* SYMBOLS OF THE STATE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES BUREAU OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 1975 FOREWORD ^"^^ conceits of an organized state, the • ^ ^f^^ ^i!^^ official seals and flags, and indeed the flowers adopted by the rational or local government, have a far deeper meaning that often elude people. More often than not, such symbols have roots in history or tradition, evolving through time by reason of changing events and circums- tances until at last they are finally shaped into what they are today, emblems of a people's passage through life and evocative of their aspirations, hopes and estimate of themselves and their place in the world. Foremost among these symbols, of course IS the national flag, which is equated with the freedom and sovereignty of a nation Under the national flag are the flags of provinces or cities, all national pnde and the uniqueness of a race or people. The Philippines takes pnde in its own symbols, not the least because these have been created out of their past and bear the stamp of the creativeness of the Filipino himself. I view our heraldry as part the of fabric of our history and tokens of our determination to endure as a race and nation. It is gratifying therefore that this book. Symbols of the State, has been published, for It IS a documentation Philippine of nationhood, the beginnings, the strivings the goals envisioned, the effort exerted to assert our place in the sun as one people ' one nation. Into these symbols may be read the story of our people, the triumphs and defeats, the indomitable spirit which has seen us safely through the storms of a chana- ing world. Congratulations are in order for the dedicated people responsible for this work and It IS my hope that Filipinos will value this book as they value their heritage. ferdtnanix^^ar'cSs President Republic of the Philippines 111 INTRODUCTION Local -Governments in the Philippines have been given the responsibility under Section 2102 of the Revised Administrative Code of the Philippines as well as other local laws to design the Coat of Arms of their respective local government units. The philosophy behind this responsibility in addition to the heraldic values of the Coat of Arms is to give the seal of officialdom in local governments. Never before has there been a completed and extensive compilation of official seals of cities and provinces with their meanings. The completion of such a compilation as well as its importance in giving meaning and purpose to local administration need not be over emphasized. I am happy therefore, to present to all our local government officials this book entitled "SYMBOLS OF THE STATE: COAT OF ARMS OF THE PHILIPPINES" which include not only the Coat of Arms of the local govern- ments in this country, but likewise their histories and official banners and flowers. With this book which the department has completed through the Bureau of Local Government, local officials will find deeper meaning in the use and interpre- tation of their official symbols. I urge all local officials therefore, to properly use the official seals of their respective local units in accordance with the Heraldic guide- lines set by the Office of the President. JOSE A. RONO Secretary V The increasing interest shown by the National Government in the improve- ment of local governments in the Philippines has found expression in a lot of programs and projects which have never been tried before. One neglected area of local admin- istration is a study of the official seals of local government units and their heraldic characteristics, as symbols of authority. Attempts were made in the past to compile the Coat of Arms of local units in the Philippines but for one reason or another nothing had come of previous efforts. The DLGCD through the Bureau of Local Government, is very proud to present to our local officials, this compilation of the official seals of cities and provinces, including their meanings. We hope that this book will find meaning in your respective localities as you perform your duties and responsibilities as local officials. /sALVADOr/p. SOCRATES / Undersecretary vii ACKNOWLEDGMENT The Bureau of Local Government provides a wide range of assistance and services to local governments. All its efforts are geared to one ultimate objective which is the continuing improvement of local administration in all its perspective. This pioneering project has been contemplated for a length of time singly aiming to compile the official seals of cities and provinces in the Philippines. In the completion of this project the Bureau of Local Government acknowl- edges with gratitude the full assistance of the following: Chairman Esteban A. de Ocampo, as well as his able assistant Mrs. Florde- liza K. Militante, both of the National Historical Commission who prepared the histories of cities and provinces in the country; Dr. Galo B. Ocampo , Technical Adviser on Heraldy, Office of the Presi- dent, who has provided us the technical guidance in the completion of the whole project; Director Gregorio S. Cendana of the National Media Production Center for making available the expertise of his staff; The Research and Publications Division of the National Historical Commis- sion for their researches of the histories of cities and provinces; The local government officials who furnished the seals of their respective cities and provinces and the interpretation of these seals as well as the DLGCD field officers who have spared part of their time in making this project possible. The many others who worked in anonymity. 