Travel NOTES | Iligan City Travel Guide

Iligan City is a highly urbanized city in Mindanao. It is also known as the “Industrial Center of the South”, owing to the many industries and companies situated within its borders. The city was home to the Tala-andigs and the Banhawons, peace-loving Higa-onon tribes. Its name was derived from “ilijan” or “iligan” which meant the “fortress of defense” that the natives built to keep the marauding pirates away.

Today, the city is relatively peaceful and comprised predominantly by Christians (93.61%). The city is blessed to have a location out of the typhoon belt and typhoon belt, experiencing fewer natural disasters than other parts of the country. It is also rich in natural resources, including a rich deposit of limestone and fertile riverbanks.

TRIVIA

• Known as the “City of Majestic Waterfalls”, Iligan City is home to no less than 30 waterfalls, including the iconic Maria Cristina Falls.
• There are also at least a dozen springs across the city, making the place a wonderful summer vacation destination.
• To this day, beautiful tartanillas (a horse-drawn carriage) ply the main streets from Badelles Street to Tambacan. It is the only place in Mindanao and among the very few in the Philippines to have tartanillas as regulars in the streets.

Province: Lanao del Norte

Region: Northern Mindanao (Region X)

Country: Philippines

Coordinates: 8.2167° N, 124.2333° E

Area Code: 063 (+8863)

Zip Code: 9200

Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP 1= US$ 0.02)

Language: English| Tagalog | Cebuano | Chavacano | Waray-Waray | Maranao | Hiligaynon | Ilocano

Local Dialect: Majority of the people living in Iligan City speak the Cebuano language. This features 16 consonants (b,d,g,m,n,ng,s,h,w,l,r,y,p,t,k,ʔ) and 5 vowels (a,e,i,o,u). Words can have the same spelling but different meaning, depending on the context where it is used or the actual stress accent. “nga” and “na” are used as connected between the noun and its adjective, with sentences following the order of  verb–subject–object. The “nga” and “na” linkers may be used as suffix if the word before it ends with 1) the letter “n”, 2) a glottal stop, or 3) a vowel. The other languages mentioned are used but are not prevalent, with most people actually able to understand Cebuano even if only about 93% are highly proficient in the language.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

• Iligan City Police Station: (063) 221-6699 | (063) 229-9166 | (063) 221-9167
• Iligan City Government Regional Police Mobile Group: (063) 225-3213 | Police Department: (063) 229-9167 | Police Sub Station 5: (063) 223-3718
• Iligan City Fire Station: (063) 229-9160 | (063) 229-9165 | Iligan City Government Fire Sub Station: (063) 225-2808 | Saray Sub Fire Station: (063) 221-8537
• Iligan City Mayor’s Office: (063) 221-3785 | (063) 351-7602 (fax)
• Iligan City Tourism Office: (063) 221-3785 | (063) 351-7602 (fax)
• Iligan City Government Iligan City Water Works: (063) 221-4810 | (063) 223-3233 | (063) 221-6325

