Alubijid

Alubijid is a municipality in the province of Misamis Oriental on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. It is a local-government entity rather than a consumer brand or commercial company. The municipality administers a territory divided into 16 barangays and provides public services, local infrastructure, education support, planning, and community administration for its residents. The name is associated with the alubijid or alubihod tree, commonly identified with Spondias pinnata, a species that traditionally grew along the coastal area. Oral histories describe large trees near the mouth of a river and a coastal inlet as landmarks for traders arriving from other parts of the Philippine archipelago. The coastal landing area consequently became identified with the name Alubijid. Historical sources record several spelling variants, including Alubigid, Alubuhid, Alubijig, and Alubid. Before the formal creation of the municipality, settlements in the area developed around elevated locations such as Ilihan Hill and nearby communities. These locations offered views over Macajalar Bay and were useful for monitoring approaching trading vessels and possible raiders. Local traditions also describe a warning system associated with the settlement and identify the area as a place of exchange between residents and visiting traders. Archaeological accounts referring to Chinese porcelain, brass gongs, and old coins suggest the wider area participated in historical regional trade, although these materials do not by themselves establish a complete chronology. The settlement later came within the sphere of Spanish influence. Historical accounts attribute observations about the area to researchers including Manuel Gapuz and state that Sultan Kudarat visited the locality while recruiting forces in opposition to Spanish expansion. During the American period, Alubijid was organized as a barrio under Cagayan in Misamis Oriental. A modern municipal-creation campaign began in the 1930s. On May 26, 1933, the Municipal Council of Cagayan adopted a resolution recommending the separation of Alubijid and El Salvador into district municipalities. Residents of Alubijid subsequently petitioned for municipal status, with attorney Daniel S. Galarrita and other community leaders supporting the effort. After administrative requirements were prepared and reviewed, the Department of the Interior recommended the creation of an independent municipality. President Manuel L. Quezon signed Executive Order No. 266 on April 5, 1940, creating the Municipality of Alubijid from territory formerly belonging to the Municipality of Cagayan. The new municipality was inaugurated on July 1, 1940. Its first appointed municipal officials included Mayor Timoteo Balacuit Sr., Vice-Mayor Ismael B. Labis, and members of the municipal council. Today, Alubijid functions as a local administrative and community center in Misamis Oriental. Its public-service environment includes primary and secondary schools as well as higher-education presence, including the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines main campus and a Bukidnon State University campus. The municipality's population was reported as 35,411 in the 2024 census. Its identity is grounded in local governance, settlement history, coastal geography, and the preservation and development of its barangays rather than in branded commercial products.

