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Lucena | |
|---|---|
| City of Lucena | |
.jpg) .jpg) .JPG) .jpg) .jpg) .jpg) Clockwise from top left:St. Ferdinand Cathedral, Tayabas Capitol (Quezon Provincial Capitol), Quezon Avenue, Lucena City Hall, Merchan Street, and Port of Lucena | |
 Flag  Seal | |
| Motto: BOOM Lucena! | |
| Anthem:Ang Lungsod ng Lucena | |
 Map of Calabarzon with Lucena highlighted | |
OpenStreetMap  | |
.svg)  Lucena Location within thePhilippines | |
| Coordinates:13°56′N121°37′E / 13.93°N 121.62°E /13.93; 121.62 | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Region | Calabarzon |
| Province | Quezon(geographically only) |
| District | 2nd district |
| Founded | November 3, 1879[1] |
| Cityhood (de jure) | June 17, 1961[2] |
| Cityhood (de facto) | August 20, 1961[3] |
| Highly urbanized city | July 1, 1991 |
| Named after | Lucena, Córdoba, Spain |
| Barangays | 33 (seeBarangays) |
| Government | |
| • Type | Sangguniang Panlungsod |
| • Mayor | Mark Don Victor Benitez Alcala |
| • Vice Mayor | Roderick A. Alcala |
| • Representative | David C. Suarez |
| • City Council | Members
|
| • Electorate | 199,416 voters (2025) |
| Area | |
• Total | 80.21 km2 (30.97 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 61 m (200 ft) |
| Highest elevation | 1,687 m (5,535 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Population (2024 census)[5] | |
• Total | 280,331 |
| • Density | 3,495/km2 (9,052/sq mi) |
| • Households | 66,905 |
| Demonym | Lucenahin |
| Economy | |
| • Income class | First class, Highly Urbanized |
| • Poverty incidence | 6.4 |
| • Revenue | ₱ 1,853 million (2022) |
| • Assets | ₱ 3,359 million (2022) |
| • Expenditure | ₱ 1,745 million (2022) |
| • Liabilities | ₱ 1,377 million (2022) |
| Service provider | |
| • Electricity | Manila Electric Company (Meralco) |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (PST) |
| ZIP code | 4300, 4301 |
| PSGC | |
| IDD : area code | +63 (0)42 |
| Native languages | Tagalog |
| Website | lucenacity |
Lucena (Tagalog pronunciation:[lʊˈsɛna]), officially known as theCity of Lucena (Filipino:Lungsod ng Lucena), is ahighly urbanized city situated in theCalabarzon region (Region IV-A) of thePhilippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 280,331 people.[7]
The city is the largesturban center and capital ofQuezon Province. The city also serves as a major hub forcommerce,healthcare,education, andgovernance within the region.
Lucena City, althoughgeographically situated within Quezon Province, is politically and administratively independent. This distinction enables it togovern itself without provincial oversight, giving it a unique status within the region.
Metro Lucena is a proposedmetropolitan area that would encompass the highly urbanized city of Lucena and its surroundingmunicipalities, includingCandelaria,Dolores,Lucban,Pagbilao,Sampaloc,San Antonio,Sariaya,Tayabas andTiaong. This proposed region aims to consolidate the economic, cultural, and infrastructural resources of Lucena City and its neighboring towns to foster regional development, improve governance, and enhance the delivery of public services.
In the 1570s, CaptainJuan de Salcedo first explored what was then Kalilayan, later founded as a province in 1591. TheFranciscan priests Juan de Plasencia and Diego de Oropesa between 1580 and 1583 founded its town, also named "Tayabas". Tayabas was organized by the Spaniards through theFranciscan missionaries and Lucena was just one of its barrios. Tayabas became the provincial capital in 1749, renaming the province after it.[8][9]
The Spaniards of the 16th century called the area "Buenavista" because of its scenic beauty; several years later, the barrio was renamed "Oroquieta". A century later, Muslim pirates began terrorizing the entire Philippine coastline, including Oroquieta. The barrio folks built forts along the seashores to defend it against the attacking pirates along the coast, particularly in the present-day Cotta and in Barangay Mayao, though these structures are no longer extant.
