NINETEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Frsf Regular Sesslon
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
lntroduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez
This bill was filed during the
Representatives.
House Bill No. _
EXPLANATORY NOTE
18m Congress and was approved by the House of
The Cagayan de Oro River or simply called the "Cagayan Rivef by the Kagay-anons,
transec{s through the city of Cagayan de Oro. lts headwaters are located in North Cotabato,
hundreds of kilometers away from the city- lt has tributaries from the province of Bukidnon and
Lanao del Sur - all joining to form one great body of water that wounds its way to the city's
Macabalan Bay.
Aside from the river's tributaries, there are many small streams and waterfalls along
its course. The vast land areas on both sides of the Cagayan de Oro River are composed of
hills, valleys, river tenaces, caves, limestone cliffs, islets and forests. These areas hold rich
potential archeological materials that have yet to be uncovered and are the keys to unlocking
the mystery of the ancient Kagay-anons that once lived along the river.
This river and its environs combined to form a spectacular landscape. lt is important
that steps will be taken for its conservation and protection for the future generations of Kagay-
anons.
A Heritage Cuftural River
The Cagayan de Oro River is a prime cultural resource of the City of Cagayan de Oro.
Since time immemorial, the river's life giving waters has nourished and sustained the people
that lived along its banks. Through the centuries, this river has helped developed even the
intangible compounds of the people aside from the tangible identity in a natural environment.
Topography
Cagayan de Oro City is characterized by a narrow coastal plain along the Macabalan
Bay and by highland areas separated by steeply inclined escarpments. The lowland is
relatively flat with an elevation of less than ten meters above the main sea level. Highlands
bound the City in the south from east to west. These consist of plateaus, tenaces, hills,
mountains, canyons and gorges. Creeks and rivers traverse and bound the city and drain to
Macabalan Bay. There are seven rivers of the City - lponan River, Biga-an River, Umalag
River, Agusan River, Alae River and the main river which is the longest that transects and
serves as the political division of the city, the Cagayan de Oro River. The river's headwaters
are located in Pikit, North Cotabato and there are numerous tributaries from the adjoining
provinces of Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur (Cagayan de Oro Raver Masterplan, 1998).
Archaeological Value
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Cagayan de Oro City plays a vital role in the history of Misamis Oriental Province and
in the archaeology of the Philippines in general (Neri 2004; Bautista, 1992). People were
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already living in this land that is located in the northem coast of Mindanao long before the
coming of lslam and of the Spaniards.
The early Recollect missionaries arrived in Cagayan de Oro in 1622 particularly in a
settlement called the Himologan fortress. According to accounts, Himologan was situated in
the interior part of Cagayan southward from the main delta of the Cagayan River (Demetrio,
1995). The present area of Cagayan de Oro City is considered as the second settlement. lt
was chosen by the Recollect missionaries in 1622 tor Datu Salansang, the chief of the
Cagaiang (Cagayan) tenitory and his people because of an abundant water supply and its
ideal location. This new settlement by the river estuary was then known as Cagaiang (Lao,
1995).
The ancient people of Cagayan de Oro lived along the river. Since 1970, there have
been several archaeological explorations and excavations done by several teams of
archaeologists in areas near the river. Foremost of these sites is the controversial Huluga
Complex which is composed of an Open Site (National Museum Code X-91-Q) and cave sites
(National Museum Code X-91-R). The sites are situated in the eastern bank of the Cagayan
River which is 8.5 km. south of the poblacion area. Four teams have conducted explorations
and excavations in Huluga.
The fourth team was composed of archaeologists from the National Museum and ftom
the Archaeological Studies Program of the University of the Philippines did an intensive
archaeological explorations and excavations in several sites along the banks of Cagayan River
in October and November 2004. Atolal ot 2,720 artifacts were recovered from the sites.
ln their findings (Neri, et. al. 2007'1, the team reported that there is a high potential for
very ancient human presence along the river, may be even older than 50,000 years ago based
on the surface finds of andesite stone tools. That there was a group of people that lived within
the present city that practical secondary jar burial around 1 ,500 years ago or more. Fragments
of burial jars and sacks of human bones were found on a rock shelter. There were habitation
areas in the open, next to the river and that the people there used obsidian for tools. Later,
the people exchanged goods for tradeware ceramics from Mainland Asia. At the time of anival
of the Spaniards, there was already one thriving population center along the Cagayan River.
