Zamboanga Peninsula
Encyclopedia
Zamboanga Peninsula / Western Mindanao is a peninsula
and an administrative region
in the Philippines
. Designated as Region IX, the region consists of three provinces
, namely, Zamboanga del Norte
, Zamboanga del Sur
, and Zamboanga Sibugay
, its component cities of Dipolog
, Dapitan
, Pagadian
, and Isabela
(Capital of Basilan
Province, which is a part of the ARMM
) and the Highly-urbanized city of Zamboanga
. March 4, 2011, the Regional Development Council (RDC) of Region IX voted to retain Zamboanga City
as the regional center. The region was previously known as Western Mindanao before the enactment of Executive Order No. 36http://www.lawphil.net/executive/execord/eo2001/eo_36_2001.html on September 19, 2001.
annexed the Spanish East Indies
in 1898, Zamboanga was briefly independent as the Republic of Zamboanga
. It became a part of the Moro Province
, which consisted of the Central and Western parts of Mindanao
and the Sulu Archipelago
. The name and status of Moro province soon changed to the Department of Mindanao and Sulu
on August 16, 1916, that caused Zamboanga to become a province.
On 1942, the occupied by the Japanese Imperial forces taken in Zamboanga Peninsula
On 1945, the liberation at Zamboanga Peninsula by joint United States and Philippine Commonwealth armed forces against the Japanese Imperial forces during the World War II
.
On June 6, 1952, the province was divided into two provinces, Zamboanga del Norte
and Zamboanga del Sur
, while the chartered City of Zamboanga
became an independent city.
, the provinces that formerly made up Zamboanga province were organized into Region IX by order of Presidential Decree No. 1http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/presdecs/pd1972/pd_1_1972.html as part of the Integrated Reorganization Plan of President Ferdinand Marcos
that was signed in September 24, 1972.
Between 1975 to 1989 the old Region IX (Western Mindanao) was divided into two sub-regions by Presidential Decree No. 773http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/presdecs/pd1975/pd_773_1975.html dated August 21, 1975. Sub-Region IX-A is to be consisted of Basilan
, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi
with Jolo, Sulu
as the sub-regional center while Sub-Region IX-B consisted of the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte
and Zamboanga del Sur
, with the chartered city of Zamboanga City
as the sub-regional center.
, was created from the province of Zamboanga del Sur with Ipil
as the seat of government with the virtue of Republic Act No. 8973.
In the same year, the residents of Basilan
opted to join the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
(ARMM) in a plebiscite. However, the citizens of the capital, Isabela City
, did not want to join so the city remained a part of this region with the as a result of Executive Order No. 36.
In 2004, Pagadian City
officially became the Regional Center for Region IX- Zamboanga Peninsula, despite opposition from Zamboanga City
, the former Regional Center. However, on March 4, 2011, the Regional Development Council (RDC) of Region IX voted to retain Zamboanga City
as the regional center.
In 2011, a group of politicians led by former Zamboanga del Norte
Governor Romeo Jalosjos forged a group, whose aim is to create a new region called the Western Peninsula. This proposal includes Misamis Occidental
in Region IX, which is nearer than Northern Mindanao
to promote progress and development among the provinces and cities in the newly formed region. Its group membership includes all of the three provinces and component cities, excluding Zamboanga and Isabela Cities.
¹ Isabela City
is a component city
and capital of the province of Basilan
. Isabela City continues be under the jurisdiction of Basilan for the administration of provincially-devolved services and functions. But for the administration of regional services, the city is part of the Zamboanga Peninsula Region despite the rest of Basilan being under the authority of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
.
, part of the Celebes Sea
, and the Sulu Sea
. Along the shores of the peninsula are numerous bays and islands. Its territory consists of the three Zamboanga provinces and Zamboanga City, as well as the Northern Mindanao
province of Misamis Occidental
. The peninsula is connected to the main part of Mindanao
through an isthmus situated between Panguil Bay and Pagadian Bay. The boundary between the peninsula and the mainland is artificially marked by the border between the provinces of Zamboanga del Sur
and Lanao del Norte
.
: Dipolog City
, Dapitan City
, Isabela City
, Pagadian City
, and the highly-urbanized city of Zamboanga City
. Isabela City
is a part of the island-province of Basilan
to the south of the peninsula.
