NORTHERN LUZON
ILOCOS REGION
(Physical Environment)
 Ilocos Region coastal province such as Ilocos Norte,
Ilocos Sur, La Union & Pangasinan.
ILOCOS NORTE
 Ilocos Norte is located on the northernmost edge of
western Luzon. Its boundaries are formed by the
BABUYAN CHANNEL on the north and its sister
province, Ilocos Norte, on the south. To the west are
the turbulent waters of the SOUTH CHINA SEA, while
the eastern borders are formed by part of the
CAGAYAN VALLEY, ABRA and the MOUNTAIN
PROVINCE. A well-paved coastal highway connects the
province with the rest of the country.
ILOCOS SUR
 The province of Ilocos Sur is where the Ilocos Region's
myriad of cultures and histories converge to become a
living museum of a spirited past. A national shrine, a
national landmark, a national museum, heritage
museums, ancestral houses, period houses, cobble-
stoned streets - they all share space in the timeless land
of Ilocos Sur.
LA UNION
 Situated on the northwestern coast of Luzon, La Union
is the gateway to the Ilocos Region. With its strategic
location, the province has become the business,
education, and government center of the Ilocos. Not
only is La Union the region's center for trade but also of
religious devotees who flock to one of the country's
popular pilgrimage destinations, especially during Lent.
PANGASINAN
 Pangasinan means "lands of salt" or "place of salt-
making"; it is derived from asin, the word for "salt" in
Pangasinan language.
 The Pangasinan people are also called taga-
Pangasinan, which means "from Pangasinan" in the
Pangasinan language.
3 IMPORTANT RIVERS
1) LAOG RIVER
Laoag river crosses Ilocos Norte and empties its load to
China Sea.
2) ABRA RIVER
Abra river flaws north but it turns abruptly westward the
province of Abra, out…. Into the China Sea.
3) AGNO RIVER
Agno river flaws south to the Central plain but empties
into the Lingayen Gulf.
ECONOMIC RESOURCES
 Ilocos Region source of income and food is from
agriculture.
 Rice is the principal crop of the Region.
 Tobacco is the leading commercial crop.
 Fishing and salt making is the two important
economic activities and this two economies are
favored in dry season.
 Mining of magnetic iron is also being undertaken
along the sandy coast of region.
CULTURAL ASPECTS
 There are no big land holdings and every family
owns a piece of land.
 The limited cultivable land and the influence of the
sea have made the Ilocanos adventurous and the
most migratory of the Filipinos.
CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION
(CAR)
(Physical Environment)
 Under CAR there are five provinces; Abra,
Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga-Apayao, and
Mt. Province.
 It is a complex of mountains which has a general
north to south pattern. The region has cool and
invigorating temperature. An adequate amount
of rainfall and the dry seasons last only about
3months.
1) ABRA
 Abra is a landlocked province of the Philippines
in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon.
Its capital is BANGUED, and it borders Ilocos
Norte and Apayao on the north, Ilocos Sur and
Mountain Province on the south, Ilocos Norte
and Ilocos Sur on the west and Kalinga, and
Apayao on the east.
2) BENGUET
 Benguet is a landlocked province of the
Philippines located in the southern tip of the
Cordillera Administrative Region in the island of
Luzon. Its capital is LA TRINIDAD.
 The highland province is known as the SALAD
BOWL OF THE PHILIPPINES because of its huge
production of upland vegetables.
3) IFUGAO
 Ifugao was formerly a part of the old Mountain
Province. It was created as an independent
province on JUNE 18, 1966 by virtue of
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4695. The name is derived
from the word "IPUGO". Pugo means "hill"
while the prefix "I" means "from".
 The Spaniards changed" "Ipugo" to "Ipugaw"
and it was finally changed by the Americans to
Ifugao.
4) KALINGA-APAYAO
 Apayao is basically on a mountainous area
traversed by many rivers. Region I, II and other
provinces assemble its boundaries. Plains and
valleys are used for farming. Apayao is basically
composed of farmlands.
5) MT. PROVINCE
 Mt. Province is a landlocked province of the
Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative
Region in Luzon. Its capital is BONTOC.
 Mountain Province was formerly referred to as
Mountain in some foreign references. The
name is usually shortened by locals to Mt.
Province. The province was named so for being
in the Cordillera Central mountain range found
in the upper realms of Luzon island.
BEST KNOWN LANDFORMS:
 Mount Kalugong, Trinidad Valley
 Baguio Plateau
HIGHEST PEAK OF THE REGION:
 Mt. Pulag
3 LARGE STREAMS:
 Agno River
 Chico River
 Magat River
ECONOMIC RESOURCES
 BANAUE RICE TERRACES - The most extensive and
considered the eight wonders of the world.
 The principal agricultural crops are: RICE, CAMOTE,
VEGETABLES, STRAWBERRIES and COFFEE.
 Fertile TRINIDAD VALLEY OF IFUGAO is known as
VEGETABLE GARDEN OF THE PHILIPPINES.
 Important economic resources: TIMBER,
MINERALS and WATER.
 Valuable resources: GOLD, COPPER and SILVER.
 BAGUIO DISTRICT- is the leading gold producer of
the country while LEPANTO COPPER ORE are being
exploited commercially.
 AMBUKLAO-BINGA MULTI-PURPOSE DAM -
provides a good source of water that can light the
whole of Northern and Central Luzon as well as
National Capital Region. The total Ambuklao-Binga
Project when completely developed will generate
more than 400,000 kilowatts.
CAGAYAN VALLEY
 It consists of 5 provinces occupying the northern-
most portion of Luzon, Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela,
Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino.
 CAGAYAN RIVER is the longest and the largest river
in the Philippines.
ECONOMIC RESOURCES
 BATANES is made up of 2 major island groups:
BABUYAN ISLAND and BATAAN ISLAND.
 Y’AMI the northern island of the country is barely 50
miles away from TAIWAN which separated from it
by the BASHI CHANNEL.
 Principal crops: RICE, CORN and TOBACO.
CULTURAL ASPECTS
 TUGUEGARAO the capital of Cagayan Province, is
the largest town of the region.
 CAGAYAN RIVER is now trading center of southern
Cagayan and northern Isabela.
 NUEVA VIZCAYA is the twin towns of BAYOMBONG
and SOLANO which are only a few miles apart.
 The inhabitants of the region are mostly IBANAGS,
GADDANGS, and ILOCANOS. Cagayan Valley has a
bigger population than the Cordillera Administrative
Region.