The archaeological findings helped established the archaeological significance of the
areas along the Cagayan River. lt cleady shows that the ancient Kagay-anons settled along
the riverbanks as far back as 50,000 years or more.
Historical Value
ln Bayanga, a riverside barangay of Cagayan de Oro is a National Historical lnstitute
marker that commemorates the June 4, '1900 Battle of Macahambus Hill. The Kagay-anons
who had a small fort on a hill along the Cagayan River, defeated and killed several American
soldiers that tried several times to seize it. This historic battled marked the first Filipino victory
in the entire Philippine-American War in this country. The Battle of Macahambus Hill preceded
the Battle of Pulang Lupa in Marinduque and the Balangiga Massacre of Samar.
Cultural Value
The name "Cagayan' is taken from a proto - Austronesian word, "Carayan' which
means river. The town started as a riverine settlement that was the same as the other
prehispanic villages around the country. Local literature is replete with many enchanting tales,
legends and myths of the Kagay-anons and their river. The legend of Cagayan de Oro is
Humans generally modifi/ the landscapes in which they live. They attach names, myths
and affective value to the features of the territory they inhabit (Newcombe, 1979).


prehispanic tale about the original inhabitants of the city that lived by the great river. The myth
about the giant gold fish called the Oro fish that lives under the river persists to this day
(Demetrio, F. 1975). The great Manobo epic "Ulangingen" that is usually chanted for three
nights included Cagayan river as part of the joumey of the Manobos who were in search for
the gift of immortality. All these show the deep affinity of the Kagay-anon to his river-
Ecological Value
The areas along the Cagayan River consist of a city forest zone that is over 2,500
hectares. There are also a network of caves, wetlands, flatlands, hills, valleys, limestone cliffs,
terraces, streams, waterfalls and river islets. The high biodiversity of the river and the land
ranged from different varieties of habitats, rich flora and fauna that included rare species of
reptiles and tarsiers.
The fishes of the river are part of the staple diet of the people like the hipon or goby
(sicyopterus, extraneous, chonopous ocellaries), balanak (castraeus goldiei) dalapakan
(rhyacichtys aspro) valamugel shehli), kasili (ophisternon Bengalese) and the prized catch of
the river, the pigok (mesopristes cansellatus).
The river system provides a natural drainage system. lt has its own watershed area
from which runoff finds its way to the bay. The presence of many wetlands helped serve as
impoundment basins in case of river outflows (Cagayan de Oro River Masterplan. 1998).
Economic Value
The Cagayan River is now known as the "Vvhitewater Rafting Capital of the
Philippines." lt is an important destination for adventure tourism where aside from whitewater
rafring, tubing and kayaking, tourists can go rappelling in the limestone cliffs, explore the
numerous caves or do canopy walk and zip lining or take nature treks in the forest zone.
These tourism activities have provided jobs and sources of livelihood for many people
who live along the City's riverside barangays. The Cagayan River is indeed the top tourist
attraction of the city not only for the water and adventure sports that it provides but also for
the pristine natural beauty of the land around it. lt continues to give the biggest tourism
revenues to the City Government.
Conclusion
The Cagayan de Oro River is culturally significant in terms of historical, archaeological,
cultural, ecological and economic values. This is the only class A city river in the Philippines
that remains unpolluted and continually draws in tourists all year round.
