Sorsogon City, Province of Sorsogon, Bicol Region, Philippines

🇵🇭 Sorsogon City, officially the City of Sorsogon, is a 3rd class component city and capital of the province of Sorsogon, Philippines.

The component city was established on the year of 2000, from the merger of Bacon and Sorsogon municipalities. The city's total population spread across 64 barangays.

It serves a trans-shipment point from the Visayas and Mindanao provinces and is dubbed as the "Gateway to Southern Philippines". Sorsogon City is one of the region's leading cities in urbanization and the most promising city in terms of development.

History Evidence of human habitation come from 3,000-year-old remains in a cave in Bacon and ancient burial sites dug upstream of Sorsogon rivers. Spanish missionaries came upon settlements in both sites when they arrived in the 1600s. Moro pirates had already frequented the territorial waters before the arrival of the Spanish missions.

Bacon was established as a visita of Casiguran while Sorsogon, originally in Sitio Pocdol in Capuy, was then established as a visita of Bacon. Sorsogon then became an independent, full-fledged parish in 1628 due to an increase in population. The two parishes later became civilian political units.

The Pueblo Civil de Bacon was established in 1754, with Juan Elias as its first gobernadorcillo. Sorsogon became an independent pueblo in 1864. Both Bacon and Sorsogon were under the territorial jurisdiction of the province of Albay until the establishment of the independent province of Sorsogon on October 17, 1894.

In 1951, Sorsogon was made the centre of the episcopal see of the then newly established Roman Catholic Diocese of Sorsogon comprising the Sorsogon and Masbate provinces, with the Saints Peter and Paul Parish Church in the town of Sorsogon as the designated cathedral.

Cityhood Sorsogon City was created by virtue of Republic Act No. 8806 which was enacted on August 16, 2000 and ratified in December 2000.

Geography Sorsogon City covers a land area of 31,292 hectares (120.82 sq mi). It is at the southernmost tip of the Bicol Peninsula and of Luzon Island. The city is bounded by Castilla in the west, Manito in the north-west, Albay Gulf in the north, Prieto Diaz in the east, Gubat in the south-east, Casiguran in the south-west, and Sorsogon Bay in the south. Sorsogon is characterized by an irregular topography; mountain ranges on the north-west, sloping uplands on the central part of the city, plain areas south-western and central north and south-east portion, and marshlands on the south-east deltas. It is also surrounded by water, with Sorsogon Bay to the west Albay Gulf to the north-east, and Philippine Sea in the east.

Sorsogon City is 581 km (361 mi) south-east of Manila and 54 km (34 mi) south of Legazpi City. The 2015 Census puts the city's population at 168,110 with an annual growth rate of 0.84%. Sorsogon City ranked as the 3rd largest city in terms of population in the Bicol region. The only city in the province of Sorsogon, Sorsogon City is the largest in terms of land area in the Bicol region.

The Pan-Philippine Highway which runs from north-west to south-east through the city, connects Sorsogon City to the municipalities of Castilla, Pilar, in the north-west towards Daraga, Legazpi City, Naga City and the rest of Luzon. It also connects to the municipalities of Gubat, Casiguran and the rest of the second district municipalities of the province of Sorsogon in the southeast.

Geography: Barangays Sorsogon City is politically subdivided into 64 barangays – a combination of barangays from both former towns of Sorsogon and Bacon, now both considered as districts of the city.

Abuyog It is the last barangay in the southern part of the city. It is connected to both Brgy. Boton, Casiguran and Brgy. Payawin, Gubat. Several commercial fishponds can be found in this barangay due to some tributaries of Sorsogon Bay.

Almendras-Cogon (Pob.) This barangay borders Barangays Sampaloc, Balogo, Burabod and Bibincahan. The said barangay hosts to several major schools in the city – Lewis College (formerly Annunciation College), Sorsogon National High School and Sorsogon State University. Magsaysay Street traverses this barangay.

Balogo It is one of the developed barangays. It borders Barangays Almendras, Buhatan, Bibincahan and Cabid-an. It houses several government institutions like Balogo Elementary School, DepEd - Sorsogon City and Balogo Sports Complex. SM City Sorsogon is located in this barangay, and so is the exit of Sorsogon Coastal Road.

