Malabang
Municipality in Lanao del Sur, Philippines
title: "Malabang" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1907-establishments-in-the-philippines", "municipalities-of-lanao-del-sur", "populated-places-established-in-1907"] description: "Municipality in Lanao del Sur, Philippines" topic_path: "geography/philippines" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malabang" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Municipality in Lanao del Sur, Philippines ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | |
| image_flag | Flag_of_Malabang,_Lanao_del_Sur.png |
| flag_size | 120x80px |
| image_seal | Seal of Malabang.png |
| seal_size | 100x80px |
| image_map | |
| map_caption | |
| mapframe | yes |
| pushpin_map | Philippines |
| pushpin_label_position | left |
| pushpin_map_caption | Location within the |
| coordinates | |
| settlement_type | |
| subdivision_type | Country |
| subdivision_name | Philippines |
| subdivision_type1 | Region |
| subdivision_name1 | |
| subdivision_type2 | Province |
| subdivision_name2 | |
| official_name | |
| etymology | |
| named_for | |
| other_name | ملابانج |
| subdivision_type3 | District |
| subdivision_name3 | |
| established_title | Founded |
| established_date | 1520 |
| established_title1 | Chartered |
| established_date1 | May 19, 1893 |
| parts_type | Barangays |
| parts_style | para |
| p1 | (see Barangays) |
| leader_title | Mayor |
| leader_name | Amin D. Balindong |
| leader_title1 | Vice Mayor |
| leader_name1 | Raizoli S. Balindong |
| leader_title2 | Representative |
| leader_name2 | Yasser A. Balindong |
| leader_title3 | Municipal Council |
| leader_name3 | {{PH Town Council |
| 1 | |
| 2 | Farrajibah D. Padate |
| 3 | Al-Fayeez T. Taog |
| 4 | Altaf D. Balindong |
| 5 | Alimoden B. Santican |
| 6 | Malic A. Balindong |
| 7 | Jerry M. Rakim |
| 8 | Ahmad Refaye B. Bugabong |
| 9 | Omaima M. Dipatuan |
| leader_title4 | Electorate |
| leader_name4 | voters ([electorate_point_in_time}} |
| government_type | |
| government_footnotes | |
| elevation_m | |
| elevation_max_m | 327 |
| elevation_min_m | 0 |
| elevation_footnotes | |
| area_footnotes | |
| area_total_km2 | |
| population_footnotes | |
| population_total | |
| population_as_of | |
| population_density_km2 | auto |
| population_blank1_title | Households |
| population_blank1 | |
| timezone | PST |
| utc_offset | +8 |
| postal_code_type | ZIP code |
| postal_code | |
| postal2_code_type | |
| postal2_code | |
| area_code_type | |
| area_code | |
| website | |
| demographics_type1 | Economy |
| demographics1_title1 | |
| demographics1_info1 | |
| demographics1_title2 | Poverty incidence |
| demographics1_info2 | % () |
| demographics1_title3 | Revenue |
| demographics1_info3 | |
| demographics1_title4 | Revenue rank |
| demographics1_title5 | Assets |
| demographics1_info5 | |
| demographics1_title6 | Assets rank |
| demographics1_title7 | IRA |
| demographics1_title8 | IRA rank |
| demographics1_title9 | Expenditure |
| demographics1_info9 | |
| demographics1_title10 | Liabilities |
| demographics1_info10 | |
| demographics_type2 | Service provider |
| demographics2_title1 | Electricity |
| demographics2_info1 | |
| demographics2_title2 | Water |
| demographics2_title3 | Telecommunications |
| demographics2_info3 | PLDT, SMART Telecom, Globe |
| demographics2_title4 | Cable TV |
| blank_name_sec1 | |
| blank_info_sec1 | |
| blank1_name_sec1 | Native languages |
| blank1_info_sec1 | |
| blank2_name_sec1 | Crime index |
| blank1_name_sec2 | Major religions |
| blank1_info_sec2 | Islam, Roman Catholicism |
| blank2_name_sec2 | Feast date |
| blank3_name_sec2 | Catholic diocese |
| blank4_name_sec2 | Patron saint |
| :: |
| name =
| image_skyline =
| image_caption =
| image_flag = Flag_of_Malabang,_Lanao_del_Sur.png
| flag_size = 120x80px
