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Malabang
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Malabang, officially the Municipality of Malabang (Maranao: Inged a Malabang; Tagalog: Bayan ng Malabang), is a municipality in the province of Lanao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 49,088 people.[6] The town is one of the two former capitals of the Sultanate of Maguindanao from 1515 until the Spanish conquered the land in 1888.
Key Information
History
[edit]Malabang, in Lanao del Sur, is considered the oldest settlement in mainland Mindanao.
The Sultanate of T'bok was an established kingdom in present-day Malabang long before the Philippines became a country. The people of Malabang are mostly Maranaos, a southern Mindanao ethnicity; they are also often identified with the Iranuns because of Iranuns who live in some of the barangays in the southern part of Malabang, comprising what is now Balabagan. In March 1969, Executive Order 386, signed by President Carlos P. Garcia, reconstituted the southern part of Malabang as the Municipality of Balabagan. Thus, Iranuns are now residents of Balabagan rather than Malabang.
Malabang played a significant part in the early battles against invaders of the Philippines. During the defensive campaigns against Spain, Malabang became the headquarters of Sultan Muhammad Kudarat of Maguindanao. He used to spend time recuperating in Malabang throughout the period when he was fighting to defend Maguindanao against invasion. He later retired to Malabang when he fell ill. He eventually died and was buried there. In May 1977, Presidential Decree 1135 of President Ferdinand Marcos created the Municipality of Picong (formerly Sultan Gumander) out of the north-western portion of Malabang, where Sultan Kudarat's grave was located.
During the Second World War, when the Japanese invaded the Philippines, the Japanese military built a large camp in Malabang, including a network of tunnels around it. It was considered a major camp of the Japanese forces. In 1942, the Philippine Supreme Court Chief Justice José Abad Santos was brought to this camp, after he was captured in Cebu while fleeing from Japanese forces. Chief Justice Abad Santos was executed in the camp for refusing to cooperate with the Japanese, and was buried in barangay Curahab. The place where the camp is situated and where Mr. Santos was executed was later on named Camp Jose Abad Santos (Camp JAS).
In 1945, United States and Philippine Commonwealth forces, working with Maranao guerillas, occupied Malabang after a siege. During the Siege of Malabang, the guerillas used weapons like the Maranao kris, barong and kampilan to fight the Japanese forces. The victorious American and Philippine Commonwealth troops, together with their Maranao guerrilla allies, eventually defeated the Japanese Imperial forces. When the built of the general headquarters and military camp base of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and Philippine Constabulary was station's active in Malabang from 1945 to 1946 during and ended of World War II.
Malabang as a municipality was founded on March 1, 1893. The locals of the town celebrate the founding day, the Araw ng Malabang every March 1 annually.
Geography
[edit]Malabang is one of thirty-nine municipalities comprising the province of Lanao del Sur in northern Mindanao. It lies on the south-west part of the province and belongs to the second district. It has 37 barangays with a total land area of 37,789.28 km2. The distance from Marawi City to Malabang is 71 kilometers. Malabang is bounded on the north by the municipality of Calanogas; on the north-west by the municipality of Picong (Sultan Gumander); on the east by the municipality of Marogong; and on the south by the municipality of Balabagan. To the west of Malabang is Illana Bay.
It is under the administrative supervision of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) since November 1989, pursuant to R.A. No. 6734 dated June 8, 1989, known as the "Organic Act of ARM M".
The municipality is a level plain in its central to southern portion. A slope in the north is bounded by the Municipality of Calanogas. There is also a slope in eastern Malabang.
Barangays
[edit]Malabang is politically subdivided into 37 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.
- Bacayawan
- Badak Lumao
- Bagoaingud
- Banday
- Betayan
- Boniga
- BPS Village
- Bunk House
- Cabasaran (South)
- Calibagat
- Calumbog
- Campo Muslim
- China Town (Poblacion)
- Corahab
- Diamaro
- Inandayan
- Jose Abad Santos
- Lamin
- Mable
- Macuranding
- Madaya
- Mananayo
- Manggahan
- Masao
- Matalin
- Matampay
- Matling
- Montay
- Pasir
- Pialot
- Rebocun
- Sarang
- Sumbagarogong
- Tacub
- Tambara
- Tiongcop
- Tuboc
Climate
[edit]| Climate data for Malabang, Lanao del Sur | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 30 (86) |
30 (86) |
31 (88) |
31 (88) |
30 (86) |
30 (86) |
29 (84) |
29 (84) |
30 (86) |
30 (86) |
30 (86) |
30 (86) |
30 (86) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 24 (75) |
24 (75) |
25 (77) |
25 (77) |
26 (79) |
25 (77) |
25 (77) |
25 (77) |
25 (77) |
25 (77) |
25 (77) |
25 (77) |
25 (77) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 236 (9.3) |
225 (8.9) |
244 (9.6) |
235 (9.3) |
304 (12.0) |
287 (11.3) |
200 (7.9) |
175 (6.9) |
158 (6.2) |
200 (7.9) |
287 (11.3) |
243 (9.6) |
2,794 (110.2) |
| Average rainy days | 24.3 | 22.3 | 26.0 | 27.2 | 28.3 | 27.2 | 25.8 | 24.8 | 22.2 | 25.4 | 27.2 | 25.8 | 306.5 |
| Source: Meteoblue (modeled/calculated data, not measured locally)[7] | |||||||||||||
Demographics
[edit]| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1903 | 164 | — |
| 1918 | 980 | +12.66% |
| 1939 | 10,210 | +11.81% |
| 1948 | 10,380 | +0.18% |
| 1960 | 27,152 | +8.34% |
| 1970 | 28,692 | +0.55% |
| 1975 | 32,618 | +2.61% |
| 1980 | 18,955 | −10.28% |
| 1990 | 25,714 | +3.10% |
| 1995 | 28,840 | +2.17% |
| 2000 | 33,177 | +3.05% |
| 2007 | 41,024 | +2.97% |
| 2010 | 38,724 | −2.08% |
| 2015 | 43,957 | +2.44% |
| 2020 | 49,088 | +2.35% |
| 2024 | 58,377 | +4.25% |
| Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[8][9][10][11][12] | ||
Religions
[edit]Languages
[edit]The languages spoken in Malabang vary by location and by barangay. Maranao is the most commonly spoken language in Malabang, as the native speakers are the original inhabitants of Malabang.
