Bongao
| Bongao | |
|---|---|
| Municipality | |
_Hospital_Ship_USNS_Mercy_(T-AH_19)_is_anchored_off_of_the_coast_of_Tawi_Tawi_(cropped).jpg) |
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 Map of Tawi-Tawi with Bongao highlighted |
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 Bongao
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| Coordinates: 05°02′N 119°46′E / 5.033°N 119.767°ECoordinates: 05°02′N 119°46′E / 5.033°N 119.767°E | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Region | Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) |
| Province | Tawi-Tawi |
| District | Lone district of Tawi-Tawi |
| Barangays | 35 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Jasper Shia Que |
| Area | |
| • Total | 365.95 km2 (141.29 sq mi) |
| Population (2015 census) | |
| • Total | 100,527 |
| • Density | 270/km2 (710/sq mi) |
| Time zone | PST (UTC+8) |
| ZIP code | 7500 |
| IDD : area code | +63 (0)68 |
| Income class | 2nd municipal income class |
| 157002000 | |
| Electorate | 47,661 voters as of 2016 |
| Website | www |
Bongao is a second income class municipality and the capital of the province of Tawi-Tawi, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 100,527 people.
The municipality's territory includes Bongao Island (where the poblacion is located), Sanga-Sanga Island, Pababag Island, as well as the western end of Tawitawi Island.
With an area of around 350 square kilometers, it's possible for Bongao to become a component city in the years to come.
Bongao is politically subdivided into 35 barangays.
Before the armed rebellion of the MNLF in the early 1970s, Bongao was merely a backwater village ruled by the prominent noble Halun family, who used to own about three-quarters of the island. The capital of the province was Batu-Batu (in Panglima Sugala) in the mainland situated in a cove with deep waters suited for anchors of the Philippine Navy. At the height of the armed rebellion and fearing that the provincial capitol might be overrun, the government transferred it to Bongao. The white-washed, Taj Mahal-inspired provincial capitol building is located on a hill overlooking the bay and the whole town to the North of the Island against the backdrop of Mount Kabugan and the famous Bud Bongao (Bongao Peak).
The transfer of the seat of government ushered the rapid development of the island as the southernmost center of commerce and trade. Suddenly, the population swelled as individuals (and their families) who are in government service moved to the town.
Today, Bongao is a minuscule cosmopolitan site that is becoming a model of multicultural society. In downtown Bongao, there are mosques for the majority Muslim population, a Catholic church, a church for Protestant inhabitants, a Chinese temple, a church for the Iglesia ni Cristo, a church of the Seventh-Day Adventist and a Baptist church. There is also a local congregation of Jesus is Lord (JIL) of one-time presidential aspirant Pastor Eddie Villanueva.
The main thoroughfare is Datu Halun Street, where the Town Hall is situated. Poblacion is the commercial hub. Most of the businesses here are owned by local people. Due to its relative peace and order situation, recent migrant Chinese from Zamboanga have also open business.
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Wikipedia