Dapitan is also known as the "Shrine City in the Philippines" because the place where Jose Rizal, the National Hero, was exiled. It is also known for the old St. James Parish and the beach resort of Dakak.
Dipolog is also known as the "Gateway to Western Mindanao" and "Orchid City" of the Philippines and the "Bottled Sardines Capital of the Philippines".
Isabela, dubbed "The Rising City of the South", was the southernmost outpost of the Spanish in the Philippines until the fall of Jolo in 1878. Having hosted Catholic residents since 1637, and a Spanish Fort (destroyed in World War II) since 1848, it was likewise the Primary Naval Base of the Spanish for Mindanao until 1899. Named after Spanish Queen Isabella II, the city is the southernmost predominantly Christian enclave of the Philippines, and serves as the entrepot for trade and commerce of Basilan island.
Pagadian is also known as the "Little Hong Kong of the South" because of its topographical feature that is reminiscent of Hong Kong
, China. It also has an affluent Chinese community that officially celebrates the Chinese Lunar New Year.
Ciudad de Zamboanga
is the only Highly Urbanized and independent city in the region. It is a tourist destination known for its old Spanish fort, Fort Pilar
. It is also known as the third oldest chartered city in the Philippines and now serves as the center of trade, commerce, industry and education in the region and it is also the third largest city in the Philippines
. 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
Motto: "Adelante Zamboanga" Chavacano
"Onward, Zamboanga".
Dated March 4, 2011, Zamboanga City
retain its position as the regional center of Zamboanga Peninsula as members of the Regional Development Council IX voted for the city during RDC’s 135th meeting held in Dipolog City
.
Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority
is the only Freeport in Visayas
and Mindanao
. Zamboanga Freeport Authority was conceptualized to be an economic hub that is designed to generate local economic activities that will serve as a springboard for the promotion of trade, investments, and ecology tourism not only in Zamboanga City but also throughout the region. By nature of its operation, Zamboanga Freeport Authority is unique being both an Economic Zone.
Ciudad de Zamboanga
is the only member of BIMP-EAGA
in the Zamboanga Peninsula. 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 Ciudad de Zamboanga
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 Ciudad de Zamboanga
and Sandakan
in Malaysia and even a free-trade of goods to other BIMP-EAGA
members.
In 2006, Zamboanga City was re-labeled from "City of Flowers" to "Asia's Latin City". The new label is the brainchild of mayor Celso L. Lobregat believing that this was a more relevant and significant label given the fact that the people of Zamboanga speak Zamboangueño Chavacano, official language of Zamboanga City evovled from ancient/old Castillan (Spanish) with influences from other Romance languages
, e.g., Portuguese
and Italian
; from Native American
, e.g., Quechua, Taino
, Mexican-Indian, Nauhtl; and from Philippine Austronesian languages
, e.g., Bisaya, Hiligaynon
, Subanon, Sama
, Yakan
, Tausug
and other native Philippine languages
.
Peninsula
A peninsula is a piece of land that is bordered by water on three sides but connected to mainland. In many Germanic and Celtic languages and also in Baltic, Slavic and Hungarian, peninsulas are called "half-islands"....
and an administrative region
Regions of the Philippines
In the Philippines, regions are administrative divisions that serve primarily to organize the provinces of the country for administrative convenience. Currently, the archipelagic republic of the Philippines is divided into 17 regions...
in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. Designated as Region IX, the region consists of three provinces
Provinces of the Philippines
The Provinces of the Philippines are the primary political and administrative divisions of the Philippines. There are 80 provinces at present, further subdivided into component cities and municipalities. The National Capital Region, as well as independent cities, are autonomous from any provincial...
, namely, Zamboanga del Norte
Zamboanga del Norte
Zamboanga del Norte or simply known as ZANORTE is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its capital is Dipolog City and the province borders Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay to the south and Misamis Occidental to the east...
, Zamboanga del Sur
Zamboanga del Sur
Zamboanga del Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Pagadian City is the capital...
, and Zamboanga Sibugay
Zamboanga Sibugay
Zamboanga Sibugay is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its capital is Ipil and it borders Zamboanga del Norte to the north, Zamboanga del Sur to the east and Zamboanga City to the southwest. To the south lies Sibuguey Bay in the Moro Gulf...
