Zamboanga City

Ciudad de Zamboanga Asia's Latin City - Ciudad Latina de Asia City of Zamboanga
(From top, left to right): Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Minpro CitiMall, Paseo del Mar, Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex, Plaza Pershing 1915, Zamboanga City Hall, Rizal Monument and Universidad de Zamboanga campus Building, Port Pilar Shrine, Santa Barbara Mosque
Seal
Nickname(s): El Orgullo de Mindanao -The Pride of Mindanao, Ciudad de Flores - City of Flowers, Zamboanga Hermosa - Beautiful Zamboanga, Ciudad Latina de Asia - Asia's Latin City [1]
Location of Zamboanga City within the map of Zamboanga Peninsula on the island of Mindanao.
Location of Zamboanga City within the orthographic projection of Southeast asia on the island of Philippines.
Ciudad de Zamboanga Map of the Philippines showing the location of Zamboanga City.
Coordinates:
Country	Philippines
Region	Zamboanga Peninsula(Region IX)
Class	1st Class City (Highly-urbanized City)
Districts	1st and 2nd Legislative districts of Zamboanga City
Barangays/Barrios	98
Official Language	Zamboangueño Chavacano
Founded	13th and 14th Centuries[2]
Established	June 23, 1635 (1635-06-23) (age 375) [3]
Incorporated (City)	October 12, 1936 (1936-10-12) (age 74) [4]
Government
- Type	Local Government
- Mayor	Celso L. Lobregat LDP
- Vice Mayor	Cesar Ituralde LDP
- Legislative District I	Hon. Maria Isabelle Climaco Salazar LP
- Legislative District II	Hon. Erico Basilio A. Fabian NP
Area
- City	1,483.3849 km2 (572.7 sq mi)
Elevation[5]	6 m (20 ft)
Population (2007 Census[6])
- City	774,407
- Density	522.1/km2 (1,352.1/sq mi)
- Urban	419,560
- Demonym	Zamboangueño
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code[7]	7000
Area code(s)	62
Patron Saint	Our Lady of the Pillar
Website	Official Website

Zamboanga City ( Zamboangueño or Chavacano/Spanish: Ciudad de Zamboanga) (Subanen:Gembagel G'benwa Sembwangan/Bagbenwa Sembwangan)is classified as a highly urbanized city and It is currently ranked as the 6th most populous city (947,020 population as of 2010) and the 3rd largest by area in the Philippines ((522/km²) 1,353/sq mi).^[8][9] It is located at the southernmost tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula and is bounded in the north by the provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Norte, in the west by the Sulu Sea, in the east by Sibugay Bay, and in the south by the Basilan Strait. It is approximately 460 nautical miles south of City of Manila, 365 nautical miles northeast of Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, 345 nautical miles northeast of Menado, Indonesia, bounded to the west by Sulu Sea, on the east by the Moro Gulf, and on the south by the Basilan Strait and Celebes Sea. Its distance from Cebu City is about 372.57 nautical miles, and is 340.17 nautical miles from Davao City.^[10]

The City’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 city.

It is now becoming the hub of economic activities in Mindanao 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 southern Command, the highest military command in Mindanao. It is also home of the 3rd Air Division of the Philippine Air Force and the 6th Naval District.

It is the former capital of Moro Province now Mindanao Island (1903 to 1913) in the Philippines. On September 15, 1911, the Municipality of Zamboanga was converted into a city by the legislative order Act. No.272.^[11] It is known as Asia's Latin City for its strong Hispanic/Latin influence.

Currently, Zamboanga City is one of the primary hubs in the Philippines, being the regional center in Zamboanga Peninsula Region and Western Mindanao in the areas of commerce, trade, health services, financial institutions and education.^[12][13]

Zamboanga City serves as an entry point in the Philippines to many destinations in Southeast Asia.

History

Zamboanga City 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.^[17] Badjao, Samal, Tausug and the Yakan tribes from Malayan descent settled in the same part of Mindanao in the early 14th century.^[18] Mohammedanism and Islam gained predominance in the 15th century in the Philippines first as a non-indigenous religion from these Malay peoples after Jews and Christians arrived.^[19]

Spanish rule

The Spaniards arrived in the country in the year 1520, as the first European invaders in the country.^[20] In the year 1569 Zamboanga was chosen as the site of the Spanish settlement and garrison on La Caldera (now called Barrio Recodo).^[21] 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 British empire on that island, which did not occur. After having abandoned the city, the Spaniards joined forces with Visayan troops and reached the shore of Zamboanga City to bring peace to the island against Moro pirates.^[22]

Zamboanga Fortress (now Fort Pillar), from before (left) and present (right).