CULTURAL ASPECTS

 20% are still Pagans, the rest are professing the

Christian faith.
 The natives of the region are collectively known as
IGOROTS, but the name encompasses several
groups including IBALOIS, IFUGAOS, BONTOCS,
KALINGAS and ISNEG of the provinces of KALINGA
and APAYAO.
 Abra populated mostly by ILOCANOS and
TINGGUIANS.
 Baguio- summer capital of the Philippines. There
are also tourist attractions of the regions these are
waterfalls and spring in Abra, Trinidad Valley which
is 300 ft below Baguio City, the caves in Sagada and
Rice Terraces in Banaue.
CALOOCAN:
CENTRAL LUZON THE GEOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF THE
 The word CALOOCAN comes from the Tagalog root NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION
word LO-OK (bay) attributed to its nearness to Manila
Bay. During the Spanish era, Caloocan used to be a
small barrio named (Physical
AROMAHANEnvironment)
or LIBIS ESPINA.
During the formation of Rizal province, Caloocan was
included in theLuzon
 Central matrixisuntil 1975.located
generally This cityinisthe island of  MANILA is the seat of government and most populous
historically significant because it was center of region of the Philippines. NCR is composes of cities of
Luzon
activities andKatipunan.
for the is bounded on the north by the
province of PANGASINAN, on the east by the CALOOCAN, LAS PINAS, MAKATI, MALABON,
MANDALUYONG, MANILA, MARIKINA, MUNTINLUPA,
 The story aboutMADRE,
SIERRA the trueon
origin of the
Eastern city's name,
Cordillera; on theLas NAVOTAS, PARANAQUE, PASAY, PASIG, QUEZON
Piñas, varies:
south by MANILA BAY and the province of RIZAL; CITY, SAN JUAN, TAGUIG and VALENZUELA, as well as
 Piña and on the west by the CHINA SEA. the MUNCIPALITY OF PATEROS.
 LasItPeñas (the rocks)
is subdivided into two geographic units:  The area of Metropolitan Manila was already settled
before the Spanish came. After the Spaniards
 In theWESTERN CORDILLERA
inscription and the
of the church bell CENTRAL PLAIN.
that states successfully wrested power away from LAKAN DULA,
"Siendo cure del pueblo de Las Peñas el M.R.P. RAJAH MATANDA and TARIQ SULEIMAN, even the
Padre
WESTERN CORDILLERA
Diego Cera se fundiowhich comprises
este equilon anothe
de attempt of the Chinese Pirate Warlord LIMAHONG,
provinces of ZAMBALES and BATAAN, is a hilly
1820" they renamed the area and its surrounding as NUEVO
and rugged aregion. REINO DE CASTILLA. The government created the
It was proclaimed town of Cavite province either in Province of Manila, composed of the PROVINCE OF
1762 or 1797.
 CENTRAL PLAIN which is situated east of the TONDO to the SOUTH and the isolated territories of
NUEVA ECIJA to the NORTH.
 In 1901,ZAMBALES MOUNTAIN
the municipality of LASRANGE,
PIÑAS wasis the largest
separated
from CAVITE andland
level low incorporated to country,
is the entire the newlyit created
is made up  In 1975, METROPOLITAN MANILA COMMISSION was
province
of of Rizal. Two years
QUATERNARY later, it was combined
ALLUVIUM. created to administer the emerging metropolis when
with the PARAÑAQUE with the latter as the seat of the president FERDINAND MARCOS issued PRESIDENTIAL