| image_seal = Seal of Malabang.png
| seal_size = 100x80px
| image_map =
| map_caption =
| mapframe = yes
| pushpin_map = Philippines
| pushpin_label_position = left
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within the
| coordinates =
| settlement_type =
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = Philippines
| subdivision_type1 = Region
| subdivision_name1 =
| subdivision_type2 = Province
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| official_name =
| etymology =
| named_for =
| native_name =
| other_name = ملابانج
| nickname =
| motto =
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| subdivision_type3 = District
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| established_title = Founded
| established_date = 1520
| established_title1 = Chartered
| established_date1 = May 19, 1893
| parts_type = Barangays
| parts_style = para
| p1 = (see Barangays)
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = Amin D. Balindong
| leader_title1 = Vice Mayor
| leader_name1 = Raizoli S. Balindong
| leader_title2 = Representative
| leader_name2 = Yasser A. Balindong
| leader_title3 = Municipal Council
| leader_name3 = {{PH Town Council
| 1 =
| 2=Farrajibah D. Padate
| 3=Al-Fayeez T. Taog
| 4=Altaf D. Balindong
| 5=Alimoden B. Santican
| 6=Malic A. Balindong
| 7=Jerry M. Rakim
| 8=Ahmad Refaye B. Bugabong
| 9=Omaima M. Dipatuan
| leader_title4 = Electorate
| leader_name4 = voters (electorate_point_in_time}}|)
| government_type =
| government_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| elevation_max_m = 327
| elevation_min_m = 0
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| population_blank1_title = Households
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| timezone = PST
| utc_offset = +8
| postal_code_type = ZIP code
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| website =
| demographics_type1 = Economy
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| demographics1_title2 = Poverty incidence
| demographics1_info2 = % ()
| demographics1_title3 = Revenue
| demographics1_info3 =
| demographics1_title4 = Revenue rank
| demographics1_info4 =
| demographics1_title5 = Assets
| demographics1_info5 =
| demographics1_title6 = Assets rank
| demographics1_info6 =
| demographics1_title7 = IRA
| demographics1_info7 =
| demographics1_title8 = IRA rank
| demographics1_info8 =
| demographics1_title9 = Expenditure
| demographics1_info9 =
| demographics1_title10 = Liabilities
| demographics1_info10 =
| demographics_type2 = Service provider
| demographics2_title1 = Electricity
| demographics2_info1 =
| demographics2_title2 = Water
| demographics2_info2 =
| demographics2_title3 = Telecommunications
| demographics2_info3 = PLDT, SMART Telecom, Globe
| demographics2_title4 = Cable TV
| demographics2_info4 =
| blank_name_sec1 =
| blank_info_sec1 =
| blank1_name_sec1 = Native languages
| blank1_info_sec1 =
| blank2_name_sec1 = Crime index
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| blank3_name_sec1 =
| blank3_info_sec1 =
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| blank7_name_sec1 =
| blank7_info_sec1 =
| blank1_name_sec2 = Major religions
| blank1_info_sec2 = Islam, Roman Catholicism
| blank2_name_sec2 = Feast date
| blank2_info_sec2 =
| blank3_name_sec2 = Catholic diocese
| blank3_info_sec2 =
| blank4_name_sec2 = Patron saint
| blank4_info_sec2 =
| blank5_name_sec2 =
| blank5_info_sec2 =
| blank6_name_sec2 =
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| short_description =
| footnotes =
Malabang, officially the Municipality of Malabang (Maranao: Inged a Malabang; ), is a municipality in the province of Lanao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 49,088 people. The town is one of the two former capitals of the Sultanate of Maguindanao from 1515 until the Spanish conquered the land in 1888.
