Tacloban

City of Tacloban
Ciudad han Tacloban
Lungsod ng Tacloban
—  Highly Urbanized City  —

Seal
City of Tacloban
Location in the Philippines
Coordinates:
Country Philippines
Region Eastern Visayas (Region VIII)
Province Leyte
Districts 1st District of Leyte
Barangays 138 Barangays
Municipality Believed to be in 1770
Capital of the Province February 26, 1830
Component city of the province June 12, 1953[1]
Highly Urbanized City December 18, 2008 [2]
Government
 • Type Strong Mayor-Council
 • City Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez
Area
 • Land 201.72 km2 (77.9 sq mi)
Population (2007)[1]
 • Total 217,199
 • Density 1,076.74/km2 (2,788.7/sq mi)
 • Demonym Taclobanon
Time zone PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code 6500
Area code(s) +63 53
Tacloban Day [3] Every 30th day of June
City Charter Republic Act 760
Website www.tacloban.gov.ph

The City of Tacloban (Waray: Ciudad han Tacloban, Tagalog or Filipino: Lungsod ng Tacloban) is a port city approximately 360 miles southeast of Manila. It is the first in Eastern Visayas to be classified as a Highly Urbanized City. It is the capital of the Philippine province of Leyte and is the largest city in terms of population[4] in Eastern Visayas. It is also considered as the regional center of the Region VIII. Tacloban was briefly the seat of the Philippine Commonwealth Government, from October 20, 1944 to February 27, 1945.

In an extensive survey conducted by the Asian Institute of Management Policy Center and released in July 2010, Tacloban City was ranked among the top ten most competitive cities in the Philippines. Tacloban ranked fifth overall, and second in the emerging cities category.

Contents

History

Tacloban was first known as Kankabatok, an allusion to the first inhabitants of the place – Kabatok. They established their dwelling in the vicinity of the present day Sto. Niño Church. Others who came later were Gumoda, Haraging and Huraw who erected their own settlements in nearby sites. Huraw’s domain is the hill where the city hall now sits. The combined settlements acquired the name Kankabatok, meaning Kabatok’s property.

By the end of the 16th century, Kankabatok was under the political administration of Palo and part of the parish of Basey, Samar. It was discovered in 1770, by the Augustinian Mission, who were superseded by the Franciscans in 1813. During this period, Kankabatok was renamed to Tacloban.

The change of the name came about in this manner: Kankabatok was a favorite haunt of fishermen. They would use a bamboo contraption called "Taklub" to catch crabs, shrimps or fish. When asked where they were going, the fishermen would answer, "(to) Tarakluban", which meant the place where they used the devise to catch these marine resources. Eventually, the name Tarakluban or Tacloban took prominence.

It is not known when Tacloban became a municipality because records supporting this fact were destroyed during a typhoon. It is commonly believed that Tacloban was officially proclaimed a municipality in 1770. In 1768, Leyte and Samar were separated into two provinces, each constituting as a politico-military province. Due to its strategic location, Tacloban became a vital trading point between the two provinces.

The capital of Leyte was transferred from one town to another with Tacloban as the last on February 26, 1830. The decision to make Tacloban the capital was based on the following reasons: 1) ideal location of the port and 2) well-sheltered and adequate facilities. On June 20, 1953,[1] Tacloban was proclaimed a chartered city by virtue of Republic Act No. 760.

The arrival of Colonel Murray in 1901 made him the first military governor of Leyte. His first official act was the opening of Tacloban port to world commerce. Before World War II, Tacloban was the commercial, education, social and cultural center of the Province of Leyte. Copra and abaca were exported in large quantities. The leading institutions were: The Leyte Normal School, Leyte High School, Leyte Trade School, Holy Infant Academy and the Tacloban Catholic Institute.

On May 25, 1942, Japanese forces landed in Tacloban - signaling the beginning of their two-year occupation of Leyte. They fortified the city and improved its airfield. Since San Pedro Bay was ideal for larger vessels, the Japanese Imperial Naval Forces made Tacloban a port of call and entry. This time was considered the darkest in the history of Tacloban and the country due to the incidences of torture among civilians, including the elderly. In response, guerrilla groups operated in Leyte - the most notable of which was the group of Colonel Ruperto Kangleon.

Leyte was the first to be liberated by the combined Filipino and American troops. General Douglas MacArthur’s assault troops landed in the Tacloban and Palo beaches (White Beach and Red Beach, respectively) and in the neighboring town of Dulag (Blue Beach) on October 20, 1944. These landings signaled the eventual victory of the Filipino and American forces and the fulfillment of MacArthur’s famous promise: "I Shall Return."

