Pagadian

Pagadian
Component city
City of Pagadian
F.S. Pajares Ave. in Pagadian City, showing the view of Illana Bay in the background
Flag Seal
Nickname(s): Home of the 40 Degree Tricycle Little Hongkong of the South
Motto: Asenso Pagadian!
Anthem:Beautiful Pagadian
Map of Zamboanga del Sur with Pagadian highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Pagadian Location within thePhilippines
Coordinates:7°49′38″N123°26′11″E
Country	Philippines
Region	Zamboanga Peninsula
Province	Zamboanga del Sur
District	1st district
Founded	March 23, 1937
Cityhood	June 21, 1969
Barangays	54 (seeBarangays)
Government
• Type	Sangguniang Panlungsod
•Mayor	Samuel S. Co(PDP-Laban)
•Vice Mayor	Baldomero "Boy Baleleng" Fernandez (NUP)
•Representative	Divina Grace C. Yu
•City Council	Members Sam Tyra F. Co Arnold R. Gavenia Ronald Christopher Glenn L. Ariosa Jesuseller M. Duterte Prescilla M. Fernandez Fernando Y. Pameron Troy B. Asugas Vincenzo E. Cagampang Teodoro M. Quicoy Jesus B. Bajamunde Jr.
•Electorate	137,303 voters (2022)
Area
• Total	378.80 km2(146.26 sq mi)
Elevation	187 m (614 ft)
Highest elevation	1,402 m (4,600 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population (2020 census)
• Total	210,452
• Density	560/km2(1,400/sq mi)
•Households	45,633
Demonym	Pagadianon
Economy
•Income class	1st class component city
•Poverty incidence	13.36 % (2021)
•Revenue	₱ 1,440 million (2020)
•Assets	₱ 4,026 million (2020)
•Expenditure	₱ 835.9 million (2020)
•Liabilities	₱ 1,926 million (2020)
Service provider
•Electricity	Zamboanga del Sur 1 Electric Cooperative (ZAMSURECO 1)
Time zone	UTC+8(PST)
ZIP code	7016
PSGC	097322000
IDD : area code	+63 (0)62
Native languages	Subanon Cebuano Chavacano Tagalog Maguindanaon Iranun
Catholic diocese	Diocese of Pagadian
Patron saint	Santo Niño de Pagadian
Website	www.pagadian.gov.ph

Pagadian,officially theCity of Pagadian(Cebuano:Dakbayan sa Pagadian;Subanen:Gembagel G'benwa Pagadian;Maguindanaon:Kuta nu Pagadian,كوت نو ڤڬديان;Iranun:Bandar a Pagadian,بندر ا ڤاڬاديان;Chavacano:Ciudad de Pagadian;Filipino:Lungsod ng Pagadian), is a 1st classcomponent cityand the capital of theprovinceofZamboanga del Sur,Philippines. It is the regional center ofZamboanga Peninsulaand the second-largest city in the region and in the province, after the independentcity of Zamboanga.According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 210,452 people.The city will be converted to a highly urbanized city by the virtue of Proclamation No. 1247, signed by PresidentRodrigo Dutertedated November 8, 2021.

Pagadian began as stop-over for traders who plied the road between the oldSpanish fort-town of Zamboangaon the southwestern tip of theZamboanga Peninsulaand other bigger towns to the north of the oldZamboanga Province.Except for its sheltered bay and good fishing grounds, it was not a promising site because it is situated on steeply rolling terrain. In the course of its local history, waves of different kinds of people came to stay, and eventually called among themselves "Pagadianons".

The iconic symbol of Pagadian is its uniquely designed tricycle built to adopt to the city's hilly terrain. It is the only place in the Philippines with a public transport inclined at about 25-40° angle.In recent years, these iconic inclined public transport has been slowly being replaced by modernized tricycles, locally called "bao-bao" a kind ofauto rickshaw,due to the latter's fuel-efficiency, less noise and being environment-friendly due to its smoke-less emissions.

Etymology

The city proper and surrounding areas of today's barangays of Muricay, Tawagan Sur and White Beach was originally named Talapukan, an indigenous word that means "a place of numerous springs."The officially accepted origin of its name are words taken fromIranun,pagad( "to wait" ) andpadian( "market" )which shows that Pagadian had been a trading area in the past. Other theories suggest that it was named after a bird that the native inhabitants callgagadianor that the city's name came from the wordpangadyi( "prayer" ), later to be known aspangadyian( "a place to pray" or "land of prayers" ). The name Pagadian is also speculated to be derived from theSubanenwordpengadianwhich means "school".