Cebuano is spoken in some barangays with significant Cebuano Visayan immigrant populations who are mostly Catholic Christians. Along with English, Cebuano is used in Catholic masses and religious services as Malabang is part of the Prelature of Marawi, subject to the Archdiocese of Ozamis.
Some descendants of Chinese settlers in China Town (Poblacion) speak Mandarin and to some degree, Hokkien.
English is also a commonly spoken language due to American settlers in Matalin and European missionaries, and is also the medium of instruction and working language of the municipal government. Arabic is used in madrassas and spoken by qualified local and visiting ustadz (Islamic scholar) and imams. Settlers from the Maguindanao, Samal and Tausūg ethnic groups in barangay Bunkhouse still use their tribal tongues.
Although there are no settlers from the Tagalog region in Lanao del Sur, Tagalog is still used in schools, being the national language of the Philippines through its national register Filipino. It is also the alternative language of the Maranao townsfolk when conversing with Visayans, since not all of them know how to speak Cebuano.
Other languages varyingly spoken include Ilocano, Hiligaynon, Bicolano, Higaonon, and Iranun.
Economy
[edit]Poverty Incidence of Malabang
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
2000
69.43 2003
46.84 2006
28.80 2009
37.72 2012
68.06 2015
61.60 2018
71.01 2021
10.81 Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] |
Agriculture and fishery are the major resources of Malabang. They are also widely known for coconut production. Warehouses of coconut can be found along the major highways of Malabang. Mills in barangay Matalin produce cassava flour. Other agricultural products produced in Malabang include corn, vegetables and rice. Malabang also plays a major role in fishery production. They are known for puzan (a preserved fish product) and bakas (smoked dried fish). Malabang is central to commerce and trade activity in the coastal area of Lanao del Sur.
Government
[edit]The municipality has a mayor, the head of the municipality of Malabang, a municipal vice mayor, and eight municipal councilors. The municipality also has one Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) representative and one ABC representative from the Punong Barangay (barangay captains).
Mayor of Malabang
[edit]- 1939–1942, Naguib Juanday (First elected mayor)
- 1942–1944, Datu Sampiano (First appointed mayor)
- 1944–1945, Gandamasir Diambangan (Appointed)
- 1945–1946, Matling Darnang (Appointed)
- 1946–1947, Datu Boloto Paramata (Appointed)
- 1947–1948, Naguib Juanday (Appointed)
- 1948-1952, Ismael Marohom
- 1952–1956, Datu Macaorao Balindong
- 1956–1960, Datu Macaorao Balindong
- 1960–1964, Datu Macaorao Balindong
- 1964–1968, Amir M. Balindong
- 1968–1972, Amir M. Balindong
- 1972–1976, Amir M. Balindong
- 1976–1980, Macud Bangon Santican (Appointed)
- 1980–1986, Macud Bangon Santican
- 1986–1988, Anwar B. Balindong (Appointed)
- 1988–1992, Anwar B. Balindong
- 1992–1995, Anwar B. Balindong
- 1995–1998, Anwar B. Balindong
- 1998–2001, Amir-Oden S. Balindong
- 2001–2004, Anwar B. Balindong
- 2004–2007, Anwar B. Balindong
- 2007–2010, Anwar B. Balindong
- 2010–2013, Omensalam S. Balindong
- 2013–2016, Omensalam S. Balindong
- 2016–2019, Omensalam S. Balindong
- 2019–2022, Mohamad Yahya B. Macapodi
- 2022–2025, Alinader M. Balindong
- 2025–present, Amin D. Balindong
Infrastructure
[edit]Transportation
[edit]- Land Transport
- Malabang is quite sufficient when it comes to land transportation to the nearby municipalities. Tricycles are the most-commonly-used transportation around the town. Usually, in the elevated part of Malabang, public transportation such as town ace and multi-cab are used. There are also public utility vans and jeepneys available to nearby cities and municipalities.
- Air Transport
- Malabang Airport is the small airport of Malabang in the province of Lanao del Sur. It has IATA code MLP, GPS Code RPMM, an elevation of 27 feet (8.2 meters), latitude 7.6172 and longitude 124.059. This airport is classified as a secondary airport, or a minor commercial airport, by the Philippine Air Transportation Office. Its runway is 4,265 feet (1,300 meters) long. Malabang Airport is the only airport in the province. As of 2015, no airlines serve this airport.
- Sea Transport
- Malabang has only a small seaport. Daily coastal launches connect Malabang with Cotabato City, Maguindanao del Norte. Privately owned boats and rental boats are available for sea travel.
Medical Services
[edit]Dr. Serapio B. Montañer Memorial District Hospital or known to many as Mabul Hospital is the public hospital in Malabang, and is listed as a secondary hospital in the province. There are also several municipal private clinics in Malabang.
Telecommunications
[edit]The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company provides fixed line services. Wireless mobile communications services are provided by Smart Communications and Globe Telecommunications.
