Zamboanguita – Negros Oriental
Established in 1866, the name of Zamboanguita or little Zamboanga, the gateway to Apo Island has its origins in its neighboring city across the sea called Zamboanga City, which is to be the 6th largest city in the Philippines. The name of the place literally means, “hanging octopus” which originates from the local words “sab-ong” and “kuguita”. According to popular folktales, it is said that fishermen, in the past, used to hang octopuses on big trees, thereby giving the place its current name.
Location of Zamboanguita
Located about 28 kilometers south of the capital of Negros Oriental, Dumaguete City, Zamboanguita is just east of the southern tip of Negros Oriental. Politically divided into 10 barangays. The population of the municipality is just over 25,000.
Points of interest and tourist attractions in Zamboanguita
Zamboanguita is well known for the weekly Malatapay market, which takes place every Wednesday. It is a kind of thoroughfare for the entire area of Zamboanguita, including townspeople, vendors, and shopkeepers trading various fresh products. People visiting the market will come across a congregation consisting of livestock producers, fishermen from the local community, regional farmers and people from the neighboring barangays. The Malatapay Market is a real tourist attraction and many close-by beach resorts offer early morning trips for their foreign guests to experience the place.
The same location also serves as the gateway to Apo Island. If one does not stay at a resort, which offers trips to the well knows scuba diving and snorkel paradise, Malatapay is the place to go to catch a small bangka for the 30 minute trip to the Island. A word of caution might be allowed. Some of the bangkas don’t come even close to any safety standards and might be a little bit “full”.
Snorkeling & Scuba Diving in Zamboanguita
One of the main things to do in Apo Island is Scuba Diving. However, there are some great dive sites in Zamboanguita as well that you should try! When visiting this lovely town, one can see the beauty of the underwater world at ease. For the scuba diving enthusiast, there are several diving hot spots both muck and reef. All level of scuba divers from Open Water, Advanced and so on and so forth, can enjoy the dive sites in Zamboanguita. There are plenty of sites as well suitable for non-divers.
Public Elementary Schools in Zamboanguita
| Basak Elementary School | Benito Gadiana Elementary School (Kapandis Elementary School) | Calango Elementary School |
| Felix M. TIO Memorial Elementary School (Bangcolotan Elementary School) | Gregorio Elmaga Memorial Elementary School (Nasig-id Elementary School) | Kaladias Elementary School |
| Kaladias Elementary School | Lutoban Elementary School | Malongcay Elementary School |
| Maluay Elementary School | Mayabon Elementary School | Nabago Elementary School |
| Salngan Elementary School | Zamboanguita Central Elementary School |
Public High Schools in Zamboanguita
All information about public schools were provided by the DepEd Negros Oriental
| Zamboanguita Science High School Poblacion, Zamboanguita | Santiago Delmo Memorial High School (Maluay HS) National Highway |
| Jose Marie Locsin Memorial High School (Mayabon HS) Mayabon, Zamboanguita | Gregorio Elmaga Memorial High School Nasig-id, Zamboanguita |
Getting to Zamboanguita
Passing two neighboring municipalities, Bacong and Dauin, transportations to Zamboanguita will be slightly packed especially during weekends. There are different ways of getting to this provincial beauty here in Negros Oriental.
Most locals would take the jeepney, which will take about thirty minutes and will cost roughly Php 40.00. The terminal for the local jeepney here in Dumaguete City is located in front of Robinsons Place Dumaguete along the Valencia Road (Jose Romero Road) crossing.
Another way in getting to Zamboanguita is through the Ceres Bus. The Ceres Bus Terminal will not be hard to find for it is the only bus terminal here Dumaguete City. Traveling time will take about thirty minutes and will cost Php 50.00 for air-conditioned buses and Php 30.00 for non-air conditioned buses.
Another best way to travel is via a v-hire (van for hire). Traveling time will only take 30 minutes as well and will cost only Php 50.00.
Barangays of Zamboanguita Negros Oriental
- Basak
- Calango
- Lutoban
- Malongcay Diot
- Maluay
- Mayabon
- Nabago
- Nasig-id
- Najandig
- Poblacion
Festivals in Zamboanguita
The annual Baulan Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of May. Literally meaning, “to plow the fields”, the festival signifies the community’s prime production of corn and vegetables. The festival is celebrated in the honor of the patron Saint, San Isidro Labrador.
There is also the moon festival that is celebrated with equal pomp and joy in the city. Spanning over two days, this festival is generally celebrated by the fishing community to celebrate the power of the moon over the tides. Quite a number of people gather at the seashore of Barangay Dalakit, the heart of the celebrations to witness the fishermen looking up at the moon and the rural people using the same as a guide to see their way through the darkness of the night.
The glittering dark sand under the moonlight is a sight to behold, highlighting its uniqueness and rarity. The body-painting contest also forms another high point of the moon festival celebrated usually just before the annual Baulan Festival. Not only does this festival create a much-needed environmental awareness, but also serves as a clarion call for the Baulan Festival.
Zamboanguita can easily qualify as one of those places in Negros Oriental that endow serenity, peace, and joy to people visiting it.
Useful Contacts in Municipality Of Zamboanguita
Zamboanguita Municipal Mayor: Jonah Pat Aviles
Zamboanguita Vice Mayor: Eping Elmido
Mayor’s Office : 0917 804 5814
Zamboanguita Municipal Treasurer office: 0926 969 7572, 0906 684 1924
Zamboanguita Municipal Health Center: Dr. Della Futalan 0917 3250 417
Zamboanguita Tourism Officer and Budget Officer: Perla G. Elnasin 0977 814 8541
Zamboanguita Assessors Office: 0927 460 1001
Zamboanguita Engineering Department Office: 0919 513 1941, 0917 701 1734
Zamboanguita Water Works Office: 0905 310 2196
Zamboanguita Local Civil Registrar Office: 0916 348 0077
Zamboanguita Social Welfare Office: 0916 348 0077
Zamboanguita Rural Health Unit: 0905 811 2040
Zamboanguita Municipal Agricultural Office: 0921 378 1379
Zamboanguita Public Assistance & Compalints Desk: 0935 342 5691
Zamboaguita Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator: 0917 701 1734
Zamboanguita Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Head: Mr. Prime Caincoy 0906 8587 915
Zamboanguita Fire Station Head: Mr Rufo Entea 0935 5250 000
Zamboanguita Police Station Hotline: 0917 6349 192 0r 0917 6349 189
Zamboanguita Police Station Address: Poblasion Zamboanguita Negros Oriental Philippines.
