1. Location and Geographical Features
The municipality of Molave is located in the eastern part of the Province of Zamboanga del Sur. The boundaries and limits of the territory of Molave based on R.A. 286 in 1948 are as follows: on the north by latitude 8 degrees and 20 minutes, adjoining the municipality of Katipunan, Dipolog and Dapitan; on the east by the Misamis Occidental- Zamboanga del Sur boundary; on the south by latitude 8 degrees 00 minutes adjoining the municipality of Aurora, Margosatubig and Pagadian; on the west by the latitude 123 degrees and 10 minutes adjoining the municipalities of Sindangan, Labason and Kabasalan. Then on June 14, 1949, Republic Act 377 which establishes the present Location, boundaries and limits of territories of the municipality was defined as follows: “starting from a point in the intersection of latitude 8 degrees 4 min. 00 sec. North and longitude 123 deg. 10 min. 00 sec. East going in a straight line eastward to the provincial boundary line of Zamboanga del Sur – Misamis Occidental, thence northward along the same provincial boundary up to the line defined by latitude 8 degrees 20 minutes 00 sec. north until it intersects the longitude 123 degrees 10 minutes 00 sec. east thence, southward in the line down to the starting point.”
2. Distance to Nearest Major Center
or Provincial Capital
Molave is 37.94 kilometers away from Pagadian City, the provincial capital of Zamboanga del Sur using the PADAP road; and approximately 58 kilometers away from Ozamis City. The municipality is bounded by the neighboring municipalities of Josefina in the north; in the northwest side adjoining the municipalities of Mahayag and Dumingag, Tambulig in the East, covering the principal boundary line of Zamboanga del Sur – Misamis Occidental; Ramon Magsaysay and Aurora in the southern part and adjoining the municipalities of Don Mariano Marcos or Sominot and Midsalip in the southwest.
3. Political Subdivision
Molave is a 1st class municipality which is composed of twenty five barangays. Three barangays are within the poblacion area namely barangay Madasigon, Makuguihon and Maloloy-on. Similarly, these barangays are considered as built-up areas. Likewise, portion of Barangay Blancia and Barangay Culo are considered built-up areas of the municipality (Table 1)
List of Barangays and its Creation
|
Barangay |
Date of Creation |
Basis of
Creation |
No. of Puroks | |
| 1 | Alicia | Existed in 1953 | 4 | |
| 2 | Bag-ong Argao | June 16, 1948 | R.A. 286 | 7 |
| 3 | Bag-ong Ariosa | Oct. 10, 1955 | 4 | |
| 4 | Blancia | June 14, 1949 | R.A. 377 | 5 |
| 5 | Fertig
Bogo Capalaran |
June 16, 1948
March 1, 1955 |
Mun. Res. #35 | 3 |
| 6 | Culo | June 17, 1968 | Mun. Res. #48 | 17 |
| 7 | Dalaon | June 14, 1949 | R.A. 286 | 6 |
| 8 | Lower Dimalinao | June 14, 1949 | R.A. 377 | 3 |
| 9 | Lower Dimorok
Pablo Bahinting, Sr. |
June 14, 1949
April 29, 1999 |
RA 377
Mun. Ordinance #34 |
4 |
| 10 | Dipolo | June 14, 1949 | R.A. 377 | 8 |
| 11 | Dontulan | Existed in 1951 | 4 | |
| 12 | Gonosan | June 14, 1949 | R.A. 377 | 6 |
| 13 | Bag-ong Gutlang | Existed in 1962 | 3 | |
| 14 | Mabuhay | June 16, 1948 | R.A. 286 | 4 |
| 15 | Madasigon | June 2, 1958 | R.A. 1408 thru Mun.Res. #42 | 5 |
| 16 | Makuguihon | June 2, 1958 | R.A. 1408 thru Mun.Res. #42 | 3 |
| 17 | Maloloy-on | June 2, 1958 | R.A. 1408 | 6 |
| 18 | Miligan | June 14, 1949 | R.A. 377 | 7 |
| 19 | Parasan | June 14, 1948 | R.A. 286 | 6 |
| 20 | Rizal | June 16, 1948 | R.A. 286 | 6 |
| 21 | Sto. Rosario | Existed in 1950 | 3 | |
| 22 | Silangit | Existed in 1956 | 4 | |
| 23 | Simata | June 14, 1949 | R.A. 377 | 3 |
| 24 | Sudlon | June 14, 1949 | R.A. 377 | 5 |
| 25 | Upper Dimorok | June 14, 1949 | R.A. 377 | 7 |
Source: 2007 Census of Population, NSO
4. Topography
4.1 Slope
Molave is typified by flat to gentle sloping terrain on the southern and central sections and moderate to very steep sloping topography towards the north. About 56.8% (12,318.0 has.) of the municipality’s land area is categorized as level to undulating (0-18% slope) (Map 17). The remaining 43.2% (9,367.0 has.) has rolling to very steep slopes (Table 6 and Map 5, 6).
