Province in Zamboanga Peninsula, Philippines
Zamboanga del Norte
(from top: left to right) Dakak Beach, Saint James the Greater Church,
Katipunan Arch and Provincial Capitol Building in
Dipolog
Flag
Seal
Motto(s): Unity, Prosperity, Peace
Location in the Philippines
Coordinates:
8°08′00″N 123°00′00″E / 8.1333333°N 123°E / 8.1333333; 123
Country
Philippines
Region
Zamboanga Peninsula
Founded
June 6, 1952
Capital
and largest city
Dipolog
• Type
Sangguniang Panlalawigan
• Governor
Rosalina G. Jalosjos (Nacionalista )
• Vice Governor
Julius C. Napigquit (PDP–Laban )
• Legislature
Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Board
• Total
7,301.00 km2 (2,818.93 sq mi)
• Rank
9th out of 81
Highest elevation (Mount Dansalan)
629 m (2,064 ft)
• Total
1,047,455
• Rank
27th out of 81
• Density
140/km2 (370/sq mi)
• Rank
60th out of 81
• 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 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). Zamboanga del Norte is the 26th populous province in the Philippines.
History [ edit ]
American invasion era [ edit ]
The historical province of Zamboanga in 1918
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.
Philippine independence [ edit ]
Foundation [ edit ]
Through Republic Act No. 711 issued on June 6, 1952, Zamboanga province was divided into two independent provinces, which included Zamboanga del Sur.
Martial law era [ edit ]
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. Both lawyers 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 .
Contemporary [ edit ]
Proposed carving out of new province [ edit ]
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 : 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 .
Geography [ edit ]
Dakak riverside in Dapitan
Zamboanga del Norte covers a total area of 7,301.00 square kilometres (2,818.93 sq mi) 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.
Climate [ edit ]
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
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
Administrative divisions [ edit ]
Political map of the province
Zamboanga del Norte comprises 25 municipalities and 2 cities . Dipolog, Sindangan and Dapitan are the top most densely populated area in the province These are further subdivided into 691 barangays , and clustered into 3 congressional districts .
Sibuco is the largest municipality by land area, constituting 10.72% (782.54 square kilometers) of the total provincial area. Sibutad is the smallest, with 0.90% (65.57 square kilometers).
† Provincial capital and component city
∗ Component city
§ Premier municipality
Municipality
City or municipality
District
Population
±% p.a.
Area
Density
Barangay
Coordinates
[A]
(2020)
(2015)
km2
sq mi
/km2
/sq mi
Baliguian
3rd
2.3%
23,771
22,588
+0.98%
439.26
169.60
54
140
17
7°48′38″N 122°08′43″E / 7.8105°N 122.1452°E / 7.8105; 122.1452 (Baliguian )
Dapitan City
∗
1st
8.1%
85,202
82,418
+0.63%
390.53
150.78
220
570
50
8°39′17″N 123°25′20″E / 8.6548°N 123.4221°E / 8.6548; 123.4221 (Dapitan )
Dipolog City
†
2nd
13.2%
138,141
130,759
+1.05%
241.13
93.10
570
1,500
21
8°35′10″N 123°20′28″E / 8.5861°N 123.3410°E / 8.5861; 123.3410 (Dipolog )
Godod
3rd
1.7%
17,510
17,424
+0.09%
190.00
73.36
92
240
17
7°59′54″N 122°50′30″E / 7.9983°N 122.8417°E / 7.9983; 122.8417 (Godod )
Gutalac
3rd
3.4%
36,090
34,654
+0.78%
492.86
190.29
73
190
33
7°58′21″N 122°23′58″E / 7.9724°N 122.3994°E / 7.9724; 122.3994 (Gutalac )
Jose Dalman
2nd
2.8%
28,881
27,388
+1.02%
135.00
52.12
210
540
18
8°26′33″N 123°01′20″E / 8.4424°N 123.0221°E / 8.4424; 123.0221 (Jose Dalman )
Kalawit
3rd
2.3%
23,812
23,633
+0.14%
217.89
