Pagadian

The native inhabitants in the area were the Lumads, specifically Subanens. Then came Iranun and Maguindanaon settlers who converted the people to Islam. A sizeable number of lumads who refused to be converted eventually settled in the highlands.

Pagadian was under the leadership of Datu Akob, an Iranun datu whose daughter caught the fancy of Datu Macaumbang (Sultan of Taga Nonok), also an Iranun from Malabang, Tukuran, also part of modern Pagadian. He was the son of Shariff Apo Tubo who descended from the bloodline of Shariff Kabungsuan, the first Sultan of the Maguindanao Sultanate. With the approval of Sultan Datu Akob, Datu Macaumbang married Bai Putri Panyawan Akob, the beautiful daughter of the royal datu of Pagadian City and royal bai putri of Raya.[11]

Upon the death of Datu Akob also known as Datu Mimbalawag, his son-in-law, Datu Macaumbang (Sultan of taga Nonok) assumed leadership; he established the territorial boundaries of the present city proper, from Balangasan River in the west of Tawagan Sur River in the east. Beyond the river of Tawagan Sur was the territory of Datu Balimbingan. At one time, Datu Macaumbang requested the assistance of the Philippine constabulary due to the rampant banditry and piracy in the area. A detachment led by Col. Tiburcio Ballesteros stationed at Malangas landed at the place and stationed themselves at Dumagoc Island. The arrival of the soldiers restored peace and order, thereby attracting the influx of settlers from other places.[11]

Christian settlers started arriving in the early part of the 20th century, most of which came from Cebu as evident on the veneration of the Santo Niño de Cebú. The increasing Christian population prompted the creation of the Parish of Pagadian in 1938 and was administered by the Jesuits, Columban and Filipino priests. The original Santo Niño Church of Pagadian was right across the city plaza, on the site of the current San Jose Parish church. The present Santo Niño Cathedral is now located in San Francisco District and was built in 1968.[12]

Pagadian Parish became a diocese on November 2, 1971, and is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Ozamiz. Msgr. Jesus B. Tuquib served as the first bishop and was installed on February 24, 1973.[12] At that time, the Columban Fathers took care of the apostolic services for the first 13 parishes in the newly formed diocese.

As of 2008, the Diocese of Pagadian had 24 parishes.[13]

Pagadian was occupied by Japanese troops during World War II. From November 5 to 20, 1944, the combined American and Filipino troops including recognized guerrillas were attempted to take the town from the Japanese. Sixteen Japanese soldiers were killed, but they remained in possession of Pagadian.[14] The establishment of the general headquarters of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and the Philippine Constabulary were stationed in Pagadian and active from November 21, 1944, to June 30, 1946, during and in the aftermath of World War II, including the military operations and engagements against the Japanese and liberated areas in Mindanao from November 21, 1944, to August 15, 1945.

The 1970s brought a period of numerous concurrent conflicts on the island of Mindanao, including Dumingag and Zamboanga del Sur.[15][16][17][18] This included land dispute conflicts arising from the influx of settlers from Luzon and Visayas,[19][20] and from the Marcos administration’s encouragement of militia groups such as the Ilaga.[16][17] News of the 1968 Jabidah massacre ignited a furor in the Moro community, and ethnic tensions encouraged with the formation of secessionist movements.[21][17] 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.[18] Many of them left schools in Manila and joined New People's Army units in their home provinces, bringing the Marxist-Leninist Maoist armed conflict to Mindanao for the first time.[15]

On June 21, 1969, Pagadian became a chartered city through R.A. 5478, becoming the second city in Zamboanga del Sur after Zamboanga City and third city in the Zamboanga Peninsula (Administrative Region).

In October 1990 President Corazon Aquino issued the Executive Order 429 that designated Pagadian City as the Regional Center for Region - IX (Zamboanga Peninsula).[22] In November 2004, Pagadian was officially designated as the Regional Center for the Zamboanga Peninsula.

Proclamation No. 1247 was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on December 8, 2021, which seeks to convert Pagadian into a highly urbanized city, pending ratification.[23]

Located within the tropics of the northern hemisphere, Pagadian has a pronounced dry season from January to March and rainy season from April to December. The area is generally not affected by tropical storms and typhoons as it is located outside the Philippine Typhoon Belt. Temperature ranges from 22.2 to 32.9 °C (72.0 to 91.2 °F). The prevailing winds are the southwest wind that blow from over the sea during dry seasons going northeast, and the trade winds brought from the mountain ranges. Rainfall distribution is moderate from 2,500 to 3,000 millimetres (98 to 118 in) annually.

Pagadian City view from the Rotonda

Pagadian is politically subdivided into 54 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks while some have sitios.

Currently, there are 19 barangays which classified as urban (highlighted in bold) and the rest as rural. [25]

Places of worship in Pagadian:

• 
  Dome of a mosque in Santa Lucia District
• 
  A minaret in Banale, Pagadian City
• 
  Santo Niño Cathedral

The City Fiesta is celebrated every third Sunday of January in honor of its patron saint, the Holy Child Jesus (Santo Niño) which coincides with the feastday of Cebu City. It is officially called the Pasalamat Festival highlighted with a fluvial parade (regatta), trade exhibits, the Mutya ng Pagadian beauty pageant, carnival shows and a civic military parade. On every June 21, the Araw ng Pagadian is celebrated in commemoration of its founding as a chartered city; as Capital of Zamboanga del Sur, the city hosts the annual provincial celebration in September with agro-trade exhibits, a civic-military parade, cultural presentations and sports competitions.

