Ozamiz facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ozamiz
Component city
City of Ozamiz
Ozamiz Coastal Bypass Road View from Panguil Bay Ozamiz City Hall Downtown Ozamiz Fuerte de la Concepcion y del Triunfo
Flag Seal
Nickname(s):  Gem of the Panguil Bay Gateway to Northwestern Mindanao Historical, Cultural, and Pilgrimage Destination
Motto(s):  Fortis in Fide (Latin) 'Strength in Faith'
Map of Misamis Occidental with Ozamiz highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Ozamiz Location in Philippines
Country	Philippines
Region	Northern Mindanao
Province	Misamis Occidental
District	[[{{#property:P7938}} | — Lua error in Module:Wd at line 1804: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).]]
Founded	1757
Cityhood	July 16, 1948
Named for	José Ozámiz
Barangays	51 (see Barangays)
Government
• Type	Sangguniang Panlungsod
Area
• Total	169.95 km2 (65.62 sq mi)
Elevation	216 m (709 ft)
Highest elevation	1,923 m (6,309 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (2020 census)
• Total	140,334
• Density	825.737/km2 (2,138.65/sq mi)
• Households	32,933
Economy
• Income class	2nd city income class
• Poverty incidence	20.96 % (2021)
• Revenue	₱ 1,251 million (2022)
• Assets	₱ 2,143 million (2022)
• Expenditure	₱ 1,011 million (2022)
• Liabilities	₱ 443.5 million (2022)
Service provider
• Electricity	Misamis Occidental 2 Electric Cooperative (MOELCI 2)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	7200
PSGC	[https://psa.gov.ph/classification/psgc/?q=psgc/barangays/{{#pro000&regcode={{&provcode= p {{#property:P988}} ]
IDD : area code	+63 (0)88
Native languages	Subanon Cebuano Tagalog
Feast date	July 16; December 8
Catholic diocese	Archdiocese of Ozamis
Patron saint	List • Immaculate Conception • Blessed Virgin of the Fort
Website	ozamizcity.com

Ozamiz, officially known as the City of Ozamiz, is a city in the province of Misamis Occidental, Philippines. It is the most populated city in Misamis Occidental. In 2020, about 140,334 people lived there.

The city's name is spelled Ozamiz, not Ozamis. This was confirmed by a city resolution in 2005. The city was named after José Ozámiz, a hero from Misamis Occidental.

History of Ozamiz

Early Beginnings

Fuerte de la Concepcion y del Triunfo marker

Ozamiz started as an old Spanish town called Misamis. The name might come from the Subanen word kuyamis, which is a type of coconut. Some people also think the name came from the Spanish word Misa, meaning Catholic Mass.

The town grew because of a Spanish fort nearby. This fort was called Fuerte de la Concepcion y del Triunfo. It was built around 1756 to help stop pirate attacks from the Lanao area. In 1850, Misamis became the capital of the District of Misamis. Later, in the 1870s, the capital moved to Cagayan de Oro.

Changes Over Time

During the time the Americans were in the Philippines, the size of the territory changed. In 1920, some areas that were part of Misamis became new towns called Clarin and Tudela.

After World War II, Misamis officially became a city on July 16, 1948. At this time, its name was changed to Ozamiz. This was done to honor José Ozámiz. He was a important person from Misamis Occidental. He served as its first governor and a representative in Congress. He also helped create the 1935 Constitution for the Philippine Commonwealth Government. In 1941, José Ozámiz was elected to the Philippine Senate.

Geography and Climate

Where Ozamiz is Located

Ozamiz is on the east coast of Misamis Occidental. It is close to the provinces of Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte to the west. Across the Panguil Bay is Lanao del Norte.

The city is next to Tangub in the south and Clarin in the north. Ozamiz is about 52 kilometers (32 miles) from Maria Cristina Falls. This waterfall is a major source of hydroelectric power in Mindanao.

Weather in Ozamiz

Economy of Ozamiz

Ozamiz has many natural resources for farming. However, it has also become a key place for business, health services, transportation, and education. Its location is great for a harbor. The local port is where minerals, farm products, and forest products from nearby provinces are shipped out. These provinces include Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and parts of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.

Population and Demographics

The Cathedral of St. Mary of the Philippine Independent Church (Iglesia Filipina Independiente or Aglipayan Church).