new municipal government but it was separated from DECREE NO. 824. Marcos appointed his wife Imelda
Parañaque to become municipality again on MARCH Marcos as governor of Metro Manila.
27, 1907. Then, ECONOMIC
with the foundingRESOURCES
of Metropolitan
Manila Area in 1976, Las Piñas became one of the  In 1986, a major government reorganization, President
municipalites making
 Agriculture, up the
fishing, region.
mining andOnlumbering
FEBRUARY 12, CORAZON AQUINO issued EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 394
1997, President FIDEL V. RAMOS signed the bill which and changed the structure of the Metropolitan Manila
 Main
elevated Las agriculture:
Pinas from municipality
CROPS: RICE,toSUGAR,
city. COCONUT Commission and renamed it to the METROPOLITAN
MANILA AUTHORITY.
and MANGOES.
MALABON:
 ZAMBALES has two good harbors situated on the
 In legend, MALABON comes from the word Maraming
Labongboarders of SUBIC
which means BAY,ofthose
"plenty labong",at Subic and of
the edible
bamboo Olongapo.
shoots. Malabon was founded as "VISITA" of
Tondo by the AGUSTINIAN FRIARS on May 21, 1599.
 MINING
Officially made asand MINERAL INDUSTRIES
a municipality of Rizal onare important
JUNE 11,
1901 bytovirtue of ACT. NO. 137. MALABON
the economy of Zambales. Its chromited was
merged(CHROMITE)
with NAVOTAS but on
deposit JANUARY
is the largest 16,
not 1906,
only in the
they are separated into two distinct municipalities of
Philippines Malabon
RIZAL PROVINCE. but also inbecame
the Orient.
part of
Metropolitan Manila by virtue of P.D. NO. 824 and it of  Manila comes from the word MAYNILAD. The name
 CENTRAL
became a city onPLAIN
APRILOF21,LUZON
2001 whenis the rice
Malabongranary
was is based on the NILA, a flowering mangrove plant that
the philippines,
407 YEARS OLD. producing about one-third of the grew on the marshy shores of the bay. It is ether from
rice harvest of the country. RICE, SUGAR, the phrase may nila, Tagalog for "there is nila."
TOBACCO, CORN, PEANUTS, SWEET POTATOES  On JUNE 24, 1570 MIGUEL LOPEZ DE LEGAZPI arrived
and VEGETABLES are the principal agricultural from the New Spain at the mouth of Pasig River and
crops of the Central Plain. claimed islands in the name of the King of Spain.
Manila became famous during the MANILA-
 iron and limestone deposits are found in ACAPULCO GALLEON TRADE which lasted for three
BULACAN. centuries.

 TARLAC has copper deposits and asbestos.
 The city was occupied by GREAT BRITAIN for two
years from 1762 to 1764. After the Spain ceded the
surrender city of the Manila to the United States, the
Americans made official that the city was not
Intramuros alone but also it ARRABALES. General
DOUGLAS MACARTHUR declared Manila an "Open
City" to prevent further death and destruction during
Japanese Occupation.

 During the dictatorship of President Ferdinand

Marcos, the region of the Greater Manila Area was
created on NOVEMBER 7, 1975. Manila was
reinstated by Pres. Marcos as the capital of the
Philippines for its historical significant as the seat of
government since the Spanish Period.

