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Zamboanga del Norte | |
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Motto(s): Unity, Prosperity, Peace | |
Coordinates: 8°08′00″N123°00′00″E / 8.1333333°N 123°E | |
Country | Philippines |
Region | Zamboanga Peninsula |
Founded | June 6, 1952 |
Capital and largest city | Dipolog |
Government | |
• Type | Sangguniang Panlalawigan |
• Governor | Rosalina G. Jalosjos (Nacionalista) |
• Vice Governor | Julius C. Napigquit (PDP–Laban) |
• Legislature | Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Board |
Area | |
• Total | 7,301.00 km2 (2,818.93 sq mi) |
• Rank | 9th out of 81 |
Highest elevation (Mount Dansalan) | 629 m (2,064 ft) |
Population (2020 census) [2] | |
• Total | 1,047,455 |
• Rank | 27th out of 81 |
• Density | 140/km2 (370/sq mi) |
• Rank | 60th out of 81 |
Divisions | |
• Independent cities | 0 |
• Component cities | |
• Municipalities | |
• Barangays | 691 |
• Districts | Legislative districts of Zamboanga del Norte |
Time zone | UTC+8 (PHT) |
ZIP code | 7100–7124 |
IDD : area code | +63 (0)65 |
ISO 3166 code | PH-ZAN |
Spoken languages | |
Income classification | 1st class |
Website | Province of Zamboanga del Norte Official Website |
Zamboanga del Norte (Cebuano: Amihanang Zamboanga; Subanon: Utara Sembwangan; Filipino : Hilagang Zamboanga), officially the Province of Zamboanga del Norte, is a province in the Philippines situated within the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its capital and largest city is Dipolog and the province borders Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay to the south, Misamis Occidental to the east, and the Sulu Sea to the west.
Zamboanga del Norte is the largest province of the Zamboanga Peninsula region by land area covering 7,301.00 square kilometres (2,818.93 sq mi). [1] Zamboanga del Norte is the 26th populous province in the Philippines.
Prior to its creation as a province, Zamboanga del Norte formed the northern portion of the historical province of Zamboanga.
The early history of Zamboanga del Norte is shared with that of Zamboanga City, which had been the center of the entire Mindanao area, most notably during the American era. When Zamboanga City became a chartered city on October 12, 1936, it encompassed the southern tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula and the island of Basilan, making it the largest city in the world in terms of land area.
Through Republic Act No. 711 issued on June 6, 1952, Zamboanga province was divided into two independent provinces, which included Zamboanga del Sur. [3]
The late 1960s in Mindanao saw a rise in land dispute conflicts arising from the influx of settlers from Luzon and Visayas, [4] [5] and from the Marcos administration’s encouragement of militia groups such as the Ilaga. [6] [7] News of the 1968 Jabidah massacre ignited a furor in the Moro community, and ethnic tensions encouraged with the formation of secessionist movements, [8] starting from the largely political Muslim Independence Movement and Bangsamoro Liberation Organization, and eventually the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). [7] 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. [9] Many of them left schools in Manila and joined the New People's Army "underground" in various provinces away from the capital, bringing the New People's Army rebellion to Mindanao for the first time. [10]
The September 1972 declaration of Martial Law began a 14-year period historically remembered for its human rights abuses, [11] [12] often involving the warrantless detention, murder, and physical, sexual, or mental torture of political opponents, student activists, journalists, religious workers, farmers, and others who fought against the Marcos dictatorship. [13] Zamboanga del Norte was the site of at least one major assassination during the Marcos Martial law era - the gunning down of Human Rights lawyers Jacobo Amatong and Zorro Aguilar by two soldiers of the Marcos government, who were never caught. [14] [15] [16] In the underground, a prominent figure who was killed was underground acupuncturist and paramedic Leo Alto, who spent much of his time helping the Subanon communities in Zamboanga del Norte to fight for their ancestral lands. Alto and a Subanon companion were killed by the Philippine Constabulary in Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte on August 1, 1975. [17]
Alto, and lawyers Amatong and Aguilar have since been honored by having their names 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. [14]
In 2017, House Bill No. 5040 was introduced in the House of Representatives seeking to carve out a new province from Zamboanga del Norte. The proposed Zamboanga Hermosa province was to consist of 12 municipalities and 2 legislative districts that make up the 3rd legislative district of Zamboanga del Norte: [18] [19] Baliguian, Godod, Gutalac, Kalawit, Labason, Leon B. Postigo, Liloy (its proposed capital), Salug, Sibuco, Siocon, Sirawai, and Tampilisan. However, the bill ultimately did not pass the 17th congress.
