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==Economy==
==Economy==

Sorsogon City, as the capital town of the province of Sorsogon, is a hub of trade and commerce. Its strategic location has given rise to a busy commercial district composed of local businesses and franchises of national and regional business chain. Business is concentrated in the downtown area near the public market and major commercial establishments primarily geared towards retail and wholesale and the Bacon District is the secondary business district of the City.


The Bay City Sorsogon, that is currently being built at the coast of Barangay Balogo will definitely have a huge impact on the economic growth of the city. It is a priority project of LKY Development Corporation, a privately owned real estate company. The Bay City Sorsogon includes a Commercial Complex, Five Star Hotel, Coliseum, Outdoor Dining Area, a Central Bus Terminal and a lot more. The excavation of this 16-hectare property just started during the last quarter of 2010 and the completion is expected by the 3rd quarter of 2011.<ref>http://ecmparchitects.com/ECMP%20company%20profile.pdf</ref>
The Bay City Sorsogon, that is currently being built at the coast of Barangay Balogo will definitely have a huge impact on the economic growth of the city. It is a priority project of LKY Development Corporation, a privately owned real estate company. The Bay City Sorsogon includes a Commercial Complex, Five Star Hotel, Coliseum, Outdoor Dining Area, a Central Bus Terminal and a lot more. The excavation of this 16-hectare property just started during the last quarter of 2010 and the completion is expected by the 3rd quarter of 2011.<ref>http://ecmparchitects.com/ECMP%20company%20profile.pdf</ref>

Revision as of 17:36, 15 October 2014

Sorsogon City
Syudad nin Sorsogon
Lungsod ng Sorsogon
(From Left to Right): Sorsogon City Baywalk at Night, Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Sorsogon City Hall and Park, Pepita Park, Centro Department Store, Sorsogon City Grand Terminal, Bacon Beach
(From Left to Right): Sorsogon City Baywalk at Night, Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Sorsogon City Hall and Park, Pepita Park, Centro Department Store, Sorsogon City Grand Terminal, Bacon Beach
Map of Sorsogon showing the location of Sorsogon City
Map of Sorsogon showing the location of Sorsogon City
Country Philippines
RegionBicol (Region V)
ProvinceSorsogon
Legislative district1st district of Sorsogon
FoundedFebruary 28, 1895
CityhoodAugust 16, 2000
Barangays64
Government
 • MayorSally A. Lee
Area
 • Total276.11 km2 (106.61 sq mi)
Population
 (2010)[3]
 • Total155,144
 • Density560/km2 (1,500/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PHT)
ZIP Code
4700
Dialing code56
Income class3rd class city; partially urban[2]
Websitehttp://sorsogoncity.gov.ph/

Sorsogon City (Bikol: Syudad nin Sorsogon, Filipino: Lungsod ng Sorsogon), is a third class city in Sorsogon, Philippines. It is the capital city of the province of Sorsogon, located on the Bicol Peninsula at southern tip of Luzon. This city was formed by merging the Bacon and Sorsogon towns. It also administers the islands of Sablayan and Bagatao located at the mouth of Sorsogon Bay adjacent to the town of Magallanes. . The city serves a trans-shipment point from the Visayas and Mindanao provinces. The city is also dubbed as "Gateway to Southern Philippines". Sorsogon City is one of the region’s leading cities in urbanization, Bicol's largest city in terms of land area and one of its most populous cities.

According to the 2010 census, the city has a population of 155,144 people,[3] spread across 64 barangays.

Etymology

Sorsogon comes from a word "solsogon". When the Spaniards had settled in Gibalong, they set out to further explore the inner lands. Upon reaching a small river emptying into what is now Sorsogon Bay, they asked a native they met for the name of the place. The native, not understanding Spanish and thinking they were asking for directions, answered, "Solsogon" meaning "trace the river by going upstream". Through constant use, Solsogon became Sorsogon.

History

Colonial Period

With the coming of the Spanish colonizers in the 1600s, Bacon was organized into a visita of the town of Casiguran, one of the oldest settlements in Luzon. The municipality of Sorsogon, whose original Site was in Sitio Pocdol in Capuy, was in turn, a visita of Bacon. As its population increased, however, Sorsogon was declared an independent, full-fledged parish in 1628.

The Pueblo Civil de Bacon was established in 1754, with Juan Elias as its first gobernadorcillo. Sorsogon on the other hand, became an independent political unit in 1864.

From their organization as visitas and eventually as independent pueblos, both Bacon and Sorsogon remained under the territorial jurisdiction of the province of Albay. On October 17, 1894, the Spanish authorities organized a geographical unit independent from Albay, with the town of Sorsogon as its seat of government. The new province adopted the name of the town and has since been known as the Province of Sorsogon.

