The City of Zamboanga (
Zamboangueño ChavacanoChavacano or Chabacano, sometimes referred to by linguists as Philippine Creole Spanish, is a Spanish-based creole language spoken in the Philippines...
/Spanish:
Ciudad de Zamboanga): is a highly urbanized, independent and a chartered city located in
MindanaoMindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
,
PhilippinesThe Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
.
It is currently ranked as the 6th most populous city (947,020 estimated population as of 2010) and the 3rd largest by land area in the Philippines (1,483.3849/km
2 (572.738/sq mi)). It is located at the southernmost tip of the
Zamboanga PeninsulaZamboanga Peninsula / Western Mindanao is a peninsula and an administrative region in the Philippines. Designated as Region IX, the region consists of three provinces, namely, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay, its component cities of Dipolog, Dapitan, Pagadian, and...
and is bounded in the north by the provinces of
Zamboanga SibugayZamboanga Sibugay is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its capital is Ipil and it borders Zamboanga del Norte to the north, Zamboanga del Sur to the east and Zamboanga City to the southwest. To the south lies Sibuguey Bay in the Moro Gulf...
and
Zamboanga del NorteZamboanga del Norte or simply known as ZANORTE is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its capital is Dipolog City and the province borders Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay to the south and Misamis Occidental to the east...
, in the west by the
Sulu SeaThe Sulu Sea is a body of water in the southwestern area of the Philippines, separated from the South China Sea in the northwest by Palawan and from the Celebes Sea in the southeast by the Sulu Archipelago. Borneo is found to the southwest and Visayas to the northeast.Sulu Sea contains a number of...
, in the east by
Sibuguey BaySibuguey Bay is a large bay in the southwestern part of Mindanao island, Philippines, at ....
, and in the south by the
Basilan StraitThe Province of Basilan is an island province of the Philippines within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao . Basilan is the largest and northernmost of the major islands of the Sulu Archipelago and is located just off the southern coast of Zamboanga Peninsula...
. It is approximately 460 nautical miles (851.9 km) south of City of Manila, 365 nautical miles (676 km) northeast of
Kota KinabaluKota Kinabalu , formerly known as Jesselton, is the capital of Sabah state in East Malaysia. It is also the capital of the West Coast Division of Sabah. The city is located on the northwest coast of Borneo facing the South China Sea. The Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park lies on one side and Mount...
,
Malaysia, 345 nautical miles (638.9 km) northeast of
ManadoManado is the capital of the North Sulawesi province of Indonesia. Manado is located at the Bay of Manado, and is surrounded by a mountainous area. The city has about 405,715 inhabitants, making it the second-largest city in Sulawesi after Makassar...
,
IndonesiaIndonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
, bounded to the west by
Sulu SeaThe Sulu Sea is a body of water in the southwestern area of the Philippines, separated from the South China Sea in the northwest by Palawan and from the Celebes Sea in the southeast by the Sulu Archipelago. Borneo is found to the southwest and Visayas to the northeast.Sulu Sea contains a number of...
, on the east by the
Moro GulfThe Moro Gulf is a sea in Mindanao in the Philippines. It is part of Celebes Sea and is surrounded by the Zamboanga Peninsula and the central part of Mindanao. Sibuguey Bay and Illana Bay are its major branches. Zamboanga City is the most important port city on its coast...
, and on the south by the
Basilan StraitThe Province of Basilan is an island province of the Philippines within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao . Basilan is the largest and northernmost of the major islands of the Sulu Archipelago and is located just off the southern coast of Zamboanga Peninsula...
and
Celebes SeaThe Celebes Sea of the western Pacific Ocean is bordered on the north by the Sulu Archipelago and Sulu Sea and Mindanao Island of the Philippines, on the east by the Sangihe Islands chain, on the south by Sulawesi, and on the west by Kalimantan in Indonesia...
. Its distance from
Cebu CityThe City of Cebu is the capital city of Cebu and is the second largest city in the Philippines, the second most significant metropolitan centre in the Philippines and known as the oldest settlement established by the Spaniards in the country.The city is located on the eastern shore of Cebu and was...
is about 372.57 nautical miles (690 km), and is 340.17 nautical miles (630 km) from
Davao CityThe City of Davao is the largest city in the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. Its international airport and seaports are among the busiest cargo hubs in the Philippines....
.
The Ciudad de Zamboanga’s climates are generally of the third and fourth types where it is practically from June to December. The highest rainfall occurs on the month of July while the lowest rainfalls on the month of April. The city is outside the typhoon belt, hence, typhoons rarely visit the Ciudad de Zamboanga.
It is now the centre of economic activities in
MindanaoMindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
with its modern international seaport, which is one of the principal ports of call for inter-island and international shipping. Its airport, which also classified as an international airport, provides air transportation to various domestic destinations. Both seaport and airport serve as transshipment points of various goods to neighboring
cities and countries.
It is the seat of one of the largest number of military and police bases in the country. It is also home of the 3rd Air Division of the Edwin Andrews Air Base, which handles the Air Force of the Philippines in the city; and the 6th Naval District in
Camp General Basilio NavarroCamp General Basilio Navarro serves as the main operating base of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for the Southwest Philippines, and is the Headquarters of the Western Mindanao Command .-History:...
also known as
Western Mindanao CommandThe Western Mindanao Command, known officially as the WestMinCom, is one the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Wide Support Commands Combating Terrorism and Insurgency in Mindanao.-Units:...
, the main headquarters of
Armed Forces of the PhilippinesThe Armed Forces of the Philippines is composed of the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force...
in Western part of Mindanao; the
Philippine ArmyThe Philippine Army is the ground arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines . Its official name in Tagalog is Hukbong Katihan ng Pilipinas. On July 23, 2010, President Benigno Aquino III appointed Maj. Gen...
, Philippine Marines, and
Philippine NavyThe Philippine Navy is the naval arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines . Its official name in Filipino is Hukbong Dagat ng Pilipinas, literally, "Sea Force of the Philippines"....
are assigned to that command. The "Camp Enrile" and other three military camps can be found in the city.
It is the former capital of
Moro ProvinceMoro Province is the name of the province of the Philippines consisting of the current provinces/regions of Zamboanga, Lanao, Cotabato, Davao, and Sulu...
now
Mindanao IslandMindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
(1903 to 1913) in the
PhilippinesThe Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. On September 15, 1911, the Municipalidad de Zamboanga was converted into a Ciudad by the legislative order Act. No.272. It is known as CIUDAD LATINA DE ASIA in Zamboangueño Language or in English Language Asia's Latin City for its strong Hispanic/Latin influence.
Currently, Ciudad de Zamboanga is one of the primary hubs in the
PhilippinesThe Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, being the premier city in
Zamboanga Peninsula RegionZamboanga Peninsula / Western Mindanao is a peninsula and an administrative region in the Philippines. Designated as Region IX, the region consists of three provinces, namely, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay, its component cities of Dipolog, Dapitan, Pagadian, and...
in terms of commerce, trade, health services, financial institutions and education.
Ciudad de Zamboanga serves as an entry point in the Philippines to many destinations in
Southeast AsiaSoutheast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
.
History
Ciudad de Zamboanga was founded in the late 12th or early 13th century, with the earliest people living there being the Subanen, an indigenous tribe of Malay origin. The Subanen people's name for Zamboanga, 'Sung Lupa', means 'Pointed Land'. Speculation that the name of zamboanga comes from the word 'Jambangan', meaning the 'Land of Flowers', is met by others insisting the name derives from the word 'Saguan' or 'Sambuan', A Malay word for the paddle used by natives to paddle the vintas in the sea. Still another possible origin is 'Sambon' which refers to herbal plants that grew abundantly in the city.
BadjaoThe Bajau or Bajaw , also spelled Bajao, Badjau, Badjaw, or Badjao, are an indigenous ethnic group of Maritime Southeast Asia...
,
SamalBanguingui, also known as Sama Banguingui, Sama Bangingi’, Bangingi, and Samal Banguingui, is a distinct ethno-linguistic group dispersed throughout the Greater Sulu Archipelago and southern and western coastal regions of the Zamboanga Peninsula in Mindanao.-People:The Banguingui are not officially...
, Tausug and the
YakanThe Yakan people are among the major indigenous tribes in Mindanao. Having a significant number of followers of Islam, it is considered as one of the 13 Moro groups in the Philippines. There are also a good number of Christians in this tribe as a result of the conversion of the line of Datu Kalun -...
tribes from Malayan descent settled in the same part of Mindanao in the early 14th century. Mohammedanism and
IslamIslam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
gained predominance in the 15th century in the
PhilippinesThe Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
first as a non-indigenous religion from these Malay peoples after
JewsThe Jews , also known as the Jewish people, are a nation and ethnoreligious group originating in the Israelites or Hebrews of the Ancient Near East. The Jewish ethnicity, nationality, and religion are strongly interrelated, as Judaism is the traditional faith of the Jewish nation...
and Christians arrived.
Spanish rule
The Spaniards arrived in the country in the year 1520, as the first European invaders in the country. In the year 1569 Zamboanga was chosen as the site of the Spanish settlement and garrison on La Caldera (now called Barrio Recodo). The goal was to use it for the reinforcement of their troops in the country, making way for Christian settlements by converting the people and protecting the island against foreign invaders and Moro pirates. After 3 decades (1599), the fort was closed and transferred to Cebu due to great concerns about attack by the English on that island, which did not occur. After having abandoned the city, the Spaniards joined forces with Visayan troops and reached the shore of Ciudad de Zamboanga to bring peace to the island against
Moro- Events :* Moro Crater massacre, an engagement in the Philippine-American War* Battle of the Moro, a World War II battle between mainly Canadian and German forces on the Moro river in Italy in 1943...
pirates.
Ciudad de Zamboanga became the main headquarters of the Spaniards in 1634 upon approval of
King Philip IVPhilip IV was King of Spain between 1621 and 1665, sovereign of the Spanish Netherlands, and King of Portugal until 1640...
of Spain. Thousands of Spanish troops headed by a Governor General from Spain took the approval to build the first Zamboanga fortress (now called
Fort PilarFort Pilar is a 17th century military defense fortress built by the Spanish colonial government in Zamboanga City on Mindanao Island in the Republic of the Philippines...
) in Ciudad de Zamboanga to forestall enemies in Mindanao like
Moro- Events :* Moro Crater massacre, an engagement in the Philippine-American War* Battle of the Moro, a World War II battle between mainly Canadian and German forces on the Moro river in Italy in 1943...
pirates and other foreign invaders. The Zamboanga fortress became the main focus of a number of battles between
Moro- Events :* Moro Crater massacre, an engagement in the Philippine-American War* Battle of the Moro, a World War II battle between mainly Canadian and German forces on the Moro river in Italy in 1943...
s,
ChineseThe term Chinese people may refer to any of the following:*People with Han Chinese ethnicity ....
and Spaniards while the Spanish ruled the region from 16th to 18th centuries. While the region was already dominated by
CatholicismCatholicism is a broad term for the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole....
