Zamboanguita | |
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Municipality | |
Map of Negros Oriental showing the location of Zamboanguita |
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Location within the Philippines | |
Coordinates: 09°07′N 123°12′E / 9.117°N 123.200°ECoordinates: 09°07′N 123°12′E / 9.117°N 123.200°E | |
Country | Philippines |
Region | Negros Island Region (NIR/Region XVIII) |
Province | Negros Oriental |
District | 3rd district of Negros Oriental |
Founded | 1866 |
Barangays | 10 |
Government | |
• Mayor | Glen Alanano |
• Vice Mayor | Eping Elmido |
Area | |
• Total | 85.86 km2 (33.15 sq mi) |
Population (2010) | |
• Total | 24,996 |
• Density | 290/km2 (750/sq mi) |
Time zone | PST (UTC+8) |
ZIP code | 6218 |
IDD : area code | 035 |
Income class | 4th class |
Zamboanguita is a fourth class municipality in the province of Negros Oriental, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 27,552 people.
About 28 kilometres (17 mi) from Dumaguete City, Zamboanguita is at the southern tip of the province of Negros Oriental and across from the island province of Siquijor. To the west of Zamboanguita is the municipality of Siaton, and to the north/east is the municipality of Dauin.
Zamboanguita is politically subdivided into 10 barangays.
A town rooted in history and replete with natural resources, Zamboanguita derived its name from an incident involving a coguita (octopus). Long before the Spaniards set foot in Negros Island, fishermen from as far as Mindanao would visit the yet unnamed town and benefit from the bounty of its rich fishing grounds – from its small tugnos (juvenile gobies) to the large iho (shark) in nearby Apo Island.
One day, a group of Moro fishermen fishing in the area found a coguita caught in their fishing net, which they then separated from their fish catch as it had tentacles and had no gills. The leader of the Moro group then ordered one of his men to go to the beach, find a tree and “isab-ong ang coguita” (hang the octopus).” Since then, every time an octopus was caught, it was hung on that particular tree.
On the other hand, local stories that circulated among the town folks mentioned that Zamboanguita (meaning "little Zamboanga") acquired its name from its neighbor down south across the sea, Zamboanga City. Zamboanguita was established in 1866. Modest compared to the 6th largest city in the Philippines with 98 barangays, Zamboanguita has only 10 barangays.
Fiesta – San Isidro Labrador, May 15
It is part of the 3rd District of Negros Oriental, which is currently represented in the House of Representatives of the Philippines by Arnolfo A. Teves.