Zamboanga City became the main headquarters of the Spaniards in 1634 upon approval of King Philip IV of Spain.^[22] Thousands of Spanish troops headed by a Governor General from Spain took the approval to build the first Zamboanga fortress (now called Fort Pilar) in Zamboanga City to forestall enemies in Mindanao like Moro pirates and other foreign invaders.^[23] The Zamboanga fortress became the main focus of a number of battles between Moros, Chinese and Spaniards while the Spanish ruled the region from 16th to 18th centuries. While the region was already dominated by Catholicism, Muslims kept up a protracted struggle against the ruling Spaniards in the country into the 18th century.^[24][25]

In the Year 1831, the Custom house in Zamboanga city was established a port, and it became the main port for direct communication, trading some goods and other services to most of Europe, Southeast Asia and Latin America.^[26] The Americans arrived in the Philippines, headed by General Weyler with a thousands of troops to defeat and reign the nation after the Spaniards ruling it in more than 3 centuries. The Spanish Government sent more than 80,000 Spanish troops in the Philippines. The Spanish Government completely surrendered the islands to the United States 1890's peacefully.^[27]

American and Japanese period

Reconstruction of the old flag of the Republic of Zamboanga.

Before the end of the 19th century; The Republic of Zamboanga was established during the American period in the Philippines and it briefly existed from May 18, 1899 to March 1903. The First President of the Republic of Zamboanga was Vicente Alvarez and succeeded by Isidoro Midel and Mariano Arquiza.^[28]

During the American colonial period. Zamboanga City hosted a number of American regional governors, including General John J. Pershing, who was military commander/governor of the Moro Province 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 1916. 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 Province.^[29]

Zamboanga City Charter Signing.

Zamboanga became a chartered city in the year 1936.^[30] In Pre-World War II, Pettit Barracks, a part of the US Army's 43d Infantry Regiment (PS), 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.^[31] They established a defense headquarters in the city while ruling the government in more than 2 years. And the government was eventually overtaken by American and the Filipino forces in 1945.^[28]

Martial law

In 1953, the prominent person in the city, Cesar Climaco was elected Mayor. He was a flamboyant personality who pursued policies of good governance and cleanliness.^[32] On the 1961 Philippine General Election, Cesar Climaco was unsuccessful to run for the Senate under the Liberal Party, but he was appointed as Customs Commissioner under the Macapagal Administration,^[33] and later a prominent critic of Ferdinand Marcos. 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.^[33]

Independent Philippines

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, Zamboanga City is the main hub in Zamboanga Peninsula through education, financial institutions, health and services, infrastructural projects and a center of foreign investment through BIMP-EAGA in relation with other major cities in Southeast Asia.^[34]

Geography

Location

The main land territory of Zamboanga City, 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 Island, 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 Marcos 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).^[35]

Climate and temperature

Zamboanga City enjoys a location that is free from the typhoon belt area. March to May is hot and dry, with temperature at 32 to 34 degrees Celsius, while in June to October is rainy, and November to February is cool, with temperatures ranging from 22 to 28 degrees Celsius. Average humidity year-round is 77%.

Demographics

Zamboanga City land usage

Agricultural Development Area	348.672 km2
Proposed Watershed	323.190 km2
Inland Protected Zone	238.561 km2
Watershed-Buffer Zone	174.143 km2
ZAMBOECOZONE	154.516 km2
Urban Core Area	64.903 km2
Mangrove	36.886 km2
Fishpond	34.068 km2
Rice Fields	31.099 km2
Labuan Commercial Development Zone	19.580 km2
Urban Core Fringe Area	18.437 km2
Sangali Medium Industrial Zone	12.738 km2
WMSU Experimental Forest	12.270 km2
Proposed International Airport	5.369 km2
East Coast Light Industrial Zone	4.878 km2
West Coast Heavy Industrial Zone	2.940 km2
Salt Bed	1.138 km2
TOTAL	1,483.385 km2

Population

The population of Zamboanga City 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.^[38]

Among the 98 barangays in this city, 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 and the remaining 27% percent belongs to other non-Christian faiths such us Buddhism, Protestantism,Islam, and Orthodox Christian.

Language

The Main and/or Native language of Zamboanga City is Chavacano (Spanish Creole). Other common languages in the city are Tagalog, English and Bisaya. Fookien (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 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.^[39]

Government

Consejo de la Ciudad de Zamboanga.

