Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2994

Introduced by HON. JERRY E, PEREZ

AN ACT
DECLARING ZAMBOANGA CITY AS THE REGIONAL GOVERNMENT CENTER OF
REGION IX AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

On October 12, 1990, President Corazon C. Aquino issued Executive Order No. 429, entitled
“Providing for the Reorganization of the Administrative Regions in Mindanao and for Other
Purposes.” This directive designated Pagadian City as the regional center of Region IX while
maintaining Zamboanga City as the commercial and industrial hub of the region. This reorganization
was undertaken in line with Republic Act No. 6734, enacted on August 1, 1989, which created the
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and required adjustments in the regional
administrative structure of Mindanao.

Under EO 429, Region IX initially comprised the following provinces and cities:

Provinces:

a. Zamboanga del Norte ‘Zamboanga

b. Zamboanga del Sur Pagadian
¢. Basilan Dipolog
d. Misamis Occidental Dapitan
e. Lanao del Norte Oroquieta

Tangub
Ozamis
igan

Marawi

The designation of Pagadian City as the regional center under Executive Order No. 429
(October 12, 1990) was primarily justified by the geographic adjustments that followed the creation of
the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) under Republic Act No. 6734 (August 1,
1989). With Sulu and Tawi-Tawi joining ARMM, and the provinces of Misamis Occidental and Lanao
del Norte temporarily placed under Region IX, the government sought to position the regional center
in a more central location within the enlarged region.

However, this basis no longer holds. Under Executive Order No. 36 (September 19, 2001),
Misamis Occidental and Lanao del Norte were reassigned to Region X (Northern Mindanao), leaving
Region IX composed solely of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay.
Consequently, the original rationale for relocating the regional center from Zamboanga City to
Pagadian City was substantially diminished.

In subsequent years, various issuances sought to implement the transfer of regional offices to
Pagadian City. Memorandum Circular No. 75 (November 12, 2004) directed the transfer of all regional
offices from Zamboanga City to Pagadian City, except for the DTI, DOLE, and DOT, which were to
remain in Zamboanga City in recognition of its role as a commercial and industrial hub. This directive
was later suspended by Memorandum Circular No. 11 on December 22, 2010, citing logistical and


financial challenges. The suspension was eventually lifted under Memorandum Circular No. 78 on
March 22, 2019, reinstating the transfer order.

Most recently, a significant development occurred when the Supreme Court ruled in 2024 that
the Province of Sulu is not part of BARMM, affirming its earlier plebiscite stance. To address this and
ensure continuity of governance, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued of Executive Order No. 91
on July 30, 2025, officially declaring Sulu as part of Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula). EO 91
provides the legal and administrative framework for this transition, including the creation of a
Technical Working Group to oversee a seamless integration and safeguard uninterrupted delivery of
government services.

Provinces: Cities:
a, Zamboanga del Norte a. Zamboanga
b. Zamboanga del Sur b. _ Dipolog
c. Zamboanga Sibugay c.  Dapitan
d. Sulu d. Isabela

e. Pagadian

It is important to emphasize that Zamboanga City is not only historically the center of
governance and trade in Western Mindanao but also strategically positioned as the region’s natural
hub, Established as a chartered city by Commonwealth Act No. 39 on October 12, 1936, long before
the creation of the Province of Zamboanga del Sur on June 6, 1952 under Republic Act No. 711,
Zamboanga City has served as the focal point for regional administration, commerce, and connectivity.
Its subsequent classification as a Highly Urbanized City (HUC) underscores its administrative and
fiscal independence from any province and reinforces its role as the principal gateway to the
Zamboanga Peninsula, the Sulu Archipelago, and neighboring ASEAN markets. Its geographic
location, coupled with its well-developed infrastructure and accessibility, makes it the most efficient
and practical site for regional offices.

Relocating regional offices to Pagadian City would entail enormous financial costs, logistical
difficulties, and serious disruption to public service delivery. Such a move would displace thousands
of employees and compromise operational efficiency at a time when fiscal prudence and continuity of
governance are paramount. By contrast, retaining Zamboanga City as the primary hub ensures regional
efficiency, optimal use of existing resources, and strategic connectivity, while enabling Pagadian City
to continue functioning as a vital sub-regional access point for neighboring provinces.

In light of these considerations, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought to
preserve administrative efficiency, uphold sound fiscal management, and strengthen the strategic role
of Zamboanga City as the core governance and economic center of Region IX.

In view of the foregoing approval of this bill is earns



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

9
HOUSE BILL NO. 2 934

Introduced by HON. JERRY E. PEREZ

AN ACT
DECLARING ZAMBOANGA CITY AS THE REGIONAL GOVERNMENT CENTER OF
REGION IX AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled.

SEC. 1. It is the policy of the State, consistent with the Constitution, to promote efficient
governance and ensure accessible public services to all citizens. In line with this, and pursuant to the
Supreme Court ruling of September 2024 affirming that a province which voted against inclusion in
an autonomous region cannot be compelled to join such region, the Province of Sulu was declared not
part of BARMM.

To implement this decision and restore administrative order, Executive Order No. 91, series of 2025,
issued by the President, formally integrated Sulu into Region IX. To effectively serve the people of
Zamboanga Peninsula and the reintegrated Province of Sulu, there is an urgent need to designate the
most strategic and historically established center of governance as the regional scat.

Accordingly, this Act declares Zamboanga City as the official Regional Government Center of
Region IX, ensuring regional efficiency, strategic connectivity, and continuity of public service.

SEC. 2 Zamboanga City is hereby declared as the Regional government Center for Region IX.
All regional offices of departments and agencies whose offices were established in Pagadian City are
hereby directed to transfer to Zamboanga City within 2 years from effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 3 Sub-Regional Office in Pagadian City. Existing regional offices currently based in
Pagadian City shall be retained and converted into sub-regional offices, serving as satellite hubs for
provinces in the eastern and inland areas of Region [X. These sub-regional offices shall be headed by
an Assistant Regional Director or equivalent official designated by each department or agency.

SEC. 4 Transition and Funding. The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall
provide the necessary funding and guidelines to ensure a phased, efficient, and non-disruptive transfer
of offices, personnel, and resources from Pagadian City to Zamboanga City within the prescribed

period.

SEC. 5 Separability Clause — If for any reason, any provision of this Act is declared to be
unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 6 Repealing Clause ~ Executive Order No. 429, series of 1990, and all related provisions
thereof are hereby amended or modified to conform with this Act, subsequent organic laws, and the
Supreme Court decision on the status of Sulu. Alll other laws, executive orders, rules, regulations, and
issuances or parts thereof, including that of Executive Order No. 429, series of 1990, inconsistent with
this Act arc likewise repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.


SEC. 7. Effectivity Clause ~ This Act shall take effect upon completion of its publication in at
Jeast two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.