, its component cities of Dipolog
Dipolog City
The City of Dipolog is a 1st class city and the capital of the province of Zamboanga del Norte on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao...
, Dapitan
Dapitan City
The City of Dapitan is a 4th class city in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 68,178 people in 13,560 households...
, Pagadian
Pagadian City
The City of Pagadian is the provincial capital of Zamboanga del Sur in the island of Mindanao, Republic of the Philippines.-Overview:The city had its beginnings as a...
, and Isabela
Isabela City
Isabela City is a 5th class city and the capital of the province of Basilan, Philippines. The city is located on the northern shore of Basilan. Across the Basilan Strait to the north is Zamboanga City...
(Capital of Basilan
Basilan
The Province of Basilan is an island province of the Philippines within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao . Basilan is the largest and northernmost of the major islands of the Sulu Archipelago and is located just off the southern coast of Zamboanga Peninsula...
Province, which is a part of the ARMM
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is the region, located in the Mindanao island group of the Philippines, that is composed of predominantly Muslim provinces, namely: Basilan , Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. It is the only region that has its own government...
) and the Highly-urbanized city of Zamboanga
Zamboanga City
The City of Zamboanga : is a highly urbanized, independent and a chartered city located in Mindanao, Philippines....
. March 4, 2011, the Regional Development Council (RDC) of Region IX voted to retain Zamboanga City
Zamboanga City
The City of Zamboanga : is a highly urbanized, independent and a chartered city located in Mindanao, Philippines....
as the regional center. The region was previously known as Western Mindanao before the enactment of Executive Order No. 36http://www.lawphil.net/executive/execord/eo2001/eo_36_2001.html on September 19, 2001.
Province of Zamboanga
After the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
annexed the Spanish East Indies
Spanish East Indies
Spanish East Indies was a term used to describe Spanish territories in Asia-Pacific which lasted for three centuries . With the seat of government in Manila, the territory encompassed the Philippine Islands, Guam and the Mariana Islands, the Caroline Islands, and for a period of time, parts of...
in 1898, Zamboanga was briefly independent as the Republic of Zamboanga
Republic of Zamboanga
The Republic of Zamboanga was a short-lived revolutionary republic, founded after the collapse of Spanish colonial rule in Zamboanga in 1899.-End of Spanish Occupation:...
. It became a part of the Moro Province
Moro Province
Moro Province is the name of the province of the Philippines consisting of the current provinces/regions of Zamboanga, Lanao, Cotabato, Davao, and Sulu...
, which consisted of the Central and Western parts of Mindanao
Mindanao
Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
and the Sulu Archipelago
Sulu Archipelago
The Sulu Archipelago is a chain of islands in the southwestern Philippines. This archipelago is considered to be part of the Moroland by the local rebel independence movement. This island group forms the northern limit of the Celebes Sea....
. The name and status of Moro province soon changed to the Department of Mindanao and Sulu
Department of Mindanao and Sulu
The Department of Mindanao and Sulu was an agency of the United States colonial administration in the Philippine Islands tasked to administer all Muslim-dominated areas in the territory. It was established on July 23, 1914, pursuant to Act No. 2408, replacing the Moro Province after the latter was...
on August 16, 1916, that caused Zamboanga to become a province.
On 1942, the occupied by the Japanese Imperial forces taken in Zamboanga Peninsula
On 1945, the liberation at Zamboanga Peninsula by joint United States and Philippine Commonwealth armed forces against the Japanese Imperial forces during the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
On June 6, 1952, the province was divided into two provinces, Zamboanga del Norte
Zamboanga del Norte
Zamboanga del Norte or simply known as ZANORTE is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its capital is Dipolog City and the province borders Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay to the south and Misamis Occidental to the east...
and Zamboanga del Sur
Zamboanga del Sur
Zamboanga del Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Pagadian City is the capital...
, while the chartered City of Zamboanga
Zamboanga City
The City of Zamboanga : is a highly urbanized, independent and a chartered city located in Mindanao, Philippines....
became an independent city.
Region
Together with the Sulu ArchipelagoSulu Archipelago
The Sulu Archipelago is a chain of islands in the southwestern Philippines. This archipelago is considered to be part of the Moroland by the local rebel independence movement. This island group forms the northern limit of the Celebes Sea....
