Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines

The Province of Zamboanga del Norte, Region IX,  Philippines

Geography of Zamboanga del Norte Province, Philippines

Zamboanga del Norte is situated in Northern Mindanao. It is bounded on the north and west by the Sulu Sea, on the east by Misamis Occidental, and on the south by Zamboanga del Sur.

The province occupies a total land area of 6,618 square kilometers. It has an average elevation of 243.8 meters, with Mt. Dabiak in Katipunan as the highest peak at 2,600 meters. Other parts, near the coastlines, are plains. The province’s irregular coastline runs 400 kilometers from north to south.

Most of the municipalities of Zamboanga del Norte borders the Sulu sea,  Starting from the border of Zamboanga City they are lined up as follows: 1 Sibuco, 2 Sirawai, 3 Siocon, 4 Baliguian, 5 Gutalac, 6 Labason, 7 Liloy, 8 Salug, 9 Leon B. Postigo (Bacungan), 10 Sindangan, 11 Jose Dalman, 12 Manukan, 13, Pres. Manuel A. Roxas, 14 Katipunan, 15 Dipolog City, 16 Dapitan City, 17 Sibutad, 18 Rizal. Rizal borders the province of Misamis Occidental.

Location of Zamboanga del Norte Province, Philippines

• 8.1333° N, 123.0000° E – Zamboanga del Norte, Coordinates

Zamboanga del Norte is situated in Northern Mindanao in the Zamboanga peninsula. It is bounded on the north and west by the Sulu Sea, on the east by Misamis Occidental, and on the south/west by Zamboanga City and the south/east by Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay. It is part of Region IX in the island of mindanao.

The capital city of Zamboanga del Norte is Dipolog City.

• Zamboanga del Norte is subdivided into 25 municipalities and 2 cities. These are further subdivided into 691 barangays, and clustered into 3 congressional districts.
• Land Area of Zamboanga del Norte (as of 2007, in hectares) = 730,100
• Zamboanga del Norte is a 1st class province and within Region IX – Zamboanga Peninsula in the Zamboanga Peninsula.
• Of the 25 municipalities, 19 are “coastal” towns (with seashores bordering the Sulu Sea) of Zamboanga del Norte starting from the border of Zamboanga City and are lined up as follows: 1 Sibuco, 2 Sirawai, 3 Siocon, 4 Baliguian, 5 Gutalac, 6 Labason, 7 Liloy, 8 Kalawit, 9 Salug, 10 Leon B. Postigo (Bacungan), 11 Sindangan, 12 Jose Dalman, 13 Manukan, 14 Pres. Manuel A. Roxas, 15 Katipunan, 16 Dipolog City, 17 Dapitan City, 18 Sibutad, 19 Rizal. Rizal borders the province of Misamis Occidental.

About Zamboanga del Norte

Dubbed the “Twin‑City Province,” Zamboanga del Norte is famed for the beauty and charm of the Orchid City of Dipolog and the historical, rustic quaintness of the Shrine City of Dapitan.

Decrying Spanish authority over his beloved country, Dr. Jose P. Rizal — the Philippine National Hero — lived in exile in Dapitan City from 1892 to 1896, then a quiet coastal town in Mindanao. Here he practiced medicine, pursued scientific studies, continued his artistic and literary work, and expanded his knowledge of languages. He founded a school and a hospital, and even became a farmer to show that agriculture could be as noble a profession as medicine.

The original estate where Rizal lived in Talisay, Dapitan, is now part of the José Rizal Memorial Protected Landscape and is administered by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Dapitan’s historic core — including heritage structures linked to Rizal — was declared a Heritage Zone in 2011. Today, the city continues to position itself as the country’s Dr. Jose Rizal Heritage Center, with museums, restored landmarks, and cultural programs preserving his legacy.

Zamboanga del Norte is also known for Dakak Park and Beach Resort, long considered the province’s premier natural attraction. Its cove, white sand, and dive sites remain popular, though in March 2025 the Supreme Court ordered Dakak Beach Resort Corporation and Romeo Jalosjos to vacate a 1,602‑square‑meter leased property within the resort after a legal dispute over unpaid rent. The rest of the resort continues to operate, drawing divers and beachgoers to its coral‑rich waters and sunset views.

The southern part of Zamboanga del Norte has historically lagged in economic development and has not fully benefited from the economy of nearby Zamboanga City. The barangay of Zamboanga City that borders the province is Limpapa, while the adjacent municipality in Zamboanga del Norte is Sibuco.

Back in 2014, only a dirt road connected Zamboanga City to Sibuco, forcing merchants to travel over 300 km by highway or go by sea instead of the direct 30 km route. As of July 2025, the ₱2.088‑billion Curuan–Sibuco Road is over 96% complete, with full completion targeted for September 2025. Once finished, it will cut travel time from 4–5 hours to just 1.5–2 hours, lower transport costs, and improve market access for agricultural and fishery products. This long‑awaited link is expected to boost trade, tourism, and peace‑building efforts in the region.