11 AUDIOSO Acting Director viii Contents FOREWORD by President Ferdhnmd E. Marcos iii INTRODUCTION by DLGCD Sec. Jose A. Rono PREFACE v by DLGCD Uvdersec. Salvador P. Socrates vii ACKNOWLEDGMENT . by BLG Dir. Gaudioso C. Sosmena, Jr. SYMBOLS viii OF THE NATION by Dr. Gala B. Ocampo i CHAPTER ONE—THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Department of National Defense 19 The History Department of Health of the Republic g 19 Seal Department of Trade The of the Republic 7 jc^ Executive Office The Flag of the Republic 8 20 The National Department of General Services Anthem q 20 The National Hero Department of Social Welfare 20 The National National Economic Development Flower li Authority 20 The National Department of Agrarian Costume -1^2 Reform 2I Department of Public Information 21 CHAPTER TWO—THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT Department of Local Governments and Community Development 21 Depai-tment of Tourism 22 Malacaiiang Palace Department of Industry 22 The Seal and Flag of the President of the Republic . 15 Department of Public Highways The 22 Seals of the Departments of Government Depai'tment 16 of Natural Resources 22 Department of Foreign ' Affairs 17 Department of Finance ] J7 CHAPTER THREE—THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS Department of Justice 17 Department of A. CHARTERED CITIES Agriculture Ig Department of Public Works 18 Region I Department of Education and Culture 18 City of Baguio Department of Labor .,.| jg City of Dagup:in . ! •>« ix City of Laoag 28 City of Lapu-Lapu 93 City of San Carlos 30 City of Mandaue 100 City of Tagbilaran Region III 102 City of Toledo 104 City of Angeles 32 Region VIII City of Cabanatuan 34 City of Olongapo 36 City of Calbayog 106 City of Palayan 38 City of Ormoc 108 City of San Jose 40 City of Tacloban 110 Region IV Region IX City of Batangas 42 City of Basilan 112 City of Caloocan 44 City of Dapitan 114 ^-City of Cavite 46 City of Dipolog 116 City of Lipa 48 City of Pagadian 118 City of Lucena 50 City of Zamboanga 120 City of Manila 52 Region City of Pasay 54 X City of Puerto Princesa 56 City of Butuan 122 City of Quezon 58 City of Cagayan de Oro 124 City of San Pablo 60 City of Gingoog 126 City of Tagaytay 62 City of Iligan 128 City of Trece Martires 64 City of Marawi 130 Region V City of Oroquieta 132 City of Ozamiz City of Iriga 66 134 City of Surigao City of Legaspi 68 136 City of Tangub City of Naga 70 138 Region XI Region VI City of Davao 140 City of Bacolo:! 72 City of Cotabato 142 City of Bago 74 City of General Santos 144 City of Cadiz 76 City of Iloilo 78 City of La Carlota 80 B., PROVINCES City of Roxas 82 Map of the Philippines 146 City of San Carlos 84 Region I City of Silay 86 Region VII Province of Abra - 143 Province of Benguet 150 City of Bais 88 Province of Ilocos Norte 1.52 City of Canlaon 90 Province of Ilocos Sur 154 City of Cebu 92 Province of La Union 156 City of Danao 94 Mountain Province igg City of Dumaguete 96 Province of Pangasinan I6O c Region II Province of Iloilo 230 Province of Negros Occidental Pi-ovince of Batanes 1(52 / . ; 232 of ' Province Cagayan 1(54 Region VII ' Province of Ifugao lf,(; Province of Bohol Province of Isabela 1(58 234 Province of Cebu Province of Kalinga-Apayao 170 236 Province of Negros Oriental Province of Nueva Vizcaya 172 238 Province of Siquijor Province of Quirino 174 240 Region III Region VIII Province of Biliran Province of Bataan . 17(5 242 Province of Leyte Province of Bulacan 178 246 Province of Southern Leyte Province of. Nueva Ecija. 18q 246 Province of Eastern Samar Province of Pampanga 182 248 Province of Northern Samar Province of Tarlac 184 250 Province of Province of Samar Zambales 18f, 252 Region IX Region IV Province of Basilan 254 Province of Aurora 188 Province of Sulu 256 Province of Batangas 190 Province of Tawi-Tawi 258 Province of Cavite 192 Province of Zamboanga del Norte 260 Province of Laguna I94 Province of Zamboanga del Sur 262 Province of Marinduque 190 Province of Occidental Mindoro 198 Region X Province of Oriental Mindoro 200 Province of Agusan del Norte 264 Pr3vince of Palawan 202 Province of Agusan del Sur Province of Quezon 266 204 Province of Bukidnon .