84.13
110
280
14
7°54′17″N 122°31′35″E / 7.9048°N 122.5265°E / 7.9048; 122.5265 (Kalawit )
Katipunan
2nd
4.3%
44,661
45,577
−0.39%
244.12
94.26
180
470
30
8°30′46″N 123°17′05″E / 8.5128°N 123.2847°E / 8.5128; 123.2847 (Katipunan )
La Libertad
1st
0.8%
8,119
8,406
−0.66%
69.51
26.84
120
310
13
8°28′07″N 123°31′33″E / 8.4685°N 123.5257°E / 8.4685; 123.5257 (La Libertad )
Labason
3rd
4.2%
43,934
41,357
+1.16%
169.58
65.48
260
670
20
8°03′52″N 122°31′28″E / 8.0645°N 122.5244°E / 8.0645; 122.5244 (Labason )
Leon B. Postigo
3rd
2.6%
27,639
26,221
+1.01%
255.50
98.65
110
280
18
8°09′10″N 122°55′30″E / 8.1528°N 122.9249°E / 8.1528; 122.9249 (Leon T. Postigo )
Liloy
3rd
4.0%
42,213
39,812
+1.12%
128.43
49.59
330
850
37
8°07′24″N 122°40′45″E / 8.1234°N 122.6793°E / 8.1234; 122.6793 (Liloy )
Manukan
2nd
3.5%
36,887
36,526
+0.19%
246.35
95.12
150
390
22
8°30′57″N 123°05′38″E / 8.5159°N 123.0940°E / 8.5159; 123.0940 (Manukan )
Mutia
1st
1.1%
11,726
12,675
−1.47%
73.58
28.41
160
410
16
8°25′12″N 123°28′34″E / 8.4200°N 123.4761°E / 8.4200; 123.4761 (Mutia )
Piñan
1st
1.9%
20,221
20,161
+0.06%
93.75
36.20
220
570
22
8°28′45″N 123°26′59″E / 8.4793°N 123.4497°E / 8.4793; 123.4497 (Piñan )
Polanco
1st
4.0%
42,265
39,347
+1.37%
206.88
79.88
200
520
30
8°31′52″N 123°21′46″E / 8.5310°N 123.3629°E / 8.5310; 123.3629 (Polanco )
President Manuel A. Roxas
2nd
3.7%
39,198
39,323
−0.06%
206.25
79.63
190
490
31
8°30′51″N 123°13′57″E / 8.5143°N 123.2326°E / 8.5143; 123.2326 (President Manuel A. Roxas )
Rizal
1st
1.4%
15,052
14,021
+1.36%
80.03
30.90
190
490
22
8°31′32″N 123°33′06″E / 8.5255°N 123.5517°E / 8.5255; 123.5517 (Rizal )
Salug
3rd
3.1%
32,134
32,204
−0.04%
206.60
79.77
160
410
23
8°06′25″N 122°45′25″E / 8.1070°N 122.7570°E / 8.1070; 122.7570 (Salug )
Sergio Osmeña Sr.
1st
3.0%
31,942
30,220
+1.06%
556.44
214.84
57
150
39
8°17′57″N 123°30′30″E / 8.2992°N 123.5082°E / 8.2992; 123.5082 (Sergio Osmeña Sr. )
Siayan
2nd
3.5%
36,236
34,966
+0.68%
494.75
191.02
73
190
22
8°15′05″N 123°06′48″E / 8.2513°N 123.1134°E / 8.2513; 123.1134 (Siayan )
Sibuco
3rd
3.4%
36,049
34,620
+0.77%
782.54
302.14
46
120
28
7°17′32″N 122°04′00″E / 7.2923°N 122.0668°E / 7.2923; 122.0668 (Sibuco )
Sibutad
1st
1.7%
17,453
17,645
−0.21%
65.57
25.32
270
700
16
8°36′45″N 123°28′48″E / 8.6126°N 123.4801°E / 8.6126; 123.4801 (Sibutad )
Sindangan
§
2nd
9.9%
103,952
99,435
+0.85%
451.00
174.13
230
600
52
8°14′03″N 122°59′57″E / 8.2343°N 122.9993°E / 8.2343; 122.9993 (Sindangan )
Siocon
3rd
4.6%
48,524
46,907
+0.65%
503.20
194.29
96
250
26
7°42′24″N 122°08′22″E / 7.7067°N 122.1395°E / 7.7067; 122.1395 (Siocon )
Sirawai
3rd
3.0%
31,163
28,799
+1.51%
222.50
85.91
140
360
34
7°35′14″N 122°08′24″E / 7.5873°N 122.1400°E / 7.5873; 122.1400 (Sirawai )
Tampilisan
3rd
2.4%
24,680
24,307
+0.29%
137.75
53.19
180
470
20
7°58′27″N 122°39′51″E / 7.9741°N 122.6643°E / 7.9741; 122.6643 (Tampilisan )
Total
1,047,455
1,011,393
+0.67%
7,300.11
2,818.59
140
360
691
(see GeoGroup box )
Demographics [ edit ]
Population census of Zamboanga del Norte
Year
Pop.
±% p.a.
1903
23,577
—
1918
57,255
+6.09%
1939
138,849
+4.31%
1948
167,700
+2.12%
1960
281,429
+4.41%
1970
409,379
+3.81%
1975
490,515
+3.69%
1980
588,015
+3.69%
Year
Pop.
±% p.a.
1990
676,862
+1.42%
1995
770,697
+2.46%
2000
823,130
+1.42%
2007
907,238
+1.35%
2010
957,997
+2.00%
2015
1,011,393
+1.04%
2020
1,047,455
+0.69%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority
The population of Zamboanga del Norte in the 2020 census was 1,047,455 people, 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 .
Religion [ edit ]
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.