, the provinces that formerly made up Zamboanga province were organized into Region IX by order of Presidential Decree No. 1http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/presdecs/pd1972/pd_1_1972.html as part of the Integrated Reorganization Plan of President Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos, Sr. was a Filipino leader and an authoritarian President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He was a lawyer, member of the Philippine House of Representatives and a member of the Philippine Senate...
that was signed in September 24, 1972.
Between 1975 to 1989 the old Region IX (Western Mindanao) was divided into two sub-regions by Presidential Decree No. 773http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/presdecs/pd1975/pd_773_1975.html dated August 21, 1975. Sub-Region IX-A is to be consisted of Basilan
Basilan
The Province of Basilan is an island province of the Philippines within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao . Basilan is the largest and northernmost of the major islands of the Sulu Archipelago and is located just off the southern coast of Zamboanga Peninsula...
, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi
Tawi-Tawi
Tawi-Tawi is an island province of the Philippines located in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao . The capital of Tawi-Tawi is Bongao. The province is the southernmost of the country sharing sea borders with the Malaysian State of Sabah and the Indonesian East Kalimantan province. To the...
with Jolo, Sulu
Jolo, Sulu
Jolo is a municipality on the island of Jolo, and the capital and largest town of the province of Sulu. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 87,998 people in 12,814 households. Part of its population is of Chinese descent, mainly from Singapore...
as the sub-regional center while Sub-Region IX-B consisted of the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte
Zamboanga del Norte
Zamboanga del Norte or simply known as ZANORTE is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its capital is Dipolog City and the province borders Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay to the south and Misamis Occidental to the east...
and Zamboanga del Sur
Zamboanga del Sur
Zamboanga del Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Pagadian City is the capital...
, with the chartered city of Zamboanga City
Zamboanga City
The City of Zamboanga : is a highly urbanized, independent and a chartered city located in Mindanao, Philippines....
as the sub-regional center.
The Present
In 2001, Zamboanga SibugayZamboanga Sibugay
Zamboanga Sibugay is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its capital is Ipil and it borders Zamboanga del Norte to the north, Zamboanga del Sur to the east and Zamboanga City to the southwest. To the south lies Sibuguey Bay in the Moro Gulf...
, was created from the province of Zamboanga del Sur with Ipil
Ipil
Ipil may refer to the following places in the Philippines:* Spill, Zamboni Sibilancy* Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay* Ipil in Taal, Batangas* Ipil in Jagna, BoholTrees...
as the seat of government with the virtue of Republic Act No. 8973.
In the same year, the residents of Basilan
Basilan
The Province of Basilan is an island province of the Philippines within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao . Basilan is the largest and northernmost of the major islands of the Sulu Archipelago and is located just off the southern coast of Zamboanga Peninsula...
opted to join the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is the region, located in the Mindanao island group of the Philippines, that is composed of predominantly Muslim provinces, namely: Basilan , Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. It is the only region that has its own government...
(ARMM) in a plebiscite. However, the citizens of the capital, Isabela City
Isabela City
Isabela City is a 5th class city and the capital of the province of Basilan, Philippines. The city is located on the northern shore of Basilan. Across the Basilan Strait to the north is Zamboanga City...
, did not want to join so the city remained a part of this region with the as a result of Executive Order No. 36.
In 2004, Pagadian City
Pagadian City
The City of Pagadian is the provincial capital of Zamboanga del Sur in the island of Mindanao, Republic of the Philippines.-Overview:The city had its beginnings as a...
officially became the Regional Center for Region IX- Zamboanga Peninsula, despite opposition from Zamboanga City
Zamboanga City
The City of Zamboanga : is a highly urbanized, independent and a chartered city located in Mindanao, Philippines....
, the former Regional Center. However, on March 4, 2011, the Regional Development Council (RDC) of Region IX voted to retain Zamboanga City
Zamboanga City
The City of Zamboanga : is a highly urbanized, independent and a chartered city located in Mindanao, Philippines....
as the regional center.
In 2011, a group of politicians led by former Zamboanga del Norte
Zamboanga del Norte
Zamboanga del Norte or simply known as ZANORTE is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its capital is Dipolog City and the province borders Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay to the south and Misamis Occidental to the east...
