Iriga CIty

The City of Iriga (Rinconada Bikol: Syudad ka Iriga; Filipino: Lungsod ng Iriga; Coastal Bikol: Ciudad nin Iriga) is a third class cityin the province of Camarines Sur, Philippines. It is located about 400 kilometres (250 mi) south-east of Manila, 37 kilometres (23 mi) south of Naga City, Bicol Region's largest city, and about 61 kilometres (38 mi) north of Legazpi. It is bounded by the town of Buhi in the east, by the municipalities of Baao, Nabua and Bato in the west, by the province of Albay in the south, and by the municipalities of Ocampo and Sangay in the north.

According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 105,919 people

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History

Its history is remarkable as mentioned by some notable historian of the land as well the old folks whoâ€™se stories passed from generations to generations. Early Settlement Iriga, before the Spanish era was called I-raga (beautiful and Flourishing). This sprung from a flourishing native settlement by the bank of the Bikol River called Bua (now the municipality of Nabua). Iriga was only a â€œvisitaâ€ of Nabua, almost a decade after Ferdinand Magellan discovered the Philippines on March 16, 1521. It is because of the disastrous floods that occur during rainy seasons in suburban Poblacion of Nabua. Bua has a low marshy terrain easily flooded during the rainy season, so some people thought wisely to leave and settle to a higher land at the foot of the Sumagang, a mountain east of Bua. Sumagang or Mt. Asog (now Mt. Iriga ) in the Bua dialect means â€œsunriseâ€ and in Bikol language â€œagang sumirang,â€ meaning â€œearly to riseâ€. This came to be called Iraga, which historians claim that it was called because Iraga being a frontier land had large tracts of land available for cultivation suitable for settlement. Iraga is Bikol word, a contraction of Igwa (there is ) Raga (land or soil). Father Felix de Huertas, the then parish priest advised the farmers to move to I-raga (donde hay tierra or â€œwhere there is land) where they can plant their crops without fears of being flooded. The flood victims of Bua who moved earlier and followed the suggestions of their parish priest were the fortunate beneficiaries of the harvest of their agriculture plantation coming from the rich and fertile soil of I-raga, more so, those who planted at the foot of Sumagang Mountain (Mountain of the Rising Sun, now Mt. Iriga), said to be natureâ€™s given symbol of the Iriguenos lofty ideals and noble visions. Road to Christianhood The friars who set foot in the Bikol peninsula, saw in the new land a good ground for evangelization. As evangelization by the Franciscan friars progressed, Iraga developed in size and wealth. Soon therefore, foundation work had been laid down by proclaiming it a visita of Nabua. More and more people from Nabua came to Iraga to settle. As population spread out and evangelization progressed, the settlement at the foot of Sumagang Mountain developed in size and wealth, slowly pushing the oborigines (Agta) up to the thickness of the forests. And in 1578 the I-raga settlement was established as â€œvisitaâ€ of Nabua under Fray Pablo de Jesus and Fray Bartolome Ruiz, both Franciscans. In 1578, the first church was constructed with Saint Anthony of Padua as the patron saint of the parish, Father Pedro de Jesus and Father Bartolome Ruiz were the religious heads responsible for choosing the patron saint of the visita.Barangays

FAST FACTS Name : IRIGA CITY Former Name : I-raga Date of Cityhood : June 15, 1968 as per Republic Act No. 5261 Total land area : 119.6 square kilometers Geography : 400 kilometers south of Manila Population : 88,570 as of year 2000 Climate : Tropical (Type II) Political Subdivision : 36 baranggays Dialect : Miraya Type, Rinconada Major Income Source : farming, livestocks and woodcraft Religion : Catholic, Iglesia ni Cristo, Seventh Day Adventist Fiesta : June 13 Zip Code : 4431

HOW TO GET THERE

By Air:

From Manila to the Pili Airport is a 45 to 1 hour travel. Iriga can be reached within 30 minute by jeep or by bus. From Legazpi, which is 55 minutes from Manila, Iriga is still an other 45-minute ride.

By buses
More than twenty aircon bus companies ply the Manila-Iriga route daily, covering some 400 kilometers and a 10-hour ride, These bus companies have their respective booking offices at the City Aircon Terminal in Iriga and strategic places in Metro Manila.