In 2023, a new House Bill 9311 proposed a creation of a new province, Zamboanga Occidental. The proposed province is supposed to include twelve municipalities: Leon B. Postigo, Salug, Godod, Liloy, Tampilisan, Kalawit, Labason, Gutalac, Baliguian, Siocon, Sirawai, and Sibuco. [20]
Zamboanga del Norte covers a total area of 7,301.00 square kilometres (2,818.93 sq mi) [21] occupying the northern portion of the Zamboanga Peninsula in western Mindanao. The province is bordered on the north and west by the Sulu Sea, on the northeast by Misamis Occidental, and on the south by Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay.
It has an average elevation of 243.8 metres (800 ft), with Mount Dabiak in Katipunan as the highest peak at 2,600 metres (8,500 ft). Other parts, near the coastlines, are plains. The province's irregular coastline runs some 400 kilometres (250 mi) from north to south.
Zamboanga del Norte has a mild and moderate climate due to evenly distributed rainfall throughout the year. Its southern portion has a longer dry season.
Climate data for Zamboanga del Norte | |||||||||||||
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Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 30.4 (86.7) | 30.5 (86.9) | 31.6 (88.9) | 32.6 (90.7) | 32.3 (90.1) | 31.7 (89.1) | 31.6 (88.9) | 31.6 (88.9) | 31.8 (89.2) | 31.5 (88.7) | 31.4 (88.5) | 30.8 (87.4) | 31.5 (88.7) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 21.8 (71.2) | 21.9 (71.4) | 20.8 (69.4) | 22.2 (72.0) | 21.2 (70.2) | 21.0 (69.8) | 21.1 (70.0) | 21.0 (69.8) | 21.1 (70.0) | 21.3 (70.3) | 21.4 (70.5) | 21.3 (70.3) | 21.3 (70.4) |
Average rainy days | 15 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 162 |
Source: Storm247 [22] |
Zamboanga del Norte comprises 25 municipalities and 2 cities. Dipolog, Sindangan, and Dapitan are the most densely populated areas in the province. These are further subdivided into 691 barangays, and clustered into 3 congressional districts. [21]
Sibuco is the largest municipality by land area, constituting 10.72% (782.54 square kilometers) of the total provincial area, while Sindangan is the most populous municipality. Sibutad is the smallest, with 0.90% (65.57 square kilometers). [21]
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Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [23] [24] [25] |
The population of Zamboanga del Norte in the 2020 census was 1,047,455 people, [2] with a density of 140 inhabitants per square kilometre or 360 inhabitants per square mile. Dipolog is the most populated locality in the province, followed by the town of Sindangan and city of Dapitan.
The main language spoken is Cebuano. Other languages include Chavacano, Subanon, Filipino, and English.
The predominant religion was Islam until the Spanish regime took over the region and spread Christianity with the help of the church's mission orders like the Jesuits, Augustinians, and Dominicans. The province's first martyr of faith, soon to be raised as a saint, in Mindanao island was Padre Francesco Palliola, S.J. He was a Jesuit missionary from Nola, Italy, and was assigned to Zamboanga Peninsula. He was active as a missionary in Lubungan (Katipuan), Zamboanga del Norte, Iligan, Dapitan, and met his martyrdom at the barrio of Ponot, now a town of Jose Dalman. Roman Catholicism is a significant majority with about 50% adherence. The province has one diocese – the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dipolog under the Archdiocese of Ozamis, covering the entire province. There are also followers of other Christian sects.
These are the officials after the local elections of 2022:
Governor: Rosalina "Nene" G. Jalosjos (Nacionalista)
Vice Governor: Julius C. Napigquit (PDP–Laban)
Members of the House of Representatives:
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About half of the province's land area is devoted to agriculture. Corn, coconut, and rice are the major crops. The province being rich in marine and mineral sources, its fish production has accelerated through the development of fishponds. Commercial fishing has steadily increased through the years, with the yellow fin tuna as the primary species.