, Muslims kept up a protracted struggle against the ruling Spaniards in the country into the 18th century.
In the Year 1831, the Custom house in Ciudad de Zamboanga was established as a port, and it became the main port for direct communication, trading some goods and other services to most of
EuropeEurope is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
,
Southeast AsiaSoutheast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
and
Latin AmericaLatin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
. The
AmericansThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
arrived in the Philippines, headed by General Weyler with thousands of troops to defeat the Spaniards who ruled it more than three centuries. The Spanish Government sent more than 80,000 Spanish troops in the
PhilippinesThe Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. The
Spanish GovernmentSpain is a constitutional monarchy whose government is defined by the Constitution of Spain. This was approved by a general referendum of the people of Spain in 1978...
completely and peacefully surrendered the islands to the
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in the 1890s.
American and Japanese period
Before the end of the 19th century; The
Republic of ZamboangaThe Republic of Zamboanga was a short-lived revolutionary republic, founded after the collapse of Spanish colonial rule in Zamboanga in 1899.-End of Spanish Occupation:...
was established during the
AmericanThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
period in the
PhilippinesThe Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
and it briefly existed from May 18, 1899 to March 1903. The first President of the
Republic of ZamboangaThe Republic of Zamboanga was a short-lived revolutionary republic, founded after the collapse of Spanish colonial rule in Zamboanga in 1899.-End of Spanish Occupation:...
was
General Vicente AlvarezGeneral Vicente Alvarez is a Philippine revolutionary general who led the revolution in Zamboanga which forced the last Spanish troops stationed there to flee from the Philippines.-Early life:...
and succeeded by Isidoro Midel and Mariano Arquiza.
During the
American colonial periodAmerican settlement in the Philippines began during the Spanish period, when Americans came to the islands primarily to conduct business. They owned many businesses in trade and in the sugar industry...
. Ciudad de Zamboanga hosted a number of American regional governors, including General
John J. PershingJohn Joseph "Black Jack" Pershing, GCB , was a general officer in the United States Army who led the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I...
, who was military commander/governor of the
Moro ProvinceMoro Province is the name of the province of the Philippines consisting of the current provinces/regions of Zamboanga, Lanao, Cotabato, Davao, and Sulu...
from 1909 to 1914. Gen. "Black Jack" Pershing became the Supreme Commander of the American Expeditionary Force in Europe during World War I when the US entered the war in 1917. The entire Moro Province of Mindanao was administered directly from the city, effectively making the Zamboanga Mindanao's first and only Capital City. Soon after the establishment of the Commonwealth, it was the center of commerce, trade, and government of Mindanao Island, being the capital of the
Moro ProvinceMoro Province is the name of the province of the Philippines consisting of the current provinces/regions of Zamboanga, Lanao, Cotabato, Davao, and Sulu...
.
Ciudad de Zamboanga became a chartered city in the year 1936. In Pre-World War II,
Pettit BarracksPettit Barracks was located in Zamboanga City and, along with Camp John Hay, was the location of the US Army's 43d Infantry Regiment ....
, a part of the US Army's
43d Infantry Regiment (PS)The 43d Philippine Scout Infantry Regiment was part of USAFFE's Philippine Division, during World War II.-History of the 43d Infantry Regiment:...
, was stationed. When the Japanese invaded the Philippines, they were headed by Vice Admiral Skugiyama Rokuzo and accompanied with Rear Admiral Naosaburo Irifune and landed at Zamboanga on March 2, 1942. They established a defense headquarters in the city while ruling the government in more than two years. The Japanese government in the city was eventually overtaken by
AmericanThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and the
FilipinoThe Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
forces in 1945.
Martial law
In 1953,
Cesar ClimacoCesar Cortez Climaco was a Filipino politician who served as mayor of Zamboanga City for 11 years. A prominent critic of the martial law regime of Ferdinand Marcos, he was famed for his toughness in governance and colorful personality. He is also famous for his refusal to cut his hair until...
was elected Mayor. He was a flamboyant personality who pursued policies of good governance and cleanliness. On the
1961 Philippine General ElectionA senatorial election was held on November 14, 1961 in the Philippines. The two candidates of the Progressive Party, guest candidates of the Liberal Party, topped the election, while the Liberals themselves won four seats cutting the Nacionalista Party's majority to 13 seats in the 24-seat...
,
Cesar ClimacoCesar Cortez Climaco was a Filipino politician who served as mayor of Zamboanga City for 11 years. A prominent critic of the martial law regime of Ferdinand Marcos, he was famed for his toughness in governance and colorful personality. He is also famous for his refusal to cut his hair until...
was unsuccessful to run for the Senate under the
Liberal PartyThe Liberal Party of the Philippines is a liberal party in the Philippines, founded by then senators Senate President Manuel Roxas, Senate President Pro-Tempore Elpidio Quirino, and former 9th Senatorial District Senator Jose Avelino, on November 24, 1945 by a breakaway Liberal group from the...
, but he was appointed as Customs Commissioner under the Macapagal Administration, and later a prominent critic of
Ferdinand MarcosFerdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos, Sr. was a Filipino leader and an authoritarian President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He was a lawyer, member of the Philippine House of Representatives and a member of the Philippine Senate...
. He was reelected as a mayor in Zamboanga city again in 1980, at a time when martial law was declared in the city because of growing violence. Cesar Climaco was assassinated on November 14, 1984.
Philippines after Marcos
After the Marcos regime, Zamboanga city was still enjoying its good economic activities, but the growth was not rapidly high due to incompetent leaders that ruled the city after martial law.
At present, Ciudad de Zamboanga is the main hub in
Zamboanga PeninsulaZamboanga Peninsula / Western Mindanao is a peninsula and an administrative region in the Philippines. Designated as Region IX, the region consists of three provinces, namely, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay, its component cities of Dipolog, Dapitan, Pagadian, and...
through education, financial institutions, health and services, infrastructural projects and a center of foreign investment through
BIMP-EAGAThe East ASEAN Growth Area is a subregional economic cooperation initiative in Southeast Asia.-Background:BIMP-EAGA was launched in 1994 as a cooperation initiative by Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, all of which are member-countries of the regional Association of...
in relation with other major cities in
Southeast AsiaSoutheast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
.
Location
The Ciudad de Zamboanga's physical characteristics have the following advantages: (i) it has an even distribution of rainfall; (ii) it has no liquefaction prone area; (iii) it is outside the typhoon belt; and (iv) it is outside of major fault lines/no active volcano.
The main land territory of Ciudad de Zamboanga, which encompasses 1,681 kilometers ( 645 square mile ), there are (officially) 11 islands that are part of its principality. The most popular of these islands is the
Great Santa Cruz IslandGreat Santa Cruz Island is south of downtown Zamboanga City, on the Basilan Strait....
, It's tantalizingly beautiful scenery encompasses the rare "pink sand". almost 10– 15 minutes while riding a boat from the city to the Great Sta. Cruz Island. Under the
Presidential Decree No. 654,
President Ferdinand MarcosFerdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos, Sr. was a Filipino leader and an authoritarian President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He was a lawyer, member of the Philippine House of Representatives and a member of the Philippine Senate...
declared that the Santa Cruz Islands as National Park and Tourism Development in the City of Zamboanga. Aside from Santa Cruz island, the city has also 28 islands off the mainland coast. All of these islands come under the city's jurisdiction. The biggest of these islands is Sacol (about 12 km. long and 8 km. wide), and eleven of these islands on the Moro Gulf coast form a cluster known as the Eleven Islands, the largest being Cabugan Island (approx. 11 hectares).
Geology and Geomorphology
The southwest and eastern sides of Ciudad de Zamboanga are bounded by irregular coastlines with generally rocky terrain with occasional stretches of sandy and gravely beaches. The coastal profile usually descends abruptly towards the sea. In some places where there are rivers, embayment occurs, thus, filling up areas with alluvial materials and producing small tracts of coastal plains and sometimes-broad plains.
It has been observed that younger rock formation occurs in a higher elevation. Areas along the northeastern coast, which were mostly part of the lower alluvial lowlands, and small low lying areas are characterized by the presence of cold water sediments. These are subjected to the daily inundation of tidal movement. The formation of basement complex along the boundaries of Zamboanga del Norte is influenced by the north-south trending fault while a young volcanic cone influences the formation of volcanic outcropping in the area.
Topography, Slope and Elevation
The overall topography of the city could be described as rolling to very steep. There are some flat lands, mostly narrow strips along the east coast. The urban center is mostly flat with a gentle slope to the interior, ranging from 0 to 3%. The highest registered elevation is 1,200 meters. In terms of slope, a large portion of Ciudad de Zamboanga, about 38,000 hectares, have slopes ranging from 18-30%. Another 26,000 hectares have been described as having slopes pf less than 3% while about 37% of the area or a total of 52,000 hectares have slopes ranging from 30% to more than 50%.
Climate and temperature
Zamboanga features a tropical wet and dry climate under the
Koppen climate classificationThe Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
. Zamboanga City enjoys a location that is free from the typhoon belt area.
Demographics
Population
The population of Ciudad de Zamboanga has registered an increase of 172,613 (an average annual growth rate of 3.54 percent) in seven years, latest data from the National Statistics Office (NSO) showed. The data released by the NSO regional office based in this city showed that from 601,794 in 2000, the population grew to 774,407 as of 1 August 2007.
Among the 98 barangays in this Ciudad de Zamboanga, Talon-Talon was the most populous with a 3.9-percent share of this city’s population. Next to Talon-Talon were Tetuan (3.8 percent), Baliwasan (3.6 percent), Pasonanca (3.5 percent), Calarian and Tumaga both with 3.3-percent share, and San Jose Gusu (3.2 percent).
Religion
According to statistics compiled by the Philippine government, the most dominant religion in the city is Christianity with 73% of the population adhering to the faith. The majority of Christians are Roman Catholics with minorities of
ProtestantsProtestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
and
Orthodox ChristiansThe term Orthodox Christianity may refer to:* the Eastern Orthodox Church and its various geographical subdivisions...
. The remaining 27% percent belongs to other non-Christian faiths such us Buddhism and Islam.
Language
The Official and/or Native language of Zamboanga City is Zamboangueño Chavacano, a Philippine-Spanish Creole. Other common languages in the city are
TagalogTagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a third of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by most of the rest. It is the first language of the Philippine region IV and of Metro Manila...