Hence, the place became known asCotta, the Spanish form of theTagalogkuta ('fort'). The growth of local maritime trade facilitated in the Cotta port and the final defeat of Moro pirates plying the Luzon and Visayan waters, afforded the growth of Lucena as a town which eventually led to its being the provincial capital of Tayabas in 1901.
Finally on November 3, 1879, a royal decree was issued and the Orden Superior Civil officially adopted the name "Lucena" in honor of a Spanish friar by the name of Father Mariano Granja, who came fromLucena, Córdoba inAndalucia, Spain. Fr. Granja was responsible for the development of the barrio that became aParish in 1881. Lucena became an independent municipality on June 1, 1882.[10]
During the 1896Philippine Revolution, the people of Lucena showed their brand of patriotism. Jorge Zaballero led the local revolutionists who were under the barrage of Spanish muskets. Later, Miguel Arguilles with Jose Barcelona as president formed a revolutionary government in Lucena.
AfterAguinaldoproclaimed the nation's independence on June 12, 1898, Gen.Miguel Malvar, as Commanding General for Southern Luzon, took over Tayabas province on August 15, 1898. Don Crisanto Marquez became Lucena's first elected Municipal president during the first Philippine Republic.
Lucena was involved in thePhilippine–American War and in the subsequent establishment of American civil governance in the country.
As thewar between theUnited States and Filipino forces intensified, Lucena became an important strategic location, though it did not become a majorbattlefield.
In 1901, after the suppression of Filipino resistance, the Americans began reorganizing the local governance structure. This led to the eventual transfer of the provincial capital of Tayabas to Lucena on March 12, 1901. This shift was an important step in strengthening American control over the region and setting up civil governance.
The Americans valued Lucena's central location. It's accessibility and proximity to other towns in the province made it an ideal choice as the new administrative center.
During this time, Lucena saw further development with the introduction of newer infrastructure such as roads, schools, and government facilities, which contributed to the city's growth and modernization.
On December 27, 1941, theJapanese Imperial Forcescaptured the city of Lucena, an event locally known as "The Fall of Lucena," just 19 days after their initialinvasion of the Philippines. The Japanese aimed to strengthen their military presence in the region, sending units to seize strategic locations within the town. Although the invasion was initially successful, the Japanese forces soon faced fierce resistance fromlocal fighters and members of theHunters ROTC, a group ofFilipinoguerilla fighters.
The underground resistance movement was tenacious. Japanese Forces would be caught off-guard with surprise assaults which often resulted in fierceclose-quarters combat. These continuousassaults, coupled with significantlogistical challenges, gradually took a heavy toll on the Japanese forces, undermining their control and weakening their presence in the region.
By January 25, 1945, the Hunters ROTC guerrillas had managed to penetrate the town. Leveraging their intimate knowledge of the local terrain, they moved swiftly to prevent the Japanese forces from organizing an effective defense. After a fierce and hard-fought offensive, the Filipino forces successfully expelled the Japanese from the city. In the aftermath, the people of Lucenastrengthened their defenses in anticipation of a potential counterattack.
Later attempts by the Japanese to re-establish their occupation of Lucena failed.
Tayabas Province stood by and waited for theAmerican Liberation forces and thePhilippine Commonwealth troops, who would soon hand them their freedom on April 4, 1945.
Shortly after the war, Lucena began to rebuild, with efforts focused on restoring its infrastructure and reviving local industries.
