The History of Cagayan de Oro City

Cagayan de Oro City has a lot to tell regarding its history. From being an imperial tributary to being a highly urbanized city, Cagayan de Oro City was able to stand against the odds. Cagayan de Oro City is a symbol of endurance and industry in the Philippines.

Cagayan de Oro City was once called Kalambagohan. Himologan, the main town, was a fortress on a hilltop, which is eight kilometers south of the city’s present Poblacion. The history of Cagayan de Oro City dates back even before the Spaniards arrived in the territory.

Cagayan de Oro City once had tributary relations with Cotabato’s Maguindanao Empire. The empire’s Muslin Sultan is Kudarat. Even though Cagayan was a part of the empire, the people did not embrace Islam. In 1622, when the Spanish missionaries arrived in Cagayan, many of the people embraced Christianity it became a major religion in Cagayan de Oro City.

Because of this, the Muslims started harassing the locals. In defense, the people of Cagayan were persuaded by the priests to evacuate from the hilltops to a better place. And the present site of that area in Cagayan de Oro City is the Saint Augustine Cathedral. Through this, Cagayan and its people were able to defend themselves against the harassment of Muslims for almost 250 years.

Cagayan felt the Spanish rule in 1738. In 1818, Misamis became a province and Partidos de Cagayan became one of the districts.

From being a district, Partidos became a town in 1871 and was Misamis Province’s capital town. Partidos de Cagayan became the Spanish government seat in Mindanao in 1883.

In 1898, the Americans arrived in Cagayan and their presence prompted Cagayan’s war era. The historic battle of Macahambus took place on June 4, 1900. Major Apolinar Velez led the local forces of Cagayan and initially drove back the Americans.

After the war, the economic activities of Cagayan were brought back to normal along with peace under American rule. In 1928, St. Augustine School was inaugurated. This is the present Lourdes College and Xavier University, forerunners of Cagayan de Oro City.

Cagayan de Oro City became a chartered city on June 15, 1950 through the Republic Act. No. 521 signed by President Elpidio Quirino.

Cagayan de Oro City became Northern Mindanao’s administrative center. The socio-economic activities of the city grew to a larger scale.

Among the cities in the Philippines, Cagayan de Oro City is growing fast. From being a low-end municipality, Cagayan de Oro City developed continually to being an urbanized area. The Ministry of Local Government declared Cagayan de Oro City as a Highly Urbanized City on November 22, 1983.

Cagayan de Oro City has been through a lot throughout its history. But Cagayan de Oro City was able to rise above the hardships of the times. Cagayan de Oro City is now an urban city with growing commerce, trade, and industrial opportunities.