By Train
After its new management, PNR still serves the Bicolanos as the safest mode of transportion to Iriga. This is the railway system that made Iriga the center of trade and commerce for its neighboring towns of Baao, Bato, Buhi and Nabua.

ROAMING THE CITY by Sumagang

Iriga City North Entrance

St. Anthony de Padua Parish If you're in this promising city, you're going to be puzzled with roads are engineerd. That's why the city government resolve how to make it more convenient to every traveller that visited this place. There are sign in every intersections as guides and information for one way streets.

If you're travelling from the north, you will be greeted by the view of the greenish and captivating view of Mt. Irigaâ€” formerly known as Mt. Asog which is an extinct volcano. Its last recorded eruption was January 4, 1614 that eventually formed Lake Buhi. It has an elevation of 1196 meters (3,924 feet), Ilian Hill on the other hand sits at its foot just a few kilometers above the barrio San Nicolas.

When night falls, vendors are plying the main streets of the city. The smell of pork or beef Barbeque soaked in an IrigueÃ±o's styled "atsara" will truly give you a saliva twirl of greediness. The steamed duck's embryo or "balut" in local term is a favorite past time to eat. If your not brave for a shot, there's "tok neneng" or quail egg which is accompanied by "sawsawan" for a taste that you won't forget.

You can also see some teens clad in a hip-hop attire which means they are going to their favorite night-spotâ€” DISCO!. Yes, Iriga has two disco houses that you can try to relax and take a dip of beer. Bars and Videoke houses are scattered in the main city and even in some barrios.

The first barangay you will enter is San Agustin, one of the 36 baranggays that will lead you to the main city. Next is barangay San Isidro where some of the government offices are located such as LTO, CASURECO III and HALL OF JUSTICE. San Nicolas follows where Ilian Hill and proposed Agranan ni Asog is located. Fromthis location you can now have a clear view of Mt. Iriga specially when you reach the San Nicolas Elementary School at far left of the main road. Upon turning right curve you will see the home of PHILTRANCO (formerly ALATCO) and the Iriga Central School at your right followed by IRIGATEL in your left.

Finally, here we are in barangay San Francisco, where the main city is found. Upon entering the city proper, you'll be turning right at Petron gas station to give you a quick look of the city. To your left you will see the St. Anthony de Padua Parish and La Consolacion College, the only non-sectarian school in the municipality. Then it is followed by the Iriga Fire Department Office and the City Grandstand, the venue of most local and special occassions.

To your the right, you'll see the Colloseum and the Iriga City Hall which houses the city governent. Adjacent to it is the Rizal Park. where promenaders and youth activities takes place. It also has a skating rink where rollerblade afficionados show their skills and talents.

The city of Iriga is not as big as Naga and Legazpi. Well, who will ever told you that adventure can only be found in the city? Some excitement and surprises are abound in barrios that only awaits for you to discover. All you have to do is navigate the site and it will help guide you as you go on.

Surely, one of the things you hoped to discover is new foods. As you can taste Jollibee, Mc. Donald's, Greenwich and the likes almost anywhere, you can have break from these fastfoods and try eating local cusine. MCM, Mayees, D' Nadals and other restaurants offer Bicolano specialties such as "pinangat" "laing" and the famous "Bicol express". People who love spicy foods will surely have a feast.

PROFILE

Iriga City was once an inconspicuous settlement where it used to be a mere barrio of Nabua town in the early 1570's. The establishment of Y-ragga as a barrio happened upon the recommendation of Padre Felix Huertas, the curate of Nabua, who encouraged the people to migrate to a place where there was a better land to cultivate.

Some parishioners took the advise of Fr. Huertas and soon they stumbled upon a place which best fit the description, a stretch of mountain range that include two prominent landmarks in the Bicol region, that of Mt. Asog(now Mt. Iriga) and Mt. Isarog. With this startling discovery, the people went back to their old community and announced to the people â€œI Raga sa Sumagangâ€, spoken in local vernacular which means â€œThere is land or higher land in Sumagangâ€. They then returned back home and announced to their fellow that they found a place which has a fertile land. Thus, the creation of a place known as Y-ragga.

It was more than a hundred years later, in 1683, when Y-ragga became a town and likewise installing St. Anthony of Padua as their patron saint.

