HISTORY OF BALINGOAN

I. Historical Development

Initial archaeological reconnaissance conducted along the coast of Misamis Oriental in the
island of Mindanao, Philippines which were able to identify possible archaeological sites based
on the presence of artefacts and stone ruins. Based on the conventional and prevailing way of
archaeological identification in the Philippines, these identified sites are classified as open sites,
cave sites, and historical sites. Foreign ceramics were used to establish the relative dates of the
archaeological sites in the different municipalities in Misamis Oriental to which the Municipality
of Balingoan was one of the areas archeologically explored. Previous archaeological studies
conducted in Misamis Oriental in the Municipalities of Balingoan establish relative dates of the
sites based primarily on the foreign ceramics and other cultural materials recovered. The
chronology used is based on Fox‘s (1970) and Evangelista‘s (1962) proposal: Palaeolithic
(250,000–5,000 BC), Neolithic (5000–500 BC), Metal Age (500 BC–850 AD), Protohistoric
(850–1521 AD), and Spanish Period (1521–1900AD). The land survey along the coastal area of
Balingoan was conducted in 2007 until 2010.
Stone ruins, made of coral stones, were identified and documented by the team. It is
located in Barangay Bauk-bauk. The ruin has a rectangular formation measuring 23 m x 11 m
(Figure 5). The ruins were used as a fence in the early 1940s in manufacturing abaca (Musa sp.)
for textile. At present, a chapel of San Roque, built in 1970s, is located inside the perimeter of the
ruins. The area is situated beside the beach overlooking the island of Lapinig. Trade ware
ceramics associated to the late 17th to 19th centuries CE and earthenware shreds were recovered
at the site. The ruin was named San Roque (X-2008 -Q3). Blue-and-white sherds and
earthenware sherds were recovered in the property of Asuncion Coralles in Barangay Lapinig,
otherwise known as Coralles Open Site (X-2008-R3). Annamese wares (14th—16th centuries
CE) were recovered.

Figure 5. San Roque Ruins

 The presence of the Spaniards in Northern Mindanao had a major impact to the socio-
political situation of Balingoan. The place, custom, tradition, and culture of Balingoan can be
gleaned from its vague historical background and origin. According to folklore, there are two
versions of the real origin of the town "Balingoan", although both these versions indicate a
reference to "Baling" a native fishing net. Legend has it that one day, a fisherman was sitting on
top on his fishing net waiting for the school of fishes to appear. Some Spanish soldier aboard a
boat happened to pass nearby, and inquired in Spanish vernacular to the fisherman the name of
the place. The man having no knowledge of the Spanish language responded "Baling" thinking
that the Spaniards asked him what he was sitting on. Since then, the place came to be known as
―Balingoan‖. The other version goes this way. In the early days, the people used to go fishing
with their "baling" (fishing net) made of abaca fibers. Whenever someone inquired as to who
caught the bigger number of fishes, the popular answer was "Baling Ni Juan" (in English which
simply means ‗John‘s fishing net‘) in due time this was transformed to ―Balingoan‖.
Balingoan was originally inhabited by the Higaonon tribe, most of them at present have
already resided in remote areas in the municipality. Other families from Cagayan de Oro City
and Bohol followed suit, gearing into a higher tempo of living. Intermarriages transpired as more
immigrants started to settle in the place turning it into a bigger community. The Municipality of
Balingoan was once a part of the Municipality of Talisayan until the town was recognized as a
separate municipality by virtue of Executive Order No. 490 signed by then President Elpidio
Quirino, on February 2, 1952, which was upon the recommendation of the Provincial Board of
Misamis Oriental and pursuant to the provisions of the Section 68 of the Revised Administrative
Code of the Philippines. Upon creation it only has three (3) barangays that comprises the
Municipality of Balingoan that which includes Mapua and Cataringan.

The present seat of government of the Municipality of Balingoan is situated in the

inclined part of Barangay Lapinig just across the Municipal Police Station along the national
highway traversing the Cagayan de Oro City – Butuan City Corridor and walking distance
adjacent to the Integrated Bust Terminal, Public Market, and the Port of Balingoan. The
Municipal Hall was erected on a one (1) hectare lot donated by the late Don Vicente Fernandez
and Family for the Municipal Project of Balingoan, Misamis Oriental in July 01, 1975 exactly
almost 23 years since the commencement of Balingoan as a municipality.

