Munai

Munai, officially the Municipality of Munai (Maranao: Inged a Munai; Cebuano: Lungsod sa Munai; Tagalog: Bayan ng Munai), is a municipality in the province of Lanao del Norte, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 35,020 people.^[5]

Munai موناي‎
Municipality
Municipality of Munai
Flag Seal
Map of Lanao del Norte with Munai highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Munai Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 7°58′33″N 124°03′49″E
Country	Philippines
Region	Northern Mindanao
Province	Lanao del Norte
District	2nd district
Founded	August 17, 1917
Barangays	26 (see Barangays)
Government  [1]
• Type	Sangguniang Bayan
• Mayor	Racma D. Andamama
• Vice Mayor	Abdulazis A. Batingolo
• Representative	Sittie Amina Q. Dimaporo
• Municipal Council	Members Moamar L. Aninter Hanan M. Guyo Aiman D. Mutia Aslanie D. Acmad Puyat L. Macaan Jasmin M. Batalo Onda G. Sarip Jabbar L. Abbas
• Electorate	13,423 voters (2025)
Area [2]
• Total	197.50 km2 (76.26 sq mi)
Elevation	825 m (2,707 ft)
Highest elevation	1,531 m (5,023 ft)
Lowest elevation	515 m (1,690 ft)
Population  (2024 census)[3]
• Total	36,449
• Density	180/km2 (480/sq mi)
• Households	7,168
Economy
• Income class	4th municipal income class
• Poverty incidence	47.58 % (2021)[4]
• Revenue	₱ 198.2 million (2022)
• Assets	₱ 217.6 million (2022)
• Expenditure	₱ 163.4 million (2022)
• Liabilities	₱ 103.3 million (2022)
Service provider
• Electricity	Lanao del Norte Electric Cooperative (LANECO)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	9219
PSGC	1003514000
IDD : area code	+63 (0)63
Native languages	Maranao Cebuano Binukid Tagalog
Major religions	Islam
Website	www.munaildn.gov.ph

History

Before American colonization, Munai was formerly a part of the State of Unayan, Confederate States of Lanao based from ancient boundaries.^[6]

The municipality of Munai traces its name to the “foundation” or origin of the Four Federated Sultanates of Lanao (Pata Phangampong nga Ranao). These four divisions have very close kinship ties which the settler called "Munai" on August 17, 1917 by virtue of the commonwealth Act No.38, out of the Province of Misamis. It became a regular Province of Lanao del Norte on May 23, 1970 by virtue of the Commonwealth Act. It is a fourth class municipality with 26 barangays. It is situated in the hinter land of the Province of Lanao del Norte, 18 kilometer away from the national high way. The population is predominantly Maranao with Islam as the religion. Generally, farming is the means of livelihood of the people. Copra. Corn, rice are among the major crops and vegetables are produced in minor level. About 80 percent of the population are farmers, and approximately 20 percent are engaged in small scale business and less than 1 percentage work as government employees. Munai has untapped rivers and springs potential for tourism. The Ledupa river flows 100 meters underground in the mountainous area of Barangay Tambo. The Omnang spring has 5 spring sources with crystal clear water.

Geography

Geographically, Munai is bounded by the municipalities of Tangcal, Bacolod and Kauswagan on the north, Poona Piagapo on the east, Piagapo on the south, and Madalum on the west.

Barangays

Munai is politically subdivided into 26 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

• Bacayawan
• Balabacun
• Balintad
• Kadayonan
• Dalama
• Lindongan
• Lingco-an
• Lininding
• Lumba-Bayabao
• Madaya
• Maganding
• Matampay
• Old Poblacion
• North Cadulawan
• Panggao
• Pantao
• Pantao-A-Munai
• Pantaon
• Pindolonan
• Punong
• Ramain
• Sundiga-Munai
• Tagoranao
• Tambo (Town Proper)
• Tamparan (Mandaya)
• Taporog

Climate

Climate data for Munai, Lanao del Norte
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	28 (82)	28 (82)	29 (84)	31 (88)	30 (86)	29 (84)	29 (84)	30 (86)	30 (86)	29 (84)	27 (81)	27 (81)	29 (84)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	24 (75)	24 (75)	25 (77)	27 (81)	26 (79)	26 (79)	26 (79)	26 (79)	26 (79)	26 (79)	24 (75)	25 (77)	25 (78)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	31.49 (1.24)	88.5 (3.48)	44.56 (1.75)	226.58 (8.92)	715.93 (28.19)	522.73 (20.58)	213.35 (8.40)	139.05 (5.47)	296.09 (11.66)	161.73 (6.37)	254.7 (10.03)	257.6 (10.14)	2,952.31 (116.23)
Average rainy days	23	27	27	26	31	30	31	25	30	31	29	31	341
Source: World Weather Online[7]

