City of Dipolog
Seal
Nickname: The Orchid City
Location of Dipolog City in the Province of Zamboanga del Norte island of Mindanao, in the Philippines
Coordinates: 08°35′N 123°20′E / 8.583, 123.333
Region	Zamboanga Peninsula
Province	Zamboanga del Norte
Chartered as City	January 1 1970
Government
- Mayor	Evelyn Uy
- Vice-Mayor	Senen Angeles
- Legislative body	City Council
Area
- City	sq mi ([[1 E+6 m²_m²|km²]])
- Land	sq mi ( km²)
- Water	sq mi ( km²)  14%
Elevation	ft ( m)
Population (2007)
- City
- Density	/sq mi (/km²)
- Urban
- Metro
Time zone	PST ([[UTC+8]])
- Summer (DST)	PDT ([[UTC+7]])
Website: www.dipologcity.com/

The City of Dipolog is a 2nd class city in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines. It is the capital of Zamboanga del Norte. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 99,862 people in 20,461 households. It has an area of 137 km² and is surrounded by rolling hills to the southeast and the Sulu Sea in the north. The World Telephone Area Code is +6365 and the Philippine Postal Code is 7100.

Dipolog is known for its wild orchids and its sardines industry stemming from a rich fishing area off its shores. It is the "Gateway to Western Mindanao" through the western nautical highway" ^[1] and have as its title the "Bottled Sardines Capital of the Philippines"^[2]

Dipolog can be reached through plane via Dipolog Airport or by ferry boat at the nearby Pulauan Port^[3] in Dapitan City. Recent construction of a Roll-on Roll off (RORO) facility at Barangay Galas will pave the way for the eventual transfer of the service to Dipolog while retaining inter-island operations at the soon to be base port of Pulauan.

In 2006, a study by National Statistics Coordination Board (NSCB), found Dipolog City to be the wealthest City in Zamboanga Peninsula per capita with poverty incident of only .2315 percent, richer than Zamboanga City figures of .2381 and Pagadian City figures of .2715 percent. Its mother Province has however a starling contrast of its economic state with poverty figure around .4036 percent making it one of the Philippines's poorest province having a poverty incidence rate of 64.6% in 2003, an increase from 47% in year 2000 statistical figures"^[4][1] [2]

A foreshore boulevard project is the latest attraction in the City popular as an exercise haven in the morning and a leasure spot at nights for all ages. The construction of its 2nd phase has already started to extend its total length to more than 2 km all the way to the seaport in Barangay Galas under phase 3. The boulevard is use as venue for different celebrations and festivals in the city.

Dipolog Orchid(Vanda Sanderiana -Family Orchidaceae). The rare orchid was first discovered in Dipolog and so the name. It is now classified however as an endangered specie.

History

Cultural

Dipolog shared much of its cultural history with the ancient town of Dapitan to which it once belonged. It traces its beginnings long before the Spanish conquistadores set foot on the island of Mindanao. Dipolog was previously known as Tulwanan, in native language, literally meaning a settlement by the river. Its earliest settlers all belonged to the Subanen Tribe called Subanon or river people with established religion founded in animism. These Austronesian descended from the malay ethnic group which roamed Mindanao and Southeast Asia through land bridges as early as 30,000 years ago^[5] Later migrations of other tribes were made by water and took place over several thousand years.^[6]

By 12th Century, Subanen settlers colonized most of what is now Zamboanga Peninsula region. The tribe, established their settlement at the mouth of each large river system due to abundance of food supply. However, due to frequent raids from seafaring Chinese pirates, has decided to moved their settlement inland.

By 14th Century,Tulwanan was established 6 kilometers inland adjoining the river near the present day baragay center of Lugdungan.

By 15th Century, settlers from neighboring Negros and Bohol islands established coastline settlements in Mindanao but suffered the same raids by Chinese pirates prompting them to establish settlement also away from the coastline for the same safety reason.They established another settlement in what is now called Sianib, a barangay of present day Polanco town, some twenty kilometers from the coast at Barrio Punta (Barangay Punta).

