| Image Alt: | Aerial view | ||
| Flag Size: | 120x80px | ||
| Seal Size: | 100x80px | ||
| Image Map1: |
| ||
| Pushpin Map: | Philippines | ||
| Pushpin Label Position: | right | ||
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location within the | ||
| Subdivision Type: | Country | ||
| Subdivision Name: | Philippines | ||
| Subdivision Type1: | Region | ||
| Subdivision Type2: | Province | ||
| Nickname: | "Gateway to Southern Philippines"[1] | ||
| Motto: | “Gayon Ciudad, Gayon Sorsogon” (Beautiful City, Beautiful Sorsogon) | ||
| Subdivision Type3: | District | ||
| Established Title: | Founded | ||
| Established Date: | February 28, 1895 | ||
| Established Title1: | Cityhood | ||
| Established Date1: | December 16, 2000 | ||
| Parts Type: | Barangays | ||
| Parts Style: | para | ||
| P1: | (see Barangays) | ||
| Leader Name: | Ma. Ester E. Hamor | ||
| Leader Title1: | Vice Mayor | ||
| Leader Name1: | Mark Eric C. Dioneda | ||
| Leader Name2: | Ma. Bernadette C. Escudero | ||
| Leader Title3: | City Council | ||
| Leader Title4: | Electorate | ||
| Leader Name4: | voters (electorate_point_in_time}}|) | ||
| Elevation Max M: | 1078 | ||
| Elevation Min M: | 0 | ||
| Population Density Km2: | auto | ||
| Population Blank1 Title: | Households | ||
| Population Demonym: | Sorsoganon | ||
| Timezone: | PST | ||
| Utc Offset: | +8 | ||
| Postal Code Type: | ZIP code | ||
| Postal Code: | 4700 (East & West districts), 4701 (Bacon district) | ||
| Demographics Type1: | Economy | ||
| Demographics1 Info1: | 2nd income class city | ||
| Demographics1 Title2: | Poverty incidence | ||
| Demographics1 Info2: | % | ||
| Demographics1 Title3: | Revenue | ||
| Demographics1 Info3: | ₱ 1,356 billion (2023) | ||
| Demographics1 Title4: | Revenue rank | ||
| Demographics1 Title5: | Assets | ||
| Demographics1 Title6: | Assets rank | ||
| Demographics1 Title7: | IRA | ||
| Demographics1 Title8: | IRA rank | ||
| Demographics1 Title9: | Expenditure | ||
| Demographics1 Title10: | Liabilities | ||
| Demographics Type2: | Service provider | ||
| Demographics2 Title1: | Electricity | ||
| Demographics2 Title2: | Water | ||
| Demographics2 Title3: | Telecommunications | ||
| Demographics2 Title4: | Cable TV | ||
| Blank1 Name Sec1: | Native languages | ||
| Blank2 Name Sec1: | Crime index | ||
| Blank3 Name Sec1: | Major Pan-Philippine Highway Route | ||
| Blank4 Name Sec1: | Minor/Alternative City Routes | ||
| Blank1 Name Sec2: | Major religions | ||
| Blank1 Info Sec2: | Christianity | ||
| Blank2 Name Sec2: | Feast date | ||
| Blank3 Name Sec2: | Catholic diocese | ||
| Blank4 Name Sec2: | Patron saint | ||
Sorsogon City, officially the City of Sorsogon (Waray Sorsogon: Syudad san Sorsogon; Syudad nin Sorsogon; Filipino; Pilipino: Lungsod ng Sorsogon), is a 2nd class component city and capital of the province of Sorsogon, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 182,237 people. Sorsogon City is the third most populous city in the Bicol Region and one of the leading cities in urbanization and most promising city in terms of development.
The component city was established on the year of 2000, from the merger of Bacon and Sorsogon municipalities.[2] The city's total population spread across 64 barangays.
It serves a trans-shipment point from the Visayas and Mindanao provinces and is dubbed as the "Gateway to Southern Philippines". Sorsogon City is considered as one of the emerging cities due to its vibrant economy and growing population.
Evidence of human habitation come from 3,000-year-old remains in a cave in Bacon and ancient burial sites dug upstream of Sorsogon rivers. Spanish missionaries came upon settlements in both sites when they arrived in the 1600s. Moro pirates had already frequented the territorial waters before the arrival of the Spanish missions.
