Cabatangan, Zamboanga City

Cabatangan is a Barangay of Zamboanga City within Zone IX in the Zamboanga Pensinsula, Mindanao, Philippines.

>>> Click to go to the links of the 98 Barangays


While Google may show that Cabatangan is in Zamboanga del Sur, this is an uncorrected government error. Zamboanga City is an independent chartered city.

Cabatangan

Area in Hectares: 896.6494
Population (2020 Census): 17,812
Population (2015 Census): 13,680
Annual Growth Rate (2015-2020): 5.71%

Location of Cabatangan, Zamboanga City

Distance from CITY PROPER: 6.64 Km.
Location: within the 7-kilometer radius from the city proper, west coast

History of Cabatangan, Zamboanga City

Long before the coming of the Spaniards to Zamboanga, the places here had no name. It was only upon the arrival of the Spaniards when the places here got their names. This is how Cabatangan was named.

The first thing that the Spaniards did on their arrival was to go sight-seeing and get better acquainted with the place and the people. One day, the Spaniards reached the place where they saw natives trekking down the hills carrying long bamboo tubes which apparently were to be filled with water from the river.

Though the Spaniards did not know the dialect, their curiosity was such that one of them asked the natives, what the name of their village was. Thinking that the former wanted to know what they were carrying, the natives answered “Batango”.

After the incident, the place was called “CABATANGAN” by the Spaniards.


In 1989 after the creation of the ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao), 96 hectares were allocated to the ARMM by the national government in the hilly barangay of Cabatangan. A wide perimeter road was constructed to circumvent this 96 hectares where the ARMM built several buildings to house various ARMM offices. In 2001 The ARMM had a plebiscite in Zamboanga to annex Zamboanga into the ARMM and it was defeated. Nur Misuari (leader of the MNLF) was irate over this election result and decided to have his militia (MNLF) camp in this 96 hectare area. The AFP did not take this lightly so this area of the ARMM was borbarded by AFP November 27, 2001. The MNLF was defeated but thousands of citizens suffered. This 96 hectares remains to be the property of the ARMM.

The city of Zamboanga is trying to buy this property from the national government to rid of the ARMM from Zamboanga City. However, the Bangsamoro wants this property back and claims that once the ARMM becomes the “Bangasamoro Islamic State” within the federal system form of government, the 96 hectares should be repossessed. Then once again the militias of the Bangsamoro will make cabatangan their base.

Last June 2018 president Duterte already agreed to have the National government buy back this property from the ARMM. Then the National government will sell it directly to the City of Zamboanga.

So why is the city council of Zamboanga City procrastinating on the purchase of this 96 hectares from the National government?

Elected Government Officials of Cabatangan, Zamboanga City

Elected Officials of Cabatangan for the term of 2018 – 2020
  • Punong Barangay Chairman/Captain : Antonio Jimenez Saavedra
  • Barangay Kagawads/Councilors:
  1. Allan Esteban Dagun
  2. Valentino Buenaventura Lingcon
  3. Rowel Herrera Arquiza
  4. Isabel Arecillas Carpio
  5. Girle Bautista Lozano
  6. Efren Rojas Jalon Francisco
  7. Zonia Trinidad Credo

Elected Officials of Cabatangan for the term of 2013-2016-18
  • Punong Barangay Chairman/Captain : Saavedra, Antonio Jimenez
  • Barangay Kagawad Lingcon, Valentino Buenaventura
  • Barangay Kagawad Dagun, Allan Esteban
  • Barangay Kagawad Lozano, Girlie Bautista
  • Barangay Kagawad Arquiza, Rowel Hererra
  • Barangay Kagawad Carpio, Isabel Arcillas
  • Barangay Kagawad Jalon Francisco, Edilberto Rojas
  • Barangay Kagawad Jalon Francisco, Edwina Rosal

