Balindong

Balindong, officially the Municipality of Balindong (Maranao and Iranun: Inged a Balindong; Bayan ng Balindong), is a 4th class municipality in the province of Lanao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 32,573 people.

It is formerly known as Watu.

History
Wato was the original municipality name as the time passed it was renamed to Balindong. It is now popularly known and called as municipality of Balindong.

The people of Wato (west Masiu) claim descent from Bataraan di kilaten, the first founding ancestor of Masiu Pangampong, his Later descendant were Pondag and Amaloya Thopaan. Thopaan was married to Potri Kaizadan daughter of Aloyodan son of Sarip Kabunsuan of Johore (Malaysia) who in turn descended from Fatima, the daughter of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad. Thopaan and Kaizadan begot, Angkaya of Masiu, Manzang of Molondo, Dayansalong of Binidayan and Ambo of Lumba a Bayabao, Angkaya married to Potre Ayowa of Taraka and begot Datu Onggor (father of Balindong bsar), Bayora and Bae Kayowa. Bae Kayowa was married to Datu Sandor of Baloi son of Sarip Bato Lakongan begot Panimbang in Talagian of Maguindanao from a Baloi royal princess, Datu Sandor and Bae Kayowa bore Maruhom Kaharoden and Samar known as Datumaas of Watu and Taraka municipality, Maruhom Kaharoden first married to Omera in Unayan daughter of Datu Calipa and second married to Gunup sister of Alanak of Baloi and bore Olan (wife of Pagayawan in Sedepan a Unayan) and his brother Radia Palawan, first Sultan of Raya and the famous saber sa Radapan, who died a martyr in 1759 in Radapan Linamon Lanao del norte, in defense of freedom, homeland and Islam against the Spanish invaders, Radia Palawan a Maranao hero, married to the grand daughter of Balindong bsar and begot, four Maruhoms (Pat a Datu sa Raya) namely; Maruhom Salam, Maruhom Bsar, Maruhom Datu a Simban, Maruhom Sidic, and the Bae sa Raya who was married to Maruhom Sidic son of Diwan of Bayang. According to the "Taritib" system of Raya, handed down through well-remembered oral traditions, only male descendants of the lines of this four “Maruhoms” could ascend to the titles and thrones of Sultan sa Raya under a rule of alternate succession (idal). The reigning Sultan of Raya Ex Vice Governor, Atty Dimapuno Ramos Datu (Pangnal) enthroned as Sultan of Raya from the turn of Maruhom Sidic of Raya, younger among the four Maruhom. He is the incumbent General Secretary of the original 28 Lanao Sultanate Legislative Council of the four Pangampong of Lanao "28 SULTAN AMBABAYA KO TARITIB SA RANAO".

Originally there was no Wato and Malaig sultanates, the two sons of Samar Datumaas asked permission to their uncle Kaharoden to build their own Sultanate, Maruhom Kahar agreed, Datu sa Malaig married to a Bayabao royal princess and found the Malaig Sultanate, while Datu sa Wato found Wato Sultanate, he was married to Bae sa Marigay daughter of Nanak of Bayang from Potre Nining, daughter of Datu sa Kalodan Gantar son of Sultan Barahaman Aman of Maguindanao, The territory of these three minor sultanates, from Raya to other side of the lake, Salipongan, to west portion of the municipality is considered territory of Raya sultanate, from Lilod to the east portion of the municipality, including Selangan Island and Nosa island is considered territory of the Wato Sultanate, from the bridge between Malaig and Salipongan to the boundary of Marantao and Wato Balindong is considered territory of Malaig Sultanate, the upper portion of Malaig is Pagayawan, which is extension territory of Pagayawan royal Sultanate of Sedepan a Unayan, Pagayawan was married to Potre Olan (daughter of Maruhom Kahar of Raya) begot a son, and named his place Pagayawan in honor of his father, and to make known that Pagayawan in Wato belongs to the royal Sultanate of Pagayawan (Municipality). The current sultan of Pagayawan is Engr. Sharief Ali Darangina grandson of Alag who is known to be the former Cabugatan sa Pagayawan. Only those royal blood can be proclaimed as Cabugatan or Sultan. Most of the descendants of the royal bloods in Pagayawan was scattered into different places from Baloi to Pantao Ragat up to Poona Piagapo.

Political history
The Municipality of Balindong was known as Uato or Wato from 1918 to 1948. Wato, the lower western portion of the present day municipality is surprisingly rocky. In 1956 by virtue of Republic Act 1419 dated June 10, 1956, Wato was renamed Balindong in honor of a great ruler of the Pangampong fame who ruled the Pangampong of Masiu from Wato.

On April 29, 1963, Balindong was converted into a regular Municipality under Executive Order no. 42. Balindong is comprised by 38 barangays. During the martial regime, there were 54 barangays in the municipality. When Corazon C. Aquino came into the presidency, the number of barangays was reduced to 38.

Geography
Balindong is one of thirty nine (39) municipalities comprising the Province of Lanao del Sur. It lies on the western part of the province. It is bounded on the north by the Municipality of Marantao, on the south by the municipality of Tugaya. On the east and western side, it is bounded by Lake Lanao and Lanao del Norte respectively.

The Municipality is only 16 km from Marawi City, and 53 km from the nearest seaport of Iligan City.