,
EnglishEnglish is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and Bisaya/
CebuanoCebuano, referred to by most of its speakers as Bisaya , is an Austronesian language spoken in the Philippines by about 20 million people mostly in the Central Visayas. It is the most widely spoken of the languages within the so-named Bisayan subgroup and is closely related to other Filipino...
.
FookienThe Southern Min languages, or Min Nan , are a family of Chinese languages spoken in southern Fujian, eastern Guangdong, Hainan, Taiwan, and southern Zhejiang provinces of China, and by descendants of emigrants from these areas in diaspora....
(a Chinese dialect) and Tausug are also prevalent. Approximately 64% of the city’s population consists of the native families of the old Zamboanga, who were greatly influenced by the Spanish culture and lifestyle which is now called as a pure Chavacano de Zamboanga or Zamboangueño. Whilst 36% of the city’s population is composed of cultural minority members, groups of Muslim communities, such as the Subanens, Tausugs, Yakans, Samals, and the Badjaos are dispersed around the city.
Government
| Year | Mayors |
| 1914 |
Christopher Frederick Bader |
| 1914–1916 |
Victoriano Tarroza |
| 1916–1919 |
Alfonso Ramos |
| 1919–1922 |
Crispin Atilano |
| 1922–1925 |
Gregorio E. Ledesma |
| 1925–1934 |
Felipe Ramos |
| 1934–1937 |
Antonio Toribio |
| 1937–1939 |
Nicasio Valderrosa |
| 1939–1940 |
Pablo R. Lorenzo |
| 1940–1942 |
Agustin L. Álvarez |
| 1942–1945 |
Japanese Occupation |
| 1945–1946 |
Return of American Occupation |
| 1945–1946 |
Gregorio E. Ledesma |
| 1946–1972 |
Third Republic of the Philippines |
| 1946–1947 |
Pantaleón A. Pelayo |
| 1947–1949 |
Vicente C. Suarez |
| 1949–1953 |
Manuel D. Jaldon |
| 1953–1954 |
Cesar C. Climaco |
| 1954–1955 |
Hector C. Suarez |
| 1956–1961 |
Cesar C. Climaco |
| 1961–1963 |
Tomas F. Ferrer |
| 1964–1967 |
Hector C. Suarez |
| 1967–1972 |
Joaquin F. Enriquez, Jr. |
| 1972–1981 |
Martial Law Years |
| 1972–1975 |
Joaquin F. Enriquez, Jr. |
| 1975–1980 |
Jose Vicente F. Atilano II |
| 1980–1981 |
Cesar C. Climaco |
| 1981–1986 |
Fourth Republic of the Philippines |
| 1981–1984 |
Cesar C. Climaco |
| 1984–1986 |
Manuel A. Dalipe |
| 1986–present |
Fifth Republic of the Philippines |
| 1986–1987 |
Rustico M. Varela |
| 1987 |
OIC Julio Cesar F. Climaco |
| 1988–1998 |
Vitaliano D. Agan |
| 1998–2004 |
Maria Clara Lobregat María Clara Rafols Lorenzo Lobregat was a Filipina politician from Zamboanga City, where she served as its first woman mayor and also a representative to the Philippine Congress.-Early life:...
|
| 2004 Acting- |
Erico Basilio Fabian |
| 2004–present |
Celso L. Lobregat |
Ciudad de Zamboanga is the third oldest city in the Philippines, with a strong mayor-council form of government. The city received its own representation for the Philippine Congress since 1984. The former lone congressional district was divided into two separate districts: the West Coast District from the City Proper to Limpapa represented by incumbent
Congresswoman Beng ClimacoMaria Isabelle Climaco Salazar , also known as Beng Climaco is a Filipino politician.Having been elected as a topnotch Councilor of the Zamboanga City for two terms, her performance was undeniably outstanding...
, while in the East Coast District from Tetuan to Licomo is headed by incumbent Congressman Erico Basilio A. Fabian. The government is composed of a Mayor, Vice Mayor, two district representatives, and eight councilors in each district.
Congresswoman Beng ClimacoMaria Isabelle Climaco Salazar , also known as Beng Climaco is a Filipino politician.Having been elected as a topnotch Councilor of the Zamboanga City for two terms, her performance was undeniably outstanding...
of District I was elected House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao and Women of the
15th Congress of the PhilippinesThe Fifteenth Congress of the Philippines is the current meeting of the national legislature of the Republic of the Philippines, composed of the Senate and House of Representatives...
, a very important position that is considered to be the first for a representative from Zamboanga City.
The House Committee on Justice recently approved through an omnibus motion, pertinent house bills creating new Regional Trial Courts (RTCs) in various provinces and cities, among which a proposal to create a total of 19 additional RTC branches for Zamboanga del Sur and the cities of Pagadian and Zamboanga authored by Deputy Speaker for Mindanao
ClimacoMaria Isabelle Climaco Salazar , also known as Beng Climaco is a Filipino politician.Having been elected as a topnotch Councilor of the Zamboanga City for two terms, her performance was undeniably outstanding...
.
House Bill 1455 entitled an “An Act Amending Sections 14 (J) and 29 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, Otherwise Known as The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980”, principally authored by Cong. Climaco calls for the creation of four (4) additional Regional Trial Court branches in the Province of
Zamboanga del SurZamboanga del Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Pagadian City is the capital...
, and the Cities of Pagadian and Zamboanga with an overall total of nineteen (19) branches.
Out of the 19 branches, ten (10) seats shall be for Zamboanga City, and the remaining seats for
Pagadian CityThe City of Pagadian is the provincial capital of Zamboanga del Sur in the island of Mindanao, Republic of the Philippines.-Overview:The city had its beginnings as a...
, Molave, San Miguel, Ipil, and Aurora.
The city of Zamboanga is composed of more than 774,407 people since 2007. Under the Republic Act No. 9269, Zamboanga City is qualified to have a third district representative in the House of Representatives of Congress.
Armed forces and law enforcement
In the Philippines, Ciudad de Zamboanga hosts one of the largest number of military and police bases in the country. The Edwin Andrews Air Base, which handles the Air Force of the Philippines in the city located in the
Zamboanga International AirportZamboanga International Airport is the main airport serving Zamboanga City in the Philippines. The airport is Mindanao's third-busiest airport after Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City and Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro City...
;
Camp General Basilio NavarroCamp General Basilio Navarro serves as the main operating base of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for the Southwest Philippines, and is the Headquarters of the Western Mindanao Command .-History:...
also known as
Western Mindanao CommandThe Western Mindanao Command, known officially as the WestMinCom, is one the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Wide Support Commands Combating Terrorism and Insurgency in Mindanao.-Units:...
, the main headquarters of
Armed Forces of the PhilippinesThe Armed Forces of the Philippines is composed of the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force...
in Western part of Mindanao; the
Philippine ArmyThe Philippine Army is the ground arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines . Its official name in Tagalog is Hukbong Katihan ng Pilipinas. On July 23, 2010, President Benigno Aquino III appointed Maj. Gen...
, Philippine Marines, and
Philippine NavyThe Philippine Navy is the naval arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines . Its official name in Filipino is Hukbong Dagat ng Pilipinas, literally, "Sea Force of the Philippines"....
are assigned to that command. The "Camp Enrile" and other three military camps can be found in the city.
Lieutenant General Raymundo Ferrer is the currently assigned Chief of Staff of the
Western Mindanao CommandThe Western Mindanao Command, known officially as the WestMinCom, is one the Armed Forces of the Philippines' Wide Support Commands Combating Terrorism and Insurgency in Mindanao.-Units:...
. He is the officer-in-charge of the
1st Scout Ranger RegimentThe Scout Rangers, known officially as the First Scout Ranger Regiment, is a Philippine Army Special Operations Command unit, and specializes in anti-guerrilla warfare...
,
1st Infantry (TABAK) DivisionThe 1st Infantry Division, Philippine Army, known officially as the Tabak Division, is the Philippine Army's primary Infantry unit, and specializes in anti-guerrilla warfare...
, Light Reaction Battalion, Naval Forces Western Mindanao, and 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing PAF; with a number of approximately 42,000+ active and reserved personnel who have been assigned to the city.
Media
Ciudad de Zamboanga is a center for the television, advertising, music, newspaper, online and book publishing industries and is also the largest media market in Western Mindanao.
In terms of broadcast media, the Ciudad de Zamboanga has 40 radio stations, frequency modulated (FM) stations and amplitude-modulated (AM) band. There are also eleven regular TV stations and three cable TV stations. Because of transmission problems, however, the reception of TV stations is limited in the far-flung areas. As to the print media, there are several local publications circulating in the various parts of the city and nearby provinces and regions - The Daily Zamboanga Times, The Mindanao Examiner, Voz de Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula Journal, Zamboanga Star, Zamboanga Today.
In terms of Digital Electronic Media, the city has two independent news websites, the
www.ZamboTimes.com and the
www.MindanaoExaminer.com.
Cinema
Ciudad de Zamboanga contributes the evolution of Golden Episodes in Philippine Cinema. In 1937, the first Filipino movie to achieve international plaudit was
Zamboanga, a picture starred in by
Fernando PoeFernando Poe was a famous actor during the early cinema era in the Philippines. He was the father of the late Ronald Allan K. Poe, better known as Fernando Poe, Jr., who was also a famous actor and icon. Prior to his son's rise to fame, Poe had been known simply as 'Fernando Poe'...
and
Rosa del RosarioRosa del Rosario was a well-known half-Filipina, half-American Mestiza actress in Philippine Movies who made her film debut in 1932 horror film Satanas . Her real name was Rose del Rosario Stagner. Her mother was from Pampanga...
. Hollywood director
Frank CapraFrank Russell Capra was a Sicilian-born American film director. He emigrated to the U.S. when he was six, and eventually became a creative force behind major award-winning films during the 1930s and 1940s...
praised the film as the most exciting and beautiful picture of native life he had ever seen. Manuel Conde's Genghis Khan, released in 1950 was a rave at the Venice Film Festival in 1952; and dubbed in French, it was shown in Paris in 1954. Inspired by Conde's picture, Hollywood remade Genghis Khan, with John Wayne as its lead actor.
Telecommunication
Communication plays a major role in the development of a place. It links places and paves the way to wider dissemination of information and ideas. The major telecommunication firm operating in the city is the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT). Public phones are also provided by PLDT in strategic places where the demand is high.
Ciudad de Zamboanga is also advance in terms of telecommunication service in the Philippines.
Mabuhaysat Zamboanga Space CenterMabuhay Satellite Corporation is a Filipino aerospace corporation responsible for operating communication satellites and is the only Philippine company to do so. It a subsidiary of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company or PLDT and it owns the Agila 2 satellite which provides the most...
is the company that was established primarily to build, own, operate and maintain an international satellite facility and other forms of telecommunications equipment that is capable of providing telecommunications and broadcast on a domestic and international level.