History

Subanons (Early Historic Era)

Main article:Subanon people

The first known settlers in Pagadian were theSubanon people.The settlers in what would later become Pagadian referred to themselves as "getaw Belengasa,"or" from around the Balangasan River "to distinguish themselves from the nearby Subanen populations who were"getaw Dumenghilas"(from around the Dumangkilas River and Bay),"getaw Sibuguey"(from around the Sibuguey River and Bay), or"getaw Thebed"(from around the river of Thebed in Labangan).

IranunandMaguindanaonsettlers then came and converted the people to Islam.A sizeable number of Subanons who refused to convert eventually settled in the highlands.

Spread of Islam (Pre-20th Century)

Pagadian was under the rule of Sultan Datu Akob, an Iranundatuwhose daughter caught the fancy of Datu Macaumbang (Sultan of Taga Nonok), also an Iranun from Malabang, Tukuran that is now part of Pagadian. He was the son of Sharif Apo Tubo who descended from the bloodline ofSharif Kabungsuan,the first Sultan of theMaguindanao Sultanate.With the approval of Sultan Datu Akob, Datu Macaumbang married Bai Putri Panyawan Akob, the beautiful daughter of the Sultan of Pagadian and Royal Bai Putri of Raya.

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.

Spread of Christianity (Early 1900s)

See also:Roman Catholic Diocese of Pagadian

Christian settlers started arriving in the early part of the 20th century, most of which came from Cebu as evident on the veneration of theSanto 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.

Pagadian Parish became a diocese on November 2, 1971, and is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Ozamis. Msgr. Jesus B. Tuquib served as the first bishop and was installed on February 24, 1973.At that time, theColumban Fatherstook 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.

Under Margosatubig (1920s)

The present-day Pagadian had its beginnings as asitioofMargosatubig.On July 1927, it became a barrio under the Municipal District of Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur upon the implementation of Executive Order no.70.

Prewar Era (1930s)

F.S Pajares Avenue Circa 1953

The transfer the seat of the Labangan Government to Pagadian was made in 1934 through the efforts of Director Teofisto Guingona, Sr. who was commissioned byPhilippine Governor-General Leonard Woodto find out the possibility of transferring the seat of government of the Labangan municipality to another place. A conference was first held, together with the Datus and the early Christian settlers as the idea of the transfer was at first largely opposed by the Christians. Eventually, a consensus was reached when the designated committee led by Datu Balimbingan of Labangan and with the consent of Datu Macaumbang surveyed the western part of the present area and foundTalpokan,a part of the barrio of Pagadian, deemed as a suitable place for such transfer. At the same time, Datu Macaumbang donated 260 hectares of land to Christians who were willing to transfer to the area.

On March 23, 1937, Pagadian became a municipality through Executive Order 77 due to the eager initiative of then Assemblyman Juan S. Alano, with the Jose Sanson appointed as acting mayor. Norberto Bana Sr. was elected as the first officially elected municipal mayor after the regular elections. The Municipality of Pagadian was formed by merging the municipal districts ofLabanganandDinas,as a result, making Labangan a district under its former barrio. The newly created town had 19 barangays or districts.(In 1950 the barrios of Dinas, Legarda, Mirapao, Migpulao, Kalipapa, Pisaan, Bubway, Tiniguangan, Tabina and Dimataling which were under the Municipality of Pagadian, were incorporated into the newly created town ofDimataling.In the same manner, the barrios of Dumalinao Proper, Begong, Nilo, Tigbao, Ticwas, Balongating, Baguitan, Pantad, Napolan, Tagulo, Camanga, Maragang, Sibucao, Tina, Guling, Miculong, Baga, Rebucon, and Mambilik were constituted intoDumalinaoin 1956.)

During World War II

Main article:Battle of Mindanao

Pagadian was occupied by Japanese troops duringWorld War II.From November 5 to 20, 1944, the combined American and Filipino troops attempted to take the town from the Japanese. Sixteen Japanese soldiers were killed, but they remained in possession of Pagadian.