It is only in 1563 where the first recorded Visayan settlement of some 800 families from Bohol headed by its Chieftain Datu Pagbuaya landed in Mindanao and estasblished coastal settlement in what is now called Dapitan, strong enough to repel seafaring pirates of the Sulu Sea. Dapitan Bay was scene of many bloody conflicts between Pagbuaya's men and the Chinese pirates.

Mindanao's first Christian settlement

By 1565, Don Miguel Lopez de Legazpi accompanied by famed navigator fr. Andres de Urdaneta, an Augustinian friar, visited Datu Pagbuaya, a Boholano Chieftain, upon the invitation of Datu Sikatuna and found the place of Datu pagbuaya, a triving settlement. Fr. Urdaneta named the place in his cronicle Daquepitan. Peter Kaerius (A.K.A. Pieter van den Keere) cartographic map of 1598 identified the location as Dapito, and "Dapite” in Robert Dudley's map of 1646. Other names include “Dapyto” in Sanson’s map of 1652, and “Dapitan” in Moll’s map of East Indies 1729 and in Murillo Velarde’s map of 1734. After Legaspi's visit Christianization of Mindanao officially began by Augustinian friars who came with him.

Evangelization of the Jesuits by St. Francis Xavier inset picture

By 1581, The Society of Jesus congregations came to the Philippines for evangelization. When the country was divided among four religious congregations for their area of responsibility in 1598, the Jesuits were given the Diocese of Cebu which covered the Visayas and Mindanao. Dapitan fell under the jurisdiction of the courageous men of St. Ignatius. Father Pascual de Acuña S.J. started the Jesuit mission in Dapitan.

Center of Mindanao Evangelization

By 1607, Some 200 natives of Dapitan became formal converts to the Christian faith. Christian missionaries also established the faith in neighboring settlement of Tulwanan.

By 1609, the squadron of Juan Juarez Gallinato S.J. defeated the Manguindanau Muslims in a ferocious battle near Dapitan[3].

By 1609, a permanent Dapitan mission was founded headed by a Jesuit missionary, Father Pedro Gutierrez making Dapitan as the Center of Evangelization in Mindanao[4]. Subsequent mission station was established later by the Jesuits in Zamboanga, Iligan, and Butuan. Outside of these areas, however, the whole Mindanao remained untouched by the Spanish Cross.

By 18th Century, Spanish Naval Fleet anchored at Dapitan Bay controlled much of the piracy, this time done by moro bandits, in Sulu Sea which encouraged settlement at coastal areas. New settlers from Negros and Bohol eventually made settlement ashore in Isab, and Nipaan. But the biggest settlement was made at the mouth of Dipolog river by the Boholanos not associated with Pagbuaya.

Political

Spanish Regime

Earliest recorded political history of Dipolog started in 1834 with the re-organization of Spanish Civil Government. At that time, Tulwanan's political territory was still part of the Municipality of Dapitan with Don Domingo Ruiz, a native, as its Capitan or town executive. Sometime that year, a Spanish Recollect Missionary arrived in Tulwanan looking for its barrio executive or local chieftain. Upon meeting a native, the Missionary asked; "Donde esta el Capitan?". The native understanding only the word "Capitan" pointed to the west and said in Subano Di-pag, " meaning across the river. Guided by his Muchacho a Tagalog boy named Antonio Subido, the Friar proceeded down river and upon reaching the Boholano settlement named the place "Dipag". Technically, Dipag and Tulwanan are two different settlement at that time with the former composed of Boholano natives and the latter mostly of subanen ancestry. When the friar returned to Dapitan, he identified the location of the larger Boholano settlement as Dipag but was not officially written. Frequent conversations by the Spaniards pronounced it in Spanish accent Dipoog which was eventually adopted by the natives. The final political survey surprisingly added the letter L written on it after officially becoming a Barrio of Dapitan. From that time Tulwanan's political identity ceased to exist.

From Ruiz, civil administration changed hands in stable succession, with Martino Belarmino, who was popular by the name Maglinte. Francisco Magallanes, Victorio Gobune; another man whose name history record had as Toribio had his chance, followed by Venancio Narvaez, Francisco Orbita, Bautista Narvaez, Martencio Yebes and Sabino Bengua.

