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| established_title2 = Highly urbanized city
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Pagadian, officially the City of Pagadian, is a highly urbanized city and the capital of the province of Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines. It is the regional center of Zamboanga Peninsula and the second-largest city in the region, after the independent Zamboanga City. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 206,483 people. The city converted into a highly urbanized city by the virtue of Proclamation No. 1247, signed by President Rodrigo Duterte dated November 8, 2021.
Pagadian began as stop-over for traders who plied the road between the old Zamboanga City on the southwestern tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula and other bigger towns to the north of the old Zamboanga Province. Except for its sheltered bay and good fishing grounds, it was not a promising site because it is situated on steeply rolling terrain. In the course of its local history, waves of different kinds of people came to stay, and eventually called among themselves "Pagadianons".
The iconic symbol of Pagadian is its uniquely designed tricycle built to adopt to the city's hilly terrain. It is the only place in the Philippines with a public transport inclined at about 25-40° angle. Tourism Philippines (retrieved: July 17, 2012) The Inclined Tricycles of Pagadian City (retrieved: July 17, 2012) My Pagadian.com (retrieved: March 31, 2009) In recent years, these iconic inclined public transport have been slowly being replaced by modernized tricycles that are locally called "bao-bao", a kind of auto rickshaw, due to the latter's fuel-efficiency, less noise and being environment-friendly due to its smoke-less emissions.
Pagadian came under the local rule of Sultan Datu Akob, an Iranun datu whose daughter caught the fancy of Datu Macaumbang (Sultan of Taga Nonok), also an Iranun from Malabang, Tukuran that is now part of Pagadian. He was the son of Sharif Apo Tubo who descended from the bloodline of Sharif Kabungsuan, the first Sultan of the Maguindanao Sultanate. With the approval of Sultan Datu Akob, Datu Macaumbang married Bai Putri Panyawan Akob, the beautiful daughter of the Sultan of Pagadian and Royal Bai Putri of Raya. The Iranon Tribe Blogspot (retrieved: March 29, 2009)
Upon the death of Datu Akob also known as Datu Mimbalawag, his son-in-law, Datu Macaumbang (Sultan of Taga Nonok) assumed leadership; he established the territorial boundaries of the present city proper, from Balangasan River in the west of Tawagan Sur River in the east. Beyond the river of Tawagan Sur was the territory of Datu Balimbingan. At one time, Datu Macaumbang requested the assistance of the Philippine Constabulary due to the rampant banditry and piracy in the area. A detachment led by Col. Tiburcio Ballesteros stationed at Malangas landed at the place and stationed themselves at Dumagoc Island. The arrival of the soldiers restored peace and order, thereby attracting the influx of settlers from other places.
A group of Christian settlers arrived in 1927, led by Mariano Cabrera. On March 23, 1937, the town of Pagadian was established by the Executive Order No. 77 of President Manuel L. Quezon. Though using the original Subanen name, the town proper was established in the Muslim sitio of Talapukan.
The increasing Christian population prompted the creation of the Parish of Pagadian in 1938 and was administered by the Jesuits, Colombian and Filipino priests. Most of the settlers came from Cebu as evident on the veneration of the Santo Niño de Cebú. The original Santo Niño Church of Pagadian was right across the city plaza, on the site of the current San Jose Parish church. The present Santo Niño Cathedral is now located in San Francisco District and was built in 1968.
Pagadian Parish became a diocese on November 2, 1971, and is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Ozamis. Msgr. Jesus B. Tuquib served as the first bishop and was installed on February 24, 1973. At that time, the Columban Fathers took care of the apostolic services for the first 13 parishes in the newly formed diocese.
As of 2008, the Diocese of Pagadian had 24 parishes.