Education
[edit]Although listed as 4th class municipality, all levels of education are attainable in Malabang, a center of learning in the coastal area of Lanao del Sur. Multiple colleges are present, including the community branch of Mindanao State University. Arabic studies are also offered at all levels. Other notable secondary school in Malabang is Our Lady of Peace High School, a Catholic school and Malabang National High School
References
[edit]- ^ "2025 Election Results:Malabang, Lanao Del Sur". GMA Network. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
- ^ Municipality of Malabang | (DILG)
- ^ "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
- ^ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 17, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
- ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 17, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
- ^ "Malabang, Lanao del Sur : Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
- ^ "2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) Population Counts Declared Official by the President". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 17, 2025. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
- ^ Census of Population (2015). Highlights of the Philippine Population 2015 Census of Population. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
- ^ Census of Population and Housing (2010). Population and Annual Growth Rates for The Philippines and Its Regions, Provinces, and Highly Urbanized Cities (PDF). National Statistics Office. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
- ^ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Region: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
- ^ "Province of". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
- ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- ^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. November 29, 2005.
- ^ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. March 23, 2009.
- ^ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. August 3, 2012.
- ^ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. May 31, 2016.
- ^ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. July 10, 2019.
- ^ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. December 15, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
- ^ "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
External links
[edit]Malabang
View on GrokipediaHistory
Pre-Colonial and Sultanate Era
Prior to the arrival of Islam, the area encompassing modern Malabang was part of the indigenous settlements in mainland Mindanao, inhabited by Austronesian peoples with traditions rooted in animism and ancestral veneration, though specific archaeological evidence for the site remains sparse and largely undocumented beyond general regional prehistory dating to around 1500 BC.[1] Islam reached Malabang in 1515 with the arrival of Sharif Kabungsuwan, a Sunni Muslim prince from Johor, accompanied by a large group of followers including Sama warriors and traders, who established a foothold on the shores of Illana Bay.[1] Kabungsuwan, leveraging marriages to local chieftains such as the daughter of Rajah Simbaan of Malabang, converted ruling families and expanded influence through military and diplomatic means, founding the Sultanate of Maguindanao around 1516 with Malabang as an initial seat of power.[1][4] This marked the transition from localized datu-led communities to a centralized Islamic polity, integrating Malabang into broader networks of trade and governance with Sulu and Malay states. The Sultanate of Maguindanao, under Kabungsuwan (styled Sultan Aliwya, r. 1515–1543) and successors, controlled coastal and riverine territories of central Mindanao, with Malabang serving as a key port and administrative hub facilitating alliances and resistance against external threats.[1] By the 17th century, the sultanate's influence persisted amid emerging confederacies like the Lanao Sultanate formed by Maranao datus seceding from Maguindanao around 1640, though Malabang retained ties to Maguindanaon leadership.[5] The era solidified Islamic jurisprudence, architecture such as mosques, and maritime economy in the region, predating sustained Spanish incursions that began probing Mindanao in the late 16th century but achieved limited control until the 19th.[1]Colonial Period
During the Spanish colonial period, Malabang—historically linked to the site of La Sabanilla and anciently called Tuboc after a local spring known as Puerto Tuboc—experienced intermittent Spanish military incursions amid broader Moro resistance in the Lanao region. Spanish forces established an early fortification at La Sabanilla in the 17th century, initially as a palisade, to counter the expansion of Sultan Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat of Maguindanao. In 1639, Governor-General Sebastián Hurtado de Corcuera and forces under Captain Almonte constructed a fort at the site, now identified with Malabang on Illana Bay, as part of repeated but largely unsuccessful campaigns to subdue Moro sultanates. These efforts faced fierce opposition from Maranao datus, who employed fortified kotas for defense, preserving de facto autonomy in inland Lanao areas despite coastal outposts. By 1892, Spanish engineers under Capitán Juan Gálvez y Delgado built Fort Corcuera in Malabang as a bastioned structure with watchtowers, aimed at pacifying southern Mindanao, though effective control remained limited by ongoing juramentado attacks and hit-and-run tactics. Following the Spanish-American War and the 1898 Treaty of Paris, American forces assumed control of the Philippines, incorporating Malabang into the Moro Province established by Philippine Commission Act No. 787 in 1903. In April 1902, the U.S. 22nd Infantry Regiment, under Colonel Frank D. Baldwin, landed in Malabang and set up headquarters adjacent to the repurposed Fort Corcuera, using it as a staging point for expeditions into resistant Moro territories around Lake Lanao. This base facilitated the punitive Battle of Bayang (also known as Bayan) on May 2, 1902, where approximately 1,000 U.S. troops, including artillery and Philippine Scouts, engaged around 600 Maranao fighters under Datus of Bayang in retaliation for Moro killings of Americans in Malabang and Parang; the Americans suffered 11 killed and 45 wounded, while destroying several kotas but failing to capture key leaders. The clash exemplified early phases of the Moro Rebellion (1902–1913), characterized by asymmetric warfare against U.S. pacification, with Malabang serving as a logistical hub for subsequent operations like the Masiu expedition in 1902.[6][7] American governance in Malabang emphasized infrastructure and disarmament, but local datus continued sporadic resistance, including ambushes and slave raids, until broader subjugation under figures like Brigadier General John J. Pershing in the mid-1900s. The Moro Province administration, headquartered initially in Malabang before shifting, imposed taxes and constabulary forces, gradually integrating the area into Philippine colonial structures by 1914, though cultural and religious autonomy persisted among Maranao communities.[8]Post-Independence Developments