Governor Romeo Jalosjos forged a group, whose aim is to create a new region called the Western Peninsula. This proposal includes Misamis Occidental
Misamis Occidental
Misamis Occidental is a province of the Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao region. Its capital is Oroquieta City...
in Region IX, which is nearer than Northern Mindanao
Northern Mindanao
Designated as Region X of the Philippines, Northern Mindanao is composed of five provinces and two cities classified as highly-urbanized, all occupying the north-central part of Mindanao island, and the island-province of Camiguin...
to promote progress and development among the provinces and cities in the newly formed region. Its group membership includes all of the three provinces and component cities, excluding Zamboanga and Isabela Cities.
Political divisions
| Province Provinces of the Philippines The Provinces of the Philippines are the primary political and administrative divisions of the Philippines. There are 80 provinces at present, further subdivided into component cities and municipalities. The National Capital Region, as well as independent cities, are autonomous from any provincial... /City Cities of the Philippines A city is a tier of local government in the Philippines. All Philippine cities are chartered cities, whose existence as corporate and administrative entities is governed by their own specific charters in addition to the Local Government Code of 1991, which specifies the administrative structure... | Capital | Population (2007) | Area (km²) | Pop. density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zamboanga del Norte Zamboanga del Norte Zamboanga del Norte or simply known as ZANORTE is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its capital is Dipolog City and the province borders Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay to the south and Misamis Occidental to the east... |
Dipolog City Dipolog City The City of Dipolog is a 1st class city and the capital of the province of Zamboanga del Norte on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao... |
907,238 | 7,301.0 | 137.0 |
| Zamboanga del Sur Zamboanga del Sur Zamboanga del Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Pagadian City is the capital... |
Pagadian City Pagadian City The City of Pagadian is the provincial capital of Zamboanga del Sur in the island of Mindanao, Republic of the Philippines.-Overview:The city had its beginnings as a... |
914,278 | 4,499.5 | 262.6 |
| Zamboanga Sibugay Zamboanga Sibugay Zamboanga Sibugay is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its capital is Ipil and it borders Zamboanga del Norte to the north, Zamboanga del Sur to the east and Zamboanga City to the southwest. To the south lies Sibuguey Bay in the Moro Gulf... |
Ipil Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay Ipil is a 1st class municipality in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Zamboanga Sibugay... |
546,186 | 3,607.8 | 176.8 |
| Zamboanga City Zamboanga City The City of Zamboanga : is a highly urbanized, independent and a chartered city located in Mindanao, Philippines.... |
774,407 | 1,483.4 | 522.0 | |
| Isabela City Isabela City Isabela City is a 5th class city and the capital of the province of Basilan, Philippines. The city is located on the northern shore of Basilan. Across the Basilan Strait to the north is Zamboanga City... ¹ |
— | 87,985 | 140.7 | 625.3 |
Component cities
- Dapitan CityDapitan CityThe City of Dapitan is a 4th class city in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 68,178 people in 13,560 households...
, Zamboanga del NorteZamboanga del NorteZamboanga del Norte or simply known as ZANORTE is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its capital is Dipolog City and the province borders Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay to the south and Misamis Occidental to the east... - Dipolog CityDipolog CityThe City of Dipolog is a 1st class city and the capital of the province of Zamboanga del Norte on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao...
, Zamboanga del NorteZamboanga del NorteZamboanga del Norte or simply known as ZANORTE is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its capital is Dipolog City and the province borders Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay to the south and Misamis Occidental to the east... - Isabela CityIsabela CityIsabela City is a 5th class city and the capital of the province of Basilan, Philippines. The city is located on the northern shore of Basilan. Across the Basilan Strait to the north is Zamboanga City...
¹, BasilanBasilanThe Province of Basilan is an island province of the Philippines within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao . Basilan is the largest and northernmost of the major islands of the Sulu Archipelago and is located just off the southern coast of Zamboanga Peninsula... - Pagadian CityPagadian CityThe City of Pagadian is the provincial capital of Zamboanga del Sur in the island of Mindanao, Republic of the Philippines.-Overview:The city had its beginnings as a...
, Zamboanga del SurZamboanga del SurZamboanga del Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Pagadian City is the capital...
