Welcome to boom town!

Once a sleepy, dusty town

 now an awakening economy.

Once saddled by threats

                now a secure home to a growing population.

Once merely coasting along

                now aggressively pursuing a new vision.

Welcome to Ipil, a most promising place to be!

Along with its mother province’s quest for its place under the peninsular sun, Ipil is in the pangs of a rebirth, re-examining its direction and defining its presence in the region.

Located at the crossroad of the national highway leading to three major cities in the peninsula – Dipolog City to the northeast, Pagadian City north west, and Zamboanga City down south – the town of Ipil is fast becoming not only a stop-over on long haul trips but a destination in itself.

The capital town of Zamboanga Sibugay, the nation’s emerging pearl of the Southern Seas, Ipil is poised to reach greater heights and create bigger opportunities for its people.

Recently awarded for excellence in governance, the local government of Ipil is seeking to provide dynamic leadership, promote healthy community life, support sustainable ecological balance, and open commerce in this part of the region.

Dynamic people

            Ipil has elected a younger batch of officials this year.  Some of them are middle class, engaged in family businesses; others are simpler folks, true blue working class.  This unique blend of experience and backgrounds provides the town with a sympathetic perspective for those who have less in life, at the same time a hunger for advancement.        Ipil is the birthplace of many cause-oriented groups.  There is the Local Government, Church, Community Organization (LOGCCO), a group devoted to participatory governance.  The Interfaith Coalition for Good Governance, unofficial watchdog of the province, also made its mark in Ipil.  Sibugay Parents Against Drugs (SiPAD) is also Ipil-born.  Ipil Consumers Association (ICA) is peopled by Ipilenos.

Various non-government organizations hold office in Ipil.  The Xavier Agriculture Extension Service is located at Poblacion; Ipil Tri-People Peace Promoters Association (ITTPA) is based in Bakalan; the 18 member umbrella organization SIDECO holds meetings in Ipil.  Truly, Ipil is home to many individuals of integrity and heightened social consciousness.

Center of Learning

            Ipil has become the convergent zone of the best schools in the region.  Marian College, owned and operated by the Prelature of Ipil, continues its expansion with the opening of more courses.  So does Western Mindanao State University – Extension Services Unit with its recent offering of law courses.  There is the venerable Aurelio Mendoza Memorial College, formerly Lyceum, churning out teachers and other professionals.  Zamboanga’s AE Colleges has also gained a foothold in town – building permanent learning structures.  Spinola Memorial School must also be mentioned for its quality students.

            Several technical schools have also opened in Ipil.  The newest is Sibugay Technical Insitute, offering a license in caregiving, the first in the province. 

Vibrant economy

Leaving behind its tragic past, Ipil is fast gaining a reputation as a viable business center.  Jollibee Corporation, fastest growing food business chain in the country, sees so much potential in the town that it is now constructing its first outlet in the province.  Dunkin Donuts, recognizing the same opportunities, is now working on its business permit to operate in town.

            The town is literally peppered with construction sites – buildings rising to offer commercial space, quality services, and a variety of goods.

            The proposed integrated bus terminal is expected to bring in even more business into town to complement the now existing commercial center in Poblacion.

            Ipil’s Pasalubong Center brings together all the goodies – clothes and shoes, electronics, food – under one big roof .  This center was renovated last year after the public market moved to its new location in Don Andres, just a few hundred meters away.

Amenities

Ipil offers an attractive package for visitors – whether they want to spend the holiday in style or just roughing it.  Rooms can be had at reasonable prices in several hotels and pension houses: Mandarin Hotel, Ricomar Pension House, Rabosa Pension, Chubby’s, and many more. For those who want to experience greater comfort, the new Sibugay Grand Plaza Hotel is the place to be.  The hotel also has a discotheque called The Underground, several function rooms, and a ballroom.

For good food, visit Montebello Bar and Restaurant.  The ambience is classy, the waiters well-trained, and the owner herself visits the tables to ensure utmost satisfaction.

Those who want to opt for an evening under the stars may try Roderick Resort’s Barbecue Plaza.  The barbecue is served on tables scattered across a manicured lawn.  There are also huts for “barkadas” out on an evening of beer drinking.  The resort boasts of a large pool, ideal for a warm evening dip.

For smaller intimate interaction, Simon Picnic Grove is ideal.  The Sanito river, running right along the picnic ground, is a most scenic attraction.  Other eating places worth visiting are Kasita’s Grille in Ipil Heights and nearby Kamayan.

Of course, for dinner for two at less than a hundred pesos, Ipil’s Barbecue Center – a collection of stalls that opens only in the evenings - has roast chicken.  It comes served with hanging rice and a bowl of soup.

The town has telephone and internet centers. Two radio stations are operating in the area: DXMG-FM and Radyo ng Bayan; several newspapers are published here, including the Zamboanga Sibugay Tribune and the Sibugay Express.

The Ipil District Hospital is a second class hospital with a bed capacity of 150.  The provincial government is currently constructing two additional wards.  There are two other private hospitals -Simon Hospital, and the St. Joseph Clinic.

            Almost all of the biggest banks in the country have branches in Ipil – Land Bank, Philippine National Bank, Allied Bank, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation, PCI Equitable Bank. Three automated teller machines are operational in Poblacion area.

Capital town, capital gains

Perhaps the best thing that Ipil did in this decade is to donate several hectares for the provincial capitol building up the breezy hills of Barangay Ipil Heights. 

As host to the provincial government, Ipil is enjoying the ripples of development of the provincial government, fast tracking its own progress.  It has now become the ideal location, the most promising business site, offering the greatest potential to those who want to grow along with this booming town.

Welcome then to Ipil, a town rising from the ashes – and now the best place to be!

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