Bacon was established as a visita of Casiguran while Sorsogon, originally in Sitio Pocdol in Capuy, was then established as a visita of Bacon. Sorsogon then became an independent, full-fledged parish in 1628 due to an increase in population. The two parishes later became civilian political units.[3]
The Pueblo Civil de Bacon was established in 1754, with Juan Elias as its first gobernadorcillo. Sorsogon became an independent pueblo in 1864. Both Bacon and Sorsogon were under the territorial jurisdiction of the province of Albay until the establishment of the independent province of Sorsogon on October 17, 1894.[4]
In 1951, Sorsogon was made the center of the episcopal see of the then newly established Roman Catholic Diocese of Sorsogon comprising the Sorsogon and Masbate provinces, with the Saints Peter and Paul Parish Church in the town of Sorsogon as the designated cathedral.[5]
See main article: Cities of the Philippines. Sorsogon City was created by virtue of Republic Act No. 8806 which was enacted on August 16, 2000 and ratified in December 2000.
Sorsogon City covers a land area of 31292ha. It is at the southernmost tip of the Bicol Peninsula and of Luzon Island. The city is bounded by Castilla in the west, Manito in the northwest, Albay Gulf in the north, Prieto Diaz in the east, Gubat in the southeast, Casiguran in the southwest, and Sorsogon Bay in the south. Sorsogon is characterized by an irregular topography; mountain ranges on the north-west, sloping uplands on the central part of the city, plain areas southwestern and central north and southeast portion, and marshlands on the southeast deltas. It is also surrounded by water, with Sorsogon Bay to the west Albay Gulf to the northeast, and Philippine Sea in the east.
Sorsogon City is southeast of Manila and south of Legazpi City. The 2015 Census puts the city's population at 168,110 with an annual growth rate of 0.84%. Sorsogon City ranked as the 3rd largest city in terms of population in the Bicol region. The only city in the province of Sorsogon, Sorsogon City is the largest in terms of land area in the Bicol region.
The Pan-Philippine Highway which runs from northwest to southeast through the city, connects Sorsogon City to the municipalities of Castilla, Pilar, in the northwest towards Daraga, Legazpi City, Naga City and the rest of Luzon. It also connects to the municipalities of Gubat, Casiguran and the rest of the second district municipalities of the province of Sorsogon in the southeast.
See main article: List of barangays in Sorsogon City.
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, experiencing 23 days of rain. Temperature is constant throughout the year. Sorsogon City's average yearly rainfall is just over 2671mm. April is the driest month of the year which only sees 12 rain days and 2671mm of rainfall. Average High temperature is at 38.08C and its Average Low temperature is at 24.5C. The coolest month is January with a daily mean of 25.5C and the hottest months are jointly April and May with a daily mean of 28C.
Demographic statistics:[6]
Sorsogon City is the economic center of Sorsogon Province and a hub of trade and commerce. It is one of the major cities in the Bicol Region after Naga City, Camarines Sur and Legazpi City in Albay. The city is a vital financial center housing numerous banks, non-bank financial institutions, manufacturing corporation and offices of major government departments and agencies. Although Sorsogon City does not have significant manufacturing industries, its dynamic service and agricultural sectors drive the economy forward.
In 2022 COA Report, Sorsogon City ranked third out of the seven cities in the Bicol Region with a total revenue of ₱1.42 billion pesos only after Legazpi City (₱1.84 billion) and Naga City (₱1.76 billion) making it part of the key urban centers in the region.
Sorsogon City is gradually becoming a major investment hub and is considered one of the emerging cities for doing business in the country. Investors in banking, real estate, retail, manufacturing and other business and industrial enterprises are similarly drawn to the city because of its rapid advancements of government infrastructure and business-friendly environment.
As of December 31, 2021, there are 27 banking offices operating in the city that offers banking services to businesses and residents according to Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation. Sorsogon is the third city in Bicol Region, after Legazpi and Naga with a highest total deposits amounting to Php 17,699,836 from 224,682 accounts.[7]
The city is home to a number of retail establishments. There were 3,475 business establishments in Sorsogon City as of 2022. There are 3 major shopping malls in the City of Sorsogon namely, SM Supermalls, Gaisano Capital and Citymall. It also attracted other local and national retail chains.
As further proof of dynamic and growing economy, LCC Mall Sorsogon and Yashano Mall Sorsogon, two of Bicol's homegrown shopping malls, will soon rise at Sorsogon City Central Business District.
Meanwhile, SM City Sorsogon, the fourth SM Supermall in Bicol and the 81st in the Philippines, is located beside the Sorsogon Integrated Terminal Exchange (SITEX) and formally opened on October 28, 2022. The mall is located along Maharlika Highway, Balogo, East District in Sorsogon City. SM City Sorsogon spans 40,000 square meters of gross floor area, providing two levels of shopping, dining, and entertainment destinations that will further boost the city and province’s socioeconomic, cultural, and leisure activities. Among its amenities are three cinemas, a food court, wellness and services hubs, and amusement, leisure, and hobbies shops. Its parking space has more than 700 slots as well as a public transport terminal.[8] [9]
As Sorsogon City is strategically located at the southernmost tip of the island of Luzon and considered one of the emerging city in the Philippines. The real estate sector is starting to flourish with the entry of local and national real estate developers. Numerous local estate developers are starting to establish their footprints in the city.