MUNTINLUPA:
The history of the name "Muntinlupa" comes from at
least three stories:
1) Its association with the thin topsoil of area.
2) Residents, purportedly replying to a question by
Spaniards in the 16th century what the name of
their place was, said "Monte sa Lupa" apparently
mistaking the question for what card game they
were playing.
3) The topographical nature of the area, where the
term MONTE or mountain was expanded to
Muntinlupa or mountain land.
MANDALUYONG:
There are different stories on the origin of the name
"Mandaluyong":
 Mandaluyong got its name from the Tagalog MGA
which means many and DALUY which means flowing;
 From the word DALUYONG which means "big waves
from the sea";
 One of tells how the place was abundant with a kind
of tree called LUYONG;
 From the legend of Maharlika named Luyong who fell
in love with MANDA, the lovely daughter of barangay
chieftain.t was part of the KINGDOM OF SAPA and
then later called the KINGDOMO NAMAYAN.Named
SAN FELIPE NERI by the Spaniards in honor of the
Patron Saint of Rome.

Muntinlupa is an old term that refers to a barangay  In 1907, it was became an independent municipality
hence called as Munting Lupa now known as when it was partitioned from SAN JUAN. First known
POBLACION. as a BARRIO OF STA. ANA DE SAPA which was part of
PACO (province of Tondo).
 In American Occupation, it was consolidated with the
MARIKINA: municipality of SAN JUAN DEL MONTE.Renamed the
Municipality of Mandaluyong by virtue of HOUSE BILL
DIFFERENT LEGENDS ON HOW THE NAME MARIKINA NO. 3886.
CAME FROM:
 From priest named “MARIQUINA”
 From a young lady called “MARIA CUINA” MAKATI:
 From the word “MARIKIT-NA”
 From town in Spain  The name Makati came from the Tagalog word
"KATI" which means tide that refers to the flow of
 The AUGUSTINIANS were the first to arrive at the the PASIG RIVER in the northern border of the city.
valley in the 1570s, at the spot known as CHORILLO Makati was under the district of SANTA ANA DE SAPA
in BARANGKA. in between 1578-1670.
The Jesuits was next to arrived in a place called  And during the SPANISH ERA, the place was also
JESUS DELA PEÑA on APRIL 18, 1630. The area was known as SAN PEDRO DE MACATI in honor of their
later called MARIQUINA and was declared a patron saint. In 1901, the place was became a part of
PUEBLO under the Spanish colonial government. Rizal province. However, in the passing of the
 After the Americans took possessions of the PHILIPPINE ACT 2390 on FEBRUARY 28, 1914, San
Philippines, its name officially became Marikina. In Pedro de Macati was shortened to Makati name
1856, as a town of shoemakers and shoe industry, instead.
Marikina named as the "Shoe Capital of the  On JANUARY 2, 1995, Makati became an
Philippines." Marikina officially became part of the independent city. In 1851, DON JOSE BONIFACIO
Metropolitan Manila on NOVEMBER 7, 1975. purchased the Jesuit estate of "HACIENDA SAN
PEDRO DE MACATI " for 52,800 pesos. Then in 1930,
NAVOTAS: the first airport, NIELSEN AIRPORT was built in what
 According to one legend, the long and narrow delta was now the AYALA TRIANGLE in Makati.
extended unbroken from north to south along the
seashore. The strip of land between the former
district of Tondo, Manila and this town was eaten
away by the sea until an opening was made. Water
began to flow through the opening.
 The geographical change prompted the people to
refer to the place as "butas", "nayon ng butas", or
"nabutas",a Tagalog word that means breached or
pierced through. Other accounts said indicate
NAVOTAS was named after its patron saint, SAN
JOSE DE NAVOTAS.
 DECEMBER 20, 1827 – the movement for
separation of Navotas which was then a part of
MALABON (Tambobong)
 FEBRUARY 16, 1589 – the date when the
barrios of SAN JOSE, NAVOTAS and
BANGCULASI were separated from Malabon.
 JUNE 11, 1901 – it was incorporated into the
newly created province of Rizal.
 JANUARY 16, 1906 – it finally became an
independent municipality.
 NOVEMBER 1975 – Navotas placed together
with other municipalities in Metropolitan
Manila Commission.
 JUNE 24, 2007 – Navotas became a city after a
plebiscite was conducted.
QUEZON CITY:
 The name "Quezon City" came from the former
President MANUEL L. QUEZON who founded the city.
Before the Quezon City was created, it was composed
of small individual towns of SAN FRANCISCO DEL
MONTE, NOVALICHES, and BALINTAWAK. Pres. Manuel
L. Quezon dreamt a city that would become the future
capital of the country to replace Manila. He envisioned
a place where the common man will find his place with
dignity.

