Lapu-Lapu City

Not to be confused with Rapu-Rapu.

Lapu-Lapu City
Highly urbanized city
City of Lapu-Lapu
Lapu-Lapu City Hall of Justice
Flag Seal
Nickname:  Historic Resort City
Anthem: Dakbayan sa Sidlakan (English: City of the East)
Map of Central Visayas with Lapu-Lapu City highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Lapu-Lapu City Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 10°18′46″N123°56′56″E / 10.3127°N 123.9488°E / 10.3127; 123.9488
Country	Philippines
Region	Central Visayas
Province	Cebu (geographically only)
District	Lone district
Founded (Opon) Cityhood Lone district	1730
Named for	Lapulapu
Barangays	30 (see Barangays)
Government
• Type	Sangguniang Panlungsod
•  Mayor	Junard "Ahong" Q. Chan (PDPLBN)
•  Vice Mayor	Celedonio B. Sitoy (PDPLBN)
•  Representative	Ma. Cynthia K. Chan (PDPLBN)
•  City Council	Members Eugenio S. Espedido Annabeth D. Cuizon Marciano A. Alforque Jr. Celestino C. Aying Linda Susan C. Baring Jan Vincent A. dela Serna Efren T. Herrera Nelson O. Yap Climaco A. Tatoy Jr. Jeorgen Eyas-Book Joseph T. Pangantungan Emilio L. Galaroza Jr.
•  Electorate	245,395 voters (2022)
Area [1]
• Total	58.10 km2 (22.43 sq mi)
Elevation	70 m (230 ft)
Population  (2020 census) [2]
• Total	497,604
• Density	8,600/km2 (22,000/sq mi)
•  Households	129,652
Demonym	Oponganon [3]
Economy
•  Gross domestic product	₱151.4 billion (2022) [4] $2.675 billion (2022) [5]
•  Income class	1st city income class
•  Poverty incidence	10.80 % (2021) [6]
•  Revenue	₱ 2,687 million (2020)
•  Assets	₱ 9,541 million (2020)
•  Expenditure	₱ 3,171 million (2020)
Service provider
•  Electricity	Mactan Electric Company (MECO)
Time zone	UTC+8 (Philippine Standard Time (PST))
ZIP code	6015, 6016 (Mactan-Cebu International Airport)
PSGC	072226000
IDD  :  area code	+63 (0)32
Native languages	Cebuano, and Hiligaynon

Lapu-Lapu City, officially the City of Lapu-Lapu (Cebuano : Dakbayan sa Lapu-Lapu; Hiligaynon : Dakbanwa sang Lapu-Lapu; Filipino : Lungsod ng Lapu-Lapu), is a 1st class highly urbanized city in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 497,604. ^[2]

It was formerly known as Opon, the city being renamed to its present name in 1961. It is one of the cities that make up Metro Cebu in the Philippines. It is located in the province of Cebu, administratively independent from the province, but grouped under Cebu by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The second busiest airport in the Philippines, Mactan–Cebu International Airport, is located in Lapu-Lapu City. It opened in 1966 and serves as a hub for Philippine Airlines, and as an operating base for Cebu Pacific and Philippines AirAsia.

History

Lapulapu monument at the Mactan Shrine

In the 16th century, Mactan Island was colonized by Spain. Augustinian friars founded the town of Opon in 1730, and it became a city in 1961. It was renamed after Datu Lapulapu, the island's chieftain, who led the defeat against the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1521 in the Battle of Mactan, commemorated at Mactan Shrine in Barangay Mactan, where Magellan led a landing party of 40 men to resupply who were set upon by 1,500 locals and slew their captain and a few other men.

The municipality of Opon was founded by the Augustinian missionaries in 1730. It was ceded to the Jesuits in 1737, and later restored to the Augustinians. When the Philippine Revolution spread to the Visayas in 1898, the people organized themselves into local revolutionary units.

During the Filipino-American War, a military government was established. The continued resistance of the people of Cebu prompted the American government to restore military control over the province on July 17, 1901. In 1905, Opon held its first municipal election, and Pascual dela Serna was elected town president.

Following the outbreak of World War II, the presence of bulk oil storage tanks in Opon made the town an object of Japanese raids a week after the outbreak of WWII in December 1941. The enemy aircraft succeeded in blowing up two of about fourteen oil storage tanks in Opon. A unit of the Kawaguchi Detachment of the Japanese Imperial Forces landed on the east coast of Cebu on April 10, 1942. Later, the resistance movement was organized by Colonel James M. Cushing, leader of the southern and central units, and Harry Fenton of the northern unit of the Cebu Resistance Movement.