The City Government of Sorsogon aims to provide housing and a home to informal settlers in the city thru Mayor Ester Hamor's 10+1 Agenda, Taas-Noo Ciudadano Ako Program - Mass Housing Program, a priority program of Mayor Hamor thru the construction of the Sirangan Tenements and Sampaloc Tenements - a twelve (12) building 2-storey socialized housing building for informal settler families around the barangays covering the inner Sorsogon Bay Area in Sorsogon City.[10]
To decongest the Pan-Philippine Highway and to spur new developments outside the downtown area, two bypass roads were constructed in Sorsogon City, (1) the 7.654 kilometer Salvador Escudero III Diversion Road traversing Barangay Pangpang, Macabog, San Juan, Bibincahan and exits Brgy. Cabid-an, Sorsogon City and (2) the latest coastal road with a view of the Sorsogon Coastline, the 5.52 kilometer Sorsogon City Coastal Road, a four-lanes, consisting of rock causeways and three bridges traversing several barangays of Sirangan, Sampaloc, Balogo, Pangpang, Tugos, Cambulaga, and Talisay in Sorsogon City. It may be considered among the grandest of the Build-Build-Build projects in Bicol Region undertaken by DPWH Regional Office 5 and Sorsogon First District Engineering Office thru the effort of Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero. Other than decongesting the heavy traffic in the main thoroughfare of Sorsogon City, this road was built to provide protection to the surrounding areas from storm surges especially the Bicol Region is among the most frequent path of typhoons entering the Philippine area of responsibility.[11] [12] [13]
With highly trainable and skilled workers and its strategic location and rich natural resources provide great opportunities, Sorsogon City make it an attractive investment destination and with the economic activities and government infrastructure happening, numerous companies have chosen the city to become the site for their industrial expansion.
Peter Paul Philippines Corporation situated at Diversion Road, Cabid-an, Sorsogon City, which provide and established production facilities to produce coconut juice, milk and cream, virgin coconut oil, paring cake and oil and desiccated coconut to supply to then, Peter Paul Naugatuck, Connecticut, USA makers of famous Mounds and Almond Joy chocolate bars and other products for export to Australia.
Century Pacific Food one of the largest brand companies in the Philippines is to set up their sardines factory at Brgy. Abuyog, Sorsogon City for their 555 and Ligo products.
As a gateway to the Visayas and Mindanao, tourism plays a major part as a catalyst in contributing to Sorsogon City's economy. There are myriad of selections of attractions in the city that tourists can visit.Here are the Sorsogon City’s point of interests, destinations, and attractions:
The city's local government is headed by a mayor elected by popular vote. The Vice Mayor serves as the presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (city council), with 12 Councilors elected by popular vote as its members.[14] The Sangguniang Panlungsod serves as the city's legislative body and its role is to enact ordinances, approve resolutions, appropriate funds for the general welfare of the city and its inhabitants. Both the council members and the mayor serve three-year terms; and eligible for re-election for two more three-year terms.[15]
| Term | ||
| Sally A. Lee | June 30, 2001 – June 30, 2007 | |
|---|---|---|
| Leovic R. Dioneda | June 30, 2007 – June 30, 2013 | |
| Sally A. Lee | June 30, 2013 – June 30, 2019 | |
| Ester Hamor | June 30, 2019 – Present |
| Term | ||
| Edmundo Atutubo | June 30, 2001 – June 30, 2010 | |
|---|---|---|
| Bobet Lee Rodrigueza | June 30, 2010 – June 30, 2013 | |
| Charo Dichoso- Logronio | June 30, 2013 – June 30, 2016 | |
| Athan Balintong | June 30, 2016 – June 30, 2019 | |
| Eric Dioneda | June 30, 2019 – Present |
In order to spur development in the city, The Toll Regulatory Board declared Toll Road 5 the extension of South Luzon Expressway.[16] A 420-kilometer, four lane expressway starting from the terminal point of the now under construction SLEX Toll Road 4 at Barangay Mayao, Lucena City in Quezon to Matnog, Sorsogon, near the Matnog Ferry Terminal. On August 25, 2020, San Miguel Corporation announced that they will invest the project which will reduce travel time from Lucena to Matnog from 9 hours to 5.5 hours.[17]
The Sorsogon Sports Complex (Formerly known as the Balogo Sports Complex) is a complex of sport facilities located at Brgy. Balogo and its still under rehabilitation. Sorsogon Arena which is the centerpiece of the complex has a total seating capacity of 15,000 spectators and with the total cost of, the said sports complex will become the largest outdoor sports complex in the Southern Luzon and in Bicol Region. It is scheduled to host the Palarong Bicol, PRISAA National Games and Palarong Pambansa.[18] Mohri & P.A. Associates are the architecture of that project with the total area of 56,218 sq. m. and a 4-storey Roman Colosseum-inspired stadium.[19]
The Sorsogon Coliseum is a proposed indoor sporting arena located within the Sorsogon Capitol Compound in Sorsogon City is set to be an inspiring structure, boasting a seating capacity of a massive 10,000 to 12, 000 spectators. This state-of-the-art venue will not only cater to various events but also serves as a beacon of progress and culture in the province. The Sorsogon Coliseum is projected to be completed in 2025 which is expected to draw attention both in local and national, making Sorsogon a prominent destination for sports, entertainment and cultural activities.
