Iloilo City Proper

Last updated

Iloilo City Proper
Downtown Iloílo
District of Iloilo City
Iloilo City Proper skyline 2023.jpg
Calle Real, Iloilo City 2.jpg
Iloilo City Hall.jpg
UP Visayas Iloilo Campus 2010.jpg
Calle Real, Iloilo City 3.jpg
Aduana de Iloilo (Iloilo Customs House).jpg
Iloilo Provincial Capitol 2.JPG
From top, left to right: Iloilo City Proper skyline; E. Villanueva Building; Iloilo City Hall; Old Iloilo City Hall; S. Javellana Building; Iloilo Customs House; Casa Real de Iloilo
Nickname(s): 
Old Iloilo, Heart of Iloilo
Motto(s): 
La Muy Leal y Noble Ciudad
(The Most Loyal and Noble City)
Iloilo City District of City Proper.png
Location within Iloilo City
Iloilo City Proper
Philippines location map (Visayas).svg
Red pog.svg
Iloilo City Proper
Location in the Philippines
Philippines location map (square).svg
Red pog.svg
Iloilo City Proper
Iloilo City Proper (Philippines)
Coordinates: 10°41′42.7194″N122°33′52.92″E / 10.695199833°N 122.5647000°E / 10.695199833; 122.5647000
Country Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines
Region Western Visayas (Region VI)
Province Iloilo (geographically only)
City Iloilo City
Congressional District Lone district of Iloilo City
Established1602
CityhoodOctober 5, 1889
Reincorporated (as district)July 16, 1937
Barangays 45 (see Barangays)
Government
 •  Mayor Jerry Treñas (Mayor of Iloilo City)
Area
 • Total3.75 km2 (1.45 sq mi)
Population
 (2020 census)
 • Total46,350
 • Density12,360/km2 (32,000/sq mi)
Demonym Ilonggo
Time zone UTC+8 (Philippine Standard Time)
ZIP code
5000
Area code 33
Patron saint Santo Niño (district patronal saint)
Feast dayFourth Sunday of January in honor of Señor Santo Niño or Holy Child Jesus (coincides with Dinagyang Festival)
Native languages Hiligaynon
Website www.iloilocity.gov.ph

Iloilo City Proper, also known as Downtown Iloilo or simply Iloilo among locals, is a district in Iloilo City, Philippines, located on the southeastern coast of the island of Panay in the Western Visayas region. It serves as the civic center of the city and the province of Iloilo, hosting the seat of city and provincial governments, as well as various local, provincial, and regional government offices. According to the 2020 census, it is has a population of 46,350 people. [1] [2]

Contents

Before the consolidation with other districts, Iloilo City Proper was the city of Iloilo itself. Established in 1602, it gained cityhood status on October 5, 1889, and was honored with the title "La Muy Leal y Noble Ciudad" (The Most Loyal and Noble City). It also served as the last capital of the Spanish Empire in Asia and the Pacific.

In modern times, Iloilo City Proper is known for its well-preserved 19th and 20th-century architecture, particularly along J.M. Basa Street, popularly referred to as Calle Real. It remains one of the major business districts of the city, alongside the newly developed district of Mandurriao.

Etymology

The name "Iloilo" is derived from the older name "Ilong-ilong" (Philippine Spanish: Ilong̃-ílong̃) meaning "nose-like", referring to the promontory between two rivers (Iloilo and Batiano) where the Fort San Pedro and the 17th-century Spanish port in the district were located. [3] [4] [5] [6] The name was eventually influenced the name of the entire city and province. [7]

History

Spanish colonial period (1600s–1800s)

Early colonial period

Iloilo City Proper, or simply Iloilo, was founded and inhabited as La Punta in 1602 when Spanish and Chinese residents from Jaro and Molo, respectively, expanded their territorial areas. In 1700, it became the capital and the seat of power of the Spaniards in the province, which they transferred from La Villa Rica de Arevalo due to continuous attacks by Moros and Dutch.

Late colonial period and economic boom

Iloilo emerged as a trading port in the 19th century. Its geographical and economic significance eventually evolved when China, Norway, and the United Kingdom opened up their consulates to conduct trade and commerce in the town, especially during its foundation as an international port in the 1850s. As a result, the commercial activity in Iloilo increased, as well as the infrastructures, recreational facilities, education institutions, banks, foreign consulates, and commercial firms.

Cityhood

Aerial view of Iloilo City Proper, circa early 1900s. Landing Fields - Philippines - Iloilo - NARA - 68160330.jpg
Aerial view of Iloilo City Proper, circa early 1900s.