Part of Balogo, especially the eastern part bordering Cabid-an is a former army reservation during the American occupation according to the old folks.

The city's largest church of Iglesia ni Kristo and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are located in the said barangay. The only remaining track oval in Sorsogon (until the early 90s Sorsogon National High School had a 400-m athletic track), Balogo Sports Complex, can be found in this barangay, just beside Balogo Elementary School. It hosted Bicol Meet events in the past.

Bibincahan Is the largest barangay in the city. It borders Barangays Cabid-an and Balogo on the east, San Juan on the west, Salog on the south. North of it is unclassified forest land, which offers a good hiking experience. Major city roads, like the Sorsogon diversion road from Brgys. Pangpang to Cabid-an, or the Sorsogon-Bacon road that connects the 2 districts, and Barangay Road that connects it with Balogo, pass by this barangay. The Sorsogon Cock Pit is also located in this barangay, along Barangay Road. A smaller Iglesia ni Kristo church can be found here on the corner of the Sorsogon Diversion and Bacon-Sorsogon Roads in Sitio Baribag. The Sorsogon Memorial Park is also located here – it is the first private memorial park in the city.

It hosts to one of the oldest subdivision in the city – Sts. Peter and Paul Ville Subdivision and Our Lady's Village – Bibincahan, both accessible via Magsaysay St.

Burabod (Pob.) It is located at the heart of the city where the first central school is located, Sorsogon East Central School.

Polvorista (Pob.) It is believed that its name came from the Spanish word, polvora, or gunpowder used for the production of fireworks or kwitis. It is said that to be a place were residents are experts in production of kwitis, which, in the 19th century, became a necessity for the celebration of fiestas, festivals and general merrymaking. Before this, just like in other parts of Bikol Region, kwitis, were used to warn people of an impending Moro raid.

Sampaloc (Pob.) It's a coastal barangay, bounded by Brgy. Balogo in the Northeast, Sorsogon Bay in the East, Brgy. Talisay in the Southwest, Brgy. Polvorista in the West and Brgy. Almendras-Cogon in the Northwest. The Catholic cemetery is located in the said barangay, along Almendras Street. The PNP Provincial Office, Camp Salvador Escudero Sr. is located on the said barangay, along Magsaysay Street.

It has an area of 12.58 hectares, which has a flat topography.

Sirangan (Pob.) This is a coastal barangay along Sorsogon Bay. One of the major rivers, Salog River cuts across this barangay. It also hosts several commercial establishments due to its proximity to the city center. Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, the old Pantranco bus station and Plaza Bonifacio are located in this barangay.

Sulucan (Pob.) • Barayong (Feast Day: May 16) - It is surrounded by Brgy. Guinlajon in the north, Brgy. Basud in the north-west, Brgy. Gimaloto in the south-west and Brgy. Pamurayan on the southeast. Its topography is plain. Brgy Barayong's name come from the Tree name BAYAYONG a huge and tall tree know of its strength dominantly scattered in the place. Almost 65% of the population are farmers considering 70% of the land is agricultural. Rice, coconut, rootcrops and vegetables are its major agricultural products. • Basud (Feast Day: October 24) - barangay Basud borders Brgy. Guinlajon on the south and Ticol on the north. It hosts to a rice mill along the Maharlika Highway, right after passing through the Cawayan Bridge going north. On the south side of Pan-Philippine Highway is a wide vast of rice fields extending to several barangays – Gimaloto and Capuy. On the north side is a mountainous area.

Its major source of income is agriculture (50%), fisheries (1%), business (25%) and others. • Bitan-o/Dalipay (Pob.) • Bucalbucalan - It hosts the Pepita Park and Rest Area and later the awarded 100 years old Acacia tree located. • Buenavista • Bulabog - it is located between barangays Bucalbucalan and Capuy, along the Maharlika Highway. Mostly a small wet market for seafood products.

It is a well known destination for those who wants to buy the fresh catch in the morning, especially sea shell products.

It has also dwindling mangrove along its coast. • Cambulaga • Capuy - it is located between barangays Bulabog on the north and Ticol on the south. It is relatively flat land with rice field and a hilly part on the eastern side.

It has a single elementary school on the Barangay center.

