Townapedia
Initao municipal Hall
Initao municipal Hall · Finejob, CC BY-SA 3.0
Lasang
Lasang · Finejob, CC BY-SA 3.0
UDDT-ecosan toilets at a highschool in Misamis Oriental (Philippines) (3344851417)
UDDT-ecosan toilets at a highschool in Misamis Oriental (Philippines) (3344851417) · SuSanA Secretariat, CC BY 2.0
ISS066-E-68955 - View of Earth
ISS066-E-68955 - View of Earth · Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B...., Public domain
ISS029-E-33255 - View of Earth
ISS029-E-33255 - View of Earth · Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B...., Public domain
Arboloo in a rural area of Misamis Oriental (Mindanao, Philippines) (3344852021)
Arboloo in a rural area of Misamis Oriental (Mindanao, Philippines) (3344852021) · SuSanA Secretariat, CC BY 2.0

Initao, Philippines

Initao is a town of 9,922 people in Northern Mindanao, Philippines.

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Population9,922 GeoNames
Elevation51 m 167 ft
Time zoneAsia/Manila
Land area111.3 km²
Nearest airportLaguindingan Airport (CGY) 21 km

Why visit Initao

Townapedia lists 1 museum or landmark, 4 parks and trails, 20 places to eat, 2 places to stay and 1 attraction in and around town.

Highlights include Initao–Libertad Protected Landscape and Seascape and Initao-Libertad Protected Landscape and Seascape.

About Initao

Initao, officially the Municipality of Initao (Cebuano: Lungsod sa Initao; Tagalog: Bayan ng Initao), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Misamis Oriental, Philippines based on the new reclassification of Department of Finance DOF-DO-074.2024 (Annex A Page 27). According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 34,445 people.

From the Wikipedia article Initao (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Things to do1

Mount Initao

Scenic view · 6.3 km

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Museums and landmarks1

Tangke swimming pool

Monument and historic site · 1.0 km

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Parks, trails and playgrounds4

Initao–Libertad Protected Landscape and Seascape

Park · 5.1 km

Protected area in the Philippines

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Initao-Libertad Protected Landscape and Seascape

Hiking and trails · 5.8 km

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Naawan Park

Park · 7.4 km

Naawan Public Park

Butuan-Cagayan de Oro-Iligan Road, Naawan

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Initao Tennis Court BLISS

Park · 1.3 km

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Restaurants and cafes20

Echavez Kichenette

Restaurant · Regional · 3.6 km

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Lasang Adventure

Restaurant · 5.2 km

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Lens Kinilaw

Restaurant · Regional · 7.0 km

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Midway Kichenette

Restaurant · Seafood · 3.6 km

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Poblete

Restaurant · Asian

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Alfons

Bakery

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Basic need

Bakery

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Big J's

Bakery

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Dizon

Restaurant

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Kusina ni Azon

Restaurant · 7.7 km

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Lagas

Bar and pub

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Oguis lechon manok

Restaurant

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8 more on the map.

History

Based on the research report submitted by L.M. Neri, A.M.M. Ragrario, E.C.R. Robles, and A.J. Carlos, the original settlers of Initao were the Bukidnons. They were described as warlike and aggressive and ready to sacrifice their lives in defending their territory. It is said that the early community in Initao was ruled by three (3) brothers named Datu Hukom, Datu Tamparong, and Datu Pulagoyan, who had to protect early settlers in Initao against Moro invasions in the sixteenth century.

Because of the frequent threat by the Moro pirates, the people of Initao became war-like. They were considered to be hot-blooded or hot-tempered, fearless fighters. Hence, the word Initao comes from the word init which means “hot” and tao which means “people.” They were people perpetually prepared to fight their enemy to defend their territory and community. Legend also has it that the Moro raiders were defeated, the people planted bamboo along the Initao River as a symbol of peace and truce among them.

The word Initao, originally spelled by the Spaniards as Ynitao, was mentioned on August 6, 1838, in the inventory of livestock, fruits, exotic and cereal plants in the Provincia de Misamis (Ereccion de Pueblos, Misamis 1808–1839). In May 1858, Ynitao was headed by Gobernadorcillo Francisco Antonio and succeeded by Gobernadorcillo Abariano Caburratan in 1894.

From the History section of Initao on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where to stay2

Churches and places of worship12

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Shopping4

Gas and EV charging6

Schools, colleges and libraries38

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Healthcare5

Map of Initao

93 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.

Getting there and nearby towns

Laguindingan Airport (CGY) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 21 km away.

Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.

Reviews, tips and questions

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Sources and licences

Photo credits

Page built November 7, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.