The establishment of the general headquarters of thePhilippine Commonwealth Armyand thePhilippine Constabularywere stationed in Pagadian and active from November 21, 1944, to June 30, 1946, during and in the aftermath ofWorld War II,including the military operations and engagements against the Japanese and liberated areas inMindanaofrom November 21, 1944, to August 15, 1945.

1950s to the 1970s and the Martial Law Years

Main articles:Moro conflict,Martial law under Ferdinand Marcos,andHuman rights abuses of the Marcos dictatorship

On June 6, 1952, Congressman Roseller T. Lim authored R.A. 711 dividing Zamboanga into two provinces -Norte(north) andSur(south) then three months after, on September 17, 1952, it became the capital town of the newly established province of Zamboanga del Sur. Pagadian became a chartered city through R.A. 5478 on June 21, 1969, becoming the third city in theZamboanga Peninsula (Administrative Region).

On August 16, 1976, the city was one of the hardest hit areas in theMoro Gulf earthquake and tsunamiof 1976, considered as the most devastating tsunami disaster in the Philippines in recent times.Pagadian was the major city in the area that was struck by both the earthquake and tsunami and sustained the greatest number of casualties.

The 1970s brought a period of numerous concurrent conflicts on the island of Mindanao, including Pagadian and Zamboanga del Sur.This included land dispute conflicts arising from the influx of settlers from Luzon and Visayas,and from theMarcos administration’s encouragement of militia groups such as theIlaga.News of the 1968Jabidah massacreignited a furor in the Moro community, and ethnic tensions encouraged with the formation of secessionist movements.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.Many of them left schools in Manila and joinedNew People's Armyunits in their home provinces, bringing theMarxist-Leninist Maoist armed conflictto Mindanao for the first time.

The September 1972 declaration of Martial Law began a 14-year period historically remembered forits human rights abuses,often involving the warrantless detention, murder, and physical, sexual, or mental tortureof political opponents, student activists, journalists, religious workers, farmers, and others who fought against the Marcos dictatorship.

In Zamboanga del Sur, these were often attributed tomilitary-endorsed Militias,which included the Ilaga and a number of armed cult groups, which were used to enhance the military's numbers as it fought various resistance movements.Within Pagadian itself, documented human rights violations directly associated with thePhilippine Constabularyincluded the killing of political prisoners at the Pagadian City Jail,while incidents of violence associated with the Militias and armed cult groups included violence during the leadup to the1981 Philippine presidential election and referendum,and the killing of civilians at checkpoints,including that of Catholic church workerMateo Olivarat a checkpoint in Barangay Labangan, sparking local outrage in the Pagadian parish. Olivar would eventually be honored as a martyr of the resistance against the dictatorship at the Philippines’Bantayog ng mga Bayanimemorial.

Growth as a City (late 1980s-present)

Main article:Cities of the Philippines

In the 1980s, the late Pagadian City Mayor, Benjamin Arao initiated a layout for the city's future expansion by proposing a North Diversion Road of which a part would connect to F.S. Pajares Avenue, one of the city's two major roads via a Rotunda that overlooks the greaterIllana Bayand theMoro Gulfbeyond.

Designation as regional center for Region IX

In October 1990 PresidentCorazon Aquinoissued the Executive Order 429 that designated Pagadian City as the Regional Center for Region - IX (Zamboanga Peninsula).But it was not until November 12, 2004 that Pagadian officially became the Regional Center for Region IX- Zamboanga Peninsula due in part to the opposition of Zamboanga City, the former regional center, which delayed the process of the transfer.

Highly urbanized city

Proclamation No. 1247 was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on December 8, 2021, which sought to convert Pagadian into a highly urbanized city.

Geography

Pagadian City view from the Rotonda

Pagadian is on the northeastern side of the Western Mindanao region, bordering onIllana Bay.It is bounded by the municipalities ofTigbaoandDumalinaoon the southwest,Lakewoodon the west,Labanganon the east and northwest, andMidsalipon the north.

