LAPU LAPU CITY (MACTAN)

Lapu-Lapu, chartered city of the central Philippines, in Cebu Province, on the western coast of Mactan Island. Lapu-Lapu lies about 5 km (about 3 mi) across Cebu Harbor from the city of Cebu and is part of the Cebu metropolitan area. The short Mactan-Mandaue Bridge connects Lapu-Lapu and the rest of Mactan Island with Mandaue on Cebu Island. Lapu-Lapu is a port and industrial center noted for its thermal installations, which burn petroleum for energy; corn and flour milling; fishing; and handmade guitars. The Mactan International Airport is located adjacent to Lapu-Lapu, as is the Mactan Export Processing Zone (MEPZ), an industrial tax-free zone that opened in 1979. The MEPZ includes approximately 35 business ventures, about 50 percent of which are Japanese-owned. Tourism is also important in Lapu-Lapu; visitors are drawn to the excellent beaches and coral reefs of eastern Mactan. Lapu-Lapu, formerly Opon, is named after the famous Chief Lapulapu, who is believed to have killed the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan when he arrived on the east coast of Mactan Island in 1521. In 1886 a monument to Magellan was erected at the site of the conflict, and a monument to Chief Lapulapu stands in the citys plaza. During the 1980s Lapu-Lapus population increased by an annual average growth rate of 4 percent. Population (1999 estimate) 200,871. A monument in memory of Lapulapu, the brave warrior from the island of Mactan who engaged the superior forces of Magellan in battle along the shore. Magellan was slain in that battle and Lapulapu became the first recorded Filipino hero. This monument stands right next to the shrine of Magellan in barangay Mactan, Lapulapu City -- a reminder to all visitors who come to this place that no one can talk of Magellan without talking of Lapulapu The Mactan Export Processing Zone (MEPZ) is Cebus prime showcase of export-oriented growth. The 120-hectare industrial estate started out with only eight firms in 1986. But today, it keeps on expanding firms manufacturing a wide variety of goods and services. The growing activity in the MEPZ reflects the fast-paced economic development that is taking place in Cebu. The Mepz registered the largest positive trade balance among the four export processing zones in the country. Being labor-intensive, the MEPZ scaled new heights in employment. The zone increased in the number of skilled and unskilled workers. Factories at the MEPZ deliver world-class products to the United States, the European Economic Community and Japan. Such products include watches, semiconductors, electrical equipment, garments and precious jewelry. Enterprises with manufacturing facilities at the zone are predominantly multinational corporations. Half of these are Japanese-owned Facade of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport terminal building. This terminal has modern facilities that can measure up to international standards. MCIA also services the five domestic airlines: Philippine Airlines, Grand Air, Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines, Asian Spirit

Political Subdivision

Lapu-Lapu City is one of the 3 cities comprising METRO CEBU. An independent component city, it is composed of 30 barangays with 19 located in mainland Mactan island and 8 barangays at Olango Island and the 3 barangay islets of Caubian, Pangan-an, and Caohagan.

Area

Total land area of the city is approximately 6,422 hectares of which 5,400 ha. is the area of the 19 barangays in the mainland of Mactan and 1,022 ha. is the combined area of Olango Island, Pangan-an, the 2 Caubian islsets and Caohagan. Approximately 1,300 hectares of mainland Lapu-Lapu City is used for the airport, 1,067 hectares is used for the airbase and 199 hectares is now the PEZA (previously MEPZ). Recently, 100 hectares from the area of the airbase was developed into PEZA II.

The People

Based on a 1996 census, the city has a total population of 205,709. The barangay with the highest population is Gun-ob (in the mainland) with a population of 22,885, the lowest population is 342 in the islet of Caohagan.

Topography

Made up entirely of hard coral rock. Actually 40% of the total area is of rocky terrain. Loam soil, if any is scarce. The place is characterized by beautiful beaches on one side of the island and deep harbors along the coast facing Cebu.

Climate and Rainfall

There are 2 main types of climates - the first is characterized by a pronounced maximum rain period with no dry season, the second by a short pronounced rain period with a short dry season lasting from 3 to 4 months often occuring from March to May. The City is not located within the typhoon belt, hence typhoons seldom affect the place.

Government

A first-class city with an annual income of 400 millinon. The seat of government is in PUSOK along the Quezon National Highway, 200 meters form the Mactan-Mandaue Bridge.

ELECTRIC POWER, WATER SUPPLY AND COMMUNICTAION FACILITIES

Mainland Lapu-Lapu City, including Olango Island is supplied with power by National Power Corporation through Mactan Electric Company. The main sources of potable water is from deep wells and from Metro Cebu Water District. Communication facilities are provided by PLDT.

How To Get There

By Plane

Lapu-Lapu City is accessible by plane direct to 3 regions in the country and to foreign cities:

- Manila - Daily/One (1) hour flights through PAL, Cebu Pacific Air, Air Philippines
- HONGKONG - through PAL, Cathay Pacific
- TAIPEI - through PAL
- NARITA, JAPAN - through PAL
- KUALA LUMPUR (via Kota Kinabalu) - through PAL, Malaysian Airlines
- Davao - 45 mins. flight through PAL

By Boat/Ship

Thru a TAXI of JEEPNEY or ferry boat to Cebu City PORT where one can take a Super Ferry boat or ship to any of the major parts of the country