Iriga, Camarines Sur
| Iriga | ||
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| Component City | ||
| City of Iriga | ||
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Nickname(s): "City of Crystal- Clear Springs" "City of Superstars" "Character City" |
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 Map of Camarines Sur showing the location of Iriga City |
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 Iriga
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| Coordinates: 13°25′N 123°25′E / 13.42°N 123.42°ECoordinates: 13°25′N 123°25′E / 13.42°N 123.42°E | ||
| Country | Philippines | |
| Region | Bicol Region (Region V) | |
| Province | Camarines Sur | |
| District | 5th district | |
| Founded | 1578 (as a visita) | |
| Founded | 1683 (as a pueblo) | |
| Cityhood | September 3, 1968 | |
| Barangays | 36 | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor | Madelaine Yorobe Alfelor(LP) | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 137.35 km2 (53.03 sq mi) | |
| Population (2015 census) | ||
| • Total | 111,757 | |
| • Density | 810/km2 (2,100/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | PHT (UTC+8) | |
| ZIP code | 4431 | |
| IDD : area code | +63 (0)54 | |
| Income class | 3rd class, partially urban | |
| Website | www |
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Nickname(s): "City of Crystal- Clear Springs" "City of Superstars"
Iriga, officially the City of Iriga (Rinconada Bikol: Syudad ka Iriga; Central Bikol: Syudad nin Iriga; Filipino: Lungsod ng Iriga), is a third class city in the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. It is located about 400 kilometres (250 mi) south-east of Manila, and about 33 kilometres (21 mi) south of the regional center Naga City. Iriga City is the center of trade, commerce, and education of the Rinconada district.
According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 111,757 people.
Ferdinand Magellan discovered the Philippines on March 16, 1521, Iriga, now a city, was only a visita of Nabua, Provincia de Ambos Camarines. Because of the disastrous floods that occur during rainy seasons in suburban Poblacion of Nabua, Father Felix de Huertas, the then parish priest, advised the farmers to move to I-raga (donde hay tierra or where there is land) where they can plant their crops without fear of being flooded. The flood victims of Nabua who moved earlier and followed the suggestions of their parish priest were the fortunate beneficiaries of the harvest of their agricultural plantation coming from the rich and fertile soils of I-raga, more so, those who planted at the foot of Sumagang Mountain (Mountain of the Rising Sun, now Mt. Iriga) said to be nature’s given symbol of the Irigueños lofty ideals and noble visions.
As population spread out and evangelization progressed, the settlement at the foot of Sumagang Mountain developed in size and wealth, slowly pushing the aborigines (Agta) up to the thickness of the forest. And in 1578 the I-raga settlement was established as “visita” of Nabua under Fray Pablo de Jesus and Fray Bartolome Ruiz, both Franciscans. Three decades later or on January 4, 1641, Mount Asog (named after a negrito chieftain who ruled the aborigines) or Mt. Iriga, erupted. That eruption brought much fear to the settlers but with their strong faith and belief a miracle happened and as witnessed by local folks, the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mother and her son Lord Jesus or “Nuestra Señora de Angustia” at sitio Inorogan saved the people from terrible earthquake and flood. The eruption formed the cavernous gully on the side of Buhi leading to the steep gorge which was the crater of the “volcano”.
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Wikipedia