Demographics

Population census of Munai

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1918	633	—
1939	1,073	+2.54%
1948	2,549	+10.09%
1960	3,882	+3.57%
1970	5,219	+3.00%
1975	10,985	+16.10%
1980	6,015	−11.34%
1990	12,006	+7.16%
1995	13,893	+2.77%
2000	15,972	+3.03%
2007	20,594	+3.57%
2010	27,600	+11.24%
2015	32,973	+3.45%
2020	35,020	+1.28%
2024	36,449	+0.96%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[8][9][10][11]

Religion

Location of mosques:

• Tambo (Poblacion), can accommodate 200 to 300 people
• Old Poblacion, Can accommodate 100 to 200 people

Economy

Poverty incidence of Munai

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 2000 65.14 2003 72.00 2006 42.50 2009 67.47 2012 65.18 2015 56.25 2018 36.34 2021 47.58 Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]

List of local products

• Corn, primary business for agriculture
• Rice farm (Basak in Maranao Term), primary business for agriculture
• Coconut, primary business for agriculture
• Abaca
• Lumber
• Livestock
• Falcata
• Banana
• Fish Pond

Government

Elected officials 2022 - 2025:

• Municipal Mayor: Racma Dansal Andamama
• Vice Mayor: Abdul Azis "Dante" M. Batingolo
• Sangguniang Bayan:
  • Muamar Aninter (1st)
  • Aiman Mutia (2nd)
  • Hanan Guyo (3rd)
  • Laboy Acmad (4th)
  • Jasmin Batalo (5th)
  • Puyat Macaan (6th)
  • Onda Sarip (7th)
  • Jabbar Abbas (8th)
• ABC President: Ikie Balabagan
• SK Federated President:
• SB Secretary: Mr. Junaid Mamailao

List of former mayors

During Martial Law:

• 1971 - 1972: Sultan Sandangan Amuntao Balowa
• 1972 - 1973: H. Malik / Baraguir Balabagan
• 1974 - 1976: H. Usman / Macaan T. Condalo

After People Power Revolution of 1986:

• unknown date: Pasinsong Obinay Daco (appointed)
• 1986 - 1989: Danny Alinog (appointed)
• 1989 - 1992: Danny Alinog (elected)
• 1992 - 1995: Tawantawan Mamantar Cauntongan
• 1995 - 1998: Tawantawan Mamantar Cauntongan
• 1998 - 2001: Casan Maquiling
• 2001 - 2004: Casan Maquiling
• 2004 - 2007: Casan Maquiling
• 2007 - 2010: Muammar Maquiling
• 2010 - 2013: Muammar Maquiling
• 2013 - 2016: Muammar Maquiling
• 2016 - 2019: Casan Maquiling
• 2019 - 2022: Racma Dansal Andamama
• 2022 - 2025: Racma Dansal Andamama

List of former vice mayors

Vice mayors after People Power Revolution 1986:

• 1987 - 1989: OIC
• 1989 - 1992: Odek Loksadatu Balabagan
• 1992 - 1995: Odek Loksadatu Balabagan
• 1995 - 1998: Odek Loksadatu Balabagan
• 1998 - 2001: H.Hanifa A. Balabagan
• 2001 - 2004: H.Hanifa A. Balabagan
• 2004 - 2007: Carisa Domrang
• 2007 - 2010: Carisa Domrang
• 2010 - 2013: Carisa Domrang
• 2013 - 2016: Ikie L. Balabagan
• 2016 - 2019: Ikie L. Balabagan
• 2019 - 2022: Abdul Azis M. Batingolo
• 2022 - 2025: Abdul Azis M. Batingolo

Education

• Balabacon Primary School
• Balintad Primary School
• Cadayonan Primary School
• Cadulawan Primary School
• Lininding Elementary School
• Matampay Primary School
• Munai Central Elementary School
• Pendolonan Elementary School
• Punong Primary School
• Ramain Primary School
• Tambo Elementary School
• Tamparan Primary School
• Taporog Primary School
• Munai National High School
• Sundiga-Munai Primary School
• Panggao Cluster Elementary School