During the Battle of the Visayas, Victor II operations of the American Division led by Major General William Arnold landed in Cebu on March 26, 1945, and subsequently liberated the province.

Historically, the city includes the site of the Battle of Mactan. On August 1, 1973, by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 2060, President Ferdinand E. Marcos declared the site of the battle a national shrine; the preservation, restoration and/or reconstruction of which shall be under the supervision and control of the National Historical Commission in collaboration with the Department of Tourism. Mactan is also the birthplace of Leonila Dimataga-Garcia, wife of Carlos P. Garcia, the fourth President of the Republic. Leonila Dimataga-Garcia was a relative of the wife of Lapu-Lapu City's former mayor Ernest Weigel Jr. (1992-2001, three terms) who was the richest mayor in Metro Cebu, with a net worth of ₱57 million in the early 2000s.

Cityhood

Main article: Cities of the Philippines

Congressman Manuel A. Zosa, the representative of the Sixth District of Cebu, sponsored the Bill converting the former municipality of Opon into the present day city of Lapu-Lapu. This was the Republic Act 3134, ^[7] known as the City Charter of Lapu-Lapu, which was signed on June 17, 1961, by Philippine President Carlos P. Garcia. Lapu-Lapu was inaugurated on December 31, 1961, with Mariano Dimataga, the last municipal mayor, as the first city mayor. ^[8]

Highly urbanized city

On January 23, 2007, Lapu-Lapu was proclaimed as HUC via Proclamation No. 1222, signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Its plebiscite was held along with Puerto Princesa in Palawan on July 21, 2007. Both of them successfully became highly urbanized cities after majority of their voters voted in favor of conversion. They ranked 31st and 32nd in the country.

Geography

Lapu-Lapu is bounded on the north by the main island of Cebu, to the west by Cebu City and Mactan Channel, on the east by the Camotes Sea, and on the south by the town of Cordova.

The city occupies Mactan Island, a few kilometers off the main island of Cebu. It also has some of the barangays under its jurisdiction on the Olango Island Group. The city is linked to Mandaue on mainland Cebu by the Mactan-Mandaue Bridge and Marcelo Fernan Bridges.

Barangays

Lapu-Lapu is politically subdivided into 30 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Political map of Lapu-Lapu

PSGC	Barangay	Population			±% p.a.		Area		PD 2020
		2020 [2]		2010 [9]			ha	acre	/km2	/sq mi
072226001	Agus	3.9%	19,525	15,767	▴	2.16%
072226002	Babag	6.2%	30,839	22,756	▴	3.09%	307	759	10,000	26,000
072226003	Bankal	4.6%	22,863	20,872	▴	0.92%	201	497	11,000	29,000
072226004	Baring	0.8%	3,870	3,353	▴	1.44%	91	225	4,300	11,000
072226005	Basak	14.5%	71,990	59,873	▴	1.86%	603	1,490	12,000	31,000
072226006	Buaya	3.8%	19,078	16,072	▴	1.73%	271	670	7,000	18,000
072226007	Calawisan	3.2%	15,740	11,454	▴	3.23%	957	2,365	1,600	4,300
072226008	Canjulao	2.9%	14,451	13,245	▴	0.88%	156	385	9,300	24,000
072226011	Caubian	0.5%	2,429	2,272	▴	0.67%
072226009	Caw‑oy	0.4%	2,226	1,837	▴	1.94%	162,900	402,542	1.4	3.5
072226010	Cawhagan	0.1%	694	638	▴	0.84%	55,900	138,134	1.2	3.2
072226012	Gun‑ob	7.6%	37,989	31,219	▴	1.98%
072226013	Ibo	1.7%	8,318	8,126	▴	0.23%
072226014	Looc	3.1%	15,411	16,016	▾	−0.38%
072226015	Mactan	10.2%	50,964	33,465	▴	4.30%
072226016	Maribago	3.8%	18,954	16,591	▴	1.34%
072226017	Marigondon	5.1%	25,584	19,713	▴	2.64%
072226018	Pajac	4.4%	22,116	17,402	▴	2.43%
072226019	Pajo	5.2%	25,845	20,999	▴	2.10%
072226020	Pangan‑an	0.5%	2,348	2,070	▴	1.27%
072226021	Poblacion [lower-alpha 1]	1.3%	6,238	5,581	▴	1.12%
072226022	Punta Engaño	2.3%	11,425	8,753	▴	2.70%
072226024	Pusok	6.6%	32,791	28,810	▴	1.30%
072226025	Sabang	1.4%	6,910	6,091	▴	1.27%
072226031	San Vicente	0.8%	4,209	3,854	▴	0.88%
072226026	Santa Rosa	1.1%	5,388	4,302	▴	2.28%
072226027	Subabasbas	1.6%	7,961	6,288	▴	2.39%
072226028	Talima	1.2%	5,973	5,734	▴	0.41%
072226029	Tingo	0.6%	3,231	3,088	▴	0.45%
072226030	Tungasan	0.5%	2,244	1,871	▴	1.83%
	Total		497,604	350,467	▴	3.57%	5,810	14,357	8,600	22,000

