Iriga

Barangays

Iriga City is politically subdivided into 36 barangays.

Demographics

Iriguenos or people of Iriga speak Rinconada Bikol language. Iriguenos 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 English languages are also understood and spoken.

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 Catholicism in Iriga. Tinagba, a harvest festival can be seen a fusion of folk tradition and Catholic saint celebration.

Iglesia ni Cristo is the largest minority religion in the city. The INCs district office of ecclesiastical district of Camarines Southeast (CSE) 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 four local congregations and two extensions in Iriga.

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 Jehovahs Witnesses. Baptist adherents are also 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 heros 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.

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 regions 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 countrys 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 Bicols 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 Shakeys 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 citys 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...