Bacolod, officially the Municipality of Bacolod (Maranao: Inged a Bacolod; ; ), is a municipality in the province of Lanao del Norte, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 24,963 people. The town is home to the ruins of an old Spanish fort, known as Fort Almonte, which is in dire need of proper conservation and faithful restoration by the National Museum of the Philippines.

Etymology

Bacolod in the Maranao language means "wide shore". When Maranaos and other people pass the area as they journey by sea, they will always see the shore along present-day Bacolod very wide during low tide, hence, they call the area "bacolod". It was once a mere barrio of the municipality of Kolambugan, the oldest town of the province of Lanao del Norte. This island is located at a point of an existing barangay called Binuni.

History

Before the Spanish colonization of the Philippine archipelago began, the majority people living in Bacolod were the Maranaos. According to the story from the old leaders, during Spanish colonial period some of the leaders from the interior areas of Lanao del Norte usually cross the beach of municipality of Kolambugan to the coastline of what is now Ozamiz City by boat to kidnap people living in other side and make them as workers (personal helper), many of whom are Visayans.

During the American colonial period, under the National Land Settlement Administration (NLSA) of the Commonwealth Government, there was a Philippine House of Representative proposal to invade the Island of Mindanao to use the some land to help the Philippine Government, and one of the opposition that time is Congressman Datu Salipada Khalid Pendatun. The proposal was approved and signed by President Manuel L. Quezon. The settlers compose of people from Luzon and Visayas who have various knowledgeable skill jobs such as farming, engineering, logging, construction, etc.

In Lanao del Norte, the transport of settlers was paacefully successful due to the smooth negotiations with the Maranao tribal leaders and landlords. As a welcome sign, the landlords donated a five-hectare plot of land to the settlers to start a new life. The family of settler worked to the landowners in the process, and as a gift since they are very good workers, the land lord gave the small piece of land. It is said that settlers trade goods to the landlord in exchange of lands. Some of landlords' sons marry the daughter of their workers which result and until the majority living in Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental has blood in Maranao Tribe (Muslim Blood).

On the hand, the settlement has going problem and conflict between Non-Muslim and Muslim when Martial Law is implemented.

Geography

Barangays

Bacolod is politically subdivided into 16 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

Climate

Demographics

Economy

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==Notable personalities==-->

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  • Aris C. Espinosa - 13-year-old hero and boy scout who died shielding other children from a grenade in January 1994

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References

  • Bacolod Profile at the DTI Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index
  • [ Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
  • Philippine Census Information
  • Local Governance Performance Management System