Foundation

Sorsogon City was created by virtue of Republic Act 8806 which was enacted on August 16, 2000, and ratified in December 2000.

Prominent politicians of the locality behind its creation were former Sorsogon 1st District Representative and now Senator Francis Escudero and former Bacon Municipal Mayor Leovic R. Dioneda. Former Bacon Vice-Mayor Aurelio Destacamento, joined by former Sorsogon councilors Antonio C. Detera, Azel Diesta and Telo Mella fought before the two local legislative chambers, for the approval of appropriation ordinances providing budget for the holding of its plebiscite.

Prior to its ratification, a petition to declare RA 8806 null and void was filed by lawyer Atty. Gil Gojol. Because Bacon municipality was enjoined as one of the respondents in said petition, a young practicing lawyer from Buenavista, Bacon District, in the name of Atty. Glenn Olbes, defended its constitutionality. The legal battle for its constitutionality was upheld later on by a majority decision of the Sorsoguenos who desire for the development of the newly created local government unit.

Opponents for its ratification were incumbent Governor Raul R. Lee and his wife, Sally A. Lee who became its first contested City Mayor.

The merged municipalities of Bacon and Sorsogon which created the city have their own long histories from Pre-Hispanic Era to present.

Barangays

Upon its creation through the merging of Sorsogon and Bacon municipalities, Sorsogon City is divided in two districts. Sorsogon City is comnposed of 64 barangays with 37 barangays in Sorsogon district and 27 barangays in Bacon district.

Economy

Sorsogon City, as the capital town of the province of Sorsogon, is a hub of trade and commerce. Its strategic location has given rise to a busy commercial district composed of local businesses and franchises of national and regional business chain. Business is concentrated in the downtown area near the public market and major commercial establishments primarily geared towards retail and wholesale and the Bacon District is the secondary business district of the City.

The Bay City Sorsogon, that is currently being built at the coast of Barangay Balogo will definitely have a huge impact on the economic growth of the city. It is a priority project of LKY Development Corporation, a privately owned real estate company. The Bay City Sorsogon includes a Commercial Complex, Five Star Hotel, Coliseum, Outdoor Dining Area, a Central Bus Terminal and a lot more. The excavation of this 16-hectare property just started during the last quarter of 2010 and the completion is expected by the 3rd quarter of 2011.[4]

It host most of the banks around the province like Landbank of the Philippines, Metrobank, Allied Bank, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Development Bank of the Philippines, United Coconut Planters Bank, Chinabank, Philippine National Bank, Camalig Bank, BDO UniBank, Postal Bank, Producers Bank and Green Bank Inc.

Demographics

Population census of Sorsogon City
YearPop.±% p.a.
1990 72,871—    
1995 83,012+2.47%
2000 92,512+2.35%
2007 151,454+7.04%
2010 155,144+0.88%
Census numbers up to 2000 exclude population of Bacon.
Source: National Statistics Office[3][5]
Population census of Bacon
YearPop.±% p.a.
1990 32,810—    
1995 38,603+3.09%
2000 42,166+1.91%
Bacon ceased to exist as a separate municipality in 2000.
Source: National Statistics Office[5]

Demographic statistics:[6]

  • Religion – 95% Roman Catholic
  • Labor Force – 56% of the total population, 1/4 of the over-15 years old is, at least, high-school graduate, 15% of the total workforce have college-level education
  • Population Growth Rate – 2.15% (1995–2000)
  • Voting Age Population – 58,235
  • Projected Population in 2012 – 173,878
File:Sorsogon City Hall and Park.jpg
Sorsogon City Hall and Park

Infrastructure

The proposed Sorsogon Business and Leisure Park is a 20 hectare reclamation area linking the 3-hectare Pinaculan Island to the Sorsogon Pier in Sorsogon Bay, forming part of the expansion area of the Sorsogon City's central business district. The area shall have a rock causeway and seawall, complete with wide and well-paved roads, underground electrical and telephone systems and water supply. Low, medium and high density zones shall be identified for business establishments, plants and factories, including a central park.

This is located in Barangay Bucal-Bucalan along the national highway, about 15–20 minutes away by car from the center of the City. Already in place is a small rest area for travelers, complete with a mini-park and a small canteen with a view deck. The proposed development of the area involves the construction of a seafood trading and rest facility, complete with seafood stalls, bayside restaurants and cafes, and adequate parking space. The food stalls and restaurants will specialize in fresh blue crabs which Sorsogon is known for. Customers can have their pick of crabs and other seafood from the stalls and have them cooked at the adjacent restaurants or open air grill shops.[7]

Climate

Sorsogon City features a tropical rainforest climate with copious amount of rainfall throughout the course of the year.. there is no pronounced dry season but it has very pronounced maximum rain from November to January with December as the wettest month of the year; it experience 23 days of rain. Temperature is constant throughout the year. Sorsogon City's average yearly rainfall is just over 2,671 mm (105.2 in). April is the driest month of the year which only sees 12 rain days and 2,671 mm (105.2 in) of rainfall. Average High temperature is at 38.08 °C (100.5 °F) and its Average Low temperature is at 24.5 °C (76.1 °F). The coolest month is January with a daily mean of 25.5 °C (77.9 °F) and the hottest months are jointly April and May with a daily mean of 28 °C (82.4 °F).

