Ozamiz

Ozamiz Misamis
Component city
City of Ozamiz
Ozamiz Port
Flag Seal
Nickname(s):  Gem of the Panguil Bay Gateway to Northwestern Mindanao Historical, Cultural, and Pilgrimage Destination
Motto(s):  Better Image, Better Lives
Map of Misamis Occidental with Ozamiz highlighted
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Ozamiz Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 8°09′N 123°51′E / 8.15°N 123.85°E / 8.15; 123.85Coordinates: 8°09′N 123°51′E / 8.15°N 123.85°E / 8.15; 123.85
Country	Philippines
Region	Northern Mindanao
Province	Misamis Occidental
District	2nd district
Founded	1757
Cityhood	July 16, 1948[1]
Named for	José Ozámiz
Barangays	51 (see Barangays)
Government  [2]
• Type	Sangguniang Panlungsod
• Mayor	Sancho Fernando F. Oaminal
• Vice Mayor	Simplicia O. Neri
• Representative	Henry S. Oaminal
• City Council	show Members Lorlie F. Cipres Katherine C. Lim Marcelo S. Romero II Cecile Y. Co Roland B. Suizo Jr. Daniel C. Lao Eduardo C. Cebedo Juanito B. Saquin Jr. Anita M. Linsag Marcelian C. Tapayan
• Electorate	85,534 voters (2019)
Area [3]
• Total	169.95 km2 (65.62 sq mi)
Elevation	216 m (709 ft)
Highest elevation	1,923 m (6,309 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (2020 census) [4]
• Total	140,334
• Density	830/km2 (2,100/sq mi)
• Households	29,626
Economy
• Income class	3rd city income class
• Poverty incidence	17.79% (2015)[5]
• Revenue	₱654,453,854.29 (2016)
Service provider
• Electricity	Misamis Occidental 2 Electric Cooperative (MOELCI 2)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	7200
PSGC	104210000
IDD : area code	+63 (0)88
Climate type	tropical climate
Native languages	Subanon Cebuano Tagalog
Catholic diocese	Archdiocese of Ozamiz
Website	ozamizcity.com

Ozamiz, officially the City of Ozamiz (Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Ozamiz; Tagalog: Lungsod ng Ozamiz), is a 3rd class component city in the province of Misamis Occidental, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 140,334 people. ^[4]

Although occasionally spelled as Ozamis in official sources, City Resolution 251-05 officially spelled Ozamiz with a "z" as its last letter rather than with an "s".

Geography[]

Ozamiz is close to Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte provinces, while across the bay is Lanao del Norte. Ozamiz is 52 kilometres (32 mi) from Maria Cristina Falls, the main source of hydroelectric power in Mindanao.

Climate[]

Barangays[]

Ozamiz is politically subdivided into 51 barangays. ^[7]

Name	Population (2015) [8]	PSGC
50th District (Poblacion)	1,138	104210051
Aguada (Poblacion)	7,543	104210001
Bacolod	2,226	104210003
Bagakay	3,955	104210004
Balintawak	660	104210005
Bañadero (Poblacion)	8,000	104210002
Baybay San Roque	3,527	104210043
Baybay Santa Cruz	1,852	104210006
Baybay Triunfo	2,817	104210007
Bongbong	2,742	104210008
Calabayan	3,353	104210009
Capucao C.	652	104210010
Capucao P.	1,419	104210011
Carangan	5,223	104210012
Carmen (Misamis Annex)	6,135	104210037
Catadman-Manabay	7,422	104210013
Cavinte	620	104210014
Cogon	1,417	104210015
Dalapang	636	104210016
Diguan	1,503	104210017
Dimaluna	3,020	104210018
Doña Consuelo	4,178	104210052
Embargo	863	104210019
Gala	935	104210020
Gango	5,686	104210021
Gotokan Daku	531	104210022
Gotokan Diot	413	104210023
Guimad	750	104210024
Guingona	596	104210025
Kinuman Norte	1,484	104210026
Kinuman Sur	1,172	104210027
Labinay	1,600	104210028
Labo	3,065	104210029
Lam-an	2,961	104210030
Liposong	823	104210031
Litapan	898	104210032
Malaubang	7,867	104210033
Manaka	898	104210034
Maningcol	6,951	104210035
Mentering	439	104210036
Molicay	3,581	104210038
Pantaon	1,083	104210040
Pulot	4,328	104210041
San Antonio	4,353	104210042
Sangay Daku	777	104210044
Sangay Diot	445	104210045
Sinuza	1,724	104210046
Stimson Abordo (Montol)	2,246	104210039
Tabid	3,958	104210047
Tinago	10,596	104210048
Trigos	776	104210049