The Sorsogon City Convention Center (SCCC) can now host big events such as conventions, exhibits, trainings and competitions. The 4,099 square meters facility can accommodate up to 2,500 spectators thus, boosting socio economic activities in the province of Sorsogon. It is envisioned to be the premier venue for local and international meetings, social and corporate events. It is located in City Hall Complex, Brgy. Cabid-an, Sorsogon City adjacent to Sorsogon Cultural Center for the Arts.
The Sorsogon Cultural Center for the Arts is a state-of-the-art facility in the City of Sorsogon for audio and visual presentations and will house exhibit rooms and halls for shows and performances as well as offices. It was designed to be the country’s second main arts facility next to the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP),The 2,638-square meter edifice features an outdoor lobby, lounge lobby, vestibule, spectators’ area, orchestra pit, performance stage, and a seating capacity of 338 on the ground floor and 177 on the mid-floor level. The Sorsogon Cultural Center for the Arts will be a grand place to cover film and broadcast arts, as well as literary and visual arts. Its presence will encourage local artists to pursue their passion through numerous workshops, seminars, anthologies, exhibits, symposia, competitions, and awards. It will establish good network among local and regional artists as well as cultural workers in the country. It will also be a venue for local communities for organizing their leisure, providing opportunities for self-expression, initiatives and cultural education.[20]
The City Government of Sorsogon started to construct the 4-Level Sorsogon City Public Parking aims to address the roadside parking issues and ease traffic congestion. Due to the increasing number of motor vehicles plying the city roads and address the worsening traffic congestions in the central business district area in Rizal and Magsaysay Streets. It will also cater to the parking needs of marketgoers and businesses since it is well within the public market area. It is located in the area formerly Plaza Bonifacio, Brgy. Sirangan, Sorsogon City.
Pili Festival – This is Sorsogon City’s major festival in honor of the patron saints of the city, Sts. Peter and Paul. The Pili tree (and nut) is indigenous to the province and is known for its various practical, economic and nutritional applications. This festival aims to emphasize its importance, and heightens awareness of the pili. The fiesta’s big attraction is the street dance in which beautifully costumed dancers depict the many uses of the tree. This is celebrated every last week of June (June 29) and usually a week-long celebration (June 19 to 29).[21] [22]
Much of the city's population rely on public transportation such as tricycles and jeeps to get around the city. The city boasts its color-coded public transportation system which it has pioneered in the region. All tricycles have its own color code depending on the district, zone or route that it is serving.Inter-town trips are served by the new airconditioned e-jeepneys while inter-provincial trips are served by the UV Express Vans and number of bus companies operating provincial and regional routes, with the modern Sorsogon Integrated Terminal Exchange (SITEX) serving as the terminus.
The city is 1-hour away from the Bicol International Airport located in Daraga, Albay.
The Sorsogon City Domestic Airport is a proposed airport development project located at Barangay Gabao, Bacon District, Sorsogon City.The Provincial Government of Sorsogon has released the proposed design for the upgrading of the existing Bacon Community Airport to a domestic airport. This airport development will propel growth in different sectors, such as trade, employment and tourism. Governor Edwin "Boboy" Hamor has been very vocal in pushing for the airport rehabilitation project which aims to make travel to and around the province's convenient and seamless.Accordingly, construction of the airport will commence on March 2024 and it will take three (3) years to complete and is expected to cater more passengers which aims to boost economic activities in the province. Upon completion, this airport may be consider as one of the most beautiful and modern domestic airport in the country.
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