TRACING THE 3 DIMENSIONS OF SUSTAINABILITY OF MARIA

CRISTINA FALLS: ENVIRONMENT, ECONOMIC AND SOCIO-

CULTURAL ASPECTS

Ellou Jean C.Gerbolingo

Sophia F. Calimbo
Aimee Lorraine L. Gemparo
James V. Iglupas

ABSTRACT

Maria Christina Falls is one of the 7 wonders of the Philippines because of its grandeur and
natural beauty of the cascading torrents is splendid and alluring enough to draw the attention of
many visitors. Aside from this it has been used as a source of energy which lifted Iligan before in
the spotlight of industrialization. The advancement of Iligan City’s economy brought by Maria
Christina and its tourism attract the researchers to conduct the study “Tracing the 3 dimensions of
sustainability of Maria Cristina Falls” –environment; economic and socio-cultural which focuses
on the falls and its water sources (Lake Lanao-Agus), presenting the location and contribution
through the use of GIS Mapping. The researcher faced challenges upon gathering the desired data
and information regarding the socio symbolic factor of the falls toward the tri-people –Higaunon,
Moro and Christians. Since, it would require an authorization coming from NCIP in conducting
studies about the Indigenous People, the researcher only collected information and stories about
the falls to random people in the vicinity. This study utilizes descriptive narrative method, KII and
random sampling technique to collect data necessary for the study. In terms of environment, the
HEP does not affect the ecosystem that is present in the area but only the water sources coming
from Lake Lanao are said to be contaminated because of both industrial and human wastes. Maria
Cristina HEP provided electricity for the whole Mindanao and greatly contributed to the economy
of Iligan specifically, in its road to industrialization and lastly the socio-cultural aspects were
merely stories and connection of the people towards the water sources (Lake Lanao-Agus-Falls).

INTRODUCTION
The Geographic Information System (1997) cites that the most spectacular and awesome
waterfalls can only be found in sheer abundance in Iligan City, Maria Christina Falls stand out as
the most grandiose.1 Iligan City is a highly urbanized city in the Northern Mindanao region, known
for a number of different nicknames, one of which is “Industrialized City of the South”.2
The Agus VI HEP Plant was originally known as the Maria Cristina Falls Hydroelectric
Plant, named after the famous scenic waterfalls just 100 meters in the background. The initial plan
of “The Philippine Power Program” prepared for Roxas administration by Westinghouse Electric
International Corporation (based on data, survey and plans previously prepared by NPC) but
unfortunately, the World Bank did not grant a loan for the Iligan’s project since they are not
convinced with the viability of the project. Only in the administration of President Quirino, who

1
Global Information System, 1997
2
Tourist Attractions in Iligan City, 2001
succeeded President Roxas in 1948, pursued the Maria Cristina projects through domestic
financing. The actual construction of Maria Cristina Hydroelectric Plant began in August 1950,
the same year Iligan became a chartered city, in anticipation of the increased revenues to be
brought about by the availability of big blocks of cheap power . With the operation of the
hydropower plant, more industries came to put up and operated their factories in Iligan and
neighboring municipalities in early 1960’s to late 1970’s. During Martial Law in 1972, Marcos
directed the military to take over IISMII. Under government control and with tariff protection,
National Steel Corporation (NSC) became the premier steel company of the Philippines. Back
then, NSC’s gray uniform became a symbol of stability and the passport to credit lines. Iligan City
was later known as "City of Majestic Waterfalls" after the fall of NSC, the industrial giant.3
The City has somehow managed to survive the fall. As a result of the crisis, the City
government embarked on policy changes and development strategies. The City adjusted its
development approach that was previously hyper focused on the manufacturing industry and
realigned its development strategies to widen its economic base and reduce the City’s vulnerability
to industrial shocks. Iligan’s agriculture and tourism were developed. It also enhanced its fiscal
aggressiveness to obtain and maximize revenues. It ventured into innovative financing strategies
such as partnerships with the private sector in carrying out some of its infrastructure projects. 4
The advancement of Iligan City’s economy brought by Maria Christina and its tourism
attract the researchers to conduct the study “Tracing the 3 dimensions of sustainability of Maria
Cristina Falls” which focuses on the latter and its water sources (Lake Lanao-Agus), presenting
the location and contribution through the use of GIS Mapping. The study would introduce the brief
history of Maria Christina falls; determine its contribution towards the environment and economic
progress of the city. By conducting this study, the researchers offer something new wherein it
explains the “socio-cultural value” of the falls towards the Lumads, Christians and Moros. This
research is beneficial to the locals for it provides them information on how it helps in attracting
business providing them large employment, promoting tourism, preserving the natural
environment and would understand the relationship or connection of the tri-people towards the
said falls. Also, the government of Iligan aside from collecting taxes, they could implement laws
about the protection and preservation of the falls against exploitation and destruction. Lastly, future
researchers could utilize this study as a reference that would guide them in undertaking similar
study.
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURES AND STUDIES
The Iligan - Marawi Connection from Spanish to American Period: A GIS - Based Analysis
examined the historic connection between Iligan City and Marawi during the Spanish and
American period in the country. The methodology of the study used Global Information System
(GIS) as a tool of the historical reconstruction of Iligan-Marawi connection. Thus, this study serves
as an instrument which gives ideas to the researchers, through using GIS in historical study; is one
of the best ways to visualize the historical events, it shows how Geography and history can be used
as context in doing historical study. 5 The application of GIS provides researchers with the