City hall of Zamboanga City.

Zamboanga City is the third oldest city in the Philippines, with a strong mayor-council form of government.^[40] 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 District (I) from the City Proper to Limpapa headed by Incumbent Congresswoman Beng Climaco, while in the East District (II) 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 eighteen councilors in each district.^[41]

Congresswoman Beng Climaco of District I was elected House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao and Women of the 15th Congress of the Philippines, a very important position that is considered to be the first for a representative from Zamboanga City.^[42]

The city of Zamboanga is composed of more than 774,407 people since 2007.^[43] Under the Republic Act No. 9269, Zamboanga City is qualified to have a third district representative in the House of Representatives of Congress.^[44]

Armed forces and law enforcement

In the Philippines, Zamboanga City 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; Camp General Basilio Navarro also known as Western Mindanao Command, the main headquarters of Armed Forces of the Philippines in Western part of Mindanao; the Philippine Army, Philippine Marines, and Philippine Navy are assigned to that command. The "Camp Enrile" and other three military camps can be found in the city.

Nelson Allaga is the currently assigned Chief of Staff of the Western Mindanao Command. He is the officer in charge of the 1st Scout Ranger Regiment, 1st Infantry (TABAK) Division, 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.^[45]

Communication

Media

Zamboanga City is a center for the television, advertising, music, newspaper and book publishing industries and is also the largest media market in Western Mindanao.

In terms of broadcast media, the city 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 at least five local publications circulating in the various parts of the City.

Cinema

City of 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 Poe and Rosa del Rosario. Hollywood director Frank Capra 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.

Zamboanga city is also advance in terms of telecommunication service in the Philippines. Mabuhaysat Zamboanga Space Center 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.^[46]

Mabuhaysat Zamboanga Space Center 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 city: 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 Zamboanga City 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 Jeepneys and the Tricycles. Buses are used for long-distance travels, there are bus companies serving the city to other major cities in Mindanao such us Ceres Liner, Rural Transit Bus, 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 Zamboanga City 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.^[47] 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.^[48]

Seaport

Zamboanga International 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.

Zamboanga City 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 Zamboanga city port management. The biggest and most modern seaport is the government-operated main port in Zamboanga City, 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.^[49]

In the year 2002; The Port of Zamboanga City and inclusive of area ports of Basilan island, 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.^[50]

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 Arroyo, which was held in the city.^[51]

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 Airport 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-17, Antonov An-124 and Airbus A320.^[52][53] The government has already earmarked more than 240 million pesos to complete the rehabilitation of the existing facilities of the airport.^[54] 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.^[55]

Infrastructure

Power

The Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (ZAMCELCO) 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 Mindanao, 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 city of Zamboanga do not have electric power. Due to lack of funds to connect electricity in some islands. the United State Agency for International Development (USAID) brings optimism to the people living in the islands for they are now able to use electricity using solar energy. Zamboanga City 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 Authority (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.^[56]

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's three-kilometer seafront in Barangay San Ramon, west of Zamboanga City.

Water

The Zamboanga City Watershed is only a few kilometers north of Zamboanga City, at the tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula in southwestern Mindanao. It has the largest block of old growth lowland dipterocarp forest remaining in this part of Mindanao. It has a rolling terrain with moderate to steep slopes. This watershed is the only source of potable water for Zamboanga City, 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 Mindanao Bleeding-heart, Philippine Dwarf-Kingfisher, Philippine Leafbird and Little Slaty Flycatcher, and Zamboanga Bulbul, which is confined to Western Mindanao and Basilan. Most of the recent sightings are made in the Pasonanca Watershed, the southwestern part of the Zamboanga City Watershed.

Zamboanga City 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.^[57]

Water supply is provided mainly by the Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD). There are three pumping stations that are currently producing 1,304 cu.m daily.

Economy and industry

Calle_Mayor Jaldon y Calle Buenavista

Central Bank of the Philippines

The city of 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, Zamboanga has been growing through homegrown businesses.

Zamboanga City is known for exporting products like rubber, pearls, copra, mahogany, and other fine hardwoods, fish, abaca, and fruits; rice is still imported from countries in Southeast Asia, East Asia, and some parts of Europe and North America^[58]

Banks

Presently, there are more than 60 banks operating in Zamboanga City. The banks with the most number of branches in the city are Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company, Allied Bank, One Network Bank and Union Bank of the Philippines. 3 brands of interbank networks of automated teller machines (ATMs) are widely used in the city; these are BancNet, Expressnet and MegaLink.

