Puerto Princesa, officially the City of Puerto Princesa (

Cuyonon Cuyonon is a regional Bisayan language spoken on the coast of Palawan and the Cuyo Islands in the Philippines.highly urbanized city A city ( fil, lungsod/siyudad) is one of the units of local government in the Philippines. All Philippine cities are chartered cities ( fil, nakakartang lungsod), whose existence as corporate and administrative entities is governed by their own ...

in the

Mimaropa Mimaropa (usually capitalized in official government documents), formally known as the Southwestern Tagalog Region, is an administrative region in the Philippines. It was also formerly but still colloquially designated as Region IV-B until 201 ...

region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 307,079 people. It is a city located in the western Philippine province of Palawan, and is the westernmost city in the Philippines. Though the seat of government and capital for the province, the city itself is one of 38

independent cities An independent city or independent town is a city or town that does not form part of another general-purpose local government entity (such as a province). Historical precursors In the Holy Roman Empire, and to a degree in its successor state ...

within the Philippines not controlled by the province in which it is geographically located and is therefore an independent area located within Palawan. It is the least densely populated city in the Philippines with 110 inhabitants per square kilometre (280/square mile). In terms of land area, the city is the second largest geographically after Davao City with an area of . Puerto Princesa is the location of the Philippines' Western Command headquarters. Today, Puerto Princesa is a tourist city with many beach resorts and seafood restaurants. It has been acclaimed several times as the cleanest and greenest city in the Philippines.

Etymology

The name ''Puerto Princesa'' have several origins. It is said to have been attributed by locals to a princess-like maiden who roam the place at certain nights of the year, while other accounts attributed its geographical advantage as a seaport which is a naturally protected area due to its surrounding mountains, and is characterized by a depth able to accommodate any size of shipping vessel. Historically, this place was originally named Port Asuncion after Princess Asuncion, one of the princesses born to Isabella II of Spain and her consort, Francis, Duke of Cádiz. When the princess suffered an untimely death, the Queen changed the name to Puerto de la Princesa. Eventually, the name was shortened to Puerto Princesa.Tourist city venue for PNRC event.(Tourism)
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History

Spanish period

Spanish colonizers founded the settlement on March 4, 1872, in the course of their exploration of the province. As they scanned the Palawan shoreline for a capital site, they came upon a hill with steep declivity. Rowing to shore, they surveyed the hill and discovered an extensive plateau which they decided as ideal for settlement. Soon after, Fr. Antonio Muro levelled a portion of the hill to make way for a chapel (that section is now occupied by the Roman Catholic Cathedral, the P.C. Barracks and the Rizal Park, the Old Municipal Building used to be there, as well as an Elementary School). The first mass celebrated in Puerto Princesa took place at a site where a marker now stands. In May 1872, the

Port of Puerto Princesa The Port of Puerto Princesa City, Puerto Princesa is the Palawan baseport of the Philippine Ports Authority. It is located about Latitude 09° 44"N, Longitude 118° 43"E, on the western side of Puerto Princesa, westward of Princesa Strait, and the ...

became the center of Spanish Naval Operations in the area because the Bay met all the Navy's requirements. Royal Decrees later provided incentives to settlers, and by 1883 the settlement had flourished into a town of twelve roads, a hospital and well-built port. In 1894, Puerto Princesa was recognized by government authorities as one of the most beautiful towns in the country by virtue of the orderly distribution of streets, buildings and houses as well as the cleanliness of the community.

American period and World War II

Portal of Plaza Cuartel, Puerto Princesa, Palawan

In 1911, the New American Administration made Puerto Princesa the seat of the Palawan Provincial Government with Major John Brown as Lieutenant Governor. In the year 1936, Governor Heginio Mendoza made a directive on the transfer of the Palawan High School (currently Palawan National School) from the island municipality of Cuyo to the central place of the province, which was the Municipality of Puerto Princesa. During

WWII World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

and the Japanese occupation, the village was largely abandoned. On May 18, 1942, Japanese troops landed and occupied Puerto Princesa City. The Filipino Constabulary barracks was the scene of the Palawan Massacre, just before liberation with the allied

Invasion of Palawan The Invasion of Palawan ( Filipino: ''Paglusob sa Palawan''), was fought by U.S. liberation forces against the Japanese from 28 February to 22 April 1945, in a series of actions officially designated as Operations Victor I and II, and part of t ...