In 2006, a study by National Statistics Coordination Board (NSCB), found Zamboanga del Norte Province to be the Philippines' poorest province with a poverty incidence rate of 64.6%, an increase from 47% in year 2000 statistical figures. [34]
As of 2015, the province's poverty incidence has dropped to 51.6% (ranking 8th). [35] Large foreign mining companies operating within the province such as Canadian company TVI Resource Development and Philex Mining Corp. cause adverse effects to the culture and traditions of the indigenous Subanon and other poor settlers. [36] [37] [38]
Zamboanga was a province of the Philippines located in the western region of the southern island of Mindanao, Philippines.
Zamboanga del Sur, officially the Province of Zamboanga del Sur, is a province in the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its capital is the city of Pagadian.
Zamboanga Peninsula is an administrative region in Mindanao, Philippines, designated as Region IX. It consists of the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Sur, and the cities of Isabela and Zamboanga City. The region was previously known as Western Mindanao. Pagadian serves as the regional center, while Zamboanga City is the commercial and industrial center.
Zamboanga Sibugay, officially the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay, is a province in the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its capital and largest town 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.
Misamis Occidental, officially the Province of Misamis Occidental, is a province located in the region of Northern Mindanao in the Philippines. Its capital is the city of Oroquieta while Ozamiz is the most-populous city. The province borders Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur to the west and is separated from Lanao del Norte by Panguil Bay to the south and Iligan Bay to the east. The province of Misamis was originally inhabited by Subanens who were an easy target by the sea pirates from Lanao.
Lanao del Norte, officially the Province of Lanao del Norte, is a province in the Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao region. Its capital is Tubod.
Dipolog, officially the City of Dipolog, is a component city and capital of the province of Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 138,141 people making it the most populous in the province.
Dapitan, officially the City of Dapitan, is a component city in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 85,202 people.
Polanco, officially the Municipality of Polanco, is a municipality in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 42,265 people.
Salug, officially the Municipality of Salug, is a municipality in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 32,134 people.
Sindangan, officially the Municipality of Sindangan, is a municipality in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 103,952 people.
Tampilisan, officially the Municipality of Tampilisan, is a municipality in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 24,680 people.
Ozamiz, officially the City of Ozamiz, is a component city in the province of Misamis Occidental, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 140,334 people making it the most populous city in Misamis Occidental.
Molave, officially known as the Municipality of Molave, is a municipality in the province of Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines. In the 2020 census, it had 53,140 people. It is in the eastern part of the province of Zamboanga del Sur, and has an area of 21,685 hectares. The name "Molave" refers to the tree that was common in the area. Its economy is focused on agricultural production, and 1,378.5 hectares of fertile land is irrigated and planted with rice. Corn, coconut, cassava, banana, camote and various vegetables are also grown. These are marketed to neighboring towns and cities, and reach Cebu. Due to its strategic location, Molave is becoming the commercial hub of the Salug Valley. It is the most populous municipality in Zamboanga del Sur, and the third most populous in Region IX.
The legislative districts of Zamboanga del Norte are the representations of the province of Zamboanga del Norte in the various national legislatures of the Philippines. The province is currently represented in the lower house of the Congress of the Philippines through its first, second and third congressional districts.
The Zamboanga del Norte National High School (ZNNHS) is a public high school under the Department of Education of the Philippines in Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte, Mindanao, Philippines. It has two campuses: ZNNHS Main Campus is in General Luna Street, Estaka; and Campus II is in Lower Turno.
Manukan, officially the Municipality of Manukan, is a municipality in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 36,887 people.
Isagani Sybico Amatong is a Filipino politician from the province of Zamboanga del Norte. He last served as Congressman in the House of Representatives of the Philippines representing the 3rd legislative district of Zamboanga del Norte.
Local elections were held in the province of Zamboanga del Norte of the Philippines, on May 13, 2019 as part of the 2019 general election. Voters selected candidates for all local positions: a municipal and city mayor, vice mayor and councilors, as well as members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the governor, vice governor and representatives for the three districts of Zamboanga del Norte.
The Port of Dapitan, locally and originally known as Pulauan Port, is a seaport in Dapitan, Philippines. It is owned and managed by Philippine Ports Authority and is the baseport of the Port Management Office Zamboanga del Norte.
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: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)Zamboanga del Norte has issued an ordinance banning open-pit mining in the province, threatening projects of mining firms operating in the area, such as those of TVI Resource Development.
The provincial government of Zamboanga del Norte stands fast on its ban on open-pit mining and will fight in court the Canadian-mining company TVI Resources' efforts to have the ordinance declared unconstitutional.