Canlaon City – Negros Oriental

Canlaon City is located at the northern end of the province of Negros Oriental, Philippines. The latest census indicates that the population of the city is just about 50,000 people. The city covers an area of 170.93 square kilometers. The population density of the city is 300 people per square kilometer. The location of the city is 168 kilometers north of Dumaguete, which is a provincial capital. In 1942, when the Second World War was going on, the city was captured by Japan. The Japanese occupied the city until 1945, when the US and Philippines combined forces to drive them out.

Brief History of Canlaon City

Canlaon City was previously known as Sitio Mabigo, and it was named this way because of Bigo trees that abounded in the place. In 1946, Sitio Mabigo became a municipality and one year later, it became a city. Cebuano is the native language that is spoken there. Tagalog and English are languages used in government offices, schools and other institutions. Some people also speak the Hiligaynon language. The area features plains and rolling hills and sugar cane, corn and rice are some of the crops that are planted in the region. Fruits and vegetables are the main products of this city, and they are available at low prices. The city also exports agricultural products to neighboring islands and municipalities.

Getting to Canlaon City

Located in the Northern most of Negros Oriental, Canlaon is 171 km away from the capital which is Dumaguete City. There are two ways in getting to Canlaon.

One is by riding a bus and the other a v-hire (van for hire). The bus will take about 3 hours and 45 minutes  from Dumaguete and will cost nearly Php 250.00 for air conditioned buses and about Php 220.00 for regular non-air conditioned bus rides. The v-hire on the other hand will only take about 3 hours and 30 minutes from Dumaguete City and will cost around Php 230.00 for the ride.

Tourist Spots and Landmarks of Canlaon City

Canlaon Volcano is one of the tourist spots that you can find in Canlaon City. At 2,465 meters high, the peak is the highest in the region. One of the most popular landmarks in the location is The Oldest Tree, which is estimated to be over 1,000 years old. It takes 42 people to be able to embrace the whole tree trunk. Makawiliwili Ridge is a ridge that is located between two mountain peaks and it is almost 8,000 feet above the sea level. Scientists and climbers frequently use it as a vantage point to observe the craters of Canlaon Volcano.

There are many activities to do in this location, including hiking, trekking, mountain climbing and swimming. The city is a four hour drive from Dumaguete city and there are regular bus trips that depart from Dumaguete to Canlaon City.

Economic outlook of Canlaon City

Canlaon City is growing at a rapid rate because it is close to Mount Canlaon and other touristic attractions. This makes the place ideal to open a hotel, restaurant or a cafe for food and refreshments to serve the visiting tourists. A business that sells local memorabilia can also thrive here. The place is also ideal if a person would like to produce herbal plants and organic products to sale to the local population. Tourism facilities such as resorts can also thrive here. Another business opportunity is a small scale factory that can process foods or produce handicraft items and furniture.

Pasayaw Festival of Canlaon City

There are plenty of festivals and celebrations in Canlaon City, including the Pasayaw Festival celebrated around the 18th of March . This festival is held to thank and praise the almighty God. The Pasayaw Street Dancing and Parade has participants from twelve contingents and twelve barangays. The festival combines history, religious traditions and social cultural materials with the myth of two ill fated lovers, Kan and Laon, depicting the triumph over violence and death.

Public Schools in Canlaon City

Public Elementary Schools in Canlaon City

Public High Schools in Canlaon City

Useful Contacts Of Canlaon City

Canlaon City Hall: 0917 5606 317, or 09469592490
Canlaon City Tourism Head: Sergio Marcos P. Buenavista 0923 670 1995, 0917 556 4780

Canlaon Sanguniang Panlungsod: +63926 375 3748
Canlaon Office of the City Engineers: +63917 574 6298
City Planning Office: +63917 314 1456
City Budget Office: +63917 112 2771

Human Resource & Management Office: +63917 130 5558
City Treasurer’s Office: +63918 335 4392
Canlaon Accounting Office: +63977 856 0432
Canlaon Assessor Office:+63977 856 0913
City Social Welfare and Development (DSWD): +63917 854 3296
Department of Agricultures Office: +63907 398 6111

Canlaon District Hospital: +63908 296 5313
City Health Office: +63919 790 3866 & +63919 593 0479
Canlaon Fire Station: +63947 8967 269 or +63910 908 3805
Canlaon Police Hotline: +63917 6349 151
Canlaon Police Station Address: Barangay Mabigo Canlaon City Negros Oriental, Philippines

Webiste of Canlaon City