People of Zamboanga del Norte Province, Philippines

• Population (2020 Census): 1,047,455

• Population (2015 Census): 1,011,393

• Population (2010 Census): 957,997

• Registered Voters (2025): 780,540 (up from 492,791 in 2010)

The main dialect is Cebuano/Visayan. English and Filipino (Tagalog) are also widely spoken, reflecting a high literacy rate. The original and native Subanen language continues to be used, especially in the highlands.

At present, Zamboanga del Norte is populated largely by Dipolognons and Dapitanons, believed to be descendants of migrants from Bohol who, in 1563, were attacked by Ternate raiders and forced to resettle elsewhere. Cebuano remains the principal dialect of the province, but with a distinct Boholano accent.

Zamboanga del Norte is also home to the Subanen (also called Subanun, Suban-on) — “people of the upstream.” Traditionally upland and swidden cultivators, they prefer to build houses on ridges near potable water sources and their fields, often favoring springs over streams. Over time, land pressures and environmental degradation have led some to adopt wet‑rice agriculture. Metalcraft and weaving are also practiced. The Subanen have maintained trade with coastal peoples for centuries.

Their most important cultural expression is Buklog, an elaborate thanksgiving ritual system involving a huge dancing platform that resonates when a log strikes a hollowed sounding board. In 2019, Buklog was inscribed by UNESCO on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

Sinulog and Kinabayo are celebrated every July 24–25 in Dapitan City in honor of its patron, Saint James. Sinulog is a dance procession, while Kinabayo is a colorful pageant re‑enacting the Spanish‑Moorish wars, particularly the Battle of Covadonga. In that battle, Spanish forces under General Pelagio reversed the tide with the miraculous apparition of Saint James the Apostle. Local adaptations and innovations have made this annual festivity a major draw for visitors.

The shrine to Dapitan’s most famous resident, Dr. José Rizal, still stands as part of the José Rizal Memorial Protected Landscape. This 439‑hectare protected area preserves his estate in Talisay, where he lived in exile from 1892 to 1896. Visitors can see reconstructed houses, his school, hospital, waterworks, and the Mi Retiro Rock where he wrote some of his poems. The site remains one of the top tourist attractions in Zamboanga del Norte.

History of Zamboanga del Norte Province, Philippines

When the Spaniards arrived in the Philippines in the 16th century, the Zamboanga Peninsula was already inhabited by Muslims along the coasts and rivers, Visayans in Dapitan, and the Subanen (or Subanun) in the interior. Dapitan — one of the earliest towns visited by the Spaniards — is believed to have been established by refugees from Bohol led by Chieftain Pagbuaya, who fled in 1563 after their settlement was destroyed by Ternate raiders.

Jesuit missionaries began their work in Dapitan in 1629, but progress was often hindered by continuous warfare between the Spaniards and Moro forces. For much of the Spanish colonial period, the territory now comprising Zamboanga del Norte was administered as part of two jurisdictions:

• Dapitan belonged to the corregimiento of Misamis.

• The western portion was part of the corregimiento of Zamboanga.

In the 19th century, when Misamis became a province, Dapitan formed one of its partidos (districts). In 1837, the corregimiento of Zamboanga was converted into a military government. In 1843, Spain formally gained title to the area between Zamboanga and Dapitan through a cession by the Sultan of Maguindanao.

From the latter half of the 19th century, many Visayan migrants from Cebu and Bohol settled along the Zamboanga coast due to population pressures in their home provinces. Some political exiles and minor offenders were also relocated here by the colonial government.

Dapitan is most famous as the place of exile of Dr. José P. Rizal, the Philippine national hero, who lived there from July 17, 1892 to July 31, 1896. During his exile, he practiced medicine, taught students, pursued scientific studies, and engaged in civic projects. His estate in Talisay is now preserved as part of the José Rizal Memorial Protected Landscape.

Under American rule, the Department of Mindanao and Sulu was created in 1914, and Zamboanga became one of its regular provinces. The seat of the provincial government was later moved from Zamboanga (now Zamboanga City) to Dipolog during World War II for security and administrative reasons.

On June 6, 1952, Republic Act No. 711 — authored by Congressman Roseller T. Lim and signed by President Elpidio Quirino — divided the old Zamboanga Province into Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur. Dipolog was designated as the capital of Zamboanga del Norte, while Pagadian became the capital of Zamboanga del Sur.

Elected Government Officials of Zamboanga del Norte Province, Philippines

Elected Officers of Zamboanga del Norte Province (2025 – 2028)

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