Lucena was granted cityhood through the efforts of then-CongressmanManuel S. Enverga ofQuezon's 1st district.Republic Act No. 3271 lapsed into law on June 17, 1961, despite not being signed by then-PresidentCarlos P. Garcia. The city's formal inauguration and the induction of its first city officials, led by then-MayorCastro Profugo, took place on August 20, 1961, as outlined in Section 90 of the Act.[11] On July 1, 1991, Lucena was officially declared a highly urbanized city, granting it political and administrative independence from the province.[12]
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Lucena is situated 130 kilometers (81 mi) south ofManila. The city proper is wedged between two rivers, Dumacaa River on the east and Iyam River on the west. Seven other rivers and six creeks serve as natural drainage for the city. Its port on the coast alongTayabas Bay is home to several boat and ferry lines operating and serving the sea lanes between Lucena and the different points in the region and as far as theVisayas.
Being the provincial capital and former Government Center of the formerSouthern Tagalog Region, Lucena is host to most of the branches of governmental agencies, businesses, banks and service facilities in theSouthern Tagalog region.
Lucena is politically subdivided into 33barangays, as indicated below. Each barangay consists ofpuroks and some havesitios.
| Climate data for Lucena | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 28 (82) | 28 (82) | 30 (86) | 32 (90) | 32 (90) | 32 (90) | 31 (88) | 31 (88) | 31 (88) | 30 (86) | 29 (84) | 28 (82) | 30 (86) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 22 (72) | 22 (72) | 23 (73) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 23 (73) | 23 (73) | 23 (73) | 23 (73) | 23 (74) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 146.2 (5.76) | 118.9 (4.68) | 89.1 (3.51) | 75.6 (2.98) | 170.8 (6.72) | 188.7 (7.43) | 258.9 (10.19) | 193.3 (7.61) | 227.3 (8.95) | 373.7 (14.71) | 425.3 (16.74) | 483.6 (19.04) | 2,751.4 (108.32) |
| Average rainy days | 22 | 16 | 14 | 10 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 233 |
| Source: World Weather Online[13] | |||||||||||||
Lucena falls underType III of the Corona's climatic classification system.[14] It is characterized by no pronounced wet and dry seasons. Generally, the wet season is from June to November and sometimes extends up to December when the southwest monsoon is predominant. The dry season is from January to May but is sometimes interrupted by erratic rainfall. The annual mean temperature is 27 °C (81 °F), with February as the coldest month with temperatures dropping to 20 °C (68 °F), and May as the warmest month with temperatures reaching up to 35 °C (95 °F).Habagat monsoon winds pass through the province from June to October while northeasterly winds orAmihan blows through the islands from December to February.
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| Source:Philippine Statistics Authority[15][16][17][18][19] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Poverty incidence of Lucena
5 10 15 20 2000 17.26 2003 8.79 2006 5.40 2009 3.60 2012 6.56 2015 5.89 2018 4.52 2021 6.40 Source:Philippine Statistics Authority[20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] |
Economic activities in Lucena are heavily concentrated in thepoblacion and other suburban barangays where the highly dense and constrictedcentral business district (CBD) is home to a large cluster of different business enterprises. As population grows in tandem with new and promising business prospects, business activities spill over adjoining barangays, thus forming mini satellite commercial areas.
Other commercial strips are located in thepoblacion and suburban barangays where both retail and wholesale trade, including other essential services, are being engaged in. Lucena City featuresSM City Lucena, the biggest mall in the city located in Ibabang Dupay, which is also one of the firstSM Malls inLuzon. Other Shopping Centers include Pacific Mall Lucena (Metro Gaisano Mall), SM Savemore Agora, and Puregold Gulang-Gulang Lucena.
Big factories and warehouses are present in these suburban barangays likeSan Miguel Brewery,Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc.,PepsiCo Philippines, Inc.,Asia Brewery, Inc.Nestlé Philippines, andGinebra San Miguel, Inc. (formerly La Tondeña Distillers Inc.), do business in sales, distribution, and transport of assorted business products in bulk.
Of the total 8,316.90 ha (20,551.5 acres) land area of Lucena City,19.86% or 1,651.77 hectares (4,081.6 acres) cover the existing built-up area. Almost0.56% of this or 46.62 hectares (115.2 acres) cover the industrial section, located in different barangays of the city. These areas are home to significant industrial and manufacturing activities.
