Region 9
Region 9
Region 9
I. Introduction
Administrative Divisions
Zamboanga del Sur Dipolog Baliguian, Dapitan, Dipolog, Godod, Gutalac, Jose
City Dalman, Kalawit, Katipunan, La Libertad, Labason,
Leon B. Postigo, Liloy, Manukan, Mutia, Piñ an, Polanco,
President Manuel A. Roxas, Rizal, Salug, Sergio Osmeñ a
Sr., Siayan, Sibuco, Sibutad, Sindangan, Siocon, Sirawai,
Tampilisan
II. History
During the ancient era, the Zamboanga peninsula was a vast territory home to
various ethnic groups - the largest of which was the Subanen people. Later on, the
southern coastal areas of the region was under the influence of the Javanese Majapahit
Empire, although the empire never did conquer the area.
Spanish Rule
In 1569 Zamboanga was chosen as the site of the Spanish settlement and garrison
on La Caldera (now called Barrio Recodo). Zamboanga was one of the main strongholds in
Mindanao, supporting colonizing efforts in the south of the island and making way for
Christian settlements. It also served as a military outpost, protecting the island against
foreign invaders and Moro pirates and their Chinese allies.
Province of Zamboanga
After the United States annexed the Spanish East Indies in 1898, the Peninsula
hosted a briefly independent state called the Republic of Zamboanga. It was incorporated
by the Insular Government into the Moro Province, which consisted of the Central and
Western parts of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago. The name and status of Moro
Province were changed to the Department of Mindanao and Sulu on August 16, 1916,
causing Zamboanga to become a separate province.
In 1942, the Zamboanga Peninsula along with the rest of the Philippine Islands was
occupied by the Empire of Japan at the beginning of the Second World War. The Peninsula
was liberated in 1945 by joint American and Philippine Commonwealth forces fighting
against the Imperial Japanese Army.
On 6 June 1952, the province was partitioned into Zamboanga del Norte and
Zamboanga del Sur, while the chartered city of Zamboanga became an independent, extra-
provincial unit.
Region
Together with the Sulu Archipelago, the provinces that formerly made up
Zamboanga Province were re-organised into Region IX by order of Presidential Decree No.
1 as part of the Integrated Reorganization Plan of President Ferdinand Marcos, that was
signed in September 24, 1972. From 1975 to 1989, the old Region IX (Western Mindanao)
was further divided into two sub-regions by Presidential Decree No. 8233 dated August 21,
1975. Sub-Region IX-A 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
centre.
Present
In 2001, Zamboanga Sibugay, 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, did not want to join so
the city remained a part of this region as a result of Executive Order No. 36.
In 2004, Pagadian officially became the Regional Center for Region IX- Zamboanga
Peninsula, despite opposition from Zamboanga City, the former Regional Center.
III. Physical Geography
B. Territory
C. Map
Figure 1. Philippine Map Figure 2. Region 9 Map
D. Topography
The region's topography is relatively rugged. Roughly 51% of its area are hilly; some
having steeped slopes and within the elevation range of 100 to more than 1,000 meters
above sea level. In terms of land classification, about 51 per cent is considered alienable
and disposable and the remaining 49 per cent is classified as forest land. Almost 60,000
hectares of land that can be developed for planting crops still remain idle, while around
310,000 hectares of coconut land can be utilized for multi-cropping and pasture purposes.
A. Population
B. Famous People
About a third of the region's population is composed of ethnic people. These groups,
usually erroneously classified under the general heading of Muslims, are actually distinct
from each other in culture. They are generally divided into Tausugs, Yakans, Badjaos,
Samals, and Subanons of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Del Sur and Zamboanga
Sibugay.
Samas
The Samas are a grouping of tribes that generally
inhabit the shorelines of northern and southern
Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, as well as the Zamboanga
Peninsula and nearby islands.They are peace-loving
people whose means of livelihood is fishing. Their
staple food is cassava or puto as it is locally called.
Figure 15. Samas They also eat fruits and vegetables, showing a
partiality to mangoes. Their principal musical
instrument is gabbang or nose flute. Seven Sama groups inhabit Zamboanga City: the Sama
Banguingui, Sama Laminusa, Sama Ubian, Sama Siasi, Sama Daungug, Sama Kaunlunga, and
Sama Bitali.
Badjaos
Often referred to as the Philippine "sea gypsies" the
Badjaos, until recently, spent their lives on their small boats
which frequent the waters around the numerous islands of
the Sulu Archipelago. Today, about two-thirds of the Tawi-
Tawi, Badjaos still use boats as permanent living quarters.
Some of their villages are in fact flotillas. The Badjaos are of
two groups: the southern Badjaos of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi,
who call themselves a sing "bangsa" or ethnic group; and
the northern Badjaos (the Basilan and Zamboanga groups).
Though water people, they go on land and are buried on Figure 16. Badjaos
land. They make frequent trips to their cemeteries to seek
favors from spirits of the deceased ancestors and relatives.
Tausugs
The Tausugs, considered the most politically
dominant group in the Sulu Archipelago,
inhabit the island of Jolo and are dispersed into
several communities in the smaller islands of
Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, and Southern
Palawan.They have a rich culture, an amalgam
of different cultures and foreign influence that
dates back to as early as 13th century, when Figure 17. Tausug
Sulu was trading with China, India the East
Indies, Arabia, and Japan.
