Sorsogon City

Evidence of human habitation come from 3,000-year-old remains in a cave in Bacon and ancient burial sites dug upstream of Sorsogon rivers. Spanish missionaries came upon settlements in both sites when they arrived in the 1600s. Moro pirates had already frequented the territorial waters before the arrival of the Spanish missions.

Bacon was established as a visita of Casiguran while Sorsogon, originally in Sitio Pocdol in Capuy, was then established as a visita of Bacon. Sorsogon then became an independent, full-fledged parish in 1628 due to an increase in population. The two parishes later became civilian political units.[7]

The Pueblo Civil de Bacon was established in 1754, with Juan Elias as its first gobernadorcillo. Sorsogon became an independent pueblo in 1864. Both Bacon and Sorsogon were under the territorial jurisdiction of the province of Albay until the establishment of the independent province of Sorsogon on October 17, 1894.[8]

In 1951, Sorsogon was made the center of the episcopal see of the then newly established Roman Catholic Diocese of Sorsogon comprising the Sorsogon and Masbate provinces, with the Saints Peter and Paul Parish Church in the town of Sorsogon as the designated cathedral.[9]

Sorsogon City covers a land area of 31,292 hectares (120.82 sq mi). It is at the southernmost tip of the Bicol Peninsula and of Luzon Island. The city is bounded by Castilla in the west, Manito in the northwest, Albay Gulf in the north, Prieto Diaz in the east, Gubat in the southeast, Casiguran in the southwest, and Sorsogon Bay in the south. Sorsogon is characterized by an irregular topography; mountain ranges on the north-west, sloping uplands on the central part of the city, plain areas southwestern and central north and southeast portion, and marshlands on the southeast deltas. It is also surrounded by water, with Sorsogon Bay to the west Albay Gulf to the northeast, and Philippine Sea in the east.

Panoramic view of Sorsogon Bay

Sorsogon City is 581 kilometres (361 mi) southeast of Manila and 54 kilometres (34 mi) south of Legazpi City. The 2015 Census puts the city's population at 168,110 with an annual growth rate of 0.84%. Sorsogon City ranked as the 3rd largest city in terms of population in the Bicol region. The only city in the province of Sorsogon, Sorsogon City is the largest in terms of land area in the Bicol region.

The Pan-Philippine Highway which runs from northwest to southeast through the city, connects Sorsogon City to the municipalities of Castilla, Pilar, in the northwest towards Daraga, Legazpi City, Naga City and the rest of Luzon. It also connects to the municipalities of Gubat, Casiguran and the rest of the second district municipalities of the province of Sorsogon in the southeast.

Demographic statistics:[14]

• Annual Growth Rate 1.69% for the period 2000 – 2007
• Population Growth Rate – 2.15% (1995–2000)
• Population Density - 627 persons per square kilometer
• Total Number of Households 30,290
• Male Population - 77,117
• Female Population - 74,337
• Religion – 95% Roman Catholic
• Labor Force – 56% of the total population, 1/4 of the over-15 years old is, at least, high-school graduate, 15% of the total workforce have college-level education
• Student Population - 15,323
• Voting Age Population - 83,123

Rizal Street in downtown area

Sorsogon City is the economic center of Sorsogon Province and a hub of trade and commerce. As one of the major cities in the Bicol Region, only after Naga City, Camarines Sur and Legazpi City in Albay, many people in Sorsogon City and its nearby municipalities and provinces as far as Northern Samar, Samar and Masbate visit the city during the day. This causes the city's daytime population to rise and cause traffic to parts of the city, especially the downtown area. The city is a vital financial center housing numerous banks, non-bank financial institutions, manufacturing corporation and offices of major government departments and agencies. Although Sorsogon City does not have significant manufacturing industries, its dynamic service and agricultural sectors drive the economy forward.

In 2022 COA Report, Sorsogon City ranked third out of the seven cities in the Bicol Region with a total revenue of ₱1.42 billion pesos only after Legazpi City (₱1.84 billion) and Naga City (₱1.76 billion) making it part of the "BIG 3" key urban centers in the region.

Sorsogon City is gradually becoming a major investment hub and is considered one of the emerging cities for doing business in the country. Investors in banking, real estate, retail, manufacturing and other business and industrial enterprises are similarly drawn to the city because of its rapid advancements of government infrastructure and business-friendly environment.

As a gateway to the Visayas and Mindanao, tourism plays a major part as a catalyst in contributing to Sorsogon City's economy. There are myriad of selections of attractions in the city that tourists can visit. Here are the Sorsogon City’s point of interests, destinations, and attractions:

The city's local government is headed by a mayor elected by popular vote. The Vice Mayor serves as the presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (city council), with 12 Councilors elected by popular vote as its members.[32] The Sangguniang Panlungsod serves as the city's legislative body and its role is to enact ordinances, approve resolutions, appropriate funds for the general welfare of the city and its inhabitants. Both the council members and the mayor serve three-year terms; and eligible for re-election for two more three-year terms.[33]

The 3 Districts of Sorsogon City shown in the picture: Marked in green is Bacon district, Yellow is the East District and in Blue, the West district.

