HISTORY

The ancient name of Basilan Island was Tagime, named after a Datu ruler who once ruled  a big part of the island before the Spaniards came to Basilan.  In the long past, Basilan had other names. It used to be named ULEYAN, derived from a mountain located at the heart of the island. Later, it was changed to MATANGAL, also named after Mt. Matangal in Tuburan. Other names given were Puh Gulangan (island of forest); Umus Tambun (fertile land); Kumalarang, named after a river; Bennuh Peggesan; and later it was changed to Basih Balan.

The name Basih Balan was derived after a heavy fight between the natives led by Sultan Kudarat, a great Muslim leader and his brave Muslim warriors, Apuh Menggah, Apuh Dagang, and Apuh Batalan against the Spanish invaders from nearby Zamboanga. After a fierce resistance, the natives successfully repulsed the invaders. The victory played a major role in changing the name of the island into “Basih Balan”, derived from their legendary weapon called “Pira” which was made of basih, meaning iron and balan, meaning magnetic. By combining the two words, it became Basih Balan. But when the early historians wrote the name of the province, it was shortened to Basilan. The name Basilan remained unchanged up to the present.

Geographical Location

Basilan is one of the island provinces of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), separated from the mainland of Mindanao by a strait of about 17 miles at its narrowest point. It is located across the southern tip of Zamboanga Peninsula and is bounded on the North by Basilan Strait, on the East by Moro Gulf, on the Southeast by Celebes Sea and on the West by Sulu Sea.  Geographically, it lies between latitudes 6 deg. 24 min. 40 sec. and 6 deg. 45 min. 4 sec. North and longitudes between 121 deg. 47 min. 00 sec. and 122 deg. 19 min. 20 sec. East.

Physical Characteristic

The province is composed of twin component cities and nine municipalities with a total of 255 barangays. It has an aggregate land area of 1,379 square kilometers or 137,900 hectares and a home to 332,828 inhabitants of unique and diverse cultures. The Yakans, who are considered natives of the island, are said to be of foreign origin.

Major crops are coconut, rubber, coffee, cassava, banana, corn which account for the great bulk of the income. Its secondary crops include rice, black pepper, root crops, cacao and other seasonal fruits.

Soil Type

The soil types of Basilan province are mostly of Bulaon clay with few Bancal clay loam. In the central parts of its mountain, soils are undifferentiated.

Agro-Climatic Zone

Agro climatic zones are contiguous areas significantly similar in the major land forms and climatic characteristics. The variables are rainfall, temperature, elevation, land forms and vegetation. There are two agro-climatic zones identified in the province of Basilan, these are the wet and moist zones. The wet zones are characterized by an annual rainfall of 2,500 mm and growing period of 270-330 days occurring generally in the hilly to highland areas.

The moist zone is characterized by an annual rainfall ranging from 1,500-2,500 mm and a growing period of 210-270 days. This zone covers most of the present agricultural and expansion areas in lowland, upland and hilly areas.

The province is predominantly within the moist agro-climatic zone which shows a moderate moisture deficit during the dry season.  As such, it is capable to sustain a year round maximum production taking into consideration moisture availability.  Areas with growing season of 210 days or more are suitable for a sequence of cropping system.

Topography, Slope and Elevation

The terrain of the province ranged from undulating to rolling from the coast to rolling and moderately steep towards the interior parts of the province. A portion of the area or a combined 54,574 hectares has a level to nearly level or with a slope of 0-8 percent. Around 30 percent of its land area had 18 percent slopes or undulating to rolling as shown below, Table 1 - Slope Distribution, in hectares.

Table 1 - Slope Distribution, in Hectares

Source: DENR, Basilan, 2005 

Land Suitability and Land Use

Land use refers to a portion of land that is being utilized. It is broadly categorized as production land use and protection land use. In the province of Basilan, production land use constitute roughly 73 percent or a total of 100,842 hectares which were classified  and released as alienable and disposable (A&D). The remaining 37,008 hectares or around 27 percent are either timberland or forestland.

The City of Isabela has the largest timberland or forestland totaling tob9,375.5 hectares while the municipality of Tuburan has the smallest with 2,756.5 hectares. It may be noted that Kumalarang River which is the main source of power and irrigation water is located in Isabela City, Table 2.

Table 2. Land Classification, by City/Municipality, 2005

Source: DENR, Basilan 2005

Note: For the new municipalities no segregation yet of areas.

DEMOGRAPHY

Population Size and Growth Rate

The 2000 Census of Population and Housing record of the National Statistics Office showed that the total population of the province rose to 332,828 from 295,565 in 1995. It is estimated to increase at an average of 2.58 percent annually and is expected to reach 441, 612 in 2010, Table 3 -Population by City/Municipality, 1995 & 2000.

The City of Isabela, being the center of trade and commerce of the province, is the densely populated area of the province with a population of 73,032 in year 2000. This is followed by the city of Lamitan (capital of the province) with 58,709; Sumisip municipality with 51,712; Maluso with 31,054; Lantawan with 27,487; Tipo-Tipo with 15,035, Albarka with 17,189; Ungkaya Pukan with 16,060; Tuburan with 17,429; Akbar with 10,581; and Hj. Mohammad Ajul with 14,540.

Table 3 -Population by City/Municipality, 1995 & 2000

Source: NSO, Basilan 

Political Conversion

Republic Act # 9054 or the Expanded ARMM signals the inclusion of Basilan Province in ARMM on August 2002 after an overwhelming acceptance during the plebiscite. The devolution of the province makes a difference in terms of benchmarking with the exclusion of Isabela City which contributed huge economic advantage in terms of development and future growth.

Thus, there is a need to revolutionize the plans and programs of the province for future growth. In like manner, local planners need to lay-out the future development plans of the Province of Basilan. Establishing benchmark for a certain pro­gram, planners need updated and validated data to assert the viability and the need for plan implementation.