Mabuhaysat Zamboanga Space CenterMabuhay Satellite Corporation is a Filipino aerospace corporation responsible for operating communication satellites and is the only Philippine company to do so. It a subsidiary of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company or PLDT and it owns the Agila 2 satellite which provides the most...
is for contingency purposes, the main functions of Subic Space Center is duplicated at the Zamboanga Space Center, albeit on a smaller scale. Redundancy equipment covering baseband, radio frequency antennas are incorporated in the Zamboanga Space Center. It is also equipped with an uninterruptible power supply system and a generator to ensure continuous power supply. The Zamboanga Space Center is manned by a satellite engineer who keeps the facility ready for any contingency action. Periodically, engineers from Subic Space Center visit for any upgrades.
There are three cellular phone companies providing mobile communication services in the Ciudad de Zamboanga: Smart Telecommunications, Digitel Mobile Philippines, Inc. (Sun Cellular) and Globe Telecoms.
The existing telegraph system in the city has a computer link to 13 regional centers, which have links to provincial capitals, cities and municipalities, but international telegraphic links are not provided. This telegraph system includes a relay (repeater) station located at Bandera Hills, Abong-Abong. Telof installed a commercial power line to IPTS relay station in 1992 and replaced the old and defective HF/CW radio equipment and establishes back-up circuit at the Regional Office IX. IPTS relay station building was constructed to complement the system.
Fax machines for local use are commercially available at the City Post Office at a fixed rate of P10.00 per page. International fax services are not provided. Telex services on the other hand, are provided for local and international calls.
There are four Internet Service providers (ISPs) in the city, providing the city's links to the world.
Like any other key cities, Zamboanga offers courier services to major cities in the country and to any other countries. There are at least a hundred telegraph stations/counters located strategically within the City.
There are 15 Post Offices to serve the entire population. On the average each post office serves 100 percent. Program like Project Mercury or Kidlat Sulat was launched to hasten the delivery of mails.
Transportation
The Ciudad de Zamboanga is accessible by land, air, and sea. It is also the home of the busiest airport and seaport in the country for the past 10 years until now.
Land transportation
The city’s roads total to 567.2463 km. Of this, City roads account for 122.664 km; National roads 141.305 km; and Barangay roads, 303.244 km. Almost all city and barangay roads are concrete. The roads are regularly maintained through the relentless efforts of the city government in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways.
The major means of transportation in the city are
JeepneyJeepneys are the most popular means of public transportation in the Philippines. They were originally made from US military jeeps left over from World War II and are known for their flamboyant decoration and crowded seating...
s and the
TricycleA tricycle is a three-wheeled vehicle. While tricycles are often associated with the small three-wheeled vehicles used by pre-school-age children, they are also used by adults for a variety of purposes. In the United States and Canada, adult-sized tricycles are used primarily by older persons for...
s. Buses are used for long-distance travels, there are bus companies serving the city to other major cities in
MindanaoMindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
such us
Ceres LinerCeres Liner is a bus line under Vallacar Transit Inc., the largest public land transportation company in the island of Negros, Philippines. It operates bus transport service to the whole island of Negros from Bacolod City to Panay, Cebu and Samar-Leyte islands...
,
Rural Transit BusVallacar Transit Corporation is the largest land transport company in the Philippines. It comprises Vallacar Transit, Inc., established in 1968, Rural Transit of Mindanao Inc. , established in 1985, and Bachelor Express Inc., also established in 1985...
, Mary May Express and other private bus companies. There are also bicycles with sidecars (locally known as
sikad) which are used to ferry passengers in short distances. Taxi service in the city is not well-established, although there are some independent taxis operating in the city.
There are two multi-million projects of the local government of Ciudad de Zamboanga are still pending since 2006. The green and blue City Bus which will serve most part of the city and is a project proposal of Goodvoy Incorporated but yet it is pending by the Local government approval. The PHP178 million Integrated Bus Terminal project in Brgy. Divisoria was temporarily canceled due to its controversial issues about the bidding process and the overpricing issue which RCDG Construction won to do this project.
Seaport
Zamboanga city enjoys the advantage of being the center of economic activities in Western Mindanao. It is a main commercial port for inter-island shipping. It accommodates foreign vessels and serves as a transshipment point of various goods to provinces and cities.
Ciudad de Zamboanga has 19 seaports and wharves, twelve of them are privately owned and the rest are owned by the government. This includes some ports of Basilan which are registered as a part of Ciudad de Zamboanga port management. The biggest and most modern seaport is the government-operated main port in Ciudad de Zamboanga, which can accommodate 20 ships at any given time. There are 25 shipping companies whose vessels regularly dock at the port of Zamboanga. The city also has fastcraft services to Sandakan, Malaysia, and one shipping cargo company from Vietnam is also serving the routes from and to Zamboanga to deliver goods from Vietnam.
In the year 2002; The Port of Ciudad de Zamboanga and inclusive of area ports of
Basilan islandThe Province of Basilan is an island province of the Philippines within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao . Basilan is the largest and northernmost of the major islands of the Sulu Archipelago and is located just off the southern coast of Zamboanga Peninsula...
, was ranked #1 in the entire Philippines and registered an astounding 5.57 million passengers at the same year; Surpassing Batangas by 1.3 million passengers, and Manila by over 1.59 million passengers.
As of May 28, 2009, The PHP700 million port expansion project, funded by the National Government in Zamboanga City, was inaugurated by
Pres. Gloria Macapagal ArroyoGloria Macapagal-Arroyo is a Filipino politician who served as the 14th President of the Philippines from 2001 to 2010, as the 12th Vice President of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001, and is currently a member of the House of Representatives representing the 2nd District of Pampanga...
, which was held in the city.
Airport
The presence of airline facilities and the frequency of flights from Zamboanga to major points of destination classifies the Zamboanga City Internnational Airport as an international airport. The airport of Zamboanga City is a secondary international airport, since it was mandated by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines that the airport of Zamboanga should be called as the
Zamboanga International AirportZamboanga International Airport is the main airport serving Zamboanga City in the Philippines. The airport is Mindanao's third-busiest airport after Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City and Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro City...
due to its contribution to aviation of the Philippines and the facilities inside the Terminal. There was a plan to rename the facility after the late mayor of Zamboanga city Maria Clara L. Lobregat. However, the plan was not yet been approved due to some political issues.
The airport has 2,610 meter primary runway and can serve international flights and bigger planes such as the
Boeing C-17The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft. Developed for the United States Air Force from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas, the C-17 is used for rapid strategic airlift of troops and cargo to main operating bases or forward operating bases throughout...
,
Antonov An-124The Antonov An-124 Ruslan is a strategic airlift jet aircraft. It was designed by the Ukrainian SSR's Antonov design bureau, then part of the Soviet Union. It is the world's largest ever serially-manufactured cargo airplane and world's second largest operating cargo aircraft...
and
Airbus A320The Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001...
. The government has already earmarked more than 240 million pesos to complete the rehabilitation of the existing facilities of the airport. The airport of Zamboanga City was ranked the 10
th busiest airport in the Philippines in 2008, after being ranked 7
th for the past 2 years.
Power
The
Zamboanga City Electric CooperativeThe Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative, Inc., commonly known as ZAMCELCO, is an electrical power supplier in Zamboanga City in the Philippines. The cooperative organization was established on February 23, 1974....
is the franchise holder of electric power distribution covering the entire jurisdiction of the city and its ten island barangays. Zamboanga city is one of the biggest electric energy consumer in entire
MindanaoMindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
, due to high demands of canning factories and other heavy industrial companies in the city. Moreover, there are 5 substations producing electric power in the city.
Some of the far land islands in the Ciudad de Zamboanga do not have electric power. Due to lack of funds to connect electricity in some islands. the
United States Agency for International DevelopmentThe United States Agency for International Development is the United States federal government agency primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid. President John F. Kennedy created USAID in 1961 by executive order to implement development assistance programs in the areas...
(USAID) brings optimism to the people living in the islands for they are now able to use electricity using solar energy. Ciudad de Zamboanga has
98 barangays, all of it having the convenience of electricity.
Conrado Alcantara and Sons (Conal) Holdings constructed a coal-fired power plant with an initial capacity of 100MW on a 60-hectare land inside the
Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone AuthorityThe Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority , otherwise known by its corporate name as Zamboanga Freeport Authority , was created by virtue of the Republic Acts of the Philippines 7903 of the Philippines, authored by then Congresswoman and late mayor of the city of Zamboanga, Maria Clara L...
(ZamboEcoZone). The company expects to complete the power plant in about four years to meet the expected rise in the demand in electricity of the city by 2014.
Conal Holdings is also planning to set up another coal-fired power plant inside the zone with a capacity of 200MW once the 100MW plant becomes operational. The coal-fired power plant will supply the power requirements of the locators at the zone including the city. There are 33 locators from varied industries that are currently operating inside the zone. Conal Holdings is also planning to construct a port at the
ZamboEcoZone'sThe Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority , otherwise known by its corporate name as Zamboanga Freeport Authority , was created by virtue of the Republic Acts of the Philippines 7903 of the Philippines, authored by then Congresswoman and late mayor of the city of Zamboanga, Maria Clara L...
three-kilometer seafront in Barangay San Ramon, west of Ciudad de Zamboanga.
Water
The Ciudad de Zamboanga Watershed is only a few kilometers north of Zamboanga City, at the tip of the
Zamboanga PeninsulaZamboanga Peninsula / Western Mindanao is a peninsula and an administrative region in the Philippines. Designated as Region IX, the region consists of three provinces, namely, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay, its component cities of Dipolog, Dapitan, Pagadian, and...
in southwestern
MindanaoMindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
. It has the largest block of old growth lowland dipterocarp forest remaining in this part of
MindanaoMindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
. It has a rolling terrain with moderate to steep slopes. This watershed is the only source of potable water for Ciudad de Zamboanga, and the Tumaga River also provides industrial and irrigation water for the area around the city. Many threatened and restricted-range endemic species have been recorded in or near this area, including recent records of
MindanaoMindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
Bleeding-heart, Philippine Dwarf-Kingfisher, Philippine Leafbird and Little Slaty Flycatcher, and Zamboanga Bulbul, which is confined to Western Mindanao and
BasilanThe Province of Basilan is an island province of the Philippines within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao . Basilan is the largest and northernmost of the major islands of the Sulu Archipelago and is located just off the southern coast of Zamboanga Peninsula...
. Most of the recent sightings are made in the Pasonanca Watershed, the southwestern part of the Ciudad de Zamboanga Watershed.