Aside from rice and coconut products, it also produces calamondin from one of the couple of orchards (the other one is Tabuena's located in brgy. Guinlajon) in the city. • Gimaloto • Guinlajon - it hosts the only hydroelectric power plant in the city. It is a popular destination for hikers since it has trails that lead to Bacman Geothermal Plant, to Bacon district or to Manito, Albay. It hosts to the former Sorsogon National High School Annex, now known as Tabuena National High School. Formerly he entrance to the Cawayan River for trucks quarrying sand (though nowadays, it is prohibited).

The new SSS building is also located in this area. Finally, barangay road to barangays Pamurayan, and Gimaloto can be found on this barangay. • Macabog • Marinas • Pamurayan • Pangpang - hosts to Our Lady's Village – Pangpang, and Sorsogon Medical Mission Doctors. Pangpang has Guinlajon on the west, Penafrancia on the south, Macabog on the east and Tugos on the southeast. North of Pangpang is unclassified forest land. It also hosts to a lone gasoline station, Shell, just beside the Pangpang Elementary School along the Maharlika Highway. The western entry point for the Sorsogon Diversion Road is in this barangay. • Panlayaan • Peñafrancia • Piot (Pob.) • Rizal • Salog (Pob.) • Salvacion - connects the town of Castilla and Sorsogon City. On its east, it shares a common border with Barangay Panlayaan. • San Isidro • San Juan (Roro) • Talisay (Pob.) - is a coastal barangay located in Poblacion. It hosts to major schools like Sorsogon Pilot Elementary School and Saint Louise de Marillac College of Sorsogon. The Barangay Chairman for Talisay is Dennis Valladolid as of December, 2010. • Ticol - is sandwiched between barangays Basud and Capuy. Wide areas of rice fields can be found in this barangay. • Tugos

Bacon District In Bacon district, there are 28 barangays, namely: • Balete (Feast Day: June 21) - It is bounded by Brgy. Rawis on the North, Brgy. Poblacion on the Northeast, Brgy. San Pascual in the Southeast, Brgy. San Roque in the South, Brgy. Maricrum on the Southwest, and Brgy. Cabarbuhan in the West. Its topography type is plains. Its name came from the Balete tree that's common in the barangay. • Balogo (Feast Day: May 3–4) - Its land area is 1,800 hectares (out of this, 4 hec. is residential) with a plain topography. Its patron saint is Nuestra Señora De Antipolo. Its main produce is coconut (25%), fishing (55%), Palay (10%) and Pili (10%).

It is bounded by Brgy. Sawanga on the East, and Brgy. Bon-ot on the West side. It is accessible via the Bacon-Prieto Diaz Road. • Bato (Feast Day: May 5) - It is bounded by Albay Gulf in the Northwest, Brgy. Gatbo in the Northeast, by Gubat, Sorsogon on the East and South, and by Brgy. Sugod on the Southwest. Its topography is composed of mountains and plains.

The old barangay was originally located along the banks of Sugod. It was called Rizal or Sabang. But because of common storm surge, they moved it inland what is now called Bato, wherein limestones are common to be found. Bato is the Tagalog of stone. • Bon-Ot - It is a coastal town, which hosts to the Pagol Beach. It is accessible via the Bacon-Prieto Diaz Road. • Bogña • Buenavista • Cabarbuhan • Caricaran - a coastal barangay where the popular Tolonggapo Beach is located. It borders 3 barangays, namely, Poblacion on its west, Bonga on its east, and San Pascual on its south. It is also where the old Bacon town hall is located (where the staircase can be seen protruding from the beach sand). • Del Rosario • Gatbo • Jamislagan (May 11) - one of the landlocked, mountainous barangays of the city's Bacon district. Its main produce is Copra/Coconut (93%), handicraft (5%) and Palay (3%). It has 5 sitios, namely, Batang, Centro, Extension, Gutak, Palanas, Palali, and Tondo. It can be accessed via the San Vicente-Buhatan Road or along the Bacon-Prieto Diaz Road. • Maricrum • Osiao (Feast Day: August 1) - this is one of the far-flung barangays of Bacon district and the most practical transportation to reach it is by motorized banca. It has a mountainous area of 1,147 hectares. Copra/Coconut is the main product consisting of 70% of the barangay's main produce while the remaining is Palay. It has six sitios, namely, Bo. Site, Cabang An, Centro Bacolod, Gajo, Iraya 1&2, and Tiris.