Alubijid's historical identity is linked to the coastal alubijid or alubihod tree, associated with Spondias pinnata. Oral accounts describe large trees near the mouth of a river and a coastal inlet that served as navigational markers for traders. The landing area became known as Alubijid, while the surrounding settlements grew around elevated ground, including Ilihan Hill, where residents could observe Macajalar Bay and approaching vessels. The locality appears in traditions concerning early trade, defense, and migration. Communities in the area reportedly exchanged goods with visitors from other islands, and historical accounts mention discoveries of Chinese porcelain, brass gongs, and old coins in several settlements. These accounts indicate connections with wider maritime networks, although the available material does not provide a full archaeological history. Local historical research has also associated the area with a visit by Sultan Kudarat, whose followers were said to have remained and intermarried with local residents while resisting Spanish encroachment. By the nineteenth century, Alubijid had developed as an established community under local leaders. Spanish influence expanded into the area in the late sixteenth century and continued during the colonial period. Under American administration in the early twentieth century, Alubijid was organized as a barrio under the Municipality of Cagayan. The movement for independent municipal status gained momentum in 1933. On May 26 of that year, Cagayan's Municipal Council passed Resolution No. 290 recommending that Alubijid and El Salvador become separate district municipalities. Residents then organized a petition for Alubijid's municipal creation. Attorney Daniel S. Galarrita was identified as a leading petitioner, supported by Ricardo Abellanosa, Vicente A. Sabellina, Timoteo Balacuit Sr., Wenceslao Abellanosa, Quirico Villastique, Remedios Jamis Generalao, Onofre Ubay-ubay, Felix M. Roxas, Sixto M. Roxas, Ismael B. Labis, Arcadio Balacuit, Luis Balacuit, Lope Madjos, Bernabe Pacamalan, Eugenio Madrid, and Juanario Macalaguing, among others. Provincial Governor Segundo Gaston promised to advance the petition to the national authorities. The national review required the petitioners to prepare supporting documentation. The Undersecretary of the Interior, Rufino Luna, communicated the requirements to the Misamis Oriental Provincial Board on November 14, 1937. The petitioners completed and returned the materials on December 21, 1938. On April 18, 1939, the Department of the Interior submitted a favorable recommendation to the President for the separation of Alubijid from Cagayan. President Manuel L. Quezon approved the creation of the municipality by signing Executive Order No. 266 on April 5, 1940. The new municipality was formally inaugurated on July 1, 1940, with Provincial Governor Gregorio Pelaez presiding over the induction of the first appointed officials. The initial municipal administration consisted of Mayor Timoteo Balacuit Sr., Vice-Mayor Ismael B. Labis, and councilors Felix Roxas, Bernabe Pacamalan, Eugenio Madrid, Bartolome Tabura, Timoteo Abejo, and Lino Maagad. In the contemporary period, Alubijid remains an active municipality of Misamis Oriental. It is politically divided into 16 barangays and supports local public administration, schools, community facilities, and development programs. The 2024 census reported a population of 35,411. Educational institutions serving or located in the municipality include elementary and secondary schools, the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines main campus, and a Bukidnon State University campus.

• 2024

  Population recorded at 35,411

  [1]Alubijiden.wikipedia.org

  The 2024 Philippine census reported 35,411 residents in Alubijid.

• 1940

  Municipality created

  [1]Alubijiden.wikipedia.org

  Executive Order No. 266, signed by President Manuel L. Quezon on April 5, created Alubijid from part of Cagayan Municipality.

• 1940

  Municipal inauguration

  [1]Alubijiden.wikipedia.org

  Alubijid was formally inaugurated on July 1, with its first appointed municipal officials inducted into office.

• 1939

  Favorable recommendation submitted

  [1]Alubijiden.wikipedia.org

  The Department of the Interior submitted a favorable recommendation to the Philippine President for Alubijid's municipal creation.

• 1937

  National requirements issued

  [1]Alubijiden.wikipedia.org

  The Undersecretary of the Interior communicated the requirements for creating Alubijid as an independent municipality.

• 1933

  Municipal separation campaign begins

  [1]Alubijiden.wikipedia.org

  Cagayan's Municipal Council adopted Resolution No. 290 recommending the formation of separate district municipalities for Alubijid and El Salvador.

A local-government municipality positioned around public administration, community services, education, and the historical identity of a coastal settlement in Misamis Oriental.

• 1933Petition for independent municipal status

  Alubijid · Misamis Oriental · Philippines

  Community leaders and residents organized a petition seeking to separate Alubijid from Cagayan and establish it as an independent municipality.

  Outcome. The campaign ultimately succeeded when Executive Order No. 266 created the municipality in 1940.

  Source

• 1940

  Creation of an independent municipalityStrategy

  Background

  Residents sought an administrative structure separate from the Municipality of Cagayan after a multi-year petition and national review process.

  Action taken

  President Manuel L. Quezon signed Executive Order No. 266, establishing Alubijid as an independent municipality.

  Aftermath

  The municipality was inaugurated on July 1, 1940, with appointed local officials.

  Source

1. 1Alubijiden.wikipedia.org
2. 2Official website of the Municipality of Alubijidalubijidmisor.gov.ph