On October 5, 1889, due to the economic development in Iloilo, making it the most important port in the Philippines next to the capital, Manila, [8] Iloilo was raised from the status of a town to a city through a royal decree, [9] [10] and in 1890, the city government was established.

Revolutionary period (1896–1898)

Due to the loyalty of the Ilonggos, the city of Iloilo was honored with the perpetual title of La Muy Leal y Noble Ciudad (The Most Loyal and Noble City). The royal decree granting this title was signed on March 1, 1898, by Queen Regent Maria Christina of Spain. Over time, this title earned for Iloilo the reputation of being the Queen's Favored City in the South or simply Queen's City in the South, which later evolved into the Queen City of the South, being the second Spanish port of importance next to Manila and being located south of the archipelago's capital city.

On December 25, 1898, the Spanish government surrendered to the Ilonggo revolutionaries led by Gen. Martin Delgado at Plaza Alfonso XII (now Plaza Libertad). It was site where the Philippine flag was raised for the first time on the island of Panay. [11]

American colonial period (1900–1941)

Ledesma Street, 1920s Ledesma St. Iloilo, KITLV 1402347.tiff
Ledesma Street, 1920s

Iloilo City consolidation

In the 20th century, all economic activities shifted from Jaro and Molo to the city of Iloilo when businesses aggressively flourished here. It was re-chartered by the American government on July 16, 1937, and absorbed the old towns of Molo, Arevalo, Mandurriao, and La Paz. On January 7, 1941, the city of Jaro was also incorporated into greater Iloilo City.

21st century

Iloilo City Proper, as a district, remains the economic and political center of the city and the whole province.

Geography

Iloilo City Proper sits on the southeastern tip of Panay Island, facing the Iloilo Strait and Guimaras. It is bordered by Molo to the west, and separated from Mandurriao to the northwest, La Paz to the north, and Lapuz to the northeast by the Iloilo River. Just across the strait are Buenavista and Jordan in Guimaras.

Iloilo City Proper, along with parts of Molo and Arevalo, is surrounded by the Iloilo-Batiano river system, which formed an almost-island area that separated from the mainland of Panay in the southern part of Iloilo City.

The district is a busy commercial center and the main political hub for both Iloilo City and the Province of Iloilo. It is also where the regional government of Western Visayas operates.

Barangays

Iloilo City Proper has the most number of barangays in Iloilo City, with a total of 45.

  • Arsenal Aduana
  • Baybay Tanza
  • Bonifacio Tanza
  • Concepcion-Montes
  • Danao
  • Delgado-Jalandoni-Bagumbayan
  • Edganzon
  • Flores
  • General Hughes-Montes
  • Gloria
  • Hipodromo
  • Inday
  • Jalandoni-Wilson
  • Kahirupan
  • Kauswagan
  • Legaspi dela Rama
  • Liberation
  • Mabolo-Delgado
  • Magsaysay
  • Malipayon-Delgado
  • Maria Clara
  • Monica Blumentritt
  • Muelle Loney-Montes
  • Nonoy
  • Ortiz
  • Osmeña
  • President Roxas
  • Rima-Rizal
  • Rizal Estanzuela
  • Rizal Ibarra
  • Rizal Palapala I
  • Rizal Palapala II
  • Roxas Village
  • Sampaguita
  • San Agustin
  • San Felix
  • San Jose
  • Santo Rosario-Duran
  • Tanza-Esperanza
  • Timawa Tanza I
  • Timawa Tanza II
  • Veterans Village
  • Villa Anita
  • Yulo-Arroyo
  • Zamora-Melliza

Economy

Calle Real, the center of business in old Iloilo. Iloilo JM Basa top view (Iloilo City; 01-25-2023).jpg
Calle Real, the center of business in old Iloilo.

Iloilo City Proper is the hub for trade, commerce, banking, finance, education, retail trading, real estate, and industry in Iloilo since its establishment in the early 17th century. As the original territory of the city of Iloilo, it has maintained its position as an economic center of the city. The district is known as the financial capital of Western Visayas, boasts one of the highest concentrations of banks and financial institutions in the country. [12] Calle Real, along with Iznart St., Gen. Luna St., and Ledesma St., is home to many service and commercial establishments.

Iloilo City Hall grounds. Iloilo City Hall (Calasanz, Iloilo City; 01-21-2023).jpg
Iloilo City Hall grounds.

Iloilo City Proper is also houses significant government buildings, including the Iloilo Provincial Capitol, which serves as the main government building of the Province of Iloilo, and the Iloilo City Hall, which is the seat of the city government. Various other government agencies are also located within the City Proper.