D. Religion
According to statistics compiled by the Philippine government, the most dominant religion
in the city is the Christianity with 73% of the population adhering to the faith. The majority
of Christians are Roman Catholics with minorities of Protestants, Iglesia ni Cristo and Jesus
Miracle Crusade. The remaining 27% belongs to the non-Christian faiths such as Islam and
Buddhism.
Catholics
Protestants
Muslims
V. Economy
It has the first export-processing zone in Mindanao. Farming and fishing are the
main economic activities of the region. It also has rice and corn mills, oil processing, and
coffee berry processing and processing of latex from rubber. Its home industries include
rattan and furniture craft, basket making, weaving and brass work. Dipolog City is home to
a number of Bottled Sardines Companies which are being exported abroad. Dakak Park and
Beach Resort can be found in Dapitan it is one of the most visited places in the region along
with Gloria's Fantasyland the first and only theme park in Vismin.
Figure 21. Oil Processing Figure 22. Processing of Latex from Rubber
Figure 23. Processing of Coffee Berry Figure 24. Weaving and Brass Work
Figure 25. Rattan and Basket Making Figure 26. Corn Mills
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.
VI. LANGUAGE
A. Dialect
The most common spoken language is Cebuano. Also spoken, although in small
percentage are Zamboangueñ o, Tagalog, English, Hiligaynon, Maguindanao, Iranun,
Subanun and Ilocano.
Chavacano - Spanish-based Creole language (derived from the Spanish word "chabacano"
meaning "poor taste", "vulgar", "common", "of low quality")
B. Sample Phraseologies
English Tagalog Local Dialect (Subanen)
Good Day Magandang araw GempyaGendaw
Good Evening Magandang Gabi GempyaGebi
God bless Pagpalain Su DiwatamenGupiariani-a
To Eat Kumain Maan
Knowledgeable Kaalaman Misunan
English Tagalog Local Dialect (Chavacano)
Father Tatay Tata
Small Maliit Diutay
Thunder Kidlat Quirlat
Rice Kanin Canon
Rain Ulan Aguacero
Table 4. Sample Phraseologies
VII. Transportation
The distance between Manila to Zamboanga is 1,246 kms. The travel duration by bus is 38
hours and 13 minutes. There is only one bus provider and terminal station (Philtranco)
that covers the Manila to Zamboanga route and leaves once daily. The buses must first land
at the port of Bacolod City and from Bacolod, you must board another bus that will take you
to the city of Zamboanga.
Local Transportation
Once in Zamboanga, all the towns in it are accessible by land thanks to the province’s
comprehensive and well planned out Zamboanga transportation system. Common types of
Zamboanga transportation within the city itself are tricycles, jeepneys and buses but there
aren’t that many taxis. There are a few independent operators when it comes to taxis so
this mode of transportation is still an option. If it’s just to travel short distances though, the
more affordable options are the tricycles, jeepneys and buses.
B. Water Transportation
One of the most affordable ways of transportation between Manila to Zamboanga is via
the RORO inter island shipping vessel offered by 2Go Travel. 2Go vessel St. Michael the
Archangel travels from Manila to Zamboanga every Sunday at 8:00pm. And St. Leo the
Great every Monday at 11:30pm.
C. Airport Transportation
The most convenient mode of transport from Manila to Zamboanga is via air
transport. The travel time is 1 hour and 30 minutes. There are two local airline companies
that cover the Manila to Zamboanga route on a daily basis (Cebu Pacific Air and Air Phil
Express).
Dipolog transportation is something that everyone, residents and tourists alike can safely
take to get their destination no matter how far or near. What type of Dipolog transportation
to take really depends on one’s budget and preference as well. With regard to air
transportation, the province has 1 domestic airport and 3 airstrips. These three airstrips
were located in the municipalities of Liloy, Siocon and Sirawai. . Cebu Pacific and Philippine
Airlines are serving daily flights to Manila and Cebu, and scheduled flights to Davao.
Zamboanga City, Airport
Figure 27. Zamboanga International Airport Figure 28. Zamboanga Ineternational Airport
IX. FESTIVALS
Many, know Zamboanga because of the beautiful flowers that grow here and the
thriving businesses but not all are aware of the brilliant Zamboanga festivals that keep
visitors coming back to this region in the southern part of the Philippines. One might be
wondering what makes these Zamboanga festivals different from the events celebrated in
other parts of the country but once one has attended a single celebration, it is a hundred
percent guaranty that there are no other festivals that can compare to it.
Flores de Mayo
Regatta de Zamboanga
Kinabayo Festival
Megayon Festival
X. PRODUCTS
Knickerbocker
Curacha
Spanish influence is
everywhere in the Philippines, but perhaps more so in
Zamboanga. The paella is a traditional rice dish
cooked in different types of sauces, meat, seafood, and
Figure 47. Paela vegetables cooked
in a wide, shallow pot known
as a paellera,
Baked Imbao
Barter
Malaysian Goods
Figure 54. Malaysian Can Goods Figure 55. White Rabbit Candy
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