MANUKAN, ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE

http://manukan.zamboangadelnorte.com/ManukanProfile.htm
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
The Municipality of Manukan is strategically located on the southern part of the
Province of Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines archipelago and easily accessible
with an approximately 38-kilometer distance from the City of Dipolog. Specifically,
it is situated between 720' and 731' North Latitude and between 12303' and
12312' East Longitude. It is bounded on the north by the Sulu Sea; on the east
and southeast, by the Municipality of Pres. Manuel A. Roxas; and on the west and
southwest, by the Municipality of Jose Dalman.
LAND AREA
The recorded land area of the locality is 25,291.57 hectares and distributed here in
below to its component barangays, to wit:

NAME OF BARANGAY
Dipane
Disakan
Don Jose Aguirre
East Poblacion
Gupot
Libuton
Linay
Lingatongan
Lupasang
Mate
Meses
Palaranan
Pangandao
Patagan
Poblacion
Punta Blanca
Saluyong
San Antonio
Serongan
Suisayan
Upper Disakan
Villaramos
TOPOGRAPHY

DISTANCE
LAND AREA (in
FROM
has.)
POBLACION (in
kms.)
793.22
12.0
958.67
6.0
599.01
7.0
518.90
1.0
679.72
10.0
945.24
5.0
549.36
6.0
492.54
14.0
395.02
18.0
2,993.91
8.0
485.73
17.0
401.82
3.5
4,453.34
22.0
1,976.21
12.2
412.02
0
725.57
4.0
772.37
16.0
396.45
11.0
2,983.45
15.0
526.60
14.0
2,797.67
9.0
434.75
9.0

Majority of the barangays are situated on rolling and hilly areas and classified as
generally craggy and rough with slopes from less than 10 to almost 70 except
those along the coast. It is traversed by rivers and creeks which overflows during
wet seasons. The barangays and "sitios" which are mostly affected by these
occurrences are parts of Disakan, Linay, Lingatongan, Don Jose Aguirre,
Lupasang, Saluyong and San Antonio. As a coastal community, it has an
approximately total shoreline of 18 kilometers and the shallow waters are
pullulated with "bangus" and "locon" fry.
CLIMATE
Manukan has been classified as belonging to Type 4 with no remarkable dry and no
very pronounced rainy seasons. There is no single month which may be
considered as dry, however, February is considered as the driest and November as
the wettest months.
The winds are generally light from South to West from June to October; and from
the Northeast from November to May. It enjoys a fairly warm temperature
throughout the year with a mean annual temperature around 27.4C and a mean
range of 14C. Based on a 12-year record, January is the coldest month with an
average temperature of 26.7C; while April is the warmest with a computed average
of 28.1C.
Due to very short dry season, the relative humidity is comparatively high and
uniform. Average values in March and April are remarkably at 80% and 70%,
respectively. The mean averages for the remaining months ranges from 81% to
85% with the highest values occurring during the wettest periods. Tropical
cyclones are infrequently being experienced in the area. From 1949, only 4
cyclones passed within 75 miles of the area, and these were only depressions.
SOIL AND MINERAL RESOURCES
Per record from the Soil Division of the Department of Agriculture, the area has 8
basic soil types which are the Faraon Clay, Isabela Clay, Guingua Clay, Mandawe
Clay, Dohinob Clay, San Miguel Sandy Loam, Paete Clay and Undifferentiated
Mountain Soil.
On the other hand, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
Office in Zamboanga City confirmed that Manukan is endowed with rich mineral
deposits as follows:
1. Dohinob Limestone - It has an unknown extent which can be found in the banks
of Dohinob River. This occurs as patches in sandstone and siltstone and
characteristically corral and dense with white to buff colors.
2. Marble Deposit - The marbleized limestone deposit is situated in Disakan and
covers an area of 810,000 square meters and average thickness of 20 meters. It is
well-exposed and is compact, massive and hard with a few joints. It is partly
metamorphosed into marble with an estimated reserve of 4,000,000 cubic meters
after deducting 50% for breakage and etc.
3. Copper

4. Silver
Other mineral deposits believed to be found in the area are iron, gold, white clay
and black sand. However, extents of deposits are still undetermined including
copper and silver.
POPULATION
NSO Census in 2000 recorded a total population of 31,855 with approximately
50.54% males and 49.46% females. In the same census it has a total of 6,010
households with an average of 5-member household size and average family
income of PhP 1000.00 per month. Despite the introduction of family planning
methods, these figures are projected to escalate due to the introduction of
developmental projects as compared to its neighboring towns. Its increasing
population trend accounts for the high poverty incidence which is pegged at
71.78%. Labor force potential is at 51.35%.