Since its foundation as an economic hub, the district has faced space limitations for further growth. In recent times, several proposals have arisen for island-type reclamation along the southern shores of the City Proper. The expansion plan aims to expand the district's commercial area, considering that modern developments have concentrated in the other districts, specifically Mandurriao, over the past two decades.

Education

Iloilo City Proper is home to half of the universities in Iloilo City. Some of the notable universities and schools in the district are the following:

University of the Philippines Visayas - Iloilo City campus's main hall. Old Iloilo City Hall.jpg
University of the Philippines Visayas – Iloilo City campus's main hall.


Higher education institutions:

Basic educational institutions:

Transportation

Jeepneys roaming in Calle Real, Iloilo City Proper. Passad Jeepney.JPG
Jeepneys roaming in Calle Real, Iloilo City Proper.

Public transport

The primary modes of public transportation in Iloilo City Proper are passenger jeepneys and metered taxis. The transportation routes in Iloilo City are mostly focused on the district, which is the center of commerce in the city.

In contrast to President Rodrigo Duterte's administration's plan to phase out old, dilapidated jeepneys as the primary mode of mass public transportation in the Philippines, the city has recently begun to adopt mini-buses like modern PUJs or modern Jeepneys that are now plying in the city, including Iloilo City Proper. [13] [14]

Cycling

Iloilo City has been hailed as the Bike Capital of the Philippines. There are also several painted bicycle lanes in Iloilo City Proper that can be found on its main roads, including Gen. Luna Street, Delgado Street, Mabini Street, Infante Street, and the esplanade along Muelle Loney Street. [15]

Railway

From 1907 to the 1980s, Panay Railways operated a railroad from Roxas City to the port area of Iloilo City Proper. [16] In 2022, Panay Railways announced its opening to foreign ownership to reconstruct its former train lines, which will reconnect the district and city to other major cities in Panay, including Caticlan in Malay, Aklan. [17]

Airport and seaport

The Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo, is the primary airport serving the district of Iloilo City Proper, as well as the whole Metro Iloilo–Guimaras. It serves domestic air routes to Manila, Clark, Cebu, Cuyo Island, Puerto Princesa, Sipalay, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, and Davao City. It is also served by international routes to and from Singapore and Hong Kong. [18]

The Port of Iloilo, which is located near Fort San Pedro, Iloilo City Proper, serves domestic shipping and cargo routes to/from Manila, Cebu, Puerto Princesa, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga City, Davao, and General Santos. The Iloilo International Cargo Port, in the adjacent Lapuz district, is a port of call for foreign cargo vessels.

Guimaras-Iloilo Ferry Terminal in Parola Iloilo Ferry Terminal Parola (Iloilo City; 01-25-2023).jpg
Guimaras-Iloilo Ferry Terminal in Parola

The Guimaras-Iloilo Ferry Terminal, which is located in Parola, serves ferry routes to Jordan and Buenavista in Guimaras, and vice versa.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iloilo</span> Province in Western Visayas, Philippines

Iloilo, officially the Province of Iloilo, is a province in the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital and largest city is Iloilo City, the regional center of Western Visayas. Iloilo occupies the southeast portion of the Visayan island of Panay and is bordered by the province of Antique to the west, Capiz to the north, the Jintotolo Channel to the northeast, the Guimaras Strait to the east, and the Iloilo Strait and Panay Gulf to the southwest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guimaras</span> Province in Western Visayas, Philippines

Guimaras, officially the Province of Guimaras, is an island province in the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. The capital is Jordan, while the largest local government unit is the municipality of Buenavista. The province is situated in Panay Gulf, between the islands of Panay and Negros. To the northwest is the city and province of Iloilo and to the southeast is Negros Occidental. The whole island is part of the Metro Iloilo–Guimaras, one of the twelve metropolitan areas of the Philippines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Visayas</span> Administrative region of the Philippines

Western Visayas is an administrative region in the Philippines, numerically designated as Region VI. It consists of five provinces: Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo. The region also includes one highly urbanized city, Iloilo City, which is the largest city and serves as the regional center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buenavista, Guimaras</span> Municipality in Guimaras, Philippines

Buenavista, officially the Municipality of Buenavista, is a 2nd class municipality and the largest settlement in the province of Guimaras, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 52,899 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iloilo City</span> Highly-urbanized city and capital of Iloilo, Philippines

Iloilo City, officially the City of Iloilo, is a 1st class highly urbanized city in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines, located on the southeastern coast of the island of Panay. According to the 2020 census, Iloilo City has a population of 457,626 people, making it the most populous city in Western Visayas. For the metropolitan area, the total population is 1,007,945 people.

