Puerto Princesa

Etymology

The name Puerto Princesa has several possible origins. It is said to have been attributed by locals to a princess-like maiden who roams the place on certain nights of the year, while other accounts attribute its geographical advantage as a seaport which is a naturally protected area due to its surrounding mountains, and is characterized by a depth able to accommodate any size of shipping vessel.

There are two official versions about the actual origin of the name. The first is that place was originally named Port of the Princess (Spanish: Puerto de la Princesa) after Infanta Eulalia, one of the princesses born to Isabella II of Spain and her consort, Francis, Duke of Cádiz Another version, however, states that the place was originally named Port Asuncion (Spanish: Puerto de Asunción), allegedly named after another daughter of Isabella II and the Duke of Cadiz. In this version, the princess suffered an untimely death, which prompted the Queen to change the name to Puerto de la Princesa, and was eventually shortened to Puerto Princesa. However, this second version is likely to be incorrect, as Isabella and Francis did not have a daughter named Asunción.

History

Spanish period

Spanish colonists founded the settlement on March 4, 1872, in the course of their exploration of the province. As they scanned the Palawan shoreline for a capital site, they came upon a hill with steep declivity. Rowing to shore, they surveyed the hill and discovered an extensive plateau which they decided as ideal for settlement.

Soon after, Fr. Antonio Muro levelled a portion of the hill to make way for a chapel (that section is now occupied by the Roman Catholic Cathedral, the P.C. Barracks and the Rizal Park, the Old Municipal Building used to be there, as well as an Elementary School). The first mass celebrated in Puerto Princesa took place at a site where a marker now stands.

In May 1872, the Port of Puerto Princesa became the center of Spanish naval operations in the area because the Bay met all the navy's requirements. Royal decrees later provided incentives to settlers, and by 1883 the settlement had flourished into a town of twelve roads, a hospital and well-built port.

In 1894, Puerto Princesa was recognized by government authorities as one of the most beautiful towns in the country by virtue of the orderly distribution of streets, buildings and houses as well as the cleanliness of the community.

American period and World War II

Main article: Invasion of Palawan, Palawan Massacre

In 1911, the New American Administration made Puerto Princesa the seat of the Palawan Provincial Government with Major John Brown as Lieutenant Governor.

In the year 1936, Governor Heginio Mendoza made a directive on the transfer of the Palawan High School (currently Palawan National School) from the island municipality of Cuyo to the central place of the province, which was the Municipality of Puerto Princesa.

During the Pacific campaign of World War II and the Japanese occupation, the village was largely abandoned. On May 18, 1942, Japanese troops landed and occupied Puerto Princesa City.

The Filipino Constabulary barracks was the scene of the Palawan Massacre, just before liberation with the allied Invasion of Palawan.

Post-World War II

In 1951, the barrios of Tinitian, Caramay, Rizal, Del Pilar, Malcampo, Tumarbong, Taradungan, Ilian, and Capayas were separated to form the town of Roxas.

In 1955, the sitios of Materingen, Tandayag, Nasedoc, and Panlawagan were separated from the barrio of Maroyogon and elevated into a barrio.

In 1956, the sitios of Calagbenguen, Tarabanan, Bendoyan, Talabigan, Tagbuan, and Langogan were constituted into the barrio of Concepcion.

In 1957, the barrio of Tapul was renamed to Salvacion.

Cityhood

Main article: Cities of the Philippines

The town was converted into a city on January 1, 1970, under Republic Act 5906 as amended by P.D. 437, through the effort of then Congressman Ramon Mitra, Jr. Feliberto R. Oliveros, Jr., who then became the first City Mayor. In 1987, the port of Puerto Princesa was put under the administration of the Philippine Ports Authority, expanding the city's importance nationally and advancing its infrastructure.

Highly urbanized city

On March 26, 2007, through Proclamation No. 1264, the city of Puerto Princesa was converted into a highly urbanized city. A plebiscite was held on July 21, 2007, where majority of residents voted in its favor. In 2011, the President launched a nationwide campaign for the inclusion of Puerto Princesa's underground river into the New Seven Wonders of Nature. This campaign came into fruition when the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, the city's top heritage site, was recognized internationally as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature in 2012.