Its original name was San Pedro, after a sailor named Pedro Desquitado who arrived in the small village and became its first ruler. In 1911, Eustaquio Dooc, the first Tiniente del Barrio, changed it to its current name in honor of Jose Jao. He was a wealthy businessman who stayed in the barangay permanently and said to be instrumental in the development of the place.

It hosts to one of the potential tourism spot – Danao Lake – situated on a mountain side. Due to its remoteness, it is a well known hiding place of New People's Army during the height of the communist rebellion on the ’80s. • Poblacion - this is the former town centre of Bacon. It hosts one of the oldest churches in Sorsogon located in a hilltop. A lone hospital is located in this barangay. • Rawis • Salvacion • San Isidro - this is situated between San Ramon and San Roque (both barangays of the Bacon district). Radial access to this barangay is via a city road from Sitio Batohan in Barangay San Roque. The road that cuts across this barangay proceeds via San Ramon and San Vicente, eventually merging with the Maharlika Highway in Barangay Buhatan (part of the Sorsogon district). San Isidro is relatively flat and its agriculture is mostly rice field. Part of the Bacon Airport’s runway (southern tip) is located in this barangay, while most of the portion is located in Barangay San Roque. According to the old folks, San Isidro was a major supplier of Banig and native hats made of Karagumoy leaves. • San Juan • San Pascual • San Ramon • San Roque - it hosts to the Bacon Community Airport and borders Brgy. Bibincahan of the Sorsogon District. There is also a lone Inn (formerly San Roque cockpit house) in front of the community airport in Sitio Gabao. • San Vicente • Santa Cruz • Santa Lucia • Santo Domingo • Santo Niño - the farthest barangay of Bacon District in the north, connecting to the municipality of Man-ito, Albay. It does not sit beside any barangays since it is bordered by unclassified forest land. The most practical transportation to reach it is by motorized banca due to lack of roads for light vehicles. • Sawanga - where the famous Paguriran Lagoon is. It is the last barangay along the Bacon-Prieto Diaz road before crossing to the next town of Prieto Diaz. • Sugod

Economy Sorsogon City is the economic centre of Sorsogon Province and a hub of trade and commerce. As one of the major cities in the Bicol Region, only after Naga City, Camarines Sur and Legazpi City in Albay, many people in Sorsogon City and its nearby municipalities and provinces as far as Northern Samar, Samar and Masbate visit the city during the day. This causes the city's daytime population to rise and cause traffic to parts of the city, especially the downtown area. The city is a vital financial centre housing numerous banks, non-bank financial institutions, manufacturing corporation and offices of major government departments and agencies. Although Sorsogon City does not have significant manufacturing industries, its dynamic service and agricultural sectors drive the economy forward.

Sorsogon City is gradually becoming a major investment hub and is considered one of the emerging cities for doing business in the country. Investors in banking, real estate, retail, manufacturing and other business and industrial enterprises are similarly drawn to the city because of its rapid advancements of government infrastructure and business-friendly environment.

Banking As of December 31, 2021, there are 27 banking offices operating in the city that offers banking services to businesses and residents according to Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation. Sorsogon is the third city in Bicol Region, after Legazpi and Naga with a highest total deposits amounting to Php 17,699,836 from 224,682 accounts.

Economy: Retail The city is home to a number of retail establishments. There were 3,475 business establishments in Sorsogon City as of 2022. There are 3 major shopping malls in the City of Sorsogon namely, SM Supermalls, Gaisano Capital and Citymall. It also attracted other local and national retail chains including Puregold, SM Savemore, Primark Town Center with 3 community malls, 7-Eleven, Mr. DIY, Citi Hardware, Wilcon Depot, Centro Department Stores and LCC.