The Hiligaynon people, often referred to as Ilonggo people or Panayan people, are the second largest subgroup of the larger Visayan ethnic group, whose primary language is Hiligaynon, an Austronesian language of the Visayan branch native to Panay, Guimaras, and Negros. They originated in the province of Iloilo, on the island of Panay, in the region of Western Visayas. Over the years, inter-migrations and intra-migrations have contributed to the diaspora of the Hiligaynon to different parts of the Philippines. Today, the Hiligaynon, apart from the province of Iloilo, also form the majority in the provinces of Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Capiz, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and North Cotabato.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaro, Iloilo City</span> District of Iloilo City, Philippines

Jaro is a district in Iloilo City, Philippines, located in Iloilo province, on Panay Island in the Western Visayas region. It is the largest district in terms of both geographical area and population, with 130,700 people according to the 2020 census. It is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Jaro, which encompasses the provinces of Iloilo, Guimaras, Antique, and Negros Occidental, as well as the center of the Candelaria devotion in the Philippines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iloilo River</span> River in Western Visayas, Philippines

The Iloilo River is an estuary river located in the province of Iloilo, in Western Visayas, Philippines. The river starts in Oton at the Batiano estuary, then traverses through the Iloilo City districts of Lapuz, La Paz, Mandurriao, Molo, Arevalo and the City Proper, before emptying into the Iloilo Strait.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mandurriao</span> District of Iloilo City, Philippines

Mandurriao is a district in Iloilo City, Philippines, located in the province of Iloilo, on the island of Panay in the Western Visayas region. It is the second-largest district by land area as well as the third-most populous district, with 62,240 people in the 2020 census. Mandurriao is one of the major business districts of Iloilo City, along with Iloilo City Proper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Molo, Iloilo City</span> District of Iloilo City, Philippines

Molo is a district in Iloilo City, Philippines, located in the province of Iloilo, on the island of Panay in the Western Visayas region. It is the most densely populated district in the city. According to the 2020 census, Molo has a population of 76,393 people, making it the second-most populous district in the city, after Jaro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arevalo, Iloilo City</span> District of Iloilo City, Philippines

Villa de Arevalo, commonly known as simply Villa or Arevalo, is a district in Iloilo City, Philippines. It is the westernmost district of Iloilo City and shares its border with Oton to the west, in the province of Iloilo, on the island of Panay in the Western Visayas region. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 55,476 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metro Iloilo–Guimaras</span> Metropolitan area in the Philippines

Metropolitan Iloilo–Guimaras, also shortened as Metro Iloilo–Guimaras or Metro Iloilo, or simply MIG, is a metropolitan area in Western Visayas in the Philippines. It is situated on the southeastern coast of Panay, including the nearby island province of Guimaras, surrounded by the Iloilo and Guimaras straits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port of Iloilo</span> Port in Philippines

The Port of Iloilo is a seaport located in Iloilo City, Philippines. It serves the city, province of Iloilo, and the entire island of Panay in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. It is located in the districts of Iloilo City Proper and Lapuz, on the southeastern coast of Panay, in Iloilo Strait, and one of the country’s safest and most natural harbors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">La Paz, Iloilo City</span> District of Iloilo City, Philippines

La Paz is a district in Iloilo City, Philippines, located in Iloilo province, on the island of Panay in the Western Visayas region. It is the third-largest district by geographical area, after Jaro and Mandurriao. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 54,720 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ancestral houses of the Philippines</span> Filipino colonial houses

Ancestral houses of the Philippines or Heritage Houses are homes owned and preserved by the same family for several generations as part of the Filipino family culture. It corresponds to long tradition by Filipino people of giving reverence for ancestors and elders. Houses could be a simple house to a mansion. The most common ones are the "Bahay na Bato". Some houses of prominent families had become points of interest or museums in their community because of its cultural, architectural or historical significance. These houses that are deemed of significant importance to the Filipino culture are declared Heritage House by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), previously known as the National Historical Institute (NHI) of the Philippines. Preservation is of utmost importance as some ancestral houses have come into danger due to business people who buy old houses in the provinces, dismantle them then sell the parts as ancestral building materials for homeowners wishing to have the ancestral ambiance on their houses. These ancestral houses provide the current generation a look back of the country's colonial past through these old houses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Federal State of the Visayas</span>