On March 23, 1937, Pagadian became a municipality through Executive Order 77 due to the eager initiative of then Assemblyman Juan S. Alano, with the Jose Sanson appointed as acting mayor. Norberto Bana Sr. was elected as the first officially elected municipal mayor after the regular elections. The Municipality of Pagadian was formed by merging the municipal districts of Labangan and Dinas,History of Zamboanga del Sur, p37-38 (retrieved: March 29, 2009) as a result, making Labangan a district under its former barrio. The newly created town had 19 barangays or districts.History of Zamboanga del Sur, p38 (retrieved: March 29, 2009) In 1950, the barrios of Dinas, Legarda, Mirapao, Migpulao, Kalipapa, Pisaan, Bubway, Tiniguangan, Tabina, and Dimataling, which were under the Municipality of Pagadian, were incorporated into the newly created town of Dimataling. In the same manner, the barrios of Dumalinao Proper, Begong, Nilo, Tigbao, Ticwas, Balongating, Baguitan, Pantad, Napolan, Tagulo, Camanga, Maragang, Sibucao, Tina, Guling, Miculong, Baga, Rebucon, and Mambilik were constituted into Dumalinao in 1956.
The establishment of the general headquarters of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and the Philippine Constabulary were stationed in Pagadian and active from November 21, 1944, to June 30, 1946, during and in the aftermath of World War II, including the military operations and engagements against the Japanese and liberated areas in Mindanao from November 21, 1944, to August 15, 1945.
On August 16, 1976, the city was one of the hardest hit areas in the Moro Gulf earthquake and tsunami of 1976, considered as the most devastating tsunami in the Philippines in recent times. Pagadian was the major city in the area that was struck by both the earthquake and tsunami and sustained the greatest number of casualties. Phivolcs Report, Earthquake of 1976 (retrieved: March 31, 2009)
The 1970s brought a period of numerous concurrent conflicts on the island of Mindanao, including Pagadian and Zamboanga del Sur. The Bangsamoro Struggle for Self-Determintation: A Case Study This included land dispute conflicts arising from the influx of settlers from Luzon and the Visayas,See "History of the Philippines: From Indios Bravos to Filipinos" By Luis H. Francia|[8] Link to page in the referenced bookFor an in-depth survey of indigenous peoples and forced land seizures in the Philippines, see [9] Cultural Survival Quarterly. and from the Marcos administration’s encouragement of militia groups such as the Ilaga. News of the 1968 Jabidah massacre ignited a furor in the Moro community, and ethnic tensions encouraged with the formation of secessionist movements. Additionally, an economic crisis in late 1969, violent crackdowns on student protests in 1970, and 1971, and eventually the declaration of Martial Law all led to the radicalization of many students. Many of them left schools in Manila and joined New People's Army units in their home provinces, bringing the Marxist-Leninist Maoist armed conflict to Mindanao for the first time.
The September 1972 declaration of Martial Law began a 14-year period historically remembered for its human rights abuses,
About 45% of the total city area is steeply sloping terrain of hills and mountains on the northwestern portion that covers an estimated 15,090 hectares. Mt. Sugarloaf (1,376 m.), Mount Pinukis (1,213 m.), and Mt. Palpalan (650 m.) are the three notable mountain peaks. Areas in the direct north and central part, have gentle to moderate slopes, making up 47% of the total. The remaining 8% is level or nearly level which makes up most of the eastern and the southern parts of the city. The urban area covers about 845.48 hectares. Elevation of the urban area of the city ranges from 1 MSL (mean sea level) near Pagadian Bay to about 100 MSL in the area of Barangay San Jose.
The Tiguma, Bulatoc, Gatas, and Balangasan Rivers, drain to Pagadian Bay and serve as natural drainage. Due to its topography, most of the city's 54 barangays do not experience flooding. The low-lying southern and eastern part of the city occasionally experience flooding, especially during heavy rains.
Currently, there are 19 barangays which classified as urban (highlighted in bold) and the rest as rural.
The majority of Pagadianons speak the Cebuano language. The national language, Filipino (Tagalog language) is widely understood and is the native tongue of a small percentage of the population. Maguindanaon, iranun people, Maranao people, Tausug, and Sama-Bajau languages are used by the Muslim community. The Subanon language dialect is exclusively used by the Subanen people, the original inhabitants of the area. Remaining percentage of the population are classified as Hiligaynon and Zamboangueño speakers. As with the rest of the Philippines, English is widely understood and is used as the primary language for business.