Contemporary

In May 2001, Abu Sayyaf gunmen entered the luxury Dos Palmas Resort in Honda Bay just off the coast of Puerto Princesa and kidnapped 20 people from the resort, including four resort staff and three Americans.

On the morning of January 24, 2011, broadcast journalist and former politician Gerry Ortega was at an "ukay-ukay" (used clothing) thrift store in Puerto Princesa when he was murdered by a gunman. After a brief chase, police apprehended the alleged shooter, Marlon Recamata, who confessed to the crime at the Puerto Princesa Police Office and implicated three other persons. In 2015, former Palawan governor Mario Joel Reyes was arrested in Thailand after being charged by the city court in connection with the crime. Various courts went back and forth in ordering the arrest or non-arrest of Reyes, with him being released from jail in 2018 upon orders of the Court of Appeals but ultimately ordered rearrested in 2023, with him surrendering to the National Bureau of Investigation in Metro Manila in September 2024.

Geography

Puerto Princesa is located in the mid-section of Palawan Island. It is bound to the east by the Sulu Sea, to the west by the South China Sea, to the north by the municipalities of San Vicente and Roxas, and to the south by the municipality of Aborlan. It is approximately 306 nmi from the Philippine capital of Manila, 205 nmi from Panay and 250 nmi from Zamboanga City on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao.

Barangays

Puerto Princesa is politically subdivided into 66 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

These barangays are grouped into two districts. Currently, there are 35 barangays of which are classified as urban barangays.

• Babuyan (Rural) 2,472
• Bacungan (Rural) 4,555
• Bagong Bayan (Rural) 827
• Bagong Pag-Asa (Urban) 750
• Bagong Sikat (Urban) 7,497
• Bagong Silang (Urban) 5,296
• Bahile (Rural) 2,339
• Bancao-bancao (Urban) 13,612
• Barangay ng mga Mangingisda (Rural) 5,350
• Binduyan (Rural) 1,293
• Buenavista (Rural) 1,212
• Cabayugan (Rural) 3,368
• Concepcion (Rural) 1,418
• Inagawan (Rural) 1,623
• Inagawan Sub-Colony (Rural) 4,052
• Irawan (Urban) 6,142
• Iwahig (Rural) 4,527
• Kalipay (Urban) 725
• Kamuning (Rural) 1,978
• Langogan (Rural) 2,067
• Liwanag (Urban) 1,202
• Lucbuan (Rural) 1,401
• Luzviminda (Rural) 3,473
• Mabuhay (Urban) 206
• Macarascas (Rural) 1,609
• Magkakaibigan (Urban) 375
• Maligaya (Urban) 311
• Manalo (Rural) 2,143
• Mandaragat (Urban) 9,210
• Manggahan (Urban) 644
• Maningning (Urban) 791
• Maoyon (Rural) 1,281
• Marufinas (Rural) 609
• Maruyogon (Rural) 1,450
• Masigla (Urban) 609
• Masikap (Urban) 958
• Masipag (Urban) 1,971
• Matahimik (Urban) 1,228
• Matiyaga (Urban) 413
• Maunlad (Urban) 3,865
• Milagrosa (Urban) 3,100
• Model (Urban) 327
• Montible (Rural) 362
• Napsan (Rural) 1,797
• New Panggangan (Rural) 629
• Pagkakaisa (Urban) 1,131
• Princesa (Urban) 1,015
• Salvacion (Rural) 1,197
• San Jose (Urban) 17,521
• San Manuel (Urban) 12,510
• San Miguel (Urban) 19,649
• San Pedro (Urban) 22,089
• San Rafael (Rural) 1,836
• Santa Cruz (Rural) 840
• Santa Lourdes (Urban) 5,171
• Santa Lucia (Rural) 147
• Santa Monica (Urban) 20,094
• San Isidro (Urban) 312
• Sicsican (Urban) 15,861
• Simpocan (Rural) 1,272
• Tagabinet (Rural) 1,170
• Tagburos (Urban) 7,045
• Tagumpay (Urban) 465
• Tanabag (Rural) 700
• Tanglaw (Urban) 1,739
• Tiniguiban (Urban) 12,285