Climate

Climate data for Lapu-Lapu
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	28 (82)	29 (84)	30 (86)	31 (88)	31 (88)	30 (86)	30 (86)	30 (86)	30 (86)	29 (84)	29 (84)	28 (82)	30 (85)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	23 (73)	23 (73)	23 (73)	24 (75)	25 (77)	25 (77)	25 (77)	25 (77)	25 (77)	25 (77)	24 (75)	23 (73)	24 (75)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	70 (2.8)	49 (1.9)	62 (2.4)	78 (3.1)	138 (5.4)	201 (7.9)	192 (7.6)	185 (7.3)	192 (7.6)	205 (8.1)	156 (6.1)	111 (4.4)	1,639 (64.6)
Average rainy days	13.4	10.6	13.1	14.5	24.2	27.9	28.4	27.7	27.1	27.4	22.5	15.9	252.7
Source: Meteoblue (modeled/calculated data, not measured locally) [10]

Demographics

Population census of Lapu-Lapu City

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1903	14,851	—
1918	20,988	+2.33%
1939	33,426	+2.24%
1948	37,280	+1.22%
1960	48,546	+2.22%
1970	69,268	+3.61%
1975	79,484	+2.80%
1980	98,324	+4.34%
1990	146,194	+4.05%
1995	173,744	+3.29%
2000	217,019	+4.88%
2007	292,530	+4.20%
2010	350,467	+6.80%
2015	408,112	+2.94%
2020	497,604	+3.98%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) [11] [9] [12] [13]

Lapu-Lapu's residents mainly speak Cebuano, the local language. Tagalog and English is also widely spoken and understood, due to the influx of foreign nationals in the city. Due to the large number of resorts and retirement homes in the city, as well as the growing number of ESL schools, the city also hosts a number of Japanese, Korean, and Chinese speakers.

Economy

The city is known for its guitar making industry, known as "Opon Guitars"

Lapu-Lapu City is part of Metro Cebu, the second-most important metropolitan area in the Philippines. It has benefited from the economic rise of Cebu in the 1990s and 2000s, also known as Ceboom.

Mactan–Cebu International Airport, the primary airport serving Cebu, is located in the city. The airport has direct routes with international destinations, including East and Southeast Asia. These connections have given way for tourism to emerge as a major part of the city's economy. Several resorts are located in the city, most of which are concentrated along the eastern coast of the island in the barangays of Marigondon, Maribago, Mactan, and Punta Engaño.

The city is home to several industrial zones, such as Mactan Export Processing Zone (MEPZ) and the Cebu Light Industrial Park (CLIP). Other large industries include: General Milling Company, one of the largest food companies in the Philippines; the Cebu Shipyard and Engineering Works, pioneered by Dad Cleland; and several oil companies, such as Royal Dutch Shell.

Government

City Hall

Mayors of Lapu-Lapu City

Years	Mayor
1938-1967	Mariano Dimataga
1968-1986	Maximo V. Patalinjug
1986-1988	Silvestre T. Dignos
1988-1991	Maximo V. Patalinjug
1992-2001	Ernest H. Weigel
2001-2010	Arturo O. Radaza
2010-2019	Paz C. Radaza
2019-	Junard Q. Chan

Mariano Dimataga's term was interrupted during the years 1941-1945. Teodulo Tomakin and later Eugenio Araneta were appointed as town mayors. They later escaped from the Japanese, Jorge Tampus took over. During the Allied liberation by the combined Filipino-American forces, year 1945 Mariano Dimataga resumed his interrupted term.

