Molave, Zamboanga del Sur

"Molave" redirects here. It can also refer to the wood of Vitex cofassus and Vitex parviflora.

Molave
Municipality
Official seal of Molave Seal
{{#property:P242}} Map of Zamboanga del Sur with Molave highlighted
Molave Location within the Philippines
Coordinates:
Country	[[{{#property:P17}}]]
Region	Zamboanga Peninsula (Region IX)
Province	[[{{#property:P131}}]]
District	1st district of Zamboanga del Sur
Founded	June 16, 1948
Barangays	25
Government
• Mayor	Ireneo Q. Glepa
Area
• Total	251.50 km2 (97.10 sq mi)
Population (2010)
• Total	{{#property:P1,082}}
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	{{#property:P281}}
Dialing code	{{#property:P473}}
Income class	1st class; partially urban
Website	{{#property:P856}}

Molave is a first class municipality in the province of Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of {{#property:P1082}} people. The name "Molave" refers to the hard, strong and resilient tree that abounds in the place during the 1950s. It was created through the efforts of Congressman Juan Alano, as a daughter municipality of Aurora by Republic Act No. 286 on June 16, 1948. Molave is located in the eastern part of the province of Zamboanga del Sur. It has a total land area of 21,685 hectares.

Molave was designated as the new capital of the province of Zamboanga when it was created in June 16, 1948. Molave served as its capital until Zamboanga's division into Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur. Molave came under the Zamboanga del Sur with the town of Pagadian as its capital.

Geography

Molave is located in the north-eastern part of the Province of Zamboanga del Sur, at the foot of a verdant hill and bounded by Salug Diut River and mountain ranges that makes it free from typhoons. It is bounded by the municipalities of Tambulig in the east, Mahayag in the west, Josefina and Province of Zamboanga del Norte in the north and Ramon Magsaysay in the south. It is approximately 38 kilometres (24 mi) from its capital Pagadian City and 58 kilometres (36 mi) to Ozamiz City. It is situated on longitude 123 deg 29 min 50 sec, latitude 7 deg 5 min 50 sec and is 15 metres (49 ft) above sea level.

Topography

Molave is divided into two topographical areas, namely: the lowland area which covers 30% of the total land area is composed of nine (9) barangays and is situated in the east and south-west portion is generally flat, swampy and marshy; while the upland portion which covers 70% of the total land area is hilly and mostly deforested. The terrain and slope pattern is moderately sloping to rolling with 2 slope variations from 10% in the lowland to 27% in the mountainous areas.

Soil Type:

There are two types of soil found within the municipality. In the lowland areas and part of the upper barangays, the type of soil is San Miguel Silt Loam. Adtoyon Clay Loam is found in the upland areas. San Miguel Silt Loam is best suited for cultivation and requires only simple and good farm management practice. The other kind of soil which is the Adtoyon Clay Loam can be used for grazing and diversified crops like corn, cassava, camote, etc.

Climate

As shown in the climatologic map of PAG-ASA, Molave is of 4th type where rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year. The area has a fairly warm temperature having an average temperature of 29.7 °C (85.5 °F).

Barangays

Molave is politically subdivided into 25 barangays.

2

History

Its creation started in the early 1930s as a small patch of settlement in a marshy jungle that was originally known as Salug. The fertile land in the Salug Valley attracted more settlers from distant places of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao which made it a conglomeration of Cebuano, Boholano, Ilongo, Tagalog, Ilocano, Leyteño, Misamisnon, Surigaonon and other different Muslim and ethnic groups. However, the Subanons were known to be the early settlers of this place. Many Chinese businessmen settled in this region before World War II and prospered.

The continuous influx of people from different places made possible the rapid development of this small start-up settlement. Then by June 16, 1948, Molave was created into a municipality by virtue of Republic Act No. 286 authored by Cong. Juan S. Alano from its mother town Aurora.