Three days later, on the 23rd, at a ceremony at the Capitol Building in Tacloban, General MacArthur accompanied by President Sergio Osmeña made Tacloban the temporary seat of the Commonwealth Government and subsequently the temporary capital of the Philippines until the complete liberation of the country. The provincial government of Leyte and the municipal government of Tacloban were re-established.

Atty. Paulo Jaro was the Liberation Mayor of Tacloban. The first mayor of this capital upon inauguration of the Philippine Republic was Hon. Epifanio Aguirre. On January 8, 1960, General Douglas MacArthur made his "sentimental" journey to Leyte.

Landmarks in the area include the Joseph Price Mansion where General MacArthur set up headquarters in 1944 and the Redoña Residence. These two structures in Tacloban played a vital role during the liberation of the Philippines.

The city has been proclaimed as a highly-urbanized city by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on October 4, 2008[5] and ratified by the people on December 18, 2008 [6]

Geography

Tacloban is located on Cancabato Bay, in the San Juanico Strait which divides the islands of Leyte and Samar.

Tourism

Tacloban is a tourism hub and the primary gateway to Eastern Visayas. The region is world-renowned for its natural ecological beauty and diversity and for its historical significance in the Second World War.

For first time visitors, the key attractions in Tacloban include:

Landmarks

Tacloban has an excellent harbor with facilities for handling large ships and overseas trade. The colorful market at the western end of the wharf is full of life. The San Juanico Bridge, which is 2.16 km long and connects the islands of Leyte and Samar across the San Juanico Strait, is considered the longest bridge in the Philippines. To many bridge enthusiast San Juanico Bridge is the most beautiful bridge in the country.

Economy

It is the regional center of commerce, tourism, education, culture, and government in the region. It has new malls, entertainment centers, and coffee bars around. Tacloban is now actually a rising City with many new investments coming to the city, like malls, call centers and etc...

Economically, Tacloban is one of the fastest growing cities in the Philippines. It has one of the lowest poverty incidence rates in the country (at roughly 9%, while the national poverty incidence stands at 30%), and is the richest local government unit in Eastern Visayas. The Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport located in the city is the region's largest domestic airport, with plans for expansion into an international standard facility underway.

In the mid-90's, Tacloban City worked out the acquisition of 237 hectares for its Economic Zone, which was finally realized and approved by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 1210 on April 23, 1998. The Eastern Visayas Agri-Industrial Growth Center (EVRGC) was then officially registered as an Eco-Zone with the City Government of Tacloban as the developer/operator.

Demography

Based on the official results of the August 1st, 2007 National Census, Tacloban City has a Population of 217,199[7] inhabitants, up from 178,639 in the year 2000.

Tacloban is a dominantly Waray-speaking city. The language is also officially called Lineyte-Samarnon ("Leyte-Samarnon"). Tacloban is culturally and linguistically diverse. Cebuano language is also spoken by Leyteños who are from Ormoc, Baybay, and Maasin cities (Maasin in Southern Leyte). A decade before the end of the Spanish sovereignty, the place was dominantly a typical colonial community. Most of its residents were either pure Iberian families or the new generations of Spanish-Filipino blood. Today’s population consists of a healthy mix of Spanish and Chinese mestizos, foreign expatriates and the native Leyteños.

Religion

Nearly all of the people of the City of Tacloban are Christian, where 70% are Roman Catholic, 25% are Protestant or evangeligal Christian, and 4% are either Mormon or Iglesia ni Cristo.

List of Roman Catholic churches in Tacloban

The Muslim population covers about .3% of the total city population. The local Mosques include one in the Tacloban Market area, with the other on the second floor of Good Morning Bakeshop.

Government

The executive power of the City Government is vested on the mayor. The Sangguniang Panlungsod or the city council has the legislative power to create city ordinances. It is a unicameral body composed of ten (10) elected councilors and certain numbers of ex officio and sectoral representatives. It is presided by the vice-mayor,The City Mayor and the elected city councilors are elected-at-large every three (3) years.

The city government ceased to become under the supervision of the provincial government after it became a Highly Urbanized City in 2008. The city is under the direct supervision of the national government

Barangays

The city is divided into 138 barangays,[8] each having its own government.