Transportation

Lapu-Lapu City, positioned within the heart of Visayas, has an expansive and efficient transportation network that facilitates convenient travel and logistics. This dynamic city is primarily connected to the mainland of Cebu through three major infrastructure projects: the Marcelo Fernan Bridge, Mactan-Mandaue Bridge, and the more recent addition of the Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway. These strategic connections traverse the sea channel separating the island of Mactan, where Lapu-Lapu City is located, from the island of Cebu.

The Mactan–Cebu International Airport, the second busiest international airport in the Philippines is situated in Lapu-Lapu

The Mactan–Cebu International Airport (MCIA), nestled within Lapu-Lapu City, is a significant hub for both local and international flights.

MCIA is the chief gateway serving the city of Cebu and the greater region of Central Visayas since its opening for civilian traffic in 1966. It hosts regular flights to numerous global destinations, particularly focusing on key cities in Asia. Some of these prominent destinations include Singapore, Macau, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. According to statistical reports, MCIA is ranked as the second busiest airport in the Philippines, only surpassed by Ninoy Aquino International Airport located in the capital, Manila.

On an annual basis, MCIA handles an impressive volume of traffic. This includes under 5 million passengers and oversees more than 100,000 flights each year. Its high capacity and performance undoubtedly reinforce its reputation as an essential node in the national and international aviation network. ^[22]

Gallery

• 

  

  CCLEX Bridge in construction 2021, aerial photo.

  Poblacion (Opon)
• 
  Muelle Osmeña
• 
  Virgen de la Regla Church
• 
  Our Lady of the Rule
• 
  Plantation Bay Resort and Spa
• 
  Skyline of hotel and resorts
• 
  Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary

Military bases

Lapu-Lapu city hosts 2 military bases Mactan–Benito Ebuen Air Base and Philippines navy Central - Naval Base 'Rafael Ramos'.

Notable people

• Lapulapu - A chieftain of Mactan and the First Philippine National Hero who defeated Magellan.
• Janine Berdin - The grand winner of the second season of Tawag ng Tanghalan.
• Akiko Solon - Finalist of Star Power: Sharon Search For the Next Female Superstar.

See also

• List of renamed cities and municipalities in the Philippines

Notes

1. Part of the Poblacion barangay is still called Opon.

References

1. "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. Aug 2016. ISSN   0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved Jul 16, 2021.
2. Census of Population (2020). "Region VII (Central Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved Jul 8, 2021.
3. Inso, Futch Anthony (Jun 28, 2019). "Lapu-Lapu Mayor Chan's non-Oponganon choices for dep't heads slammed". Cebu Daily News. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on Jun 29, 2019. Retrieved Apr 26, 2020.
4. "All Provinces and HUCs in Northern Mindanao Continue to Expand in 2022; City of Cagayan de Oro Records the Fastest Growth with 9.4 Percent". Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved Dec 9, 2023.
5. "PH₱56.598 per dollar (per International Monetary Fund on Representative Exchange Rates for Selected Currencies for December 2022)". IMF . Retrieved Dec 9, 2023.
6. "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. Apr 2, 2024. Retrieved Apr 28, 2024.
7. Republic Act No. 3134, June 17, 1961, "An Act Creating the City Of Lapu-Lapu" elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph
8. About Lapu Lapu City
9. Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region VII (Central Visayas)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office . Retrieved Jun 29, 2016.
10. "Lapu-Lapu: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
11. Census of Population (2015). "Region VII (Central Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved Jun 20, 2016.
12. Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region VII (Central Visayas)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.
13. "Province of Cebu". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved Dec 17, 2016.
14. "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved Dec 28, 2020.
15. "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Nov 29, 2005.
16. "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Mar 23, 2009.
17. "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Aug 3, 2012.
18. "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. May 31, 2016.
19. "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. Jul 10, 2019.
20. "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. Dec 15, 2021. Retrieved Jan 22, 2022.
21. "PSA Releases the 2021 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. Apr 2, 2024. Retrieved Apr 28, 2024.
22. Saavedra, John Rey. "Mactan-Cebu Airport is Asia's best under 5M Category: Routes". PNA.GOV.PH. Philippines News Agency. Retrieved Jun 2, 2023.

Sources

• Gonzales, Glenda R (Dec 2004). "Metro Cebu: A Metropolitan Area in Need of Coordinative Body" (PDF). Discussion Paper. 2004-49. Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) / Surian sa mga Pag-aaral Pangkaunlaran ng Pilipinas. Retrieved Feb 16, 2016.

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Lapu-Lapu City government website
• About Lapu-Lapu City