After Philippine independence on July 4, 1946, Malabang retained its status as a municipality within the undivided province of Lanao, which encompassed areas of present-day Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte.[8] The province underwent subdivision on July 4, 1959, through Republic Act No. 2228, establishing Lanao del Sur with Malabang as one of its component municipalities; this division aimed to address administrative efficiencies amid growing populations and distinct cultural identities in the region.[8] Post-war reconstruction efforts in the area focused on basic infrastructure, including the maintenance of Malabang Airport, initially constructed by Japanese forces during World War II as a military airfield but repurposed for civilian use thereafter.[9] The municipality became embroiled in the Moro insurgency starting in the late 1960s, as Muslim armed groups such as the Blackshirts emerged in Lanao provinces in response to land policies encouraging Christian migration from Luzon and the Visayas, leading to communal tensions and displacement.[10] By 1972, the conflict had intensified in Lanao del Sur, including Malabang, with sporadic clashes between Moro rebels and government forces exacerbating local ridos (clan feuds) and contributing to economic stagnation through disrupted agriculture and trade.[11] These events prompted cycles of internal displacement, with Malabang experiencing vulnerability to conflict-driven migrations, as documented in provincial protection assessments highlighting histories of violence in select barangays.[12] Economic development remained agrarian-focused, centered on copra production and trading, with no major industrial refineries established locally; copra collected in Malabang was typically shipped to external processors.[13] Recent initiatives under the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), formed in 2019, have targeted agri-industrial growth in Malabang, including proposals for ecozones leveraging its coastal and productive lands, alongside efforts to integrate historical agricultural cooperatives—dating to the early 1900s—into modern banking networks for improved financial access.[14][15] In January 2023, the BARMM Regional Airport Authority assumed landside operations at Malabang Airport, signaling potential enhancements in connectivity and logistics to support regional trade.[9] These measures reflect ongoing attempts to mitigate conflict legacies through autonomous governance and targeted investments, though persistent clan disputes continue to challenge stability.[16]Contemporary Events
In September 2024, a violent clan feud, or rido, erupted in Malabang between the Abdul and Macud families, resulting in two fatalities and four injuries, which led authorities to deploy nine police units to contain the escalation and avert further bloodshed ahead of local elections.[17] [18] Such incidents reflect persistent rido dynamics in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), where familial disputes over land, honor, or politics frequently disrupt community stability and complicate electoral processes.[18] Military-led interventions have aimed to resolve these feuds; on November 23, 2024, the Philippine Army's 64th Infantry Battalion facilitated reconciliation between warring clans in Malabang, emphasizing community peacebuilding to reduce recurring violence.[19] Complementing this, the Malabang Municipal Police Station organized a Unity Walk and Peace Covenant Signing on March 27, 2025, involving local stakeholders to foster dialogue and prevent election-related unrest.[20] The May 2025 local elections in Malabang unfolded amid heightened security measures due to rido risks and historical electoral violence in Lanao del Sur, with a registered voting population of approximately 33,585; partial results were reported shortly after, followed by oath-taking ceremonies for elected officials, including Vice Mayor Yacob D. Balindong, on June 19, 2025.[21] [22] [23] Infrastructure advancements tied to regional rehabilitation include the Malabang Road project, a 2.20-kilometer thoroughfare costing PHP 2.13 billion, initiated in March 2024 under efforts to recover from the 2017 Marawi siege spillover effects, enhancing connectivity in the area.[24] These developments occur within BARMM's broader peace framework, though clan tensions continue to challenge sustained progress.[18]Geography
Location and Topography
Malabang is a coastal municipality situated in the southwestern portion of Lanao del Sur province, within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, on the southern island of Mindanao in the Philippines. Its municipal center lies at approximately 7°36′ North latitude and 124°4′ East longitude.[3] The area borders Illana Bay to the west, providing direct access to the Moro Gulf.[3] The municipality encompasses a total land area of 198.10 square kilometers, characterized primarily by low-lying coastal plains along the bayfront that gradually rise into undulating hills and foothills toward the interior.[3] Elevations remain modest, with an average of about 37 meters above sea level and variations typically not exceeding 143 meters within localized areas near the center.[25] [26] This topography supports a mix of alluvial deposits near the coast and more rugged terrain inland, influenced by proximity to the broader Moro Gulf coastal zone and the foothills of the surrounding mountain systems in central Mindanao.[26] The flat to gently sloping coastal margins facilitate settlement and agriculture, while the slight inland elevations contribute to drainage patterns feeding into the bay.[25]Administrative Divisions
Malabang is administratively subdivided into 37 barangays, which function as the primary local government units responsible for basic services and community governance within the municipality.[3] These barangays vary in population size, with Matalin recording the highest at 4,037 residents and several smaller ones under 500, based on the 2020 Census of Population and Housing conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority.[3] The barangays of Malabang are:- Bacayawan
- Badak Lumao
- Bagoaingud
- Banday
- Betayan
- Boniga
- BPS Village
- Bunk House
- Cabasaran
- Calibagat
- Calumbog
- Campo Muslim
- China Town
- Corahab
- Diamaro
- Inandayan
- Jose Abad Santos
- Lamin
- Mable
- Macuranding
- Madaya
- Mananayo
- Manggahan
- Masao
- Matalin
- Matampay
- Matling
- Montay
- Pasir
- Pialot
- Rebocun
- Sarang
- Sumbagarogong
- Tacub
- Tambara
- Tiongcop
- Tuboc
Climate and Natural Features
Malabang exhibits a tropical climate typical of western Mindanao, with consistently high temperatures and rainfall distributed relatively evenly throughout the year, classified under the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration's Type IV regime, featuring no pronounced dry season. Average annual temperatures hover around 25.4°C, with daily highs ranging from 30°C in cooler months like January to peaks of 32°C during March and April, and nighttime lows stabilizing near 23°C across seasons.[27][28] The hottest periods occur in April and May, when daytime temperatures often exceed 32°C, while humidity levels frequently surpass 80%, contributing to a muggy feel.[29] Precipitation averages substantial volumes, with wetter months like October recording approximately 320 mm of rain over about 23 days, supporting lush vegetation but occasionally leading to flooding in low-lying areas.[30] The region's southerly position shields it from most typhoons affecting northern Philippines, though southwest monsoons from June to October bring heavier downpours, and localized thunderstorms are common year-round.[31] Geographically, Malabang occupies narrow coastal plains along Illana Bay in the Moro Gulf, transitioning into rolling hills and low plateaus inland, with an average elevation of 61 meters above sea level. The Malabang River, a key waterway, originates in the hinterlands and flows westward through the municipality into the bay, facilitating irrigation for rice and corn fields while shaping alluvial deposits along its course.[32][33] Surrounding terrain includes fault-influenced hills and flatlands suited to agriculture, with no dominant peaks within municipal bounds but proximity to volcanic-influenced ranges eastward near Lake Lanao. Coastal features encompass sandy beaches, such as Mabul Beach, and fringing mangroves, vulnerable to erosion and tidal influences.[34][35][36]Demographics