Climate

Puerto Princesa features a tropical wet and dry climate (Köppen climate classification Aw). It is usually wet from May to December, with very little rain from January to April. Average temperature is 27.43 C while the annual average rainfall is 1563.8 mm per year. It is warm and humid all year round. On 23 April 2025 the town reached 37.0 C for the first time in history. | Jan record high C = 34.4 | Feb record high C = 34.6 | Mar record high C = 36.4 | Apr record high C = 37.0 | May record high C = 36.0 | Jun record high C = 35.6 | Jul record high C = 35.2 | Aug record high C = 35.2 | Sep record high C = 35.2 | Oct record high C = 36.0 | Nov record high C = 34.8 | Dec record high C = 34.2 |year record high C = 37.0 | Jan record low C = 18.3 | Feb record low C = 18.5 | Mar record low C = 19.2 | Apr record low C = 20.9 | May record low C = 21.3 | Jun record low C = 16.2 | Jul record low C = 20.6 | Aug record low C = 20.5 | Sep record low C = 20.6 | Oct record low C = 20.9 | Nov record low C = 19.2 | Dec record low C = 19.2 |year record low C = 16.2 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181010230123/https://pubfiles.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/pagasaweb/files/cad/CLIMATOLOGICAL%20NORMALS%20%281991-2020%29/PUERTO%20PRINCESA.pdf | archive-date = October 10, 2018 | access-date = October 10, 2018}} | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181010230202/https://pubfiles.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/pagasaweb/files/cad/CLIMATOLOGICAL%20EXTREMES%20(as%20of%202020)/Puerto%20Princesa.pdf | archive-date = October 10, 2018 | access-date = October 10, 2018}}

Demographics

In the 2024 census, the population of Puerto Princesa was 316,384 people, with a density of {{sigfig|316384/2,381.02|2}} PD/km2.

Waves of migrants from other Philippine provinces, and even other countries, have turned Puerto Princesa into a melting pot of various cultures. Among the original inhabitants are the Cuyonons who have a rich legacy of folklore and traditions. Indigenous groups include the Tagbanwas, Palawanos, Molbogs and Bataks, each group with its distinct culture and system of beliefs.

Total inhabitants number 307,079 (as of 2020), of which three-quarter of the population resides in the city proper, an urban settlement on the shores of Puerto Princesa Bay. Although the predominant language is Tagalog, Cuyonon is widely spoken and used throughout the whole city, as well as Hiligaynon, other Visayan languages, and English.

Economy

Puerto Princesa is known as the "Eco-Tourism Center of the Philippines". In recent years, the city has seen an increase in the number of tourists bringing with them trade and businesses for the city. Many hotels ranging from basic to five-star luxury accommodations have been developed since the 1990s to cater to a growing number of foreign and local tourists in the city.

There are also a number of restaurants, bars and shopping malls, including the Robinsons Place Palawan, NCCC Mall Palawan, Unitop Mall Puerto Princesa, as well as the recently opened SM City Puerto Princesa.

Some tourists who come to Puerto Princesa visit the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, one of the New7Wonders of Nature, located 50 km north of the city. The city is also the jump-off point for exploring the Tubbataha Reef.

Transportation

Air

The Puerto Princesa International Airport is within the city proper. Puerto Princesa is accessible by direct flights to and from the major cities of the Philippines, such as Manila, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, and Clark, as well as other parts of Palawan, such as Cuyo, Busuanga, San Vicente, and El Nido.

Sea

The city is served by domestic passenger ferries to Cuyo, Manila, Coron and Iloilo at the Port of Puerto Princesa.

Land

The main modes of transport are via tricycles, jeepneys and vans-for-hire (or PUVs/public utility vehicles). Taxis started operating since April 2015, plying through the city center and nearby tourist destinations. Provincial buses and jeepneys operate from the San Jose terminal located 7 km north of the city center off the National Highway.