Post-World War II

In 1951, the barrios of Tinitian, Caramay, Rizal, Del Pilar, Malcampo, Tumarbong, Taradungan, Ilian, and Capayas were separated to form the town of Roxas. In 1955, the

sitio A ''sitio'' (Spanish for "site") in the Philippines is a territorial enclave that forms part of a barangay. Typically rural, a ''sitios location is usually far from the center of the barangay itself and could be its own barangay if its popu ...

s of Materingen, Tandayag, Nasedoc, and Panlawagan were separated from the barrio of Maroyogon and elevated into a barrio. In 1956, the sitios of Calagbenguen, Tarabanan, Bendoyan, Talabigan, Tagbuan, and Langogan were constituted into the barrio of Concepcion. In 1957, the barrio of ''Tapul'' was renamed to ''Salvacion''.

Cityhood

The town was converted into a city on January 1, 1970, under ''Republic Act 5906'' as amended by ''P.D. 437'', through the effort of then Congressman Ramon Mitra, Jr. Feliberto R. Oliveros, Jr., who then became the first City Mayor.

Highly urbanized city

On March 26, 2007, Proclamation No. 1264, converting the city of Puerto Princesa into a highly urbanized city, was signed by President

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Maria Gloria Macaraeg Macapagal Arroyo (, born April 5, 1947), often referred to by her initials GMA, is a Filipino academic and politician serving as one of the House Deputy Speakers since 2022, and previously from 2016 to 2017. She previously ...

. The plebiscite was held along with

Lapu-Lapu City Lapu-Lapu City, officially the City of Lapu-Lapu ( ceb, Dakbayan sa Lapu-Lapu; fil, Lungsod ng Lapu-Lapu), is a 1st class highly urbanized city in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a populati ...

Cebu Cebu (; ceb, Sugbo), officially the Province of Cebu ( ceb, Lalawigan sa Sugbo; tl, Lalawigan ng Cebu; hil, Kapuroan sang Sugbo), is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, and consists of a main island and 167 ...

on July 21, 2007. The majority of voters voted to accept the conversion into a HUC. Puerto Princesa became the 31st highly urbanized city in the Philippines. Meanwhile, the "Yes" votes won in

, making the city as the 32nd highly urbanized city in the country.

Contemporary

In May 2001,

Abu Sayyaf Abu Sayyaf (; ar, جماعة أبو سياف; ', ASG), officially known by the Islamic State as the Islamic State – East Asia Province, is a Jihadist militant and pirate group that follows the Wahhabi doctrine of Sunni Islam. It is based ...

gunmen entered the luxury Dos Palmas Resort in Honda Bay just off the coast of Puerto Princesa and kidnapped 20 people from the resort, including four resort staff and three Americans. Since its foundation, Puerto Princesa has been the nerve center of activities in Palawan. Aside from being the seat of public administration, it is the heart of trade, commerce, service, and industry in the province.

Geography

Puerto Princesa is located in the midsection of

Palawan Island Palawan is the largest island of the province of Palawan in the Philippines and fifth-largest by area and tenth-most populous island of the country, with a total population of 994,101 as of 2020 census. The north west coast of the island is alon ...

. It is bound to the east by the Sulu Sea, to the west iby the South China Sea, to the north by the municipalities of San Vicente and Roxas, and to the south by the municipality of

Aborlan Aborlan, officially the Municipality of Aborlan ( tgl, Bayan ng Aborlan), is a 1st class municipality in the province of , Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 38,736 people. It lies in a vast plain between the Sulu ...

. It is approximately from the Philippine capital of Manila, from Panay Island, and from Zamboanga City on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao.