Most of the banks in the city are the head branches in the Zamboanga peninsula (and even in the country) such as Islamic Bank of the Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines, Land Bank of the Philippines, Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation and One Network Bank. 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 Constitution in the year 1995. It was authored by the then congresswoman and late mayor of the city of Zamboanga, Maria Clara L. Lobregat.^[59]

The Special Economic Zone 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. Ramos. It is located about 20 km from the city center. It is one of the three current Economic Freeport Zone outside Luzon.

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

Southway Square and Plaza Pershing

The Gateway & the Southway Mall

Calle Climaco Central Business

• Mindpro Citimall - 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 - A shopping complex that is located at Barangay Putik. It is the farthest mall from the city's main business district.
• Southway Square - 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 - Zamboanga's newest mall. It is located within the city proper.
• Midtown Plaza Mall - A shopping mall located along Nuñez Extension. Though operational for a few years now, most of this mall's stalls remain vacant.

Entertainment and recreation

Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial Stadium

The city 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 Inasal, 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 city include the Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex (which is the biggest sports stadium 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 seaweed grown and harvested in Zamboanga City 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 seaweeds 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.^[60]

Sardines industry

Sardines Capital of the Philippines

Zamboanga is noted as sardines capital of the Philippines because 8 out of 11 sardines company in the country are operating in the city. The sardines made from Zamboanga are also exported to countries and regions like the North America, Europe, Middle East, and East Asia. The canning factories are converged in the west coast of 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 Mindanao mainland, Zamboanga City is a natural docking point for vessels traversing the rich fishing grounds of the Zamboanga peninsula and the Sulu archipelago. The city’s eight canneries, which employ around 15,000 workers, process 1,000 tons of sardines daily.^[61]

Education

The formal education in the Zamboanga City is patterned after the American system, with English as the medium of instruction. Schools are classified into public (government) and private (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.^[62]

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 Catholic 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 - 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 Zamboanga 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.^[63] The school now has two campuses in the city.

• Pilar College 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 city campus.

• Universidad de Zamboanga - 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 CHED 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 Peninsula. Universidad de Zamboanga has 2 Highschools namely Arturo Eustaquio Memorial Science Highschool and the UZ Technical Highschool.^[64]

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.^[65]

• Western Mindanao State University - 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 city. 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.^[66] The school is considered one of the best public universities in the country.

• Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College - 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. In July 20, 2001, pursuant to R.A. 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 city.

• Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology - 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.^[67]

Foreign relations

Sister Cities
Year	Country of	City of
1996	Philippines	Baguio[68]
2000	Malaysia	Sandakan[69]
2005	Philippines	Dipolog[70]
2006	Philippines	Dagupan[71]
2006	Philippines	Sorsogon[72]
2008	Spain	Zaragoza[73]
2009	Philippines	Trece Martires[74]
Planned	Philippines	Dapitan[75]
Planned	Malaysia	Kota Kinabalu[76]
Planned	Indonesia	Bengkulu[77]
Planned	Indonesia	Kolaka and Bengkulu[78]

Department of Foreign Affairs

The City of Zamboanga often partner with foreign cities through Sister Cities International, 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.

Zamboanga City is a member of BIMP-EAGA 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 Zamboanga City 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 Zamboanga City and Sandakan in Malaysia and even a free-trade of goods to other BIMP-EAGA members.

Sandakan and 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.^[79]

Health

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 clientèle. 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.

Zamboanga City Medical Center (TZU -CHI Great Love Eye Center).

Zamboanga Doctors' Hospital.

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, The first Protestant Episcopal missionary bishop in the Philippines. 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 - 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 in June 17, 1946, known originally as Zamboanga Chapter. The original Zamboanga Chapter comprised the city of Zamboanga and the 3 provinces of Basilan, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur. 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.^[80]

Tourism

Zamboanga City is about seven hundred kilometers away from Manila. In fact it is the Entry and Exit point to any parts of Southeast Asian Region to the Philippines from Investment to Tourism.^[81] 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 the imposing stone works of Fort Pilar symbolizing the city’s rich heritage which are the main attraction for tourists in the City.^[81]

Parks and landmarks

There are several tourist destinations in the city, which you can see and visit while seeing the different cultures of the people from Zamboanga City. These include: The Zamboanga Fortress now called Fort Pilar; Pettit Barracks, the former encampment of United States; The Modern Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception; The Old Normal School Building; 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.^[81]

The Sta. Cruz Island, Paseo del Mar, Pasonanca Park, Jardin de Maria Clara, Cawa-Cawa Boulevard, Zamboanga Golf and Country Club, Plaza Pershing and other beautiful parks in the city are additional spots to encourage the local and foreign tourists to visit the historical and beautiful city of Zamboanga.