E-tricycle====

Then-Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn unveiled the environment friendly and economical electric-powered "Trikebayan" (which does not emit any noise or carbon monoxide) at the Kapihan sa Sulo forum, Sulo Hotel, Quezon City. The Trikebayan costs only or $1.20 per day to operate, while a gasoline-powered tricycle operation would cost . Rolly Concepcion, who conceptualized the Trikebayan, said that converting a tricycle engine to electric costs . The rechargeable battery under the passenger seat can run for 12 hours. There was a dealership for these trikes on the north highway but it closed down in 2011.

Although Puerto Princesa has this bold plan for electric vehicles, the municipal government and tourist office has stated (when asked by a tourist in August 2011), that it has no published or announced plan for providing for the current and future needs and safety of pedestrians or bicycle riders. Spaces for walking and bicycling from one place to another are not being considered.

Healthcare

Hospitals in the city include:

• MMG-PPC Cooperative Hospital
• Ospital ng Palawan
• Palawan Adventist Hospital
• Palawan Medical City
• Palawan Medical Plaza
• Palawan Doctors Diagnostics & Multi-Speciality Center
• ACE Medical Center

Government

Elected and appointed public officials have governed Puerto Princesa, with a strong mayor-council government. The city political government is composed of the mayor, vice mayor, ten councilors, one Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation representative, an Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) representative and Indigenous People's Mandatory Representative (IPMR). Each official is elected publicly to a three-year terms.

The following are the current city officials of Puerto Princesa:

• House of Representatives Congressman: Gil A. Acosta Jr. (Lakas-CMD)
• Mayor: Lucilo R. Bayron (PFP)
• Vice Mayor: Peter Q. Maristela (LP)
• City Council Members:
  • Matthew K. Mendoza
  • Luis M. Marcaida III
  • Victor S. Oliveros
  • Modesto V. Rodriguez
  • Elgin Robert L. Damasco
  • Gerry C. Abad
  • Patrick Alex M. Hagedorn
  • Epitacio D. Lao Jr.
  • Eleuterius L. Edualino
  • Herbert S. Dilig
  • Francisco R. Gabuco (Liga ng mga Barangay President, Ex-officio Member)
  • Johnmart M. Salunday (Ex-officio Member, Indigenous People Representative)
  • Karl Dylan Aquino (Pres., Sk Federation, Ex-officio Member)

Media

Television networks

All of the major television broadcasting channels' regional offices are located in the city. ABS-CBN Corporation expanded its network in Palawan by establishing ABS-CBN Palawan, which operates ABS-CBN channel 7 Puerto Princesa, ABS-CBN Sports and Action Palawan DYAP-AM and MOR! Local shows such as TV Patrol Palawan are broadcast throughout the region via ABS-CBN Regional, which is also stationed in the city. Bandera News Philippines's airs shows via channel 40 Local Shows Such as Alerto 38, GMA Network's channel 12 and GMA News TV channel 27 are also available.

Cable and satellite TV

The city's cable and satellite TV companies include Puerto Princesa Cable Television (PPCATV)

Radio stations

Puerto Princesa has a number of FM and AM radio stations, some of which operate 24 hours daily.

Twin towns and sister cities

Local

• Philippines Quezon City, Metro Manila
• Philippines General Santos

International

• China Haikou, Hainan, China
• Taiwan Hsinchu, Taiwan, since February 10, 2006
• USA Maui County, Hawaii, USA, since March 5, 1999

Notable personalities

• Daryl Ong – singer
• Raul Mitra – composer
• Ramon Mitra Jr. – former House Speaker
• Abraham Kahlil Mitra – former Governor of Palawan and Games And Amusement Board Chairperson
• Samantha Bernardo - Beauty pageant titlist (Miss Grand International 2020 - 1st Runner-up, Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2020, Bb. Pilipinas 2018 and 2019 - 2nd Runner-up)

Notable organizations

• Centre for Sustainability PH, Inc.
• Palawan Council for Sustainable Development
• Roots of Health

