Iligan City Charter Day in the Philippines Date in the current year: June 16, 2025

Iligan is a highly urbanized city in the Northern Mindanao region of the Philippines. Although it is geographically located in the province of Lanao del Norte and is considered part of it for statistical purposes, Iligan is administered separately.

The origins of the name Iligan are somewhat obscure. The most widely accepted theory is that it derives from the Higaonon word ilig, meaning “to go downstream”. However, another theory claims it comes from the Higaonon word iligan or ilijan, meaning “fortress of defense” against pirates and rival local tribes.

The area was first settled by the Higaonon people, a subgroup of the Manobo people, who founded a settlement a couple of miles north of present-day Iligan and named it Bayug. In the late 16th century, Datu Manooc of Panglao conquered their settlement. Since Manooc’s father, Pagbuaya, had converted to Christianity, Bayug became one of the first Christian settlements in the Philippines.

The Augustinian Recollects founded the settlement of Iligan in 1609. Thirty years later, the Jesuits replaced them and used Iligan as their base of operations for the Christianization of the Lake Lanao area. By 1832, Iligan was part of the Misamis district.

The Spaniards withdrew from the town in 1899 when it became clear that the Philippine Revolution had succeeded. However, the Philippines’ independence was short-lived. After the Philippine-American War broke out, American forces occupied Iligan around 1900.

In 1903, Iligan became part of the newly created Moro Province due to its significant Moro population. It also served as the capital of the Lanao District until 1907 when the capital was transferred to Dansalan. Following the dissolution of the Moro Province, Iligan became a municipality in the Lanao Province. The town was invaded by the Japanese on May 5, 1942, and remained occupied until November 1944.

On June 16, 1950, Iligan officially became a chartered city. Much of the city’s post-war development can be attributed to the Iligan Steel Mill, which was established by the government-owned National Shipyards and Steel Corporation in 1952. At one point, it was the largest steel mill in Asia.

The city experienced a significant economic setback during the 1997 Asian financial crisis. However, it has since recovered and is now known as the Industrial Center of the South thanks to its developed heavy industries, including hydroelectric plants that supply power to the Mindanao region. Iligan is also a major producer of several crops, including bananas, coconuts, and corn.

Iligan City Charter Day is marked by various festive events and activities, such as parades, sports competitions, job fairs, talent showcases, and concerts. Since it falls four days after Philippine Independence Day, the days between June 12 and 16 also feature celebratory events.