The city has an increasing number of businesses in the service sector mainly due to the transfer of the regional offices from Zamboanga City resulting to an influx of visitors from other towns and cities in the Zamboanga Peninsula. This is evident on the bullish construction in the city. Some malls already had made their presence but the most prominent is the city-owned mall, City Commercial Center or C3 Mall, which was built in 2011. However, agriculture is still considered the primary economic resource with the production of rice, corn, coconut, fruit, root crops and animal husbandry. Special funding-assistance programs by the government are made available for local farmers; the City Livelihood Development Assistance Program (CILDAP) extends loans to those who need financial assistance for their livelihood.
Production of raw materials like seaweeds, coco processing, cassava constitute a large part of the local economy; small-scale manufacturing of furniture and decors made out of wood, bamboo, rattan, steel and plastic; handicrafts made out of bamboo, rattan, coco shell, wood, marine shell, ceramics, and weaving.
Pagadian Bay and the outer Illana Bay (Iranun Bay) abound with a wide variety of marine products; seaweed culture farming is flourishing in waters off the bay while fishponds near or along the bay yields milkfish, prawns and crabs. A number of large deep-sea fishing vessels that venture into the Sulu Sea and as far as the South China Sea make Pagadian fishport their base of operation. Because of this, the city is also one of the major suppliers of dried fish and other kinds of seafood in the region.
Another income-generating industry is mining in an area located 1.5 km southeast of Barangay Lison Valley proper approximately forty-nine kilometers from the city proper which yields gold, copper and molybdenum.
The Megayon Festival is a week-long celebration that coincides with the Zamboanga del Sur anniversary in September. It honors the tri-people settlers: the Subanon people, Bangsamoro Muslims and Christians. Unsapa.com - ZamboSur Anniversary (retrieved: April 26, 2009) " Megayon" is a Subanon language word which means "Unity and Solidarity". The festival is a showcase of three distinctly different cultural heritage in songs, dances, rituals of peace, foods and crafts, to foster unity and understanding among the three cultures. Environment-related activities, peace and development forum, and indigenous sports competitions PIA - Zamboanga del Sur (retrieved: April 26, 2009) are being held.
Pagadian City also officially celebrates the Chinese New Year. It honors the local Chinese community.
Plaza Luz is a park located across Pagadian City Hall. The park has a musical dancing fountain that is usually turned on at 6:00 in the evening.
Dao Dao Islands. The name is shared by two islands within Illana Bay; thus the addition of Dako (big) and Gamay (small) to the names of the islands for simple distinction. "Dao Dao Dako" is the bigger island which is about a hectare and is about 7 to 10‑minute ride by motorboat from the seaport. It has artificial coral reefs made of old tires. "Dao Dao Gamay" is technically not an island, but a sandbar that partially submerges during high tide.
Balas is the literal translation for "white sand" in the local dialect. It is classified as a white sandbar. A number of caves and waterfalls can also be found in remote barangays of the city.
The Provincial Government Complex is the civic, sports and cultural center of the Province of Zamboanga del Sur of which Pagadian is the capital. A standard-sized oval track and field, standard-sized swimming pools and buildings for indoor/outdoor sports as well as a cultural village and the Unity Park, a monument to the Tri-people group (the Lumads/pre-Islamic indigenous tribes, Moslems and Christians) who settled in Pagadian, are located there.
Pagadian is also the seat of the Provincial Government of Zamboanga del Sur.
Elected officials for the 2025–2028 term are:
Airport. The city is served by a Principal Airport Class 1 (or major domestic). It is located in Barangay Muricay, approximately five kilometers from the city proper. CAAP Official Website – About Us The airport serves as the only air portal in the Province of Zamboanga del Sur with direct flights to and from Manila City and Cebu City.
Seaport. The port of Pagadian City is served by shipping lines operating for both passenger and cargo vessels. Ports of call include Zamboanga City, Jolo and Siasi in Sulu, Bongao and Sitangkai in Tawi-tawi, and Cotabato City.
