Misamis Occidental is a province of the Philippines located in Northern Mindanao (Region X). The province covers roughly 2,006.63 square kilometers and is composed of 14 municipalities, 3 component cities, and a total of 490 barangays. The capital of the province is Oroquieta City, which also serves as the provincial center. Misamis Occidental is known for its rich fishing grounds, coconut plantations, and agricultural products.

History

Misamis Occidental, located in Northern Mindanao, traces its roots to the Subanen people, the earliest known inhabitants who lived along riverbanks and practiced farming, hunting, and fishing. The name 'Misamis' is believed to have come from the Subanen word kuyamis, a variety of coconut that was once common in the area. During the Spanish period, the province became an important mission field and military outpost because of its strategic location facing Iligan Bay. In 1818, Misamis was organized as a corregimiento (a political-military district) covering a vast area that included what are now Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Bukidnon, and parts of Lanao. As settlements grew, religious orders like the Augustinians and Jesuits helped spread Christianity, while local communities resisted Moro raiders who frequently attacked the coastal areas. In 1929, the undivided province of Misamis was split into Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental through Legislative Act No. 3537, creating two separate provinces to improve governance. Oroquieta became the capital of Misamis Occidental. During World War II, the province played a significant role in the resistance movement, with Oroquieta serving as the temporary capital of the Free Philippines government under President Manuel Quezon after he fled from Corregidor. After the war, the province rebuilt its economy through agriculture, particularly coconut and fisheries, and later developed into a hub for trade in Northern Mindanao. Today, Misamis Occidental is known for its agricultural base, rich cultural traditions, and natural attractions, while continuing to preserve its heritage as a vital part of Mindanao's history.