LIVELIHOOD SOURCES
Many of its inhabitants are primarily engaged in farming and fishing. Others rely
on small-scale and cottage industries such as candle-making, soap-making,
dressmaking, pottery, stonecraft, hollow block making, furniture, rattan and
bamboo crafts, fish and meat processing, etc. Still others are on freelance
undertakings and skilled works.
ROADS AND COMMUNICATION FACILITIES
Through the initiative of the 3-term Mayor Eugene Caballero, it has established the
Barangay Road Network which interconnects all component-barangays to the
mainstream of socio-economic activities. Around 181 kilometers of roads were
piloted and upgraded which was made possible with the procurement of heavy and
light vehicles to ensure its realization at least cost as compared to renting of the
same. However, this project still needs constant rehabilitation and
upgrading/concreting/gravelling works.
As to communication facilities, it has available postal and telegraphic services,
radio transceivers, cellular phones and, lately, a cable television system was
installed. We hope that residential telephone units will also be introduced in the
area. The DOTC has already started the Telepono Sa Barangay Project which will
also cater to both domestic and international calls of our people at a cheaper rate.
ELECTRICITY AND WATER SERVICES
Electric power is commercially supplied by the Zamboanga del Norte Electric
Cooperative (ZANECO), Inc. which is sourced out from the Maria Cristina
Hydroelectric Plant in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte through its substations in Obay,
Polanco and Nabilid, Roxas with a total of 15MVA power capacity. The municipality
also recognizes the potential of its Tulbong Falls in Barangay Meses whose heavy
torrent can be converted into hydroelectric power. If ever developed, it can
provide enormous power even to its neighboring towns.
The Pali Spring in Barangay Palaranan is the sole source of our local water
district. For several years, it has undergone rehabilitation and expansion works
through the LGU administration. With minimal maintenance cost, it is generating

revenues for the municipality which is in turn utilized for its expansion.
HEALTH FACILITIES
Health programs and activities are conducted mainly by 8 personnel in the Main
Health Center located within the Municipal Compound. It is complemented by 4
Barangay Health Extension Centers at Barangays Don Jose Aguirre, Libuton,
Punta Blanca and Saluyong. The rest of the hinterland areas are being served
through conducts of Medical Outreach at times in coordination with the Provincial
Government.
The municipality has also in its disposition a 14-bed capacity primary hospital
whose piteous condition needs imperative attention as it caters not only to our
residents needing medical care but also those of the nearby towns. Due to
financial and logistical incapacity, our then municipal leadership elevated this
problem to the provincial administration sometimes in 1994. Through the
indulgence of Governor Isagani Amatong, the construction of the proposed
Manukan District Hospital with an initial 50-bed capacity was then piloted in 1995.
However, he was defeated in the electoral poll but he picked up on the same
project upon re-election in 1998. It is hoped to be completed soon when all the
basic facilities shall be in-placed and the DOH Permit approved.
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
The elementary curriculum is being offered by the two districts with 3 central
(Manukan East, Manukan West, Linay), 18 elementary (San Antonio, Villaramos,
Don Jose Aguirre, Loquilos, Patunan, Disakan, Upper Disakan, Dipane, Gupot,
Libuton, Lingatongan, Lupasang, Mate, Meses, Palaranan, Saluyong, Serongan and
Suisayan), and 4 primary schools (Pangandao, Patagan, Sitoy and Tiniguiban).
Too, we have 3 national high schools (Manukan National High School, Villaramos
National High School and Don Bartolome Aripal Memorial National High School).
The San Estanislao Kostka College, being a private institutuion also offers both
high school and collegiate courses.
Inspite of these numbers, prevalent is the problem on deficient classrooms and
grade school teachers which results to the handling of multi-grade sections. With
the meager School Board Fund, the municipality cannot afford to subsidize the
salaries of para-teachers to somewhat alleviate the loads of our mentors more
particularly in the upland areas.
In existence are the Non-Formal Education Training Center which is non-functional
due to lack of personnel, facilities and support funds. On the other hand, the local
DSWD provides pre-school or day care services through its 24 day care centers
manned by the respective day care providers. Additionally, we have 2 established
pre-school institution, the San Estanislao Kostka Kindergarten School and the
CAMACOP Preparatory School in its Poblacion area.
PEACE AND ORDER CONDITION
Despite the deficiency of the police-population requirements and logistics, peace
and order within our area of jurisdiction is generally normal. To maintain the
peaceful atmosphere and ensure protection of lives and properties of our local
folks, we tapped and mobilized the Civilian Volunteer Corps in all component-

barangays. Additionally, there exists a civic radio club who offers assistance to
the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Fire Protection incases of
emergencies.