3
Iligan” Wikipedia, Accessed September 25, 2019.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iliganhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iligan
4
Lovette Ja“m Jacosalem, Iligan City | The Rebirth of the Industrialized City of the South, Accessed
https://filipinohomes.com/blog/iligan-industrialized-city/,2018
5
Bulkhia Panalondong et al., The Iligan - Marawi Connection from Spanish to American Period: A GIS - Based
Analysis. ((Mindanao State University-Institute of Technology, pp.88-97)
capability to identify those contributions of Maria Cristina in terms of socio-cultural, economic,
environmental aspects in Iligan City. It will show the connection map of Maria Cristina from
different bodies of water. The result would make them realized or interpret the whole contribution
of Maria Cristina Falls. GIS mapping would give enlightenment not only for researchers but for
everyone. On the other hand, Maria Cristina Falls did not only limit to the economic attributes, but
also plays a role on socio-economic aspects of the people from the tribes of Iligan, it will also
display the environmental evolution of the said falls to the society.
Acibar and Dangel (2004), mentioned Maria Cristina Falls on their study, which entitled,
Socio-economic contribution of Agus VI and Agus VII Hydroelectric Plant Complex in Brgy.
Maria Cristina, Iligan City. It drops at height of 320 ft. not only serves as a famous tourist
attraction of Iligan but also as a primary source of hydroelectric power in Mindanao. The National
Power Corporation is responsible for the operation of the Agus River Power System which
encompasses seven hydroelectric power plants from Agus I to Agus VII, located in the provinces
of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur. The first unit of the five Maria Cristina Hydroelectric Plant
or Agus VI was completed on May 20, 1953. The National Power Corporation designed and
constructed the Maria Cristina Hydroelectric Plant in such a manner that it can be readily and
economically expanded to fit the later installations (Itchon, 1986). The Maria Cristina
Hydroelectric plant led Iligan City to grow as an Industrialized City of the South. The availability
of electric energy and more importantly cheap electricity paved the way for the rise of Iligan as
the Industrial Center of Mindanao. 6 Thus, this fall serves as a main source of power in Mindanao,
aside from being a tourist spot. Tangent from describing Maria Cristina above, the study also
explains about the location of Agus River Power System on different parts of Lanao. The use of
GIS mapping, it will clearly explain the location, connection, and function of those in just one
setting. This means that GIS is more than just software. People and methods are combined with
geospatial software and tools, to enable spatial analysis, manage large datasets, and display
information in a map/graphical form. 7
According to the study of Amatiaga and Rico (2001) entitled “A Preliminary study on the
Natural Attractions of Iligan City”, described Maria Cristina Falls as a major landmark of Iligan,
which uncovered the beauty of the City. 8 While the undergraduate thesis entitled, The Tourism
Triangle in Iligan City: A Preliminary Review of its Inception and Evolution, Successes and
Failures (2014) tells that the utilization of the Maria Cristina Falls into a hydro-electric power
generating plant, hastened the urbanization of the city. When more industries were established
more people came to settle. The study says that it would be safe to say that the tourism history of
Iligan can be traced back to the time when the Maria Christina Falls was developed as a local
natural attraction. This 98-meters high waterfall has always been part of history books, which is
why it is familiar to many Filipinos particularly because of its importance to Mindanao and because
of tourism. 9 The researchers conjugate this two studies through GIS mapping that designed to

