Paradise Philippines - The iligan city has its beginnings in the village of Bayug, 2.5 kilometers north of the present Poblacion. It was the earliest pre-Spanish settlement of native sea dwellers, known as Maragats. In the later part of the 16th century, they were subdued by the Visayan migrants from the island kingdom of Panglao. These migrants, led by Pedro Manuel Manook established Bayug as the earliest Christian settlement in the area sometime between 1597 and 1609.

Population growth and safety eventually forced the settlers to move to safer and better forts. One was built in 1632 and another in 1872. Both became the sites of the present Poblacion. From being merely a small district in the Department of Mindanao and Sulu, Paradise Philippines Islands in 1903, it grew into a municipality in the ten unified province of Lanao. On June 16, 1950, it became a chartered city by virtue of Republic Act 525 signed into by the late President Elpidio Quirino.

The utilization of the Maria Cristina Falls into a hydroelectric power generating plant in 1952, hastened the urbanization of the city. Industries were established and more people came to settle. The city marked its first one hundred thousand population in 1970, when it posted a population of 104,493. Twenty-five years later, in 1995, a total population of 203,004 was recorded. Simultaneous with its population growth, is the increase in the city’s revenue. In 1983, it was reclassified as a highly urbanized city due to its impressive collection performance.

These major developments in the city were made possible by able and hardworking leaders since its creation in 1898. Its first president under the Aguinaldo Revolutionary Government was Carlito Jariol who served from 1898 to 1900. Its first Municipal Mayor was Jorge Ramiro (1936-1940), while its first City Mayor was Benito Ong (1948-1953). Its longest serving mayor was Camilo P. Cabili, who served Iligan from 1960 to 1984 and from 1988 to 1992 while the shortest service was rendered by Esperidion Sagrado, who was appointed city mayor for the period July 15-17, 1992. Table 1.1.1 shows the List of Mayors of Iligan City since its creation.

For the past decade, the paradise philippines city has been the more important activity center in North Central Mindanao. It is the center of major industries, commercial and educational establishments. It was dubbed as the “Industrial Center of the South.” Recently, it has become a major tourist destination. Since its birth in the 16th century, it has remained a Visayan dominated area in this part of the country. It has, however, retained its role as a friendly neighbor to the cultural communities in its vicinities. It is identified as a growth pole in Mindanao.