Elected Officials of Cabatangan for the term of 2010-2013
  • Cabatangan, Barangay Chairman, Ramon D. Dagun
  • Cabatangan, Kagawad 1, Joseph O. Arcillas
  • Cabatangan, Kagawad 2, Allan E. Dagun
  • Cabatangan, Kagawad 3, Isabel A. Carpio
  • Cabatangan, Kagawad 4, Antonio J. Saavedra
  • Cabatangan, Kagawad 5, Efren R. Jalon Francisco
  • Cabatangan, Kagawad 6, Girlie B. Lozano
  • Cabatangan, Kagawad 7, Deogracias G. Budlong Jr.
  • Cabatangan, SK Chairman, Maricris C. Fernandez

Elected Officers for the term of 2007 – 2010
  • Punong Barangay or Barangay Captain:
    • Edwina R. Jalon Francisco
  • Barangay Kagawad:
    1. Allan H. De los Reyes
    2. Efren R. Jalon Francisco
    3. Elmer L. Saavedra
    4. Antonio J. Saavedra
    5. Eligardo A. Gregorio
    6. Rowel H. Arquiza
    7. Joseph O. Arcillas
  • Secretary:
    • Gerlie B. Lozano
  • Treasurer:
    • Alfredo J. Jacinto
  • SK Chairman:
    • Janilane L. Manuel
  • SK Kagawad:
    1. Jennifer L. Cubalan
    2. Christopher R. Mangcopa
    3. Jonel F. Toribio
    4. Jocelyn A. Hipolito
    5. Lovee Mae G. Esteban
    6. Ruby Grace L. Fernandez
    7. Ronald L. Bautista

Navigate to the 98 Barangays of Zamboanga City

98 Barangays of Zamboanga City within Region 9 – Mindanao in the Republic of The Philippines

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Picture Gallery of Cabatangan

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The barangay system is one of the best government systems in the world.

Barangay’s power and authority: A must read for all barangay officials

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This is the Barangay Code of the Philippines – PDF”.

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A Barangay Clearance is NEEDED in order to get a Business License.
So why is the barangay name not in most business addresses?
Ask your Barangay Captain/Chairman to create a Resolution to make it mandatory to put the barangay name in all Business addresses.
Every Government Unit in the Philippines is within a Barangay. The municipal hall, city hall, the provincial capitol building, and even the Malacañang Palace where the president resides is within a Barangay.

The barangay has power and authority over its domain. The improvement of the barangay rests on the barangay officials. The barangay chairman, the barangay council and the local businessmen forge the prosperity of the barangay. Not the president of the Philippines, senate, nor congress. Not the governor of the province, not the mayor nor council of the municipality or city. Poor barangays stay poor because of weak and/or ignorant(uninformed) barangay leaders.

When roads or any infrastructure need to be built, improved or repaired, all the barangay officials have to do is make a resolution and present it to the city or municipality council. The resolution will force the city/municipal council or responsible government office to hear the legitimate demands. “The squeaky wheel gets the grease.”

Each city or municipality is represented by the “barangay association or federation”. The elected president of the Association of Barangay Council and the President of Kabataan (SK) association each have a seat in the City/Municipality council. Their powers are the same and equal to the elected city/municipality councilors. They are there to help lobby the demands of the barangays. They are not there just to collect a big salary and rub elbows with the regular elected city/municipality council, but to also represent the needs of the barangays.
The duties of the barangay officials are specifically written in Chapter III(Punong Barangay) and Chapter IV (The Sangguniang Barangay). Read it..PDF file

Practically anything that has to do with the barangay, the barangay officials have a say on it and most likely the authority over it. The majority of the barangay officials are not aware of their duties and power. They depend on the city council or mayor. The elected barangay officials are afraid of the mayor and city/municipality’s “Sangguniang Panlungsod”. They are in fear of being ousted or removed from office. The truth is, the “Sangguniang Panlungsod” does not have the power to remove or suspend any elected barangay officials from office. Only the COURT OF LAW can do this (judicial branch of the government). Elected public officials can’t be suspended by the DILG or the office of the president unless an official complaint has been filed, there must be proof and there must be due process. Republic Act 7160 chapter 4, Section 60 – pdf file. Information is power. Be informed. Do not be intimidated by the president, senator, congressman, governor, mayor, vice-mayor, or councilors. Do your job.

