| Puerto Princesa | |||
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| — Highly-urbanized City — | |||
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| Map of Palawan showing the location of the city of Puerto Princesa. | |||
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Puerto Princesa
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| Coordinates: | |||
| Country | Philippines | ||
| Region | MIMAROPA (Region IV-B) | ||
| Province | Palawan | ||
| District | 2nd district of Palawan | ||
| Founded | 1586 | ||
| Cityhood | June 21, 1961 | ||
| Barangays | 66 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Mayor | Edward S. Hagedorn (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 2,539.82 km2 (980.6 sq mi) | ||
| Population (2007) | |||
| • Total | 210,508 | ||
| • Density | 82.9/km2 (214.7/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | PHT (UTC+8) | ||
| ZIP Code | |||
| Income class | 1st class city; highly urbanized | ||
The City of Puerto Princesa (lit. City of Princess Port, Filipino: Lungsod ng Puerto Princesa) is a city located on the western provincial island of Palawan, one of 80 provinces which make up the Philippines. Though the provincial seat of government for Palawan, the city itself is one of 38 independent cities within the Philippines not controlled by the province in which it is geographically located and is therefore an independent area located within Palawan.
As of 2007, Puerto Princesa had a population of 210,508 people making it the most sparsely populated city in the Philippines. In terms of land area, the city is the second largest geographically after Davao City with an area of 919 mi² (2,381 km²).[1]
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Puerto Princesa is located in the mid-section of Palawan. It is bound to the east by the Sulu Sea, to the west by the South China Sea, to the north by the municipalities of San Vicente and Roxas, and to the south by the municipality of Aborlan. It is approximately 306 nautical miles (567 km) from the Philippine capital of Manila, 205 nautical miles (380 km) from Panay Island, and 250 nautical miles (460 km) from Zamboanga City on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao.
Administratively and politically, Puerto Princesa is divided into 66 areas (or districts) known throughout the Philippines as barangays, 35 of which are classified as urban barangays and 31 as rural.
The Puerto Princesa Underground River which is found in Puerto Princesa in Palawan, was one of the new seven wonders of the world.
Folk etymology attributes the name "Puerto Princesa" to a princess-like maiden who in the early days is said to have roamed around the place on certain nights of the year. On the other hand, practical people attribute the name to the geographical advantages of the place as a seaport – naturally protected the whole year round and endowed with a depth that can accommodate any size of shipping – a royal haven for vessels or a virtual princess of ports as thus indicated by Spanish Colonizers on the country’s map.
Historically, the place was named after Princess Asunción, born in 1864 to Queen Isabella II and her consort, Francisco de Cádiz. When the princess suffered an untimely death, the Queen changed the name to Puerto de la Princesa. Eventually, the name was reduced to Puerto Princesa as it is known today.[2]
Spanish Colonizers founded the settlement on 4 March 1872 in the course of their exploration of the province. As they scanned the Palawan shoreline for a capital site, they came upon a hill with steep declivity. Rowing to shore, they surveyed the hill and discovered an extensive plateau which they decided as ideal for settlement.
Soon after, Fr. Antonio Muro levelled a portion of the hill to make way for a chapel. (That section is now occupied by the Catholic Cathedral, the P.C. Barracks and the Rizal Park. The Old Municipal Building used to be there, as well as an Elementary School). The first mass celebrated in Puerto Princesa took place at a site where a marker now stands.
In May 1872, the Port of Puerto Princesa became the center of Spanish Naval Operations in the area because the Bay met all the Navy’s requirements. Royal Decrees later provided incentives to settlers, and by 1883 the settlement had flourished into a town of twelve roads, a hospital and well-built port.
In 1894, Puerto Princesa was recognized by government authorities as one of the most beautiful towns in the country by virtue of the orderly distribution of streets, buildings and houses as well as the cleanliness of the community.
In 1911, the New American Administration made Puerto Princesa the seat of the Palawan Provincial Government with Major John Brown as Lieutenant Governor.
In 1951, the barrios of Tinitian, Caramay, Rizal, Del Pilar, Malcampo, Tumarbong, Taradungan, Ilian, and Capayas were separated to form the town of Roxas.[3]
In 1955, the sitios of Materingen, Tandayag, Nasedoc, and Panlawagan were separated from the barrio of Maroyogon and elevated into a barrio.[4]
In 1956, the sitios of Calagbenguen, Tarabanan, Bendoyan, Talabigan, Tagbuan, and Langogan were constituted into the barrio of Concepcion.[5]
In 1957, the barrio of Tapul was renamed to Salvacion.[6]
The town was converted into a city on 1 January 1970 under R.A. 5906 as amended by P.D. 437, through the effort of then Congressman Ramon V. Mitra, Jr. Feliberto R. Oliveros, Jr. became the first City Mayor.
Since its foundation, Puerto Princesa has been the nerve center of activities in Palawan. Aside from being the seat of public administration, it is the heart of trade, commerce, service, and industry in the province.
Today, under the leadership of Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn, the City has gained the distinction of being a model city – in cleanliness, environmental protection and conservation, and local governance in general.
And so, with a responsive leadership and an inspired citizenry, the tradition of Puerto Princesa being a beautiful and clean city lives on.
Waves of migrants from other Philippine provinces, and even other countries, have turned Puerto Princesa into a melting pot of various cultures. Among the original inhabitants are the Cuyonons who have a rich legacy of folklore and traditions. Indigenous groups include the Tagbanwas, Palawanos, Molbogs and Bataks, each group with its distinct culture and system of beliefs.
Total inhabitants number about 161,912 (as of May 2000), Three fourth of the population resides in the city proper, an urban settlement on the shores of Puerto Princesa Bay. While Cuyonon is widely spoken, the predominant language is Tagalog; Visayan, as well as English are widely spoken.
Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn unveiled the environment-friendly and economical electric-powered “Trikebayan” (which does not emit any noise or carbon monoxide) at the Kapihan sa Sulo forum, Sulo Hotel, Quezon City. The Trikebayan costs only P48 or $ 1.20 per day to operate, while a gasoline-powered tricycle operation would cost P200. Rolly Concepcion, who conceptualized the Trikebayan, said that converting a tricycle engine to electric costs P68,000. The rechargeable battery under the passenger seat can run for 12 hours.[7] Mr. Conception died before the project was completed.
This has not discouraged Mayor Hagedorn from pursuing his dream of seeing all electric vehicles, especially replacing the gas tricycles in his city. He continued to purchase several styles from various manufactures to find the best unit for his city in the forest. There is now a dealership for these trikes on the north highway.
Although Puerto Princesa has this bold plan for electric vehicles, the municipal government and tourist office has stated (when asked by a tourist in August 2011), that it has no published or announced plan for providing for the current and future needs and safety of pedestrians or bicycle riders. Spaces for walking and bicycling from one place to another are not being considered.
As of April 2010[update], the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) listed Puerto Princesa as comprising 66 Barangays, 18 Urban and 38 Rural.[8]
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| South China Sea | South China Sea | San Vicente, Palawan Roxas, Palawan |
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| South China Sea | Honda Bay | |||
| Puerto Princesa City | ||||
| Aborlan, Palawan | Sulu Sea | Sulu Sea |
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