Integrated Bus Terminal (IBT-Main). Served by two major bus companies and several other smaller Public Utility Vehicles(PUVs), i.e. vans, the terminal sits atop the hill as the station for both Eastbound and Westbound transport, particularly for public transports bound for Zamboanga City, Dipolog,
Cotabato City, Kidapawan City, Digos City, Davao CitY, Tacurong City, Koronadal City, and General Santos City.
Integrated Bus Terminal (Annex Palacio), Served by several mini bus companies and other smaller PUVs, the terminal sits in urban Sta. Lucia District, as the station for both Eastbound and Westbound transport, particularly for public transport bound for neighboring towns especially in the Baganian Peninsula area.
High School:
College:
Under Margosatubig (1920s)
The present-day Pagadian had its beginnings as a sitio of Margosatubig. In July 1927, it became a barrio under the Municipal District of Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur upon the implementation of Executive Order no.70.Labangan Teachers, p69. (retrieved: March 29, 2009)
Prewar Era (1930s)
The transfer the seat of the Labangan Government to Pagadian was made in 1934 through the efforts of Director Teofisto Guingona, Sr. who was commissioned by Leonard Wood to find out the possibility of transferring the seat of government of the Labangan municipality to another place. A conference was first held, together with the Datus and the early Christian settlers as the idea of the transfer was at first largely opposed by the Christians. Eventually, a consensus was reached when the designated committee led by Datu Balimbingan of Labangan and with the consent of Datu Macaumbang surveyed the western part of the present area and found Talpokan, a part of the barrio of Pagadian, deemed as a suitable place for such transfer. At the same time, Datu Macaumbang donated 260 hectares of land to Christians who were willing to transfer to the area. 1stphilippines.com - Pagadian History (retrieved: March 29, 2009)
During World War II
Pagadian was occupied by Japanese troops during World War II. From November 5 to 20, 1944, the combined American and Filipino troops attempted to take the town from the Japanese. Sixteen Japanese soldiers were killed, but they remained in possession of Pagadian.Kent Holmes, Wendell Fertig and His Guerrilla Forces in the Philippines: Fighting the Japanese Occupation (Jefferson, N.C.: 2015), p. 116
1950s to the 1970s and the Martial Law Years
On June 6, 1952, Congressman Roseller T. Lim authored R.A. 711 dividing Zamboanga into two provinces - Norte (north) and Sur (south) then three months after, on September 17, 1952, it became the capital town of the newly established province of Zamboanga del Sur. Pagadian became a chartered city through R.A. 5478 on June 21, 1969, becoming the third city in the Zamboanga Peninsula.
(2025). 9780742510234, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. ISBN 9780742510234 often involving the warrantless detention, murder, and physical, sexual, or mental torture of political opponents, student activists, journalists, religious workers, farmers, and others who fought against the Marcos dictatorship. In Zamboanga del Sur, these were often attributed to military-endorsed militias, which included the Ilaga and a number of armed cult groups, which were used to enhance the military's numbers as it fought various resistance movements. Within Pagadian itself, documented human rights violations directly associated with the Philippine Constabulary included the killing of political prisoners at the Pagadian City Jail, while incidents of violence associated with the militias and armed cult groups included violence during the leadup to the 1981 Philippine presidential election and referendum, and the killing of civilians at checkpoints, including that of Catholic church worker Mateo Olivar at a checkpoint in Barangay Labangan, sparking local outrage in the Pagadian parish. Olivar would eventually be honored as a martyr of the resistance against the dictatorship at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani memorial.
Growth as a City (late 1980s-present)
In the 1980s, mayor Benjamin Arao initiated a layout for the city's future expansion by proposing a North Diversion Road of which a part would connect to F.S. Pajares Avenue, one of the city's two major roads via a Rotunda that overlooks the greater Illana Bay and the Moro Gulf beyond.
Designation as regional center for Region IX
In October 1990 President Corazon Aquino issued Executive Order 429 that designated Pagadian as the Regional Center for Region - IX (Zamboanga Peninsula). Philippines Law Online (retrieved: March 16, 2009) But it was not until November 12, 2004 that Pagadian officially became the Regional Center due in part to the opposition of Zamboanga City, the former regional center, which delayed the process of the transfer.