History
Malabang, in Lanao del Sur, is considered the oldest settlement in mainland Mindanao.
The Sultanate of T'bok was an established kingdom in present-day Malabang long before the Philippines became a country. The people of Malabang are mostly Maranaos, a southern Mindanao ethnicity; they are also often identified with the Iranuns because of Iranuns who live in some of the barangays in the southern part of Malabang, comprising what is now Balabagan. In March 1969, Executive Order 386, signed by President Carlos P. Garcia, reconstituted the southern part of Malabang as the Municipality of Balabagan. Thus, Iranuns are now residents of Balabagan rather than Malabang.
Malabang played a significant part in the early battles against invaders of the Philippines. During the defensive campaigns against Spain, Malabang became the headquarters of Sultan Muhammad Kudarat of Maguindanao. He used to spend time recuperating in Malabang throughout the period when he was fighting to defend Maguindanao against invasion. He later retired to Malabang when he fell ill. He eventually died and was buried there. In May 1977, Presidential Decree 1135 of President Ferdinand Marcos created the Municipality of Picong (formerly Sultan Gumander) out of the north-western portion of Malabang, where Sultan Kudarat's grave was located.
During the Second World War, when the Japanese invaded the Philippines, the Japanese military built a large camp in Malabang, including a network of tunnels around it. It was considered a major camp of the Japanese forces. In 1942, the Philippine Supreme Court Chief Justice José Abad Santos was brought to this camp, after he was captured in Cebu while fleeing from Japanese forces. Chief Justice Abad Santos was executed in the camp for refusing to cooperate with the Japanese, and was buried in barangay Curahab. The place where the camp is situated and where Mr. Santos was executed was later on named Camp Jose Abad Santos (Camp JAS).
In 1945, United States and Philippine Commonwealth forces, working with Maranao guerillas, occupied Malabang after a siege. During the Siege of Malabang, the guerillas used weapons like the Maranao kris, barong and kampilan to fight the Japanese forces. The victorious American and Philippine Commonwealth troops, together with their Maranao guerrilla allies, eventually defeated the Japanese Imperial forces. When the built of the general headquarters and military camp base of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and Philippine Constabulary was station's active in Malabang from 1945 to 1946 during and ended of World War II.
Malabang as a municipality was founded on March 1, 1893. The locals of the town celebrate the founding day, the Araw ng Malabang every March 1 annually.
Geography
Malabang is one of thirty-nine municipalities comprising the province of Lanao del Sur in northern Mindanao. It lies on the south-west part of the province and belongs to the second district. It has 37 barangays with a total land area of 37,789.28 km2. The distance from Marawi City to Malabang is 71 kilometers. Malabang is bounded on the north by the municipality of Calanogas; on the north-west by the municipality of Picong (Sultan Gumander); on the east by the municipality of Marogong; and on the south by the municipality of Balabagan. To the west of Malabang is Illana Bay.
It is under the administrative supervision of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) since November 1989, pursuant to R.A. No. 6734 dated June 8, 1989, known as the "Organic Act of ARM M".
The municipality is a level plain in its central to southern portion. A slope in the north is bounded by the Municipality of Calanogas. There is also a slope in eastern Malabang.
Barangays
Malabang is politically subdivided into 37 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.