Industry in Lucena produces a sustainable amount of agro-industrial-based products,dried andsmoked fish,distilled liquors,bamboo andrattan furniture,ornamental flowers/plants, vegetable as well as meat products.
Lucena is also known as the "Cocopalm City of the South". Nestled midst a wide expanse of coconut lands, Lucena hascoconut oil mills which produce oil-based household products likecooking oil,soap,lard,margarine, and oil-based medicines. Exora Cooking Oil and Vegetable Lard and Miyami Cooking Oil are proudly made in this city. Tantuco Industries, JnJ Oil Industries, Inc., and Monaco Oil Company are some of the well-known coconut oil companies in the city.
Car assembly and manufacturing plants have also established in the city, whileManila-based car shops are starting to put up some branches likeToyota-Lucena,Isuzu-Lucena,Mitsubishi Lucena (Borromeo Motoring Group), andFoton Motor.
San Pedro Shipping Yard, a subsidiary of MSLI, is also located in Dalahican.
Lucena attracts a number of people thanks to its modern amenities, cultural landmarks, and strong transportation infrastructure. Well-connected by an extensive road network, the city is easily accessible from all major cities and towns in Luzon. A series of well-paved radial and bypass routes crisscross the area, facilitating the smooth flow of goods and services across the region, ensuring that the transport of merchandise, supplies, and raw materials happens efficiently around the clock. This robust connectivity supports Lucena's position as a key commercial and logistical hub in the region.
Among the city's most notable attractions is theQuezon Convention Center, a venue that has played host to a variety of high-profile events. This includes the2004 SEABA Under-18 Championship qualifying tournament, which served as a qualifier for the2004 FIBA Asia Under-18 Championship inIndia. The convention center is meant to highlight Lucena's ability to accommodate international and regional conferences, exhibitions, and sporting events.
Lucena is also home to several sports complexes. TheKalilayan Civic Centre andSentro Pastoral Auditorium are popular for hosting a wide range of community and cultural events. TheAlcala Sports Complex has hosted thePalarong Pambansa twice; first in 1976 and again in 1989, solidifying its place in the history of national sports events. TheManuel S. Enverga University Foundation Gymnasium,Sacred Heart College Gymnasium, andMarcial Punzalan Gymnasium further add to the city’s sporting infrastructure, providing spaces for local athletic events and recreational activities.
Another unique cultural site is theLucena Cockpit Arena. It is a key venue for traditional Filipinocockfighting, which remains a popular and longstanding cultural activity in the region. The arena offers visitors a chance to experience this time-honored Filipino tradition in a regulated setting.
TheLucena City Government Complex is another significant landmark in the city. The hub houses various government offices and serves as the center of political activity in Lucena. It plays a key role in the governance and public service delivery of the city.
The city features various celebrations, and one of the most prominent is the festival of Pasayahan in Lucena.[28][29]
Pasayahan sa Lucena is a secular festival conceptualized to showcase the natural and ecological interrelationship and independence between nature and man. This local festival is managed and hosted by thelocal government unit of Lucena.[30] It also promotes the ways of life inherent among the people of Lucena. Entertainment, cuisine, social drinking, dancing, live music, arts, and other leisure activities are traditionally included in the Pasayahan Festival.
The Grand Parade of Pasayahan, also known asMardi Gras among the city’s more senior residents, is the main highlight of the Pasayahan. It features a parade of enormous and vibrant floats made by the participating businesses and groups, as well as street dancing, marching bands, a Pandong (hat) competition, and a gay-friendly Carnival Queen competition.[31]
The first Pasayahan in 1987 was a big triumph that it has become an annual affair. Year after year, the Pasayahan draws a sea of frolicking humanity. Pasayahan features the Chami Festival to promote Lucena’s very own native delicacies, thechami andtinapa. Other features, such as theBinibining Pasayahan, a street fashion show, a talent competition for LGBTQ youth, and other street concerts, take the stage in Pasayahan. Originally intended as three days of spirited merrymaking in the streets, the event has become a weeklong to monthlong tourist attraction.[32][33]
The celebration also coincides with the Feast ofSt. Ferdinand, one of the patrons of the Catholic churches in Lucena, celebrated every 30 May.