Archaeologically, it has been established that the early Kagay-anon lived along the
banks ofthe river 50,000 years ago or more, used obsidian for tools and practiced secondary
jar burials. Historically, there is the prestigious National Historical lnstitute marker located in
Barangay Bayanga that commemorates the Battle of Macahambus Hill which took place
besides the Cagayan River- lt is considered the first Filipino victory in the Philippine -
American War in the entire country. Ecologically, a rich ecosystem with a variety of habitats
and high biodiversity is found both in the river and the sunounding lands. Culturally, the many
legends, myths and tales about the Cagayan River show the deep affinity of the Kagay-anon
to his river. Today, the Cagayan de Oro River is the number one source of tourism revenues
of the City Government. Many people have reaped economic benefits through the various eco-
tourism activities from it.


It is therefore important that the Cagayan de Oro River be declared offtcially as a
Heritage Cultural River by an Act of Congress so it can be protected from the threats of
pollution, industrialization and other environmentally destruc'tive activities of man. lt is also
equally important that the areas near the river be declared aS protected heritage zones in
order io help preserve the several historical and archaeological sites and ecosystem of the
land. The Cagayan de Oro River has all the significant cultural values worthy of an extensive
natural heritage conservation program that will promote awareness and set guidelines to
protect the river and its environs. By this, the future generations of Kagay-anons are ensured
that their river will continue to sustain and enriched their lives just as it did to their ancestors
thousands of years ago.
ln view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
RUF SB.RO
IGUEZ


NINETEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Frsf Regular Sessrbn
)
)
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
I ntro d uced bv Rep resentative Rufus B. Rodriguez
House Bill No.
AN ACT
DECLARING CAGAYAN DE ORO RIVER AND ITS IMMEDIATE ENVIRONS LOCATED IN
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, PROVINCE OF MISAMIS ORIENTAL A CULTURAL HERITAGE
ZONE
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assemb/e:
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the "Cagayan de Oro River Cultural Heritage Zone
Acf'.
SEC 2. lt is the policy of the State to administer its heritage and natural resources in a spirit of
stewardship for the inspiration and benefit of the present and future generations. Towards this
end, it shall be the duty of the State to conseNe the natural diversity and integrity of the
Cagayan de Oro River as well as its sites of historical and cultural importance.
SEC 3, The Cagayan de Oro River and its immediate environs located in Cagayan de Oro
City, Province of Misamis Oriental is hereby declared a cultural heritage zone. As such, it shall
be accorded priority development by the Department of Tourism (DOT), in coordination with
the Department of Environment and Natural Regources (DENR), the National Commission for
Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the City Govemment of Cagayan de Oro, and other concemed
agencies o{ the govemment, and shall be subject to the rules and regulations goveming the
conservation and preservation of cultural heritage zones.
As used in this Act, cultural heritage zone refers to historical, anthropological,
archaeological, artistic geographical areas and settings that are culturally significant to the
country.
SEG 4. Any activity that pollutes, destroys or adversely affects the archaeological, historical,
cultural, ecological, and economic values of the Cagayan de Oro River and its immediate
environs is prohibited.
SEC 5. Any person or entity which shall cause destruclion to the archaeological, historical,
cultural, ecological, and economic values of the Cagayan de Oro River and its premises shall
suffer a fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but not more than
Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00) and an imprisonment of one (1) to five (5) years.
SEC 6. The DOT.in coordination with the DENR, the NCCA, the Tourism lnfrastructure and
Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), the National Historical Commission of the Philippines
(NHCP), the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP), the City Govemment of Cagayan de
Oro, and other concemed agencies of the government, shall immediately prepare the
development plan involving the conservation, preservation, and development of Cagayan de
Oro River Cultural Heritage Zone: Provided, That the development plans hall ensure the
conservation and preservation of the Cagayan de Oro River and its environs and protect it
from threats of pollution, industrialization, and other environmentally destruc{ive human
activities.
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SEC 7. The DENR shall conduct and execute a survey to determine the actual metes and
bounds of the Cagayan de Oro River Cultural Heritage Zone.
SEC 8. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Ac't, the DOT, in coordination with the
DENR, the TIEZA, the NCCA, the NHCP, the NMP, the City Government of Cagayan de Oro,
and other concemed agencies of the govemment shall promulgate the necessary rules and
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
SEC 9. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or
in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,