Bunawan

Bunawan, officially the Municipality of Bunawan, is a local government unit in the province of Agusan del Sur on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. It is a predominantly rural municipality whose administrative and community life is connected to the wetlands, waterways, agricultural areas, and marshlands of the Agusan basin. The municipality covers approximately 512.16 square kilometres and is divided into 10 barangays. According to the 2024 Philippine census, Bunawan had a population of 50,999, giving it a population density of about 100 people per square kilometre. The municipality was established on June 21, 1959, under Republic Act No. 2517. Since then, Bunawan has functioned as a local administrative center for surrounding communities in Agusan del Sur. Its public-service role includes local governance, education, infrastructure, community administration, and support for economic activity in agriculture, natural-resource areas, and related rural industries. Bunawan is also home to the Co-O Gold Mine of Philsaga Mining Corporation in Barangay Consuelo, although the municipality itself is not a mining company or a commercial product brand. Bunawan gained international attention in 2011 after residents and experienced crocodile hunters captured a very large saltwater crocodile in a local creek. The animal, later named Lolong, measured approximately 6.17 metres and weighed about 1,075 kilograms. A National Geographic team confirmed in November 2011 that Lolong was the largest crocodile then recorded. The municipality transferred him to the Bunawan Eco-Park and Research Center in Barangay Consuelo and planned to use the animal as the centerpiece of an ecotourism and conservation attraction focused on the region's marshland wildlife. Lolong's capture brought visitors and global media coverage to Bunawan, while also highlighting the practical challenges of living near crocodile habitat. Residents had reported attacks on domestic animals and suspected that the crocodile was connected to the disappearance of a fisherman. The capture required several failed traps, a large local effort to move the animal, and specialized equipment. Lolong died in captivity on February 10, 2013, after becoming ill and flipping over in a pond. His remains were preserved, allowing Bunawan to retain a museum and tourism association with the animal. Today, Bunawan's identity is shaped by its municipal-government function, its proximity to Agusan Marsh, its rural economy, and its wildlife-related tourism potential. It is not a conventional consumer brand, corporation, or listed entity. Publicly available reference material emphasizes geography, population, barangay administration, education, natural resources, and the Lolong story rather than branded products or commercial positioning.

Bunawan is a municipality in Agusan del Sur, a province in the Caraga region of the Philippines. Its development is closely related to the settlement and administration of the Agusan basin, an area characterized by rivers, wetlands, agricultural land, and extensive marsh environments. The municipality was formally created on June 21, 1959, through Republic Act No. 2517. It subsequently developed as a local administrative center serving rural communities distributed among its barangays. Bunawan occupies about 512.16 square kilometres, representing a significant share of Agusan del Sur's total land area. The municipality is politically divided into 10 barangays, which are further organized into puroks and, in some cases, sitios. Its population reached 50,999 in the 2024 census. Local life and economic activity are influenced by agriculture, waterways, forest and marsh resources, public services, and natural-resource industries. The Co-O Gold Mine of Philsaga Mining Corporation is located in Barangay Consuelo, adding mining to the range of activities associated with the municipality's economy. Education is part of Bunawan's public and community infrastructure. Reference material identifies primary and elementary schools, three high schools, and Agusan del Sur State University as an institution serving the municipality. These institutions support the surrounding rural population and contribute to the municipality's role as a service center. Bunawan's best-known historical episode began in 2011, when local residents and experienced crocodile hunters captured an unusually large saltwater crocodile in a creek. The animal was about 6.17 metres long and weighed approximately 1,075 kilograms. It was named Lolong and became a national and international news subject. Residents had reported attacks involving livestock and suspected a connection with the disappearance of a fisherman. Several traps reportedly failed before a stronger trap secured the crocodile. Moving it required the coordinated effort of roughly 100 villagers, vehicles, and a crane. In November 2011, a National Geographic team confirmed that Lolong was the largest crocodile then recorded. Bunawan transferred him to the Bunawan Eco-Park and Research Center in Barangay Consuelo. Municipal plans treated the animal as the centerpiece of an ecotourism park that would interpret the crocodile and other species found in the surrounding marshlands. The episode gave Bunawan a distinctive tourism identity, although it also reflected the risks faced by communities living near wild crocodile habitat. Lolong died on February 10, 2013, after becoming ill and flipping over in a pond. Residents mourned the crocodile because it had become the municipality's principal tourist attraction. Its remains were preserved so that Bunawan could continue using the animal for educational and tourism purposes. Other crocodiles remain present in marsh areas near the town, and residents have been advised to avoid those areas at night. Bunawan remains an active municipality rather than a commercial brand. Its public identity rests on local government, community services, the Agusan Marsh environment, rural economic activity, and the conservation and tourism legacy associated with Lolong. Public reference material does not identify a corporate owner, commercial brand portfolio, stock listing, or named municipal executives for inclusion in this dossier.

• 2024

  Population recorded at 50,999

  [1]Bunawanen.wikipedia.org

  The 2024 Philippine census recorded Bunawan's population at 50,999.

• 2013

  Lolong dies

  [1]Bunawanen.wikipedia.org

  Lolong died in captivity on February 10, 2013; his remains were preserved for educational and tourism purposes.

• 2011

  Capture of Lolong

  [1]Bunawanen.wikipedia.org

  A giant saltwater crocodile was captured in a local creek and later named Lolong.

• 2011

  Lolong receives international recognition

  [1]Bunawanen.wikipedia.org

  National Geographic confirmed Lolong's record-setting size, making Bunawan internationally known for the crocodile.

• 1959

  Municipality established

  [1]Bunawanen.wikipedia.org

  Bunawan was created on June 21, 1959, through Republic Act No. 2517.

A rural Philippine municipality and local government unit associated with Agusan Marsh, wildlife conservation, and the Lolong crocodile story.

• 2011Lolong ecotourism and conservation attraction

  Bunawan · Agusan del Sur · Philippines · International media audience

  After Lolong's capture and international recognition, Bunawan planned to develop the crocodile as the centerpiece of an ecotourism park connected to the area's marshland wildlife and conservation education.

  Outcome. The initiative generated international attention and established Bunawan's strongest tourism association. Lolong later died in 2013, but his preserved remains continued to support the municipality's tourism identity.

  Source

• 2011

  Develop Lolong-centered ecotourismStrategy

  Background

  The capture of a record-sized crocodile created a distinctive opportunity for Bunawan to promote its marshland environment and attract visitors.

  Action taken

  The municipality transferred Lolong to the Bunawan Eco-Park and Research Center and planned an ecotourism park around the animal and other local species.

  Aftermath

  Lolong became Bunawan's principal tourism symbol. After his death in 2013, the remains were preserved for continued educational and tourism use.

  Source

1. 1Bunawanen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Official Municipality of Bunawan websitebunawan.gov.ph