By 1889, administrative designations reverted to Capitanes, and those appointed were Martin Fernandez, Tomas Narvacan, Eustaquio Cajocon, Simplicio Lacaya, Basilio Tabiliran, Maximiano Ruiz and Bruno Ordinaria in 1898.

By February 1894, the Catholic Chapel constructed by the jesuits was renovated for the first time, on an altar designed by Dr. Jose Rizal to which now stands the Holy Rosary Cathedral.

By 1896, the friars established Dipolog as a regular parish and installed Father Esteban Yepes its first administrator in 1897.

American Regime

After the transfer of Spanish sovereignty to the United States in 1897, the U.S. occupation forces renamed the Capitan to Presidente Local, with administrative support from a Vice Presidente Local, a Delegado de Justicia and a Delegado de Policia. Martin Fernandez was appointed Presidente Local in the year 1900, followed by Diosdado Mercado, Gaudencio Zorilla and Isidro Patangan as Presidente Municipal between 1901 and March 1904.

Big Leap

By 1900, Dipolog was a triving commercial community with new settlers arriving from the island of Cebu, outgrowing its principal town of Dapitan which exclusively remained part of Pagbuaya's clan.

By 1910, John Helper, who was previously appointed Secretary of Zamboanga Province visited Dipolog for two days and conversed with its principalia and members of the Centro Catolico de Dipologwho was asked later of the possibility of converting the barrio to an independent Municipality.

By 1912, Gov. John J. Pershing of the Department of Mindanao and Sulu decreed the separation of Dipolog from Dapitan.

By July 1, 1913, Gov. John J. Pershing, declared Dipolog as a Municipality. General Pershing also appointed Pascual T. Martinez as its first Municipal Mayor.

Philippine Republic

By June 21, 1969, Philippine President Ferdinand E. Marcos signed into law the Dipolog City Charter, under Republic Act 5520, making Dipolog a chartered city effective January 1, 1970. Mayor Felicisimo Herrera was made the last Municipal Mayor (1963-1970) and the first City Mayor of Dipolog (1970-1978). On March 8, 1982 the Sangguniang Panlungsod adopted the Dipolog City March composed by Mrs. Antonina O. Romano as the City's official song.

Geography

Dipolog City is situated in the Northwestern part of the Province of Zamboanga del Norte.It is bounded on the North by Dapitan City, on the East by the municipality of Polanco, on the South by the municipality of Katipunan and on the West by the Sulu Sea with an area of 13,628 hectares.

Territory

Original Territory

In 1914, it has an approximate land area of 248,587 hectares under Act No. 302 of the Philippine Islands

New Territory

In 1951, its land area was reduced to the current 13,628 hectares after two barrio's of Dipolog were converted into Municipality of Polanco, and Pinan under Executive Order of the President No. 467, dated August 22, 1951.

Topography

Administrative Subdivisions

Barangays

Dipolog Fish Market

The Provincial Capitol in Dipolog City

Dipolog City is politically subdivided into 21 barangays.

Economy

The city is rising to become a first class city by 2009 with Bangko Sentral Ng Pilipinas putting up its branch to catapult the banking industry sector which now host 15 commercial and rural banking establishments, excluding different lending institutions.

Shopping Centers

The under construction Lee Plaza on Quezon avenue.

Frontview of Dipolog Center Mall.

• Lee Plaza on General Luna Street.
• Dipolog Center on Mall. Rizal Avenue.
• Dipolog Friendly on Mart.Quezon Avenue.
• Lee Super Plaza(under construction) on Quezon Avenue.
• Dipolog Shopping Center on Rizal Avenue.
• Lyndsey Emporium (formerly Jerry's Shoppers World) on Rizal Avenue.
• Mennens Gift Mart on Rizal Avenue.

