The urban barangay, subject to several attempts to be subdivided into smaller barangays in the past, has more residents than those of the municipalities of Malitbog (21,948), Sumilao (21,720), Dangcagan (21, 254) and Damulog (21, 183), according to the 2007 Population Census (Popcen).
But not for long.
Provincial board member Glenn Peduche, from Valencia City, said the Sangguniang Panlalawigan had approved last year the proposal to subdivide the barangay into four smaller barangays.
"It's now up to the city government to allot a budget for a referendum on whether the people want to subdivide it," Peduche told Newswatch in a telephone interview.
Peduche said the process involves the creation of three more barangays from the "mother" barangay.
Malaybalay's Brgy Casisang and Quezon town's poblacion barangay Kiokong follow as second and third highest in population with 18, 787 and 13, 627 people.
Malaybalay City's poblacion Brgy. 5, covering a commercial area, has the lowest population among Bukidnon's barangays at 224 people.
At least 57 percent of the people of Bukidnon or 679, 813 live in its two cities and five most populated towns — Quezon, Maramag, Manolo Fortich, Don Carlos and Talakag.
Quezon town, home of the Busco Sugar Milling Company, is the most populous town followed by Maramag and Manolo Fortich, touted as proposed capitals of the stalled subdivision of "Northern and Southern Bukidnon.”
About 40 percent or 39.9 percent live in the towns under the second congressional district, including the two cities. About 32.6 percent in the third district covering southern Bukidnon towns and 27.53 percent in the first district covering northwestern towns.
There was a proposal by 2nd Rep. Teofisto Guingona III, for the creation of another congressional district, which requires reconfiguration of towns and cities. The proposal is pending in Congress.
MindaNews reported earlier that Bukidnon, with a population of 1,190,284, is Mindanao's most populated province. (Walter I. Balane/MindaNews)
