Origin of the Name
Legend attributes the name “Puerto Princesa” to a princess-like maiden who in the early days is said to have roamed around the place on certain nights of the year. On the other hand, practical people attribute the name to the geographical advantages of the place as a seaport – naturally protected the whole year round and endowed with a depth that can accommodate any size of shipping – a royal heaven for vessels or a virtual princess of ports as thus indicated by Spanish Colonizers on the country’s map.
Historically the place was named after Princess Eulalia of Spain, born in 1864 to Queen Isabel II and her consort, Dr. Francisco de Asis. When the princess suffered an untimely death, the Queen changed the name to Puerto de la Princesa. Eventually, the name was reduced to Puerto Princesa as it is known today.
Foundation
Spanish Colonizers founded the settlement on March 4, 1872 in the course of their exploration of the province. As they scanned the Palawan shoreline for a capital site, they came upon a hill with steep declivity. Rowing to shore, they surveyed the hill and discovered an extensive plateau which they decided as ideal for settlement.
Soon after, Fr. Antonio Muro levelled a portion of the hill to make way for a chapel. (That section is now occupied by the Catholic Cathedral, the P.C. Barracks and the Rizal Park. The Old Municipal Building used to be there, as well as an Elementary School). The first mass celebrated in Puerto Princesa took place at a site where a marker now stands.
In May 1872, the port became the center of Spanish Naval Operations in the area because the few natives were peaceful and the Bay met all the Navy’s requirements. Royal Decrees later provided incentives to settlers, such that by 1883 settlement had flourished into a town of twelve roads, a hospital and well built port.
In 1894, Puerto Princesa was recognized by government authorities as one of the most beautiful towns in the country by virtue of the orderly distribution of streets, buildings and houses as well as the cleanliness of the community.
In 1911, the New American Administration made Puerto Princesa the seat of the Palawan Provincial Government with Major John Brown as Lieutenant Governor.
The town was converted into a city on January 1, 1970 under R.A. 5906 as amended by P.D. 437, through the effort of then Congressman Ramon V. Mitra, Jr. Feliberto R. Oliveros, Jr. became the first City Mayor.
Since its foundation, Puerto Princesa has been the nerve center of activities in Palawan. Aside from being the seat of public administration, it is the heart of trade, commerce, service, and industry in the province.
Today, under the leadership of Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn, the City has gained the distinction of being a model city – in cleanliness, environmental protection and conservation, and local governance in general.
And so, with a responsive leadership and an inspired citizenry, the tradition of Puerto Princesa being a beautiful and clean city lives on.
October 31, 2007 at 2:57 pm
Congratulations to the Palawan Times Staff. good start and keep it up.!
October 31, 2007 at 3:00 pm
oh btw, thanks for linking the CP feeds! we appreciate it very much. I will visit this site more often. Torong kumusta ki maluo paglinawan.
November 1, 2007 at 1:20 am
Hi, Mandy — thanks for visiting our site. Salamat sa pagbisita. For more Palawan updates, keep connected manda here. I’m promoting Cuyuno Press to my Cuyunon friends also.
May 18, 2008 at 2:40 am
My first to visit your site. I always have an interest anything concerning the Province. I have worked and lived in the province for many years as a health worker ….Pls. extend my best regards to Turing Lacao and more power to the palawan times .
May 18, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Hi, Mr. Pumar — my family lives close to the home of the Lacaos. I personally know Manong Turing. Yes, will send your regards to him. Thanks for visiting our weblog.
May 21, 2008 at 8:28 am
Mabuhay ang Lungsod ng Puerto Princesa bilang sentro ng mga pagtitipon at konbensiyon…Pagpapatunay lamang na ang Lungsod ay nagpapatuloy sa kaniyang pag-imbulog sa larangan ng TURISMO at PANGANGALAGA SA KALIKASAN…dapat lamang na siya ay kilalanin at bigyang pagkilala sa mga larangang ito!!! mabuhay ka!!!
August 20, 2008 at 12:58 am
I was in PPC from Nov 2006 to Jan 2007. I was married there to a beautiful filipina. I found your city to be one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. We live in Canada now but hope to return to PPC in a few more years.
August 29, 2008 at 2:54 am
Greetings to Palawan Times and the people of Palawan. I wanted to express my views on the power situation in Puerto/Palawan. A few years ago, there had been serious studies, projections and recommendations on the increased power demand and supply problems. After all the strategic planning and development management studies, back to the dark ages again. Moreover, for a generation now, the same old people are still at the manipulative helm/tayo-tayo system of the power sector. Wala na bang ibang magagaling at mga batang taga palawan na pwede magpalakad ng Paleco, Napocor at mga private power sources. Isnt Palawan deserving to have change in people, system etc.? Or does Palawan deserve the status quo?