The Megayon Festival is a week-long celebration that coincides with the Zamboanga del Sur anniversary in September. It honors the tri-people settlers: the Subanens, BangsaMoro Muslims and Christians.[39] "Megayon" is a Subanen word which means "Unity and Solidarity". The festival is a showcase of three distinctly different cultural heritage in songs, dances, rituals of peace, foods and crafts, to foster unity and understanding among the three cultures. Environment-related activities, peace and development forum, and indigenous sports competitions[40] are being held.

Pagadian City also officially celebrates the Chinese New Year. It honors the local Chinese community.

The Pagadian Inclined Tricycle

Pagadian Airport Terminal facade, 2012.

Tricyclesor Bao-Bao are the primary public transport in the urban center while jeepneys usually ply the city's rural barangays. Private vehicles comprises the largest percentage of the traffic. Buses, minibuses, and jeepneys are the modes of transportation for transients bound for the neighboring municipalities and other parts of Zamboanga del Sur. These short-travel transports also serve the bus terminal which is located downtown.

Airport. The city is served by a Principal Airport Class 1 (or major domestic). It is located in Barangay Muricay, approximately five kilometers from the city proper.[41] The airport serves as the only air portal in the Province of Zamboanga del Sur with direct flights to and from Manila and Cebu.

Seaport. The port of Pagadian City is served by shipping lines operating for both passenger and cargo vessels. Ports of call include Zamboanga City, Jolo and Siasi in Sulu, Bongao and Sitangkai in Tawi-tawi, and Cotabato City.

Integrated Bus Terminal (IBT-Main). Served by two major bus companies and several other smaller Public Utility Vehicles(PUVs), i.e. vans, the terminal sits atop the hill as the station for both Eastbound and Westbound transport, particularly for public transports bound for Zamboanga City, Butuan, Ozamiz City, Dipolog, Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato City, Kidapawan City, Digos City, Davao CitY, Tacurong City, Koronadal City, and General Santos City. Integrated Bus Terminal (Annex Palacio), Served by several mini bus companies and other smaller (PUVs), i.e. vans, tricycle, Bao-Bao, the terminal sits at downtown Pagadian Sta. Lucia as the station for both Eastbound and Westbound transport, particularly for public transport bound for all the towns of Baganian Peninsula Area, Tabina, Margos, Midsalip, Labangan, Tukuran, Brgy. Danlugan, Gubang, Lourdes, Lesson Valley, Napolan, Bomba Poloyagan all of Pagadian City and Etc.

Telecommunications Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) and Cruztelco are the two major telecommunications providers. A project under the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), the Pagadian City Telephone Exchange (PACITELEX) serves the far-flung barangays that other telephone companies are not yet able to give service. Various cellular phone service providers in the country serve the city.

Water and Power Supply Pagadian City Water District (PCWD or PAWAD) provides the city with potable water supply. Formed in 1976, PCWD has over 14,000 active service connections and sources its water from deep wells and springs.[42]

Electricity is supplied by the Zamboanga del Sur I Electric Cooperative, Incorporated (ZAMSURECO I) from the National Power Corporation Hydro-Electric Plant in Iligan City, sourced from the Maria Cristina Falls. About 77.70% or 42 out of 54 total barangays in the entire city have 24-hour supply of electricity.

• DXPR 603 RMN Pagadian (Radio Mindanao Network)
• DXBZ 756 Radyo Bagting (Baganian Broadcasting Corporation)
• DXKP 1377 Radyo Ronda (Radio Philippines Network)

• 91.1 Voice Radio (Kaissar Broadcasting Network)
• 91.9 Radyo Natin (Manila Broadcasting Company)
• 93.5 FMR (Philippine Collective Media Corporation)
• 94.1 Radio One (MIT Radio-TV Network, Inc.)
• 96.7 iFM (Radio Mindanao Network)
• 98.3 Energy FM (Ultrasonic Broadcasting System)
• 99.1 Muews Radio (Sagay Broadcasting Corporation)
• 99.9 Radyo Bisdak (Times Broadcasting Network Corporation)
• 103.1 Radyo Kidlat (Zamboanga del Sur I Electric Cooperative, Inc.; affiliated with Philippine Broadcasting Service)
• 103.9 LCM FM (Subic Broadcasting Corporation; operated by Loud Cry Ministries)
• 104.7 Radyo Sakto (Malindang Broadcasting Network Corporation)
• 105.7 Brigada News FM (Baycomms Broadcasting Corporation/Brigada Mass Media Corporation)
• 106.3 Bell FM (Baganian Broadcasting Corporation)
• 107.1 Juander Radyo (Capitol Broadcasting Center; operated by RSV Broadcasting Services)
• 88.7 CocoyBags Radio
• 101.5 DXID-FM Islamic Radio

• GMA Channel 3 Pagadian
• GTV Channel 26 Pagadian
• PTV - 11 Peoples Television Network

• Kismet Cable TV
• Unique Cable TV
• Cignal TV
• SatLite
• G Sat