Restaurants

• Jollibee
• Greenwich
• Jos Chicken Inato
• Top Diner
• Sunburst Fried Chicken
• Chicken Ati-atihan
• Big Joes Burger
• Chip'n Lechon Manok
• Chowking (soon in the city)
• CL Inn Fastfood
• Seafoods Park and Native Delicacies
• Tsibugan sa Dipolog
• Tsibugan sa Boulevard
• Seven Treasures Restaurant
• Alison's Food Plaza
• Festival Shopping Arcade Food Court
• 1948 Cafeteria
• Don's Pizza & Budget Meals
• Friends Burger
• Lion's Den
• Morgia's BBQ & Lechon Manok
• Roadside Cafe and Restaurant
• Seafoods Park & Restaurant
• Sylvia's Best Restaurant
• Rhekos Pizza
• Shell Park and Remedios Restaurant
• Cana's Cake Shop
• Circus Caffe
• Giacomino's Pizza
• Inato Snack Bar
• Grandma's Best Restaurant and Bakeshop
• Turn Pike
• Coup de Foudré

Home Developers

There are several home developers in the city that make it an ideal place to live both for Filipinos and foreigners:

• Mediatrix Homes Inc.- the leading subdivision and housing developer in the city offers premium and luxurious types of houses.
• Orchid Villas- own by Hozac Realty Corporation and one of the largest home developer in Zambonag Peninsula. All units are sold.
• Jasmine Villas- another Villa develop by Hozac Realty Corporation.
• Victoria Country Homes
• Esperanza Village

Accommodations

There are 4 major hotels in the city, other pension houses and lodges offering economical and high class services:

1. Top Plaza Hotel in Echavez St. cor. Quezon Avenue is a 4-story building with restaurant on ground floor Tel. No.: (065) 212-5777/212-5888.

2. Hotel Camila in Gen. Luna Street Tel. No.: (065) 212-3009/212-3008.

3. Hotel Camila 2 in National Highway Turno.

4. Mibang Hotel in Mibang, Sta. Filomena Tel. No.: (065) 212-6689.

5. Top Plaza Pensionne

6. CL Inn in Rizal Avenue Tel. No.: (065) 212 3216.

7. Jagis Beach Resort & Recreation Center

8. Montano Inn & Catering Services

9. West End Court Inn

10. Village Hotel

11. Chip'n by the sea

Medical Services

• Zamboanga del Norte Medical Center
• Dipolog City Hospital (Zamboanga del Norte Integrated Provincial Hospital)
• Dipolog Medical Center Hospital, Sta. Filomena, Dipolog City. Tel. +63(65)212-2555
• Ospital Ng Kabataan
• Zamboanga del Norte Cooperative Hospital
• Sta. Isabel General Hospital

Tourism

The entrance to the 3003 steps Linabo Peak.

*LINABO CLIMB - The 4004 Steps to Linabo Peak is one of the favorites and desired destinations of our local and foreign tourist as it offers a fantastic view of the twin cities of Dipolog and Dapitan, the sky, plains and sea horizon after trailing the 3003 concrete steps wind along the tunnels of verdant trees. It is also the venue for the annual “Katkat Sakripisyo” of Catholic devotees who perform their penitential rites during the Lenten Season.

Sungkilaw falls.

*COGON PARK - The Cogon Eco-Park is a 344 hectares reforestation area situated in Barangay Cogon established in 1958. Tourists who visited the area were all amazed gazing the matured trees growing wild with different species like Mahogany, Teak, Yemane, Lumbayao, Molave, Acacia, Narra, Mayapis, Lauan, Narig, Tianong, Duguan, Lumbayao, Rattan and Nato. They also enjoyed the company of various species of birds, reptiles, and wild animals. It is also one of the favorite camping sites of different mountaineering groups. Presently,under development in the area are the construction of Information Center, Subanen Valley, Picnic cottages, well landscaped ground at the entrance, parking area, aviary, and different cages for diverse animals. Adjacent to Barangay Cogon is Barangay Diwan, part of the eco-tourism complex housing the Organization of International Spiritual and Cultural Advancement or OISCA Forest Park, a a joint project of the OISCA of Japan, locally managed by Heroshi Ikeda, and the City Government of Dipolog. It also houses the Dipolog OISCA Children’s Forest Park. The most prominent feature of the park is the Sungkilaw Falls.