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As a highly urbanized city, Lucena is independent of the province, but its residents are still allowed by Section 452-C of the Local Government Code of 1991 and its city charter (Republic Act No. 3271) to vote and run in provincial government elections. The provincial government have no political jurisdiction over local transactions of the city government. Residents of this city can also vote and run forprovincial board and congressional positions as the city is part ofQuezon's 2nd legislative district.
Pursuant to the Local Government Code of 1991,[34] the city of Lucena is to be composed of amayor (Punong Lungsod), avice mayor (Pangalawang Punong Lungsod) andmembers (Kagawad) of the legislative branchSangguniang Panlungsod alongside a secretary to the said legislature, all of which are elected to a three-year term and are eligible to run for three consecutive terms.
Barangays are also headed by elected officials:Barangay Chairman,Barangay Council, whose members are calledBarangay Councilors. The barangays have SK federation which represents the barangay, headed by SK chairperson and whose members are called SK councilors. All officials are also elected every three years.
The current seat of the city government is the Lucena City Government Complex, located along Lucena Diversion Road in Barangay Mayao Kanluran, with some offices still located at the old Lucena City Hall in thepoblacion.
| City Government of Lucena (2025-2028) | |
|---|---|
| Mayor | |
| Mark Don Victor B. Alcala | |
| Vice Mayor | |
| Roderick A. Alcala | |
| Sangguniang Panlungsod Members | |
| Danilo B. Faller | Americo Q. Lacerna |
| Wilbert Mckinly L. Noche | Patrick Norman E. Nadera |
| Benito G. Brizuela Jr. | Jose Christian O. Ona |
| Elizabeth U. Sio | Ryan Caezar E. Alcala |
| Rhaetia Marie C. Abcede-Llaga | Edwin J. Pureza |
| ABC President | |
| Reil Briones | |
| SK Federation President | |
| Rolden C. Garcia | |
Head of the municipality during the Spanish occupation:
Municipal presidents during the American Civil Government:
Mayors under the Commonwealth Government:
Acting mayors (after World War II):
Elected mayors:
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Lucena City has a central transportation hub called the Lucena Grand Central Terminal (Lucena GCT), located along Lucena Diversion Road in Barangay Ilayang Dupay. The terminal also hosts the main offices of the Lucena CityLand Transportation Office (LTO).
Buses connect Lucena toPasay,Quezon City, andAlabang inMuntinlupa, whileUV Express and van routes connect toTaytay,Pililla, easternLaguna, and other parts of Quezon, including Bondoc Peninsula towns. Bus companies such asJAC Liner,Lucena Lines,JAM Liner,DLTBCo andDela Rosa Bus Lines bring passengers toManilaCagayan de OroIliganMindanao and Lucena back and forth.
Lucena also has a wide network ofjeepney routes, all emanating from the city proper (Bayan) and reaching out to the major barangays of the city, as well as nearby towns.
Thousands oftricycles also roam the streets of the city, bringing passengers right at their point of destination. Due to the large number of tricycles in the area, the local government introduced theOdd-Even Tricycle Reduction Program. Under this program, tricycles are assigned a strict color code to help reducetraffic.Green is designated for those operating in themorning, whileyellow is reserved for theafternoon andevening.
The under-constructionSouth Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Toll Road 4 (TR-4) Extension fromCalamba, Laguna will end in Lucena at the connection ofMaharlika Highway at Barangay Mayao. There is an expressway project to Bicol planned to extend theSouth Luzon Expressway to Matnog, Sorsogon as SLEX Toll Road 5.[38]
Taxis as also available within the city along withcar rental services.[39]
There exists a Lucena Airport (known locally asLanding), which is located west of thepoblacion. However, it is no longer usable aslight aircraft can no longer make use of it and a road was built as an intersection during the presidency ofGloria Macapagal Arroyo.