Dr. Pelagio Blancia was the first mayor by appointment. He was defeated in the 1951 local elections and the newly elected Mayor Javier Ariosa transferred the seat of government from Camp 7 (now Barangay Blancia) to its present site.

Dr. Pelagio Blancia is a delegate with Roseller T. Lim and Lobregat to the 1971 Constitutional Convention. His only son Dr. Ramon Blancia Sr. married to Encarnacion Blancia who came from the Ortega Clan of Negros became mayor of the town.

Vice-Mayor Ireneo 'Loloy' Glepa is the incumbent mayor of this town. He is the son of Mr. Monico Glepa and Graciana Querque Glepa who owned Molave Bakery & Grocery back then, hailed from Dalaguete, Cebu and Aloran, Misamis Occidental respectively. A well beloved couple due to their kindness and generosity. Mayor I. Glepa once became the youngest and longest serving Vice-Mayor of Molave. He was unopposed for two terms as a vice mayor before being elected overwhelmingly in the last May 2010 election.

Demographics

Population census of Molave
Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1990	36,556	—
1995	40,423	+1.90%
2000	45,082	+2.37%
2007	48,215	+0.93%
2010	48,939	+0.54%
Source: National Statistics Office

Economy

The town is the hub of commerce and trade in the Salug Valley area.

For year 2002, the municipal total income increased by 25% or an increase of P 9.9 million.

The municipal public market generated the highest income of P 3 million, followed by the water system with P 1.4 million and then the slaughterhouse having P 366,841.50.

When the local government unit earns revenues from taxes and its public economic enterprises, this shall mean more, bigger and better projects and programs for the people. Rice trading, milling and farming is a major industry in the area. It's rice supplies the Mindanao and Visayas areas even to Metro Manila.The towns of Midsalip, Sominot, Ramon Magsaysay, Aurora, Mahayag, Josefina, Dumingag, Sergio Osmeña, Don Victoriano, Tambulig, Bonifacio, Tangub City all converge to this bustling town due to its proximity, much cheaper goods and commodities than some major cities like Ozamiz City and Pagadian City.

One of the municipality's famous business establishment is the privately owned MOLAVE GLASS HOUSE and HARDWARE which is known for its affordable and quality glass and aluminum products and installation services for more than 21 YEARS. It now carries hardware and construction supply and is located in Roxas Street, Molave. The Molave-based establishment is very known not only in the town but also in Pagadian City, Dipolog, Ozamis, Iligan, Cagayan de Oro city. Customers from these big cities come here just to avail of the company's services. Major projects included the Laguindingan International Airport supplied with aluminum cladding. It also has operations in Cebu and Manila and other parts in Luzon and Visayas. Projects included in this Molave grown business included the Crown Regency Towers in Cebu, Mitsubishi Car showrooms in SRP Cebu, Tacloban and Dumaguete as well as the PSSLAI building in Edsa, Manila and the Toby Sports Building.

MOLAVE GLASS HOUSE also generated many employment/jobs in Molave.It has diversified in other business including MAGNA BUILDERS which is into Building Construction, FURNITURE ARTS APPLIANCE SAMSUNG which is selling beautiful and affordable Furnitures and is a distributor of quality SAMSUNG Appliances, Phones and Tablets and LA-GERMANIA KITCHEN STOVES and GAS RANGES and SSJ REAL ESTATE LEASING which handles the leasing of its commercial spaces. Molave Glass now carries affordable hardware construction products.

The municipality also has mall type establishments like Cinema Square and Juanita Enterprises. Ogis Lechon manok is based in this town with its Dressing Plant located in Mabuhay, Zamboanga del Sur.

Agriculture

The municipality is basically an agricultural community where 91.85% of the total land area is devoted to agriculture. 1,378.50 hectares of fertile land is fully irrigated and planted with rice. Other agricultural crops are corn, coconut, cassava, banana, camote and various kinds of vegetables are produced within the locality and marketed to neighboring towns and cities and even reaching to Cebu. There are 23 farmer cooperatives within the municipality of which 19 are registered and 4 are not registered with a total of 7,566 farmer members. [1] However, commerce and industry activity of the municipality is fast developing due to its strategic location thus making it as the hub of commerce and trade of the Salug Valley area. Various large commercial and industrial establishments are sprouting within the poblacion area and attracting more investors to engage business within the municipality.