August 29, 2008 at 2:55 am
Greetings to Palawan Times and the people of Palawan. I wanted to express my views on the power situation in Puerto/Palawan. A few years ago, there had been serious studies, projections and recommendations on the increased power demand and supply problems. After all the strategic planning and development management studies, back to the dark ages again. Moreover, for a generation now, the same old people are still at the manipulative helm/tayo-tayo system of the power sector. Wala na bang ibang magagaling at mga batang taga palawan na pwede magpalakad ng Paleco, Napocor at mga private power sources. Isnt Palawan deserving to have change in people, system etc.? Or does Palawan deserve the status quo?
September 2, 2008 at 7:50 am
Hi! I like your site, I got acquainted with the previous and new events in Palawan. Somebody named Joe Pumar greeted my father, Manong Turing, last May 2008. I just like to greet him in behalf of my father. More power to palawantimes!!!
September 7, 2008 at 10:44 am
Hi,
I’m thinking about establishing an ESL school in Palawan and I would appreciate any information, thoughts or ideas.
September 9, 2008 at 7:19 am
I was leaving Palawan five(5)years ago,when i visit there last year i was surprised it was becoming more beautiful and clean,our city roads and markets is really improve,and discipline in garbage is good,power problem is normal,i hope it would be settled by our city goverment,thanks for palawan times for posting some information about puerto princesa city,we are always read your articles here in abroad.
September 15, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Hello Palawan Times just drop by here in your site and glad to see pictures of kap allan with 04 and erap, Kap allan is my friend.
September 27, 2008 at 8:16 am
Hello to all!
I grew up in Palawan, now I’m married with 3 kids. I’m living right now here in Sta.Rosa due to work reason. So once in a while I go to your site to update myself about Palawan. So Palawan Times Keep the good work!!! looking forward to your latest news again to update us all of what’s happening there!
Cheers!
November 26, 2008 at 6:46 am
Hi to all Palawan Times staff!
Thank you very much for having ang keeping this site to update us all palaweños where ever we are on what is happening in Palawan.
Nakikiramay din ako to all the victims of the typhoon tonyo.
I am waiting for a news about re-constructing the road going to the south. I saw many years ago from another online newspaper but I just don’t remember what newspaper or maybe it does not exist anymore that they are going to reconstruct the road and I think until now it is still the same. I hope there will be a good news about this soon.
January 18, 2009 at 1:28 pm
yes, the road going to South is really bad until now but it will be reconstructed soon this year..
February 24, 2009 at 2:29 pm
I idolized the place here and its fun to stay here for eternity. Hope I could gather my Friends and invite them to endure and to experience the essence of the nature. I Love Palawan.
~LeMi~
May 24, 2009 at 4:42 am
hello,
magandang araw sa inyo lahat ng staff ng pal.times f i have tym coz my work is out of the country i always read all happenning in our province.my complain last year when i go back there,i notice until now north part of palawan road is still rough.why PGMA told to one of national news paper that north palawan road is 100/% compllete,
and electricity is also one big problem,napag iwanan na tayo…
paging….governor reyes,cong. alvarez
mag eeleksyon na naman. ano na namang pangako madidinig namin.
June 4, 2009 at 10:30 am
Hi,
I’m just surfing,and found ur site. Respect to the Staff.I’m so happ toread about palawan news.Well I’ve been 3times in Palawan,from Quezon to Coron.2x been in Quezon up to Berong.I always like the sunset(Belgium Cottage)Well, the road is gets rough goin’to Quezon.
2yrs ago,i visited sabang 3x and they’re widening the road.Is it finished now?
i went to El Nido by Bus,(I always like the bus minggling with the locals)Stayed in Taytay few dys,and its beautiful.But the road from taytay to el Nido is still rough. Is it finished now? I’m just curious,because if things goes right,next yr i’ll be coming with my french n dutch friends. I hope progress will be continued. Last but not least.Why there is no accsses of flight from PPC to Sabah Malayasia? Then tourist dont have to fly to Manila.So many foriegn tourist from Thailand,Burma, Laos,Cambodia,Malaysia want to fly to PPC,Butt they find it a long way flying to Manila. I’m Sure the income of Palawan will be triple if u got a connection flight.
Thanks you very much and more power to Palawan times and your staff,keep up the good works.
July 1, 2009 at 1:53 pm
hi,
im ramil pedrano my friend meramar aligada is now living here in cebu but she’s from puerto pricesa born…she dont have any communication with her parents and relative for long years,..(concern) there any one know here pls mail me in my yahoomail..any kababayan know here pls lets help my friend..or call +639297255492 thank you…
July 2, 2009 at 6:15 am
Hi, Ramil — may we find out what exactly is the problem of your friend? What sort of help do you need from us? Just to locate her parents?
Cheers,
Editor
July 3, 2009 at 6:43 pm
my heart is always in palawan!wherever i may be!i miss palawan!!i have so many wonderful unforgettable experiences there!!
September 12, 2009 at 8:02 pm
Hello Palawan Times! Andami palang nangyayari sa local politics ah … question, patama ba sa malampaya gas project yung recent ‘royalty’ ad ni JPE?