Barangays

Administratively and politically, Puerto Princesa is politically subdivided into 66

barangay A barangay (; abbreviated as Brgy. or Bgy.), historically referred to as barrio (abbreviated as Bo.), is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district, or ward. In metropolitan ...

s or 1st to 2nd

district A district is a type of administrative division that, in some countries, is managed by the local government. Across the world, areas known as "districts" vary greatly in size, spanning regions or counties, several municipalities, subdivisions o ...

s, 35 of which are classified as urban barangays and 31 as rural with population.Municipality/City: PUERTO PRINCESA CITY (Capital)
National Statistical Coordination Board. * Babuyan (''Rural'') 2,472 * Bacungan (''Rural'') 4,555 * Bagong Bayan (''Rural'') 827 * Bagong Pag-Asa (''Urban'') 750 * Bagong Sikat (''Urban'') 7,497 * Bagong Silang (''Urban'') 5,296 * Bahile (''Rural'') 2,339 * Bancao-bancao (''Urban'') 13,612 * Binduyan (''Rural'') 1,293 * Buenavista (''Rural'') 1,212 * Cabayugan (''Rural'') 3,368 * Concepcion (''Rural'') 1,418 * Inagawan (''Rural'') 1,623 * Inagawan Sub-Colony (''Rural'') 4,052 * Irawan (''Urban'') 6,142 * Iwahig (''Rural'') 4,527 * Kalipay (''Urban'') 725 * Kamuning (''Rural'') 1,978 * Langogan (''Rural'') 2,067 * Liwanag (''Rural'') 1,202 * Lucbuan (''Rural'') 1,401 * Luzviminda (''Rural'') 3,473 * Mabuhay (''Urban'') 206 * Macarascas (''Rural'') 1,609 * Magkakaibigan (''Urban'') 375 * Maligaya (''Urban'') 311 * Manalo (''Urban'') 2,143 * Mandaragat (''Urban'') 9,210 * Manggahan (''Urban'') 644 * Mangingisda (''Rural'') 5,350 * Maningning (''Urban'') 791 * Maoyon (''Rural'') 1,281 * Marufinas (''Rural'') 609 * Maruyogon (''Rural'') 1,450 * Masigla (''Urban'') 609 * Masikap (''Urban'') 958 * Masipag (''Urban'') 1,971 * Matahimik (''Urban'') 1,228 * Matiyaga (''Urban'') 413 * Maunlad (''Urban'') 3,865 * Milagrosa (''Urban'') 3,100 * Model (''Urban'') 327 * Montible (''Rural'') 362 * Napsan (''Rural'') 1,797 * New Panggangan (''Rural'') 629 * Pagkakaisa (''Urban'') 1,131 * Princesa (''Urban'') 1,015 * Salvacion (''Rural'') 1,197 * San Jose (''Urban'') 17,521 * San Manuel (''Urban'') 12,510 * San Miguel (''Urban'') 19,649 * San Pedro (''Urban'') 22,089 * San Rafael (''Rural'') 1,836 * Santa Cruz (''Rural'') 840 * Santa Lourdes (''Urban'') 5,171 * Santa Lucia (''Rural'') 147 * Santa Monica (''Urban'') 20,094 * San Isidro (''Urban'') 312 * Sicsican (''Urban'') 15,861 * Simpocan (''Rural'') 1,272 * Tagabinet (''Rural'') 1,170 * Tagburos (''Urban'') 7,045 * Tagumpay (''Urban'') 465 * Tanabag (''Rural'') 700 * Tanglaw (''Urban'') 1,739 * Tiniguiban (''Urban'') 12,285 Sabang, Mountains by the sea, Palawan, Philippines

Sabang, Mountains by the sea, Palawan, Philippines

Climate

Puerto Princesa features a

tropical wet and dry climate Tropical savanna climate or tropical wet and dry climate is a tropical climate sub-type that corresponds to the Köppen climate classification categories ''Aw'' (for a dry winter) and ''As'' (for a dry summer). The driest month has less than of ...

