Pagadian City is located at the geographical coordinates 07 deg. 49’43” latitude and 123 deg. 20’4.61” longitude. It is geographically situated in the northeastern side of the Province of Zamboanga del Sur in the Island of Mindanao. The City has a total land area of 33,380 hectares or 333.80 square kilometers, delineated by the municipal boundaries of Midsalip on the North, Labangan on the Northwest and East; Lakewood on the West; and Dumalinao and Tigbao on the Southwest.
It is accessible from the Cities of Dipolog, Ozamiz, Iligan and Cagayan de Oro in the Northeast by Bus via two separate routes, namely, the Pagadian-Molave-Ozamiz City-Dipolog and Pagadian-Aurora-Iligan-Cagayan de Oro routes.
In the past, Travel to Ozamiz by bus was long and tedious. It used a single route via the municipality of Tukuran, Aurora, Molave and Tambulig, all in the Province of Zamboanga del Sur, to the Cities of Ozamiz and Dipolog. With the completion of Labangan Switch, Ramon Magsaysay, travel to Ozamiz City and Dipolog City was shortened to a large degree and made easier.
Moreover, Pagadian City is accessible from the Cities of Zamboanga by bus, boat and plane and Cotabato City by boat. It has daily boat schedules to the City of Cotabato and Zamboanga. Travelers could also take daily plane flights to the Cities of Cebu and Zamboanga where connecting flights are also available to Manila and other points in the country
Topography
The City is generally characterized by sometimes steeply sloping landscapes, influenced by the mountain networks on the north and western frontiers. Elevation in the urban area comprising approximately 845.482 hectares or 2.533% of the total land area of the city ranges from one (1) MSL near Pagadian Bay at about one hundred (100) MSL in the area of Barangay San Jose.
Rising 684 feet above sea level with its base located at the intersection of the Lanao-Pagadian-Zamboanga City Highway and the municipal boundary of Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur, west of the city proper, is Sanai-like Mount Palpalan. Mount Begong, near Barangay La Suerte, rises 770 feet above sea level; Mount Pinukis, 1,300 feet; and Mount Sugar Loaf Lison Valley, 1,432 feet.
The city has mixed topographic relief. The northwestern portion with strongly sloping terrain and steep hills and mountains covers an estimated area of 15,090 hectares or 45% of the total area of the city. The central and northern areas which is about 47% of the total area have gently sloping to moderately sloping landscape while the southern and most of the eastern parts of the city are level or nearly level areas which covers approximately 8% of the total land area.
Climate
The City is located within the tropics of the northern Hemisphere which is characterized by pronounced dry season from January to March and r ainy season from April to December. Rainfall distribution is moderate from 2,500 mm to 3,000 mm annually. The prevailing winds are the southeast wind that blow shot gust wind from over the sea during dry season going northeast, and the trade winds brought about by the mountain range. The area does not experience typhoons due to its geographic location being situated away from the typhoon belt.
Natural Drainage
Due to the City’s terrain, majority of its barangays approximately 92% are classified as well drained to moderately well drained. Areas located in the southern portion of the city near Pagadian Bay are poor to very poorly drain.
Rivers and their tributaries form the natural drainage in the area. In the poblacion, which is composed of 13 urban barangays with a total area of 845.482 hectares or 2.53%, there are four major rivers namely: Balangasan River, Gatas River, Bulatoc River and Tiguma River. All these rivers carry water load to Pagadian Bay.
Labangan River is the only major river in the rural barangays. This particular river has three (3) major tributaries, which passes through Barangays Bulawan, Macasing, Lower Sibatang, Deborok and Lourdes. These tributaries carry its load to Yllana Bay at the municipality of Labangan.
Erosion Potential
Areas in the city that are susceptible to erosion are located in the northwestern portion with strongly sloping landscape and steep hills and mountains covering a total area of 15,090 hectares or 45% of the total area of the City.
Flooding Hazards
Majority of the fifty-four (54) barangays of the city does not experience flooding due to the elevation and other physical characteristics of these barangays. However, during heavy rains, the southern and most the eastern part of the city, which are level or nearly level areas will sometimes experience flooding especially when waters overflow the street canals. These areas cover approximately 8% of the area of the city.
Soil
The type of soil found in the city as reflected in the soil map are Alaminos/Antipolo Complex, Lousiana/Jasan Complex Hydrosol, Buyogan Clay Loam, and Mt. Soil Undifferentiated.
Given this type of soil, the average soil bearing capacity is 4,000 PST with an average soil temperature of 20.0 deg. Celsius. Table 1.3 and 4.1 show the soil physical characteristics as Depth and pH in the City of Pagadian.
Source: http://pagadian.com/PagadianNow.htm
Overview
Two stories to a name
Nobody can exactly place the roots of the name "Pagadian". Two story versions, however, contest the claim to determining the origin of the name given to this city.
But even before its present name was coined, settlers from far-flung regions of Luzon and the Visayas, as well as neighboring towns of Mindanao, arrived to mingle with the Subanens and Muslims who were the earliest inhabitants in what is now the city proper. Its first name at that time was Talpokan, meaning a place of numerous springs.
Coming to the stories: Version 1 somberly tells of a large number of early Christian settlers dying of malaria, a dreaded disease those days. The tragedy resulted in the place being named "Pangad-ye-an" — A Place of Prayer.
Version 2 is more cheerful. It tells of a settler from Luzon asking natives what the name of the place was. As he was asking the question, his eyes strayed to a flock of birds (native name: gagadian) winging their way above. The native, presuming the stranger was asking about the birds, readily answered: Gagadian.
As time passed, "Pangadye-an" and "Gagadian" merged and evolved into Pagadian.
Brief History
Pagadian, a former barrio of the town of Labangan of the lone province of Zamboanga, became a municipality on March 23,1937 through Executive Order No. 77 of the late President Manuel L. Quezon.
Its ascendancy was due to the eager initiative of then Assemblyman Juan S. Alano.
Hon. Jose Sanson was the first appointed mayor of Pagadian. After his brief tenure as town "Presidente", a regular election was held with the Hon. Francisco Conso-lacion becoming the first elected municipal mayor.
Later, Congressman Roseller T. Lim authored Republic Act No. 711, dividing Zamboanga into two provinces Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur, on June 6, 1952.
Pagadian became the capital town of Zamboanga del Sur which was itself inaugurated on September 17, 1952. It became a chartered city on June 21, 1969 through Republic Act No. 5478.
Geography/Political Subdivisions
Situated on the northeastern side of the region, Pagadian City is the gateway to Zamboanga del Sur.
It is also a point of entry to the cities of Ozamis, Iligan, and Cotabato.
Its rolling terrain encompassing both residential and commercial districts, reminiscent of the former Crown Colony, has earned for it the sobriquet Little Hongkong of the South.
Pagadian has a total land area of 333.8 square kilometers with 13 urban and 40 rural barangays.
Climate
Pagadian City is dry from January to March and wet from April to December. It is not affected by tropical storms and typhoons as it is out of the country's storm paths.
Population and Languages/ Dialects Spoken
Pagadian City, per the 1995 census, had,125,182 inhabitants. Residents generally speak Cebuano-Visayan. A good number speak English, Tagalog, llocano, Hiligaynon, Subanen, and Chabacano.
Muslims in the province also speak the dialects of the Maguindanao, Tausugs, Iranuns, and Samas.
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