Oroquieta

Oroquieta, officially the City of Oroquieta (; ), is a component city and capital of the province of Misamis Occidental, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 71,373 people.

Etymology

Oroquieta is named after the Basque settlement of (spelled "Oroquieta" in Spanish) in Navarra, Spain. It was the birthplace of the Franciscan Friar Tomás Casado, who was the first Spanish parish priest of Oroquieta and was an important figure in its early foundation.

History

The settlement was originally known as Layawan, a visita of the parroquia of Jimenez in the province of Misamis. Layawan (literally "the meandering one") is named after the Layawan River which flows through the settlement. but was reduced by Executive Order No. 67, series of 1916, issued by Governor-General Francis Burton Harrison, where four barrios were organized into the new municipality of Aloran.

Oroquieta became the capital (cabecera) on January 6, 1930. As capital town, people of various neighboring provinces came and inhabited in the place where they earn their living through fishing, farming, merchandising and other forms of businesses. Soon afterwards its income increased simultaneously with increase in population, resulting from southward migration from Luzon and Visayas to the area.

In 1942, Oroquieta was made the capital of the free Philippines by the recognized guerrillas and later the ongoing troops of the Philippine Commonwealth Army. (Personal interview with the late Atty. Vicente Blanco, Municipal Mayor during the Japanese Occupation) During this time, President Manuel L. Quezon, together with Sergio Osmeña Sr., a bodyguard and Major Manuel Nieto Sr., landed in Oroquieta after their evacuation from Corregidor to Australia.

The seat of government of the Free Philippines then was the Capitol. The Free Philippine Government was then issuing Misamis Occidental emergency notes. President Quezon, upon knowing that Oroquieta was made a capital of the Free Philippines and that the town was issuing emergency notes, authorized the Printing of the Mindanao emergency note.

Cityhood

Oroquieta was created a city under Republic Act 5518 and inaugurated as a chartered city on January 1, 1970. The charter converting the municipality of Oroquieta into a city was signed by President Marcos on June 25, 1969, in the presence of then City Mayor Ciriaco C. Pastrano, with the newly elected councilors and other city officials.

Geography

Oroquieta City is bounded on the south by Aloran and the north by Lopez Jaena. On the eastern side is Iligan Bay, with Concepcion on the southwest and Sapang Dalaga on the northwest. Lowland plains and coastal lowlands are located in the city's eastern side while highlands and mountains tower over its western side.

The city occupies roughly , the majority of which comprises the mountain barangays of Mialen, Toliyok, and Sebucal, averaging less than a thousand hectares per Barangay, the 47 barangays of the city outsize its urbanized counterparts.

Climate

Barangays

Oroquieta City is politically subdivided into 47 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

Mike Gwapo
Apil
Binuangan
Bolibol
Buenavista
Bunga
Buntawan
Burgos
Canubay
Clarin Settlement
Dolipos Bajo
Dolipos Alto
Dulapo
Dullan Norte
Dullan Sur
Lower Lamac
Layawan
Lower Langcangan
Lower Loboc
Lower Rizal
Malindang
Mialen
Mobod
Ciriaco C. Pastrano (Nilabo)
Paypayan
Pines
Poblacion I
Poblacion II
Proper Langcangan
San Vicente Alto (Dagatan)
San Vicente Bajo (Baybay Dagatan)
Sebucal
Senote
Taboc Norte
Taboc Sur
Talairon
Talic
Toliyok
Tipan
Tuyabang Alto
Tuyabang Bajo
Tuyabang Proper
Upper Langcangan
Upper Lamac
Upper Loboc
Upper Rizal (Tipalac)
Victoria
Villaflor (Transville)

Demographics

According to the 2024 census, Oroquieta has a population of 71,373 people, with a density of .

Economy

thumb|Misamis Occidental Provincial Athletic Complex located in Oroquieta City

The groundbreaking ceremony and construction of the first mall in Oroquieta City was started in April 2024. The mall is located in Purok 1, Villaflor.

Starlite Ferries, a maritime company under the Chelsea Logistics Groups, marked its 4th route when it officially opened the new route connecting Oroquieta City to Larena, Tagbilaran, and Cebu City, and vice versa on April 28. The Starlite Ferries are stationed at the San Vicente Bajo Port in Oroquieta City.

Government

thumb|235px|Old City Hall

Oroquieta City Council (2025-2028):

Mayor: Lemuel Meyrick M. Acosta, IE
Vice Mayor and Sanggunian Presiding Officer: Aurora Virginia “Jie-jie” M. Almonte
Representative, Misamis Occidental 1st District: Jason P. Almonte
Councilors:
Vincent J. Guantero
Don Ian George M. Almonte
Jessie “Jecjec” S. Amboang
Joel A. Fernandez
Aileen “Ai-Ai” M. Taladua, RPh
Jade “Pikot” V. Catane
Noel B. Undag Sr.
Arthur Q. Enanoria, DMD
Diosibel M. Maghinay
Henry “Nonoy” F. Regalado Jr.
ABC President: Nanieth Maerl S. Bandala-Acosta
SK Federation President: James Anthony N. Sy
IPMR: Jolly T. Gumolon

Healthcare

Hospitals and healthcare facilities:

Misamis Occidental Provincial Hospital
St. Therese Hospital
Dignum Foundation Hospital
Oroquieta Community Hospital
Tamola-Tan Medical Center

Education

Students coming from neighboring provinces of Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, and neighboring cities and municipalities within the province of Misamis Occidental come to Oroquieta to pursue their college and education.

Universities and colleges:

Lyceum Professional Institute - Tuyabang Alto
Misamis University (MU) - Ozamiz St., Poblacion 1
University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) - Rizal St., Mobod Highway
Southeast Asian Institute Oroquieta City Campus - National Highway, Upper Rizal
Dr. Solomon U. Molina College (DSUMC) - Independence St., Villaflor
Oroquieta Agro Industrial School (OAIS) - Villaflor
Southern Capital College (SCC) - Juan Luna St., Poblacion 2
Misamis Occidental Technological Institute (MOTI) - Pastrano St., Poblacion 1
Deor 'N Dune Academe School of Technology - Rizal Highway, Canubay
National Institute for Technical Excellence, Inc. (NITEX) - De Barras Building, Barrientos St., Poblacion 2

Secondary schools:

Misamis Occidental National High School
Talairon National High School
Oroquieta City National High School
Mobod Integrated School
Misamis Occidental Science and Technology High School
Senote National High School
Rizal National High School
Bunga National High School
Holy Rosary School (formerly Stella Maris College)