6
Acibar and Dangel, Socio-economic contribution of Agus VI and Agus VII Hydroelectric Plant Complex in Brgy.
Maria Cristina, Iligan City. (Mindanao State University-Institute of Technology).
7
University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries, Mapping And Geographic System (GIS): What is GIS? Accessed
September 30, 2019. https://researchguides.library.wisc.edu/GIS
8
Amatiaga and Rico, A Preliminary study on the Natural Attractions of Iligan City. 2001
9
The Tourism Triangle in Iligan City: A Preliminary Review of its Inception and Evolution, Successes and Failures
(2014)
capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present all types of geographical data of Iligan
City with the contribution of Maria Cristina Falls. 10
In an article released in Elpedio Quirino.org entitled “Maria Christina Hydroelectric”, in
order to showcase Mindanao Generation’s efforts to help protect and conserve nature and
environment, it had developed a Nature’s Park which hosts various tourists’ attractions and
outdoor activities, e.g. bird’s sanctuary, crocodile park, butterfly garden, mini zoo, zip line. Central
to the Nature’s Park is its main attraction—the Maria Cristina Falls, located inside the Agus VI
and VII power plant complex.11
Iligan City faced many challenges from the past years; one of the biggest is the economic
trembled. From the study of Leilanie Basilio and Jeremiah Cabasan entitled, Local Governance
and the Challenges of Economic Distress: The Case of Iligan City. It describes the population
movement in the City and present evidence of outward migration in the recent years. It discussed
the economic factors that instigated this population phenomenon. The paper focused on the
impacts of the economic crisis on the City and then discussed how the local government handled
the challenges brought forth by the crisis. The high growth rate in 1980 particularly was attributed
to the stabilizing peace and order situation in the City after the armed conflict in Mindanao in the
1970s. Continued high population growth, coupled with increases in revenue due to impressive
collection performance, led the City to be reclassified as a highly urbanized city in 1983. 12 Thus,
the study above viewed Maria Cristina as one of the leading factors why Iligan City population
growth. But through the researcher’s new study with GIS mapping, they will identify the
contribution of this falls when Iligan City’s economy was shaking through the growth of
population.
Through these literatures and studies, it can strengthen the study being conducted and this
study will fill the gaps of Maria Cristina Falls contributions in Iligan City in terms of
Sociocultural, Economic and Environment with the help of GIS mapping that will be used as a
framework for gathering, managing, and analysing data. The positive thing of these literatures is
that they have given the readers revelation about Maria Cristina Falls which can also help GIS to
reveal deeper insights into data, such as patterns, relationships, and situations—helping researchers
make smarter decisions for the study. Other papers above showed some views of Maria Cristina
Falls, still have gaps. And now the role of the researcher is to fill the gaps by offering a new flavor
-its Socio Cultural contribution towards the tri-people in the city.

10
Geographic information system, Wikipedia. Accessed September 25, 2019 2019 https://www.esri.com/en-
us/what-is-gis/overview
11
Napocor, Accessed September 25, 2019 http://www.napocor.gov.ph/index.php/min-gen cited in
https://elpidioquirino.org/maria-cristina-hydroelectric/

12
Leilanie Basilio and Jeremiah Cabasan. Local Governance and the Challenges of Economic Distress: The Case of
Iligan City Philippine Institute for Development Studies (DISCUSSION PAPER SERIES NO. 2004-45. page no. 8)
December 2004. Accessed September 30, 2019. https://dirp4.pids.gov.ph/ris/dps/pidsdps0445.pdf
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Already noted by the World Geography adviser the request letter will be given first to the
authorized personnel on Agus VI before the researchers will conduct interview. After the interview
in Agus VI, the researchers’ next step is to interview the Barangay Captain of Brgy. Maria Cristina
and randomly chose respondents from the said Barangay. For the interview, the researchers used
the conversational approach to start a better communication.
The main tool that the researchers used in gathering data is mobile phones (recording). By
asking few questions regarding Maria Cristina Falls, it helps to complete the study and make it
more effective.

A. Research Design
The study followed the qualitative design where it will be presented in a descriptive and
narrative manner, also utilize random sampling and key informant interviews. The research will
also apply the random sampling; it is a way that the researchers randomly choose the other
respondents that possibly stands as a source for the study. Also, the researchers used the Key
Informant Interview (KII), its purpose was to collect information from a wide range of people-
including community leaders, professionals, or residents who have firsthand knowledge about
Maria Cristina Falls.

B. Research Setting (Locale of the Study)

Iligan is a city in the northeastern coast of Mindanao, surrounded by the towns of Baloi
and Linamon of Lanao del Norte on the south, the town of Lugait of Misamis Oriental on the north,
and the land of Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon on the east and Iligan Bay on the west. For the past
decades, Iligan was known as the Industrial Center of the South before and its economy was a
great extent in view of overwhelming businesses. It produces hydroelectric force for the Mindanao
locale through the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR), the site of the Mindanao Regional
Center (MRC) lodging Agus IV, VI and VII hydroelectric plants. It additionally houses enterprises
like steel, tinplate, bond and flour factories. After the development of Maria Cristina (Agus VI)
Hydroelectric Plant by National Power Corporation (NPC, NAPOCOR) in 1950, the city
experienced fast industrialization and proceeded until the late 1980s. The falls is located 9.3
kilometers away from the city proper, at the borders of Barangay Maria Cristina, Ditucalan and
Buru-un. Its waters plunge down into the torrential Agus River and come from Lake Lanao of
Marawi city.

Fig. 1.1 The map of Maria Cristina Falls Fig.1.2 Overview map of Iligan, Philippines
FINDINGS OF THE STUDY

Maria Cristina Falls: The Birth of Industrialization

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
Environmental concern was only prevalent during the initial construction of the
Hydroelectric Power Plant. The site before was a scarcely populated area and forest. Since the
building of the plant needed huge area, they had cut down many trees to carry out the government
project.