About 45% of the total city area is steeply sloping terrain of hills and mountains on the northwestern portion that covers an estimated 15,090 hectares. Mt. Sugarloaf (1,376 m.),Mt. Pinukis(1,213 m.), and Mt. Palpalan (650 m.) are the three notable mountain peaks. Areas in the direct north and central part, have gentle to moderate slopes, making up 47% of the total. The remaining 8% is level or nearly level which makes up most of the eastern and the southern parts of the city. The urban area covers about 845.48 hectares. Elevation of the urban area of the city ranges from 1 MSL(mean sea level)near Pagadian Bay to about 100 MSL in the area of Barangay San Jose.

The Tiguma, Bulatoc, Gatas, and Balangasan Rivers, drain to Pagadian Bay and serve as natural drainage. Due to its topography, most of the city's 54 barangays do not experience flooding. The low-lying southern and eastern part of the city occasionally experienceflooding,especially during heavy rains.

Climate

Climate data for Pagadian
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	31 (88)	31 (88)	32 (90)	32 (90)	30 (86)	29 (84)	29 (84)	29 (84)	29 (84)	29 (84)	30 (86)	30 (86)	30 (86)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	21 (70)	21 (70)	22 (72)	23 (73)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	24 (75)	23 (73)	22 (72)	23 (73)
Averageprecipitationmm (inches)	22 (0.9)	18 (0.7)	23 (0.9)	24 (0.9)	67 (2.6)	120 (4.7)	132 (5.2)	156 (6.1)	119 (4.7)	124 (4.9)	54 (2.1)	24 (0.9)	883 (34.6)
Average rainy days	9.4	9.1	11.5	11.9	20.1	22.5	22.4	23.2	21.5	22.2	15.7	11.5	201
Source: Meteoblue

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 bytropical stormsandtyphoonsas 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.

Barangays

Pagadian is politically subdivided into 54barangays.Each barangay consists ofpurokswhile some havesitios.

Currently, there are 19 barangays which classified as urban (highlighted inbold) and the rest as rural. 

• Alegria
• Balangasan (poblacion)
• Balintawak
• Baloyboan
• Banale
• Bogo
• Bomba
• Buenavista
• Bulatok
• Bulawan
• Dampalan
• Danlugan
• Dao
• Datagan
• Deborok
• Ditoray
• Dumagoc
• Gatas (poblacion)
• Gubac
• Gubang
• Kagawasan
• Kahayagan
• Kalasan
• Kawit
• La Suerte
• Lala
• Lapidian
• Lenienza
• Lison Valley
• Lourdes
• Lower Sibatang
• Lumad
• Lumbia
• Macasing
• Manga
• Muricay
• Napolan
• Palpalan
• Pedulonan
• Poloyagan
• San Francisco (poblacion)
• San Jose (poblacion)
• San Pedro (poblacion)
• Santa Lucia (poblacion)
• Santa Maria
• Santiago (poblacion)
• Santo Niño (poblacion)
• Tawagan Sur
• Tiguma
• Tuburan (poblacion)
• Tulangan
• Tulawas
• Upper Sibatang
• White Beach

Demographics

Population census of Pagadian

Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1939 46,262 — 1948 57,913 +2.53% 1960 41,810 −2.68% 1970 57,615 +3.25% 1975 66,062 +2.78% 1980 80,861 +4.12% 1990 106,307 +2.77%	Year Pop. ±% p.a. 1995 125,182 +3.11% 2000 142,585 +2.83% 2007 161,312 +1.72% 2010 186,852 +5.49% 2015 199,060 +1.21% 2020 210,452 +1.10%
Source:Philippine Statistics Authority

The people of Pagadian (Pagadianons) are classified into three main groups which is based primarily on faith and heritage: (a) the Subanens (or any otherindigenous tribeswho had been living in the area before the advent of Islam in Mindanao), (b) theMuslimsettlers who came from other parts of Mindanao and other places such asSabahandIndonesia,and (c) theChristiansettlers who generally came from the Visayas and Luzon.

The majority of Pagadianons speak theCebuano language.The national language,Filipino(Tagalog) is widely understood and is the native tongue of a small percentage of the population.Maguindanaon,Iranun,Maranao,Tausug,andSamallanguages are used by the Muslim community. TheSubanendialect is exclusively used by the Subanen people, the original inhabitants of the area. Remaining percentage of the population are classified asHiligaynonandZamboangueñospeakers. As with the rest of the Philippines, English is widely understood and is used as the primary language for business.

