PHYSICAL SETTING

Location

Tukuran is bounded on the south by Illana Bay, on the west by the province of Lanao del Sur; on the north by the municipality of Aurora, on the northwest by the municipalities of Midsalip and Sominot, and on the southwest by the municipality of Labangan. Specifically, the municipality as defined in Executive Order No. 323, has the following boundaries.

Beginning at point 1 north of Bayao Creek, following its upstream course to point 2, a distance of 2,900 meter hence to point 3, W51-00 W a distance of 6,500 meter hence to point 4, N69-00W a distance of 10,500 meter hence due cast to point 5 intersection of Tukuran and lot 8-00W a distance of 3,700 meter hence the following the downstream course of Tukuran river. To point 6 junction of Alegria Creek and Tukuran river, a distance of about 16,100 meter, hence to point 7 in a direction until it intersects the Aurora Pagadian National Road at 142 km. a distance of 3,700 meter, hence to point 8.523 – OO E until it intersects the political boundary of the Province of Zamboanga del Sur and Lanao a distance of 5,400 meter, hence the following the said political boundary in a Southwesterly direction to the shoreline back to point 1 South of Bayao Creek”. ^[1]

Land Area

The municipality of Tukuran has a total land area of almost 13,925.5584 km., which is divided into twenty-five barangays. This number is based on the cadastral record (CAD 1132-D) of the land Management Bureau, DENR. This number reflects a decrease in the size of the municipality from its original 21,459 hectares in 1982 due to the exclusion of Barangay Bag-ong Baroy, and Pictoran, that are now under the newly created Municipality of Suminot. The twenty-five barangays under the jurisdiction of the municipality of Tukuran.[2] are the following:

1. San Carlos 15. Manlayag

2. Santo Niño 16. Militar

3. Alindahaw 17. Navalan

4. Baclay 18. Panduma Sr.

5. Balimbingan 19. Sambulawan

6. Lower Bayao 20. San Antonio

7. Buenasuerte 21. Santo Rosario

8. Camanga 22. Sugod

9. Upper Bayao 23. Tabuan

10. Curvada 24. Tagulo

11. Laperian 25. Tinotongan

12. Libertad

13. Luy-a

14. Man-ilan

Topography

Tukuran is characterized by a mixed topography. It has a terrain ranging from level ground to undulating hills, to steep mountains. Specifically, the southern portion of the municipality, with barangays in and around the Poblacion has sea level to gently sloping areas. These areas have slope from 1-8%. On the other hand, the portion north and northeast of Tukuran are covered with hills and mountains, which are generally forest and open grassland. These are the areas between Tukuran and the municipality of Aurora and the northeastern portion between the municipality and the province of Lanao del Norte. The slope ranges from 15 to 50%. Water from these steep slopes is drained into wide Tukuran and Bayao rivers, which serve as Natural Avenue for drainage of excess run off.[3]

Climate

The climate of Tukuran is classified as type IV, meaning with no distinct wet or dry season, which is favorable to the cultivation of crops. Heavy rain occurs in July and August and gradually declines from September to January. Average annual rainfall for the municipality is 183 mms.

Temperature is warm throughout the year due to lack of dry season. The relative humidity from January to May is 80% from June to December. Prevailing wind direction is southwesterly. The wind experiences in the area are merely results of depression and monsoon winds.[4]

Slope

The slope of the land is one of the factors considered in determining the suitability of lands for urban development as well as its capability for agricultural cultivation. Approximately 55% of the total land area has a slope of more than 25%. These areas are strongly sloping to mountainous. Mostly situated near the boundaries between Aurora on the north and the Lanao del Norte on the northeast. Due to its soil characteristics these are presently being reforested by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Some portions are left as open grassland. Slope of 0.5% cover almost 16% of the land area. Currently planted with diversified crops like palay, corn, legumes, and vegetables. Mostly located around the Poblacion areas are barangay Panduma Sr., Militar, Curvada, Upper Bayao, Lower Bayao and Luy-a.[5]

Portions of Bagong-Baroy, Buenasuerte, Man-ilan, and Upper Bayao, have undulating to strongly sloping lands with a slope of 15 to 25%. These areas are open grasslands and patches of these are planted with diversified crops.[6]

Soil Types

Knowledge of the basic soil types and its characteristics existing in an area is necessary in the selection for the best use of the land.

Records of the soil division. Department of Agriculture showed that the soil of Tukuran are divided in the following soil types:[7]

1. Hydro-soil – is suitable for aqua-culture e.g. fishpond and fish culture

2. San Miguel Clay Loam – is suitable for the cultivation of rice, legumes and other diversified crops.

3. Buayan Silt Loam – is suitable for the cultivation of rice, corn and vegetables.

4. Camansa Silt Loam – is suitable for the cultivation of upland rice, corn, coconut and root crops since this type of soil is situated on steep to very steep slopes.

5. Bolinao Clay – is suitable for raising upland rice, corn, and coconuts. These types of soil are located on the northern slopes between Tukuran and the municipality of Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur.

Population

The 1995 Mid-decade Population count of the Municipality showed that the town has the total population of 30,608. This number registers an increase of 4,300 people over the 1990 population count of 26.308 or an annual growth rate of 2.62%. Population increase is attributed to the provincial center (Pagadian City) plus the high potential of the area of development Tukuran is composed largely of young people. Almost fifty-one percent (51%) of the total population belongs to 0-17 year age bracket. Males out number the females by more than one percent (1.30%). People from the outlaying barangay tend to flock towards the Poblacion area, Barangay San Carlos, Santo Niño, Panduma Sr. and Alindahaw, since most of the social amenities and economic opportunities are found within these areas. In 1995, as recorded in the NSO (National Statistics Office) the Barangays of Lower Bayao, Militar, Tabuan, and Camanga experienced a marked increase in their gross density. This was due to the induction of development in the rural areas.⁷

Education and Literacy Rate

The total population within the school age bracket represents more than thirty-three percent (33.35) as of 1995 municipality population. Elementary grade age level represents more than (49.35%) of the total school age population of the secondary age grade level (27.06%) and tertiary educational age level approximately 23.59%.

Literacy is defined as the condition or quality of being literate especially the ability to read and write. A detailed analysis of the literacy status of the population 7 years old and above indicate that almost 62.54% have at least an elementary grade education (21.31%) have reached high school and 5.24% have attained college education. The academic degree holder comprises only 3.35%.⁸

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[1] Cabrales, Rogelio. Municipality Comprehensive Development Plan 1996-2006. Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur. p12-14.

[2] Ibid., pp14-16.

[3] Ibid.,pp16-17.

[4] Ibid.,pp17-18.

[5] Ibid., pp19-21.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Ibid., pp22-25.