Naga City is a 2nd class independent component city in Camarines Sur Province, Philippines. It is the commercial and cultural center of the whole Bicol Region.
Profile of Naga City (Geography)
Location –> Southeast of Manila specifically in the middle part of Camarines Sur Province (See map below)
*Distance from Manila –> 385 Kilometers
Neighboring Towns –> (Clockwise from the north) Canaman, Magarao, Pili, Milaor, Gainza, and Camaligan
Area –> 84.48 km2 (32.62 sq mi)
Population –> 196,003 (2015 Census)
No. of Barangays –> 27
Revenue (2018) –> 975,090,393.23
Terrain –> Flat
Industries –> Trading, Tourism
Major Products –> Handicraft, Home-made Food Items
People/Language –> Bicolano, Tagalog, English
Government Officials
Representative (3rd District) –> Gabriel “Gabby” Bordado
Mayor –> Nelson S. Legacion
Vice Mayor –> Cecilia De Asis
History
It is believed that the name “Naga” derived its origin from the narra trees which used to be in abundance in the place.
When Captain Pedro de Chávez founded the city in 1575, he named it La Ciudad de Cáceres in honor of Francisco de Sande, the governor-general and a native of the city of Cáceres in Spain. Twenty-five years after its founding, it was elevated into the “See of Caceres”, along with those of Cebú and Nueva Segovia (see Vigan City), and made it the seat of the new bishopric under the archdiocese of Manila. In time, the place came to be known as Nueva Cáceres.
Yet the name Naga stuck in the mind of its resident. After its demotion to a regular municipality during the American Period, the name Naga became official in 1919. On June 18, 1948, it became a chartered city by virtue of Republic Act No. 305.
Read the history of Naga City in Tagalog here.
Famous People from Naga City
Amalia Fuentes – Actress
Ceferino “Joker” Paz Arroyo Jr. – Former Senator, Congressman, Executive Secretary
Ely Buendia – Singer/Performer
Enchong Dee – Actor, Model
Maria Yzabell Angel Palma – Inventor
Raul Roco – Former Senator, Secretary of Education
Salvador Panelo – President Duterte’s Spokesperson
Tecla San Andres Ziga – Former Senator, First woman to top the bar examination
Wally Bayola – Actor, Comedian, Television Host
Economy, Business and Investment
As the commercial and cultural center of Bicol Region, Naga City is a bustling metropolitan area with many malls, supermarkets, banks, hotels, and office buildings. It is also the transportation hub of the province.
The regional office of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Central Bank of the Philippines) is located in the city.
A decade ago, a full 5-hectare economic zone was being developed into a hub of the animation industry. Today, the city is home to at least three information technology (IT) parks namely: Naga City IT Park, Camarines Sur Industrial and Technological Park, and Naga City Technology Center, all catering to call centers and other business process outsourcing companies like IBM.
Tourist Spots
People’s Park
Naga Metropolitan Cathedral
Basilica of Our Lady of Peñafrancia
Plaza Quince Martires
Taoist Temple along Naga River
Festival
Peñafrancia Festival – celebrated in the month of September in honor Our Lady of Peñafrancia
See also: List of Philippine Cities by Region and Province
Map of Naga City in Camarines Sur