Table 6. Slope Classification
| Slope Range | Slope Categories | Area (ha.) | Percent |
| 0% – 18% | Level to Undulating | 12,318.0 | 56.8% |
| 18% – 30% | Rolling to Hilly | 3,250.0 | 15.0% |
| 30% – 50% | Mountainous | 2,997.0 | 13.8% |
| Above 50% | Very Steep | 3120.0 | 14.4% |
| Total | 21,685.0 | 100.0% |
5. Geology
- Soils
Molave is generally rich in terms of natural resources. Land is fertile and suitable to different kinds of agricultural products such as rice, corn, coconuts as the major products. Commercial crops are also abundant in the area such as cassava, camote and other root crops. All these agricultural graces make Molave an emerging catalyst to the fast paced development in the entire Zamboanga del Sur and even in Region IX. There are four (4) types of soil common in the various parts of Molave. In the lowland areas and some of the upper barangays, type of soil is San Miguel silt-loam type and Bolinao clay loam. This type is described as very good land for cultivation and requires only simple but good farm management practices. Adtuyon clay loam is found in the upland areas and mountainous places. This type of soil can be used for grazing and it is best suited to diversified crops like corn, cassava, etc. and other major soil Component which is the La Castillana Luisina Jasaan Complex which is usually found in the upland barangays (Map 7).
- Land Forms
- Fault Line
6. Land Resource
- Land Area
The municipality of Molave has a total land area of 21,685 hectares constituting about 0.02% of the total land area of the province which is 829,046 hectares (Map 15). Of the total area of Molave, 21,563 hectares or 99.44% are rural and only a minimal of 0.56% or 122 hectares are urban. The municipality is also richly endowed with abundant water resources more than adequate to supply the region’s requirement for irrigation, domestic and industrial uses. These are Diwan River, Gonosan Creek, Diolen, Balanan, Panagaan, Dimorok, Simata, Silangit and Ariosa Creeks.
Of the total municipal land area approximately 10,389.92 hectares are contested area between the province of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur.
Table 5. List of Barangays and its Creation
|
Barangay |
Land Area (in has.) |
Date of Creation |
Basis of
Creation |
No. of Puroks | |
| 1 | Alicia | 1,246 | Existed in 1953 | 4 | |
| 2 | Bag-ong Argao | 1,001 | June 16, 1948 | R.A. 286 | 7 |
| 3 | Bag-ong Ariosa | 1,085 | Oct. 10, 1955 | 4 | |
| 4 | Blancia | 836 | June 14, 1949 | R.A. 377 | 5 |
| 5 | Fertig
Bogo Capalaran |
739
|
June 16, 1948
March 1, 1955 |
Mun. Res. #35 |
3 |
| 6 | Culo | 891 | June 17, 1968 | Mun. Res. #48 | 17 |
| 7 | Dalaon | 1,112 | June 14, 1949 | R.A. 286 | 6 |
| 8 | Lower Dimalinao | 787 | June 14, 1949 | R.A. 377 | 3 |
| 9 | Lower Dimorok
Pablo Bahinting, Sr. |
1,284 |
June 14, 1949
April 29, 1999 |
RA 377
Mun. Ordinance #34 |
4 |
| 10 | Dipolo | 1,082 | June 14, 1949 | R.A. 377 | 8 |
| 11 | Dontulan | 821 | Existed in 1951 | 4 | |
| 12 | Gonosan | 1,375 | June 14, 1949 | R.A. 377 | 6 |
| 13 | Bag-ong Gutlang | 1,440 | Existed in 1962 | 3 | |
| 14 | Mabuhay | 925 | June 16, 1948 | R.A. 286 | 4 |
| 15 | Madasigon |
48.0 |
June 2, 1958 | R.A. 1408 thru Mun.Res. #42 | 5 |
| 16 | Makuguihon |
48.0 |
June 2, 1958 | R.A. 1408 thru Mun.Res. #42 | 3 |
| 17 | Maloloy-on | 26.0 | June 2, 1958 | R.A. 1408 | 6 |
| 18 | Miligan | 1,034 | June 14, 1949 | R.A. 377 | 7 |
| 19 | Parasan | 863 | June 14, 1948 | R.A. 286 | 6 |
| 20 | Rizal | 440 | June 16, 1948 | R.A. 286 | 6 |
| 21 | Sto. Rosario | 696 | Existed in 1950 | 3 | |
| 22 | Silangit | 671 | Existed in 1956 | 4 | |
| 23 | Simata | 1,317 | June 14, 1949 | R.A. 377 | 3 |
| 24 | Sudlon | 881 | June 14, 1949 | R.A. 377 | 5 |
| 25 | Upper Dimorok | 1,037 | June 14, 1949 | R.A. 377 | 7 |
Source: 2007 Census of Population, NSO
- Land Classification
Of the total land area of the municipality, seventy five percent (75%) or 16,170.0 hectares of the municipality’s land area is classified as Alienable and Disposable lands; 5,515.0 hectares or 25% classified as timber land or forest land. Molave is endowed with abundant natural resources, most particularly its rich agricultural land which is currently the source of economic and livelihood opportunities for residents. Vegetation is also abundant characterized by the abundance of grasses and shrubs which provide food support to grazing animals. Excellent air and water quality surrounds the municipality since it is still mostly rural and pollution is not yet a problem (Map 4).
