Pagadian

Pagadian
Component City
City of Pagadian

F.S. Pajares Ave. in Pagadian City, showing the view of Illana Bay in the background

Seal
Nickname(s): Little Hongkong of the South;[1]
Motto: Asenso Pagadian!

Map of Zamboanga del Sur with Pagadian highlighted
Pagadian

Location within the Philippines

Coordinates: 7°50′N 123°26′E / 7.83°N 123.43°E / 7.83; 123.43Coordinates: 7°50′N 123°26′E / 7.83°N 123.43°E / 7.83; 123.43
Country Philippines
Region Zamboanga Peninsula (Region IX)
Province Zamboanga del Sur
Legislative district 1st District of Zamboanga del Sur
Chartered March 23, 1937
Cityhood June 21, 1969
Barangays 54
Government[2]
 • Type City Legislative Council
 • Congress Woman Divina Grace Yu(NPC)
 • Mayor Romeo Pulmones (LP)
 • Vice-mayor Ernesto Mondarte (LP)
Area[3]
 • Total 378.8 km2 (146.3 sq mi)
Elevation 100 m (300 ft)
Highest elevation (Mount Palpalan) 208 m (682 ft)
Population (2015 census)[4]
 • Total 199,060
 • Density 530/km2 (1,400/sq mi)
 • Language(s) Cebuano, Filipino, English, Hiligaynon, Subanen, Ilokano, Iranun, Maguindanao, Tausug, Samal, Zamboangueño
Demonym(s) Pagadianon
Time zone PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code[5] 7016
Dialing code +63 (0)62
Episcopal polity Diocese of Pagadian
Patron Saint Sto. Niño de Cebu
Website www.pagadian.gov.ph

Pagadian, officially the City of Pagadian (Filipino: Lungsod ng Pagadian), is located in Mindanao, Philippines. It is the capital of the province of Zamboanga del Sur[6] and the regional center of Zamboanga Peninsula. Pagadian City is the second largest city in the region, after the independent city of Zamboanga.

With its beginnings as a stop-over for traders who ply the road between the old Spanish fort-town of Zamboanga on the southwestern tip of the Zamboanga peninsula and other bigger towns to the north of the old Zamboanga Province and apart from its sheltered bay and good fishing grounds, it was not a place where anyone imagined that a city would be founded on it as it is situated on steeply rolling terrain. In the course of its local history, waves of different kinds of people came to stay and eventually called among themselves "Pagadianons."

The iconic symbol of Pagadian is its uniquely designed tricycle built to adopt to the city's hilly terrain. It is the only place in the Philippines with a public transport inclined at about 25-40° angle.[7][8][9]

Geography

Pagadian City view from the Rotonda

Pagadian is on the northeastern side of the Western Mindanao region, bordering on Illana Bay. It is bounded by the municipalities of Tigbao and Dumalinao on the southwest, Lakewood on the west, Labangan on the east and northwest, and Midsalip on the north.

About 45% of the total city area is steeply sloping terrain of hills and mountains on the northwestern portion that covers an estimated 15,090 hectares. Mt. Palpalan, Mt. Timolan, Mt. Pinokis, and Mt. Sugar Loaf are the four tallest peaks. Areas in the direct north and central part, have gentle to moderate slopes, making up 47% of the total. The remaining 8% is level or nearly level which makes up most of the eastern and the southern parts of the city. The urban area covers about 845.48 hectares. Elevation of the urban area of the city ranges from 1 MSL (mean sea level) near Pagadian Bay to about 100 MSL in the area of Barangay San Jose.

The Tiguma, Bulatoc, Gatas, and Balangasan Rivers, drain to Pagadian Bay and serve as natural drainage. Due to its topography, most of the city's 54 barangays do not experience flooding. The low-lying southern and eastern part of the city sometimes experience flooding, most especially during heavy rains.

Climate

Located within the tropics of the northern hemisphere, Pagadian has a pronounced dry season from January to March and rainy season from April to December. The area is generally not affected by tropical storms and typhoons as it is located outside the Philippine Typhoon Belt. Temperature ranges from 22.2 to 32.9 °C (72.0 to 91.2 °F). The prevailing winds are the southwest wind that blow from over the sea during dry seasons going northeast, and the trade winds brought from the mountain ranges. Rainfall distribution is moderate from 2,500 to 3,000 millimetres (98 to 118 in) annually.