*STA. CRUZ - (Punta Corro) is the spot where migrating Boholanos from the Visayas landed and established settlement. A cross was erected by the settlers on May 3, 1905 as a thanksgiving altar to God for their safe journey. Roman Catholic mass were likewise celebrated on this area before the Spaniards established a Chapel 1.5 kilometers inward along the town center street now known as Rizal Avenue. A Cathedral was later erected by the Spanish friars sometime in 1895 replacing the old church, with Dr. Jose Rizal designing the church altar from a sketch requested by his former professor, Fr. Jose Villa Clara, a Dapitan missionary.

*DIPOLOG HALL - Built on July 1, 1913 under the administration of General John J. Pershing. The corner street houses the Monument of Three Prominent Dipolognons namely Hon. Pascual T. Martinez, the first appointed Mayor of Dipolog in 1913-1918), Rev. Fr. Nicasio Y. Patangan, the first Filipino Diocesan Priest of Mindanao and Eugenio R. Margate, a farmer for 25 years who introduced the MARGATE SYSTEM OF PLANTING RICE. He also authored the book “Humay” and “100 Kabanes Matag Hektarya” and he was declared as “MAN OF THE YEAR 1954”.

Rotonda fountain.

*DIPOLOG FOUNTAIN - Located at Estaka-Turno road junction is the Fountain of Blessings. The statutes represent the tri-people of Mindanao, which symbolize the diverse cultures prevailing in Dipolog. The bowl raised to heavens is a gesture of thanksgiving and offering to God Almighty for the generous outpouring of graces and blessings, bountiful harvests and sustained peace and prosperity.

Known Tourism Activities

• Sinulog sa Dipolog every 3rd Saturday of January featuring pageantry and street dancing for the Sto. Niño,
• Katkat Sakripisyo at Linabo Peak in April,
• Pagsalabuk Festival in May with harvest rituals of the Subanens,
• Feast of St. Vincent Ferrer during 3rd Saturday of May,
• Araw ng Dipolog marked July 1 to 6 with sports, cultural, and beauty pageants highlighted with Mutya sa Dipolog,
• October 8 Fiesta which is the Feast of the Lady of the Holy Rosary,
• Pasko sa Dipolog nightly shows in December.
• Also to be anticipated is Araw ng Zamboanga del Norte or the HUDYAKA ZANORTE FESTIVAL celebrated every first week of June.

Infrastructure

This are the projects in the city:

• Completion of the second phase of Dipolog boulevard that will extend for 1 km or more.
• Completion of Dipolog feeder port
• Construction of Barra-Minaog bridge
• Construction of 10, 000 seating capacity Folk Art Theater
• Expansion of Dipolog Airport
• Dipolog Pilot Demonstration School Mini-Gym
• Construction of Turno-Galas Road

Education

Colleges

• Andres Bonifacio College (soon to be a university)
• Dipolog Medical Center College Foundation
• Jose Rizal Memorial State College (Dipolog branch)
• Dipolog City Institute of Technology
• Dipolog School of Fishery
• Saint Vincent's College
• STI College Dipolog
• Dipolog Computer School Inc.

Communications

The city is serve by these cellphone network operators:

• SMART Telecommunications
• GLOBE
• DIGITEL (SUN Cellular)

Of these three, only SMART Telecommunications has its business center in the city so it favored the public to subscribe in their network because of the assistance of its business center for their services offered to the public. The economy of the city is now attractive to investors and the city is just waiting for the two network operators to have their own business centers to compete to the services provided by SMART Telecommunications in its business center.

Television Stations

• GMA Network Channel 04
• National Broadcasting Network Channel 11
• ZOE Broadcasting Network Channel 26 (to operate soon)
• ABS-CBN Channel 42

Radio stations

AM RADIO STATIONS

FM RADIO STATIONS

External links

• City of Dipolog Web Site
• Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines,2005,NSCB,WB
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• 2000 Philippine Census Information
• Hotel Resort Restaurant Association of Dipolog
• Mediatrix Homes Inc.
• AMBIBO

Coordinates: 8°35′N, 123°20′E

References

cbk-zam:Ciudad de Dipolog

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