The control of traffic is not up to the city council or chief of police. It is controlled by the barangay. If the barangay needs traffic enforcers, the barangay can make a resolution to demand it from the city or municipality council. When the electric coop or the water district do not maintain their lines, the barangay can directly demand for the maintenance from the utility companies. No need to wait for city council.

The citizens also has the power to make demands to the barangay officials. In case the officials get blinded. Simply file an official complaint with the barangay secretary naming the Punong barangay as the respondent representing the barangay.

Barangay officials are paid to serve the public. So never be afraid to ask them to do  anything if it is for the benefit of entire barangay. Even the SK officials are compensated specially the SK chairman.

If the power lines are sagging, don’t go to the power company, go to the barangay office. Ask the barangay for a DEMAND resolution against the power company.
If the water lines are busted, don’t wait for the water company, go to the barangay office. Ask the barangay for a DEMAND resolution against the water company.
If the potholes in the road are not fixed, don’t wait for the The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), go to the barangay office. Ask the barangay for a DEMAND resolution against the DPWH.
Are you beginning to get the point?

Cleaning the shorelines, drainage systems, streets, rivers, and parks within your barangay is YOUR responsibility. You are accountable for this. It is not the responsibility of the City/Municipality officials. The citizens and officials of the barangay are responsible. Stop blaming others.

  • BUDGET: As far as the preparation for the budget expenditures, it starts at the barangay level, then moves on to cities, municipalities, provinces and regions. The barangays need to exercise their authority. They need to put their yearly budget together for their administration and future projects. The majority of the barangays leave this job to the municipality and city. This is so wrong. Then when the budget doesn’t come or is lacking, they complain.
  • The budget for the barangays does go to the City or Municipality, but simply for holding and later distribution. The city or municipality DOES NOT approve the budget. It was already approved by congress. The city or municipality simply “distributes” the approved budget.
  • The bureau of internal revenue is in cahoots to subdue the barangays, municipalities and provinces. They call the rightful shares to the taxes collected as “Internal Revenue Allotment Dependency”. It is not a dependency. It is the lawful and rightful share of the LGU as specified in “TITLE III, SHARES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS IN THE PROCEEDS OF NATIONAL TAXES, CHAPTER I, Allotment of Internal Revenue Taxes, Section 284.”
  • “IMPERIAL MANILA IS A MYTH!”, it does not exist anymore. The Philippine budget formulation system is not centralized. “Budgetary planning has been DECENTRALIZED since 1991” – pdf file. It is the responsibility of each LGU to submit their budgetary needs for review. Failure to submit is the problem.
  • DURING ELECTIONS: Where do City and Municipality politicians go to campaign? They seek the support of the Barangay officials. They plead to the barangay folks for the votes. Even the candidate for president. But after the election they ignore you. Do not ever forget the power of the barangay.

Ignorance keeps the pinoys thinking that Manila rules. Be informed, be educated and make your barangay prosper.

Regional Senatorial Representation – Minimum of One Senator per Region

With the current state of affairs a candidate needs millions of pesos to be a senatorial candidate. Because his/her campaign must be nationwide and is only directed at the most populous cities and municipalities to guarantee the most votes. Plus the comelec is prejudiced in the acceptance of certificate of candidacy. How often have you witnessed the COMELEC declare a provincial senatorial candidate as a nuisance candidate. The comelec is in cahoots with the big time money makers in the metro manila area. Unless the provincial candidate has millions of pesos and big time connections, his/her chance for even being accepted by the COMELEC is hopeless.


The majority of Barangay Captains still think that the mayor is the boss. Wrong!

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