Fig. 2.1 Picture of Maria Cristina Fig. 2.2 The construction of

Falls, 1950 Hydroelectric Plant 1952-1953

Fig. 2.3 Maria Cristina Falls, April 2008 Fig. 2.4 Taken by researchers November 11, 2019
 The National Power Corporation donated plenty of plant seedlings for the reforestation
project and also takes responsibility of the forest surrounding the hydroelectric plants. They have
planted trees and grasses to prevent soil erosion along the Agus River where the twin falls is
located. This is part of their objective to enhance the vegetative cover of the lake Lanao-Agus
River Watershed Area for its sustainable productivity for hydropower and domestic use as well
the conservation of the flora and fauna and other marine life found in the ecosystem (NPC
documents p.3, 2003). Projects about the reforestation and Watershed Management Projects were
proposed- Improvement of Forest, community-based Forestry Management, Agro-Forestry,
Mangroves Conservation and Seedling Nursery.
Respondents also explained that the Maria Cristina HEP did not caused any harm or
damage to the environment,
“Dili mana makadaot pud ang planta dira kay taga-baybay baya mi.”

“Tubig raman ang gigamit sa pag-generate ug electricity maong safe unlike

coal kay mag-produce ug aso”

Meanwhile, the source of water in Agus River and Maria Cristina Falls was contaminated.
Households from Marawi City and the 17 municipalities bordering the lake use its resources as
disposal sink for both domestic and business wastes. Human pressure on the lake and its resources
is on the rise with the increasing population under a business-as-usual scenario. Scientists also
observed fecal contamination levels from the bank and up to 25 meters lakeward, rendering the
water unsafe for drinking (Mayuga, 2019). In addition, according to the barangay captain
(Barangay Ma. Cristina), one of the contributors of water pollution in the Agus River-Maria
Cristina Falls is the Mabuhay Vinyl Corporation wherein industrial wastes were released in the
water making it no longer a potable source of water in the community.

Fig. 3.1 The environmental map that shows the connections of the Lake Lanao
down to Maria Cristina Falls
Through GIS, the study can allocate the changes of environment of the Maria Cristina Falls
throughout the years, GIS is a powerful tool for environmental data analysis and planning. GIS
stores spatial information (data) in a digital mapping environment, the researchers only can provide
the pictures of available resources but van present the map of the environment of the connection
of Lake Lanao down to Agus River to Maris Cristina Falls.

ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION
The construction of the Hydroelectric Power Plant in 1950 has provided economic changes
to the barangay of Maria Cristina. Local skilled workers who need jobs were given priority.
Eventually some of the workers decided to reside in the place for good. The population of the area
has increased after the construction and the operation of the said plant.
National Power Corporation extended help also to numerous projects that were initiated by
the Community Development Department of the NPC- the construction of NAPOCOR Elementary
School and provided potable water for the residents. Local residents of the 3 host barangays Maria
Cristina, Buru-un, Ditucalan benefit from the National Wealth. 35 % from the 1% of the gross
sales is shared by the barangays as stated in the Local Government Code of 1992 Chapter 2-Share
of Local Government Units I the National Wealth section 289-294. This allotment by the NPC was
used for concreting main road, numerous livelihood programs or projects and for the beautification
of the Barangay.
Local residents of the 3 host barangays Maria Cristina, Buru-un, and Ditucalan benefit
from the National Wealth. 35 percent from the 1% of the gross sale is shared by the barangays as
stated in the Local Government Code of 1992 Chapter 2- Share of Local Government Units in the
National Wealth section 289-294. This allotment by the NPC was used for concreting main road
and, numerous livelihood programs or progress and for beautification of the Barangay.

Legend:
Host
Barangays

Agus HEP

Agus
VI HEP

Fig. 4.1 The GIS map that shows the borders of Barangay Maria Cristina,
Ditucalan and Buru-un as the major host of Maria Cristina Falls

Through GIS technology, the study can display spatial relationships and linear networks of
the three Baranggays.
With the used of random sampling, the researchers randomly chose respondents to earn
more information. As stated by one of the respondents,
 “Nakahatag siyag dungog sa Iligan City ug naghatag siyag tubig. Nakahatag siyag
kuryente”

This means that the falls is the landmark of Iligan City for it is the primary source of electric
power for the city's industries that is being harnessed by the Agus VI Hydroelectric Plant. In
addition to it, other respondents says,
“Ang Maria Cristina Falls para sa akoa kay falls siya nga nindot kaayo lantawon. Ug
kun walay Maria Critina, walay kuryente”

The said falls played a big role when it comes to economic contribution, tourism and
providing vast employment, as also mentioned by the other respondents,

“Permero jug electricity sa Iligan kay ang Maria Cristina Plant (kanang Agus 6) dayun
gi-expand na dayun after many years. Ang nakadiskubre jud nga mabutngag planta or
power ang Maria Cristina barangay kay tungod anang Marcelo Fertilizer kanang globe
dira nga orange sa Maria Cristina, mao nay una nga planta diri sa Iligan sunod sa
MCCI. Tungod sa Maria Cristina Chemical Industry ug Marcelo nadugangan dayug
Mabuhay Vinyl Corp. human ana mi-expand midayon dayun didto napud sa ubang side
like sa North ang Plant Cement”.

