List of the 18 Regions in the Philippines
National – Capital Region ● I – Ilocos ● II – Cagayan Valley ● III – C. Luzon ● IV‑A – Calabarzon ● IV‑B – Mimaropa ● V – Bicol ● VI – W. Visayas ● VII – C. Visayas ● VIII – E. Visayas ● IX – Zamboanga Peninsula ● X – N. Mindanao ● XI – Davao ● XII – Soccsksargen ● XIII – Caraga ● XIV – CAR ● XV – BARMM ● XVI – Negros Island Region (NIR)

Educational Note: Only 17 of the 18 administrative regions of the Philippines are under the jurisdiction and general supervision of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is the sole exception — it operates under its own organic law and answers directly to the President of the Philippines.. (This distinction is often misunderstood, as many Filipinos assume BARMM is under the DILG — it is not.)

Region IX – Zamboanga Peninsula

Overview

Region IX, officially known as the Zamboanga Peninsula Region, is located in the western part of Mindanao, Philippines. It serves as a strategic cultural and economic hub, bridging Mindanao with the Sulu Archipelago and the rest of Southeast Asia.

In July 2025, through Executive Order No. 91 signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Province of Sulu was formally transferred from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to Region IX. This move followed a Supreme Court ruling affirming the result of the 2001 plebiscite, in which Sulu voters opted not to join the then‑proposed ARMM.

Geography

Regional Center: Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur
Total Land Area: ~18,730 km² (including Sulu)
Provinces: Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Sulu (newly integrated, 2025)
Independent Component City: Isabela City (Basilan)
Highly Urbanized City: Zamboanga City

The region is bounded by the Sulu Sea to the north and west, the Moro Gulf to the east, and the Celebes Sea to the south. With Sulu’s inclusion, the region now also encompasses part of the Sulu Archipelago, extending its maritime reach.

Municipalities of Zamboanga del Norte, within Region IX in the Republic of The Philippines
Baliguian • Godod • Gutalac • Jose Dalman • Kalawit • Katipunan • La Libertad • Labason • Leon B. Postigo (Bacungan) • Liloy • Manukan • Mutia • Pinan • Polanco • Pres. Manuel Roxas • Rizal • Salug • Sergio Osmena Sr. • Siayan • Sibuco • Sibutad • Sindangan • Siocon • Sirawai • Tampilisan
Cities in the Province of Zamboanga del Norte: Dapitan City || Dipolog City – Capital

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

List of Municipalities in the Zamboanga Sibugay Province within Region IX in the Republic of the Philippines
Alicia • Buug • Diplahan • Imelda • Ipil (Capital) • Kabasalan • Mabuhay • Malangas • Naga • Olutanga • Payao • Roseller T. Lim • Siay • Talusan • Titay • Tungawan

People and Culture

Region IX is home to a diverse population of Chavacano, Cebuano, Tausug, Subanen, Sama‑Bajau, Yakan, and other ethnolinguistic groups.

Languages: Chavacano, Cebuano, Tausug, Subanen, Tagalog, English, and other local dialects
Religions: Predominantly Christian in the Zamboanga Peninsula provinces; predominantly Muslim in Sulu

The region’s culture blends Hispanic, indigenous, and Islamic influences, reflected in its architecture, cuisine, music, and festivals.

Economy

Key industries include:

Agriculture: rubber, coconut, rice, corn, seaweed, and tropical fruits
Fisheries: tuna, sardines, oysters, and other seafood
Manufacturing: food processing, rubber products, furniture
Trade and services: Zamboanga City serves as a major port and commercial hub

Sulu’s integration adds significant fishing grounds, seaweed farms, and maritime trade routes to the regional economy.

Festivals

Hermosa Festival (Zamboanga City, October) – celebrates Our Lady of the Pillar with street dances, regattas, and cultural shows
Megayon Festival (Zamboanga del Sur, September) – showcases unity among the province’s three major cultural groups
Sibug‑Sibug Festival (Zamboanga Sibugay, February) – marks the province’s founding anniversary with street dancing and the famous oyster grill
Regatta de Zamboanga – colorful vinta boat races in Zamboanga City
Sulu Kulintangan Festival – highlights Tausug music, dance, and martial arts traditions

Government

Regional Development Council (RDC IX) coordinates planning and development across the provinces and cities.
National government agencies maintain regional offices in Pagadian City and Zamboanga City, with adjustments underway to integrate Sulu’s provincial and municipal offices into the Region IX framework

January 7, 2026

1️⃣ Andas for Traslación 2026 now ready, with upgrades

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.

Region IX of the Philippines