Population Trends
The population of Malabang has exhibited significant long-term growth since early 20th-century censuses, rising from 164 residents in 1903 to 49,088 in 2020, reflecting broader demographic expansion in the Philippines amid improvements in healthcare, agriculture, and migration patterns.[3] However, this trajectory includes notable fluctuations, particularly a post-1970s decline followed by recovery, likely influenced by regional conflicts in Mindanao that prompted internal displacement and out-migration.[3][37]| Census Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1903 | 164 |
| 1939 | 980 |
| 1948 | 10,210 |
| 1960 | 10,380 |
| 1970 | 27,152 |
| 1975 | 28,692 |
| 1980 | 23,602 |
| 1990 | 18,955 |
| 1995 | 25,714 |
| 2000 | 28,840 |
| 2007 | 33,177 |
| 2010 | 41,024 |
| 2015 | 43,957 |
| 2020 | 49,088 |
Ethnic Composition
The ethnic composition of Malabang is overwhelmingly Maranao, the predominant indigenous Moro group in the Lanao provinces of Mindanao. As a municipality within Lanao del Sur, Malabang shares the province's demographic profile, where the 2000 Census of Population and Housing reported that 91.04% of the household population identified as Maranao.[41] This high concentration reflects the historical settlement patterns of Maranao clans in the region, centered around Lake Lanao and its surrounding lowlands, with Malabang serving as a coastal hub for Maranao communities. Subsequent censuses, such as 2010 and 2020, have not published granular ethnic breakdowns at the municipal level, but provincial trends indicate sustained Maranao dominance amid limited internal migration. Smaller ethnic minorities in Malabang include other Moro subgroups, such as Maguindanao, Samal, and Tausug, primarily from historical trade and settlement along coastal areas. These groups represent migrants from adjacent regions like Maguindanao province and the Sulu Archipelago, though their numbers remain marginal compared to the Maranao majority. Provincial data from 2000 also notes about 1.9% Cebuano and 2.5% Hiligaynon/Ilonggo affiliations, likely stemming from post-World War II Christian settler programs in Mindanao, but these are underrepresented in core Moro areas like Malabang due to cultural and security dynamics favoring ethnic homogeneity.[41] No recent surveys quantify shifts, but clan-based social structures reinforce Maranao preeminence, with inter-ethnic interactions often mediated through Islamic networks rather than assimilation.Languages and Religion
The primary language spoken in Malabang is Maranao, an Austronesian language used by the Maranao people, who constitute the predominant ethnic group in the municipality and broader province of Lanao del Sur, where they accounted for 91.04% of the household population as of the 2000 census.[41] Filipino, a standardized form of Tagalog, and English serve as official languages nationwide and are employed in formal settings such as education, administration, and business transactions within Malabang.[42] Islam, particularly in its Sunni form, is the prevailing religion among Malabang's residents, deeply embedded in the daily practices, governance, and land management traditions of the local Maranao population, as evidenced by adherence to Islamic principles in property ownership and community structures.[43] This religious dominance aligns with the municipality's location in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), a region established to affirm Muslim cultural and religious identity.[1]Economy
Primary Sectors
Agriculture and fisheries constitute the primary economic sectors in Malabang, supporting livelihoods in this coastal municipality of Lanao del Sur. These extractive activities align with the broader Bangsamoro region's emphasis on agrarian and aquatic resource utilization, where farming and fishing form the backbone of rural employment amid limited industrialization.[14] In agriculture, rice and corn are principal crops, supplemented by high-value commodities such as cacao, coffee, and coconuts, with land suitability assessments indicating potential for expanded cultivation of these staples and perennials. Government programs, including the distribution of rice reapers to farmer cooperatives, aim to enhance productivity in rainfed and irrigated paddies. Fisheries, centered on Illana Bay, involve small-scale marine capture, bolstered by infrastructure like solar-powered ice plants and fiberglass boats provided to local fisherfolk in 2017 to improve post-harvest handling and market access. Processed fish products, though not quantified at the municipal level, underscore the sector's role in local trade.[44][45][46][47]Trade and Development Initiatives
Malabang functions as a commercial center for coastal Lanao del Sur, with trade activities primarily involving agricultural products, fish, and local goods transported via land and water routes.[48] The municipality's economy benefits from a historic flour milling plant, one of the few industrial facilities in the province, supporting processing of local grains.[49] In recent years, integration into national banking networks has facilitated financial services for traders, including remittances and loans, as part of broader Mindanao connectivity efforts linking Malabang with an established agricultural cooperative.[15] Key development initiatives emphasize infrastructure to bolster trade accessibility. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) financed farm-to-market roads under the Agrarian Reform Communities Project, allowing truck transport of harvests from Malabang's rural areas to urban markets and reducing post-harvest losses.[50] Complementing this, the Malabang Viaduct project, a component of the Philippines Rural Development Project supported by ADB and executed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), targets improved road connectivity across flood-prone zones, with site inspections and updates conducted as of July 2024 to expedite construction and enhance goods movement.[51][52] Aviation upgrades form another pillar, with coordinated efforts by the Bangsamoro Airports Authority (BAA) and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) advancing the rehabilitation of Malabang Airport. Meetings in July and August 2025 focused on runway clearance, perimeter fencing, and operational readiness to reopen the facility, originally a private airstrip, aiming to stimulate cargo and passenger traffic for regional trade.[53][54] Proposals for river rehabilitation target the Malabang River, which underpins 50% of the local coastal economy through fishing and transport, though implementation remains in planning stages via partnerships for cleanup and restoration.[48] These projects align with Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) priorities for poverty reduction and peace-building via economic integration.[55]Economic Constraints