Ciudad de Zamboanga relies heavily on surface water from the Tumaga River for its water supply. Currently, the ZCWD is servicing only 48% of the total population of the total water production, 38% is accounted water. Given the projected population and the fact that the city is a highly urbanizing one, it is likely that future water requirements will not be satisfied unless other sources such as rivers and springs be tapped to augment water supply sources.
The Ciudad de Zamboanga Water District has 24 production wells. These are located in the following strategic areas within the city that are currently producing 1,304 cu.m daily.
Bypass Road
The traffic in the downtown area is one of the problem facing the city. The 1999 feasibility study is know on the
Department of Public Works and Highways (Philippines)The Philippines’ Department of Public Works and Highways , abbreviated as DPWH, is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for all safety of projects in the field of public works...
and with the help of District II Representative Erico Basilio Fabian to finalized the Multi-Billion pesos a thirty two (32) kilometers bypass road project it is basically links from barangay Culianan to the west coast in barangay Limpapa creating an integral link to two crucial economic and trade centres namely the Sangali Fishing Port in the east cost and the
Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone AuthorityThe Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority , otherwise known by its corporate name as Zamboanga Freeport Authority , was created by virtue of the Republic Acts of the Philippines 7903 of the Philippines, authored by then Congresswoman and late mayor of the city of Zamboanga, Maria Clara L...
site in San Ramon will commerce next year. The
Department of Public Works and Highways (Philippines)The Philippines’ Department of Public Works and Highways , abbreviated as DPWH, is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for all safety of projects in the field of public works...
intends to complete before the term of the
PresidentThe President of the Philippines is the head of state and head of government of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of the Philippine government and is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines...
Benigno Aquino IIIBenigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III , also known as Noynoy Aquino or PNoy, is a Filipino politician who has been the 15th and current President of the Philippines since June 2010....
ends in the year 2016. It will provide for an auxiliary route where traffic could then be diverted and help ease congestion it is currently facing within the city proper.
Economy and industry
The Ciudad de Zamboanga is one of the wealthiest cities in the Philippines. Its economy is mostly concentrated on agricultural and aqua cultural products. Most of the investments in the city come from the local business people. This means that unlike other major cities in the country, Ciudad de Zamboanga has been growing through homegrown businesses.
Ciudad de Zamboanga is known for exporting products like
rubberNatural rubber, also called India rubber or caoutchouc, is an elastomer that was originally derived from latex, a milky colloid produced by some plants. The plants would be ‘tapped’, that is, an incision made into the bark of the tree and the sticky, milk colored latex sap collected and refined...
, pearls,
copraCopra is the dried meat, or kernel, of the coconut. Coconut oil extracted from it has made copra an important agricultural commodity for many coconut-producing countries. It also yields coconut cake which is mainly used as feed for livestock.-Production:...
,
mahoganyThe name mahogany is used when referring to numerous varieties of dark-colored hardwood. It is a native American word originally used for the wood of the species Swietenia mahagoni, known as West Indian or Cuban mahogany....
, and other fine hardwoods,
fishFish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
,
abacaAbacá, Musa textilis is a species of banana native to the Philippines, grown as a commercial crop in the Philippines, Ecuador, and Costa Rica. The plant is of great economic importance, being harvested for its fibre, once generally called Manila hemp, extracted from the trunk or pseudostem. On...
, and fruits; rice is still imported from countries in
Southeast AsiaSoutheast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
,
East AsiaEast Asia or Eastern Asia is a subregion of Asia that can be defined in either geographical or cultural terms...
, and some parts of Europe and
North AmericaNorth America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
Banks
Bank of the Philippine IslandsBank of the Philippine Islands is the oldest bank in the Philippines still in operation and is the country's third largest bank in terms of assets, the country's largest bank in terms of market capitalization, and the country's most profitable bank...
(BPI) it is the second branch opened in the Philippines with the encouragement of an American general that the second branch of El Banco Español Filipino was established in Zamboanga by
General John J. PershingJohn Joseph "Black Jack" Pershing, GCB , was a general officer in the United States Army who led the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I...
, the famous American military governor of Zamboanga, encouraged the bank's management to open a branch in that part of Mindanao. The branch was finally established in February 1912, a month after the bank was officially renamed "
Bank of the Philippine IslandsBank of the Philippine Islands is the oldest bank in the Philippines still in operation and is the country's third largest bank in terms of assets, the country's largest bank in terms of market capitalization, and the country's most profitable bank...
" (BPI). That branch of BPI was eventually designated by the insular government as the official depository of funds for the province of Zamboanga and of the Zamboanga custom house. Gen. Pershing chose to locate his official residence on the second floor of the BPI branch in Zamboanga City.
Presently, there are more than 60 banks operating in Ciudad de Zamboanga. The banks with the most number of branches in the city are
Metropolitan Bank and Trust CompanyThe Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company , commonly known as Metrobank. It has a diverse offering of financial services, from regular banking to insurance. Metrobank is the second largest bank in the Philippines.-History:...
,
Allied BankAllied Bank, formally known as Allied Banking Corporation, is one of the largest banks in the Philippines, ranking tenth in terms of assets...
, Banco De Oro (BDO),
Philippine National BankThe Philippine National Bank is one of the largest banks in the Philippines, ranking fourth in terms of assets...
(PNB),
One Network BankOne Network Bank, also known as ONB, is a rural bank based in Davao City in the Philippines. Formed in 2004 through the consolidation of Network Rural Bank of Davao del Sur, the Rural Bank of Panabo of Davao del Norte and the Provident Rural Bank of Cotabato, ONB is the largest rural bank in the...
,
Land Bank of the PhilippinesLand Bank of the Philippines , also known as LANDBANK or by its initials, LBP, is a bank in the Philippines owned by the Philippine government with a special focus on serving the needs of farmers and fishermen...
(LBP) and
Union Bank of the PhilippinesUnion Bank of the Philippines more commonly known as UnionBank, is one of the largest banks in the Philippines, ranking seventh in terms of assets after its successful merger with smaller competitor International Exchange Bank...
. 3 brands of interbank networks of automated teller machines (ATMs) are widely used in the city; these are
BancNetBancnet, Inc. is a Philippine-based interbank network connecting the ATM networks of more than forty local banks. It is considered the largest interbank network in the Philippines in terms of the number of member banks and annual transactions...
,
ExpressnetExpressnet is an interbank network connecting the ATM networks of seven major banks in the Philippines. It is the second-largest ATM network in terms of number of ATMs and the smallest in terms of customers and number of member banks...
and
MegaLinkMegaLink is an interbank network connecting the ATM networks of nineteen* members in the Philippines with a total of more than 2,921* ATMs nationwide and handling more than 795,000* transactions a day...
.
List of Universal Banks in the Ciudad de Zamboanga are
Allied BankAllied Bank, formally known as Allied Banking Corporation, is one of the largest banks in the Philippines, ranking tenth in terms of assets...
,
Islamic Bank of the PhilippinesThe Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines or Al-Amanah Islamic Bank is the first and only Islamic bank in the Philippines.-History:...
, Banco De Oro (BDO),
Bank of the Philippine IslandsBank of the Philippine Islands is the oldest bank in the Philippines still in operation and is the country's third largest bank in terms of assets, the country's largest bank in terms of market capitalization, and the country's most profitable bank...
(BPI),
China Banking CorporationChina Banking Corporation , known publicly as China Bank is Philippines' fourth largest universal bank by market capitalization. Established in 1920, it is the first privately-owned commercial bank in the Philippines. It is likewise the first bank in Southeast Asia to process deposit accounts...
(ChinaBank),
Development Bank of the PhilippinesThe Development Bank of the Philippines , commonly known by its initials, DBP, is a state-owned development bank in Makati, Philippines.It is the seventh-largest bank in the Philippines in terms of assets, and is the second-largest...
(DBP),
Land Bank of the PhilippinesLand Bank of the Philippines , also known as LANDBANK or by its initials, LBP, is a bank in the Philippines owned by the Philippine government with a special focus on serving the needs of farmers and fishermen...
(LBP),
Metropolitan Bank and Trust CompanyThe Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company , commonly known as Metrobank. It has a diverse offering of financial services, from regular banking to insurance. Metrobank is the second largest bank in the Philippines.-History:...
,
Philippine National BankThe Philippine National Bank is one of the largest banks in the Philippines, ranking fourth in terms of assets...
(PNB),
Rizal Commercial Banking CorporationThe Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation was established in 1960 as a development bank and is licensed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for both commercial and investment banking...
,
Security BankSecurity Bank , more formally known as Security Bank Corporation and abbreviated as SBC, is one of the largest commercial banks in the Philippines. It is one of the twenty largest banks in the Philippines in terms of assets.-History:...
,
Union Bank of the PhilippinesUnion Bank of the Philippines more commonly known as UnionBank, is one of the largest banks in the Philippines, ranking seventh in terms of assets after its successful merger with smaller competitor International Exchange Bank...
, and
United Coconut Planters BankThe United Coconut Planters Bank, more popularly known by its initials, UCPB, or by its old name, Cocobank, is one of the largest banks in the Philippines, ranking within the top twenty banks in the Philippines in terms of assets. The bank, owing to its name, caters heavily to coconut farmers, but...
(UCPB).
Commercial Banks are
Asia United BankAsia United Bank is a commercial bank located at Parc Royale Condominium, Doña Julia Vargas Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig. They recently transferred to the recently finished Joy-Nostalg Center at 17 ADB Avenue corner Topaz Street, still in Ortigas....
,
Bank of CommerceBank of Commerce, also known as BankCom, Bancommerce and BoC, is a commercial bank and the 15th largest lender by asset in the Philippines. Its headquarters is at the San Miguel Properties Center, No. 7 Saint Francis Avenue, Mandaluyong...
,
East West BankEast West Bank is a Chinese American bank in the state of California in the United States. It has 119 branch locations in northern and southern California, Georgia, Massachusetts, New York, Texas, Washington, two overseas branches in Hong Kong, one each in Shanghai and Shantou and representative...
,
MaybankMaybank , a trade name for Malayan Banking Berhad is the largest bank and financial group in Malaysia, with significant banking operations in Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines. The bank also has large interests in Islamic banking through Maybank Islamic Berhad and insurance via its Etiqa...
,
Philippine Bank of CommunicationsThe Philippine Bank of Communications , more commonly known as PBCom, is one of the largest commercial banks in the Philippines, ranking nineteenth in terms of assets...
(PBCOM), and
Philippine Veterans BankPhilippine Veterans Bank, also known as PVB and Veterans Bank, is a medium-sized commercial bank in the Philippines. PVB is owned by Philippine World War II war veterans and their families and caters to both corporate and retail financial markets...