In the 2020 census, Ozamiz had a population of 140,334 people. This means there were about 826 people per square kilometer.

City Government

Ozamiz City Hall

Local officials in Ozamiz are chosen every three years. The city government includes the mayor, vice mayor, and ten councilors. There are also representatives for the youth (Sangguniang Kabataan), indigenous people, and barangay captains.

As of 2025, here are some of the elected officials:

• Mayor: Atty. Sam Norman G. Fuentes (Asenso Pinoy)
• Vice Mayor: Simplicia “Bebie” O. Neri (Asenso Pinoy)
• Congressman: Sancho Fernando “Ando” F. Oaminal (Lakas)
• Councilors:
  • Lorlie Fuentes-Cipres (Asenso Pinoy)
  • Katherine “Kat-Kat” C. Lim (Asenso Pinoy)
  • Cecille Y. Co (Asenso Pinoy)
  • Marcelo Archie S. Romero II (Asenso Pinoy)
  • Roland “Dinky” B. Suizo Jr. (Asenso Pinoy)
  • Atty. Daniel C. Lao (Asenso Pinoy)
  • Juanito “Junjun” B. Saquin Jr. (Asenso Pinoy)
  • Atty. Marcelian “Mars” C. Tapayan (Asenso Pinoy)
  • Sancho “Sunny” S. Oaminal (Asenso Pinoy)
  • Saulo B. Salvador (Asenso Pinoy)
  • John Fel D. Duhaylungsod (SK Federation President)
  • Jun Carlo Murallon (ABC President)
  • Relinda A. Bation (IPMR)

Barangays

Ozamiz is divided into 51 smaller areas called barangays. Each barangay has smaller parts called puroks, and some also have sitios.

Culture and Festivals

The city celebrates the Sinulog Festival on the 4th Sunday of January. This festival honors the Santo Niño de Cebu. A special image of the Santo Niño travels from Cebu City to visit Ozamiz and other towns for a week.

Ozamiz's Charter Day is on July 16. On this day, they also celebrate the feast of Nuestra Señora dela Inmaculada Concepcion y del Triunfo dela Cruz de Migpangi. The Perangat Ozamiz Festival, which used to be called the Subayan Keg Subanon Festival, is also held on July 16.

On December 8, the Feast of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated. There are often firework displays near the Cotta Fort or at the City Hall.

Places to Visit in Ozamiz

Fuerte de la Concepcion y del Triunfo

Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

Immaculate Conception Pipe Organ

• Fuerte de la Concepcion y del Triunfo (Cotta Fort): This fort was built in 1756 by Father José Ducos. It was a Spanish outpost. On its outer wall, there is a shrine to the Nuestra Señora de la Immaculada Concepción y del Triunfo de la Cruz de Migpangi. This is known locally as the Birhen sa Cotta (Virgin of the Fort). Many people believe the image of the Virgin is miraculous and visit it. The fort was updated in 2002 to look like its original design.

• Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception: This cathedral was built after a church was damaged in an earthquake in 1955. It was designed by National Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin. You can see his simple style of squares, circles, and half circles in the church's design. The cathedral is home to the wooden image of the Birhen sa Cotta.

• Immaculate Conception Pipe Organ: This is the only pipe organ in Mindanao and one of the few in the Philippines. It is located in the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Father Sean Lavery, an Irish priest, had the idea for the organ. Funds were raised, and a German priest, Father Herman Schablitzki, helped design it. The organ was put together in six weeks and finished on May 31, 1967. It was officially opened on July 16, 1967.

• Bukagan Hill: At the top of Bukagan Hill, there are four large bells named "St. Peter," "St. Marien," "St. Joseph," and "St. Michael." These bells were bought for the Metropolitan Cathedral. However, they were too heavy and big for the cathedral's bell tower. With help from City Mayor Fernando T. Bernad and Jesus Y. Varela, the bells were placed at Bukagan Hill. They were officially opened on July 16, 1948.

• Timfanel Garden Ornamental Plant Farm: This garden, formerly called Naomi's Botanical Garden, covers 12 hectares. It has many local and imported tropical flowers, plants, and fruit trees. There is also a hotel with air-conditioned rooms, function halls, a tennis court, a ceramics shop, and swimming pools.

• Mt. Malindang Golf and Country Club: This golf course used to be an army facility before World War II. It is located in Barangay Bagakay, at the base of Mount Malindang.