“Maria Cristina falls attracts tourists, sa Agus 6-7 naay zoo diha (Nature’s Park),
Butterfly Garden. Galaag mi dadto. Gahatag silag National Wealth sa host barangay (
Ditucalan, Buru-un, Maria Cristina). Many people went there, before 11 am the gate is
open for visitation kay makita ang busagak sa falls. So far, wala’y negative effects ang
planta sa Maria Cristina kay it invites tourist and employments. In Iligan maong city
symbol siya kay it was discovered nga Iligan has a lots falls, before atong nahimo siyag
Majestic Water Falls kay wala pa to na ilhan o naadtoan to nga mga existing falls. Ang
mga nailhan lang kay Mimbalot, Tinago, Maria Cristina, as time passed by nadiscover
na dayun ang uban. Pride sa Iligan ang Maria Cristina, aside sa naa siya’y
hydroelectric power plant kay naapil siya sa 7 wonders of the world”

The Growth of the Industries in Iligan City

Maria Cristina Hydroelectric Plant or Agus VI Hydroelectric Plant is the gateway of
Iligan’s progress. Since the actual operation of this plant in 1953 there have been more than 15
industries that emerged in the city. The cheap electricity before provided by the hydroelectric plant
is the main reason for the emergence of these industries, and many investors to put up business
making Iligan as the Industrialized City of the South. The Agus VI, eventually followed by five
more hydroelectric plants, has certainly acted as magnet, attracting other industries to the city. It
had marked a milestone in the development of Philippine Economy. (Salgado, 2003)
There are three consumer plants have first benefited the produce of Agus VI. The first was
Maria Cristina, a companion plant that produces ammonium sulfate taking the excess energy
generated by Agus VI. The second one was the government-owned National Shipyard ans Steel
Corporation (NASSCO). And the third was the Iligan Electric Company, the electric franchise
holder, steel government-owned company (Interlocked Magazine, July-August 1979 p.22).
The following are the industries in Iligan and/or outside Iligan that emerge due to the cheap
electricity produced by the Hydroelectric Power Plant before NGCP was established in 2009:

A. STILL OPERATING INDUSTRIES

1. Mindanao Portland Cement Corporation
 The first cement factory in Iligan City as established in 1962 and was later renamed by
Iligan Cement Corporation (Industrial Profile, 2001)
2. PILMICO Foods Corporation
Biggest flour milling plant in Mindanao competing with PureFoods and Universal Robina
Corporation. (Timemora, n.d)
3. Cebu Oxygen and Acetylene Co. (COACO)
In 1993 it was renamed to Southern Industrial Gases Incorporated (Salgado, 2003). In the
present it rebrands to Linde Philippines.
4. Iligan Recapping Corporation
Renamed to RS Dy Pico in 1994, a sister-company of the COACO located in Barangay
Mahayahay and was established in1963.
5. Mabuhay Vinyl Corporation (MVC)
It was engaged to manufacturing caustic soda, chlorine and polyvinyl chlorine resins. In
1966 its name was change to Mabuhay Vinyl Corporation.
6. Floro Cement Corporation and Mindanao Steel Corporation
The two plants were established in Lugait, Misamis Oriental and is now known as Alsons
Cement Corporation (Industrial Profile 2001). In 2005 it was renamed to Holcim
Philippines Inc. (Holcim, 2019)
7. Granexport Manufacturing Corporation
The first copra processor in the city and was established in 1975. Granex is the producer
of the popular Minola brand cooking oil (Industrial Profile 2001).
8. Iligan Coconut Industries Incorporated
A sister-company of Granex in Cebu, established in 1875.

B. SHUTDOWN INDUSTRIES
1. Rustan Pulp and Paper Mills Incorporated
It was established in 1968 stated outside Iligan particularly in Baloi. The plant was renamed
to Paper Industries of the Philippines after being acquired from its original owners
(Salgado, 2003).
2. National Steel Corporation (NSC)
Hailed as one of the biggest and most successful Philippine Corporations. After being
privatized in 1999, the giant industry shut down.
3. Iligan Integrated Steel Mills (IISMI)
The former government-owned of it was NASSCO. Later, foreclosed by the Development
Bank of the Philippines (Salgado, 2003)
4. Maria Cristina Chemical Industries Incorporated (MCCI)
The only plant in the country that produces Calcium Carbide (Industrial Profile, 2001).
5. London Biscuits Company
This produces the famous Domino Biscuits and other assorted crackers and biscuits
(Industrial Profile, 2001).

Population Growth and Employment

The growth of industries in Iligan resulted in the increase of the city’s population. From a
small population of 3,329 people in 1903, it grew to become a chartered city with almost 300,000
inhabitants in the beginning of 21 st century. From the census of 1960, 1970 and 1980 it shows that
Iligan has one of the highest population growth rates of any city in the country. This indicated that
something other than the city being an urban place accounted for such phenomenal population
increase of settlements in the city was due to rapid industrialization (Salgado, 2003).
The emergence of the industries in the Southern Philippines specifically in Iligan City
generates large employment. The establishment of Agus VI and VII Hydroelectric Plant offered
job opportunities not only to the people of Iligan but also to the people from other regions of the
country. During the 50th anniversary of the NPC, employees’ testimonies confirmed that they were
forced to fly Mindanao to earn for a living and others eventually established their own family here
in Mindanao.
The growth of industries in Iligan resulted in the increase of the city’s population. From a
small population of 3,329 people in 1903, it grew to become a chartered city with almost 300,000
inhabitants in the beginning of 21 st century. From the census of 1960, 1970 and 1980 it shows that
Iligan has one of the highest population growth rates of any city in the country. This indicated that
something other than the city being an urban place accounted for such phenomenal population
increase of settlements in the city was due to rapid industrialization (Salgado, 2003).
The emergence of the industries in the Southern Philippines specifically in Iligan City
generates large employment. The establishment of Agus VI and VII Hydroelectric Plant offered
job opportunities not only to the people of Iligan but also to the people from other regions of the
country. During the 50th anniversary of the NPC, employees’ testimonies confirmed that they were
forced to fly Mindanao to earn for a living and others eventually established their own family here
in Mindanao.

