Pagadian, Province of Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula Region, Philippines

🇵🇭 Pagadian, officially the City of Pagadian, is a 2nd class component city and the capital of the province of Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines. It is the regional centre of Zamboanga Peninsula and the second-largest city in the region, after the independent city of Zamboanga.

Pagadian began as stop-over for traders who plied the road between the old Spanish fort-town of Zamboanga on the south-western tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula and other bigger towns to the north of the old Zamboanga Province. Except for its sheltered bay and good fishing grounds, it was not a promising site because it is situated on steeply rolling terrain. In the course of its local history, waves of different kinds of people came to stay, and eventually called among themselves "Pagadianons".

The iconic symbol of Pagadian is its uniquely designed tricycle built to adopt to the city's hilly terrain. It is the only place in the Philippines with a public transport inclined at about 25-40° angle.

History: Early settlers The native inhabitants in the area were the Lumads, specifically Subanens. Then came Iranun and Maguindanaon settlers who converted the people to Islam. A sizeable number of lumads who refused to be converted eventually settled in the highlands.

History: Islam Pagadian was under the leadership of Datu Akob, an Iranun datu whose daughter caught the fancy of Datu Macaumbang (Sultan of Taga Nonok), also an Iranun from Malabang, Tukuran, also part of modern Pagadian. He was the son of Shariff Apo Tubo who descended from the bloodline of Shariff Kabungsuan, the first Sultan of the Maguindanao Sultanate. With the approval of Sultan Datu Akob, Datu Macaumbang married Bai Putri Panyawan Akob, the beautiful daughter of the royal datu of Pagadian City and royal bai putri of Raya.

Upon the death of Datu Akob also known as Datu Mimbalawag, his son-in-law, Datu Macaumbang (Sultan of taga Nonok) assumed leadership; he established the territorial boundaries of the present city proper, from Balangasan River in the west of Tawagan Sur River in the east. Beyond the river of Tawagan Sur was the territory of Datu Balimbingan. At one time, Datu Macaumbang requested the assistance of the Philippine constabulary due to the rampant banditry and piracy in the area. A detachment led by Col. Tiburcio Ballesteros stationed at Malangas landed at the place and stationed themselves at Dumagoc Island. The arrival of the soldiers restored peace and order, thereby attracting the influx of settlers from other places.

History: Christianity Christian settlers started arriving in the early part of the 20th century, most of which came from Cebu as evident on the veneration of the Santo Niño de Cebú. The increasing Christian population prompted the creation of the Parish of Pagadian in 1938 and was administered by the Jesuits, Columban and Filipino priests. The original Santo Niño Church of Pagadian was right across the city plaza, on the site of the current San Jose Parish church. The present Santo Niño Cathedral is now located in San Francisco District and was built in 1968.

Pagadian Parish became a diocese on November 2, 1971, and is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Ozamiz. Msgr. Jesus B. Tuquib served as the first bishop and was installed on February 24, 1973. At that time, the Columban Fathers took care of the apostolic services for the first 13 parishes in the newly formed diocese.

As of 2008, the Diocese of Pagadian had 24 parishes.

History: World War II Pagadian was occupied by Japanese troops during World War II. From November 5 to 20, 1944, the combined American and Filipino troops including recognised guerrillas were attempted to take the town from the Japanese. Sixteen Japanese soldiers were killed, but they remained in possession of Pagadian. The establishment of the general headquarters of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and the Philippine Constabulary were stationed in Pagadian and active from November 21, 1944, to June 30, 1946, during and in the aftermath of World War II, including the military operations and engagements against the Japanese and liberated areas in Mindanao from November 21, 1944, to August 15, 1945.

History: Marcos dictatorship The 1970s brought a period of numerous concurrent conflicts on the island of Mindanao, including Dumingag and Zamboanga del Sur. This included land dispute conflicts arising from the influx of settlers from Luzon and Visayas, and from the Marcos administration’s encouragement of militia groups such as the Ilaga. News of the 1968 Jabidah massacre ignited a furor in the Moro community, and ethnic tensions encouraged with the formation of secessionist movements. Additionally, an economic crisis in late 1969, violent crackdowns on student protests in 1970, and 1971, and eventually the declaration of Martial Law all led to the radicalization of many students. Many of them left schools in Manila and joined New People's Army units in their home provinces, bringing the Marxist-Leninist Maoist armed conflict to Mindanao for the first time.