( Köppen climate classification Aw). It is usually wet from May to December and with very little rain from January to April. Average temperature is while the annual average rainfall is per year. It is warm and humid all year round.

Demographics

In the 2020 census, the population of Puerto Princesa was 307,079 people, with a density of . Waves of migrants from other Philippine provinces, and even other countries, have turned Puerto Princesa into a melting pot of various cultures. Among the original inhabitants are the Cuyonons who have a rich legacy of folklore and traditions. Indigenous groups include the Tagbanwas, Palawanos, Molbogs and Bataks, each group with its distinct culture and system of beliefs. Total inhabitants number 307,079 (as of 2020), of which three-quarter of the population resides in the city proper, an urban settlement on the shores of Puerto Princesa Bay. Although the predominant language is Tagalog,

Cuyonon Cuyonon is a regional Bisayan language spoken on the coast of Palawan and the Cuyo Islands in the Philippines.Hiligaynon, other Visayan languages, and English.

Economy

Puerto Princesa is known as the "Eco-Tourism Center of the Philippines". In recent years, the city has seen an increase in the number of tourists bringing with them trade and businesses for the city. Many hotels ranging from basic to five-star luxury accommodations have been developed since the 1990s to cater to a growing number of foreign and local tourists in the city. There are also a number of restaurants, bars and shopping malls, including the Robinsons Place Palawan, NCCC Mall Palawan, Unitop Mall Puerto Princesa, as well as the recently opened SM City Puerto Princesa. Some tourists who come to Puerto Princesa visit the

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is a protected area in the Philippines. The park is located in the Saint Paul Mountain Range on the western coast of the island of Palawan, about north of the city of Puerto Princesa, and c ...

, one of the

New7Wonders of Nature New 7 Wonders of Nature (2007–2011) was an initiative started in 2007 to create a list of seven natural wonders chosen by people through a global poll. It was the second in a series of Internet-based polls led by Swiss-born Canadian Bernard Web ...

, located 50 km north of the city. The city is also the jump-off point for exploring the Tubbataha Reef.

Transportation

Puerto Princesa International Airport Outside 1

Air

The

Puerto Princesa International Airport Puerto Princesa International Airport ( fil, Paliparang Pandaigdig ng Puerto Princesa; ) is an airport serving the general area of Puerto Princesa, located in the province of Palawan in the Philippines. It is classified as an international airport ...

is within the city proper. Puerto Princesa is accessible by direct flights to and from the major cities of the Philippines, such as Manila,

, Davao,

Iloilo Iloilo (), officially the Province of Iloilo ( hil, Kapuoran sang Iloilo; krj, Kapuoran kang Iloilo; tl, Lalawigan ng Iloilo), is a province in the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is the City of Iloilo, the r ...

, and Clark, as well as other parts of Palawan, such as Cuyo, Busuanga, San Vicente, and El Nido.

Sea

The city is served by domestic passenger ferries to Cuyo, Manila, Coron and Iloilo at the

Land

The main modes of transport are via

tricycles A tricycle, sometimes abbreviated to trike, is a human-powered (or gasoline or electric motor powered or assisted, or gravity powered) three-wheeled vehicle. Some tricycles, such as cycle rickshaws (for passenger transport) and freight trikes, ...

jeepneys Jeepneys (), sometimes called jeeps (), are minibus-like public utility vehicles, serving as the most popular means of public transportation in the Philippines. They are known for their crowded seating and kitsch decorations, which have become ...

and vans-for-hire (or PUVs/public utility vehicles). Taxis started operating since April 2015, plying through the city center and nearby tourist destinations. Provincial buses and jeepneys operate from the San Jose terminal located 7 km north of the city center off the National Highway.

E-tricycle

Puerto Princesa then Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn unveiled the environment-friendly and economical

electric Electricity is the set of physical phenomena associated with the presence and motion of matter that has a property of electric charge. Electricity is related to magnetism, both being part of the phenomenon of electromagnetism, as described ...