¹ Isabela City
Isabela City
Isabela City is a 5th class city and the capital of the province of Basilan, Philippines. The city is located on the northern shore of Basilan. Across the Basilan Strait to the north is Zamboanga City...
is a component city
Cities of the Philippines
A city is a tier of local government in the Philippines. All Philippine cities are chartered cities, whose existence as corporate and administrative entities is governed by their own specific charters in addition to the Local Government Code of 1991, which specifies the administrative structure...
and capital of the province of Basilan
Basilan
The Province of Basilan is an island province of the Philippines within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao . Basilan is the largest and northernmost of the major islands of the Sulu Archipelago and is located just off the southern coast of Zamboanga Peninsula...
. Isabela City continues be under the jurisdiction of Basilan for the administration of provincially-devolved services and functions. But for the administration of regional services, the city is part of the Zamboanga Peninsula Region despite the rest of Basilan being under the authority of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is the region, located in the Mindanao island group of the Philippines, that is composed of predominantly Muslim provinces, namely: Basilan , Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. It is the only region that has its own government...
.
Geography
Zamboanga Peninsula lies between the Moro GulfMoro Gulf
The Moro Gulf is a sea in Mindanao in the Philippines. It is part of Celebes Sea and is surrounded by the Zamboanga Peninsula and the central part of Mindanao. Sibuguey Bay and Illana Bay are its major branches. Zamboanga City is the most important port city on its coast...
, part of the Celebes Sea
Celebes Sea
The Celebes Sea of the western Pacific Ocean is bordered on the north by the Sulu Archipelago and Sulu Sea and Mindanao Island of the Philippines, on the east by the Sangihe Islands chain, on the south by Sulawesi, and on the west by Kalimantan in Indonesia...
, and the Sulu Sea
Sulu Sea
The Sulu Sea is a body of water in the southwestern area of the Philippines, separated from the South China Sea in the northwest by Palawan and from the Celebes Sea in the southeast by the Sulu Archipelago. Borneo is found to the southwest and Visayas to the northeast.Sulu Sea contains a number of...
. Along the shores of the peninsula are numerous bays and islands. Its territory consists of the three Zamboanga provinces and Zamboanga City, as well as the Northern Mindanao
Northern Mindanao
Designated as Region X of the Philippines, Northern Mindanao is composed of five provinces and two cities classified as highly-urbanized, all occupying the north-central part of Mindanao island, and the island-province of Camiguin...
province of Misamis Occidental
Misamis Occidental
Misamis Occidental is a province of the Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao region. Its capital is Oroquieta City...
. The peninsula is connected to the main part of Mindanao
Mindanao
Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
through an isthmus situated between Panguil Bay and Pagadian Bay. The boundary between the peninsula and the mainland is artificially marked by the border between the provinces of Zamboanga del Sur
Zamboanga del Sur
Zamboanga del Sur is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Pagadian City is the capital...
and Lanao del Norte
Lanao del Norte
Lanao del Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao region. Its capital is Tubod. The province borders Lanao del Sur to the southeast, Zamboanga del Sur to the west, Illana Bay to the southwest, Iligan Bay to the north, Iligan City to the northeast, and is separated...
.
Resources
The region has vast forest resources and previously used to export logs, lumber, veneer and plywood. Mineral deposits include gold, chromite, coal, iron, lead, and manganese. Among its non-metallic reserves are coal, silica, salt, marble, silica sand, and gravel. Its fishing grounds are devoted to commercial and municipal fishing. It has also aqua farms for brackish water and freshwater fishes.Cities
Zamboanga Peninsula has five citiesCities of the Philippines
A city is a tier of local government in the Philippines. All Philippine cities are chartered cities, whose existence as corporate and administrative entities is governed by their own specific charters in addition to the Local Government Code of 1991, which specifies the administrative structure...
: Dipolog City
Dipolog City
The City of Dipolog is a 1st class city and the capital of the province of Zamboanga del Norte on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao...
, Dapitan City
Dapitan City
The City of Dapitan is a 4th class city in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 68,178 people in 13,560 households...
, Isabela City
Isabela City
Isabela City is a 5th class city and the capital of the province of Basilan, Philippines. The city is located on the northern shore of Basilan. Across the Basilan Strait to the north is Zamboanga City...
, Pagadian City
Pagadian City
The City of Pagadian is the provincial capital of Zamboanga del Sur in the island of Mindanao, Republic of the Philippines.-Overview:The city had its beginnings as a...
, and the highly-urbanized city of Zamboanga City
Zamboanga City
The City of Zamboanga : is a highly urbanized, independent and a chartered city located in Mindanao, Philippines....
