The city serves as a pilgrimage site for Divine Mercy devotees. It is also known by its former name Tagnipa, which residents still refer to up to this day.
History
During Spanish colonial era, a soldier named Alejandro Acusar sailed with his family from Bohol to the area what is now El Salvador to seek a new life. From a distance while sailing, they sighted a place and decided to dock. They found a place to have abundant nipa huts, in which they named it Taganipa, Tagnipa or Taguipa. Acusar and his small family had then established themselves through farming and fishing. A wave of migrants from Bohol later followed as well as settlers from Luzon, other parts of Visayas and neighboring areas surrounding Taganipa settled in the area following years later, establishing themselves as farmers and fisherfolks.
El Salvador was created from the barrios of El Salvador and Molugan with their sitios known as Sala, Sambulawan, Sinaloc, Lagtang, Talaba, Kalabaylabay and Hinigdaan, formerly part of Cagayan de Misamis, Misamis Oriental, in 1948.[5]
Etymology
The city's name means "the savior" in Spanish, pertaining that the city used to provide crops of corn and vegetables to the neighboring places struck by famine at some point in the city's history. Soon these places were saved through the continuous agricultural support, resulting in the town of Tagnipa to be renamed as El Salvador to the people's approval.
On June 27, 2007, the municipality of El Salvador becomes a city in the province of Misamis Oriental after ratification of Republic Act 9435.
The Supreme Court declared the cityhood law of El Salvador and 15 other cities unconstitutional after a petition filed by the League of Cities of the Philippines in its ruling on November 18, 2008. On December 22, 2009, the cityhood law of El Salvador and 15 other municipalities regain its status as cities again after the court reversed its ruling on November 18, 2008. On August 23, 2010, the court reinstated its ruling on November 18, 2008, causing El Salvador and the other 15 cities to become regular municipalities. Finally, on February 15, 2011, El Salvador became a city again, as well as the other 15 municipalities, upon the declaration that the conversion to cityhood met all legal requirements.
After six years of legal battle, in its board resolution, the League of Cities of the Philippines acknowledged and recognized the cityhood of El Salvador and 15 other cities.
El Salvador is politically subdivided into 15 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.
One forms the center of the city (poblacion) whereas the other 14 are in the outlying areas. Some of them are even several kilometers away from the center of the city.
Cebuano is the main language of El Salvador spoken by the majority, though Higaonon is the native language spoken by eponymous Higaonons who are indigenous inhabitants of El Salvador and the rest of Misamis Oriental. The city has also sizeable speakers of Bohol dialect of Cebuano. Tagalog/Filipino and English are also spoken and used for business, government affairs and in local academe. Other languages spoken in El Salvador are Subanon, Hiligaynon, Ilocano and Kapampangan.
With regards to financial institutions, Rural Bank of El Salvador and lending institutions such as FICCO, Oro Coop, M Lhuillier and others are accessible at office hours in this place.
Attractions
Divine Mercy Shrine, located in the Divine Mercy Hills, PSB-Ulaliman which is overlooking Macajalar Bay. The shrine has a 50-foot statue of the Divine Mercy Christ, the biggest in Asia. It serves as a pilgrimage site for the Divine Mercy devotees. As a pilgrimage and sacred site, visitors are not allowed to wear shorts and other revealing clothing. Those who do so will be forced to cover themselves with a blue cloth provided by the shrine administrators.
Burias Island, located just a few kilometers off the coast of Molugan or about 3 km west of the town of Opol. Not to be confused with the island of the same name, located northeast of Masbate in Bicol Region.
El Salvador Night Café and Market, is set up on Friday nights at Barangay Poblacion. Tagnipa-ons and visitors gather to have barbecue, enjoy the live band music, beer, and also the great bargains from the nearby Night Market
Our Lady of Snows Parish Church, newly constructed church located within the city.
Abaga & Sikiop Falls, Located in barangay San Francisco de Asis.
Tag-ilas Falls, Located in barangay Hinigdaan.
Tuburan Spring, Located in barangay Poblacion .
House of Pasalubong, Located in Zone 2, Barangay Poblacion
El Salvador city can be reached via plane through Laguindingan Airport, then about less than 10 minutes bus ride east. Like any other place the national highway snakes through it. Visitors and locals can go around the city by just hailing a "sikad-sikad" or motorboat, "jeepneys" or motorcycles to the outlying barangays.
Communication
PLDT and MISORTEL are among the major phone lines, also transmitters or "cell sites" for all major "telecom" providers like Globe, Smart and Dito are serviceable in this city. Internet access is also available. Internet cafes can be found in various places in within the city. Broadband service is also available.
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