WHERE TO STAY

• Elena Tower Inn. Baguio Building, Andres Bonifacio Ave, Iligan City. Contact: (063) 221-5995, (063) 221-5996, (063) 221-5997 (fax) | email: elenatowerinn@gmail.com | website:http://www.elenatowerinn.com/.
• Kingsway Inn. Padilla Building, Andres Bonifacio Ave, Tibanga Highway, Iligan City. Contact: (063) 223-3937, (063) 221-0277 | website: http://www.kingswayiligan.com/.
• Celadon Pensionne House. Rotunda cor Ubaldo Laya Ave., Pala-o, Iligan City. Contact: (063) 221-0711, (063) 225-4686, (063) 492-4929, 09273556101, 09206320386.
• Jalexis Inn. 20 Zamora St., Barangay Poblacion, Iligan City. Contact: (063) 223-8904, (063) 223-8905, (063) 223-8906, (063) 223-8907.
• Famous Pension House 1. 3-A Northgate, Barangay San Miguel, Iligan City. Contact: (063) 225-3968, (063) 223-0692, 09228919636.
• Famous Pension House 2. 21 Milestone Drive, Barangay San Miguel, Iligan City. Contact: (063) 223-0684, (063) 225-3966, (063) 225-3967, 09228658456.
• Corporate Inn Boutique Hotel. 5 Sparrow St., Isabel Village, Barangay Pala-o, Iligan City. Contact: (063) 221-4456, (063) 221-4457, (063) 221-4458, (063) 221-4459 (fax), 09167888457 | email: corpor8inn@yahoo.com.
• Rene's Diner and Pension House. Andrada Compound, Roxas Ave. Ext., Barangay Mahayahay, Iligan City. Contact: (063) 221-3701, (063) 221-8360, (063) 223-8441 (fax) | email: renetan1@hotmail.com.
• Maria Cristina Hotel. Gen. Aguinaldo St., Barangay Poblacion, Iligan City. Contact: (063) 221-5308, (063) 221-3352, (063) 492-3352, (063) 221-3940 (fax).
• Farrah Hotel. Sabayle St., Poblacion, Iligan City. Contact: (063) 221-6986, 09129746200, 09062912298.
• Cheradel Suites. Bro. Raymond Jeffrey Road, Villaverde, Iligan City. Contact: (063) 223-8118, (063) 223-8877, (063) 221-0500, (063) 221-4926 (fax), 09174596773 | email: cheradelsuites@yahoo.com.
• Alya Vista. Badelles St., Poblacion, Iligan City. Contact: (063) 223-3915.

WHERE TO EAT

• Fine Dining: Lai-Lai Yeung Chow Restaurant | Kuzina Iliganon | Iliganon Café | Pizzarella Bistro | Fontina Restaurant | Silvestro's Bistro and Confiserie
• Fastfood Chains / Budget Restaurants / Barbeque Places / Grills: Jollibee | Sunburst Fried Chicken | Chooks to Go! | JY Dimsum | Chrisven Chicken House | Enang's Grill and Seafood Restaurant | Gloria's Ihaw-Ihaw | Tatay's Grill 'n Bar | Tita Fanies Liempo & Chicken Haus | Zoey Café | Teepoy's Grille & Restaurant | Jacko's Kan-anan
• Pastries: Cherry & Michelle's Cakes & Pastries | Iligan Victoria Bakery | PopRock Bakeshop & Café

WHAT TO DO

• Celebrate City Festivals. Diyandi Festival (in honor of St. Michael the Archangel) is celebrated for the whole month of September | Alimyon Flower Festival is celebrated from October 30 to November 2 | Adlaw sa Iligan (to celebrate the charter day) is celebrated every June 16
• Visit. Macaraeg-Macapagal Ancestral House | Freedom Park | Rizal Park | Linya Galleria | Laya Ancestral House | Anahaw Open Amphitheater
• Walk. Buhanginan Hill
• Explore. Hindang Falls and caves | Tinago Falls | Mimbalut Falls |  Maria Cristina Falls
• Outdoor Fun. Play golf at Golf and Country Club of Iligan | Mountain climbing at Mt. Agad-Agad | Swimming at Timoga Spring Pools
• Shop. NOVO | Gladys' Minimart | JVC Supermart | Iligan Fiesta Mall | Berd's Theater and Mall | Squareland Shopping Center | Gaisano Superstore | Igdon City Super Mall

TRANSPORTATION

• Airport. The city was served by Maria Cristina Airport but is currently closed | The city is also served by Laguindingan International Airport in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental.
• Seaport. The Port of Iligan | Served by 4 major shipping lines: Cokaliong Shipping Lines, 2Go Travel, Ocean Jet, and Carlos A. Gothong Lines | Trips to Manila, Cebu City, Oroquieta City, and Ozamiz City
• Inland Transportation. Served by Southbound Bus and Jeepney Terminal and The Integrated Bus and Jeepney Terminal (IBJT) | Served by Rural Transit (RTMI) and Super 5 Transport | Passenger vans, pedicabs, taxis, jeepneys, tartanillas 

MUST TRY

• The delicious roasted Cheding's Peanuts is a must-try and favorite pasalubong item.
• Sukang Pinakurat hailed from Iligan City and is a must-try to those who haven’t sampled this special spiced vinegar.
• Sweet and creamy buko pie from Linamon!

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