Cordova, Cebu

History

On 22 May 1863, the Spanish Governor General of the Philippines Rafael Echagüe y Bermingham (San Sebastián, 1815 - Madrid, 1887) created a new town comprising the barrios of Gabi, Dayas and Pilipul (now called Pilipog), all of which are located on the southeastern tip of Mactan Island. Some authors think he chose the name Cordoba which means "stark nakedness and bare", but they do not indicate in what language. The decree of becoming a municipality only became effective in 1864.

However, before being appointed Governor General, in 1858, Rafael Echagüe y Bermingham was representative in the Spanish Congress of Deputies for the province of Cordoba (Spain), so he should have given that name in memory of his previous experiences.

In addition to Spain and the Philippines, there are other cities or provinces named Cordoba, Cordova or Las Cordobas in Argentina, Colombia, USA and Mexico, all of them founded and named by Spanish, in memory of the Spanish Cordoba or the surname/family name of its founders.

Cordova became a municipality in 1864, and from 1913 up to the present, a total of 15 mayors governed the district.

Geography

Cordova consists of a main island, bordering on and separated from Mactan Island by a narrow stream, as well as the islets of Gilutongan (also spelled Hilutungan), Nalusuan, Shell, Tongo and Lava. The two islets of Gilutongan and Nalusuan are part of the Olango Island Group in the middle of the Cebu Strait. Its land area is 789.6 ha, of which 740.85 ha constitutes the main island and 48.75 ha are outlying islets. Cordova is 18 km from Lapu-Lapu City and 28 km from Cebu City.

The surface of the town consists entirely of karstic limestone rock geologically associated with the Plio-Pleistocene Carcar Formation, dated to 2½–3 million years ago. The topography of Cordova is flat land, the highest point being only 10 m above sea level.

Climate

| Cordova

| 22.7 | 30.2 | 114 | 22.7 | 30.4 | 85 | 23.0 | 31.4 | 50 | 23.9 | 32.5 | 56 | 24.5 | 33.1 | 93 | 24.2 | 32.4 | 172 | 24.0 | 31.9 | 188 | 24.1 | 32.0 | 148 | 23.9 | 31.9 | 168 | 23.7 | 31.6 | 194 | 23.7 | 31.5 | 164 | 23.2 | 30.7 | 130 The climate of Cordova is of Coronas type III, meaning the seasons are not very pronounced and are classified as hot and humid.

Its temperature ranges from 65 to, with a mean high temperature of 88 F and a mean low of 74 F.

Barangays

Cordova is politically subdivided into 13 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Notes Gilutongan see

Demographics

Economy

Tourism

Cordova is a quiet fisherman town off the coast of mainland Cebu. It has several hotels, resorts and accommodations, which include:

• Solea Mactan Resort
• Gilutongan Marine Sanctuary
• Nalusuan Island Resort and Marine Sanctuary
• 10k Roses Café near Dayas Boardwalk and Marine Park
• Bakhawan Paradise
• Entoy's Bakasihan

A special attraction is the mangrove forest and swamp area. The best access to this area is the Day-as Boardwalk and Marine Park. The total mangrove plantation is estimated to cover more or less 100 ha. Most of the mangrove forest is located in the barangays of Pilipog, Bangbang, San Miguel, Dayas and Catarman.

Infrastructure

Utilities

• Cordova Desalination Plant

Transportation

Main article: Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway

The Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway, which was completed in 2022, connects Cordova to Cebu City in mainland Cebu. This is the third bridge connecting mainland Cebu to Mactan Island, after the Mactan–Mandaue Bridge and the Marcelo Fernan Bridge.

Education

The following public (unless otherwise noted) schools in Cordova are administered by one school district under the Schools Division of Cebu Province.

Elementary schools:

• Alegria Elementary School
• Bangbang Elementary School
• Buagsong Elementary School
• Catarman Elementary School
• Cogon Elementary School
• Cordova Central Elementary School
• Day-as Elementary School
• Gabi Elementary School
• Ibabao Elementary School
• Pilipog Elementary School

High schools:

• Cordova Catholic Cooperative School
• Cordova National High School
• Pilipog Night High School

College:

• Cordova Public College

Integrated schools:

• Gilutongan Integrated School
• Thrice Admirable Integrated School (private)

References

Sources

• {{cite news | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160129113958/http://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/83604/cordova-metro-pacific-ink-deal-for-3rd-mactan-bridge | archive-date = 29 January 2016 | url-status = live
• {{cite journal | access-date = 16 February 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160310103202/http://dirp4.pids.gov.ph/ris/dps/pidsdps0449.pdf | archive-date = 10 March 2016 | url-status = live
• {{cite news | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160502142906/http://www.philstar.com/business-usual/2016/05/02/1578762/cebu-cordova-bridge-boost-central-visayas-economy | archive-date = 2 May 2016 | url-status = live
• {{cite book

References

1. {{DILG detail
2. (2016). "Physical Profile". Municipality of Cordova.