- Existing General Land Use
7. Climate and Rainfall
- Climate
The climate of the municipality as shown in the climatologic map of PAG-ASA is classified as belonging to Type IV with no distinct dry or wet season which is suitable to crop cultivation. Rainfall was distributed throughout the year. Regular rain comes and occurs during the month of June to November but the peak rainy months are June, July, August, September and October. The area has a fairly warm temperature having an average temperature of 29.7 degrees centigrade (Figure 3).
- Rainfall
Based on the Climate Classification Map of Mindanao which is adapted from PAGASA, Molave, like Aurora and adjacent municipalities, are classified as Type IV where these areas have no pronounced maximum rain period and have encountered no dry season. Rainfall is evenly distributed all year round. The computed climatoligal normals on a monthly average for three consecutive 10-year periods (1971-2000) show the average annual rainfall is approximately 1,216.10 mm with an average of 130 rainy days per year. The highest precipitation occurs in the months of June to November.
- Atmospheric Temperature
The temperature is relatively warm and constant throughout the year ranging from 20 degrees Celsius as minimum (night) to 33.69 degrees Celsius as maximum. It can be noted that there is very little variations in temperature in the locality in the months of February and March tending to have temperature 1 degree Celsius warmer than the rest of the year. Tropical cyclones are rarely experienced.
8. Freshwater Resources
- Surface Run-off
- Groundwater Resources
9. Natural Hazards/Constraints
The Municipality of Molave is prone to several geohazards particularly fluvial hazards such as flooding, scouring, lateral erosion mass movement (earthflow, debris flow, slump).
The municipality’s vulnerability to disaster related hazards is primarily influenced by its location and geographic landscape – that of being situated along the two major rivers, the Salug Daku and Salug Diut. Fortunately, the Municipality of Molave, have not experienced any major natural disaster that wrought serious and fatal havoc on the lives and properties of its population.
- Flooding
The presence of Salug Diut and Dipolo Rivers within the municipality regularly inundated the 14 low-lying barangays of the municipality. Flooding usually occur during the rainy season on the 3rd and 4th quarters of the year where precipitations are generally high. Extreme cases of heavy and incessant rainfall in the past had inundated these barangays, and as per account of the residents where as high as 1.5 meters level of floodwater from the present ground level of the well-paved provincial road in the poblacion. The commercial/business hub of the municipality is also not spared from being submerged from floodwater in the past (Map 11).
- Landslide
Landslide is a movement of the ground that usually occurs on a slope or edge of a mountain cliff. When a landslide occurs, falling rocks, debris and land can change the landscape and wipe out things that bar its way.
Assessment made by MGB-9 conducted in different barangays located on the topographic highs of Molave such as Dontulan, Gonosan, Lower Dimorok, Bag-ong Argao, Upper Dimorok, Alicia, Simata, Silangit, Bag-ong Gutlang, Bag-ong Ariosa, and Sto. Rosario reveals that these areas are relatively safe from any direct threat of mass movement, except along road cuts that have steep walls/shoulders made up of thick regoliths as the results of the intense weathering of volcanics. Evidence of minor landslides is observed along one of the portions of the barangay road of Barangay Simata. Mass movement is still susceptible in areas characterized by sloping grounds such as along the slopes of the hills. Aside from the slope factor, these areas have thick unconsolidated deposits of highly weathered volcanic that are readily transported in the form of landslides in the event of very extreme case of heavy and incessant rainfall (triggering mechanism), which fortunately these areas have not encountered yet (Map 12).
- River Bank Scouring/Siltation
- Seismic Zones