Manolo Fortich is named after Don Manolo Fortich, a prominent resident of barrio Dalirig being the first Governor (1902-1914) of the District of Bukidnon.

The Original name of the municipality was Maluko (from April 4, 1917 to June 20, 1957) where the first seat of the municipal government was established.

In 1920, The municipality of Maluko was governed by Santiago Mambinosad who was appointed as Ascalde del Barrio from 1922 to 1924. It was during the term Ciriaco Asilan as Presidente del Barrio from 1926 to 1928, that the seat of government was transferred in Tankulan, which became the permanent seat of Municipal government

Mayor Mateo Gumaling was the first appointed mayor of Manolo Fortich and in 1940 Margarito Cabang became the first elected Mayor.

There are 3 major ethnic groups in Manolo Fortich and they are the Higa-onon, Talaandig and the Cebuano-Bohol ethnic groups. The latter were mostly migrants from Cebu and Bohol who came to work as agricultural laborers in the plantation and orchard farms of the highland plateau, about 55% of the residents are Higa-onons who are indigenous people in the area.

POPULATION & LANGUAGES / DIALECTS

As of 2002 survey, actual population of the municipality is recorded at 74,252. Manolo Fortich belongs to a very low-density area which is only about 3 persons per hectare. The urban population is confined in barangays Agusan Canyon, Damilag and Tankulan.

Cebuano-Visayan is the major dialect spoken. In the upland barangay plateau areas of Dahilayan, Guilang-guilang, Kalugmanan, Santiago and Ticala, the Higa-onon and Talaandig speak their local dialect called "binukid"

Manolo Fortich with a land area of 42,556 ha., is situated in the Northern part of the Province of Bukidnon. It is about 40 minutes away from the bustling commercial center of Cagayan de Oro City.

It is bounded in the north by Cagayan de Oro City. Misamis Oriental and the Municipality of Malitbog. In the east by the Municipality of Sumilao, in the west by the Municipality of Libona and Baungon and in the South by the rugged ranges of Mt. Kitanglad.

The climate is very ideal. It is classified as belonging to type IV or Intermediate. It is characterized by a moderate dry season with average rainfall of about 2,000 mm. Its temperature is relatively cool and humid making the place suitable for production of any kind of crops. Production of high valued crops, which include vegetables, cut flowers and ornamentals is a big potential in the area.