-powered “Trikebayan” (which does not emit any noise or

carbon monoxide Carbon monoxide (chemical formula CO) is a colorless, poisonous, odorless, tasteless, flammable gas that is slightly less dense than air. Carbon monoxide consists of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom connected by a triple bond. It is the simpl ...

) at the Kapihan sa Sulo forum, Sulo Hotel, Quezon City. The Trikebayan costs only or $1.20 per day to operate, while a gasoline-powered tricycle operation would cost . Rolly Concepcion, who conceptualized the Trikebayan, said that converting a tricycle engine to electric costs . The rechargeable battery under the passenger seat can run for 12 hours. Mr. Conception died before the project was completed. This did not discourage the previous mayor Hagedorn from pursuing a dream of seeing all electric vehicles, especially replacing the gas tricycles in the city. There was a dealership for these trikes on the north highway but it closed down in 2011. Although Puerto Princesa has this bold plan for electric vehicles, the municipal government and tourist office has stated (when asked by a tourist in August 2011), that it has no published or announced plan for providing for the current and future needs and safety of pedestrians or bicycle riders. Spaces for walking and bicycling from one place to another are not being considered.

Healthcare

Hospitals in the city include: *MMG-PPC Cooperative Hospital *Ospital ng Palawan *Palawan Adventist Hospital *Palawan Medical City *PuertoGen Clinics & Infirmary *Ace Hospital

Government

Elected and appointed public officials have governed Puerto Princesa, with a strong mayor-council government. The city political government is composed of the mayor, vice mayor, ten councilors, one Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation representative and an Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) representative. Each official is elected publicly to a three-year terms. The following are the current city officials of Puerto Princesa: * House of Representatives Congressman: Edward S. Hagedorn ( PDP-Laban) *Mayor: Lucilo R. Bayron ( PDP-Laban) *Vice Mayor: Maria Nancy M. Socrates (

Aksyon Demokratiko Aksyon Demokratiko ( ) or simply Aksyon is a political party in the Philippines founded by Raul Roco. It was recognized as a national political party in 1998 by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and is considered to be one of the major par ...

) * Councilors: ( PDP-Laban) ** Nesario G. Awat ** Judith M. Bayron ** Jimmy L. Carbonell ** Elgin Robert L. Damasco ** Herbert S. Dilig ** Henry A. Gadiano ** Patrick Alex M. Hagedorn ** Luis M. Marcaida III ** Feliberto S. Oliveros III ** Modesto V. Rodriguez II ** Myka Mabelle L. Magbanua (Pres., SK Federation)

Media

Television networks

All of the major television broadcasting channels' regional offices are located in the city.

ABS-CBN Corporation ABS-CBN Corporation is a Filipino media company based in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. It is the largest entertainment and media conglomerate in the Philippines. It is a subsidiary of Lopez Holdings Corporation which is owned by ...

expanded its network in Palawan by establishing ABS-CBN Palawan, which operates ABS-CBN channel 7 Puerto Princesa,

ABS-CBN Sports and Action ABS-CBN Sports and Action (stylized as ABS-CBN Sports+Action or simply S+A or S and A), was a free-to-air television network based in Quezon City. It was owned by ABS-CBN Corporation with some of its programs produced and licensed by ABS-CBN S ...

Palawan

DYAP-AM DYAP (765 AM) Radyo Patrol was a radio station owned and operated by ABS-CBN Corporation. The station's studio and transmitter were located at the ABS-CBN Broadcast Center, Mabini St. cor. Valencia St., Brgy. Masipag, Puerto Princesa. Establis ...

and MOR! Local shows such as TV Patrol Palawan are broadcast throughout the region via ABS-CBN Regional, which is also stationed in the city.

Bandera News Philippines Bandera News Philippines is a regional broadcast company in the Philippines. Its main headquarters is located in Macasaet Business Complex, Roxas St., Puerto Princesa. Bandera News operates a number of stations across the country under the Rad ...

