Geography

Dipolog City is the capital of the Province of Zamboanga del Norte and it is situated in the northwestern part of the province. It is facing Cebu and Negros provinces and sits of the tip of Western Mindanao and is known as the “Gateway to Western Mindanao and Zamboanga Peninsula“. Dipolog has an area of 13,598 hectares mostly rolling hills with wide lowlands along its western coast facing Sulu Sea. It is composed of 21 barangays. Income classification is 2nd class.

Political Subdivision

Dipolog is composed of 21 barangays including the poblacion which is divided into 5 barangay districts namely; Barangay District No. 1 – Estaka; Barangay District No. 2 – Biasong; Barangay District No. 3 – Barra; Barangay District No. 4 – Central Barangay and Barangay District No. 5 – Miputak. Other barangays are Cogon, Dicayas, Diwan, Galas, Gulayon, Lugdungan, Minaog, Olingan, Punta, Sangkol, San Jose, Sicayab, Sinaman, Sta. Filomena, Sta. Isabel and Turno. All these barangays are accessible by barangay, city and national roads from the poblacion.

Land Use

Agriculture 9,787.0375 has.
Forest land 676.0000 has.
Shrub land 329.8735 has.
Residential 1,920.0000 has.
Commercial 225.0000 has.
Institutional 165.5200 has.
Industrial 200.0000 has.
Parks & Recreation 56.6300 has.
Transport & Utility Zone 69.2200 has.
Planned Unit Development 15.0000 has.
Open Spaces (thoroughfares) 153.7190 has.


Topography

Dipolog City consists mostly of rolling terrain with lowlands along its western coast facing the Sulu Sea. It has a number of waterways, the main being the Dipolog River, which drains into the Sulu Sea. Other rivers, small creeks and streams also traverse the area; more common of these are the Diwan, Layawan, Katipunan Rivers, Miputak, Gusawan and Olingan Creeks. The city has an elevation of 2.5 meters above sea level.

Climate

Dipolog City’s climate is mild and moderate (fourth type of climate). Rainfall is more or less evenly distributed throughout the year. The cool and fresh air from the east and highlands mixed with the air from the Sulu Sea creates an invigorating atmosphere for sustained good health for its people. Dry season begins from February to April and the wet season starts from January to June, while the hottest month is April. Dipolog is lucky to be situated outside typhoon belt.

Population / Languages & Dialects

The city has a little over 120,000 residents speaking mainly Cebuano/Visayan. English and Filipino (Tagalog) are also widely spoken. The original Subanon dialect is used in the highlands. Population density is 8 persons/hectare.

Ethnic Groups

The Subanen were the original inhabitants and were later joined by Muslim Traders and other migrants from Luzon and Visayas. A number of Chinese and Spanish were among the first foreign settlers.

Religious Sects

Christianity is the dominant Religion in the city. Of the organized Christian religion, Roman Catholic has the highest number of followers.

Languages/Dialects

Wide arrays of languages or dialects are spoken in the city but Cebuano (Visayan) remains the dominant dialect spoken. English and Filipino (Tagalog) are also widely understood and spoken.

Major Industries

Dipolog is basically an agricultural city. A few of its large agro-industrial establishments deal I rice and corn, fish, livestock and processing plants. A great majority of the small manufacturing establishments are also agro-industrial such as saw mills, bakeries as well as small and medium scale cottage industry. NACIDA cottage industries activities involve metal craft, woodcraft, rattan craft, ceramic and food processing. Major products are coconut, rice, corn, fish, and sardines in oil. Major source of livelihood are construction, fishing, agriculture and services.