Passi, officially known as the City of Passi (; ; ), is a component city in the province of Iloilo, Philippines. According to the , it has a population of people.
Passi is the only component city in the province of Iloilo, and ranks as the largest in terms of land area and income, and second only to Oton in population size.
History Passi was a settlement founded by the three Malayan brothers named Dig- on, Tokiab and Umawang at the beginning of its history. This settlement (purok) was well protected from possible attack from adjacent purok.
Passi was discovered and established as a mission parish by Spanish explorers in 1584 under the patronage of St. William of Maleval. In 1593, Padre Juan Villamayor, an Augustinian friar, became its first resident priest. Initially, the mission church was constructed using lightweight materials near the Jalaur River's riverbank. However, in 1600, it was relocated to its current site and rebuilt using stones, slabs, and lime for its foundation and walls. Parishioners contributed by transporting necessary materials to the construction site during their visits to the church. Construction was completed during Padre Pedro Ceberio's tenure, with Salvador “Badong” Panes Perfecto serving as the town's Captain at the time.
Passi holds historical significance as one of the oldest Spanish settlements in Iloilo. Established as a pueblo (community settlement of natives) in 1766, it appointed Don Martin Saligumba as its inaugural gobernadorcillo.
In 1957, the sitio of Agtabo within Passi was officially recognized as a barrio, formerly part of the barrio (district) of Salngan. In the same year, the barrio of Santa Rosa was officially renamed Santo Tomas.
Passi experienced significant development during this period, becoming a center for trade and commerce due to its strategic location. This growth attracted more investment to the municipality, resulting in increased income, population, and territorial expansion. As a result, Passi was recognized as the first component city in the island of Panay. On January 30, 1998, President Fidel V. Ramos signed R.A. 8469, officially converting Passi into a city.
Etymology According to popular legend, Spanish conquistadors stumbled on a small hut by the river's bank where an old woman was found winnowing pounded rice. One of them asked her, “¿Cómo se llama este lugar?” not speaking the native language. Misinterpreting the question, the woman responded with "Ah, pasi," which in her language meant "rice", assuming they were asking about the contents of her basket. An alternative interpretation is that "pasi" was a local Malay dialect from the word 'putih' which means "white" - possibly referring to the encounter with the Spaniards themselves. Following this encounter, the Spanish settlers adopted the name Pasi for the location, which eventually transformed into the present-day name of Passi.
Geography
Passi is located in the central region of Panay along the New Iloilo-Capiz Highway. It is from Iloilo City and from Roxas City.
Passi shares borders with Dumarao to the north, San Rafael to the east, San Enrique to the southeast, Dueñas to the south, Calinog to the west, and Bingawan to the northwest.
Passi covers a total land area of 25,139 hectares (62,120 acres), comprising 5.39% of the provincial land area of Iloilo. Its terrain is predominantly flat, extending along the Jalaur and Lamunan Rivers, with mountainous regions situated in the northern part of the city.
Climate
Passi, akin to many inland areas in Iloilo, lacks a distinct rainy season or pronounced maximum rainfall period. While it does encounter typhoons occasionally, they are not prevalent phenomena in the region.
Rivers and mountains The city is intersected by five significant rivers: the Jalaur, Lamunan, Hin-ayan, Asisig, and Maliao. Geographically, Passi is characterized by rolling hills and narrow valley plains. It is flanked by Mount Cañapasan and Mount Bayoso.
Barangays Passi is divided into 51 barangays, each comprising puroks, with some containing sitios. Characterized by predominantly mountainous terrain, it is administratively divided into 51 barangays. Passi encompasses a land area of 25,139 hectares or 251.39 square kilometers, making it the largest city in the province in terms of land area.
Passi comprises 11 urban barangays and 38 rural barangays, with 2 located within the city proper barangays. These are organized into 4 geographical districts.
Barangays Poblacion Ilawod and Ilaya are among the most urbanized areas in Passi, constituting its city proper. The downtown area is predominantly located within Poblacion Ilawod. Dorillo Street acts as the dividing line between the two barangays, with Poblacion Ilaya occupying the western portion and Poblacion Ilawod occupying the eastern part. Historically, Barangay Poblacion Ilawod served as the political hub of Passi when it was still a municipality. However, upon Passi's cityhood proclamation in 1998, the new city hall and government center were relocated to Barangay Sablogon.
Passi is part of the 4th District of Iloilo.
Below are the population figures for each barangay as recorded in the 2010 census.
Agdahon - 1,466 Agdayao - 1,284 Aglalana - 3,335 Agtabo - 1,721 Agtambo - 1,174 Alimono - 2,738 Arac - 1,429 Ayuyan - 634 Bacuranan - 1,101 Bagacay - 863 Batu - 1,328 Bayan - 687 Bitaogan - 2,051 Buenavista - 530 Buyo - 761 Cabunga - 1,246 Cadilang - 929 Cairojan - 1,210 Dalicanan - 2,039 Gemat-y - 1,055 Gemumua-Agahon - 3,711 Gegacjac - 526 Gines Viejo - 1,945 Imbang Grande - 2,227 Jaguimitan - 2,653 Libo-o - 684 Maasin - 806 Magdungao - 2,248 Malag-it Grande - 701 Malag-it Pequeño - 276 Mambiranan Grande - 576 Mambiranan Pequeño - 580 Man-it - 4,295 Mantulang - 515 Mulapula - 1,458 Nueva Union - 2,265 Pangi - 767 Pagaypay - 567 Poblacion Ilawod - 6,559 Poblacion Ilaya - 3,473 Punong - 374 Quinagaringan Grande - 1,187 Quinagaringan Pequeño - 1,011 Sablogon - 1,849 Salngan - 2,826 Santo Tomas - 2,061 Sarapan - 1,048 Tagubong - 2,048 Talongonan - 1,440 Tubod - 862 Tuburan - 544
Demographics
Languages Residents of Passi are commonly referred to as Passinhons. The predominant language spoken in Passi and its surrounding areas is Kinaray-a. Additionally, residents are proficient in Hiligaynon. Capiznon, Tagalog, and English are spoken as secondary languages in the city.