  • Barangay 2
  • Nula-tula (Bgys. 3 & 3A)
  • Libertad (Barangays 1 & 4)
  • Barangay 5
  • Barangay 6
  • Barangay 6-A
  • Barangay 7
  • Barangay 8
  • Barangay 100 (San Roque)
  • Barangay 101 (New Kawayan)
  • Barangay 102 (Old Kawayan)
  • Barangay 103 (Palanog)
  • Barangay 103-A (San Paglaum)
  • Barangay 104 (Salvacion)
  • Barangay 105 (Suhi)
  • Barangay 106 (Santo Niño)
  • Barangay 108 (Tagapuro)
  • Barangay 12
  • Barangay 13
  • Barangay 14
  • Barangay 15
  • Barangay 16
  • Barangay 17
  • Barangay 18
  • Barangay 19
  • Barangay 20
  • Barangay 21
  • Barangay 21-A
  • Barangay 22
  • Barangay 23
  • Barangay 24
  • Barangay 25
  • Barangay 26
  • Barangay 27
  • Barangay 28
  • Barangay 29
  • Barangay 30
  • Barangay 31
  • Barangay 32
  • Barangay 33
  • Barangay 34
  • Barangay 35
  • Barangay 35-A
  • Barangay 36
  • Barangay 37
  • Barangay 37-A
  • Barangay 38
  • Barangay 39
  • Barangay 40
  • Barangay 41
  • Barangay 42
  • Barangay 43
  • Barangay 43-A
  • Barangay 43-B
  • Barangay 44
  • Barangay 44-A
  • Barangay 45
  • Barangay 46
  • Barangay 47
  • Barangay 48
  • Barangay 49
  • Barangay 50
  • Barangay 50-A
  • Barangay 50-B
  • Barangay 51
  • Barangay 52
  • Barangay 53
  • Barangay 54
  • El Reposo (Barangays 55 & 55)
  • Barangay 56
  • Barangay 57
  • Barangay 58
  • Barangay 59
  • Barangay 60
  • Barangay 60-A
  • Barangay 61
  • Barangay 62
  • Barangay 63
  • Barangay 64
  • Barangay 65
  • Barangay 66
  • Barangay 66 Anibong
  • Barangay 67 Anibong
  • Barangay 68 Anibong
  • Barangay 69
  • Barangay 70
  • Barangay 71
  • Barangay 72
  • Barangay 73
  • Barangay 74 (Lower Nulatula)
  • Barangay 75 (Fatima Village)
  • Barangay 76 (Fatima Village)
  • Barangay 77 (Fatima Village)
  • Barangay 78 (Marasbaras)
  • Barangay 79 (Marasbaras)
  • Barangay 80 (Marasbaras)
  • Barangay 81 (Marasbaras)
  • Barangay 82 (Marasbaras)
  • Barangay 83 (San Jose)
  • Barangay 83-A (San Jose)
  • Barangay 84 (San Jose)
  • Barangay 85 (San Jose)
  • Barangay 86
  • Barangay 87
  • Barangay 88
  • Barangay 89
  • Barangay 90 (San Jose)
  • Barangay 91 (Abucay)
  • Barangay 92 (Apitong)
  • Barangay 93 (Bagacay)
  • Barangay 94 (Tigbao)
  • Barangay 95 (Caibaan)
  • Barangay 96 (Calanipawan)
  • Barangay 97 (Cabalawan)
  • Barangay 98 (Camansinay)
  • Barangay 99 (Diit)
  • Barangay 109 (V & G Subd.)
  • Barangay 109-A
  • Barangay 110 (Utap)
  • Barangay 5-A
  • Barangay 36-A
  • Barangay 42-A
  • Barangay 48-A
  • Barangay 48-B
  • Barangay 51-A
  • Barangay 54-A
  • Barangay 56-A
  • Barangay 59-A
  • Barangay 59-B
  • Barangay 62-A
  • Barangay 62-B
  • Barangay 83-B
  • Barangay 83-C (San Jose)
  • Barangay 95-A (Caibaan:Chairman:Rolando Cañete)
  • Barangay 8-A (Chairman:Allen Gaviola)
  • Barangay 23-A (Chairman:Ebello Rama)
  • Barangay 94-A (Chairman:Mark Lester Jurban)

Official Seal of The City of Tacloban

The Official Seal of Tacloban City is the Symbol of the City's identity where its meaning is inscribed when it became a City under Republic Act No. 760 on June 20, 1952.