Most of the historical tourist spot destinations in the city are on the list of the Philippine World Heritage Sites by UNESCO; To protect and save the rich culture of the city while preserving these sites for the generations to come.^[81]

The Philippine Department of Tourism has selected Zamboanga City as a tourist destination to be promoted nationally and internationally.^[82] Tourism to the Zamboanga Peninsula has trended upward in recent years. Domestic and foreign tourist arrivals increased 8 percent to 439,160 in 2005, according to data from the regional tourism office. The same report notes that Filipinos accounted for 80 percent of the tourist arrivals. Moreover, 50 percent of those tourists visited Zamboanga City before.^[83]

Modern Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

Interior of the Port Pilar; Part of Z.C. National Museum

Fort Pilar Cross Mayor

• Cawa-Cawa Boulevard - Is a bayside roadway comparable to Manila's Roxas Boulevard. Locals and visitors often walk Cawa-Cawa to see its famed sunsets.

• Fort Pilar - Founded in 1635 as a garrison during the Spanish period, Fort Pilar serves as a present day open-air shrine. Originally named as La Fuerza Real de San Jose, the fort is named after and dedicated to Our Lady of the Pilar, the patroness of the Archdiocese of Zamboanga. Its image is embossed at the altar (which was then an entrance of the fort). Fort Pilar also houses a National Museum branch inside the fort.

• Sta. Cruz Island - The Great Santa Cruz island is known for its pink sand beach and sand bar, while the Little sta. cruz island is a typical white beach, with pulverized-like sand. Access to these islands is limited, so reservations must be made first.

• National Museum of Zamboanga City - The establishment of a museum branch in Zamboanga City was made possible by Presidential Decree 260. declaring Fort Pilar as a National Cultural Treasure on August 1, 1973. Situated within the historic Fort Pilar, the museum is named in honor of Nuestra Señora del Pilar, patroness of Zamboanga.^[84]

Santa Barbara Mosque.JPG

Zamboanga City Hall and Rizal Monument

Paseo del Mar y el Balangay Expedition 2010

Fort Pilar Altar

• Paseo del Mar na Zamboanga - a seafront parkway located adjacent to the walls of Fort Pilar. The Paseo encompasses 2.5 hectares in what was a former slum, which required relocating 300 families.^[85] The walkway faces scenic Basilan Strait.

• Pasonanca Park - Traversed by a gently rippling stream, abound with trees, flowering plants, ferns, shrubs and 600 different species of orchids. Mindanao Governor John J. Pershing started the construction of Pasonanca Park in 1912. He sent for a parksman in the United States, once named Thomas Hanley, to prepare the plan and direct its execution. The park was completed under the administration of Governor Frank W. Carpenter. There is a treehouse nestling high in the branches of one big tree where guests could pass the night and hold communion with nature which, in the darkness, could still be perceived in the gentle rustling of the pine trees. Permission to use the treehouse, which is for free, can be obtained at the Office of the Mayor.

• Pettit Barracks - site that US forces under General John C. Bates occupied after the capture of the city on November 15, 1899. It was named Pettit Barracks after Col. James S. Pettit, 31st Infantry, US Volunteer Commanding Officer of the Second Military District. Occupied by Japanese forces in 1942-1945, the barracks were recaptured by United States of America and Philippine Commonwealth liberation forces on March 10, 1945, and turned over to the Philippines on July 4, 1946.^[86]

• Plaza Pershing - Plaza Pershing was established in Zamboanga City, Philippines to honor Governor John Joseph "Black Jack" Pershing (September 13, 1860 – July 15, 1948) with his victory over Muslim insurgents.

• Jardin de Maria Clara- La Jardin de Maria Clara Lobregat is a garden park named after the late mayor Maria Clara Lobregat. The park consists of floral and butterfly species such as orchids, roses and colorful butterflies surrounding the garden. It also has an aviary park for avian species such as parrots, turkeys, and eagles.

