About Barangay Luz
PHYSICAL INFORMATION
Luz is situated at approximately 10.3233, 123.9067, in the island of Cebu. Elevation at these coordinates is estimated at 33.9 meters or 111.2 feet above mean sea level. Luz shares a common border with the following barangay(s):
Hippodromo, Cebu City, Kasambagan, Cebu City, Mabolo, Cebu City, and Lahug (Poblacion), Cebu City.
Barangay Luz has an area of approximately 200,000 square meters situated near the Cebu Business District. It has 16 Sitios. Classified as an Urban Barangay, Luz accomodates residential houses and commercial high rise buildings and large businesses. Among the landmarks in Barangay Luz are: BIR, Cebu Grand Convention, Cebu Business Park, Pagibig, Keepel, Siminaryo Mayor, and Marriot Hotel.
DEMOGRAPHICS
According to the 2020 PSA Census, Barangay Luz has a total population of 16, 175. This represented 1.68% of the total population of Cebu City.
OUR HISTORY
In April 1956, a greatly destructive fire starting from the former Philippine Constabulary Headquarters at Jones Avenue razed to the ground hundreds of residential houses in the barangay and rendered thousands of families homeless.
Then mayor Sergio Osmeña Jr. succeeded in securing from then President Ramon Magsaysay P100,000.00 as assistance to the fire victims. From this fund was taken the amount used in buying roofing materials for those who could immediately construct temporary shelters. Many however were housed in a number of school buildings.
As school opening was approaching and knowing these homeless families were at a loss to find temporary places to stay, Mayor Osmeña ordered that from what was left of the Magsaysay funds, an amount would be spent for the construction of several big barracks on a three-hectares government land at the junction of Archbishop Reyes Avenue and San Jose dela Montaña Street (now Juan Luna). In these barracks the fire victims were made to reside. These temporary homes were provided with light, two artesian wells, latrines, and a police precinct. One of the barracks was converted into a schoolhouse for children of the victims and of the nearby residents.
The place at once grew into a comparatively big community. It was immediately suggested that the barrio be named Ramon Magsaysay in honor of the President who helped its people through the devastation of the fire and who in essence was their benefactor. But this suggestion met stiff opposition by the people who saw the folly of honoring somebody who was still alive at that time. At the recommendation of Gervarion L. Lavilles, then secretary of Mayor Osmeña, the barangay was named Luz instead, in honor of the President’s First Lady, Mrs. Luz Banzon Magsaysay. This was unanimously approved. And this was how the barangay got its name.
Presently, the barracks-residences have been reconstructed and remolded to suit the needs of the families there. Among the famous landmarks in the barangay arte the Bureau of Internal Revenue Regional Office, San Carlos Seminary Mayor and Minor. Most of the newly constructed buildings at the Cebu Business park are with its jurisdiction, including the WTI-Pag-Ibig Tower, FGU tower and Ayala Center Cebu.