History[]

The city of Ozamiz grew out of an old Spanish town called Misamis—a name believed to have been derived from the Subanen word "Kuyamis," a variety of coconut. Other unverified historical sources, however, suggest that the name Misamis came from "Misa" after the Catholic Mass. The origin and the growth of the old Spanish town, Misamis, was due to the presence of the Spanish garrison stationed at the stone fort named Nuestra Senora dela Concepcion del Triunfo, which was constructed some time in the 18th century in order to control the pirate activities originating in the nearby Lanao area. In 1850, the town of Misamis became the capital of the District of Misamis.

In October 1942, Wendell Fertig established the command headquarters of the growing guerrilla resistance to the Japanese occupation of Mindanao in the Spanish fort in the city. His headquarters was abandoned June 26, 1943, in the face of a large Japanese attack.^[9] Until the end of the war the Japanese occupied this fort. The Ozamiz city website said of this, "During the Japanese occupation of Misamis in World War II(1943-1945), the "Cotta" was garrisoned by a contingent of Japanese who dug foxholes near or under the walls. This undermining of walls later led to the destruction of the Southwest bastion in the earthquake of 1955."^[1]

After the Second World War, Misamis became a chartered city by virtue of Republic Act 321 on July 16, 1948. RA 321 also renamed Misamis to Ozamiz after a WW-II hero José Ozámiz who hailed from the province of Misamis Occidental and who at one time also served as its governor and congressional representative of the Lone District of Misamis Occidental, a delegate to the 1935 Constitutional Convention that resulted in the creation of the 1935 Constitution for the Philippine Commonwealth Government. In 1941, José Ozámiz was elected to the Philippine Senate.

Demographics[]

Population census of Ozamiz

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1903	11,709	—
1918	23,237	+4.68%
1939	36,313	+2.15%
1948	35,262	−0.33%
1960	44,091	+1.88%
1970	64,643	+3.90%
1975	71,559	+2.06%
1980	77,832	+1.69%
1990	91,503	+1.63%
1995	101,944	+2.05%
2000	110,420	+1.73%
2007	123,137	+1.51%
2010	131,527	+2.43%
2015	141,828	+1.45%
2020	140,334	−0.21%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [8] [10] [11][12] https://psa.gov.ph/population-and-housing/statistical-tables

In the 2020 census, the population of Ozamiz was 140,334 people, ^[4] with a density of 830 inhabitants per square kilometre or 2,100 inhabitants per square mile.

Economy[]

Poverty Incidence of Ozamiz
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[13][14][15][16][17][18]

Ozamiz is agricultural by resources, but it has become the center for commerce, health, transportation, and education in this part of Mindanao, considering its strategic location and its peaceful atmosphere. The city has good harbor location, its local port is the principal outlet of mineral deposits, agricultural and forest products of the provinces of Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Maguindanao, parts of Lanao del Norte, and Lanao del Sur.

Retail[]

Due to the location of the city, Ozamiz enjoys several notable shopping centers within its city center. People from Misamis Occidental, parts of Lanao del Norte and parts of Zamboanga del Sur will come also to Ozamiz for their shopping needs.

Gaisano Capital Mall Ozamiz is the biggest mall in the city with the expansion of a new South Wing Mall in 2011. Novo Ozamiz also expand and construct their own bigger building with a hotel named Asia Novotel in 2010. Unitop Ozamiz also expand their building in 2012 in front of City Public Mall with a bridge for an easy access from the 2nd floor of both buildings. City Public Mall, formerly known as City Public Market, is the biggest public establishment in Northwestern Mindanao. It is owned and managed by the Ozamiz government and opened on May 28, 2009. Robinsons Supermarket opened to the public on November 30, 2012. Puregold Ozamiz opened in the year of 2019 with the first ever 7-11 Convenience Store serving the developing city.

