Agus River: The Source of Light to Mindanaons - Hydroelectric Energy

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When I was in grade school, I believed that the main source of electricity in Mindanao is only Maria Cristina Falls. I did not remember reading about Agus River in my history (Hekasi) book. Even today, only Maria Cristina Falls is emphasized.

I searched ''Agus River '' on Google. I looked at the images featured and watched some videos related to my search. I also read some articles about it, but I am not satisfied with the result. I haven’t written a feature article after I graduated in high school that I forgot how to write one, but I’ll do my best to make this worth reading.

Hopefully, you’ll continue reading and leave a comment if there’s something wrong with this writing or there’s something worthy you want to say.

Lanao del Sur - A Nature Blessed Province (feared by strangers)

Non-muslim and muslim student blending in at MSU - Main's golf course with an overview of Lake Lanao

To those who haven’t been in Lanao del Sur (or even Mindanao), they negatively judge the people of the place as “terrorists”. They presume the land of Mindanao is a chaotic island that must be avoided at all cost. Ignorance, that’s what it’s called or it can be arrogance too. Many people who live outside Mindanao see themselves as higher than Mindanaons. But it's not the issue here.

All I want is to share the beauty of the feared areas in Mindanao and how fear may ruin those places.

To be here filming it's beauty is a dream come true. The first time I passed this river was in 2012. I was riding a jeepney when I heard a raging sound of water. I rotated my body and head by around 90 degrees and saw the blue green water that sparkles as the sunlight reaches it.

Amazed by its beauty, I included it in my bucket list. I know it’s almost impossible to be checked because even my father who grew up in that place is afraid to be there. But my faith is strong.

Then, in 2019, my grandmother died (of a heart attack). She lived in Pantar, Lanao del Norte and her house is near to that location. Her death brought us to my father’s hometown. It’s a place he feared and avoided for decades.

My grandmother’s death and my sick grandfather gave him a reason to go back. His return brought back childhood memories that he shared happily.

Who would believe that the places where this river flows was once a peaceful home where people of different ethnicity lived happily and without discrimination to religion or tribe? Before martial law, Marawi City ( Mindanao State University) was considered a summer capital where even Chinese businessmen visited to trade and foreigners came to teach or to be educated according to him.

From Lake Lanao to Agus River to Maria Cristina Falls to Hydroelectric Plants, and to the Houses of Mindanaons

“The Agus River Basin is located in the regions of ARMM and Region X. According to DENR-RBCO, it has a drainage area of 1,645 square kilometres and an estimated 1,910 million cubic meter annual run-off, making it the 14th major river basin in the country.

Bounded by Iligan Bay in the north, Bukidnon province in the east, Maguindanao and North Cotabato provinces in the south, and Ilana Bay in the southwest, the river basin covers 29 municipalities from Lanao del Sur and 8 municipalities from Cotabato and Lanao del Norte. 

Agus River, the basin’s outlet, drains water from Lanao Lake traversing the municipalities of Saguiaran, Pantar, and Baloi down to Iligan Bay through Iligan City, travelling a total distance of 37 kilometres. Consisting of five major subwatersheds—Agus, Gata, Masiu, Ramain, and Taraka, the Agus River Basin has a total land area of 198,709 hectares (Portal, 2014). This river basin also feeds hydroelectric plants in Baloi, Lanao del Norte, and Iligan City which are the sources of electric power for the whole island of Mindanao (Lanao del Norte Government).” ©University of the Philippines and the Department of Science and Technology 2015

My Alma Mater's entrance gate (but there's no gate) 

The Bridge of Pantar/Saguiaran 

Shown in the first and last part of the video above (at the top most of this article) is the bridge that connects many Filipinos (mostly students) because it leads to the melting pot of the south, the Mindanao State University (MSU) - Main Campus.

They need attention, not degradation. The light we enjoy will be endangered if we continue fearing and stop helping. It will be hard to make changes, but with sincerity and determination, the pristine beauty of the gifts of nature will certainly return. We need cooperation.

Let us unite to sustain the light we use to make our future shine bright.

Touch Me (Not)