Zamboanga del Norte


Zamboanga del Norte is a province in the Philippines situated within the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its capital is Dipolog City 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. Zamboanga del Norte is the 26th populous province in the Philippines.

History

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.
Through Republic Act No. 711 issued on June 6, 1952, Zamboanga province was divided into two independent provinces, which included Zamboanga del Sur.
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, Salug, Sibuco, Siocon, Sirawai, and Tampilisan. However, the bill ultimately did not pass the 16th congress.

Geography

Zamboanga del Norte covers a total area of 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, with Mount Dabiak in Katipunan as the highest peak at. Other parts, near the coastlines, are plains. The province's irregular coastline runs some from north to south.

Climate

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.

Administrative divisions

Zamboanga del Norte comprises 25 municipalities and 2 cities. Dipolog City, Sindangan and Dapitan City 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 of the total provincial area. Sibutad is the smallest, with.

Demographics

The population of Zamboanga del Norte in the was people, with a density of. Dipolog is the most populated area in the land, followed by a first class town- Sindangan, then Dapitan.
The main language spoken is Cebuano. Other languages include Chavacano, Subanen, Tausug, and English.

Religion

The predominant religion was Islam until the Spanish regime reign over the region and spread Christianity by the help of the church's missionary congregations like the Jesuits, Augustinians, and Dominicans. The province hailed its first martyr of faith soon to be raised as a saint in the whole Mindanao island by the name of Padre Francesco Palliola, S.J. He was a jesuit missionary from Nola, Italy and was assigned to Zamboanga Peninsula. He held missionary works in Lubungan, 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 have one diocese – the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dipolog under the Archdiocese of Ozamiz, covering the entire province. There are also followers of other Christian sects.

Government

Officials

Members of the House of Representatives:
Governor: Roberto "Berto" Y. Uy
Vice Governor: Senen O. Angeles

Board Members

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, 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%. 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.