| Lungsod ng Lamitan | |
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| — City — | |
| Map of Basilan showing the location of Lamitan. | |
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Lungsod ng Lamitan
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Region | Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao |
| Province | Basilan |
| District | Lone district of Basilan |
| Founded | 1886 |
| Cityhood | |
| Barangays | 45 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Roderick H. Furigay (Laban) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 354.45 km2 (136.9 sq mi) |
| Population (2008) | |
| • Total | 82,074 |
| • Density | 231.6/km2 (599.7/sq mi) |
| Time zone | PHT (UTC+8) |
| ZIP Code | 7302 |
| Income class | |
Lamitan (Filipino: Lungsod ng Lamitan) is a 5th Class city in the province of Basilan, Mindanao, Philippines. According to the 2008 census, it has a population of 82,074.[1]
The City is bounded on the east by the municipality of Tuburan, on the south by Tipo-Tipo, on the west by Isabela City and on the north by Basilan Strait.
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The terrain is relatively plain along the coastal areas and hilly in some areas. The urban area is 2.5 meters above sea level and gently sloping to 300 meters toward the hinterlands.
The climatic condition is the same with other areas in the entire Basilan Island. It has a "D" type of climate and rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year.
On June 18, 2007 voters in Lamitan ratified Republic Act 9393,[2] An Act Converting the Municipality of Lamitan in the province of Basilan into a component City to be known as the City of Lamitan.
According to Lamitan Mayor Roderick Furigay, 26,636 voted "yes" while only 177 voted against the ratification of RA 9393. Lamitan has 34,909 registered voters.
In 2008 Lamitan lost its cityhood, along with 15 other cities, after the Supreme Court of the Philippines granted a petition filed by the League of Cities of the Philippines, and declared the cityhood law (RA 9393) which allowed the town to acquire its city status, unconstitutional. The said cities, the court ruled, did not meet the requirements for cityhood.
On December 10, 2008, under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's time, Lamitan and the other 15 cities affected filed a motion for reconsideration with the Supreme Court. More than a year later, on December 22, 2009, acting on said appeal, the Court reversed its earlier ruling as it ruled that "at the end of the day, the passage of the amendatory law (regarding the criteria for cityhood as set by Congress) is no different from the enactment of a law, i.e., the cityhood laws specifically exempting a particular political subdivision from the criteria earlier mentioned. Congress, in enacting the exempting law/s, effectively decreased the already codified indicators."[3] As such, the cityhood status of Lamitan is effectively restored, but not for long.
The Supreme Court, for the second time under the administration of President Benigno Aquino III, has reversed its decision on the elevation of municipalities as cities. In a 16-page resolution dated Aug. 24, the full high court declared as “unconstitutional” the 16 so-called cityhood laws, which converted municipalities to cities during the 14th Congress, including one for Lamitan, Basilan.[4] Since its second and last reversion on August 24, 2010, Lamitan reverted into a municipality, leaving neighboring Isabela City the only remaining city in Basilan.
However, voting 7-6, with two justices not taking part, the SC reinstated its Nov. 18, 2008 decision declaring as unconstitutional the Republic Acts (RAs) converting 16 municipalities into cities again.
On February 17, 2011, the supreme court upheld for the 3rd time the cityhood of Lamitan and 15 other towns in the Philippines. [5]
Lamitan is politically subdivided into 45 barangays.
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Lamitan is home to one (1) state college and three (3) private colleges. The Basilan State College is an extension college of the main SUC in Isabela City. The three HEIs are the Mindanao Autonomous College, the Mariam School of Nursing and Furigay Colleges, Inc. (FCI).
The Mariam School of Nursing was established in 2004 as part of its Chairwoman's educational outreach program and was named MARIAM or Mother Mary - a unifying and guiding figure among the Christians and Muslims. An I.T.-based College of Nursing located in Flores Street corner Rizal Avenue, it envisions to be recognized as a leading center for nursing and allied health education in Basilan.
Kalun's Shrine – Built as a tribute to a famous Yakan leader.
Museum of Lamitan – Showcases the color and highlights of the Lami-lamihan festival. It also serves as the information center for the development of this town.
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