's airs shows via channel 40 Local Shows Such as Alerto 38, GMA Network's channel 12 and GMA News TV channel 27 are also available.

Cable and satellite TV

The city's cable and satellite TV companies include Puerto Princesa Cable Television (PPCATV)

Radio stations

Puerto Princesa has a number of FM and AM radio stations, some of which operate 24 hours daily.

Twin towns and sister cities

Local

* Quezon City, Metro Manila *

General Santos City General Santos, officially the City of General Santos,; hil, Dakbanwa sang Heneral Santos; Maguindanao: ''Ingud nu Heneral Santos''; Blaan: ''Banwe Dadiangas''; Tboli: ''Benwu Dadiangas''; Filipino: ''Lungsod ng Heneral Santos'' and abbre ...

International

Haikou Haikou (; ), also spelled as Hoikow is the capital and most populous city of the Chinese province of Hainan. Haikou city is situated on the northern coast of Hainan, by the mouth of the Nandu River. The northern part of the city is on the H ...

, Hainan, China *

Hsinchu Hsinchu (, Chinese: 新竹, Pinyin: ''Xīnzhú'', Wade–Giles: ''Hsin¹-chu²'') is a city located in northwestern Taiwan. It is the most populous city in Taiwan Province not among the special municipalities, with estimated 450,655 inhabi ...

, Taiwan, since February 10, 2006 *

Maui County Maui County, officially the County of Maui, is a county in the U.S. state of Hawaii. It consists of the islands of Maui, Lānai, Molokai (except for a portion of Molokai that comprises Kalawao County), Kahoolawe, and Molokini. The latter two a ...

, Hawaii, USA, since March 5, 1999

Notable personalities

Daryl Ong Daryl Neilsonn Ong (born March 24, 1987) is a Filipino singer and songwriter. He rose to fame after joining the singing competition ''The Voice of the Philippines''. When Ong sang his blind audition piece "Paano" (original by Gary Valenciano) ...

– singer *

Raul Mitra Raul Mitra is a Filipino composer, arranger, songwriter, musical director, pianist, and keyboardist. He is the son of former House Speaker Ramon V. Mitra. Awards References External links * Filipino film score composers Filipino ...

– composer *

Ramon Mitra Jr. Ramon Villarosa Mitra Jr. (February 4, 1928 – March 20, 2000) was a Filipino statesman, diplomat, and pro-democracy activist. He served as Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from 1987 to 1992. Prior to that, he was C ...

– former House Speaker *

Abraham Kahlil Mitra Abraham Kahlil Blanco Mitra (born January 3, 1970) is a Filipino politician currently serving as the chairman of the Games and Amusement Board since 2016. He previously served as a presidential consultant, congressman, and governor of Palawan. He ...

– former Governor of Palawan and Games And Amusement Board Chairperson *

Samantha Bernardo Samantha Mae Adaliga Bernardo (born November 10, 1992) is a Filipino television personality and beauty pageant titleholder who was appointed as Binibining Pilipinas Grand International 2020. She represented the Philippines at the Miss Grand In ...

- Beauty pageant titlist ( Miss Grand International 2020 - 1st Runner-up, Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2020, Bb. Pilipinas 2018 and

2019 File:2019 collage v1.png, From top left, clockwise: Hong Kong protests turn to widespread riots and civil disobedience; House of Representatives votes to adopt articles of impeachment against Donald Trump; CRISPR gene editing first used to experim ...

- 2nd Runner-up)

Notable organizations

* Centre for Sustainability PH, Inc. * Palawan Centre for Sustainable Development * Roots of Health

References

External links

Philippine Standard Geographic Code The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no), * bik, Republika kan Filipinas * ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas * cbk, República de Filipinas * hil, Republ ...

br>Official City Puerto Princesa websiteDepartment of Tourism - Puerto Princesa
{{Authority control Populated places in Palawan Cities in Mimaropa Highly urbanized cities in the Philippines Provincial capitals of the Philippines Populated places established in 1872 1872 establishments in the Philippines Port cities and towns in the Philippines