- Bacayawan
- Badak Lumao
- Bagoaingud
- Banday
- Betayan
- Boniga
- BPS Village
- Bunk House
- Cabasaran (South)
- Calibagat
- Calumbog
- Campo Muslim
- China Town (Poblacion)
- Corahab
- Diamaro
- Inandayan
- Jose Abad Santos
- Lamin
- Mable
- Macuranding
- Madaya
- Mananayo
- Manggahan
- Masao
- Matalin
- Matampay
- Matling
- Montay
- Pasir
- Pialot
- Rebocun
- Sarang
- Sumbagarogong
- Tacub
- Tambara
- Tiongcop
- Tuboc
Climate
| location = Malabang, Lanao del Sur | width = auto | metric first = Yes | single line = Yes | Jan high C = 30 | Jan low C = 24 | Feb high C = 30 | Feb low C = 24 | Mar high C = 31 | Mar low C = 25 | Apr high C = 31 | Apr low C = 25 | May high C = 30 | May low C = 26 | Jun high C = 30 | Jun low C = 25 | Jul high C = 29 | Jul low C = 25 | Aug high C = 29 | Aug low C = 25 | Sep high C = 30 | Sep low C = 25 | Oct high C = 30 | Oct low C = 25 | Nov high C = 30 | Nov low C = 25 | Dec high C = 30 | Dec low C = 25 | Jan precipitation mm = 236 | Feb precipitation mm = 225 | Mar precipitation mm = 244 | Apr precipitation mm = 235 | May precipitation mm = 304 | Jun precipitation mm = 287 | Jul precipitation mm = 200 | Aug precipitation mm = 175 | Sep precipitation mm = 158 | Oct precipitation mm = 200 | Nov precipitation mm = 287 | Dec precipitation mm = 243 | Jan rain days = 24.3 | Feb rain days = 22.3 | Mar rain days = 26.0 | Apr rain days = 27.2 | May rain days = 28.3 | Jun rain days = 27.2 | Jul rain days = 25.8 | Aug rain days = 24.8 | Sep rain days = 22.2 | Oct rain days = 25.4 | Nov rain days = 27.2 | Dec rain days = 25.8 | source 1 = Meteoblue (modeled/calculated data, not measured locally) | url = https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/forecast/modelclimate/malabang_philippines_1703352 | title = Malabang, Lanao del Sur : Average Temperatures and Rainfall | publisher = Meteoblue | access-date = January 27, 2019 }} | date = January 27, 2019
Demographics
| align= none | title= Population census of | 1903 = | 1918 = | 1939 = | 1948 = | 1960 = | 1970 = | 1975 = | 1980 = | 1990 = | 1995 = | 2000 = | 2007 = | 2010 = | 2015 = | 2020 = | 2024 = | 2030 = | footnote= Source: Philippine Statistics Authority
Religions
| title = Religion in Malabang Lanao del Sur | titlebar = | left1 = Religion | right1 = Percent | float = right | bars =
Languages
The languages spoken in Malabang vary by location and by barangay. Maranao is the most commonly spoken language in Malabang, as the native speakers are the original inhabitants of Malabang.
Cebuano is spoken in some barangays with significant Cebuano Visayan immigrant populations who are mostly Catholic Christians. Along with English, Cebuano is used in Catholic masses and religious services as Malabang is part of the Prelature of Marawi, subject to the Archdiocese of Ozamis.
Some descendants of Chinese settlers in China Town (Poblacion) speak Mandarin and to some degree, Hokkien.
English is also a commonly spoken language due to American settlers in Matalin and European missionaries, and is also the medium of instruction and working language of the municipal government. Arabic is used in madrassas and spoken by qualified local and visiting ustadz (Islamic scholar) and imams. Settlers from the Maguindanao, Samal and Tausūg ethnic groups in barangay Bunkhouse still use their tribal tongues.
Although there are no settlers from the Tagalog region in Lanao del Sur, Tagalog is still used in schools, being the national language of the Philippines through its national register Filipino. It is also the alternative language of the Maranao townsfolk when conversing with Visayans, since not all of them know how to speak Cebuano.
Other languages varyingly spoken include Ilocano, Hiligaynon, Bicolano, Higaonon, and Iranun.