Climate data for Sorsogon City, Sorsogon
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 35
(95)
40
(104)
35
(95)
39
(102)
39
(102)
39
(102)
39
(102)
39
(102)
35
(95)
39
(102)
39
(102)
39
(102)
40
(104)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 31
(88)
31
(88)
32
(90)
34
(93)
34
(93)
33
(91)
33
(91)
33
(91)
33
(91)
33
(91)
32
(90)
31
(88)
34
(93)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 23
(73)
23
(73)
24
(75)
25
(77)
26
(79)
25
(77)
24
(75)
25
(77)
25
(77)
25
(77)
25
(77)
24
(75)
23
(73)
Record low °C (°F) 15
(59)
5
(41)
19
(66)
14
(57)
15
(59)
17
(63)
18
(64)
16
(61)
20
(68)
20
(68)
19
(66)
19
(66)
5
(41)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 293
(11.5)
227
(8.9)
209
(8.2)
166
(6.5)
189
(7.4)
203
(8.0)
231
(9.1)
196
(7.7)
271
(10.7)
295
(11.6)
387
(15.2)
539
(21.2)
3,206
(126.2)
Average rainy days 21 15 15 12 13 14 17 16 17 18 21 23 202
Source 1: http://www.myweather2.com/City-Town/Philippines/Sorsogon/climate-profile.aspx
Source 2: http://www.worldweatheronline.com/Sorsogon-weather-averages/Sorsogon/PH.aspx

Religion

  • Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral
  • Iglesia ni Cristo
  • Our lady of Fatima Church
  • The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
File:Sts. Peter & Paul Cathedral.jpg
Sts. Peter & Paul Cathedral

Media

Online News Service:

Television:

  • GMA TV Channel 2
  • DWCB-TV: Channel 11
  • DZSC-TV ABS-CBN : Channel 7
  • DWAI-TV Aemillianum TV: Channel 5
  • ABC (TV5): Channel 11
File:Sorsogon City Shopping Center.jpg
Sorsogon City Shopping Center


AM Stations:

  • DZMS – 1251 Sorsogon (PBN Broadcasting Network)
  • DZZH – 1287 Sorsogon (Manila Broadcasting Company)
  • DZRS – 1263 Sorsogon (Radio Mindanao Network)
File:Paguriran-Island-Bacon-Sorsogon-30.jpg
Paguriran Island located in Bacon district

FM Stations:

File:Sorsogon City Downtown.jpg
Magsaysay Street- The busiest part of the city

Education

Elementary:[6]

  • All barangays are served by public elementary schools (some private elementary schools are located in poblacion)
  • School Year 2002–2003 enrollment was 23,823
  • Number of schools – 72
  • Sorsogon East Central School (SECS) – founded in 1917 during the early American occupation – formerly known as Sorsogon Central School. The pilot school in Bicol Region of the DepED's Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) project and a recipient of the DepEd's Special Science Elementary Schools (SSES) Project. This Central School is now APPES Level 1 Accredited by the DepEd and got a Standard Level 1(100%) Rating (the only elementary school in Sorsogon City) during the Regional Evaluation on SBM Practices.
  • Sorsogon Pilot Elementary School (SPES)
  • First Baptist Christian Academy (FBCA)

Secondary:[6]

  • 11 private, 9 public high schools
  • School Year 2002–2003 enrollment was 11,570
  • Sorsogon National High School
  • First Baptist Christian Academy

Tertiary schools:

  • AMA Computer Learning Center
  • Sorsogon State College
  • Bicol Merchant Marine College
  • Computer Communication Development Institute – the pilot college of the Ladderized Education Program in the province of Sorsogon[8]
  • Annunciation College of Sorsogon
  • Our Lady of Penafrancia Major Seminary
  • Saint Louise de Marillac College of Sorsogon (formerly Colegio de la Milagrosa)
  • Saint Peter & Paul Technical Institute
  • Sorsogon College of Criminology, Inc
  • Sorsogon Community College School of Midwifery
  • Speed Computer College Inc.
  • The Lewis College
  • Aemilianum College Inc.
  • Sorsogon Chiang Kai Shek School
  • WRI Computer College, Inc.
  • Asian College of Science and Technology (ACSAT)-Sorsogon Campus