Economy

Pagadian City Agora Public Market

Boats along the Pagadian fishport

Pagadian posted an average annual regular income of P662,511,106.21 from fiscal year 2009 to 2016, thus classifying it as a 1st classcomponent cityin the Philippines. As of 2023, it is the 7th wealthiest city in Mindanao with a total asset of P5.568 Billion.

The city has an increasing number of businesses in the service sector mainly due to the transfer of the regional offices from Zamboanga City resulting to an influx of visitors from other towns and cities in the Zamboanga Peninsula. This is evident on the current bullish construction trend in the city. Some malls already had made a presence but the most prominent is the city-owned mall,City Commercial Centeror C3 Mall, which was built in 2011. However,agricultureis still considered the primary economic resource with the production of rice, corn, coconut, fruit, root crops and animal husbandry. Special funding-assistance programs by the government are made available for local farmers; theCity Livelihood Development Assistance Program(CILDAP) extends loans to those who need financial assistance for their livelihood.

Production of raw materials like seaweeds, coco processing, cassava constitute a large part of the local economy; small-scale manufacturing of furniture and decors made out of wood, bamboo, rattan, steel and plastic; handicrafts made out of bamboo, rattan, coco shell, wood, marine shell, ceramics, and weaving.

Pagadian Bay and the outerIllana Bay(Iranun Bay) abound with a wide variety of marine products; seaweed culture farming is flourishing in waters off the bay while fishponds near or along the bay yields milkfish, prawns and crabs. A number of large deep-sea fishing vessels that venture into theSulu Seaand as far as theSouth China Seamake Pagadian fishport their base of operation. Because of this, the city is also one of the major suppliers of dried fish and other kinds of seafood in the region.

Another income-generating industry is mining in an area located 1.5 km southeast of Barangay Lison Valley proper approximately forty-nine kilometers from the city proper which yields gold, copper andmolybdenum.

Culture

Festivals

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 ofCebu City.It is officially called thePasalamat Festivalhighlighted with a fluvial parade (regatta), trade exhibits, theMutya ng Pagadianbeauty pageant, carnival shows and a civic military parade. On every June 21, theAraw ng Pagadianis 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: theSubanens,BangsaMoro Muslims andChristians."Megayon"is aSubanenword 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 competitionsare being held.

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

Tourism

Pagadian City Rotunda View Deck Tower

Musical Dancing Fountain in Plaza Luz, Pagadian City

ThePagadian Rotundais a roundabout and circular park that overlooksIllana Baywhere the North Diversion Road and F.S. Pajares Avenue converges, two of the three major roads in the city center (the third one being Rizal Avenue).Plaza Luzis a park located across Pagadian City Hall. The park has a musical dancing fountain that is usually turned on at 6:00 in the evening.Dao Dao Islands.The name is shared by two islands within Illana Bay; thus the addition ofDako(big) andGamay(small) to the names of the islands for simple distinction. "Dao Dao Dako" is the bigger island which is about a hectare and is about 7 to 10‑minute ride by motorboat from the seaport. It has artificial coral reefs made of old tires. "Dao Dao Gamay" is technically not an island, but a sandbar that partially submerges during high tide.Springland Resortis a natural springwater resort, it has three swimming pools, a fishpond and multi-function halls for gatherings.Puting Balasis the literal translation for "white sand" in the local dialect. It is classified as a whitesandbar.A number of caves and waterfalls can also be found in remote barangays of the city. The Provincial Government Complexis the civic, sports and cultural center of the Province of Zamboanga del Sur of which Pagadian is the capital. A standard-sized oval track and field, standard-sized swimming pools and buildings for indoor/outdoor sports as well as a cultural village and the Unity Park, a monument to the Tri-people group (the Lumads, Moslems and Christians) who settled in Pagadian, are located there.

Government

Pagadian City Hall, 2024

The city is governed by the City Mayor. The localSangguniang Panglungsod(City Legislative Council) is presided by the City Vice Mayor with ten elected councilors, and two ex-officio members from theSangguniang Kabataan(Youth Council) and Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) respectively, as members of the council. The city mayor, vice mayor, and councilors are popularly elected to serve a three-year term.

Pagadian is also the seat of theProvincial Government of Zamboanga del Sur.