Government [ edit ]
Officials [ edit ]
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:
Board Members [ edit ]
1st District:
Angelica "Angel" Jalosjos Carreon
Patri "Jing" Bajamunde - Chan
2nd District:
Peter Y. Co
Jasmin N. Pinsoy-Lagutin
Dante G. Bagarinao
Michael "Jojo" M. Documento, Jr.
3rd Drstrict:
Kay Marie P. Bolando
Leo Nicanor B. Mejorada
Franco Angelo "Conkee" C. Buctuan
Jeff Raymund "JR" M. Brillantes
Economy [ edit ]
Poverty Incidence of Zamboanga del Norte
Zamboanga del Norte Medical Center in Dipolog
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.
As of 2015, the province's poverty incidence has dropped to 51.6% (ranking 8th). 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.
References [ edit ]
^ a b
"List of Provinces" . PSGC Interactive . Makati, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Archived from the original on May 18, 2001. Retrieved 8 August 2014 .
^ a b c
Census of Population (2020). "Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula)" . Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay . Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved 8 July 2021 .
^
"Republic Act No. 711 - An Act to Create The Provinces of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur" . Chan Robles Virtual Law Library . Retrieved 28 September 2013 .
^ a b
"HEROES AND MARTYRS: AGUILAR, Zorro C." Bantayog ng mga Bayani . 2015-10-09. Retrieved 2021-02-22 .
^
La Viña, Tony (September 22, 2015). "Lesser known, just as heroic" . Manila Standard . Archived from the original on 2021-02-08. Retrieved 2021-02-08 .
^
"Judges under the gun" . Archived from the original on 2021-02-08. Retrieved 2021-02-08 .
^
Isagani S. Amatong (February 14, 2017). "House Bill No. 5040: An Act Creating the Province of Zamboanga Hermosa from the Province of Zamboanga Del Norte" (PDF) . www.congress.gov.ph . Republic of the Philippines - House of Representatives. Retrieved 10 March 2017 .
^
"Seventeenth Congress First Regular Session 2016 - 2017" (PDF) . Journal of the House of Representatives . 73 . Journal Service Plenary Affairs Bureau. February 21, 2017. Retrieved 10 March 2017 .
^
House of Representatives. "House Bill No 9311" (PDF) . Republic of the Philippines . Retrieved 10 March 2024 .
^ a b c d e
"Province: Zamboanga del Norte" . PSGC Interactive . Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved 8 January 2016 .
^
"Weather forecast for Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines" . Storm247.com . Bergen, Norway: StormGeo AS . Retrieved 19 April 2016 .
^ a b
Census of Population (2015). "Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula)" . Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay . Philippine Statistics Authority . Retrieved 20 June 2016 .
^
Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula)" (PDF) . Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay . National Statistics Office . Retrieved 29 June 2016 .
^
"Philippines Census Of Population of all LGUs 1903-2007" . archive.org . Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 14 February 2017 .
^
"Poverty incidence (PI):" . Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020 .
^
"Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF) . Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
^
"2009 Official Poverty Statistics of the Philippines" (PDF) . Philippine Statistics Authority. 8 February 2011.
^
"Annual Per Capita Poverty Threshold, Poverty Incidence and Magnitude of Poor Population, by Region and Province: 1991, 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2015" . Philippine Statistics Authority. 27 August 2016.
^
"Annual Per Capita Poverty Threshold, Poverty Incidence and Magnitude of Poor Population, by Region and Province: 1991, 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2015" . Philippine Statistics Authority. 27 August 2016.
^
"Annual Per Capita Poverty Threshold, Poverty Incidence and Magnitude of Poor Population, by Region and Province: 1991, 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2015" . Philippine Statistics Authority. 27 August 2016.
^
"Updated Annual Per Capita Poverty Threshold, Poverty Incidence and Magnitude of Poor Population with Measures of Precision, by Region and Province: 2015 and 2018" . Philippine Statistics Authority. 4 June 2020.
^
"2021 Full Year Official Poverty Statistics of the Philippines" (PDF) . Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 August 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2024 .
^
"Ten poorest provinces in 2003" . Press Release . Makati, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. 6 June 2006. Retrieved 27 October 2012 .
^
"Philippine Statistics Authority | Republic of the Philippines" . openstat.psa.gov.ph . Retrieved 2018-01-09 .
^
Olchondra, Riza T. (1 November 2011). "Open pit mine ban to hit TVI projects, Philex plan in Zamboanga Norte" . Philippine Daily Inquirer . Retrieved 19 April 2016 . 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.
^
Fiel, Tito N. (12 November 2011). "Zamboanga del Norte ban on open-pit mining stands" . Philippine Daily Inquirer . Inquirer Mindanao. Retrieved 19 April 2016 . 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.
^
"TVI Pacific closes Zamboanga mine" . ABS-CBN News . 21 January 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2016 .
External links [ edit ]
Places adjacent to Zamboanga del Norte
Articles related to Zamboanga del Norte
International
National
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