The City's emblem stands for the following physical attributes and character:

Right Portion - Leyte side, where Tacloban City is Located

Left Portion - Symbolizes the province of Samar, major supplier of agricultural and marine products to the city, stabilizing its volume of business and trade.

Center - Stands for the beautiful and scenic San Juanico Strait

The Galleon - Illustrates the ship of Ferdinand Magellan who discovered the island of Limasawa where the first Christian mass was held in Philippine soil.

Mayors of Tacloban

Education

Tacloban has a variety of educational institutions both public and private. Foremost of these are the University of the Philippines in the Visayas - College of Tacloban, Eastern Visayas State University, the Leyte Progressive High School and a provincial branch of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, the Leyte Normal University and the Liceo del Verbo Divino formerly known as the Divine Word University of Tacloban

List of School/Universities in Tacloban

Elementary

Public
  • Anibong Elementary School
  • Bagacay Elementary School
  • Basper Elementary School
  • Bayanihan Elementary School
  • Bliss Elementary School
  • Cabalawan Elementary School
  • Caibaan Elementary School
  • Camansihay Elementary School
  • City Central School
  • Diit Mercyville Primary School
  • Don Vicente Quintero Memorial School
  • Dr. Bañez Memorial School
  • Fisherman's Village Elementary School
  • Judge Antonio R. Montilla Elem. School
  • Kapangian Central School
  • Lorenzo Daa Memorial School
  • Lucio Vivero Elementary School
  • Manlurip Primary School
  • Marasbaras Elementary School
  • Nula-Tula Elementary School
  • Old Kawayan Primary School
  • Palanog Elementary School
  • Palanog Resettlement School
  • Panalaron Central School
  • Rizal Central School
  • RTR Elementary School
  • Sagkahan Elementary School
  • Salvacion Elementary School
  • San Fernando Central School
  • San Jose Central School
  • San Roque Elementary School
  • Scandinavian Elementary School
  • Sta. Elena Elementary School
  • Sto. Niño Primary School
  • Sto. Niño SPED Center
  • Tagpuro Elementary School
  • Tigbao-Diit Elementary School
  • V&G Memorial School
Private
  • Alpha Omega Learning Center
  • Arc Angelus Civitas School, Inc.
  • Asian Development Foundation College
  • Blessed Joseph Freinademetz Kinder
  • Bright Sparks International
  • CIE (British International School)
  • Eastern Visayas College Prep. School
  • Grace Baptist Academy
  • Holy Infant College
  • Holy Virgin of Salvacion School, Inc.
  • Jansen Heights Learning Foundation
  • Kiddie Home Child Development Inc.
  • Leyte Progressive High School
  • Liceo del Verbo Divino
  • Our Lady of Lourdes School foundation
  • Penarada Tutorial Center
  • Perpetual Help Learning Center
  • Regional Continuing Educ (SPED)
  • Sacred Heart College of Tacloban
  • St. Agnes Educational Foundation
  • St. Anthony SPED Center Foundation, Inc.
  • St. Lawrence Xavier Early Academy House, Inc.
  • St. Therese Educational Foundation of Tacloban, Inc. (STEFTI)
  • St. Therese Christian Development Center Foundation, Inc. (STCDCFI)
  • STI Tacloban
  • Sto. Niño Educational Center
  • Tacloban Angelicum Learning Center
  • Tacloban City Adventist School
  • United Church Family Life Program

Secondary

Public
  • Cirilo Roy Montejo National High School
  • Cirilo Roy Montejo Night High School
  • Leyte National High School
  • Marasbaras National High School
  • Sagkahan National High School
  • San Jose National High School
  • San Jose Night High School
  • Tacloban City National High School
  • Tacloban City Night High School
  • Tacloban National Agri. School
  • Tacloban National High School
Private
  • ABE International College of Business and Accountany
  • AMA Computer University Tacloban College
  • Asian Development Foundation College
  • Eastern Visayas College Preparatory School
  • Grace Baptist Academy
  • Holy Infant College
  • Holy Virgin of Salvacion School, Inc.
  • Leyte Progressive High School
  • Liceo del Verbo Divino
  • Sacred Heart College of Tacloban
  • St. Therese Educational Center of Leyte (STECL)
  • St. Therese Christian Development Center Foundation, Inc. (STCDCFI)
  • St. Therese kuno (STEFTI)
  • Tacloban Angelicum Learning Center
  • Tacloban Montessori High School