The Emergence of National Grid Corporation of the Philippines

Legislators passed the landmark R.A. 9136 in 2001, better known as the "Electric Power
Industry Reform Act of 2001" or EPIRA which sought to save the ailing energy industry. The
EPIRA introduced two major reforms: the restructuring of the electricity supply industry and the
privatization of the government-owned National Power Corporation (NPC). Restructuring called
for the separation of the different components of the power sector: generation, transmission,
distribution, and supply. Electricity rates were unbundled to allow consumers to see each
individual component of the electricity service they are paying for. Generation was privatized
through the sale of generation assets. Transmission was spun off to government owned National
Transmission Corporation, in preparation for its eventual privatization via concession. Concession,
unlike outright sale, allowed government, through TransCo, to retain ownership of the country's
transmission assets. Only the obligation to operate, maintain, and expand the grid was given to the
private investors. The consortium of Monte Oro Grid Resources Corp., Calaca High Power
Corporation, and the State Grid Corporation of China as technical partner, won the 25-year
concession in 2007 to operate the country's power transmission network after an open, public, and
competitive bidding process. It was the biggest government auction conducted in efforts to reform
the local power sector.
NGCP officially started operations as power transmission service provider in 2009. Under
a congressionally-granted 50-year franchise, NGCP has the right to operate and maintain the
transmission system and related facilities, and the right of eminent domain necessary to construct,
expand, maintain, and operate the transmission system.
They also provide information on why NPC no longer offers cheap electricity,
“Before the Hydroelectric plant offers cheap electricity but because of EPIRA LAW OF
2001 ( Electric Power Industry Reform Act ) gisalo sa National Grid Corporation of the
Philippine (NGCP) kay ginabaligya naman. Ang planta kay igo ra ga-generate ug power
 o paghimog kuryente ang distribution ug pagpalit sa kuryente kay NGCP na ang
regulate, wala nay labot ang planta”.
“Naghatag siyag maayung talan-awon, dadto sa Agus VI lami kaayo lantawon, kung
magspil diri or kusog ang i-spill nga tubig lami kaayo lantawon ang falls ana. Naa
mana’y bato sa tunga maong mapikas ang tubig. Daghang tourists muanha. Mga artista
nga muanhig Iligan kay muanha jud sa Agus VI. Agus VI 1946 Agus V (1985) LAST
Agus Plant. Ang tubig nga gi-generate kay gikan na siya sa tunnel tubig sa ibabaw gikan
sa Lake Lanao, Maria Cristina kay Talan-awon rana siya. Kita’y pinakabarato sa
Mindanao ug kuryente unlike sa Manila ug Cebu, pero karun naa man ang NGCP pare-
pareha nata sa Manila ug presyo kay kanang NGCP maoy ga-regulate, ug kanang coal
plantation diha sa Tacob ug mu-full pressure na siya mao nana’y basehan sa kuryente
maong maapil na ang NPC”.
“Daghang tourists muanha. Mga artista nga muanhig Iligan kay muanha jud sa Agus
VI. Agus VI 1946 Agus V (1985) last Agus Plant. Ang tubig nga gi-generate kay gikan
na siya sa tunnel tubig sa ibabaw gikan sa Lake Lanao, Maria Cristina kay Talan-awon
rana siya, dili siya ang gigamit para sa HEP. Kita unta ang pinakabarato sa Mindanao
ug kuryente unlike sa Manila ug Cebu, pero karun naa man ang NGCP pare-pareha
nata sa Manila ug presyo kay kanang NGCP maoy ga-regulate, ug kanang coal
plantation diha sa Tacob ug mu-full pressure na siya mao nana’y basehan sa kuryente
maong maapil na ang NPC. Ilang coal kay imported from other countries.

Due to the establishment of NGCP in 2009, the power generated by NPC which is being
distributed no longer giving cheap electricity which Mindanao is known for because NPC’s work
now is only to generate power and it is the national grid that operates and distribute electricity in
equal rate with other energy sources. Electric franchise holders and/or electric cooperatives buy
the product of the hydroelectric power plant through the NGCP and these (franchisee) distributed
power in the community which people used in everyday activities.