.
Tharift Banks are Equitable Savings Bank (ESB), GE Money Bank,
Philippine Postal Savings BankThe Philippine Postal Savings Bank , also known as PostalBank, is the state-owned postal savings system in the Philippines. It is the smallest of the Philippines' three state-owned banks, ranking 16th among thrift banks in terms of assets...
,
Philippine Savings BankThe Philippine Savings Bank , commonly known as PSBank or PSB, is a savings bank based in the Philippines. It is a subsidiary of Metrobank and is the second-largest savings bank in the Philippines.-Subsidiaries and affiliates:...
(PSBank), and RCBC Savings Bank.
Rural Banks are Zamboanga City Rural Bank, Rural Bank of Siocon, Philippine Farmer's Bank,
One Network BankOne Network Bank, also known as ONB, is a rural bank based in Davao City in the Philippines. Formed in 2004 through the consolidation of Network Rural Bank of Davao del Sur, the Rural Bank of Panabo of Davao del Norte and the Provident Rural Bank of Cotabato, ONB is the largest rural bank in the...
, First Valley Bank, Pen Bank and Bank of Makati.
Most of the banks in the city are the head branches in the
Zamboanga peninsulaZamboanga Peninsula / Western Mindanao is a peninsula and an administrative region in the Philippines. Designated as Region IX, the region consists of three provinces, namely, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay, its component cities of Dipolog, Dapitan, Pagadian, and...
(and even in the country) such as
Islamic Bank of the PhilippinesThe Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines or Al-Amanah Islamic Bank is the first and only Islamic bank in the Philippines.-History:...
,
Development Bank of the PhilippinesThe Development Bank of the Philippines , commonly known by its initials, DBP, is a state-owned development bank in Makati, Philippines.It is the seventh-largest bank in the Philippines in terms of assets, and is the second-largest...
,
Land Bank of the PhilippinesLand Bank of the Philippines , also known as LANDBANK or by its initials, LBP, is a bank in the Philippines owned by the Philippine government with a special focus on serving the needs of farmers and fishermen...
,
Metropolitan Bank and Trust CompanyThe Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company , commonly known as Metrobank. It has a diverse offering of financial services, from regular banking to insurance. Metrobank is the second largest bank in the Philippines.-History:...
,
Rizal Commercial Banking CorporationThe Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation was established in 1960 as a development bank and is licensed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for both commercial and investment banking...
and
One Network BankOne Network Bank, also known as ONB, is a rural bank based in Davao City in the Philippines. Formed in 2004 through the consolidation of Network Rural Bank of Davao del Sur, the Rural Bank of Panabo of Davao del Norte and the Provident Rural Bank of Cotabato, ONB is the largest rural bank in the...
. The city also hosts several other financial firms.
Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority
The Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority (Zamboecozone) also known as Zamboanga Freeport Authority (ZFA), was created by virtue of the
Republic Acts of the Philippines 7903 of the
Philippines ConstitutionThe Constitution of the Philippines is the supreme law of the Philippines.The Constitution currently in effect was enacted in 1987, during the administration of President Corazon Aquino, and is popularly known as the "1987 Constitution"...
in the year 1995. It was authored by the then congresswoman and late
mayorIn many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of the city of Zamboanga,
Maria Clara L. LobregatMaría Clara Rafols Lorenzo Lobregat was a Filipina politician from Zamboanga City, where she served as its first woman mayor and also a representative to the Philippine Congress.-Early life:...
.
The
Special Economic ZoneA Special Economic Zone is a geographical region that has economic and other laws that are more free-market-oriented than a country's typical or national laws...
was enacted into law on February 23, 1995 and made operational a year later with the appointment of a chairman and administrator and the members of the Board by former
President Fidel V. RamosFidel "Eddie" Valdez Ramos , popularly known as FVR, was the 12th President of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998. During his six years in office, Ramos was widely credited and admired by many for revitalizing and renewing international confidence in the Philippine economy.Prior to his election as...
. It is located about 20 km from the city center. It is one of the three current Economic Freeport Zone outside Luzon.
The Zamboanga Freeport Authority has come up with another priority project for the First Industrial Park. This project is in line with the President's vision of a more globally competitive
PhilippinesThe Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. Priority is given to Retirement Village and Wellness Center, Information Technology (IT) with the availability of IT services such as Data Transcription, Medical Transcription, Litigation Support, Publishing Services, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), Data Conversion, Graphics Animation, Computer-Aided Drafting and Design (CADD), Hispanic Call Centers, and Software Development and Maintenance. On the other hand, the 664-hectare seafront property of the Authority which serves as the site for the Second Industrial Park is the proposed site for the construction of a world-class International Seaport Complex. The complex will have a main area of 20 hectares. Other projects envisioned for the seaport site includes an 18-hole golf course, hotel, recreational facilities, restaurants, marina and theme parks.
The Second Development Site of the Zamboanga Freeport Authority is a 15,000-hectare logged-over area in upper La Paz and Pamucutan. It is ideal for agro-forestry, high-end residential projects, information technology ventures and a university village.
The Baguio-like climate is highly viable for eco-tourism. Visitors have raved about the once-in-a-lifetime experience of trekking in the slopes of the rugged terrain accompanied by well-trained members of Team Kaguang, the Authority's mountaineering club. Guests vowed to come back for the exhilarating experience once more. The concept of a retirement center in the hinterlands is now in the drawing boards. The identified 40-hectare property for this project nestled among the rolling hills has a magnificent view of the ocean and has a serene and calming effect most idyllic for a retirement community complete with hospital facility, fitness center, outdoor entertainment, sports and recreational center, spas and salons.
Shopping centers and malls
As the center of commerce in Western Mindanao, Zamboanga is home to five local shopping malls and numerous department stores, supermarkets, and other retail outlets.
- Mindpro Citimall
Mindpro Citimall is the first and largest shopping mall in Zamboanga City, as well as the third largest shopping mall in Zamboanga Peninsula, Philippines located at La Purisima St., Zamboanga City...
- It was opened in the year 1996. It is the second mall in the city after the defunct Alta mall. It is the only shopping mall in the city that has cinemas.
- Yubenco Star Mall
Yubenco Star Mall is a shopping complex in Zamboanga City located at Maria Clara L. Lobregat Highway , Putik, Zamboanga City . Yubenco Star Mall consists of a 5-star restaurant-bar, a wet market, and the main mall...
- A shopping complex that is located at Barangay PutikPutik is one of the developing barangays in Zamboanga City. Situated at six kilometers east of the city proper. The name "putik" is ironic to the bustling economic situation of the barangay. It has one of the most number of subdivisions and a number of public and private offices...
. It is the farthest mall from the city's main business district.
- Southway Square
The Southway Square, situated at the heart of Zamboanga City along Gov. Lim Ave., is a five-storey, medium-sized shopping center houses a supermarket, an upscale department store and selected stores and boutiques. It is known as the "City's Prime Mall" because of its investment potentials and...
- It began its operations in the year 2007. The mall features one of the most modern architectural designs among the city's newest architectural features.
- Shoppers' Center
Shoppers' Center is a 5-story shopping mall in Zamboanga City's central business district owned by ACLEM Properties Inc. located at Gov. Lim Avenue cor. Almonte St., in front of the nearer mall Southway Square....
- Zamboanga's newest mall. It is located within the city proper.
- Midtown Plaza Mall
Midtown Plaza Mall- A 2-storey Shopping Mall located at Nunez Extension corner Gov. Camins Avenue in Zamboanga City, Philippines. Constructed in 2001, this mall is considered as one of the smallest malls in the Philippines by floor area. Unlike most of the malls, this has no escalator, only stairs...
- A shopping mall located along Nuñez Extension. Though operational for a few years now, most of this mall's stalls remain vacant.
- Robinson's Place Zamboanga - The mall will soon to rise along Nunez Extension.
- SM City Zamboanga - SM will soon to rise in the city.
- Gaisano Mall - had a planned to put the mall in the city, this will soon to rise in the city.
Entertainment and recreation
The Ciudad de Zamboanga boasts of several popular recreation sites such as Catribo Complex, Latitude, Park 88, and Grand Alejandra's place. Many other popular restaurants and commercial complexes are located around the city, some of which are: Mano-Mano na Greenfield Restaurant, Harry's Grill, The Lobby Bar, Family Fried Chicken, Manang Terry's Chicken Inato,
Mang InasalMang Inasal is a common fast food chain in the Philippines.-History:Edgar Sia II engaged in business at twenty years of age. He opened the first branch at the Robinson's Mall Carpark-Iloilo....
, Country Chicken, Pizza Pedricos, McDonald's, and KFC.
Mindpro Cinemas and Viva Theatre are the city's only movie theaters.
There are many convention centers that cater to large regional, national, and international events and congregations; they include Garden Orchid Convention Center, Marcian Convention Center, Zamboanga City Colliseum in Tetuan, Zamboanga City Convention Center, Astoria Regency in Pasonanca (the biggest convention center in Mindanao), and Patio Palmeras Convention Centers.
Sport venues of the Ciudad de Zamboanga include the Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex (which is the biggest sports complex in the Philippines), where most of the largest regional and national sporting events are held, the Summit Centre, and the Zamboanga City Coliseum.
Seaweeds industry
The primary species of
seaweedSeaweed is a loose, colloquial term encompassing macroscopic, multicellular, benthic marine algae. The term includes some members of the red, brown and green algae...
grown and harvested in Ciudad de Zamboanga is the Eucheuma Cottonii seaweed because of its numerous uses; it can be farmed commercially almost anywhere along the city’s coastal areas. Eucheuma seaweed has been commercially introduced in various method of propagation, after extensive experimentation. It was disclosed that eucheuma
seaweedSeaweed is a loose, colloquial term encompassing macroscopic, multicellular, benthic marine algae. The term includes some members of the red, brown and green algae...
s grow faster on reefs than other areas which prove that seaweed farming is viable in this city. When the study of Eucheuma seaweeds propagation was initiated, its technical advancement was transferred to the private sectors, thus making the seaweed industry one of the leading ventures in the country today.
Sardine industry
Ciudad de Zamboanga is noted as sardines capital of the Philippines because 8 out of 11 sardines companies in the country are operating in the city. The sardines made from Ciudad de Zamboanga are also exported to countries and regions like the
North AmericaNorth America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
,
EuropeEurope is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
,
Middle EastThe Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, and
East AsiaEast Asia or Eastern Asia is a subregion of Asia that can be defined in either geographical or cultural terms...