Economy
**Poverty Incidence of ** ::data[format=table] | {{#invoke:Chart | bar chart | height = 300 | width = 420 | properties|raw|P8843|P585=2000}} : : : : : : : | x legends = | colors = #D4AF37 | label|}} | url = https://psa.gov.ph/content/poverty-incidence-pi | title = Poverty incidence (PI): | publisher = Philippine Statistics Authority | reference|raw|P8843|P585=2000}} | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ::
Agriculture and fishery are the major resources of Malabang. They are also widely known for coconut production. Warehouses of coconut can be found along the major highways of Malabang. Mills in barangay Matalin produce cassava flour. Other agricultural products produced in Malabang include corn, vegetables and rice. Malabang also plays a major role in fishery production. They are known for puzan (a preserved fish product) and bakas (smoked dried fish). Malabang is central to commerce and trade activity in the coastal area of Lanao del Sur.
Government
The municipality has a mayor, the head of the municipality of Malabang, a municipal vice mayor, and eight municipal councilors. The municipality also has one Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) representative and one ABC representative from the Punong Barangay (barangay captains).
Mayor of Malabang
- 1939–1942, Naguib Juanday (First elected mayor)
- 1942–1944, Datu Sampiano (First appointed mayor)
- 1944–1945, Gandamasir Diambangan (Appointed)
- 1945–1946, Matling Darnang (Appointed)
- 1946–1947, Datu Boloto Paramata (Appointed)
- 1947–1948, Naguib Juanday (Appointed)
- 1948-1952, Ismael Marohom
- 1952–1956, Datu Macaorao Balindong
- 1956–1960, Datu Macaorao Balindong
- 1960–1964, Datu Macaorao Balindong
- 1964–1968, Amir M. Balindong
- 1968–1972, Amir M. Balindong
- 1972–1976, Amir M. Balindong
- 1976–1980, Macud Bangon Santican (Appointed)
- 1980–1986, Macud Bangon Santican
- 1986–1988, Anwar B. Balindong (Appointed)
- 1988–1992, Anwar B. Balindong
- 1992–1995, Anwar B. Balindong
- 1995–1998, Anwar B. Balindong
- 1998–2001, Amir-Oden S. Balindong
- 2001–2004, Anwar B. Balindong
- 2004–2007, Anwar B. Balindong
- 2007–2010, Anwar B. Balindong
- 2010–2013, Omensalam S. Balindong
- 2013–2016, Omensalam S. Balindong
- 2016–2019, Omensalam S. Balindong
- 2019–2022, Mohamad Yahya B. Macapodi
- 2022–2025, Alinader M. Balindong
- 2025–present, Amin D. Balindong
Infrastructure
Transportation
;Land Transport: Malabang is quite sufficient when it comes to land transportation to the nearby municipalities. Tricycles are the most-commonly-used transportation around the town. Usually, in the elevated part of Malabang, public transportation such as town ace and multi-cab are used. There are also public utility vans and jeepneys available to nearby cities and municipalities.
;Air Transport: Malabang Airport is the small airport of Malabang in the province of Lanao del Sur. It has IATA code MLP, GPS Code RPMM, an elevation of 27 ft, latitude 7.6172 and longitude 124.059. This airport is classified as a secondary airport, or a minor commercial airport, by the Philippine Air Transportation Office. Its runway is 4,265 ft long. Malabang Airport is the only airport in the province. As of 2015, no airlines serve this airport.
;Sea Transport: Malabang has only a small seaport. Daily coastal launches connect Malabang with Cotabato City, Maguindanao del Norte. Privately owned boats and rental boats are available for sea travel.
Medical Services
Dr. Serapio B. Montañer Memorial District Hospital or known to many as Mabul Hospital is the public hospital in Malabang, and is listed as a secondary hospital in the province. There are also several municipal private clinics in Malabang.
Telecommunications
The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company provides fixed line services. Wireless mobile communications services are provided by Smart Communications and Globe Telecommunications.
Education
Although listed as 4th class municipality, all levels of education are attainable in Malabang, a center of learning in the coastal area of Lanao del Sur. Multiple colleges are present, including the community branch of Mindanao State University. Arabic studies are also offered at all levels. Other notable secondary school in Malabang is Our Lady of Peace High School, a Catholic school and Malabang National High School
References
References
- "2025 Election Results:Malabang, Lanao Del Sur". GMA Network.
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