SOCIO-CULTURAL CONTRIBUTION

Rivers and Water Sources Gives Cultural Meaning

Lives of the ‘tribal’ Lumad peoples of Mindanao, in the southern Philippines have
depended according to the rivers on which they dwelt. Many Lumad oral traditions, the movements
of people from one generation to the next are traced according to river systems they occupied, with
social proximity to key bodies of water equated to civility, cultural purity, and political legitimacy.
In the earliest oral traditions, social ties amongst Lumads stretched across settlements from the
coast to the interior, with upriver and downriver communities linked politically according to river
systems. The theme of ‘water’ according to Higaunons, water per se is not of major symbolic value
to them. Whilst there are, spirits who dwell in the water, the water itself appears to have no
particular meaning or power, whether in oral traditions, poetry, or songs. The Higaunons do value
clean water highly, but they will tell that water is just water – inert and formless in the literal and
figurative sense. The spirits and social ties do matter, but not the water itself. 13

Fig. 5.1 Photo taken by the researcher from Art Exhibit

Purposes held in Robinson, September 5, 2019
In relations to the the Maranao, who are the first inhabitants of the shores of Lake Lanao
still inhabit this region, the name Maranao means "People of the Lake" or "Lake Dwellers",
referring to the indigenous people who inhabited the grounds around Lake Lanao, aside from being
the traditional home of the Meranaw. Lake lanao has a long tradition and heritage of boat building
and sailing. 14 Maranaos viewed Lake Lanao as an important symbol because it provides their needs
such a foods and water for everyday living. Besides being a source of food and water, a
hydroelectric plant that feeds from the Lanao Lake and Agus River generates 70 percent of the
electricity that energizes Mindanao.

Fig, 6.1 the connection of Lake Lanao down to Maria Cristina Falls

13
Oona Paredes .Rivers of Memory and Oceans of Difference in the Lumad World of Mindanao. Trans –Regional
and –National Studies of Southeast Asia Vol. 4, No. 2 (July) 2016: 329–349. © Institute for East Asian Studies,
Sogang University 2016
14
Michael D. The Long ships heritage of Lanao. 2012. Retrieved from
http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=14&title=The-long-ships-heritage-of-
Lanao&id=53451&fbclid=IwAR2eVZrFlzy6T_vxzmlav4CVIHT7697KdDnoy-BhFGpxfZe7Sjn_lRigMOY
 By using the tool of GIS mapping it allows researchers to see the relations of the Maranao
from Lake Lanao down to people in Iligan City by looking at their connection through geographic
features and administrative boundaries.
Through interviews, the researchers gather data to answer the socio-cultural contribution
of Maria Cristina Falls. This time, they are Christian people with different perspectives on what
they knew about Maria Cristina Falls.
“Na known ang Fuentes tungod ana nga falls kay sa tanang lugar diri man siya sa
Fuentes. Naka tour man ko dira, nindot man kaayog view diha. Kanang swerte na kaayo
ka basta makakita ka nga duha kabuok ang agas sa falls, kay kasagara isa ra jud ang
mugawas ambot pud ug tinuod ba kaha na kay basi rapud na sa mga katiguwangan.
Sauna masakaan na siya like mahikapan ang falls.”

Some of the respondent’s answers are based on their experienced from that falls.
It was also proven that this falls creates an amazing experienced when it was not already
limited by the government. These are the transcripts that researchers collect,
“Nakaligo mi diha nanaug jud mi diha sa kabatuhan kadtong buhi pa akong magulang,
nakuha paman gani mi dihag ulang. Part nana sa amoang childhood sauna, sa bukid mi
sauna muagi paubos karun dili na siya paliguan kay delikado kay mukalit ug kusog ang
tubig. Daghan kaayug ulang dira sauna wala pamay mamadlong sauna tungod atong
nay nadisgrasya kay mag-siren sila ug magpaagas sa spillway, taw-an mana dira maong
daghang nangadisgrasya. Kadtong lalaki nga miambak diha nga mao ray nabuhi kay
murag naa daw nisalo sa iyaha sa ubos kay tanang nangambak dira kay puros patay
kay kusog kaayung tubig ug dagko kaayong mga bato Maria Cristina iyang ngalan
tungod sa duh aka babaye nga si Maria ug Cristina, nga miambak dira”.

“Kanang Maria, Mario na siya unya kanang Cristina, Cristina jud na siya. Mag-uyab
na sila, unya karon kabalo ko ana kay 1954 pa jud ko diri. Both parent kay dili musugot
nga magdayun sila, unya wala naman silay laing kaadtoan wala sila’y choice kundi
muambak sa tubig. Miabot pila ka tuig kay mitubo ng duha ka falls diha ug imbis Mario
ug Cristina nahimo siyang Maria Cristina.”

“Ang story anang Maria Cristina duha’y nagribal anang Maria unya dili unta na
mahimong falls diha ug wala miambak diha tungod kay nag-away ang duha ka lalaki-
Christian ug Lumad nga nanguyab niya”

“It is known as Ma. Cristina (because a girl named Maria fell down in the falls) because
there are twins named Maria and Cristina who jumped off in the falls”

“Ang Maria Cristina falls kay naa daw na’y White Lady diha, naay nag-take picture
diha nga naay na-capture nga White Lady- si Maria Cristina daw to”.

