Dubbed as the “ Little Hongkong of the South “, Pagadian City is the crossroad between the cities of Ozamis City and Iligan City in the east, Zamboanga City in the west, Dipolog City in the north, and Cotabato City in the south across Yllana Bay.   Its rolling terrain, friendly people, serene mountains, fascinating scenic spots,  commercial establishments provide delight to those who love adventure and fun in this vibrant city which will soon be the “ Mango Bastion of Western Mindanao.” Community involvement, urban space greening and the efficient operation of the Agora and the Slaughterhouse  made  the city  won the “Cleanest and Greenest City for Region IX consecutively ,in CY 1998 and CY 1999.  

The City is geographically  situated in the northeastern side of the province of Zamboanga del Sur , Region IX, Mindanao , with a land area of 378.80 square kilometers of rolling terrain delineated by the

Zamboanga Peninsula

municipal boundaries of Midsalip in the north ;  Labangan in the northwest and east ;   Lakewood in the west ;  and Dumalinao in the southwest. 

It is generally characterized by sometimes steeply sloping landscape, influenced by the mountain networks on the north and western frontiers. A total of about 15,090 hectares or 45% of the total land area have strongly sloping terrain , steep hills and mountains while 47%  have gently sloping to moderately sloping landscape ; the rest, approximately 8%  in the southern and most of the eastern parts are level or nearly level.  

The City is located within the tropics of the northern Hemisphere which is characterized by pronounced dry season from January to March and rainy season from April to December. The prevailing winds are the southeast wind that blow shot gust wind from over the sea during dry season going northeast, and the trade winds brought about by the mountain range.  The area does not experience typhoons due to its geographic location being situated away from the typhoon belt.  

Agriculture.   Approximately 55% of the  city’s area is dominated by agricultural activities. Rice, corn, coconut, fruit and root crops are produced in the rich  fields and farms. Agricultural technologies, services   and other agricultural extension  services  are introduced   to uplift , enhance and maximize  production.  Special programs like the plant-now-pay later program, grains production enhancement program,  and  the City Livelihood Development Assistance Program ( CILDAP) - extension of loans  are continuously implemented yearly  for the farmers’ benefit.  Livestock  production have been increasing  for hogs, goats, cows and   poultry production to 800,792 heads for CY 1999.   

Fishing.   Fishing  grounds  are the Pagadian Bay  and the Illana Bay that  abound a wide variety of fish species and crustaceans  and the culture of seaweeds . Fishponds nurture milkfish, prawns and crabs.  Deep sea fishing vessels  dock  along the wharf’s boulevard.

Mineral.  Mining area is located one and a-half (1  ½ ) kilometers southeast of  Barangay Lison Valley proper approximately forty-nine  (49) kilometers from the city proper.   Deposits are gold, copper and molybdenum.  

Agriculture is the dominant economic activity  and is ranked foremost in the city’s priorities  that include  crop production, food processing, livestock , poultry breeding and fishing.   Small   to medium  scale enterprises venture mostly on  rice-and-corn milling operations, food processing, agri-based wholesale and retailing and coco oil processing.  Other  businesses are ice plant and cold storage facilities,  construction  firms,  community and personal services .   

Seaport.  The port of Pagadian City is located in the central part of the city , with seven(7) shipping lines operating and serving both passengers and for cargoes. Ports of call include Zamboanga City, Jolo, Siasi, Bongao, Sitangkai and Cotabato City.

Airport.   The city has  a secondary airport that accommodates both commercial and private aircrafts. It is located five (5) kilometers away from the city proper in Barangay Muricay.

Land transport/road network.  The city is traversed by ribbons of roads with a total length of 374.0705 kms.  of which 311.0285 kms. are barangays roads,  43.26  kms. are city roads ,  5.982 kms. are city alleys and 13.800 kms are national roads.  A total of 235.2265 kms. or 62.88 % are concrete roads out of 374.0705 kms.  of roads. The city also has  a total of 289.81 lineal meters of bridges/spillway/box culvert  -   3 national bridges,  5 city bridges,  5 barangay bridges, 6 barangay spillways and 1 barangay box culvert.  Four bus companies serve the city  regularly for Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, Ozamis, and Dipolog   while buses, minibuses and jeepneys  are the means of transportation in the neighboring municipalities of Zamboanga del  Sur.  Motorized  tricycles  are the primary transport  in the urban center  while jeepneys are increasing to serve the rural barangays.  Private vehicles constitute the greatest number of registered vehicles  in the city.    

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

Water.  Urban barangays of the city is supplied with potable water by the Pagadian City Water District (PCWD). Springs and deep wells  are the sources of water supply in the city , both in the urban and rural barangays . Water system in the rural barangays are categorized into Level I, Level II and Level III.

Telecommunications.   The telephone system of the city is provided by Cruz Telephone Company (CRUZTELCO) and  limited to urban barangays. Other  telephone  providers cater  long distance  via PLDT.  Two mobile phone systems (SMART and  GLOBE) ,  six  radio stations , two cable television networks,  one  TV  station,  six  mail service companies , and  the Philippines Postal Corporation  also  provide  domestic and international communication.     Twenty-three   national, regional and local   newspapers/magazines are in wide circulation. The city   has two(2) based internet service providers  where  various internet café  rise.         

Financial Services.  Seventeen (17) banks ,  various lending  investors,  pawnshops, jewelry shops and goldsmiths operate in the city.  On-line computer technology facilitates bank financial transactions between a number of branches and headquarters in Metro Manila and abroad.  

-     Potential  areas for agri-industry

-     Vast  agricultural lands

-     Stable power  supply

-     Availability of communication facilities

-    Strategic location in the region

-    Responsive and supportive city leadership

-    Identified as the regional center  of government for Region IX

-    Large pool of trainable and workable labor force

-    Pleasant climate, undisturbed by tropical cyclones

-    Improved infrastructure development  with concrete barangay  roads

-    Agri-based.  Rice/corn milling, food processing fish, meat, fruits, vegetables & seaweeds),  livestock  feed, coco processing, cassava flour milling.

-      Furniture.   Include the manufacture of  furniture , furniture components,  and wall decors from wood, bamboo, rattan , steel and plastic.

-       Handicrafts.  Manufacture of  crafts from bamboo, rattan, coco shell, wood, and marine shell,  ceramics,  and weaving (hard and soft strip).

-       Manufacturing/Processing.  Production of  garments,  fish meal processing,   farm implements, candle , fish canning, soap making, intensive salt making, marble processing, and kiln drying.

-      Construction and Construction materials. Includes the concrete and wooden construction materials,  steel fabrication, cement roofing fabrication.

-       Others.  Includes  metal casting (foundry) for  bronze, cast iron, aluminum,  gold and silver for fashion jewelry.

-       Services.  Includes automotive/machine shops, refrigeration air conditioning and electronics, washing, car assembly, electroplating (nickel, hard chrome, galvanizing and gold plating).    

           Department of Trade and Industry
           Zamboanga del Sur
           NACID Building Capitol Building
           Pagadian City, Philippines
           Tel.no.(062)214-3326
           : dtipagdn@mozcom.com

           Office of the  City Mayor
           City Hall Complex, Pagadian City
           Tel.No.2141986 ; 2141179
           Cell  No. 09189089899

Office of the City Planning and Development Coordinator
            City Hall Complex, Pagadian City
            Tel.No.2141529 ;  2144242
            Cell No. 09189026049