Transportation in Ozamiz

Air Travel

Ozamiz Airport

Ozamiz Airport, also known as Labo Airport, reopened on July 5, 2007. This was nine years after Philippine Airlines (PAL) stopped its flights there. The airport could not handle jet planes because its runway was too short. Air Philippines, a PAL airline, was the first to use a jet plane (a B737-200) at the airport for flights to Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. Later, PAL Express started direct flights to Mactan–Cebu International Airport.

Cebu Pacific Air also began serving Ozamiz on November 10, 2008, with flights to Cebu. Because many people wanted to travel, Cebu Pacific started a Manila route. PAL also began Manila service on June 16, 2009.

When Air Philippines became Airphil Express (now PAL Express), it restarted its Ozamiz to Manila service on August 18, 2011. This led Cebu Pacific to use larger Airbus planes for its flights. Even with strong competition, PAL stopped its own flights to Ozamiz on March 25, 2012. Since then, PAL Express and Cebu Pacific have been the main airlines serving the airport.

Ozamiz Airport is getting a P300 million upgrade. This project includes adding runway lights, making the runway longer (from 1.9 km to 2.1 km), and building a new passenger terminal.

Sea Travel

Port of Ozamiz

The Port of Ozamiz connects the city to Cebu City, Manila, and Iligan.

Local shipping companies like Daima offer trips from Ozamiz to Mukas, Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte. They use roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ferries. These ferries carry passengers, vehicles, and goods across Panguil Bay.

Land Travel

Within Ozamiz city, people mostly use trisikad/pedicabs and motorized tricycles. For travel between provinces, people use Rural Transit, Super Five, UV Express, and public utility jeepneys like Lotradisco.

Healthcare Facilities

Ozamiz City has several hospitals and healthcare centers:

• Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro Sr. Medical Center (MHARS MC): A large hospital with 1000 beds, owned by the Department of Health.
• Misamis University Medical Center (MUMC): A hospital located in Barangay Bagakay.
• Medina General Hospital: A hospital with 200 beds, located in Barangay Carmen Annex.
• Tobias-Feliciano Faith General Hospital, Inc.
• S.M. Lao Memorial City General Hospital
• St. Joseph General Hospital (formerly St. Mary General Hospital)
• St. Padre Pio Medical Clinic: Located at JEM bldg., Medina Avenue, Barangay Carmen Annex.

Education in Ozamiz

Ozamiz is a center for education. Many students from nearby provinces come here for college.

Universities and Colleges

• La Salle University
• Misamis University
• Immaculate Conception School of Technology of Ozamiz City (ICST)
• Lighthouse Christian Academy
• Medina College
• Misamis Institute of Technology
• Northwestern Mindanao School of Technology (NMST)
• Our Lady of Triumph Institute of Technology (OLT)
• Ozamiz City Institute of Technology
• Vocational Institute of the Philippines and Maritime Training Center

Secondary Schools

• Capucao Integrated School
• Cogon Integrated School
• Domingo A. Barloa Integrated School
• FMC MA School and Tutorial Services, Inc.
• Gala National High School
• Guingona Integrated School
• Jacinto Nemeño Integrated School
• Jose Lim Ho National High School
• Labinay National High School
• Labo National High School
• Malaubang Integrated School
• Marcelino C. Regis Integrated School
• Misamis Annex Integrated School
• Misamis Union High School
• Montol National High School
• Ozamis Cathedral School of Immaculate Conception Inc.
• Ozamiz City National High School
• Ozamiz City School of Arts and Trades (OCSAT)
• Pulot National High School
• San Antonio National High School
• Sancho V. Capa Integrated School
• Sangay Integrated School
• Sinusa Integrated School
• Stimpson Abordo National High School
• Tabid National High School
• Western Mindanao Adventist Academy - Ozamiz City

Sister Cities

In the Philippines

• Tangub
• Oroquieta
• Iligan
• Cotabato City
• Dipolog
• General Santos
• Cebu City
• Iloilo City
• Pagadian
• Marawi
• Cagayan de Oro
• Laoag

International Sister City

• Jersey City, New Jersey (since 1995)

Notable People from Ozamiz

• Cherry Lou - an actress
• Sofronio Vasquez - a singer
• Earl Agustin - a singer-songwriter

See also

In Spanish: Ozámiz para niños

• List of renamed cities and municipalities in the Philippines
• Labo Airport