Malabang, as part of Lanao del Sur province in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), faces severe poverty, with the province recording a 71.9% poverty incidence rate in 2015, the highest nationwide, driven by persistent violence and limited economic diversification.[56] Although BARMM-wide poverty declined by 40% between 2018 and 2021 amid accelerated growth, the region remains the Philippines' poorest, with average incomes just 40% above the poverty line and vulnerability to shocks like conflict persisting.[57] In Malabang specifically, clan feuds known as rido disrupt local commerce and investment; for instance, a September 2024 clash between the Abdul and Macud clans resulted in fatalities, underscoring ongoing security risks that deter business activity and exacerbate unemployment.[18] Structural limitations compound these issues, with Malabang lacking major industries beyond a single flour milling plant, leaving the economy heavily reliant on subsistence agriculture and fisheries vulnerable to low technology adoption and natural disasters.[49][58] Conflict dynamics, including rido interactions with broader insurgencies, further inflate poverty by curtailing production and informal coping mechanisms like credit systems, while high vulnerable employment rates in BARMM—coupled with weak job generation—limit escape from poverty traps.[59][60] These constraints reflect causal links between insecurity, underinvestment, and stalled growth, as evidenced by province-level data showing modest agricultural output amid persistent disruptions.Government and Administration
Local Governance Structure
The local governance of Malabang follows the standard structure for municipalities in the Philippines under Republic Act No. 7160, the Local Government Code of 1991, with executive authority vested in the municipal mayor and legislative functions handled by the Sangguniang Bayan. The mayor serves as the chief executive, responsible for implementing policies, managing municipal services, and representing the locality in intergovernmental affairs. The Sangguniang Bayan, the municipal council, consists of eight regularly elected members who enact ordinances, approve budgets, and oversee development plans, presided over by the vice mayor who also assumes the mayoral duties in cases of vacancy. Ex-officio members include the president of the Liga ng mga Barangay and the president of the Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan, ensuring representation from barangay-level governance.[2] As of the 2025 local elections, Amin Balindong holds the position of mayor, while Rusty Balindong serves as vice mayor. The municipality is divided into 37 barangays, each governed by an elected barangay captain and a seven-member Sangguniang Barangay that addresses local issues such as peace and order, basic services, and community development. Barangay officials are elected every three years concurrently with municipal elections and play a crucial role in grassroots administration, including the enforcement of local ordinances and mobilization for municipal programs.[21][61][3] Although situated within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Malabang's local government structure aligns with national LGU frameworks, with coordination through the BARMM's Ministry of the Interior and Local Government for regional policies, but retains autonomy in routine operations and fiscal management under national oversight. Appointive positions, such as the municipal administrator, treasurer, and assessor, support the elected officials in administrative functions, ensuring compliance with auditing and procurement standards.[62]Political Dynamics
Local politics in Malabang are dominated by clan-based alliances and dynasties, with the Balindong family exerting significant influence through successive generations of leaders. Sultan Amer Macaorao Balindong previously served as mayor, while his son, Ali Pangalian Macaorao Balindong, held positions including Speaker of the Bangsamoro Parliament until his death on October 2, 2025. In the May 2025 elections, Amin D. Balindong, another family member running as an independent, secured the mayoral position with 21,978 votes, equivalent to 65.44% of the total, defeating rivals including Dagar Balindong of Lakas-CMD.[63][21][61] Clan feuds, or rido, frequently intersect with electoral competition, escalating violence in this election hotspot. A September 24, 2024, clash between the Abdul and Macud clans resulted in two deaths and four injuries, prompting deployment of additional police forces amid pre-election tensions. Malabang's history of such incidents led to its placement under Commission on Elections (Comelec) control in April 2022 following multiple killings, a measure aimed at curbing armed rivalries during campaigns.[17][64][65] Unlike provinces with singular hegemonic clans, Malabang's dynamics reflect fragmented competition among multiple groups, contributing to persistent instability despite BARMM's autonomy framework. Recent mitigations include a November 2024 peace pact between the Balindong and Montañer clans, resolving a decades-old feud via Qur'anic oaths, and military-hosted forums like the April 2025 election security dialogue led by the 64th Infantry Battalion. These efforts seek to reduce violence, though underlying clan loyalties continue to shape candidate selection and voter mobilization.[66][67][68]Security and Conflicts
Clan Feuds and Rido
Rido, a customary practice of clan-based retaliation among Maranao communities in Lanao del Sur, typically arises from triggers such as personal insults, land disputes, political competition, or unresolved killings, perpetuating cycles of violence that can span generations and involve high-powered firearms. In Malabang, a coastal municipality with a predominantly Maranao population, rido has manifested recurrently, undermining local stability and frequently intertwining with electoral tensions due to clan affiliations influencing political loyalties.[59][18] A prominent eruption occurred on the night of September 23, 2024, when members of the Abdul and Macud clans exchanged gunfire in Barangay Pudway Poblacion, Malabang, killing two individuals and wounding four others; the incident, linked to longstanding political animosities, prompted authorities to deploy nine police units and designate Malabang as an election hotspot for the May 2025 midterm polls.[65][17][18] In April 2022, another clash between rival political families in Malabang injured eight people during a weekend shootout, highlighting how rido often escalates around campaign periods as clans align with competing candidates.[69] Earlier ambushes, such as the February 2021 killing of Malabang Mayor Amina Macapodi's uncle, were attributed by relatives to deliberate efforts to provoke a clan feud and disrupt her reelection bid.[70] Resolutions have occasionally succeeded through mediated peace covenants; for instance, on April 14, 2017—coinciding with Good Friday observances—leaders of two feuding Maranao clans in Malabang formalized an end to a 20-year rido, facilitated by local religious and civic figures, averting further bloodshed.[71] Despite such interventions, persistent rido in Malabang reflects deeper challenges in enforcement and cultural adherence, with data indicating overlaps between clan violence and broader armed group activities in the Bangsamoro region.[18]Ties to Regional Insurgencies