Four barangays were established in the year 1710 which include: San Nicolas, San Isidro , San Agustin and San Antnio de Abad. Republic Act 5261 which was promulgated on June 15, 1968 made the way for the conversion of the Municipality of Iriga into a chartered city, making it as the third city in the Bicol region.

Iriga City was inaugurated as the youngest city in the Bicol region on September 3, 1968 by the then President Ferdinand Marcos.

LOCATION

Four hundred seventy-eight (478) kilometers south of Manila, Iriga is strategically located in the Bicol region, situated as it is between Naga in the North and Legazpi in the south.

TOPOGRAPHY

Iriga's topography varies from flat to rolling terrain with elevation ranging from 10 to 60 meters with Mt. Iriga reaching 1,149 meters above sea level.

CLIMATE

The city's climate is tropical, with two pronounced seasons: wet, from June to December; and dry, from January to May.

LAND AREA: 17,400 hectares (78% is agricultural, 16% built-up and 6% forest area
DIALECT: Miraya Type, Rinconada

NATURAL RESOURCES

Iriga is called the City of Springs, with more than thirty natural springs providing a rich source of drinking and irrigation waters. Its most prominent natural landmark, Mt. Iriga, is a favorite mountain climbing destination of local moutaineers and hikers.

MAJOR SOURCE OF INCOME

Farming, livestock raising and woodcraft

HOW TO GET THERE

By Air:

From Manila to the Pili Airport is a 55 minute travel. Iriga can be reached within 30 minute by jeep or by bus. From Legazpi Airport, which is an hourâ€™s flight from Manila, Iriga is 50 minutes by car.

By Land:

Major aircon bus companies ply the Manila-Bicol route via the Maharlika Highway. Terminals are located at the Ali Mall, Cubao, EDSA, Pasay City, and Pedro Gil Street, Manila.

The Philippine National Railway also ply the Manila-Bicol route and vice versa daily.

Getting Around:

Buses and jeepneys are the main mode of transportation. There are also available Rent-A-Car services. Trimobiles and pedicabs are also available for short distances.

COMMUNICATIONS

Providing modern communication facilities in Iriga City are: Iriga Telephone Company, ICC-BayanTel, Digitel, Smart, Mobiline, PT&T and RCPI. They extend state of the art communication technology to local and international clients. To link up with the Information Highway, internet providers and local internet cafes are available in the city proper.

Iriga City is politically subdivided into 36 barangays.

Antipolo
Cristo Rey
Del Rosario (Banao)
Francia
La Anunciacion
La Medalla
La Purisima
La Trinidad
Niño Jesus
Perpetual Help
Sagrada
Salvacion
San Agustin
San Andres
San Antonio
San Francisco
San Isidro
San Jose
San Juan
San Miguel
San Nicolas
San Pedro
San Rafael
San Ramon
San Roque
Santiago
San Vicente Norte
San Vicente Sur
Sta. Cruz Norte
Sta. Cruz Sur
Sta. Elena
Sta. Isabel
Sta. Maria
Sta. Teresita
Sto. Domingo
Sto. Niño

Language

Irigueños or people of Iriga speak Rinconada Bikol language. Irigueños of Austronesian lineage are using Iriga variant while the indigenous and oboriginal groups of Agta or Negritos are using Agta variant of the language. Tagalog/Filipino and Englishlanguages are also understood and spoken.

Religion

The central office of ecclesiastical district of Camarines Southeast of the Iglesia Ni Cristo is located in Barangay San Nicolas. The office oversees the church members in Rinconada and Partido areas in Camarines Sur, and Burias island in Masbate. Thus, a large number of INC members can be found in the city. At present, Iglesia Ni Cristo has three locales and two extensions in Iriga. However, the majority of the city residents are Roman Catholic. The Archdiocese of Nueva Caceres has several parishes and churches in the city. The biggest church can be found at the center of the city (Saint Anthony of Padua) and the Lourdes grotto symbolizes the long history of Catholic Church in Iriga. Tinagba, a harvest festival can be seen a fusion of folk tradition and Catholic saint celebration. Islam is a new religion in the city and most of its members are immigrants from Mindanao island. LDS Church members are also numerous, as well as Jehovah's Witnesses. Baptist adherents are active in the city.