. The canning factories are converged in the west coast of Ciudad de Zamboanga and are behind popular sardine brands like Mega Fishing Corporation (Mega Sardines), Universal Canning Corporation (Family's Brand Sardines), and Columbus Seafood Inc. (555 Sardines, SM Bonus Sardines, Blue Bay Sardines). Sardine fishing and processing account for about 70 percent of the city's economy. Situated at the western tip of the
MindanaoMindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
mainland, Ciudad de Zamboanga is a natural docking point for vessels traversing the rich fishing grounds of the Zamboanga peninsula and the Sulu archipelago. The Ciudad de Zamboanga’s eight canneries, which employ around 15,000 workers, process 1,000 tons of sardines daily.
Education
The formal education in the Ciudad de Zamboanga is patterned after the
American systemEducation in the United States is mainly provided by the public sector, with control and funding coming from three levels: federal, state, and local. Child education is compulsory.Public education is universally available...
, with
EnglishEnglish is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
as the medium of instruction. Schools are classified into public (government) and
privatePrivate schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
(non-government). Classes start in June, and end in March. The majority of colleges, and universities follow a semester calendar from June to October, and November to March. There are a number of foreign schools with study programs.
The general pattern of formal education follows by five stages:
- Pre-primary level - nursery and kindergarten offered in most private schools;
- Primary level - six years of basic education;
- Secondary level - four years of high school education;
- Tertiary level - usually takes four years, sometimes five and in some cases as in medical and law schools.
- Graduate level - additional two or more years of schooling.
Universities and colleges
One of the most historic cities in the Philippines; Zamboanga plays host of numerous first-rate colleges and universities. These educational institutions attract many students in the province, as well as from the other parts of the country. The city of Zamboanga has a several prestigious private schools in Southern and Western Mindanao. Most of these private schools or institutions are administrated by
CatholicThe word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
missionaries.
Most of the universities and colleges in the city which offer different courses with the same standard of teaching to that of others schools in the Philippines. Thus, pursuing a degree in the city is not difficult. Records show that educational institutions in the city have produced topnotchers in board examinations as well as competent men and women in the government and private sectors.
Private schools
- Ateneo de Zamboanga University
The Ateneo de Zamboanga University is a Catholic and Jesuit university in Western Mindanao. It is also known by the acronym AdZU. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1912, it is the second oldest Jesuit school in the Philippines. It initially catered to primary and secondary education for boys. It...
- Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1912, it is the second oldest Jesuit school in the Philippines. It initially catered to primary and secondary education for boys. It became a college in 1952, and a university in August 2001. The Ateneo de ZamboangaThe Ateneo de Zamboanga University is a Catholic and Jesuit university in Western Mindanao. It is also known by the acronym AdZU. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1912, it is the second oldest Jesuit school in the Philippines. It initially catered to primary and secondary education for boys. It...
began in 1912 as Escuela Catolica, a parochial school run by Spanish Jesuits at the old site of the Immaculate Conception Church, right across the Sunken Garden. The school now has two campuses in the city.
- Pilar College
Pilar College- is private sectarian school in Zamboanga City, Philippines. It is located at R.T. Lim boulevard. The schoolis known to be the oldest school in the city founded on the year 1894 by the Beaterio sisters.-Vision:...
was founded in the year 1894, as a Cartilla School by the Beaterio Sisters who evacuated from Tamontaca, Cotabato. One of the two sisters who started the Cartilla School in the year 1894 was Mother Maria Antera Cruz, RVM.
- Universidad de Zamboanga
Universidad de Zamboanga is a private university in Zamboanga City, Philippines, founded on October 12, 1948 by Arturo Eustaquio, Sr. It was formerly known as Zamboanga A.E. Colleges until it was changed to Universidad de Zamboanga in 2005, the year it was granted university status. UZ holds 25%...
- A private university in Zamboanga City, Philippines. Founded on October 12, 1948 by Arturo Eustaquio, Sr. It was formerly known as Zamboanga A.E. Colleges until it was granted a university status by the CHEDThe Commission on Higher Education of the Philippines, , abbreviated as CHED. The CHED is attached to the Office of the President for administrative purposes...
in the year 2005. It has 8 campuses spread out in an area of more than 130 hectares in the city and some parts of Zamboanga PeninsulaZamboanga Peninsula / Western Mindanao is a peninsula and an administrative region in the Philippines. Designated as Region IX, the region consists of three provinces, namely, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay, its component cities of Dipolog, Dapitan, Pagadian, and...
. Universidad de Zamboanga has 2 Highschools namely Arturo Eustaquio Memorial Science Highschool and the UZ Technical Highschool.
- Ebenezer Bible College and Seminary
The Ebenezer Bible College and Seminary is a CAMACOP Bible institution in Zamboanga City, Philippines. It's the first and the largest by area Bible institution of CAMACOP.-History:...
- The Ebenezer Bible College and Seminary is the largest school of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Churches of the Philippines and one of the oldest and finest co-educational schools in the Philippines. It was built upon a foundation of two Christian days schools known as Ebenezer Schools, the first being established after 1903 by Rev. and Mrs. David O. Lund, and the second after 1920 by Rev. JA McMillan. For 31 years, Ebenezer was located 2 km. east of the business section of Zamboanga City and transferred its site from Tetuan to a 13-hectare campus west of the city, Calarian in 1957. The campus is bounded on the north side by the national highway and on the south side by the beautiful Sulu Sea.
Public schools
- University of the Philippines, Zamboanga is proposed university under the Senate Bill No. 2662, a bill to create the new University of The Philippines Campus in Zamboanga City mandated by Senator. Rodolfo Biazon, to serve the whole Zamboanga Peninsula Region and ARMM Region. If this is approved, UP-Zamboanga will be the second UP campus in Mindanao after UP-Mindanao in Davao City.
- Western Mindanao State University
Western Mindanao State University is the premier and only state university in Zamboanga City. It is said to be one of if not the oldest university in Mindanao...
- Formerly Zamboanga Normal College founded 1904; Is the first to be granted as a university in the year 1978. It is the only state university in the Ciudad de Zamboanga. Its campus is located in Baliwasan and is offering college and vocational programs. The university is believed to be the oldest school in Mindanao. WMSU already brought numerous achievements in the academic field, it is the Center of Excellence in Teacher Education, Center of Development in Architecture, Best School in Social Work, Best School in Forestry and Number 1 in the Criminology Board Examinations. The school is considered one of the best public universities in the country.
- Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College
Zamboanga City Polytechnic State College is a state college in Zamboanga City, Philippines. It is just a few meters from Western Mindanao State University and about 500 meters from Pilar College in R.T. Lim Boulevard. It is nestled along the university belt of the city where most of the colleges are...
- Formerly Zamboanga City Trade School founded 1905. It was founded as a small workshop classroom of the Zamboanga Central School in July 1905. In 1992, the Zamboanga School of Arts and Trades was converted into Zamboanga City Polytechnic College under the supervision of the Commission on Higher Education. On July 20, 2001, pursuant to Republic Act 9142, the Zamboanga City Polytechnic College became a state college and its name changed to Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College. The college is mandated to provide advanced instruction and professional training in science and technology and other related fields, undertake research and extension services, and provide progressive leadership in the Ciudad de Zamboanga.
- Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology
Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology is a state college in Zamboanga City, Philippines. It is the only school in Western Mindanao that offered a courses related to marine and sea studies...
- Is a member of Philippine States and Colleges League. The only school in the Philippines aside from the city of Cebu that offered a course that related to Marine and Sea Courses. It was founded in 1956.
Foreign relations
The City of Zamboanga often partner with foreign cities through
Sister Cities InternationalSister Cities International is a nonprofit citizen diplomacy network that creates and strengthens partnerships between United States and international communities. More than 2,000 cities, states and counties are partnered in 136 countries around the world...
, an organization whose goal is to “promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation". Sister cities interact with each other across a broad range of activities, from health care and education to business, culture and arts.
Ciudad de Zamboanga is a member of
BIMP-EAGAThe East ASEAN Growth Area is a subregional economic cooperation initiative in Southeast Asia.-Background:BIMP-EAGA was launched in 1994 as a cooperation initiative by Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, all of which are member-countries of the regional Association of...
which stands for Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area. BIMP-EAGA is an agreement among the four Southeast Asian neighbor countries for economic cooperation. It has put Ciudad de Zamboanga in touch with towns in Malaysia and Indonesia. As a result of contacts arising from BIMP-EAGA, an air and sea route has been opened between Ciudad de Zamboanga and
SandakanSandakan is the second-largest city in Sabah, East Malaysia, on the north-eastern coast of Borneo. It is located on the east coast of the island and it is the administrative centre of Sandakan Division and was the former capital of British North Borneo...
in
Malaysia and even a free-trade of goods to other BIMP-EAGA members.
SandakanSandakan is the second-largest city in Sabah, East Malaysia, on the north-eastern coast of Borneo. It is located on the east coast of the island and it is the administrative centre of Sandakan Division and was the former capital of British North Borneo...
and Ciudad de Zamboanga is seen as sisters states or twin cities have always managed to work well together. The strong relationship between Sandakan and Zamboanga has existed for so long. As immediate neighbors, these two regions have a long history of interactions not only through trade relations but also through culture and social interactions. BIMP-EAGA which was formed in 1994 to further strengthen the existing economic and social ties between these two regions formally.
Health
The Ciudad de Zamboanga has been adjudged as the outstanding city in the 2009 implementation of the local level plan of action for nutrition, a feat which entitles this southern port city to be an entry in the National Nutrition Council’s “Green Banner Award.” During the year 1996 the City received the prestigious “Green Banner Award”. Based on the evaluation, Agbulos said Ciudad de Zamboanga got a final score of 91.87 percent, followed by Dipolog City with a score of 88.20 percent, and Dapitan City with 84.92 percent.
Medical and dental needs of the city’s residents are among the primary concerns of the city government. Most of the hospitals in the city are equipped with advanced and modern medical instruments and services.
The Department of Health is always on the front-line assisting the residents on their medical needs and disseminating vital heath information to its target clientele. It regularly conducts outreach programs, consultations and dialogues. All the barangays in the city have their own barangay health centre managed by the city heath department.
The city is also home to medical centres and hospitals. These provide quality health care services for Zamboanguenos.
- Brent Hospital and Colleges, Inc. - Located at R.T.Lim Boulevard and it was founded on February 2, 1914 by Charles Henry Brent
Charles Henry Brent was an American Episcopal bishop who served in the Philippines and western New York.Born in Canada and educated at Trinity College, Toronto, Brent was originally stationed at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in the South End of Boston, where he served as an associate priest...
, The first Protestant Episcopal missionary bishop in the PhilippinesThe Episcopal Church in the Philippines is a province of the Anglican Communion first established by the Episcopal Church. It was founded in 1901 by American missionaries led by Charles Henry Brent, who served as the first resident bishop. It became an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion...