Barangays

It is politically subdivided into 54 barangays[3] of which 14 of these are classified as urban.

  • Alegria
  • Balangasan (urban)
  • Balintawak
  • Baloyboan
  • Banale
  • Bogo
  • Bomba
  • Buenavista
  • Bulatok
  • Bulawan
  • Camalig
  • Dampalan
  • Danlugan
  • Dao
  • Datagan
  • Deborok
  • Ditoray
  • Dumagoc (urban)
  • Gatas (urban)
  • Gubac
  • Gubang
  • Kagawasan
  • Kahayagan
  • Kalasan
  • Kawit (urban)
  • La Suerte
  • Lala
  • Lapidian
  • Lenienza
  • Lison Valley
  • Lourdes
  • Lower Sibatang
  • Lumad
  • Lumbia (urban)
  • Macasing
  • Manga
  • Muricay
  • Napolan
  • Palpalan
  • Pedulonan
  • Poloyagan
  • San Francisco (urban)
  • San Jose (urban)
  • San Pedro (urban)
  • Santa Lucia (urban)
  • Santa Maria (urban)
  • Santiago (urban)
  • Santo Niño (urban)
  • Tawagan Sur
  • Tiguma (urban)
  • Tuburan (urban)
  • Tulangan
  • Tulawas
  • Upper Sibatang
  • White Beach

History

Origin of the name

The city proper and surrounding areas of Muricay, Tawagan Sur and White Beach was originally named "Talpokan," an indigenous word that means "a place of numerous springs."[10] The officially accepted origin of its name are words taken from the Iranun dialect, "pagad" (wait) and "padian" (market)[10] which shows that Pagadian had been a trading area in the past. Other theories suggest that it was named after a bird that the native inhabitants call "Gagadian or that the city's name came from the word "Pangadyi" (Prayer), later to be known as "Pangadyian" (A place to pray or The Land of Prayers).

Early settlers

The native inhabitants in the area were the Subanens (lumads). Then came Muslim settlers who converted the people to Islam. A sizeable number of "lumads" who refused to be converted eventually settled in the highlands.

The early Bangsamoro were under the leadership of Datu Akob, an Iranun Datu whose daughter caught the fancy of Datu Macaumbang also an Iranun (Sultan of Taga Nonok) from Malabang, Tukuran, Pagadian City and he was the son of Shariff Apo Tubo - Tubo who came from the bloodline of Shariff Kabungsuan (1st Sultan of Maguindanao Sultanate). With the approval of Sultan Datu Akob, Datu Macaumbang married Bai Putri Panyawan Akob the beautiful daughter of the Royal Datu of Pagadian City and Royal Bai Putri of Raya.[11]

Upon the death of Datu Akob also known as "Datu Mimbalawag", his son-in-law, Datu Macaumbang (Sultan of taga Nonok) assumed leadership; he established the territorial boundaries of the present city proper, from Balangasan River in the west of Tawagan Sur River in the east. Beyond the river of Tawagan Sur was the territory of Datu Balimbingan. At one time, Datu Macaumbang requested the assistance of the Philippine constabulary due to the rampant banditry and piracy in the area. A detachment led by Col. Tiburcio Ballesteros stationed at Malangas landed at the place and stationed themselves at Dumagoc Island. The arrival of the soldiers restored peace and order, thereby attracting the influx of settlers from other places.[11]

Spread of Christianity

Christian settlers started arriving in the early part of the 20th century, most of which came from Cebu as evident on the veneration of the Santo Niño de Cebú. The increasing Christian population prompted the creation of the Parish of Pagadian in 1938 and was administered by the Jesuits, Columban and Filipino priests. The original Sto. Niño Church of Pagadian was right across the city plaza, on the site of the current San Jose Parish church. The present Sto. Niño Cathedral is now located in San Francisco District and was built in 1968.[12]

Pagadian Parish became a diocese on November 2, 1971, and is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Ozamiz. Msgr. Jesus B. Tuquib served as the first bishop and was installed on February 24, 1973.[12] At that time, the Columban Fathers took care of the apostolic services for the first 13 parishes in the newly formed diocese.