Sorsogon Sports Complex

In order to spur development in the city, The Toll Regulatory Board declared Toll Road 5 the extension of South Luzon Expressway.[34] A 420-kilometer, four lane expressway starting from the terminal point of the now under construction SLEX Toll Road 4 at Barangay Mayao, Lucena City in Quezon to Matnog, Sorsogon, near the Matnog Ferry Terminal. On August 25, 2020, San Miguel Corporation announced that they will invest the project which will reduce travel time from Lucena to Matnog from 9 hours to 5.5 hours.[35]

The Sorsogon Sports Complex (Formerly known as the Balogo Sports Complex) is a complex of sport facilities located at Brgy. Balogo and its still under rehabilitation. Sorsogon Arena which is the centerpiece of the complex has a total seating capacity of 15,000 spectators and with the total cost of ₱887 Million, the said sports complex will become the largest outdoor sports complex in the Southern Luzon and in Bicol Region. It is scheduled to host the Palarong Bicol, PRISAA National Games and Palarong Pambansa.[36] Mohri & P.A. Associates are the architecture of that project with the total area of 56,218 sq. m. and a 4-storey Roman Colosseum-inspired stadium.[37]

The Sorsogon Coliseum is a proposed indoor sporting arena located within the Sorsogon Capitol Compound in Sorsogon City is set to be an inspiring structure, boasting a seating capacity of a massive 10,000 to 12, 000 spectators. This state-of-the-art venue will not only cater to various events but also serves as a beacon of progress and culture in the province. The Sorsogon Coliseum is projected to be completed in 2025 which is expected to draw attention both in local and national, making Sorsogon a prominent destination for sports, entertainment and cultural activities.

The Sorsogon City Convention Center (SCCC) can now host big events such as conventions, exhibits, trainings and competitions. The 4,099 square meters facility can accommodate up to 2,500 spectators thus, boosting socio economic activities in the province of Sorsogon. It is envisioned to be the premier venue for local and international meetings, social and corporate events. It is located in City Hall Complex, Brgy. Cabid-an, Sorsogon City adjacent to Sorsogon Cultural Center for the Arts.

The Sorsogon Cultural Center for the Arts is a state-of-the-art facility in the City of Sorsogon for audio and visual presentations and will house exhibit rooms and halls for shows and performances as well as offices. It was designed to be the country’s second main arts facility next to the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP),The 2,638-square meter edifice features an outdoor lobby, lounge lobby, vestibule, spectators’ area, orchestra pit, performance stage, and a seating capacity of 338 on the ground floor and 177 on the mid-floor level. The Sorsogon Cultural Center for the Arts will be a grand place to cover film and broadcast arts, as well as literary and visual arts. Its presence will encourage local artists to pursue their passion through numerous workshops, seminars, anthologies, exhibits, symposia, competitions, and awards. It will establish good network among local and regional artists as well as cultural workers in the country. It will also be a venue for local communities for organizing their leisure, providing opportunities for self-expression, initiatives and cultural education.[38]

The City Government of Sorsogon started to construct the 4-Level Sorsogon City Public Parking aims to address the roadside parking issues and ease traffic congestion. Due to the increasing number of motor vehicles plying the city roads and address the worsening traffic congestions in the central business district area in Rizal and Magsaysay Streets. It will also cater to the parking needs of marketgoers and businesses since it is well within the public market area. It is located in the area formerly Plaza Bonifacio, Brgy. Sirangan, Sorsogon City.

Pili Festival – This is Sorsogon City’s major festival in honor of the patron saints of the city, Sts. Peter and Paul. The Pili tree (and nut) is indigenous to the province and is known for its various practical, economic and nutritional applications. This festival aims to emphasize its importance, and heightens awareness of the pili. The fiesta’s big attraction is the street dance in which beautifully costumed dancers depict the many uses of the tree. This is celebrated every last week of June (June 29) and usually a week-long celebration (June 19 to 29).[39][40]

• Aldin Ayo - a former Sorsogon City councilor who had coaching stints with Letran Knights,[41] De La Salle Green Archers,[42] UST's Growling Tigers to name a few. Currently the head coach of the Converge FiberXers in the PBA.
• Eddie Garcia – Film actor and director
• Eugenia Apostol - one of the founders of Philippine Daily Inquirer
• Francis "Chiz" G. Escudero – former congressman (1998-2007) of Soesogon's First District, former Sorsogon governor (2019-2022), served 3 terms as a senator (2007-2019) and currently serving as a senator.[43]
• Jessie Dellosa - former Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff. He was born in the former town of Bacon, now a district in the city.
• Jorge Barlin – First Filipino and Bikolano Bishop and was assigned parish priest and Vicar Forane of Sorsogon from 1887 to 1906[44]
• Loida Nicolas Lewis – chairwoman and chief executive officer of TLC Beatrice, LLC, the Lewis Family investment firm and is also chairman and CEO of TLC Beatrice (China) and TLC Beatrice Foods (Philippines).
• Mary Walter – actress, whose career spanned through several decades. She was born in Bacon.[45]
• Vicente Peralta - the late solon represented the 2nd district of Sorsogon in congress from 1953 to 1968. He's a skilled orator and was tagged as one of the Ten Most Outstanding Congressmen by Philippine Free Press and Congressional Press Club.[46] A district hospital[47] and a city street[48] was named after him.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Sorsogon City.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sorsogon City.

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Local Governance Performance Management System