One of the prominent victims of the period was Mateo Olivar, a church worker who served in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pagadian's Community-Based Health Program and Family Life Apostolate. The nature of Olivar's work, which involved travelling to the hinterlands of the province, led him to be falsely suspected as a "revolutionary organizer". Despite public statements by the Diocese of Pagadian to clarify that Olivar was "organizing for liberation, not revolution", Olivar was assassinated by three unidentified assailants on November 7, 1985, near a Military checkpoint in Dimasangca, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur. Olivar was deeply mourned by the religious community in Pagadian, and on the day Olivar was buried, the bishop of Pagadian honored Olivar and ordered that Olivar's funeral mass would be the only mass said for the day. Olivar would later be honored by having his name inscribed on the wall of remembrance at the Philippines’ Bantayog ng mga Bayani, which honors the heroes and martyrs who fought against Ferdinand Marcos and his martial law regime.

History: Cityhood In October 1990 President Corazon Aquino issued the Executive Order 429 that designated Pagadian City as the Regional Center for Region - IX (Zamboanga Peninsula). Four years later in November 2004, Pagadian was officially designated as the Regional Center for the Zamboanga Peninsula.

Geography: Barangays Pagadian is politically subdivided into 54 barangays of which 19 of these are classified as urban and which 35 of these are classified as rural.: Urban • Balangasan (poblacion) • Balintawak • Banale • Buenavista • Dao • Dumagoc • Gatas (poblacion) • Kawit • Lumbia • Napolan • San Francisco (poblacion) • San Jose (poblacion) • San Pedro (poblacion) • Santa Lucia (poblacion) • Santa Maria • Santiago (poblacion) • Santo Niño (poblacion) • Tiguma • Tuburan (poblacion); Rural • Alegria • Baloyboan • Bogo • Bomba • Bulatok • Bulawan • Dampalan • Danlugan • Datagan • Deborok • Ditoray • Gubac • Gubang • Kagawasan • Kahayagan • Kalasan • La Suerte • Lala • Lapidian • Lenienza • Lison Valley • Lourdes • Lower Sibatang • Lumad • Macasing • Manga • Muricay • Palpalan • Pedulonan • Poloyagan • Tawagan Sur • Tulangan • Tulawas • Upper Sibatang • White Beach.

Economy Agriculture is the primary economic resource, with the production of rice, corn, coconut, fruit, root crops and animal husbandry. Special funding-assistance programs by the government are made available for local farmers; the City Livelihood Development Assistance Program (CILDAP) extends loans to those who need financial assistance for their livelihood.

Production of raw materials like seaweeds, coco processing, cassava constitute a large part of the local economy; small-scale manufacturing of furniture and decors made out of wood, bamboo, rattan, steel and plastic; handicrafts made out of bamboo, rattan, coco shell, wood, marine shell, ceramics, and weaving.

Pagadian Bay and the outer Illana Bay (Iranun Bay) abound with a wide variety of marine products; seaweed culture farming is flourishing in waters off the bay while fishponds near or along the bay yields milkfish, prawns and crabs. A number of large deep-sea fishing vessels that venture into the Sulu Sea and as far as the South China Sea make Pagadian fishport their base of operation.

Another income-generating industry is mining in an area located 1.5 km south-east of Barangay Lison Valley proper approximately forty-nine km from the city proper which yields gold, copper and molybdenum.

Culture: Festivals The City Fiesta is celebrated every third Sunday of January in honor of its patron saint, the Holy Child Jesus (Santo Niño) which coincides with the feastday of Cebu City. It is officially called the Pasalamat Festival highlighted with a fluvial parade (regatta), trade exhibits, the Mutya ng Pagadian beauty pageant, carnival shows and a civic military parade. On every June 21, the Araw ng Pagadian is celebrated in commemoration of its founding as a chartered city; as Capital of Zamboanga del Sur, the city hosts the annual provincial celebration in September with agro-trade exhibits, a civic-military parade, cultural presentations and sports competitions.

The Megayon Festival is a week-long celebration that coincides with the Zamboanga del Sur anniversary in September. It honors the tri-people settlers: the Subanens, BangsaMoro Muslims and Christians. "Megayon" is a Subanen word which means "Unity and Solidarity". The festival is a showcase of three distinctly different cultural heritage in songs, dances, rituals of peace, foods and crafts, to foster unity and understanding among the three cultures. Environment-related activities, peace and development forum, and indigenous sports competitions are being held.

Pagadian City also officially celebrates the Chinese New Year. It honors the local Chinese community.