Also, the local people especially those who reside in Brgy. Maria Cristina, always tells
about many suicide stories on the said falls. Among those who committed suicide, only
one person who was saved.
“Diha sa tulay (Ditucalan) murag 4-5 ang miambak diha (suicide) pero ang last nga
miambak kay mao ray fortunate nga nabuhi. Kay katong nangambak nga patay tanan
mabaw ang tubig, naigo to sa mga bato while katong laki naatol nga medyo kusog-kusog
ang buga sa tubig, pag-ambak niya lalom ang tubig, wa siya nabunal sa bato then
naanod siya ug nasangit siya sa bato nga dako sa tunga ibabaw sa falls maoto gitabang
giitsahag pisi gipagunit..gibira dayun gi-interview ni Mayor Regencia dayun gihatagan
 siyag trabaho- kay nganu, gipangutana nganu miambak ka, kuan man gud Sir mihangyo
ko sa akong mama nnga magminyo ko niyo engon man akong mama nga dili ka
magminyo kay wala tay kwarta, ayaw sa pagminyo, mao tong niambak siya. Maoto
gihatagan siyag trabaho dayun nakapakasal na sia. The rest nga naghikog kay mga
babaye nga mga namatay tanan. Naay babaye nga gasakay ug taxi mihunong gikag
syudad dayun mihunong sa tulay (ditucalan) natingala ang driver nganu sa tulay
magpahunong nga wala may balay dadto pero mi-insist man ang baye maoto pagtalikod
sa driver nawala na ang baye, ang gwardiya nay gasinggit nga naay babaye miambak,
nasakpan ang lawas didto na sa ubos, naanod na sa tubig, nakuha ang lawas kay hubo
na siya tanan tungod sa kakusog sa tubig.”

CONCLUSION
Maria Cristina Falls with its Hydroelectric Power Plants has brought Iligan City
to its zenith. During the early operations it magnets investors in building industries that
benefits its cheap produced electricity but because of the implementation of the EPIRA
Law of 2001, NGCP was established in 2009 to regulate the distribution of electrical
power in Mindanao which resulted to the rise of the electric charges and NPC’s work
now is only to generate power and not with distribution. The only environmental issue
that Maria Cristina has encountered was during the initial planning and building of the
HEP in 1952-1953. Since the site is a jungle-like area, cutting down many trees was the
initial process to carry out the plan. On the other hand, the current issue regarding the
water sources of the falls is all about contamination of water due to human activities
and industries situated near the water source. It is a crucial issue that the DENR of Iligan
City must take a look into the effects of the water pollution on the aquatic life and as a
source of potable water. Industries must also take into consideration about the effects of
their irresponsible wastes disposal in the environment. Maria Cristina Falls was known
for its many legends in the vicinity. Behind its mesmerizing beauty there entangles
suicide stories. Lastly, their connection unveil and was clearly shown through the help
of GIS Mapping.
REFERENCES

Theses/Papers
Acibar, Artson Lendl & Dangel, Forsythia “Socio-economic contribution of Agus VI and Agus
VII Hydroelectric Plant Complex in Brgy. Maria Cristina, Iligan City.” Undergraduate Thesis,
Mindanao State University-Institute of Technology, 2004.

Basilio, Leilanie & Cabasan, Jeremiah “Local Governance and the Challenges of Economic
Distress: The Case of Iligan City Philippine Institute for Development Studies.” Discussion
Papers, Philippine Institute for Development Studies, 2004, December 2004.

Bulkhia Panalondong et al., “The Iligan - Marawi Connection from Spanish to American Period:
A GIS - Based Analysis.” (Mindanao State University-Institute of Technology, pp.88-97)

Dela Cruz, Anna Nikka “The Tourism Triangle in Iligan City: A Preliminary Review of its
Inception and Evolution, Successes and Failures.” Undergraduate Thesis, Mindanao State
University-Institute of Technology, 2014.

Oona Paredes. Rivers of Memory and Oceans of Difference in the Lumad World of Mindanao.
Trans –Regional and –National Studies of Southeast Asia Vol. 4, No. 2 (July) 2016: 329–349. ©
Institute for East Asian Studies, Sogang University 2016

Rico, Ma. Teresa C. & Amatiaga, Annalee R “A Preliminary study on the Natural Attractions of
Tourist Attractions in Iligan City”, Iligan City.Undergraduate Thesis, Mindanao State University-
Institute of Technology, 2001.

Websites
Baaos, Michael. “The Long ships heritage of Lanao.” Business World Online, December 04, 2019.
December 04, 2019. http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=14&title=The-
longships-heritage-of-Lanao&id=53451

“Iligan.” Wikipedia, Last modified: November 10, 2019.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iligan

“Mapping And Geographic System (GIS): What is GIS?” University of Wisconsin-Madison

Libraries. https://researchguides.library.wisc.edu/GIS

“Geographic information system.” esri. https://www.esri.com/en-us/what-is-gis/overview

Global Information System, 1997