Colleges/Universities/Technical Institutes

  • ABE International College of Business
  • AMA Computer Learning Center College
  • AMA Computer College
  • Asia Pacific Career College
  • Asian Development Foundation College
  • Colegio de san Lorenzo ruiz de Manila inc.
  • Collegio De La Salle Foundation de Tacloban
  • DATAMEX Institute of Computer Technology
  • Dr. Vicente Orestes Romualdez Educational Foundation (College of Law)
  • Eastern Visayas State University
  • Holy Infant College
  • Holy Spirit Foundation of Leyte
  • Holy Virgin of Salvacion Foundation
  • Innovate Information and Communications Technology Systems
  • JE Mondejar Computer College
  • Jose Navarro Polytechnic Institute

Health Facilities

Tacloban as the regional center of Eastern Visayas offers quality healthcare services. There are lots of hospitals and other medical institutions serving the city's population.

Transportation

Cebu Pacific operates 4x daily flights from Manila and daily flights from Cebu City, travel time is 1 hour and 10 minutes. Philippine Airlines also connects the two cities from Manila (3x daily) and Cebu (daily). PAL Express also has four flights per week between Cebu and Tacloban City. The new airline Zest Airways also offers daily flights from Manila to Tacloban and vice-versa.The Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport which is currently under rehabilitation to develop it to have an international airport status just like other airports in the Visayas Region.And rename it to Daniel romualdez international airport

Sulpicio Lines takes approximately 37 hours to reach Tacloban, the ship departs from Manila three times a week. The days of departure are fixed a week before.

Many bus companies offer daily trips from Manila to Tacloban like Ultra Bus , CUL Transport, Philtranco, Eagle Star Bus, Villegas Transit, Golden Dove and many others. the trip will take almost 24 hours from Manila, then it will pass in Bicol via ferry boats or RORO then will pass to Samar until it reach the city. In the city there are also VANS like VAN-VAN Tours and vsGRAND Tours that travels along the line Tacloban to any point in Region 8 and fixed routes; Tacloban to Catbalogan; Tacloban to Calbayog; Tacloban to Catarman; Tacloban to Ormoc. There are also buses that bounds to other Philippine cities like Davao, Butuan and Surigao through Bachelor Express and Cebu to Tacloban through Ceres Liner.

Bus companies servicing the Tacloban Bus Terminal include FiveStar, GV Florida Transit and Viron Transit.

Culture

The Sangyaw and Pintados-Kasadyaan festivals are held in this city during the month of June.

List of the dates of festivities honoring patron saints in various barangays

  • Jan 11 - Scandinavian
  • Jan 13 - Alimasag
  • Jan 15 - Fishermen's Village
  • Feb 11 - V&G Subdivision
  • Feb 11 - Imelda Village
  • Mar 19 - Cabalawan
  • May 2 - Basper
  • May 2 - Old Kawayan
  • May 6 - Soliman
  • May 7 - New Kawayan
  • May 12 - San Isidro
  • May 13 - Fatima Village
  • May 14 - Camansihay
  • May 15 - Calanipawan
  • May 15 - Naga-Naga
  • May 15 - San Isidro (Suhi)
  • May 15 - Utap
  • May 16 - Abucay
  • May 16 - Apitong
  • May 21 - Marasbaras
  • May 23 - JE Palanog
  • May 24 - Cabalawan
  • May 25 - San Jose
  • May 26 - Palanog
  • May 28 - San Roque
  • May 30 - Lower Nula-Tula
  • May 30 - Upper Nula-Tula
  • June 2 - Santa Elena
  • June 3 - Rawis, Anibong
  • June 15 - Caibaan
  • June 16 - Sto. Nino
  • Second Sunday of June - Sacred Heart Parish
  • June 20 - Costa Brava
  • June 30 - Adlaw han Tacloban
  • July 10 - Anibong
  • July 11 - Di-it
  • Third Saturday of August - San Fernando
  • Aug 16 - Tigbao
  • Aug 23 - Burayan, San Jose
  • Aug 25 - Serin / Torres
  • Aug 25 - Tagpuro
  • Aug 26 - Manlurip
  • Aug 27 - Sea Wall
  • Aug 29 - Quarry
  • Aug 30 - Sabang
  • Oct 16 - Sampaguita
  • Oct 22 - Buho
  • Oct 22 - Pericohon
  • Oct 24 - Sagkahan / Bliss
  • Oct 28 - San Gerardo & PHHC

Media

Sister city

External links

References