Notes

References

References

1. "History of Puerto Princesa". Puerto Princesa Resorts.
2. (April 11, 2018). "A Glimpse of Palawan: The Impact of Community-Based Ecotourism {{!}} DSWD Field Office IV Mimaropa Official Website". DSWD Field Office IV Mimaropa Official Website.
3. (May 9, 2017). "Legislator tags Puerto Princesa as "City in the Dark"". Palawan News.
4. {{DILG detail
5. "List of Cities".
6. [https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304065704577423962285903208 Sea Tensions Deepen With China's Rise] June 7, 2012
7. (June 9, 2007). "Puerto Princesa: The Philippines' Cleanest and Greenest City". Wild Asia.
8. "History {{!}} City Government of Puerto Princesa".
9. "Infanta Eulalia", ''The Times'' (10 March 1958): 12.
10. (January 9, 2004). "Tourist city venue for PNRC event.(Tourism)".
11. "History | City Government of Puerto Princesa".
12. "Archived copy".
13. "A Salute to Valor: Palawan Liberation".
14. (2004). "Last Man Out". McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers.
15. "Republic Act No. 615; An Act Creating The Municipality Of Roxas, Province Of Palawan'".
16. "R.A. No. 1234, An Act Creating the Barrio of Manalo, Municipality of Puerto Princesa, Province of Palawan". LawPH.com.
17. "R.A. No. 1527, An Act Constituting the Sitios of Calagbenguen, Tarabanan, Bendoyan, Talabigan, Tagbuan and Langogan, Municipality of Puerto Princesa, Province of Palawan, into a Barrio to Be Known As Concepcion". LawPH.com.
18. "R.A. No. 2024, An Act Changing the Name of Barrio Tapul, Municipality of Puerto Princesa, Province of Palawan, to Barrio Salvacion". LawPH.com.
19. (June 21, 1969). "R.A. No. 5906: An Act Creating the City of Puerto Princesa".
20. (April 16, 1974). "Presidential Decree No. 437, s. 1974".
21. "III WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION | City Government of Puerto Princesa".
22. (June 29, 2011). "Aquino calls for global campaign to promote Puerto Princesa river".
23. (September 23, 2016). "PP Underground River".
24. (May 28, 2001). "Filipino rebel group claim kidnappings". BBC News.
25. Affidavit of Patria Gloria A. Innocencio-Ortega, sworn before OIC Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Theodore M. Villanueva on February 14, 2011. https://www.scribd.com/doc/54448686/Supplemental-Affidavit-Complaint-Patria-Gloria-Ortega
26. Cruz, Neal. (June 28, 2011). "The assassination of Doc Gerry Ortega". Inquirer.net.
27. (January 24, 2011). "Philippine broadcaster gunned down after morning show". Committee to Protect Journalists.
28. Cohen, Mike. (January 26, 2011). "Who killed Doctor Ortega, Dad?". [[ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs.
29. Bolledo, Jairo. (September 11, 2024). "Joel Reyes, wanted in journalist's murder, in custody". Rappler Inc..
30. (September 12, 2024). "Philippines: Former Palawan governor in custody for Gerry Ortega murder". [[International Federation of Journalists]].
31. Ticke, Geraldford. (January 27, 2025). "Justice elusive for murdered Palawan journo Ortega, laments son". INQUIRER.net.
32. link. (March 13, 2018 , National Statistical Coordination Board.)
33. (September 23, 2016). "PP Underground River".
34. (May 6, 2008). "Hagedorn urges use of electric tricycles". The Philippine Star.
35. (January 20, 2008). "Finally, a tricycle we could all love". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
36. "The City Council {{!}} City Government of Puerto Princesa".
37. (February 17, 2017). "QC eyes sister city ties with Naga City". Manila Standard.
38. (November 29, 2018). "Tagalog News: Puerto Princesa, Haikou City ng Tsina, sister cities na". Philippine Information Agency.
39. (April 26, 2016). "Puerto Princesa".
40. "Sister Cities {{!}} Maui County, HI - Official Website".