As of 2008, the Diocese of Pagadian had 24 parishes.[13]

Timeline

Date/Year Significant Events
pre-1920s The present-day Pagadian had its beginnings as a sitio of Margosatubig.
July 1927 It became a barrio under the Municipal District of Labangan, Zamboanga upon the implementation of Executive Order no.70.[14]
1934 The transfer the seat of the Labangan Government to Pagadian was made through the efforts of Director Teofisto Guingona, Sr. who was commissioned by Philippine Governor-General Leonard Wood to find out the possibility of transferring the seat of government of the Labangan municipality to another place. A conference was first held, together with the Datus and the early Christian settlers as the idea of the transfer was at first largely opposed by the Christians. Eventually, a consensus was reached when the designated committee led by Datu Balimbingan of Labangan and with the consent of Datu Macaumbang surveyed the western part of the present area and found Talpokan, a part of the barrio of Pagadian, deemed as a suitable place for such transfer. At the same time, Datu Macaumbang donated 260 hectares of land to Christians who were willing to transfer to the area.[15]
March 23, 1937 Pagadian became a municipality through Executive Order 77 due to the eager initiative of then Assemblyman Juan S. Alano, with the Hon. Jose Sanson appointed as acting mayor. The Hon. Federico Jamisola was elected as the first officially elected municipal mayor after the regular elections. The Municipality of Pagadian was formed by merging the municipal districts of Labangan and Dinas,[16] as a result, making Labangan a district under its former barrio. The newly created town had 19 barangays or districts.[17] (In 1950 the barrios of Dinas, Legarda, Mirapao, Migpulao, Kalipapa, Pisaan, Bubway, Tiniguangan, Tabina and Dimataling which were under the Municipality of Pagadian, were incorporated into the newly created town of Dimataling.[18] In the same manner, the barrios of Dumalinao Proper, Begong, Nilo, Tigbao, Ticwas, Balongating, Baguitan, Pantad, Napolan, Tagulo, Camanga, Maragang, Sibucao, Tina, Guling, Miculong, Baga, Rebucon, and Mambilik were constituted into Dumalinao in 1956.)[19]
World War II Pagadian was occupied by Japanese troops. From November 5 to November 20, 1944, the combined American and Filipino troops including recognized guerrillas were attempted to take the town from the Japanese. Sixteen Japanese soldiers were killed, but they remained in possession of Pagadian.[20] The establishment of the general headquarters of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and the Philippine Constabulary were stationed in Pagadian and active from November 21, 1944 to June 30, 1946 during and aftermath of World War II and include the military operations and engagements against the Japanese and liberated areas in Mindanao began in November 21, 1944 to August 15, 1945.
June 6, 1952 Congressman Roseller T. Lim authored R.A. 711 dividing Zamboanga into two provinces - Norte (north) and Sur (south).
September 17, 1952 Pagadian became the capital town of the newly established province of Zamboanga del Sur.
June 21, 1969 It became a chartered city through R.A. 5478, becoming the third city in the Zamboanga Peninsula (Administrative Region).
August 16, 1976 The city was one of the hardest hit areas in the Moro Gulf earthquake and tsunami of 1976, considered as the most devastating tsunami disaster in the Philippines in recent times.[21] Pagadian was the major city in the area that was struck by both the earthquake and tsunami and sustained the greatest number of casualties.[21][22]
October 1990 President Corazon Aquino issued the Executive Order 429 that designated Pagadian City as the Regional Center for Region - IX (Zamboanga Peninsula) .[23]
November 12, 2004 Pagadian officially became the Regional Center for Region IX- Zamboanga Peninsula

Demographics

Rizal Avenue
Population census of Pagadian
YearPop.±% p.a.
1990 106,307—    
1995 125,182+3.11%
2000 142,515+2.82%
2007 161,312+1.72%
2010 186,852+5.49%
2015 199,060+1.21%
Source: National Statistics Office[4][24]

The people of Pagadian (Pagadianons) are classified into three (3) main groups which is based primarily on faith and heritage: (a) The Subanens (or any other indigenous tribes who had been living in the area before the advent of Islam in Mindanao), (b) the Muslim (Bangsamoro) settlers who came from other parts of Mindanao and other places such as Sabah and Indonesia, and (c) the Christian settlers who generally came from the Visayas and Luzon.

Majority of Pagadianons speak the Cebuano language.[25] The national language, Filipino (Tagalog) is widely understood and is the native tongue of a small percentage of the population. Iranun, Maguindanao, Maranao, Tausug, and Samal dialects are used by the Muslim community. The Subanen dialect is exclusively used by the Subanen people, the original inhabitants of the area. Remaining percentage of the population are classified as Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Zamboangueño and Ilokano speakers. As with the rest of the Philippines, English is widely understood and is used as the primary language for business.

