Blocking force was established in Laguindingan that let Japanese soldiers to use boat instead going to Iligan. The Philippine Independent Church was the first religious order established in the early community. The religious presence was evidenced by the Chapel erected on the highest promontory now known as Salcedo's Hill. The cross still stand today. The silent witness of the establishment of the now growing town.
Laguindingan, was a sitio of Alubijid under the municipality of Cagayan de Oro. The first Barrio Teniente was Mariano Salcedo (from Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro) which was appointed by the Alcalde de Cagayan. When Alubijid became a municipality, Proceso Pacana became the first Barrio Lieutenant until the end of World War II. Later a move to make Laguindingan a municipality was spearheaded by Glicerio Salcedo (Teniente del Barrio) who became the first Municipal Mayor of the town. The barangays that joined the move for township was known as the Sulawan Block namely: Kibaghot, Sinai, Mauswagon, Moog, Gasi, Aromahon, Tubajon, Sambulawan, Lapad and Liberty. On June 23, 1963, through House Bill No. 5612, President Diosdado Macapagal signed RA 3824, creating the municipality of Laguindingan.
Sambulawan derived from the word "Sulawan" because the place is situated on a hill or in Bisaya "ilaya" going up where the sun rises its bright lights is glaring to the eye, thus "Sulaw" in bisaya. The place is also known as a place of "sabungan" or where cock fights are held.
Geography
Barangays
Laguindingan is politically subdivided into 11 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios. Aromahon Gasi Kibaghot (San Isidro) Lapad Liberty Mauswagon Moog Poblacion Sambulawan Sinai Tubajon
Climate
Demographics
In the 2020 census, the population of Laguindingan was 26,363 people, with a density of .
Economy
Laguindingan Misamis Oriental is now the new gateway to Northern Mindanao. It is where the new Laguindingan Airport is located replacing the old Lumbia Airport of Cagayan de Oro. The Cooperative that has a mission or Rural Electrification sits here which is MORESCO-1 Head Office. It has a power distribution franchise for the west part of Misamis Oriental from the towns of Opol to Lugait . It operates in 15 barrios of Cagayan de Oro and the whole town and barangays of Talakag, Bukidnon and portions of barangays in Iligan City. Another growing industry is the hand crafted silk. The Mindanao silk which is woven by members of Ayala Beneficiaries Association Inc., based in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental affected by the construction of the airport. Today Commercial enterprises is a thriving industry for Heavy Equipment, machinery and transport vehicles merchandise. Lohas Hotel and Moresco lodge are the new tourist inns available. Also beach and swimming pool is another attraction for the local which are located on Mauswagon to Tubajon road side resorts. Another tourist attraction is the Balsa of Laguindingan, the floating cottages that fuel the local economy. It had made the Town the Balsa Capital of Mindanao.