Health Services

  • Dr. Fernando B. Duran Sr. Memorial Hospital
  • Sts. Peter and Paul Hospital
  • Sorsogon Medical Mission Group Hospital & Health Services Cooperative
File:MMG Hospital.jpg
Sorsogon Medical Mission Group Hospital & Health Services Cooperative

Places of interest

  • Bato Limestone Cave[9]
  • Bucalbucalan Spring – Natural cold spring located in Brgy. Bucalbucalan, a coastal barangay near Pepita Park and Rest Area.
Sorsogon Provincial Museum and Heritage Center
  • Tolongapo Beach – located in Bacon district
One of the cottages in Tolongapo Beach, overlooking Pacific Ocean.
  • Danao Lake – this is located in Bacon District, near Brgy. San Juan. However, it's also accessible by foot from the side of Brgy. Guinlajon.
  • Paroja Hill and Grotto – across Pepita Park
  • Pepita Park and Rest Area – traveler's area, approx. 10 km north of city proper
  • Sorsogon Bay Walk (also known as Rompeolas)
  • Beaches of Bacon
  • Sorsogon Provincial Capitol and Rizal Park – located in city proper. The provincial capitol dated back during the American occupation.
File:Sorsogon Provincial Capitol.jpg
Seat of the provincial government of Sorsogon.
  • Sorsogon Provincial Museum and Heritage Center[10] – located in the old Sorsogon Provincial Hospital. It has 3 galleries, with a library, containing large collection of old Mr & Ms magazines.
  • Rimpulas

Public safety

Public safety statistics:[6]

  • 88 PNP personnel
  • 20 traffic aides and barangay traffic aides
  • Minimum 8 inmates a month
  • 19 firefighters
  • 2 fire trucks and equipment
  • 2 Fil-Chi fire trucks and 20 fire volunteers
  • Disaster preparedness – CDCC, BDCC, Sorsogon Emergency Rescue Team

People from Sorsogon City

  • Eddie Garcia – Film actor and director
  • Eugenia Apostol (sister of former Sorsogon Mayor Duran) – one of the founders of Philippine Daily Inquirer
  • Francis "Chiz" G. Escudero – former congressman, and now senator of the 15th Congress[11]
  • Jorge Barlin – First Filipino and Bikolano Bishop and was assigned parish priest and Vicar Forane of Sorsogon from 1887 to 1906[12]
  • Loida Nicolas-Lewis – Born and raised in Sorsogon. Lewis is the Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of TLC Beatrice, LLC, the Lewis Family investment firm and is also Chairman and CEO of TLC Beatrice (China), Limited, a Cayman company which operates retail convenience stores in five major cities in China and TLC Beatrice Foods (Philippines) which operates a fresh meat processing plant.
  • Mary Walter – actress, whose career spanned through several decades. She was born in Bacon.[13]
  • Salvador Escudero Sr. – former Provincial Governor of Sorsogon and was a guerilla leader during the Japanese occupation. He was fondly called Gurang (old man in Bikol) by the local folks.[14] Sorsogon's PNP Provincial Office along Magsaysay St., Sorsogon City, is named after him.
  • Vicente L. Peralta – late congressman of Sorsogon City. A hospital in Castilla[15] was named after him.

References

  1. ^ "Cities". Philippines: Department of the Interior and Local Government. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Province: Sorsogon". PSGC Interactive. Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  3. ^ a b c "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010" (PDF). 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  4. ^ http://ecmparchitects.com/ECMP%20company%20profile.pdf
  5. ^ a b "Province of Sorsogon". Municipality Population Data. LWUA Research Division. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
  6. ^ a b c d Comprehensive Land Use Plan 2003–2012, Summary (Briefing Material), Sectoral Consultation, Vicanta Hall, Sorsogon City, November 27, 2003
  7. ^ http://www.sorsogontourism.com/business_opportunities.htm
  8. ^ http://www.ccdi-sorsogon.net
  9. ^ http://gotosorsogoncity.com
  10. ^ http://sorsogoncity.wordpress.com/2010/01/03/sorsogon-provincial-museum-and-heritage-center/
  11. ^ 15th Congress http://www.senate.gov.ph/senators/sen15th.asp
  12. ^ page 32, Tracing from Solsogon to Sorsogon, 2nd Edition (2007), ISBN 978-971-814-099-4
  13. ^ Mary Walter from Bacon
  14. ^ page 85, Tracing – from Solsogon to Sorsogon 2nd Ed., Reynaldo T. Jamoralin, Sorsogon City 2007
  15. ^ http://sorsogoncity.wordpress.com/2011/07/02/who-is-vicente-peralta/