Meanwhile, SM City Sorsogon, the fourth SM Supermall in Bicol and the 81st in the Philippines, is located beside the Sorsogon Integrated Terminal Exchange (SITEX) and opened on October 28, 2022. The mall is located along Maharlika Highway, Balogo, East District in Sorsogon City. SM City Sorsogon spans 40,000 square meters of gross floor area, providing two levels of shopping, dining, and entertainment destinations that will further boost the city and province’s socioeconomic, cultural, and leisure activities. Its shops will be led by SM Store, SM Supermarket, Watsons, Miniso, Surplus Shop, Ace Hardware, Sports Central, SM Appliance, Banco de Oro, Levi’s, and Crocs.Among its amenities are three SM Cinemas, a food court, Cyberzone, wellness and services hubs, and amusement, leisure, and hobbies shops. Its parking space has more than 700 slots as well as a public transport terminal.

Housing As Sorsogon City is strategically located at the southernmost tip of the island of Luzon and considered one of the emerging city in the Philippines. The housing sector is starting to flourish with the entry of local and national real estate developers. These include the Villar-owned Camella Sorsogon a wide selection of beautiful Italian-Mediterranean-inspired house models for you to choose from. The contemporary architectural design, materials and finishing of each house are intended to complement the nostalgic environment that feels comfortable, homey and yet familiar. It is located in Maharlika Highway, Barangay Cabid-an, Sorsogon City.

Lumina Homes Sorsogon the affordable housing arm of Villar-owned Vista Land set their footprint in the city located at Brgy. Macabog, West District, Sorsogon City. Lumina communities come complete with a covered basketball court, mini gardens, and playground, guarded entrance with CCTV, and shuttle service. More importantly, they are close to major thoroughfares and business centers. The real estate arm of LKY Group, San Fernando Estates envisioned to be the first high end residences in the city located at Sitio Baribag, Bibincahan, Sorsogon City. Imperial Ridgeview of Imperial Homes Corporation invested in land and housing development and the construction and sale of housing units. It is located in Pangpang, Sorsogon City.

The City Government of Sorsogon aims to provide housing and a home to informal settlers in the city thru Mayor Ester Hamor's 10+1 Agenda, Taas-Noo Ciudadano Ako Program - Mass Housing Program, a priority program of Mayor Hamor thru the construction of the Sirangan Tenements and Sampaloc Tenements - a three building 3-storey socialized housing building for informal settler families around the barangays covering the inner Sorsogon Bay Area in Sorsogon City.

Bypass roads To decongest the Pan-Philippine Highway and to spur new developments outside the downtown area, two bypass roads were constructed in Sorsogon City, (1) the 7.654 kilometer Salvador Escudero III Diversion Road traversing Barangay Pangpang, Macabog, San Juan, Bibincahan and exits Brgy. Cabid-an, Sorsogon City and (2) the latest coastal road with a view of the Sorsogon Coastline, the 5.52 kilometer Sorsogon City Coastal Road, a four-lanes, consisting of rock causeways and three bridges traversing several barangays of Sirangan, Sampaloc, Balogo, Pangpang, Tugos, Cambulaga, and Talisay in Sorsogon City. It may be considered among the grandest of the Build-Build-Build projects in Bicol Region undertaken by DPWH Regional Office 5 and Sorsogon First District Engineering Office thru the effort of Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero. Other than decongesting the heavy traffic in the main thoroughfare of Sorsogon City, this road was built to provide protection to the surrounding areas from storm surges especially the Bicol Region is among the most frequent path of typhoons entering the Philippine area of responsibility.

Tourist Industry As a gateway to the Visayas and Mindanao, tourism plays a major part as a catalyst in contributing to Sorsogon City's economy. There are myriad of selections of attractions in the city that tourists can visit. Here are the Sorsogon City’s point of interests, destinations, and attractions:

Natural areas • Paguriran Island and Lagoon • Halabang Baybay Beach • Tolong Gapo Beach • Libanon Black Sand Beach • Pagol Beach • Buhatan River Tour and Firefly Watching • Busay Falls

Historical locations • Sorsogon Provincial Capitol Building (originally Constructed dated 1904) • Dr. Jose Rizal Monument • Annunciation Parish Church in Bacon (406 years as of 2022) • Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral

Library and Museums • Museo Sorsogon • Museo ng Gerilya ng Sorsogon (Gabaldon Building, Sorsogon East Central School) • Sorsogon State University Library.