The Federal State of the Visayas was a revolutionary state in the Philippine archipelago during the revolutionary period. It was a proposed administrative unit of a Philippines under a federal form of government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Governor of Iloilo</span> Local chief executive

The Governor of Iloilo is the local chief executive of the Philippine province of Iloilo. The governor holds office at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol located at Bonifacio Drive, Iloilo City. Like all local government heads in the Philippines, the governor is elected via popular vote, and may not be elected for a fourth consecutive term. In case of death, resignation or incapacity, the vice governor becomes the governor. Along with the governors of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, andGuimaras, he sits in the Regional Development Council of the Western Visayas Region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Districts of Iloilo City</span> Conglomeration of former cities and towns

Iloilo City is a conglomeration of former cities and towns in the Philippines, which are now the geographical or administrative districts (boroughs) composed of seven: Arevalo, City Proper, Jaro, La Paz, Lapuz, Mandurriao, and Molo. All administrative districts are divisions of the lone congressional district of Iloilo City, and each is composed of barangays (barrios), with a total of 180 city barangays.

Raymundo Melliza was a Filipino lawyer and politician who served as the second governor of Iloilo during the American occupation of the Philippines and was also an unsuccessful candidate for Vice President in the 1935 elections as a running-mate of former President Emilio Aguinaldo.

References

  1. ↑ "Iloilo...My City...My Pride". Archived from the original on January 21, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
  2. ↑ https://iloilocity.gov.ph/main/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Vol1_CLUP-3-3-21-final-draft-1.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  3. ↑ de Mentrida, Alonso (1841). Diccionario De La Lengua Bisaya, Hiligueina Y Haraya de la isla de Panay. En La Imprenta De D. Manuel Y De D. Felis Dayot. pp. 202–203.
  4. ↑ Doeppers, Daniel F. (2017). "The Development of Philippine Cities Before 1900". In Frost, Lionel (ed.). Urbanization and the Pacific World, 1500–1900. Lands, Peoples, and History of the Pacific, 1500–1900. Vol. 15. Routledge. ISBN   9781351876346.
  5. ↑ Law, Gwillim (2015). Administrative Subdivisions of Countries: A Comprehensive World Reference, 1900 through 1998. McFarland. p. 289. ISBN   9781476604473.
  6. ↑ Romuáldez, Norberto (1908). A Bisayan Grammar and Notes on Bisayan Rhetoric and Poetics and Filipino Dialectology. Tacloban: Pag Pahayag Co.
  7. ↑ "Iloilo...My City...My Pride". Archived from the original on January 21, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
  8. ↑ Funtecha, Henry (2000). "The Urbanization of the Town of Iloilo, 1865–1900". Selected Papers on Cities in Philippine History. Philippine National Historical Society: 89–108.
  9. ↑ The actual words of the Royal Decree says: "A propuesta del Ministro de Ultramar, y teniendo en cuenta el creciente desarrollo que en la industria y el commercio ha alcanzado la cabecera de la provincia de Ilo-Ilo, la más importante de las islas de Filipinas, despues de la de Manila; En nombre de mi Augusto Hijo el Rey D. Alfonso XIII, y como Reina Regente del Reino, Vengo en conceder el titulo de la Ciudad á la cebecera de Ilo-Ilo, en dichas islas. Dado en San Sebastian á cinco de Octubre de mil ochocientos ochenta y nueve. Maria Cristina" Cf. Decreto Real de la Reina Regente Maria Cristina (5 Octubre 1889) en Gazeta de Madrid, N. 298, 25 Octubre 1889, p. 238.
  10. ↑ "TIF file".
  11. ↑ John, Foreman, The Philippine Islands: a political, geographical, ethnographical, social and commercial history of the Philippine Archipelago, embracing the whole period of Spanish rule, with an account of the succeeding American insular government, New York: 1907, C. Scribner's Sons, p. 478.
  12. ↑ Nicolas, Jino (January 23, 2018). "The beacon of Western Visayas". BusinessWorld Online. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  13. ↑ Modern jeepneys to ply 3 new Iloilo routes. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  14. ↑ 'Modernized' jeeps start plying Iloilo routes. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  15. ↑ Tour on two wheels: Seeing Iloilo City's historic sights by bike. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Panay Railways". www.thenewstoday.info. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  17. ↑ Guardian, Daily (March 23, 2022). "Panay Railways chief open to foreign ownership to rehab defunct rail system". Daily Guardian. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  18. ↑ "Philippines' Iloilo airport readies for int'l flights". Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved October 29, 2016.

10°41′43″N122°33′53″E / 10.6952°N 122.5647°E / 10.6952; 122.5647

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.