
Next to Toledo City and just before Aloguinsan, there lies a municipality that’s called Pinamungahan. This mid-western Cebu province was established in 1815. It has a population of almost 60, 000 people, as according to a 2010 census, and its current mayor is Mayor Glenn Baricuatro, the former chief of staff of the former congressman, Pablo John Garcia, and the former head of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources.
Pinamungahan or Pinamungajan is mostly agricultural, but now it’s working to become Cebu midwest’s agro-industrial center. The place’s main source of income is fishing; aside from this, the town is Cebu’s primary source of labor force, particularly in the field of masonry and carpentry.
The municipality has a total of 26 barangays, namely:
- Anislag
- Anopog
- Binabag
- Buhingtubig
- Busay
- Butong
- Cabiangon
- Camugao
- Duangan
- Guimbawian
- Lamac
- Lut-od
- Mangoto
- Opao
- Pandacan
- Poblacion
- Punod
- Rizal
- Sacsac
- Sambagon
- Sibago
- Tajao
- Tangub
- Tanibag
- Tupas
- Tutay
Pinamungahan’s main attractions are the following:
Hidden Valley Mountain Resort
Previously featured in everythingcebu, Hidden Valley Mountain Resort is a private mountain resort that is owned and managed by the Lamac Multipurpose Cooperative (LMPC). The place boasts several swimming pools, outdoor adventure facilities, comfortable dormitory rooms, and a peaceful and quiet retreat house ideal for Holy Week recollections and other religious activities. For more info on getting to the resort as well as its rates and other vital details, check out our previous post or contact (032) 516-0450.
Camangon Cave
From the name itself (the root Cebuano word “camang” or “kamang” means “to crawl”), you would literally have a thrilling crawling experience inside this cave. Before you can see a wide range of diamond-like stalactites and stalagmites, you need to crawl about 6 feet on the cave’s entrance. The not-so-easy entrance will all be worth it though the moment you see the various rock formations inside that are huge and glittery! Aside from the awesome stalactites and stalagmites, you will also be able to end your caving journey with a refreshing swim in Pinamungahan’s Sinungkulan Falls. These natural attractions are still found in Lamac, and you can easily go to their Barangay Tourism Office near the Hidden Valley Mountain Resort to hire a tour guide for 200 pesos per head, a helmet for 50 pesos, and a barangay fee of 20 pesos per head (rates as of 2013).
Campalabo Islet
Another pride of Cebu’s mid-western municipality is the white, inviting sandbar called Campalabo. The Campalabo Islet is located in Barangay Tajao and can be conveniently reached via a 20-minute boat ride (with 100 pesos parking fee for large boats and 50 pesos for average-sized motorized boats). It is well protected by the Bantay Dagat group of Pinamungahan and features a great view of Mt Kanlaon in Negros and the vast Tañon Strait that’s filled with playful dolphins. Locals say the best time to be here is during summer when the tide is low and a big part of the sandbar is exposed, giving you the chance to swim leisurely on and take pictures with its white sands.
To get to Pinamungahan, go to Cebu South Bus Terminal and ride a bus that’s bound for Toledo. Travel time is around 2 hours and fare for a non-aircon bus is 40 pesos (fare rate as of 2013). If you wish to travel there by your own car, you may take the Naga-Uling route or the Carcar-Barili route.