Parks and Sceneries • Pepita Park • Sorsogon Capitol Park • Sorsogon Rompeolas Park • Sorsogon Coastal Road

Sports Venues • Sorsogon Sports Complex • Sorsogon Provincial Gymnasium • Sorsogon Lawn Tennis Center.

Infrastructure In order to spur development in the city, The Toll Regulatory Board declared Toll Road 5 the extension of South Luzon Expressway. A 420-kilometer, four lane expressway starting from the terminal point of the now under construction SLEX Toll Road 4 at Barangay Mayao, Lucena City in Quezon to Matnog, Sorsogon, near the Matnog Ferry Terminal. On August 25, 2020, San Miguel Corporation announced that they will invest the project which will reduce travel time from Lucena to Matnog from 9 hours to 5.5 hours.

The Sorsogon Sports Complex (Formerly known as the Balogo Sports Complex) is a complex of sport facilities located at Brgy. Balogo and its still under rehabilitation. With the total cost of ₱887 Million and with a total capacity of 15,000 people, the said sports complex will become the largest outdoor sports complex in the Southern Luzon and Bicol Region. It is scheduled to host the Palarong Bicol, PRISAA National Games 2023 and 2023 Palarong Pambansa. Mohri & P.A. Associates are the architecture of that project with the total area of 56,218 sq. m. and a 4-storey Roman Colosseum-inspired stadium.

The Sorsogon City Convention Center (SCCC) can now host big events such as conventions, exhibits, trainings and competitions. The 4,099 square meters facility can accommodate up to 2,500 spectators thus, boosting socio economic activities in the province of Sorsogon. It is envisioned to be the premier venue for local and international meetings, social and corporate events. It is located in City Hall Complex, Brgy. Cabid-an, Sorsogon City adjacent to Sorsogon Cultural Center for the Arts.

The Sorsogon Cultural Center for the Arts is a state-of-the-art facility in the City of Sorsogon for audio and visual presentations and will house exhibit rooms and halls for shows and performances as well as offices. It was designed to be the country’s second main arts facility next to the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP),The 2,638-square meter edifice features an outdoor lobby, lounge lobby, vestibule, spectators’ area, orchestra pit, performance stage, and a seating capacity of 338 on the ground floor and 177 on the mid-floor level. The Sorsogon Cultural Center for the Arts will be a grand place to cover film and broadcast arts, as well as literary and visual arts. Its presence will encourage local artists to pursue their passion through numerous workshops, seminars, anthologies, exhibits, symposia, competitions, and awards. It will establish good network among local and regional artists as well as cultural workers in the country. It will also be a venue for local communities for organizing their leisure, providing opportunities for self-expression, initiatives and cultural education.

The City Government of Sorsogon started to construct the 4-Level Sorsogon City Public Parking aims to address the roadside parking issues and ease traffic congestion. Due to the increasing number of motor vehicles plying the city roads and address the worsening traffic congestions in the central business district area in Rizal and Magsaysay Streets. It will also cater to the parking needs of marketgoers and businesses since it is well within the public market area. It is located in the area formerly Plaza Bonifacio, Brgy. Sirangan, Sorsogon City.

Festivals Pili Festival – This is Sorsogon City’s major festival in honor of the patron saints of the city, Sts. Peter and Paul. The Pili tree (and nut) is indigenous to the province and is known for its various practical, economic and nutritional applications. This festival aims to emphasize its importance, and heightens awareness of the pili. The fiesta’s big attraction is the street dance in which beautifully costumed dancers depict the many uses of the tree. This is celebrated every last week of June (June 29) and usually a week-long celebration (June 19 to 29).

Transport Sorsogon City is accessible by land transport.

Much of the city's population rely on public transportation such as tricycles and jeeps to get around the city. The city boasts its color-coded public transportation system which it has pioneered in the region. All tricycles have its own color code depending on the district, zone or route that it is serving. Inter-town trips are served by the new airconditioned e-jeepneys while inter-provincial trips are served by the UV Express Vans and number of bus companies operating provincial and regional routes, with the modern Sorsogon Integrated Terminal Exchange (SITEX) serving as the terminus.

Transport: Air The city is 1-hour away from the Bicol International Airport located in Daraga, Albay.