 Prior to gaining separate representation, areas now under the jurisdiction of Zamboanga City were represented under the Department of Mindanao and Sulu (1917–1935), Zamboanga Province (1935–1953), Zamboanga del Sur (1953–1972) and Region IX (1978–1984).Having been re-classified as a highly urbanized city on November 22, 1983, Zamboanga City was granted separate representation for the first time in 1984, when it returned one representative, elected at large, to the Regular Batasang Pambansa.Under the new Constitution which was proclaimed on February 11, 1987, the city constituted a lone congressional district, and elected its member to the restored House of Representatives starting that same year.