• Modern Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception - Founded in 1810 as a parish located at the present day Universidad de Zamboanga campus, the Cathedral is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Zamboanga (created in 1910 as diocese and elevated in 1958 as an archdiocese). It is known as one of the most modern cathedrals in Asia, built in 1998-2001. The cathedral is located at La Purisima street. The cathedral's structure is a cruciform, resembling a cross and its facade is patterned after a candle (which is connected to the Blessed Virgin Mary).^[82]

Cruz Major overlooking the city and the Basilan Strait

Philippine Veterans Legion Monument

Centuries-old acacia trees Calle Rizal

Jose Rizal Monument

• St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish Church, Tetuan - Records shows that at the start, there was a small chapel constructed on a lot. Owned by Don Balbino Natividad, a permanent resident of Tetuan. It was built on January 1863. Barrio Tetuan's Catholic Church now known as the Saint Ignatius of Loyola Parish Church can be found on Fr. Baruja, S.J. street corner Atilano street. The original church structure was destroyed during World War II. It is historically recognized as the first catholic parish in Mindanao, Philippines.

• Serenity Falls - Zamboanga City's Serenity Falls bounded between La Paz and Pamucutan, at the foot of the EcoZone's south entrance.

• Taluksangay Mosque - The famous Mosque in Barangay Taluksangay is considered one of Zamboanga’s tourist spots. This colorful mosque is located in the barrio of Taluksangay outside the city center.

• Old Normal School Building - Also known as the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) Social Hall, the it was built during the American Era and was the center of education for most of Mindanao. Presently, this houses The College of Education of WMSU and is also the site where most cultural presentations are held. It also houses a museum.

• Yakan Weaving Center - Host to the only Yakan community in the City, the center is located just across the famed La Vista de Mar beach resort at the border of Barangay Upper Calarian and Sinunuc and along the National Highway. You can witness the local people weaving intricately hand-woven clothes on giant looms as well as traditional brasswares.

• Zamboanga City Hall - The construction of this building started in 1905 and was completed in 1907 by the Federal Government of the United States for the then American Governors of the area which included: Leonard Wood, Tasker H. Bliss, Ralph W. Hoyt, and Governor John J. Pershing of World War I fame. Today, this serves as the City Hall of Zamboanga City where the Mayor holds office.

• Zamboanga Golf and Country Club - Known to be the "oldest Golf Course" in the Philippines. It was established during the American Occupation and is overlooking the Basilan Strait. It also hosts a public swimming resort managed by the Philippine Tourism Authority.^[87]

Arts and culture

Zamboanga National Museum

Museums

• Zamboanga National Museum

• Western Mindanao State University Ethnological Museum^[88]

• AteneoDZU The Gallery of the Peninsula and Archipelago

• Maria Clara Lobregat Art Gallery

Festivals and events

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.

• Dia de Zamboanga

(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.

• Holy Week

(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.

• Santacruzan

(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.

• Eid al-Fitr/Hari Raya Puasa

(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.

• Zamboanga Hermosa Festival (Fiesta Pilar)

(October 1–31) - The Hermosa Festival also known as Zamboanga La Hermosa Festival or popularly known as Fiesta Pilar a month-long festival held each year in the city of Zamboanga,^[89] the city center of Zamboanga Peninsula Region in the Philippines. It is one of the Oldest Festival in the Country and the most awaited Event in the Region.

The Festival is being held in honor of the miraculous image of Our Lady of the Pillar (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 Zaragoza in Spain, the sister city of Zamboanga in Philippines.^[90]

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..

• Fiesta de La Immaculada Concepcion (Feast of the Immaculate Conception)

(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.

• Christmas

(December 25) - Celebration of Jesus Christ's Birth. City hall, churches, schools, 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.

• Fonda de Barangay or Fiesta de Barangay

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."

See also

• Media of Zamboanga City

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Government document "Zamboanga City".

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Leading population centers
Rank	City	Population	Pop. Growth Rate	Region	Metro Manila Cebu City
1	Quezon City	2,679,450	2.53%	National Capital Region
2	Manila	1,660,714	0.03%	National Capital Region
3	Caloocan	1,378,856	2.53%	National Capital Region
4	Davao City	1,363,337	1.81%	Davao Region
5	Cebu City	798,809	2.16%	Central Visayas
6	Zamboanga City	774,407	3.54%	Zamboanga Peninsula
7	Antipolo	633,971	5.22%	CALABARZON
8	Pasig	617,301	2.29%	National Capital Region
9	Taguig	613,343	4.07%	National Capital Region
10	Valenzuela	568,928	2.23%	National Capital Region
based on the Philippines 2007 Census

External links

• Official government website of the City of Zamboanga
• Zamboanga.com - Zamboanga City's original Web Portal
• City of Flowers
• Hola Zamboanga
• Na Mi Pueblo