Tourist Industry The Pagadian Rotonda is a circular park at the apex of the F.S. Pajares Avenue and overlooks Illana Bay. It is at the intersection of the North Diversion Road and F.S. Pajares Avenue, two of the three major road networks in the city (the third one being Rizal Avenue). Dao Dao Islands. The name is shared by two islands within Illana Bay; thus the addition of Dako (big) and Gamay (small) to the names of the islands for simple distinction. "Dao Dao Dako" is the bigger island which is about a hectare and is about 7 to 10‑minute ride by motorboat from the seaport. It has artificial coral reefs made of old tires. "Dao Dao Gamay" is technically not an island, but a sandbar that partially submerges during high tide. Springland Resort is a natural springwater resort, it has three swimming pools and a fishpond and multifunction halls for gatherings. Puting Balas is the literal translation for "white sand" in the local dialect. It is classified as a white sandbar. A number of caves and waterfalls can also be found in remote barangays of the city. The Provincial Government Complex is the civic, sports and cultural centre of the Province of Zamboanga del Sur of which Pagadian is the capital. Sports facilities such as a standard-sized oval track and field, standard sized swimming pools and buildings for indoor/outdoor sports as well as a cultural village and the Unity Park, a monument to the Tri-people group (the Lumads, Moslems and Christians) who settled in Pagadian, are located there.

Transport Tricycles are the primary public transport in the urban centre while jeepneys usually ply the city's rural barangays. Private vehicles comprises the largest percentage of the traffic. Buses, minibuses, and jeepneys are the modes of transportation for transients bound for the neighboring municipalities and other parts of Zamboanga del Sur. These short-travel transports also serve the bus terminal which is located downtown.

Airport. The city is served by a Principal Airport Class 1 (or major domestic). It is located in Barangay Muricay, approximately five km from the city proper. The airport serves as the only air portal in the Province of Zamboanga del Sur with direct flights to and from Manila and Cebu.

Seaport. The port of Pagadian City is served by shipping lines operating for both passenger and cargo vessels. Ports of call include Zamboanga City, Jolo and Siasi in Sulu, Bongao and Sitangkai in Tawi-tawi, and Cotabato City.

Integrated Bus Terminal. Served by two major bus companies and several other smaller Public Utility Vehicles(PUVs), i.e. vans, the terminal sits atop the hill as the station for both Eastbound and Westbound transport, particularly for public transports bound for Zamboanga City, Ozamiz City, Dipolog, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato City, General Santos, and Davao City.

Utilities Telecommunications Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) and Cruztelco are the two major telecommunications providers. A project under the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), the Pagadian City Telephone Exchange (PACITELEX) serves the far-flung barangays that other telephone companies are not yet able to give service. Major cellular phone Service provider in the country serve the city.

Water and power supply Pagadian City Water District (PCWD or PAWAD) provides the city with potable water supply. Formed in 1976, PCWD has over 14,000 active service connections and sources its water from deep wells and springs.

Electricity is supplied by the Zamboanga del Sur I Electric Cooperative, Incorporated (ZAMSURECO I) from the National Power Corporation Hydro-Electric Plant in Iligan City, sourced from the Maria Cristina Falls. About 77.70% or 42 out of 54 total barangays in the entire city have 24-hour supply of electricity.

Education Educational institutions in Pagadian include: • Southeast Asian Institute Pagadian City Campus • Pagadian City Chamber School • Pagadian City Science High School • Pagadian City Pilot School • Zamboanga del Sur National High School • Holy Child Academy • Medina College-Pagadian • Saint Columban College • Southern Mindanao Colleges • Western Mindanao State University - External Studies Unit • Universidad de Zamboanga - Pagadian Campus • Pagadian Capitol College (formerly PCCS or Pagadian College of Criminology & Sciences) • Eastern Mindanao College of Technology

Media: Radio • DXPR 603 RMN Pagadian (Radio Mindanao Network) • DXBZ 756 Radyo Bagting (Baganian Broadcasting Corporation) • DXKP 1377 Radyo Ronda (Radio Philippines Network); FM radio stations • 91.1 Voice Radio (Kaissar Broadcasting Network) • 91.9 Radyo Natin (Manila Broadcasting Company) • 93.5 FMR (Philippine Collective Media Corporation) • 94.1 Radio One (MIT Radio-TV Network, Inc.) • 96.7 iFM (Radio Mindanao Network) • 98.3 Energy FM (Ultrasonic Broadcasting System) • 99.1 Muews Radio (Sagay Broadcasting Corporation) • 99.9 Radyo Bisdak (Times Broadcasting Network Corporation) • 103.1 Radyo Kidlat (Zamboanga del Sur I Electric Cooperative, Inc.; affiliated with Philippine Broadcasting Service) • 103.9 LCM FM (Subic Broadcasting Corporation; operated by Loud Cry Ministries) • 104.7 Radyo Sakto (Malindang Broadcasting Network Corporation) • 105.7 Brigada News FM (Baycomms Broadcasting Corporation/Brigada Mass Media Corporation) • 106.3 Bell FM (Baganian Broadcasting Corporation) • 107.1 Radyo Agong (DCG Radio-TV Network; operated by RSV Broadcasting Services)

Media: Television • GMA Channel 3 Pagadian • GTV Channel 26 Pagadian; Cable and satellite providers • Kismet Cable TV • Unique Cable TV • Cignal TV • SatLite • G Sat.