Malabang's strategic location in Lanao del Sur province has linked it to the broader Moro insurgency, particularly through the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), which have historically operated in the region as part of the push for Moro autonomy. In 1996, Malabang National High School hosted key peace negotiations between the Philippine government and MNLF leader Nur Misuari, underscoring the municipality's role in early efforts to resolve the conflict that began in the 1970s.[72] These talks aimed to implement the 1976 Tripoli Agreement but highlighted persistent divisions, as the MILF later emerged as a splinter group rejecting the MNLF's accommodation with Manila.[73] The establishment of a Joint Coordinating, Monitoring, and Assistance Center (JCMAC) office in Malabang under the Government of the Philippines-MILF Peace Corridor initiative reflects ongoing MILF influence and the need for ceasefire monitoring in the area. Operationalized to facilitate coordination between government forces and MILF combatants, the Malabang JCMAC—alongside one in Marawi—supports de-escalation in insurgency-prone zones, with activities including intelligence sharing and rapid response to violations.[74] This presence indicates Malabang's integration into the post-2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, where MILF forces have transitioned toward normalization, though residual armed elements persist amid clan-based ridos involving former rebels.[75] Recent developments affirm MILF's continued footprint, as evidenced by high-level MILF gatherings in Malabang, such as a July 2024 assembly advocating for sustained peace processes post-2025 elections.[76] Provincial-level coordination between the military and MILF in Lanao del Sur, including Malabang, focuses on securing elections and countering splinter threats like the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), which have exploited MILF-government fault lines.[75] While mainstream MILF integration into the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has reduced active hostilities, Malabang's proximity to Marawi—site of the 2017 ISIS-affiliated siege—exposes it to spillover from extremist offshoots, necessitating joint operations informed by local Moro networks.[77]Mitigation Efforts and Outcomes
Mitigation efforts in Malabang primarily involve collaborative interventions by the Philippine Army, local government units, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) institutions to resolve rido through mediation and ceasefire agreements. The 64th Infantry Battalion facilitated reconciliation in a long-standing rido in Malabang on November 23, 2024, emphasizing community peacebuilding and support for ending clan feuds. Similarly, the 6th Infantry Battalion mediated a settlement between the Montañer and Masacal clans, resolving an 11-year conflict that had claimed lives, with the agreement reinforcing commitments to total peace. Provincial officials, including Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr., have actively supported these processes, as seen in a 2021 rido settlement in Malabang credited to multi-stakeholder involvement. The BARMM's Ministry of Public Order and Safety (MPOS) coordinates broader peacebuilding, including community-based identification of rido hotspots and promotion of culturally grounded dispute resolution mechanisms under the Bangsamoro Organic Law.[19][78][79] In 2017, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process proposed a "Peace Corridor" in Malabang to ensure safe passage for civilians amid ongoing insurgencies and feuds, providing humanitarian access and de-escalation zones, though implementation details remain limited in public records. Military units like the 103rd Infantry Brigade and provincial police have extended efforts to Lanao del Sur, resolving decades-old ridos through trust-building dialogues, as demonstrated in a November 2024 mediation. These initiatives draw on Islamic principles and kinship norms to codify guidelines for feud settlement, aiming to break cycles of retaliation.[80][67] Outcomes have been mixed, with notable successes in specific cases but persistent challenges from entrenched loyalties and external insurgent ties. Successful mediations, such as the 2024 clan reconciliations, have restored community stability in affected barangays and reduced immediate violence, fostering economic recovery in mediated areas. However, rido incidents continue, exemplified by a October 2025 clash in Malabang barangays Tobok and Chinatown between a town mayor's group and a Moro Islamic Liberation Front faction, highlighting incomplete deterrence. BARMM-wide data indicate rido impedes development, with violence levels in 2025 reaching the worst in seven years, underscoring the need for sustained enforcement beyond ad-hoc settlements. Despite these, institutional frameworks like MPOS have institutionalized alternative dispute resolution, contributing to incremental declines in feud escalation when combined with security presence.[81][82][83]Infrastructure
Transportation Networks
Malabang's road network primarily consists of national and provincial roads connecting it to regional centers. The Marawi-Malabang Road links the municipality directly to Marawi City, facilitating intra-provincial travel. Segments of the Maharlika Highway, also known as the Cotabato-Malabang-Lanao del Norte Road, pass through Malabang, integrating it into the broader Pan-Philippine Highway system (AH26) for connectivity to southern Mindanao ports and northern routes. These roads support the transport of agricultural goods and passengers, though maintenance challenges persist due to the region's terrain and security issues. [84] Air transportation is provided by Malabang Airport (IATA: MLP, ICAO: RPMM), a small civil airfield located north of the town center with a paved runway measuring 1,500 meters in length and an elevation of 13 meters. [85] The airport currently lacks scheduled commercial flights and serves primarily general aviation needs on its 16-hectare site. [86] In August 2025, the Bangsamoro Ministry of Transportation and Communications coordinated with stakeholders to advance the airport's development, aiming to enhance infrastructure for future operations. [53] Public transport within Malabang relies on multi-cabs, tricycles, and buses operating from the Malabang Bus Terminal, which serves as a hub for routes to nearby municipalities and cities like Marawi. [87] Inter-city buses and vans connect Malabang to broader Mindanao networks via the aforementioned highways, though travel times are extended by road conditions and occasional disruptions from local conflicts. [88] No major seaports operate directly in Malabang, with coastal access limited to small-scale fishing and local watercraft rather than formal harbor facilities. [3]Healthcare Services