. It also runs a school within the extensive Hospital Compound, offering nursing and allied health courses.
- Zamboanga City Medical Center - Is the largest medical facility in Region IX in terms of bed capacity. The hospital was founded in 1918 as the Zamboanga General Hospital; better known simply as "General Hospital", is located in the corner of Veterans Avenue-Fort Pilar road.
- Zamboanga Doctors' Hospital - Located at Veterans Avenue, It is the first privately owned hospital and one of the most modern facilities in the city, was established in 1964.
- Ciudad Medical Zamboanga - Is one of the most equipped and advanced medical center in the city. Ciudad Medical is a five-storey medical complex located at Nunez Extension.
- Western Mindanao Medical Center - Located at Veterans Avenue Extension; It was established in the year 1990, with state-of-the-art facilities and a newly reconstructed building.
- Universidad de Zamboanga Community Medical Center or ZAEC Community Hospital - Formerly the Zamboanga Arturo Eustaquio Colleges Memorial Medical Center, along San Jose Road; Is a university-owned hospital equipped with advanced medical facilities and has a 24-hour pharmacy located inside the Medical complex.
- Zamboanga City Red Cross - Is one of the pioneer chapters in the country. It was established on June 17, 1946, known originally as Zamboanga Chapter. The original Zamboanga Chapter comprised the city of Zamboanga and the 3 provinces of Basilan
The Province of Basilan is an island province of the Philippines within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao . Basilan is the largest and northernmost of the major islands of the Sulu Archipelago and is located just off the southern coast of Zamboanga Peninsula...
, Zamboanga del NorteZamboanga del Norte or simply known as ZANORTE is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its capital is Dipolog City and the province borders Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay to the south and Misamis Occidental to the east...
and Zamboanga del SurZamboanga del Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Pagadian City is the capital...
. Zamboanga City Chapter has a Blood Center with complete laboratory equipment for blood processing. The chapter contributed to the well being of the patients needing blood, both in public and private hospitals.
- Zamboanga Peninsula Medical Center - Target completion and opening is by the first half of 2013 or approximately one and a half year construction.
- Zamboanga Children's Hospital
The
Military Sealift CommandThe Military Sealift Command is a United States Navy organization that controls most of the replenishment and military transport ships of the Navy. It first came into existence on 9 July 1949 when the Military Sea Transportation Service became solely responsible for the Department of Defense's...
(MSC) hospital ship,
USNS Mercy (T-AH-19)The third USNS Mercy is the lead ship of her class of hospital ships in the United States Navy. Her sister ship is the USNS Comfort . She was named for the virtue of compassion. In accordance with the Geneva Conventions, USNS Mercy and her crew do not carry any offensive weapons, though...
, is anchored off of the coast of Zamboanga City, as it provide a multitude of medical, dental and veterinary care for the people who live in this region. This care is provided by a portion of Mercy's staff working side by side with their Filipino counterparts at several medical centers in the city, as well as patients being given care on the ship itself. Mercy's stop in Zamboanga is the first of many, during its humanitarian deployment to South and Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Mercy is able to rapidly respond to a range of situations on short notice and is capable of supporting medical and humanitarian assistance needs with special medical equipment and a multi-specialized medical team, providing a range of services ashore as well as aboard the ship. The medical staff is augmented with an assistance crew, many of whom are part of non-governmental organizations that have significant medical capabilities.
Tourism
Ciudad de Zamboanga is the entry and exit point to any parts of
Southeast Asian RegionSoutheast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
to the Philippines from Investment to Tourism. There are constant reminders of the city’s exotic past as a major East-West trading port. Zamboanga remains a melting pot of cultures with the colorful vinta sails and Fort Pilar symbolizes the city’s rich heritage.
Parks and landmarks
There are several tourist destinations in the city. These include: The Zamboanga Fortress now called
Fort PilarFort Pilar is a 17th century military defense fortress built by the Spanish colonial government in Zamboanga City on Mindanao Island in the Republic of the Philippines...
;
Pettit BarracksPettit Barracks was located in Zamboanga City and, along with Camp John Hay, was the location of the US Army's 43d Infantry Regiment ....
, the former encampment of United States; The
Modern Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate ConceptionThe Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Zamboanga City in the Philippines, one of Asia's largest modern cathedrals, is the seat of the Archdiocese of Zamboanga.-History:...
; The
Old Normal School BuildingWestern Mindanao State University is the premier and only state university in Zamboanga City. It is said to be one of if not the oldest university in Mindanao...
; St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish Church; Taluksangay Mosque; and the Zamboanga City Hall are Historical Buildings that the main attractions for tourists in the city and most of them are religious places.
The
Sta. Cruz IslandGreat Santa Cruz Island is south of downtown Zamboanga City, on the Basilan Strait....
, Paseo del Mar, Pasonanca Park, Jardin de Maria Clara, Cawa-Cawa Boulevard,
Zamboanga Golf and Country ClubThe Zamboanga Golf and Country Club is a golf course in Zamboanga City, Philippines. The oldest Golf Course in the Philippines, it was established in 1910 when the Philippines was an American territory. It overlooks the Basilan Strait. It also is host to a public swimming resort managed by the...
, Plaza Pershing and other parks in the city are designed to encourage the local and foreign tourists to visit the city.
The
Department of TourismThe Department of Tourism is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for the regulation of the Philippine tourism industry and the promotion of the Philippines as a tourist destination....
has selected Zamboanga City as a tourist destination to be promoted nationally and internationally. Tourism to the Zamboanga Peninsula has trended upward in recent years.
DomesticDomestic policy, also known as public policy, presents decisions, laws, and programs made by the government which are directly related to all issues and activity within the country....
and
foreignIn law, an alien is a person in a country who is not a citizen of that country.-Categorization:Types of "alien" persons are:*An alien who is legally permitted to remain in a country which is foreign to him or her. On specified terms, this kind of alien may be called a legal alien of that country...
touristTourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
arrivals increased 8 percent to 439,160 in 2005, according to data from the regional tourism office. The same report notes that
FilipinosThe Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
accounted for 80 percent of the
touristTourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
arrivals. Moreover, 50 percent of those tourists visited Zamboanga City before.
A new landmark of Zamboanga City completed in December 1999. It is perhaps the country's most modern cathedral and the only one with an elevator. Summary: 2-storey Cathedral accessible by ramp & side stairs; Cruciform design accented elliptical/oval forms in the shape of candles - 3 at main entrance (foot of cruciform) and 1 each at 3 other ends of the cruciform Ground Floor: Area - 2,303.77 sq. m.; 400-500 capacity Day Chapel; 536 sq. m. Conference Room; 250 capacity Perpetual Adoration Chapel; 355 sq. m. Crypt; Public and Clergy Offices Second Floor: Area - 2,276.82 sq. m.; 1,600 to 2,000 capacity Main Cathedral; 250 each capacity Baptistry and Blessed Sacrament Chapel; 116 sq. m. Sacristy; highly proportional Sanctuary and Altar, elevated Bishop's Chair, ample area for Ordination ceremonies; approached by Front Ramps, side stairs, and winding stairs.
Approx. 6 km. on the west coast, accessible by jeeyneys and minibuses. Originally known as the Zamboanga Golf and Country Club when it was founded in June 1910 by
. This is one of the oldest golf courses in the Philippines with Pershing himself as the club's first president. This course has a fine layout with winding fairways, dogleg situations, and good greens planted to Tifton 228. Its bunkers have the pinkish sand from Sta. Cruz Island. Although Zamboanga's first nine is somewhat flat in terrain, the second is fairly rolling, skirting around the Basilan Strait for a bit of ocean view. Interesting rounds await the average golfer or seasoned campaigner, as flexibility is assured with long tee mounds. The course has elevated greens which can be tricky for their small size and rolling make-up. The course has 18 holes in 64 hectares.
Zamboanga City is home to a diverse culture. It boasts a long and worth-knowing history. These diversity and duration are just two of the many reasons behind the City's numerous colorful and solemn festivities; These festivals dates are generally non-working holidays. A few of the major celebrations in the city are listed with some bits of must-know facts.
(February 26)- The date when Zamboanga was declared as a chartered city under the Commonwealth Government in the year 1937. Charter Day of the City became a non-working holiday. A roster of special activities are lined up annually to mark the occasion. The signing of the City's Charter by Pres. Manuel L. Quezon was witnessed by Assemblyman Juan S. Alano and the representative of the Moro province of Mindanao.
(March/April) - A city procession known as the Santo Entierro (Holy Funeral) on Good Friday highlights the observance of the season of Lent. Celebrated in most parish churches in the city and in the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the Santo Entierro is a procession of Christ's images along the city's main streets, depicting his last hours before, during, and after the Crucifixion.
(May) - A religious feast celebrated in many Catholic Parishes in honor of Reyna Elena (Queen Helen)and her son Constantine who went to the Holy Land to search for Jesus' Cross.
(August) - Often abbreviated to Eid, is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic Holy month of fasting. Eid is an Arabic word meaning "festivity", while Fiṭr means "to break fast"; and so the holiday symbolizes the breaking of the fasting period. It is celebrated after the end of the Islamic month of Ramadan, on the first day of Shawwal.
The Hermosa Festival also known as Zamboanga La Hermosa Festival or popularly known as
a month-long festival held each year in the city of Zamboanga, the city center of
. It is one of the Oldest Festival in the Country and the most awaited Event in the Region.
(Spanish and Chavacano: Nuestra Señora del Pilar), the patroness of Zamboanga City which is held in every 12 October. It is also the patroness of
Highlighted by the October 12 Fiesta Pilar in honor of the miraculous image of Our Lady of the Pillar at the legendary Fort Pilar. The festival features month-long celebrations with so many lineup activities to be held; Hermosa dance sports competition and the street dance competition is the most awaited activities in the festive. The festival commences with a solemn procession and a grand mass at the Fort. With thousands of pilgrims converging in Zamboanga City. One of the oldest festivities in the country..
(2nd week of December) - A Feast day of Zamboanga City's Patron; the Blessed Virgin Mary's Immaculate Conception. Traditionally celebrates with a procession and mass highlighted by either first communion or ordination rites. They're also holding several activities such us the Street dance competition.
(December 25) - Celebration of Jesus Christ's Birth. City hall, churches, schools, barangays, streetlight post, houses, streets, commercial places, parks and most of the other places in the City are covered with lights, filled with joyous sounds and other Christmas Decorations.
Week-long celebration in every Barangay/Barrios honoring their patron saints. The celebration usually starts with novena masses held every day for 9 straight days prior the feast day of the patron saint. every night, the barrio is lit up for celebration and merry-making that includes pageants, trade fair, parade, cock-fighting, carnival, musical competition and "baile."