Religion The majority of Passinhon people adhere to Roman Catholicism. Protestant denominations, including the Philippine Independent Church or Aglipayan Church, as well as Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Adventist, and Evangelical Christian churches, are also practiced. Additionally, other Christian sects present in Passi City include the Iglesia ni Cristo, Church of Christ (Latter Day Saints), and Jehovah's Witnesses.
Economy
Agriculture Passi has historically served as a significant hub for agricultural and industrial activities, particularly as the District Agri-Industrial Center of Iloilo. Its strategic location in the province has contributed to its importance, boasting three sugar centrals and abundant agricultural resources. The city's economy relies heavily on agriculture, with a diverse range of crops including rice, corn, vegetables, coconut, sugarcane, and pineapple. Notably, Passi has been a major pineapple producer for years and has also been recognized for its involvement in other industries such as fruit processing, wallboard production, metalworking, and cut-flower propagation. Locally made products like pineapple wine, jam, and fruit preserves have gained recognition through participation in various trade fairs and exhibitions, including the annual Fiesta in the City celebration in May, Tumandok in September, and Wow Philippines: the Best of the Region.
Passi possesses favorable physical resources, including fertile soil along rolling hills and narrow valley plains, abundant surface and groundwater, and a climate without distinct dry and wet seasons. These conditions are conducive to cultivating various agricultural products such as rice, sugarcane, and pineapple. In response to fluctuations in the sugar industry, local farmers have diversified into other crops such as corn, pineapple, mongo, root crops, and other farm-based products. The city also presents investment opportunities for agri-industrial developments.
Industrial development is a key focus area for the local government, given Passi's designation as one of the five Agro-Industrial districts in the province. It serves as the site for the People's Industrial Enterprise (PIE's) District Agro-Industrial Center (DAIC) in the 4th District. The PIE's / DAIC's play a crucial role in providing intermediate processing of locally sourced raw materials for final processing at the DAIC. Additionally, they facilitate the manufacturing of finished goods, leveraging cooperative advantages to make manufacturing activities economically viable.
Banking Passi serves as a significant trade and business hub outside Metro Iloilo.
Retail As a component city of Iloilo Province, Passi serves as a significant shopping destination outside the provincial capital.
Gaisano Capital Passi is the first shopping mall established in Passi. It features a selection of stores including grocery and department stores, as well as leased spaces for other businesses.
CityMall (Philippines) Commercial Centers Inc. operates in Passi situated at the front of Passi City Bus Terminal along the Iloilo-Capiz New Route.
Power and energy Power distribution in Passi and neighboring towns, including Dueñas, San Enrique, and Calinog, is managed by Iloilo Electric Cooperative II (ILECO II).
In August 2022, MORE Power, a power distributor serving Iloilo City, received official approval to extend its services to Passi and 16 other municipalities in the province.
Water supply Water distribution in Passi and neighboring barangays is facilitated by Balibago Waterworks System Inc drawing water from the aquifer of Barangays Bacuranan and Sablogon.
Communications
Passi is serviced by three telephone service providers, namely the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), Globe Telecom, and Panay Telephone Corporation (PANTELCO). Passi is served by two cellular companies, namely Smart Communications and Globe Telecom, providing cellular telephone facilities to residents and businesses in the area.
Television stations Kalibo Cable TV Inc. (formerly Milkyway Cablevision Services, Inc. or MCSI) provides local cable TV services to Passi, San Enrique, Dueñas, and Dingle. It offers 74 national and international television channels, along with one local channel (Kalibo Cable) featuring local programming and talk shows. One of its notable programs is Talking Point, where individuals or organizations are interviewed on topics relevant to Passi City. This program is also broadcast live on Facebook via the page 'Good Morning Passi'.
Print media The Passinhon Times serves as the official publication of Passi.
Culture Attractions in Passi encompass a variety of sites, including extensive pineapple plantations, cock farms, the Baroque Church of Saint William the Hermit, the historic Muscovado Chimney, the Chameleon Butterfly Garden, the Amorotic caves of Barangay Magdungao, scenic highway vistas offering captivating sunset views, and the aging Railway Bridge spanning the Jalaur River.
Pintados de Pasi
The Pintados de Pasi Festival was inaugurated in March 1998 to commemorate Passi's cityhood.
Christmas events
The city hosts Christmas events annually from the middle of December until the first Sunday of January at Plaza Paloma.
Kapistahan
Passi celebrates the feast of its patron saint, San Guillermo de Ermita (St. William the Hermit), on February 10, accompanied by the coronation of the fiesta queen.
Landmarks and notable places