Balingoan has earned the monicker "Gateway to Camiguin" which has maintained its
services role of catering to visitors alike without necessarily enticing them to make their stay in
the area. The major projects to be undertaken that hope to propel the development of the town
are the improvement of existing water system, improvement of municipal port which serve the
entire Province of Camiguin, protection of coastal and marine resources, food security programs
through Strategic Agricultural and Fisheries Development Zone (SAFDZ). Construction of
public building such as Bus Terminal, Public Market, Slaughterhouse and multi-purpose building
and identify the municipal land fill area for environmental and sanitation programs.
 Balingoan is an elongated strip of land generally mountainous with an area of 6,283.30
hectares lying between 900‘15.87‖ north longitude and 124051‘1.56‖ east latitude. Like most of
the municipalities in the province, it is a coastal town along the shores of the Mindanao Sea in
the eastern section of Misamis Oriental. Its boundaries include Mindanao Sea on the north, the
Municipality of Claveria on the south, the Municipality of Talisayan on the east and
Municipality of Kinoguitan on the west.

Balingoan is composed of nine barangays, four coastal barangays and five upper
barangays namely: San Alonzo, Baukbauk (Poblacion), Lapinig, Mantangale and for the upper
portion namely: Kauswagan, Kabulakan, Kabangasan, Mapua and Dahilig. The biggest barangay
in term of area is Barangay Dahilig with the total land area of 2,545 hectares while the smallest
is Barangay Lapinig occupying only an area of 95 hectares, which represent 40.5% and 1.5%
respectively.

Balingoan is located in the 1st District of Misamis Oriental that comprises from the
Municipality of Balingasag to the Municipality of Magsaysay, which also includes Gingoog
City. Balingoan is a member of the Gingoog Bay Development Council (GBDC) that include
five (5) Local Government Units namely, Balingoan, Talisayan, Medina, Magsaysay and the
City of Gingoog under the Executive Order No. 254 (Amended by Executive Order No. 300).
The GBDC was created as a way of enabling the National Government to actualize its thrust of
preserving the country's marine and coastal resources through community, based on efforts
consistent with concept of sustainable development and people empowerment (Executive Order
No. 234, 1995).

Below are the lists of the municipal mayors and vice-mayors of Balingoan from 1952 to
2025 were:

Appointed Local Officials

 First (March 01, 1952-February 21, 1954)
Hon. Melchor R. Mercado - Municipal Mayor
Hon. Vicente R. Santos - Municipal Vice-Mayor
(Note: When Mayor Melchor R. Mercado died, Hon. Vicente R. Santos became the Acting Mayor, appointed
by the late Pres. Elpidio Quirino.)
 Second (February 02, 1954 to December 31, 1954)
Hon. Emerenciano A. Leaño - Municipal Mayor
Hon. Miguela M. Corrales - Municipal Vice-Mayor
 Third (January 01, 1955 to March 30, 1955)
Hon. Emerenciano A. Leaño - Municipal Mayor
Hon. Miguela M. Corrales - Municipal Vice-Mayor
 Fourth (March 31, 1954 to December 31, 1955)
Hon. Vicente R. Santos - Municipal Mayor
Hon. Miguela M. Corrales - Municipal Vice-Mayor
Elected Local Officials
 First (January 01, 1956 to December 31, 1959)
Hon. Vicente R. Santos - Municipal Mayor
Hon. Teoducio H. Panulaya - Municipal Vice-Mayor
 Second (January 01, 1960 to December 31, 1963)
Hon. Emerenciano A. Leaño - Municipal mayor
Hon. Teoducio H. Panulaya - Municipal Vice Mayor
 Third (January 01, 1964 to December 31, 1967)
Hon. Vicente R. Santos - Municipal Mayor
Hon. Philip T. Ongcachuy - Municipal Vice-Mayor
 Fourth (January 01, 1972 to December 31, 1975)
(Note on June 21, 1975 the term of Mayor Vicente R. Santos expired and due to an election protest, Philip T.
Ongcachuy then assumed the Office as a Municipal Mayor effective July 01, 1975 to December 31, 1975. )
(Note: With the proclamation of Martial Law on September 21, 1972 all local officials holding incumbent
position were extended by Pres. Marcos until December 31,1975. )
 Fifth (January 01, 1976 to December 31,1980)
Hon. Phlip T. Ongcachuy - Municipal Mayor
Hon. Pedro Q. Panulaya - Deputy Presiding Officer
 Sixth (January 01, 1981 to December 31, 1984)
Hon. Philip T. Ongeachuy - Municipal Mayor
Hon.Pedro Q. Panulaya - Municipal Vice-Mayor
 Seventh (January 01, 1985 to December 31, 1985)
Hon. Philip T. Ongcachuy - Municipal Mayor
Hon. Pedro Q. Panulaya - Municipal Vice-Mayor
 Eighth (March 04, 1986 to December 31, 1986)
Hon. Philip T. Ongcachuy - Municipal Mayor
Hon. Robert M. Corrales - Municipal Vice-Mayor
(Note: Minister Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. took the leadership of the Ministry of Local Government.
Replacements of the Elected Officials were made, and their Term of Office expired and ended on March 03, 1986.)
 Ninth (January 01, 1987 to November 30, 1987)
Hon. Philip t. Ongcachuy - Municipal Mayor
Hon. Roberto M. Corrales - Municipal Vice-Mayor
Officer-in-Charge (OIC)
 December 01, 1987 to February 01, 1988.
Hon. Felix G. Abanil - OIC-Municipal Mayor/LGO III
Hon. Esteban G. Omol - OIC-Municipal Vice-Mayor/MPDC
Elected Local Officials
 Tenth (February 02, 1988 to June 30, 1992)
Hon. Philip T. Ongcachuy - Municipal Mayor
Hon. Roberto M. Corrales - Municipal Vice-Mayor
 Eleventh (July 01, 1992 to June 30,1995)
Hon. Philip T. Ongcachuy - Municipal Mayor
 Hon. Roberto M. Corrales - Municipal Vice-Mayor
 Twelfth (July 01, 1995 to June 30, 1998)
Hon. Philip T. Ongcachuy - Municipal Mayor
Hon. Pedro Q. Panulaya - Municipal Vice-Mayor
(Note: After the death of the late Mayor Philip T. Ongcachuy on August 01, 1996, Vice Mayor Pedro Q.
Panulaya was appointed as the Municipal Mayor and Hon. Pedro S. Lituañas was then appointed as the
Municipal Vice-Mayor.
Mr. Philip D. Ongcachuy, Jr. was appointed by then Provincial Governor Vicente T. Emano as a member of
the Municipal Board.)
 Thirteenth (July 01,1998 to June 30, 2001)
Hon. Pedro Q. Panulaya - Municipal Mayor
Hon. Philip D. Ongcachuy, Jr. - Municipal Vice-Mayor
 Fourteenth (July 01,2001 to July 21,2003)
Hon. Pedro Q. Panulaya - Municipal Mayor
Hon. Roberto M. Corrales - Municipal Vice-Mayor
 Fifteenth (July 22, 2003 to June 30,2004)
Hon. Edgar Y. Santos - Municipal Mayor
Hon. Roberto M. Corrales - Municipal Vice Mayor
(Note: As per Resolution of the Court en Banc dated July 22, 2003, Hon. Edgar Y. Santos assumed office
effective July 22, 2003.)
 Sixteenth (June 30, 2004 to June 30, 2013)
Hon. Perlita I. Espero - Municipal Mayor
Hon. Pedro Q. Panulaya - Municipal Vice-Mayor
 Seventeenth (June 30, 2013 to June 30, 2016)
Hon. Pedro Q. Panulaya - Municipal Mayor
Hon. Bella Veya D. Ongrachuy-Dilla - Municipal Vice-Mayor
 Eighteenth (June 30, 2016 to June 30, 2025)
Hon. Aaron Paul S. Unabia - Municipal Mayor
Hon. Bella Veya D. Ongrachuy-Dilla - Municipal Vice-Mayor
 Nineteenth (June 30, 2022 to June 30, 2025)
Hon. Aaron Paul S. Unabia - Municipal Mayor
Hon. Franklin C. Panulaya - Municipal Vice-Mayor