Local government[]

Local officials are elected every 3 years. The city local government is composed of the mayor, vice mayor, ten councilors, one Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation representative, one (IPMR) Representative and an Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) representative.

Incumbent Officials (2019):

• Mayor: Sancho Fernando "Ando" F. Oaminal (Nacionalista)
• Vice Mayor: Simplicia "Bebie" O. Neri (Nacionalista)
• Congressman (2nd District): Henry S. Oaminal
• Councilors:
  • Marcelo Archie S. Romero II
  • Juanito "Junjun" B. Saquin Jr.
  • Cecille Y. Co
  • Roland "Dinky" B. Suizo Jr.
  • Anita "Nene" M. Linsag
  • Daniel C. Lao
  • Marcelian "Mars" C. Tapayan
  • Lorlie Fuentes-Cipres
  • Eduardo "Tata" C. Cebedo
  • Katherine "Kat-Kat" C. Lim
  • John G. Docdor (ABC)
  • Erwin R. Ochavillo (SK)
  • Relinda A. Bation (IPMR)

Tourism and culture[]

Notable events and festivals[]

The feast of Our Lady of Triumph of the Cross at Cotta Shrine is celebrated every July 16 which is also the Charter City anniversary. Subayan Keg Subanon festival is also held on the same day. The Cotta entertainment area has free live band concerts and other musical variety shows each weekend. Fireworks displays are held at Cotta during Fiesta and holidays. It can be seen across Panguil bay as far as Lanao del Norte.

The feast of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception is celebrated every December 8 while every 4th Sunday of January is the Sr. Santo Nino Fluvial Parade held at Panguil Bay. Balanghoy Festival is held annually at Cotta area.

Attractions[]

• Fuerte dela Concepcion y del Triunfo, also known as Cotta Shrine, is a fort built in 1755 by Father to serve as a Spanish outpost in the area. A special chapel was built inside the walls of the fort and an image of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, in the pink and blue attire, was enshrined in the chapel and outside the fort on the wall facing the bay, was a carved image of the Virgin Mary (Nuestra Señora de la Immaculada Concepción y del Triunfo de la Cruz de Migpangi). The image on the Cotta's wall is believed to be miraculously growing and has been the object of pilgrimage. The fort was renovated and restored to its original design in 2006. Cotta will undergo improvement and development with construction of a boulevard with a Spanish galleon replica, cotta park with parking area, a mini commercial complex for food stalls, ticketing offices, restos, cafes and souvenir shops.
• Bukagan Hill has a view of the city, Panguil bay, the provinces of Lanao del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur. There are four great bells at the top of Bukagan Hill. The bells were named after "St. Peter", "St. Marien", "St. Joseph" and "St. Michael" and were originally purchased by Bishop Patrick Cronin, D.D. for the Immaculate Conception Cathedral. However, the bells weigh 7 tons and were found to be too heavy and too large for the cathedral's belfry. The people felt that it was very expensive to construct a special belfry for them considering that a lot of fund raising effort was made for the building of the cathedral and the installing of the pipe organ. It was through the efforts of then City Mayor Fernando T. Bernad that the bells were finally given a place at the Bukagan Hill. With the help of , the huge bells were installed in Bukagan Hill Bells and officially inaugurated on July 16, 1948.^[19]
• Naomi's Botanical Garden and tourists Inn sits on a 12 hectare property of local and imported tropical flowers, plants and fruit seedlings. There are fully air-conditioned private rooms, Function halls, tennis court, Golf range, ceramics factory, pottery and a bakery inside this sprawling garden.
• Mt. Malindang Golf and country Club is a pre-war army facility converted into a golf course located in Bagakay at the foot of Mount Malindang.
• Immaculate Conception Pipe organ, found in the choir loft of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, is the only existing pipe organ in Mindanao and one among the few throughout the country. An Irish Columban priest, Father Sean Lavery, who was in charge of the liturgical and musical development in the Immaculate Conception Cathedral realized the need for an organ. Funds were raised through donations and a musical extravaganza organized by the parish raised enough money to buy the pipe organ. Father Lavery asked the help of a German priest, Father Herman Schablitzki S.V.D., who came to Ozamiz to get the specification needed to guide the organ builders in Germany. Father Schablitzki himself, assisted by one carpenter and one electrician, assembled the organ in six weeks and it was completed on May 31, 1967. It was inaugurated on July 16, 1967; the feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.^[20]
• was built from the ruins of a church destroyed in an earthquake. It was one of the early designs of national artist for architecture Leandro Locsin. his simple style of squares, circles, and half circles are evident in the external and internal designs of the church. The facade was later changed.