Highly urbanized city
Proclamation No. 1247 was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on December 8, 2021, which sought to convert Pagadian into a highly urbanized city.
Geography
Pagadian is on the northeastern side of the Western Mindanao region, bordering on Illana Bay. It is bounded by the municipalities of Tigbao and Dumalinao on the southwest, Lakewood on the west, Labangan on the east and northwest, and Midsalip on the north.
Climate
Located within the tropics of the northern hemisphere, Pagadian has a pronounced dry season from January to March and rainy season from April to December. The area is generally not affected by tropical storms and typhoons as it is located outside the Philippine Typhoon Belt. Temperature ranges from . The prevailing winds are the southwest wind that blow from over the sea during dry seasons going northeast, and the trade winds brought from the mountain ranges. Rainfall distribution is moderate from annually.
Barangays
Pagadian is politically subdivided into 54 . Each barangay consists of while some have sitios.
Demographics
The people of Pagadian (Pagadianons) are classified into three main groups which is based primarily on faith and heritage: (a) the Subanens (or any other indigenous tribes who had been living in the area before the advent of Islam in Mindanao), (b) the Muslims settlers who came from other parts of Mindanao and other places such as Sabah and Indonesia, and (c) the Christians settlers who generally came from the Visayas and Luzon.
Economy
Pagadian posted an average annual regular income of P662,511,106.21 from fiscal year 2009 to 2016, thus classifying it as a 1st class component city in the Philippines. As of 2023, it is the 7th wealthiest city in Mindanao with a total asset of P5.568 Billion. Top 10 Wealthiest Cities in Mindanao 2023 (retrieved: July 29, 2023)
Culture
Festivals
The City Fiesta is celebrated every third Sunday of January in honor of its patron saint, the Holy Child Jesus ( Santo Niño) which coincides with the feastday of Cebu City. It is officially called the Pasalamat Festival highlighted with a fluvial parade ( regatta), trade exhibits, the Mutya ng Pagadian beauty pageant, carnival shows and a civic military parade. On every June 21, the Araw ng Pagadian is celebrated in commemoration of its founding as a chartered city; as Capital of Zamboanga del Sur, the city hosts the annual provincial celebration in September with agro-trade exhibits, a civic-military parade, cultural presentations and sports competitions.
Tourism
The Pagadian Rotunda is a roundabout and circular park that overlooks Illana Bay where the North Diversion Road and F.S. Pajares Avenue converges, two of the three major roads in the city center (the third one being Rizal Avenue).
Government
The city is governed by the City Mayor. The local Sangguniang Panglungsod (City Legislative Council) is presided by the City Vice Mayor with ten elected councilors, and two ex-officio members from the Sangguniang Kabataan (Youth Council) and Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) respectively, as members of the council. The city mayor, vice mayor, and councilors are popularly elected to serve a three-year term.
+ Members of the Pagadian City Council (2025–2028) Representative Joseph C. Yu Mayor Samuel S. Co Vice Mayor Aiko Yu To Councilors Roger L. Acedillo Jackielyn Krystyl N. Bana Patrisha Kaye "Kai-Kai" N. Asugas Dr. Ariel J. Lim Jr. Ma. Alicia Elena "Allen" V. Ariosa Ann Marjorie N. Revelo Maphilindo "Mapi" Q. Obaob Lance Samuel F. Co Bienvinido "Bien" C. Culve Ronald Christopher Glenn "Jigger" L. Ariosa
Infrastructure
Transportation
Auto rickshaw or Bao-Bao is the primary public transport in the urban center while jeepneys ply the city's rural barangays. Private vehicles comprises the largest percentage of the traffic. Buses, minibuses, and jeepneys are the modes of transportation for transients bound for the neighboring municipalities and other parts of Zamboanga del Sur. These short-travel transports also serve the bus terminal which is located downtown.
Utilities
Education
Educational institutions in Pagadian
Media
AM radio stations
FM radio stations
TV stations
Cable and satellite providers
Notable people
Sister cities
Notes
External links
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