Geography
Long known as
one of the few bastions of Islamic culture in the country,
besides central Mindanao, are parts of western Mindanao
(composed of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Dipolog,
Zamboanga City and Basilan) and the Autonomous Region of
Muslim Mindanao (ARMM, composed of Lanao Sur, Maguindanao,
Sulu and Tawi-Tawi).
Jutting out like a finger towards Malaysia in the South
China Sea, some parts of western Mindanao like Bongao, the
capital of Tawi-Tawi, are even closer to Malaysia than they
are to the Philippines – four hours by fast ferry to the
nearest island of Sabah in Malaysia, and five hours from
Zamboanga City.
Known as the Philippines’ southern backdoor – which both
Malaysian and Philippine authorities have failed to patrol
and enforce maritime laws adequately – this is a region
where centuries-old cross-border barter trade and even
illegal activities have flourished unabated.
Zamboanga City (410.9 sq.m.) serves as western
Mindanao’s trade center, linked by fast ferry to the islands
of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, as well as their adjacent
islands. |
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Population
(2000)
Zamboanga City: 601,794
Annual Growth Rate (1999-2000): 3.12%
Number of Households: 117,152
Average Household Size: 5.12
People and Culture
Zamboanga City’s
population is about 76% Christian and 24% Muslim. The five
ethno-linguistic groups among the Muslims are the Subanons of the
Zamboanga Peninsula, the Tausugs of Sulu, the Yakan of Basilan,
the Badjao “sea gypsies,” and the Samals of Tawi-Tawi. |
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Economic Status
Zamboanga City,
host of one of Mindanao’s major economic zones, exports rubber,
pearls, copra, mahogany and other fine hardwoods, fish, abaca,
and fruit products.
Human development index: (HDI is a composite index of
achievements in basic human capabilities in three fundamental
dimensions: long and healthy life, knowledge and decent standard
of living.)
National average: 0.660 in 1994, 0.625 in 1997;
Zamboanga del Sur: 0.502 in 1994, 0.521 in 1997; |
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Major
products / Industries
United States
Agency for International Development-funded Growth with Equity
in Mindanao lists western Mindanao’s potential investment areas
as agribusiness, marine and aquaculture, industry and services,
infrastructure, and tourism facilities.
Its major crops are rubber, cassava, coconut, cacao, rice and
corn.
Major exports are seaweed/carageenan, rubber, and marine
products.
Its key industries are fisheries, aquaculture, and plantation
agriculture.
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The most promising areas in each industry are as follows:
1. Agriculture:
banana
production and processing;
high-value
crop production and processing;
high-value
fruit production and processing;
industrial
tree plantations;
ornamental
horticulture;
post-harvest facilities;
rubber
production and processing;
rubber
wood processing;
small-scale integrated coconut processing;
small-scale integrated fruit processing; and
wood wool
cement board production
2.
Aquaculture:
milkfish
and crab culture;
post-harvest facilities for marine products; and
seaweed
production and processing
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3. Industry and services:
gifts,
toys and housewares manufacture;
ice plant
and cold storage facilities;
industrial
estate development;
oil and
industrial gases depot; and
ship
building and repair.
4. Infrastructure:
airport
expansion and improvement;
energy
development;
fast-ferry
service;
port
container handling;
seaport
expansion and improvement;
telecommunications development; and
water
supply distribution
5. Tourism
business
hotel; and
ethno- and eco-tourism |
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