Country Population 147,738 (2007) Area 95.07 km2 | Region Founded 1693 Mayor Angel Alan B. Celino (Liberal Party) | |
Colleges and Universities Capiz State University, Filamer Christian University, St Anthony College, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Learning Center | ||
Roxas, officially the City of Roxas or Roxas City, is a medium-sized city in the province of Capiz, Philippines. It is considered as one of Panay Islands center of education, trade, economic activity and logistics. Once known as the Municipality of Capiz, the origin of the present name of the province, was renamed into Roxas City in honor of native Manuel Roxas, the First President of the Philippine Third Republic, after it became a chartered city on May 12, 1951.
Contents
- Map of Roxas Capiz
- Robinsons place robinsons mall in roxas city capiz philippines
- Capiz attraction in roxas city robinsonss place
- Geography
- History
- Economy
- Aquaculture seafood production
- Festivals
- Diwal Festival
- Capiztahan Festival
- Aswang Festival
- References
Map of Roxas, Capiz
Languages spoken in Roxas City are Capiznon and Hiligaynon.
Robinsons place robinsons mall in roxas city capiz philippines
Based on the 2010 census of population, the city has a population of 156,197 and a density of 1,542.89/km2 (3,996.07/sq mi) people with 95.4% literacy.
Capiz attraction in roxas city robinsonss place
The abundance of marine life makes Roxas City the "Seafood Capital of the Philippines." It has received Cleanest and Greenest Component City in Western Visayas Award in the Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran (GPK) Cleanliness and Environmental contest. The Department of Health (DOH) awarded the city with the Red Orchid Award for being "100 percent tobacco-free." It has also gained the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Seal of Good Housekeeping and won the Best Police Station in the region by the Philippine National Police.
Geography
Roxas City is situated just east of the north-central coast of Panay Island with geographic coordinates of 11°35 N, 122°45 E. Its boundaries are: the Sibuyan Sea to the north, the municipality of Panitan to the south, the municipality of Ivisan to the west, and the municipality of Panay to the East. It is located 250 nautical miles (460 km) southeast of Manila and 135 kilometres (84 mi) northeast of Iloilo City(Regional Capital). Travel time to Manila is 45 minutes by air and 18 hours by sea.
History
In 1569, Captain Diego de Artieda who was sent by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi from Cebu, landed on the town of Panay and proclaimed it as the capital. Later the capital was moved to its present site upon realising that the town of Capiz was near the sea with better docking facilities. The Spaniards saw the long coastal cover and envisioned a trading and shipping center. Ports were constructed in Libas and later in Culasi.
A river meanders across the town, dividing it in two. Tributaries from the mountains flowed into the head of Panay River through settlements formed along its shores, irrigating and fertilizing the land. It provides water to fishponds during high tide.
In 1590, the navy of Acapulco, Mexico made Capiz Port its naval yard where ships sought shelter when the sea was rough. Capiz grew into a bustling port and houses of stone were built. The social and political status enjoyed by the native chieftains of Capiz often resulted in mixed marriages with the Spaniards. The mestizo descendants became the base of the principalia or influential citizens. Their privileged positions allowed them to build houses around the favored square of the poblacion - around the church and the government complex.
Their children became the beneficiaries of the Augustinian mission in 1593.
In 1746, Capiz was made the seat of the politico-military government, although it was ecclesiastically controlled by the Bishopric of Cebu. In the latter part of 1795, under Gobernadorcillo Miguel Bautista, the old road to Baybay Beach was built as an extension of San Roque Street.
The town of Capiz was frequently attacked by Muslims that in 1814, stone forts at Baybay Beach (Baluarte) were built through the initiative of Gobernadorcillo Jose Consolacion.
In 1870, the ground was broken for the foundation of the Cathedral of Capiz under the guidance of Reverend Apolonio Alvarez. It was built by sturdy hands, sweat and blood of Capizenos who were victims of forced labor.
In 1876, the diocese of Jaro in Iloilo was erected and Capiz came under its jurisdiction. In 1877, the cathedral was finally finished. Prior to its construction, a chapel was built in Burgos Street beside the municipal building.
In August 1899, the Spanish colonial government represented by Governor Juan Herrero formally surrendered to General Ananias Diokno in Baybay Beach.
Economy
The city gets its power from the Capiz Electric Cooperative (CAPELCO). The Metro Roxas Water District (MRWD) supplies drinking water to the populace, MRWD claims they have the cleanest and safest potable water in the region. Supplementing the water supplied by Metro Roxas Water District (MRWD) are wells with hand pumps and artesian wells which are constructed through the Barangay Water Program (BWP) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Aquaculture (seafood production)
Roxas City as Seafood capital of the Philippines supplies export seafood products to various countries such as Taiwan, Japan and the United States.
Phillips Seafood Philippines Corporation is the sole seafood production company in Roxas City. Their seafood processing plant is located in Banica, Roxas City.
Festivals
Diwal Festival
The Roxas City Seafood Festival is held to commemorate and promote the resurgence of the Angel Wing or diwal, which neared extinction until protected and cultivated in Roxas City.
Capiztahan Festival
The Capiztahan is celebrated every second week of April combined joint forces from City of Roxas, Province of Capiz and One Capiz.
Aswang Festival
Short-lived festival dealing with supernatural characters and Capiz folklore. It was discontinued due to the protests from religious groups.