Establishments

The city was chartered September 23, 1968. It has a small City Center and a number of businesses. The City Park which houses the national hero's monument is located near the cathedral and across the old City Hall. It is a well landscaped, Japanese-themed park with a huge spurting fountain at the center but was later replaced with a skating rink. Acacia trees are lit with colored lights on Christmas. The catholic Lourdes Grotto offers a great view of the downtown. Iriga City Public Market is one of the busiest in the region. The city is the center of commerce in Rinconada district.

The city is home to three major commercial complexes: the LCC Mall Iriga, which was the second LCC Mall in the Rinconada district of Camarines Sur, the UNP Town Mall, near the University of Northeastern Philippines Campus, and the largest and newest, Regent Central Commercial Complex.^[6]

With the opening of SM City in nearby Naga City, large mall operators are eyeing Iriga City as expansion base of their operations in the region. SM Supermalls, Robinsons Malls, and Puregold are showing interest in the city. The city is home to 2 universities, several colleges and trade schools. The University of Saint Anthony, University of Northeastern Philippines, La Consolacion College, STI College, AMA Computer Learning Center and many others are located right inside the City Center. These schools have enrollees from within the city and from surrounding towns in the region. Iriga City is host to a big number of student migrants from the entire region. Banks have opened branches in Iriga City. Philippine National Bank, Banco Filipino, Metro Bank, Land Bank of the Philippines, Banco de Oro and several other local and rural banks. Many others are planning to put up branches in the city.

A new convention center built in front of the Catholic Grotto hosts important events in the city. A new City Hall was constructed a few miles from the downtown to expand the city center. Iriga City has a number of waterfalls and springs. Several resorts and hotels were built to accommodate growing tourist arrivals in the city. The old Ibalon Hotel which was renovated and renamed as Iriga City Plaza Hotel is one of the region's best places to stay and dine. Local cuisine offering meat and vegetarian dishes with coconut milk and red chili peppers are the best in the region.

The old Iriga City Public Market was redesigned and reconstructed in 2010 and now hosts a big, air-conditioned and modern LCC supermarket, many local shops and several national chain restaurants. The new public market sells locally grown and harvested organic produce. Tilapia from nearby Lake Buhi and Lake Bato are among the country's best. Salt water fresh and dried fish from neighboring Balatan coast are sold in abundance in the market. Strolling the new market is loved by tourists. Local food is great. Vegetable, fish and meat entrees are among Bicol's best. Desserts and local delicacies made from rice, cassava, banana and coconut milk sold in the market are among the tourists' favorites. Bargains are great. Gift shops offering locally manufactured products made from local hemp, pili nut, bamboo and coconut are very inexpensive offering great value for your money. National chain restaurants like Mang Inasal, Chow King, Jollibee, Biggs and Shakey's opened branches in the city. Many other fastfood and specialty restaurants are planning to open branches in the future.

A small central bus terminal was constructed in the city center to accommodate buses, shuttles and jeepneys going to Manila and neighboring cities. Philippine National Railways and Philippine Transportation Company (PHILTRANCO) maintain stations in Iriga City. Several hospitals operate in the city. A catholic-convent run Sta. Maria Josefa Hospital is well- equipped and among the best in the region. The city government is doing its best to upgrade the city's infrastracture. The city aims to be a first class city in the near future.

On several occasions, Iriga City was awarded the Cleanest and Greenest City in the region. But the city is prone to occasional flash floods. Rain water gushes from Mount Iriga to the downtown area bringing mud along the way. The city government is on its way to modernize the aging drainage system of the city center. Several roads, buildings, and hydro electric energy projects are underway. Electrification of far villages in the mountain and river districts was completed and now, the city is 100% electrified.

Telecommunications

Iriga City is served with several nationally-operating telecom companies. Digitel, Bayantel, PLDT, Smart, Globe and Sun cellular maintain major operations in the city. All of them offer phone and internet services. A few local cable TV operators dominate the cable TV market. Iriga City is also the center of communications, they are GMA TV 13 Iriga (DZAL affiliates = Rinconada Broadcasting Corp.,), Solar News Channel 10 and ABS-CBN Corp. has also proposed to construct a relay station in the city probably on a UHF Channel.TV5 is also planned to set up a 10 KW UHF relay station here...