Organized relatively recently in the city’s history—on July 5, 1976, by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 86—Barangay 9 was one of the last barangays to be officially established within the Poblacion of Kabankalan City. Yet, despite being one of the youngest administrative districts, it has rapidly transformed into one of the most vital educational, lifestyle, and entrepreneurial centers in the entire city.
Spanning a compact land area, Barangay 9 punches far above its weight class. With a population exceeding 3,000 residents, it represents the upward mobility and modern lifestyle aspirations of the modern Kabankalanon.
The Center for Higher Learning
If Barangay 1 is the commercial hub, Barangay 9 is undeniably the educational powerhouse of the Poblacion. As Kabankalan City has grown, so too has its need for high-quality tertiary education to serve not just the city, but the entire southern Negros region.
Barangay 9 proudly hosts two of the city’s most prominent institutions for higher learning:
- Fellowship Baptist College: A massive contributor to the local academic community, providing degrees and foundational education rooted in strong values.
- Southland College: A highly respected institution that draws students from neighboring municipalities who flock to Kabankalan to pursue degrees in business, technology, and education.
The presence of these colleges brings a youthful, vibrant, and intellectual energy to the barangay. It has spurred the growth of student-focused businesses, boarding houses, and cafes, making the area a thriving micro-economy driven by education.
Lifestyle, Health, and Hospitality
Beyond academics, Barangay 9 is a premier destination for lifestyle and health services in Kabankalan.
For medical needs, the barangay is home to the Holy Mother of Mercy Hospital, a critical private healthcare facility that serves the southern portion of the province.
For leisure and tourism, Barangay 9 boasts the famous Zayco Land Resort. This resort is a landmark in the city, providing a tropical escape, event spaces, and swimming facilities right within the urban limits. Whether it’s a family weekend getaway, a massive wedding reception, or a corporate seminar, Zayco Land Resort makes Barangay 9 a major player in local hospitality.
Championing Local Enterprise: The BUB Livelihood Association
What truly gives Barangay 9 its heart is the entrepreneurial spirit of its residents. The barangay is a proud member of the Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) Livelihood Association and actively participates in the government’s OTOP (One Town, One Product) program.
The local association has made a massive name for itself in food processing. They are renowned across the city for producing high-quality, delicious local snacks, including:
- Banana Chips
- Pinasugbo (Caramelized native bananas)
- Taro Chips
- Camote Chips — which notably won a prestigious “People’s Choice Award,” putting Barangay 9’s local enterprise on the map!
These grassroots businesses prove that even in a rapidly modernizing, urban barangay, traditional Filipino craftsmanship and culinary heritage remain a powerful economic force.
From shaping the minds of the next generation at Southland College to providing award-winning local delicacies and top-tier healthcare, Barangay 9 is a shining example of comprehensive urban development in Kabankalan City.