Elected officials for the 2019–2022 term are:

Members of the Pagadian City Council (2019–2022)

Position	Name	Party
Representative	Divina Grace C. Yu		PDP–Laban
Mayor	Samuel S. Co		Liberal
Vice Mayor	Atty. Baldomero "Boy Baleleng" Fernandez		PDP–Laban
Councilors	Sam Tyra F. Co		PDP–Laban
	Kai-kai Asugas		PDP–Laban
	Marjorie Revelo		PDP–Laban
	Allen Ariosa		PDDS
	Jesus B. Bajamunde Jr.		UNA
	Dra. Dicky Fernandez		Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan)
	Jigger Ariosa		PDP–Laban
	Dr. Ariel Lim		PDDS
	Aiko Yu To		UNA

Infrastructure

Transportation

The Pagadian Inclined Tricycle

Pagadian AirportTerminal facade, 2012

Tricyclesor Bao-Bao are the primary public transport in the urban center whilejeepneysusually 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.

See also:Pagadian Airport

Airport.The city is served by aPrincipal Airport Class 1(ormajor domestic). It is located in Barangay Muricay, approximately five kilometers from the city proper.The airport serves as the only air portal in theProvince of Zamboanga del Surwith direct flights to and fromManilaandCebu.

Seaport.The port of Pagadian City is served by shipping lines operating for both passenger and cargo vessels. Ports of call includeZamboanga City,JoloandSiasiinSulu,BongaoandSitangkaiinTawi-tawi,andCotabato 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, the terminal sits in urban Sta. Lucia District, as the station for both Eastbound and Westbound transport, particularly for public transport bound for neighboring towns especially in the Baganian Peninsula area.

Utilities

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.

Electricity

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

Education

Educational institutions in Pagadian include: High School:

• Pagadian Junior College Incorporated (PJCI) (Junior and Senior High)
• Pagadian Montessori Center Incorporated (PMCI) (Junior and Senior High)
• Pagadian City Chamber School
• Pagadian City Science High School
• Pagadian City Salvation and Praise Learning Center (PCSPLC)
• Pagadian City Pilot School
• Zamboanga del Sur National High School
• Holy Child Academy

College:

• Medina College-Pagadian
• Saint Columban College
• Southern Mindanao Colleges
• Western Mindanao State University- External Studies Unit
• Universidad de Zamboanga- Pagadian Campus
• Pagadian Capitol College
• Eastern Mindanao College of Technology
• Zoom Vocational & Technical School
• West Prime Horizon Institute (SHS & College)
• Our Lady of Triumph Institute of Technology (OLT)
• Yllana Bay View College
• Pagadian City International College (PCIC)
• Zamboanga del Sur, Pagadian Capitol College
• J.H. Cerilles State College(JHCSC)
• Southeast Asian Institute Pagadian City Campus
• Lucan Review Colleges
• Pagadian International College of Philsouth Inc. (Senior HS. and College)

Media

AM radio stations

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

FM radio stations

• 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 withPhilippine 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

TV stations

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

Cable and satellite providers

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

Notable people

• Antonio Cerilles- former Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) during the term of President Joseph Estrada;(from 1998 to 2001);Governor of Zamboanga del Sur from 2010 to 2019.
• Mateo Olivar- Catholic church worker of the Diocese of Pagadianassassinated during theMarcos dictatorshipand one of the first to be formally acknowledged as a martyr of thereligious sector's resistance against the Marcos dictatorshipat the Philippines’Bantayog ng mga Bayani.
• Enrique Ona- former Secretary of Health (2010-December 19, 2014); former executive director of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute.
• Francese Therese Pinlac- is a member of MNL48's Team L. She was also a member of TGC Senbatsu before being promoted as an official member ofMNL48,the official sister group of the highest-selling JPOP phenomenon,AKB48.
• Divina Grace Yu- current 1st district Representative of Zamboanga del Sur, and former vice mayor of Pagadian.
• Victor Yu- current Governor of Zamboanga del Sur from 2019–present.

Sister cities

• Cooma, New South Wales,Australia- established in 1975 through the Philippine-Australian Development Assistance Programme (PADAP) being with the contract with the Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation, based in the City of Cooma, which undertook development projects within the Province of Zamboanga del Sur.
• Koronadal City

External links

• Pagadian
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Official website
• Basic Facts for Pagadian