The total land area of Balindong is approximately 28650 ha. Of this figure, only about 25% is plain or flat suitable for rice farming. By classification, some 37% of the total land area is forest land.

Barangays
Balindong is politically subdivided into 38 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.


 * Abaga (Mapantao)
 * Poblacion (Balindong)
 * Pantaragoo
 * Bantogan Wato
 * Barit
 * Bubong
 * Bubong Cadapaan
 * Borakis
 * Bualan
 * Cadapaan
 * Cadayonan
 * Kaluntay
 * Dadayag
 * Dado
 * Dibarusan
 * Dilausan
 * Dimarao
 * Ingud
 * Lalabuan
 * Lilod (Capital of the Sultanate of Watu)
 * Lumbayao
 * Limbo
 * Lumbaca Lalan
 * Lumbac Wato
 * Magarang
 * Nusa Lumba Ranao
 * Padila
 * Pagayawan
 * Paigoay
 * Raya
 * Salipongan
 * Talub
 * Tomarompong
 * Tantua Raya
 * Tuka Bubong
 * Bolinsong
 * Lati
 * Mala-ig

Climate
Climate is classified as Type IV characterized by the absence of distinct dry or wet season. Its coldest period is usually during rainy days when temperature dips down to a low 15 C while the average temperature rises to 27 C during dry season.

Economy
Poverty Incidence of  Its geographical local plays a major role in the development of agro-industrial potential in the province and region. Balindong contributes raw materials including forest products. While cottage industry had been home-based for most part, it has high development potentials given sufficient inputs including market access.

Incidence of poverty
The 1995 survey of Family Income And Expenditures (FIES) indicate that an average Balinndong household earns an annual income of P33,660.00 or P2,805.00 a month. In the same period, Poverty Threshold Income (PTI) in the Province of Lanao del Sur was estimated at P9,364 or a poverty incidence of about 52%. PTI implies that households earning below the rate are considered poor or in the poverty group.

Labor force participation
Of the 2000 population of 24,470, 51% of this (12,524) are in the labor force, meaning those aged 14 to 64 years old which are classified as economically active sector. However, viewed from the provincial labor force participation rate of 50%, it can be deduced that Balindong's situation is not far from that reality.

Income and expenditure
The Municipality of Balindong is a 5th class in terms of income. Its revenue is derived mainly from its share of Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) from the national government. Currently, the municipality receives an annual IRA of Php28,892,000. Of this revenue, some php5,784,000.00 or 20% of the revenue is earmarked for development activities.

Crop production
While total agricultural area in the municipality stands at 7,024 hectares, representing 24% of the total land area, only about 832 hectares or 12% is effectively utilized for rice (203 has.) and corn (632 has.) farming. Rice farms are mainly rain fed (153 has.) as there is absence of a developed irrigation system in the municipality.

Livestock and poultry production
Due to the existence of a wide tract of land for grazing and pasture, Balindong is one of the Province source for cattle and carabao and other livestock products. Inventory of livestock indicate that there exist (2002): cattle – 145 heads, carabao – 131 heads, goat – 135, chicken 417, ducks – 210. The data indicate a decreasing inventory of animals, therefore, a need to replenish the stock.

Aqua-culture production
A survey of annual fish catch from the lake and inland fish-ponds in the municipality from 1997 to 2002 indicate reduction of catch from 17% metric ton to only 8.02 metric tons. Fish species in the lake include Tilapia, Mudfish, Sirung, Carp, Gaby, and Catfish.

Housing
Data culled out from the 2000 Census indicate that the history of Balindong's housing trend is one of decreasing from 1960 at 2,236 units to as low as 1,332 dwelling units in 1980. In 1990, Balindong's dwelling units numbered 1,807 and in 2000 the dwelling units increased to 2,145.

Ninety-seven percent of the dwelling units in Balindong are of single house type. The average number of households occupying a single dwelling unit stands at 1.5 with a household population of 11.41 persons per dwelling unit.

Healthcare
Balindong, other than having its own rural health unit, is a site of the District Hospital. Currently, Balindong's Rural Health unit has a staff of 1 physician, 1 public health nurse, 3 midwives, and twelve Barangay Health Workers.

Health records indicate that leading causes of morbidity, especially among children, include acute respiratory tract infection, influenza, acute gastroenteritis, hypertension, measles with bronchopneumonia, severe dehydration, cancer, and diabetes mellitus. On the other hand, the leading causes of mortality for both adults and children include cardiovascular diseases, pulmonary tuberculosis, vehicular accidents, measles with bronchopneumonia, severe dehydration, cancer and diabetes mellitus.

Education
Census data of 2000 reports that the literacy rate of Balindong stands at 86.02% while the Province’ literacy rate was at 80.12%. There are seven (7) elementary schools and two (2) secondary schools in Balindong which caters to the education needs of its population.

Elementary
 * Balindong Central Elementary School - Barangay Salipongan
 * Lombayao Elementary School - Barangay Lombayao
 * Malaig Elementary School - Barangay Malaig
 * Bubong Elementary School - Barangay Bubong
 * Raya Elementary School - Barangay Raya
 * Lilod Elementary School - Barangay Lilod
 * Dilausan Elementary School - Barangay Dilausan

Secondary
 * MSU Balindong Comm. High School - Barangay Tomarompong
 * Balindong national High School - Barangay Salipongan