Religion

Places of worship in Pagadian:

Economy

City Agora

Agriculture is the primary economic resource, with the production of rice, corn, coconut, fruit, root crops and animal husbandry. Special funding-assistance programs by the government are made available for local farmers; the City Livelihood Development Assistance Program (CILDAP) extends loans to those who need financial assistance for their livelihood.

Production of raw materials like seaweeds, coco processing, cassava constitute a large part of the local economy; small-scale manufacturing of furniture and decors made out of wood, bamboo, rattan, steel and plastic; handicrafts made out of bamboo, rattan, coco shell, wood, marine shell, ceramics, and weaving.

Boats along the Pagadian fishport.

Pagadian Bay and the outer Illana Bay (Iranun Bay) abounds with a wide variety of marine products; seaweed culture farming is flourishing in waters off the bay while fishponds near or along the bay yields milkfish, prawns and crabs. A number of large deep-sea fishing vessels that venture into the Sulu Sea and farther off to South China Sea make Pagadian fishport their base of operation.

Another income-generating industry is mining in an area located 1.5 km southeast of Barangay Lison Valley proper approximately forty-nine kilometers from the city proper which yields gold, copper and molybdenum.

Festivals

The City Fiesta is celebrated every third Sunday of January in honor of its patron saint, the Holy Child Jesus (Sto. Niño) which coincides with the feastday of Cebu City. It is officially called the Pasalamat Festival highlighted with a fluvial parade (regatta), trade exhibits, the Mutya ng Pagadian beauty pageant, carnival shows and a civic military parade. On every 21 June, the Araw ng Pagadian is celebrated in commemoration of its founding as a chartered city; as Capital of Zamboanga del Sur, the city hosts the annual provincial celebration in September with agro-trade exhibits, a civic-military parade, cultural presentations and sports competitions.

The Megayon Festival is a week-long celebration that coincides with the Zamboanga del Sur anniversary in September. It honors the tri-people settlers: the Subanens, BangsaMoro Muslims and Christians.[26] "Megayon" is a Subanen word which means "Unity and Solidarity". The festival is a showcase of three distinctly different cultural heritage in songs, dances, rituals of peace, foods and crafts, to foster unity and understanding among the three cultures. Environment-related activities, peace and development forum, and indigenous sports competitions[27] are being held.

Pagadian City also officially celebrates the Chinese New Year. It honors the local Chinese community.

Places of interest

Pagadian Bay. Dao-dao Dako center; Dao-dao Gamay right foreground.

The city is yet to have a 5-star hotel as it is essentially not a prime tourism get-away, although a recent surge in the hotel and pension-house constructions due to the current influx of visitors primarily to do business in the city is evident, such as the Mardale Hotel and Convention Center.

Gaisano Capital Pagadian is the city's biggest mall in terms of land area. C3 Mall (City Commercial Center) is owned by the City Government of Pagadian. It is the site of the old historic "Shopping Center", where the nucleus of Pagadian's trading past is located.

Pagadian City has a number of tourist attractions, though they are not as well known throughout the Philippines.

Pagadian Musical Dancing Fountain

Governance

Pagadian City Hall, 2010

The city belongs to the 1st District of Zamboanga del Sur. The local Sangguniang Panglungsod (City Legislative Council) is administered by the mayor, with the assistance of the vice-mayor. It has ten elected councilors and one representative each from the Sangguniang Kabataan (Youth Council) and Association of Barangay Captains (ABC).

Pagadian is also the seat of the Provincial Government of Zamboanga del Sur.

Infrastructure

Transportation

The Pagadian Tricycle
Pagadian Airport Terminal facade.

Tricycles are the primary public transport in the urban center while jeepneys usually ply the city's rural barangays. Private vehicles comprises the largest percentage of the traffic. Buses, minibuses, and jeepneys are the modes of transportation for transients bound for the neighboring municipalities and other parts of Zamboanga del Sur. These short-travel transports also serve the bus terminal which is located downtown.

Airport. The city is served by a Principal Airport Class 1 (or major domestic). It is located in Barangay Muricay and Barangay Tiguma, approximately five (5) kilometers from the city proper.[28] The airport serves as the only air portal in the Province of Zamboanga del Sur with direct flights to and from Manila and Cebu.