Health

The municipality has 10 existing Barangay Health Stations, 1 lying-in (Maternity) clinic, 26 Health and Nutrition Posts and a Municipal Health Center, staffed by 1 rural health physician, 1 dentist, 1 sanitary inspector, 3 nurses and 11 midwives. Further, it has 3 private hospitals, 5 private clinics and 10 pharmacies and has 2 funeral chapels. [2]

Lumapas Hospital, Salug Valley Medical Center and Blancia Hospital are located in this bustling town with modern facilities.

Molave and Salug Valley's first and oldest funeral service provider which is the VALLEY OF ANGELS MEMORIAL CHAPELS is located in here specifically at Guillen Street, Molave and has been in service for more than 50 YEARS.

Sports and recreation

Sporting facilities include municipal gymnasium, 3 tennis courts, 4 basketball courts, 3 volleyball courts and a sports complex facility of the Molave Regional Pilot School. Providing recreation are the municipal plaza with its playground paraphernalia, and a landscaped tourism spot. A pylon stands at the heart of the plaza to serve as a landmark.

A Drive Range Golf Course is located 4 km. away from the town in barangay Parasan. Eriberta Springs is a favorite attraction located at Brgy. Diwan, Mahayag formerly part of Molave.

Hotels like Alecksandra Hotel, Casa Maria Pension, Guest House and RJYM offers modern amenities to visitors and guests.

Night life is fun with La Pergola with delicious treats of Italian Foods and pastries and Resto-bar like in Alecksandra Hotel.

Barbecue stands and Karaoke stalls are located at the back of Molave Gymnasium.

Peace and Order

The Molave Municipal Police station has two (2) PCOs and twenty four (24) PNCOs serving the populace. This station has two (2) outposts/detachments situated at barangay Dipolo and Sudlon.

Molave is generally peaceful with a crime efficiency rate of 95% and 160 crime incidents reported as of 2007, a decrease of 5% or 8 crime incidents compared to 2006’s or last year’s one hundred sixty eight (168) crime incidents. The presence of the 10th Infantry Battalion of the 1st Infantry Division stationed at Barangay Bag-ong Argao and the 906th Provincial Mobile Group had help much in keeping its peaceful environment for the whole municipality and of Salug Valley area. [3]

Education

As center of education and culture, there are four (4) private pre-schools; twenty three (23) public and 1 private elementary school; six (6) primary schools; five secondary schools and 2 (1 private and 1 public) tertiary schools.

To meet the growing needs of young Molavenians for quality basic education, the LGU shouldered an equity of P600,000.00 for a six-room 2-storey TEEP building for MRPS. At MVTS another six room 2-storey SEDIP building and a two-room science laboratory have been built for P6.8M with the 10% equity put up by the joint efforts of the LGU and the PTCA whose president happens to be Mayor Saniel.

This linkage dates back to a time long before MVTS principal Dr. Linda M. Saniel assumed the leadership of MVTS.

All barangay Elementary and Secondary Schools have also been recipient of TEEP/SEDIP rehab or construction funds.

Colleges:

• Western Mindanao State University - External Studies Unit, Molave
• Blancia Carreon College Foundation, Inc. [4]
• Zamboanga del Sur Maritime Institute of Technology
• Josefina H. Cerilles State College, Molave Campus
• Our Lady Of Triumph Institute of Technology, Molave

High Schools:

• Molave Vocational Technical School (MVTS) [5]
• Blancia Carreon College Foundation, Inc. (High School Department) [6]
• Sacred Heart Diocesan School
• Parasan National High School
• Simata National High School

External links

• Molave official website
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• Philippine Census Information
• Life 4 Water, Inc. Zamboanga Del Sur Projects