Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines

About Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur

Kumalarang is a coastal 4th class municipality located in the central-southern section of Zamboanga del Sur. It was created on August 15, 1969, from parts of the neighboring municipalities of Lapuyan and Margosatubig. The municipality is primarily known for its extensive coastline along the Illana Bay, which heavily influences its economy, shifting the focus from purely agricultural to combined fishing and farming activities. It has a total land area of 145.54 square kilometers and is composed of 18 barangays.

Location and Access

Kumalarang is situated on the coast of Illana Bay, providing direct access to the Moro Gulf and the wider Sulu Sea. The municipality is bordered by Lapuyan to the west, Margosatubig to the east, and is separated from San Miguel by a narrow channel to the south. Land access primarily utilizes the national highway that connects the coastal municipalities. For sea travel, the town’s small municipal port or wharf, located in the barangay of **Poblacion**, serves local fishing vessels and smaller commercial transport boats. As the municipality does not have an airport or a major bus terminal, residents utilize the integrated bus and jeepney terminal located in the Provincial Capital, Pagadian City, for long-distance land and air travel. Pagadian City is the nearest major access point, hosting the Pagadian Airport (Pagadian City Domestic Airport) and the Pagadian City Port.

The municipality’s borders are defined by the following adjacent municipalities and their specific barangay contacts:
* **North:** The northern border is shared with the municipality of **San Miguel**. The barangay **Picanan** in Kumalarang is one of the northernmost communities bordering San Miguel.
* **East:** The entire eastern boundary is shared with **Margosatubig**. Barangay **Salagmanok** in Kumalarang shares a common border with the Margosatubig barangay of Tiguha.
* **South:** The southern boundary opens directly to the Illana Bay and the Moro Gulf.
* **West:** The western boundary is shared with **Lapuyan**. The coastal barangays of **Diplo** and **Bualan** in Kumalarang are among those that border Lapuyan.

Location of Municipality Hall 

The Municipal Hall, which serves as the administrative center for Kumalarang, is located in the barangay of **Poblacion**, serving as the civic and commercial heart of the municipality and is surrounded by local government and commercial buildings.

Economy of Kumalarang

The economy of Kumalarang is driven by a mix of **fishing** and **agriculture**. Given its coastal location, the primary industry is fishing, with local fishermen utilizing Illana Bay for their livelihood. Rice and corn cultivation, along with coconut and root crops, dominate the inland agricultural areas. The primary commercial center is the **Public Market**, which is located in the barangay of **Poblacion**. The market is the central hub for trading marine and agricultural products. Due to its agricultural output, it is likely that small local granaries or cooperative storage facilities exist in major farming barangays like **Boyugan East** and **Boyugan West**. The municipality celebrates a local annual festival, typically coinciding with its founding anniversary or a religious fiesta, which provides a temporary boost to local commerce and attracts visitors from neighboring towns.

Natural Resources and Rivers

The main natural resource of Kumalarang is its rich **marine ecosystem** within Illana Bay, which supports the local fishing industry. Inland, the municipality possesses **fertile agricultural land** suitable for various staple crops. The area is traversed by several small rivers and tributaries, one of the most prominent being the **Kumalarang River**, which flows through the municipality and empties into the Illana Bay. These river systems are vital for freshwater supply, domestic use, and **irrigation** for the rice and corn fields in the interior barangays.

Power, Water, and Utilities

Electricity service in Kumalarang is provided by the **Zamboanga del Sur I Electric Cooperative (ZAMSURECO I)**, which covers the coastal and central portions of the province. There is currently **no formal water district** established in the municipality. Residents and community clusters, therefore, rely mainly on **community-managed water systems**, communal deep wells, and natural spring sources for their domestic water consumption needs.

Banking, Commerce, and Health Services

Due to its 4th income class designation, Kumalarang does not host branches of major commercial banks. Residents typically travel to the nearby economic hubs of Pagadian City or Margosatubig for comprehensive banking and major financial transactions. Commerce is centralized around the **Public Market** and numerous *sari-sari* stores, primarily located in the **Poblacion** barangay. For health services, the municipality operates a dedicated **Rural Health Unit (RHU)** located in **Poblacion**, which handles primary care and public health programs. For hospital-level care, specialized treatment, and emergency services, residents must travel to the hospitals located in Pagadian City or the Margosatubig District Hospital in Margosatubig.

Education in Kumalarang

Most barangays in Kumalarang operate a public elementary school. For secondary education, the municipality has at least one major high school, the **Kumalarang National High School**, which is located in the town proper, **Poblacion**. Due to the absence of colleges or universities within the municipality, students seeking tertiary education typically enroll in the institutions located in Pagadian City, such as the private and state universities there.

Local Transportation

The primary mode of short-distance public transport within the town center of Kumalarang and the adjacent rural barangays is the **tricycle**. **Jeepneys** and multi-cabs serve as the main inter-barangay and inter-town transport, connecting the interior farming communities to the **Poblacion** market and providing links along the national highway to neighboring municipalities like Lapuyan and Margosatubig. **Pedicabs** are used for localized transport in densely populated areas of **Poblacion**. **Taxicabs** do not operate as a local form of public transportation in Kumalarang.

Municipalities in the Zamboanga Del Sur Province within Region IX (zamboanga peninsula) in the Republic of The Philippines
Aurora • Bayog • Dimataling • Dinas • Dumalinao • Dumingag • Guipos • Josefina • Kumalarang • Labangan • Lakewood • Lapuyan • Mahayag • Margosatubig • Midsalip • Molave • Pitogo • Ramon Magsaysay • San Miguel • San Pablo • Sominot • Tabina • Tambulig • Tigbao • Tukuran • Vincenzo A. Sagun
Cities in the Province of Zamboanga del Sur: Pagadian City

January 7, 2026

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The Andas carrying the Black Nazarene for January 9 Traslación features new steering wheel and reinforced underchassis to handle massive devotee crowds safely.

2️⃣ Over 3,500 affected by Mayon volcano unrest

NDRRMC reports 3,515 people from 964 families evacuated in Albay due to recent magmatic eruptions, ashfall, and pyroclastic flows; all in permanent danger zone.

3️⃣ Magnitude 6.4 quake hits off southern Philippines

USGS detects 6.4 quake off Davao Oriental coast—no tsunami threat reported, but locals feel shaking; no immediate damage confirmed.