. Isabela City
Isabela City
Isabela City is a 5th class city and the capital of the province of Basilan, Philippines. The city is located on the northern shore of Basilan. Across the Basilan Strait to the north is Zamboanga City...
is a part of the island-province of Basilan
Basilan
The Province of Basilan is an island province of the Philippines within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao . Basilan is the largest and northernmost of the major islands of the Sulu Archipelago and is located just off the southern coast of Zamboanga Peninsula...
to the south of the peninsula.
Dapitan is also known as the "Shrine City in the Philippines" because the place where Jose Rizal, the National Hero, was exiled. It is also known for the old St. James Parish and the beach resort of Dakak.
Dipolog is also known as the "Gateway to Western Mindanao" and "Orchid City" of the Philippines and the "Bottled Sardines Capital of the Philippines".
Isabela, dubbed "The Rising City of the South", was the southernmost outpost of the Spanish in the Philippines until the fall of Jolo in 1878. Having hosted Catholic residents since 1637, and a Spanish Fort (destroyed in World War II) since 1848, it was likewise the Primary Naval Base of the Spanish for Mindanao until 1899. Named after Spanish Queen Isabella II, the city is the southernmost predominantly Christian enclave of the Philippines, and serves as the entrepot for trade and commerce of Basilan island.
Pagadian is also known as the "Little Hong Kong of the South" because of its topographical feature that is reminiscent of Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, China. It also has an affluent Chinese community that officially celebrates the Chinese Lunar New Year.
Ciudad de Zamboanga
Zamboanga City
The City of Zamboanga : is a highly urbanized, independent and a chartered city located in Mindanao, Philippines....
is the only Highly Urbanized and independent city in the region. It is a tourist destination known for its old Spanish fort, Fort Pilar
Fort Pilar
Fort Pilar is a 17th century military defense fortress built by the Spanish colonial government in Zamboanga City on Mindanao Island in the Republic of the Philippines...
. It is also known as the third oldest chartered city in the Philippines and now serves as the center of trade, commerce, industry and education in the region and it is also the third largest city in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. 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
Motto: "Adelante Zamboanga" Chavacano
"Onward, Zamboanga".
Dated March 4, 2011, Zamboanga City
Zamboanga City
The City of Zamboanga : is a highly urbanized, independent and a chartered city located in Mindanao, Philippines....
retain its position as the regional center of Zamboanga Peninsula as members of the Regional Development Council IX voted for the city during RDC’s 135th meeting held in Dipolog City
Dipolog City
The City of Dipolog is a 1st class city and the capital of the province of Zamboanga del Norte on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao...
.
Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority
Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority
The Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority , otherwise known by its corporate name as Zamboanga Freeport Authority , was created by virtue of the Republic Acts of the Philippines 7903 of the Philippines, authored by then Congresswoman and late mayor of the city of Zamboanga, Maria Clara L...
is the only Freeport in Visayas
Visayas
The Visayas or Visayan Islands and locally known as Kabisay-an gid, is one of the three principal geographical divisions of the Philippines, along with Mindanao and Luzon. It consists of several islands, primarily surrounding the Visayan Sea, although the Visayas are considered the northeast...
and Mindanao
Mindanao
Mindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
. Zamboanga Freeport Authority was conceptualized to be an economic hub that is designed to generate local economic activities that will serve as a springboard for the promotion of trade, investments, and ecology tourism not only in Zamboanga City but also throughout the region. By nature of its operation, Zamboanga Freeport Authority is unique being both an Economic Zone.
Ciudad de Zamboanga
Zamboanga City
The City of Zamboanga : is a highly urbanized, independent and a chartered city located in Mindanao, Philippines....
is the only member of BIMP-EAGA
BIMP-EAGA
The East ASEAN Growth Area is a subregional economic cooperation initiative in Southeast Asia.-Background:BIMP-EAGA was launched in 1994 as a cooperation initiative by Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, all of which are member-countries of the regional Association of...
in the Zamboanga Peninsula. BIMP-EAGA
BIMP-EAGA
The East ASEAN Growth Area is a subregional economic cooperation initiative in Southeast Asia.-Background:BIMP-EAGA was launched in 1994 as a cooperation initiative by Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, all of which are member-countries of the regional Association of...
which stands for Brunei
Brunei
Brunei , officially the State of Brunei Darussalam or the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace , is a sovereign state located on the north coast of the island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia...
-Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
-Malaysia-Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
East ASEAN Growth Area. BIMP-EAGA
BIMP-EAGA
The East ASEAN Growth Area is a subregional economic cooperation initiative in Southeast Asia.-Background:BIMP-EAGA was launched in 1994 as a cooperation initiative by Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, all of which are member-countries of the regional Association of...
is an agreement among the four Southeast Asian neighbor countries for economic cooperation. It has put Ciudad de Zamboanga
Zamboanga City
The City of Zamboanga : is a highly urbanized, independent and a chartered city located in Mindanao, Philippines....
in touch with towns in Malaysia and Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
. As a result of contacts arising from BIMP-EAGA
BIMP-EAGA
The East ASEAN Growth Area is a subregional economic cooperation initiative in Southeast Asia.-Background:BIMP-EAGA was launched in 1994 as a cooperation initiative by Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, all of which are member-countries of the regional Association of...
, an air and sea route has been opened between Ciudad de Zamboanga
Zamboanga City
The City of Zamboanga : is a highly urbanized, independent and a chartered city located in Mindanao, Philippines....
and Sandakan
Sandakan
Sandakan is the second-largest city in Sabah, East Malaysia, on the north-eastern coast of Borneo. It is located on the east coast of the island and it is the administrative centre of Sandakan Division and was the former capital of British North Borneo...
in Malaysia and even a free-trade of goods to other BIMP-EAGA
BIMP-EAGA
The East ASEAN Growth Area is a subregional economic cooperation initiative in Southeast Asia.-Background:BIMP-EAGA was launched in 1994 as a cooperation initiative by Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, all of which are member-countries of the regional Association of...
members.
In 2006, Zamboanga City was re-labeled from "City of Flowers" to "Asia's Latin City". The new label is the brainchild of mayor Celso L. Lobregat believing that this was a more relevant and significant label given the fact that the people of Zamboanga speak Zamboangueño Chavacano, official language of Zamboanga City evovled from ancient/old Castillan (Spanish) with influences from other Romance languages
Romance languages
The Romance languages are a branch of the Indo-European language family, more precisely of the Italic languages subfamily, comprising all the languages that descend from Vulgar Latin, the language of ancient Rome...
, e.g., Portuguese
Portuguese language
Portuguese is a Romance language that arose in the medieval Kingdom of Galicia, nowadays Galicia and Northern Portugal. The southern part of the Kingdom of Galicia became independent as the County of Portugal in 1095...
and Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
; from Native American
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
, e.g., Quechua, Taino
Taíno people
The Taínos were pre-Columbian inhabitants of the Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and the northern Lesser Antilles. It is thought that the seafaring Taínos are relatives of the Arawak people of South America...
, Mexican-Indian, Nauhtl; and from Philippine Austronesian languages
Austronesian languages
The Austronesian languages are a language family widely dispersed throughout the islands of Southeast Asia and the Pacific, with a few members spoken on continental Asia that are spoken by about 386 million people. It is on par with Indo-European, Niger-Congo, Afroasiatic and Uralic as one of the...
, e.g., Bisaya, Hiligaynon
Hiligaynon language
Hiligaynon, often referred to as Ilonggo, is an Austronesian language spoken in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines.Hiligaynon is concentrated in the provinces of Iloilo, Negros Occidental and Capiz but is also spoken in the other provinces of the Panay Island group, including Antique,...
, Subanon, Sama
Sama language
Sama Inner Sulu Sama is the language of the Sama people of the Sulu Archipelago. Their is some difference between the islands, and Ethnologue divides it into three languages based on mutual intelligibility. Pangutaran Sama to the west is more distinct.The prestige dialect is that of Simunul....
, Yakan
Yakan language
Yakan is the language of Basilan Island in the Philippines. It is the only Bornean language in that country....
, Tausug
Tausug language
Tausūg is a language spoken in the province of Sulu in the Philippines, in Malaysia, and in Indonesia by the Tausūg people....
and other native Philippine languages
Philippine languages
The Philippine languages are a 1991 proposal by Robert Blust that all the languages of the Philippines and northern Sulawesi—except Sama–Bajaw and a few languages of Palawan—form a subfamily of Austronesian languages...
.