Seaport. The port of Pagadian City is served by shipping lines operating for both passenger and cargo vessels. Ports of call include Zamboanga City, Jolo, Siasi, Bongao, Sitangkai and Cotabato City.

Integrated Bus Terminal. Served by two (2) major bus companies and several other smaller Public Utility Vehicles(PUVs), i.e. vans, the terminal sits atop the hill as the station for both Eastbound and Westbound transport particularly for public transports bound for Zamboanga City, Ozamiz City, Dipolog City, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato City, General Santos City, and Davao City.

Utilities

Telecommunications

Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) and Cruztelco are the two major telecommunications providers. A project under the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), the Pagadian City Telephone Exchange (PACITELEX) serves the far-flung barangays that other telephone companies are not yet able to give service. Major cellular phone service providers in the country serve the city.

Water and power supply

Pagadian City Water District (PCWD) provides the city with potable water supply. Formed in 1976, the PCWD has over 14,000 active service connections and sources its water from deep wells and springs.[29]

Electricity is supplied by the Zamboanga del Sur Electric Cooperative, Incorporated (ZAMSURECO I) from the National Power Corporation Hydro-Electric Plant in Iligan City, sourced from the Maria Cristina Falls. About 77.70% or 42 barangays out of 54 total barangays in the entire city area have 24-hr electricity.

Notable people

Sister cities

References

  1. ↑ "Little Hongkong of the South". Retrieved 2009-03-29.
  2. ↑ "Official City/Municipal 2013 Election Results". Intramuros, Manila, Philippines: Commission on Elections (COMELEC). 12 May 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Province: ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Archived from the original on 1 January 1970. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  4. 1 2 "Region IX (ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA)". Census of Population (2015): Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay (Report). PSA. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  5. ↑ "Zip codes in the Philippines". Retrieved 2009-03-29.
  6. ↑ "Interactive Travel Guide on Pagadian City". iguide.travel – Pagadian City. 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-26.
  7. ↑ Tourism Philippines (retrieved: 17 July 2012)
  8. ↑ The Inclined Tricycles of Pagadian City (retrieved: 17 July 2012)
  9. ↑ My Pagadian.com(retrieved: 31 March 2009)
  10. 1 2 "Legend of Pagadian City". Pagadian.com. Archived from the original on February 8, 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-26.
  11. 1 2 The Iranon Tribe Blogspot (retrieved: 29 March 2009)
  12. 1 2 "History of the Diocese of Pagadian - translated from Cebuano". Pagadian.com. Archived from the original on 2009-05-28. Retrieved 2009-04-26.
  13. ↑ "Ucan Diocesan Profiles". UCA News. 2009-04-22. Retrieved 2010-07-11.
  14. ↑ Labangan Teachers, p69. (retrieved: 29 March 2009)
  15. ↑ 1stphilippines.com - Pagadian History (retrieved: 29 March 2009)
  16. ↑ History of Zamboanga del Sur, p37-38 (retrieved: 29 March 2009)
  17. ↑ History of Zamboanga del Sur, p38 (retrieved: 29 March 2009)
  18. ↑ "An act to create the municipality of Dimataling in the province of Zamboanga". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-09.
  19. ↑ "An Act Creating Municipality of Dumalinao in the Province of Zamboanga Del Sur". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-12.
  20. ↑ Kent Holmes, Wendell Fertig and His Guerrilla Forces in the Philippines: Fighting the Japanese Occupation (Jefferson, N.C.: 2015), p. 116
  21. 1 2 "The Philippine Tsunami of 1976". www.drgeorgepc.com. Retrieved 2009-04-26.
  22. ↑ Phivolcs Report, Earthquake of 1976(retrieved: 31 March 2009)
  23. ↑ Philippines Law Online (retrieved: 16 March 2009)
  24. ↑ "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010" (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 March 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  25. ↑
  26. ↑ Unsapa.com - ZamboSur Anniversary (retrieved: 26 April 2009)
  27. ↑ PIA - Zamboanga del Sur (retrieved: 26 April 2009)
  28. ↑ CAAP Official Website - About Us
  29. ↑ Local Water Utilities Administration Website(retrieved: 28 March 2009)
  30. ↑ City of Pagadian Official Website - Geographical Location(retrieved: 17 July 2012)
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pagadian.
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 Midsalip / Labangan
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