Initao
', officially the ' (; ), is a in the province of , . According to the , it has a population of people. It is seated about west of the provincial capital of Cagayan de Oro City, east of Iligan City, and about south-south-east of Philippine capital, Manila. The nearest primary road network is the Butuan City-Cagayan de Oro City-Iligan City Road. The nearest airport is Laguindingan International Airport located 39 minutes away towards Cagayan de Oro. HazardHunterPh app assessment on seismic hazard marks the town safe from ground rupture, prone to ground shaking and generally susceptible to liquefaction. Volcanic Hazard  assessment mainly identifies it as having no immediate volcanic hazard threat base on its location to the nearest active volcano. However, it has high susceptibility to flooding at 1 to 2 meters flood height and lasting for more than 3 days. Economic activity in the area is mainly dependent on fishing, agriculture, retail, tourism and government services such as The Misamis Oriental Provincial Hospital-Initao, Regional Trial Court Branch 44, Initao-Libertad 8th Municipal Circuit Trial Court, Initao College, the BJMP, DENR, DepEd etc. According to the Bureau of Local Government Finance, the annual regular revenue of Initao for the  fiscal year of 2016 was ₱98,017,030.37. Tourism sites include the Initao-Libertad Protected Landscape and Seascape which locals simply call "lasang" or forest in the local dialect, various beaches dotting its shorelines and recent additions of agritourism sites developed by locals. Significant town celebrations include the town fiesta celebrated by Roman Catholics in honor of the Patron Saint Francis Xavier which is held every December 2 and 3 although the celebration stretches for a week. Various festivals promoting tourism are also being spearheaded by the LGU and the Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental. History. Based on the research report  submitted by L.M. Neri, A.M.M. Ragrario, E.C.R. Robles, and A.J. Carlos, the original settlers of Initao were the Bukidnons. They were described as warlike and aggressive and ready to sacrifice their lives in defending their territory. It is said that the early community in Initao was ruled by three (3) brothers named Datu Hukom, Datu Tamparong, and Datu Pulagoyan, who had to protect early settlers in Initao against Moro invasions in the sixteenth century. Because of the frequent threat by the Moro pirates, the people of Initao became war-like. They were considered to be /hot-blooded/ and /hot-tempered/  fearless fighters. Hence, the word Initao comes from the word "init" which means “hot” and "tao" which means “people.” They were people perpetually prepared to fight their enemy to defend their territory and community. Legend also has it that the Moro raiders were defeated, the people planted bamboo along the Initao River as a symbol of peace and truce among them. The word Initao, originally spelled by the Spaniards as Ynitao, was mentioned on August 6, 1838, in the inventory of livestock, fruits, exotic and cereal plants in the Provincia de Misamis (Ereccion de Pueblos, Misamis 1808–1839). In May 1858 , Ynitao was headed by Gobernadorcillo Francisco Antonio and succeeded by Gobernadorcillo Abariano Caburratan in 1894. In 1838, Initao was a Spanish pueblo composed of 3 "cabecerias" (Ereccion de Pueblos, Misamis 1808–1839). On October 27, 1877, Ynitao had 7 "cabecerias" which became 8 on June 30, 1882. It was decreased to 1 "cabeceria", known as Apas, on June 30, 1883, until 1884 with a total population of 1,514. On June 30, 1887, Ynitao again increased its number of "cabeceria" to 19 and decreased to 12 on October 3, 1892. In 1896–1902, Ynitao was in the province of Lanao. In 1903, Initao  once again became a pueblo. The municipality is one of the oldest in the western part of Misamis Oriental. In 1957, the barrio of Naawan, then part of Initao, was constituted into the town of Naawan. Moreover, the municipalities of Manticao and Lugait were once part of Initao until 1948. Geography. Barangays. Initao is politically subdivided into 16 barangays. Demographics. In the , the population of Initao, Misamis Oriental, was people, with a density of . Insfrastructure. Transportation. Initao can be reached by plane through Laguindingan Airport. From the airport one can choose to ride a coaster, taxi or a bus. Travel  time is 30 minutes west. Like any other in the province of Misamis Oriental town, the National Highway snakes through it. Visitors and locals can go around the town by just hailing a ""sikad-sikad"", a habal-habal, a motorboat or a jeepney. Communication. PLDT Home Fibr, Globe, TM, Smart and Sun are serviceable in this town. DITO Telecommunity lines have also been constructed to cater customers in the event of its activation.