The Malabang Rural Health Unit serves as the primary facility for basic healthcare delivery in the municipality, offering services such as consultations, immunization, maternal and child health care, and disease surveillance under the Department of Health's framework.[89] [90] The Dr. Serapio B. Montaner Jr. Al-Haj Memorial Hospital, located in Barangay Mabul, functions as the main secondary-level public hospital, upgraded to a Level II facility in June 2022 pursuant to Republic Act No. 11870, providing general medical and surgical care, emergency services, laboratory examinations, chest X-rays, and maternal-newborn support for Malabang and adjacent areas.[91] [92] In August 2025, the Bangsamoro Parliament approved an expansion increasing its bed capacity from 25 to 100 beds to address growing demand.[93] In May 2025, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region inaugurated Lanao del Sur's first government-operated dialysis center in Malabang, offering free hemodialysis treatments to improve access for patients with chronic kidney disease in the region.[94] [95] The municipal government periodically conducts outreach programs, including free medical and dental missions targeting farmers and residents.[96] Limited private clinics and telemedicine options supplement public services, with general practitioners available for consultations.[97]Utilities and Telecommunications
Electricity distribution in Malabang is managed by the Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative (LASURECO), a member-owned utility under the National Electrification Administration serving 51 municipalities across Lanao del Sur province, including Malabang.[98] Power supply relies on transmission lines such as the Basak-Malabang 69kV line operated by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), which has experienced multiple outages requiring restoration, including incidents on October 22, 2025, and September 30, 2025, due to overcurrent limits and other faults.[99][100] Water supply infrastructure remains underdeveloped, with reliance on localized projects funded by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Ministry of Public Works. A notable initiative includes the 2017 construction of a Level II water supply system in Barangay Bakayawan, aimed at providing communal access points for potable water.[101] Broader provincial efforts, such as the 2022 Special Development Fund allocation of P167,955,500 for water systems in Lanao del Sur's second district (encompassing Malabang), indicate ongoing but fragmented improvements to address limited access.[88] Telecommunications in Malabang primarily consist of mobile services from major providers Smart Communications (PLDT subsidiary) and Globe Telecom, with LTE expansion reaching select areas in Lanao del Sur since 2020 to enhance broadband access in BARMM regions.[102] Fixed-line and limited broadband options are available through PLDT, though rural constraints limit widespread high-speed internet penetration. Regional initiatives, including BARMM's 2025 plan for 1,010 digital towers, aim to bolster connectivity, but coverage remains inconsistent in remote barangays.[103]Education
Primary and Secondary Education
Primary education in Malabang is delivered through public elementary and primary schools under the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Key institutions include Malabang Central Elementary Pilot School, Calimodan Village Elementary School, Madaya Primary School, and Montay Primary School.[104] These schools serve Grades 1 through 6, aligning with the national K-12 curriculum adapted for the region. Enrollment in BARMM elementary education reflects a participation rate of 69 percent as of recent assessments, compared to 89 percent nationally, influenced by factors including geographic isolation and alternative madrasa systems.[105] Secondary education encompasses junior high (Grades 7-10) and senior high (Grades 11-12) levels, primarily via public national high schools such as Malabang National High School, Mananayo National High School, and Pindolonan National High School.[106][107] These offer specialized tracks including STEM, TVL, HUMSS, and sports for senior high students.[107] Private options include Our Lady of Peace High School (HUMSS track) and Felix A. Panganiban Academy (ABM and GAS tracks), alongside the MSU-Malabang Community High School, which emphasizes leadership development within the Mindanao State University system.[108][109] Regional secondary participation lags, with BARMM's overall basic literacy rate at 81 percent—the lowest in the Philippines—attributable to persistent security issues and infrastructure gaps.[110] For school year 2023-2024, BARMM secondary enrollment totaled 63,565 students across the region, indicating limited access in areas like Malabang amid ongoing mitigation efforts.[111]Literacy and Challenges
The literacy rate in Malabang, situated within Lanao del Sur province in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), reflects the broader regional trends of low educational attainment exacerbated by socioeconomic and security factors. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority's (PSA) data, BARMM records the lowest basic literacy rate in the Philippines at approximately 81.5% for individuals aged 10 and older, with functional literacy—encompassing comprehension, numeracy, and problem-solving—standing at 64.7%.[112] Lanao del Sur specifically exhibits elevated functional illiteracy rates, with about 13% of the population affected, translating to roughly 64,000 individuals struggling with practical reading, writing, and computation skills.[113] These figures lag significantly behind the national basic literacy average of 90% and functional literacy of 70.8%, highlighting disparities driven by limited access to quality instruction.[114] Key challenges to literacy in Malabang include ongoing clan feuds (rido) and insurgent activities, which frequently lead to school closures, teacher absences, and student dropouts due to displacement and safety concerns. In Lanao del Sur, rido has been documented to hinder consistent attendance and exacerbate learning gaps in foundational skills like reading, writing, and arithmetic among elementary pupils.[115][116] Attacks on educational facilities in Mindanao, including BARMM areas, rose in recent years, with at least 23 incidents reported in 2022-2023, further disrupting formal education.[117] Poverty and inadequate infrastructure compound these issues, resulting in overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, and reliance on informal madrasah systems that prioritize religious instruction over functional literacy skills. In BARMM, high poverty rates contribute to out-of-school youth and child labor, perpetuating cycles of low literacy, while madrasahs face shortages of classrooms, libraries, and integration with secular curricula.[118][119] Enrollment remains low, with historical net rates in the former ARMM at 75.6% for primary and 29.6% for secondary levels, limiting exposure to standardized literacy programs. Efforts to address these through curriculum reforms like MATATAG encounter implementation hurdles, including resource gaps and cultural resistance to secular emphases.[118]References
- https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Lanao_del_Sur