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ThePhilippine National Railways (PNR) is on the process of rehabilitating the existingManila-Bicol andBaguio-Bicol Railway Line, which includes stops inQuezon province, includingPNR Lucena station, which traditionally then is a major loading and pick-up point for passengers and cargoes alike when the railway system was once the primary transportation mode going to Manila. Modern air-conditioned coaches will ply this route.
Despite undergoing renovation,Lucena station is still active, servicing passengers to and fromSan Pablo City daily.[40]
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The Passenger Ferry Terminal in Lucena has RORO vessels that transport passengers acrossTayabas Bay toMarinduque,Romblon andMasbate.
The Port of Lucena, located in Dalahican, is known as the gateway and melting pot city of SouthernLuzon.
The port complex, built along the fishing village of Barangay Talao-Talao, is a kilometer away to the east of Dalahican Fishing Port. The total port area of TMO Lustacena is 5,174.75 square meters (55,700.5 sq ft). Operational area of 576.00 square meters (6,200.0 sq ft) and commercial area of 4,598.75 square meters (49,500.5 sq ft) as delineated under Executive order No. 199 dated September 20, 1994, signed by then-PresidentFidel V. Ramos.
The port is accessible via the paved provincial road connecting the Dalahican Road and a rough causeway leading to the port. It is 27 nautical miles (50 km; 31 mi) to Dalahican, and 57 nautical miles (106 km; 66 mi) toBatangas City and sea distance toManila is 150 nautical miles (280 km; 170 mi). Passenger ferry services includeMontenegro Shipping Lines andStar Horse Shipping Lines.[41]
Lucena City is served bylandline andmobile phone companies like thePhilippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) andDigitel Telecommunications (PLDT-Digitel). Major mobile phone providers in the area includeGlobe,Smart,DITO Telecommunity, andAsian Vision.Wi-Fi providers likeConverge ICT also operate within the city.
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Lucena has private and publichospitals. Both types of institutions are considered to provide the same standard of healthcare and services, differing mainly with the medical and diagnostic facilities.
Here are the hospitals available in the city:
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Lucena City has numerous tertiary and secondary schools, includingpublic andprivate. The tertiary education system in Lucena provides instruction and training in fields of study, both for baccalaureate degrees and vocational courses.
Institutions offering variousdegree programs includingLiberal Arts,Arts andSciences,Engineering, andInformation Technology include the Lucena Campus of theManuel S. Enverga University Foundation (MSEUF),Sacred Heart College (Lucena),Maryhill College,Southern Luzon State University, St. Anne College Lucena,ABE International College of Business and Economics,Philtech Institute of Arts and Technology Inc. (PIAT),Columbus College-Lucena,AMA Computer College-Lucena, andSTI College Lucena.
Aside from tertiary schools, the city also has an expanse footprint on the pre-school, primary and secondary levels of education, both in public and private schools. This includes, but is not limited to, the Holy Rosary Catholic School (HRCS), Bristol Integrated School, Infant Jesus Montessori Center Philippines (IJMCP), St. Philomena School, and the International School for Better Beginnings (ISBB).
Additionally, there are numerous day-care centers found all over the city.
Tayabas City,Philippines
General Santos,Philippines[42]Calabanga, Camarines Sur, PhilippinesCabanatuan, PhilippinesIligan, PhilippinesCagayan de Oro, PhilippinesPhilippine climate zones traditionally were classified from a rain-gauge network, using the Modified Coronas Classification (MCC). MCC uses average monthly rainfall totals to define four climate zones: Types I-IV. Types I and III have wet and dry seasons, whereas Types II and IV have wet seasons but no dry seasons.
| Preceded by | Capital ofQuezon Capital of Tayabas(until 1946) 1901–present | Incumbent |
Places adjacent to Lucena | |
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| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
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