Transportation[]

Air[]

Ozamiz Airport, also known as Labo Airport, was reopened July 5, 2007, 9 years after Philippine Airlines (PAL) stopped their operations using Fokker 50 and Sunriser planes and eventually went the airport to its closure due to its short runway in which cannot accommodate jet planes. Air Philippines, (a subsidiary airline of PAL), was the first airline served the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila using a B737-200 which is also the first jet plane to land the airport while PAL Express (another PAL subsidiary), was then served direct flights to the Mactan–Cebu International Airport again using their Bombardier Q400.

PAL's competitor, Cebu Pacific Air later opened their service in Ozamiz with its first flight to Cebu on November 10, 2008, using their brand-new ATR72-500. With high demand of passengers, cargo and tourist arrivals, Cebu Pacific then launched its Manila route with their Airbus 319, while PAL took over Air Philippines service to Manila using also the Airbus 319 last June 16, 2009.

When Air Philippines took its rebranding as Airphil Express (now PAL Express), it then relaunched its Ozamiz to Manila flight last August 18, 2011 using their Airbus A320. It then forces Cebu Pacific to change its aircraft to replace all of their ATR72-500 that serves Ozamiz Airport to an Airbus A319 and Airbus A320. Despite fierce competition between PAL and Cebu Pacific, PAL ended their operations in Ozamiz last March 25, 2012, leaving their affiliate PAL Express to compete with Cebu Pacific. Since then, the competition between PAL Express and Cebu Pacific became the duopoly in serving to and from the airport.

Ozamiz Airport will undergo a P300M expansion and development with installation of runway lights, extension of runway from its current of length 1.9 km to 2.1 km and construction of a new passenger terminal building.^[21][22]

Sea[]

There are several major shipping lines serving Cebu, Manila and Iligan routes namely: 2GO Travel (formerly SuperFerry, Negros Navigation and Cebu Ferries), Trans-Asia Shipping Lines, Cokaliong Shipping Lines, Carlos A. Gothong Lines, and Philippine Span Asia Carrier Corp.(PSACC former Sulpicio Lines). Cokaliong Shipping Lines increased their Cebu service from thrice to 5 times weekly. Local shipping lines like Daima have trips from Ozamiz to Mukas, Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte routes through Roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ferries that transport passengers, cars/trucks and goods across Panguil bay.

Land[]

The public mode of transportation within the city is by trisikad/pedicab and motorized tricycle, while Rural Transit, Super Five, UV Express, and public utility jeepneys such as Lotradisco were the predominant transport for interprovincial routes, to and from the city.

Health[]

Hospitals and healthcare facilities:

• Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro Sr. Medical Center (MHARS MC)- a 500-bed capacity tertiary hospital owned by the Dept. of Health.
• Misamis University Medical center (MUMC)- a tertiary hospital located at Barangay Bagakay.
• Medina General Hospital- a 200-bed capacity tertiary hospital located at Barangay Carmen Annex.
• Faith Hospital
• S.M. Lao Memorial Hospital
• St. Joseph General Hospital, formerly St. Mary General Hospital
• St. Padre Pio Medical Clinic - located at JEM bldg., Medina Avenue, Barangay Carmen Annex

Education[]

There are two universities in Ozamiz, La Salle University, formerly known as Immaculate Conception College (ICC) and Misamis University. Students coming from Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental come to Ozamiz to pursue their college education.

Secondary schools[]

The secondary schools of Ozamiz are:^[23]

Sister cities[]

Local

• Tangub City
• Oroquieta City
• Iligan City
• Cotabato City
• Dipolog City
• General Santos City
• Cebu City
• Iloilo City
• Pagadian City
• Marawi City
• Cagayan de Oro City

Foreign

• Jersey City, New Jersey (1995)^[24][25]

See also[]

• Metro Cagayan de Oro
• List of renamed cities and municipalities in the Philippines
• Labo Airport

References[]

External links[]

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Ozamiz.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ozamiz.

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Ozamiz City Government
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Local Governance Performance Management System