Балиндонг муниципалитеті: тарихы мен географиясы

Municipality in Lanao del Sur, Philippines

Balindong, officially the Municipality of Balindong (Maranao and Iranun: Inged a Balindong; ), is a 4th class municipality in the province of Lanao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 32,573 people. It is formerly known as Watu.

The Municipality of Balindong was known as Uato or Wato from 1918 to 1948. Wato, the lower western portion of the present day municipality is surprisingly rocky. In 1956 by virtue of Republic Act 1419 dated June 10, 1956, Wato was renamed Balindong in honor of a great ruler of the Pangampong fame who ruled the Pangampong of Masiu from Wato. On April 29, 1963, Balindong was converted into a regular Municipality under Executive Order no. 42. Balindong is comprised by 38 barangays. During the martial regime, there were 54 barangays in the municipality. When Corazon C. Aquino came into the presidency, the number of barangays was reduced to 38.

Balindong is one of thirty nine (39) municipalities comprising the Province of Lanao del Sur. It lies on the western part of the province. It is bounded on the north by the Municipality of Marantao, on the south by the municipality of Tugaya. On the east and western side, it is bounded by Lake Lanao and Lanao del Norte respectively. The Municipality is only from Marawi City, and from the nearest seaport of Iligan City. The total land area of Balindong is approximately Of this figure, only about 25% is plain or flat suitable for rice farming. By classification, some 37% of the total land area is forest land.

Climate is classified as Type IV characterized by the absence of distinct dry or wet season. Its coldest period is usually during rainy days when temperature dips down to a low while the average temperature rises to during dry season.

The 1995 survey of Family Income And Expenditures (FIES) indicate that an average Balinndong household earns an annual income of P33,660.00 or P2,805.00 a month. In the same period, Poverty Threshold Income (PTI) in the Province of Lanao del Sur was estimated at P9,364 or a poverty incidence of about 52%. PTI implies that households earning below the rate are considered poor or in the poverty group.

Of the 2000 population of 24,470, 51% of this (12,524) are in the labor force, meaning those aged 14 to 64 years old which are classified as economically active sector. However, viewed from the provincial labor force participation rate of 50%, it can be deduced that Balindong's situation is not far from that reality.

The Municipality of Balindong is a 5th class in terms of income. Its revenue is derived mainly from its share of Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) from the national government. Currently, the municipality receives an annual IRA of Php28,892,000. Of this revenue, some php5,784,000.00 or 20% of the revenue is earmarked for development activities.

While total agricultural area in the municipality stands at 7,024 hectares, representing 24% of the total land area, only about 832 hectares or 12% is effectively utilized for rice (203 has.) and corn (632 has.) farming. Rice farms are mainly rain fed (153 has.) as there is absence of a developed irrigation system in the municipality.

Due to the existence of a wide tract of land for grazing and pasture, Balindong is one of the Province source for cattle and carabao and other livestock products. Inventory of livestock indicate that there exist (2002): cattle – 145 heads, carabao – 131 heads, goat – 135, chicken 417, ducks – 210. The data indicate a decreasing inventory of animals, therefore, a need to replenish the stock.

A survey of annual fish catch from the lake and inland fish ponds in the municipality from 1997 to 2002 indicate reduction of catch from 17% metric ton to only 8.02 metric tons. Fish species in the lake include Tilapia, Mudfish, Sirung, Carp, Gaby, and Catfish.

Data culled out from the 2000 Census indicate that the history of Balindong's housing trend is one of decreasing from 1960 at 2,236 units to as low as 1,332 dwelling units in 1980. In 1990, Balindong's dwelling units numbered 1,807 and in 2000 the dwelling units increased to 2,145. Ninety seven percent of the dwelling units in Balindong are of single house type. The average number of households occupying a single dwelling unit stands at 1.5 with a household population of 11.41 persons per dwelling unit.

Balindong, other than having its own rural health unit, is a site of the District Hospital. Currently, Balindong's Rural Health unit has a staff of 1 physician, 1 public health nurse, 3 midwives, and twelve Barangay Health Workers. Health records indicate that leading causes of morbidity, especially among children, include acute respiratory tract infection, influenza, acute gastroenteritis, hypertension, measles with bronchopneumonia, severe dehydration, cancer, and diabetes mellitus. On the other hand, the leading causes of mortality for both adults and children include cardiovascular diseases, pulmonary tuberculosis, vehicular accidents, measles with bronchopneumonia, severe dehydration, cancer and diabetes mellitus.