 In 1939, President Quezon created the PEOPLE'S

HOMESITE CORPORATION and purchased 1,529
hectares from the vast DILIMAN ESTATE of the
TUAZON FAMILY.
 On OCTOBER 12, 1939, Pres. Quezon signed the bill into
law, thus the city was born.
 Seven years later, by the virtue of REPUBLIC ACT. NO.
333 signed on JULY 17, 1948, QUEZON CITY became
the capital of the Philippines signed by PRES. QUIRINO.
On the same date, it also specify the boundaries
between the Caloocan and Quezon City and the city's
area to be 156.60 sq.km.
 And lastly, on JUNE 24, 1576, It lost its title as the
National Capital of the Philippines to Manila by the
virtue of PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 940.

PARAÑAQUE:
 Parañaque “PALANYAG” “PARA ANIYA AKE”.
Parañaque was founded in 1572 by the AUGUSTINIAN
MISSIONARIES from Spain. During the PHILIPPINE
REVOLUTION, Parañaque became one of the hottest
battle zones due to its location halfway between the
province of Cavite and Manila.

 During the American Occupation, Parañaque became

one of the first municipalities in the Metro Manila
region. It was converted into a chartered city on
FEBRUARY 15, 1998.

PASAY CITY:
There are several folk tales explaining where Pasay City
got its names:
1) A story about the two forbidden lovers.
2) It is also said that the Pasay was then thick with
PASAW, a plant with an exotic aroma.
3) Most people believed that it came from DAYANG-
DAYANG PASAY, a princess from the KINGDOM OF
NAMAYAN, a cluster of barangays.

 In 1727, the Augustinians took over Pasay. Also, Pasay's

name was changed to PINEDA in honor of DON
CORNELIO PINEDA, a Spanish horticulturist.
 In 1862, a number of prominent citizens of Pasay sent a
petition to the civil and ecclesiastical authorities asking
that they allowed to manage their own political and
religion affairs.
 On December 2, 1863, upon the recommendation of
ARCHBISHOP GREGORIO MARTINEZ of Sta. Cruz, Pasay
became a pueblo. On June 11, 1901, Pasay was
incorporated to the Rizal province.
 IGNACIO SANTOS DIAZ, congressman from the first
district of Pasay, pushed for the conversion of the town
into a city and it to be named after Rizal. The DIAZ BILL
was signed into a law by PRESIDENT ROXAS on JUNE
21, 1947.
 Pasay Congressman EULOGIO RODRIGUEZ, JR. filed a
bill returning the city to its original name. On MAY 3,
1950; President ELPIDIO QUIRINO, once a resident of
Pasay, signed into the law the bill approved by
Congress.
PASIG CITY:
 The city's name Pasig was believed to have come
from the old Sanskrit word "Passid", or sand. The
historian and educator ALEJANDRO ROCES believed
that EL PASIG came from LEGAZPI (MIGUEL LOPEZ
DE LEGAZPI).
 Historians traced the town's name to the word
"mabagsik" meaning violent in action or force with
aptly describes the river. Another belief was that it
was derived from "DALAMPASIGAN" which means
"baybay ng ilog", river's edge or bank in English.
 DR. JOSE VILLA PANGANIBAN said that "Pasig" is
came from an old Sanskrit word "PASSIS" referring
to a "river flowing from one body of water to
another."
 Before the Spanish Colonization, Pasig was a
kingdom round the river BITUKANG MANOK (part
of Pasig River)
 Pasig was founded in JULY 1573 with the
inauguration of the mission-parish of Pasig.
 In 1975, Pasig was carved out of RIZAL PROVINCE
and became part of Metro Manila the METRO
MANILA COMMISSION was created by PRES.
MARCOS through P.D. 824.
VALENZUELA:
 Valenzuela means "LITTLE VALENCIA" in Spanish.
It was named after PIO VALENZUELA, a Filipino
physician who was among the leaders of the
Katipunan and served as the town's president
municipal who was appointed to serve as such.
 The historic City of Valenzuela was originally known as
POLO under the administration of the PROVINCE OF
BULACAN then MEYCAUAYAN and the year of 1623, it
was became municipality independent from
Meycauayan.
 The Philippines was then ruled by the military of
Americans, DR. PIO ALEJANDRINO VALENZUELA was
appointed mayor of the municipality of Polo on
SEPTEMBER 6, 1999.
 The municipality of Polo in Bulacan was renamed after
Dr. Valenzuela on 1963. By NOVEMBER 8, 1975, the
municipality of Valenzuela was no longer part of
Bulacan.
 Valenzuela officially achieved its cityhood on
FEBRUARY 14, 1998 under the presidency of FIDEL V.
RAMOS.

 In JULY 1994, Pasig was converted into a highly

urbanized city through REPUBLIC ACT 7829. It was
signed into a law in DECEMBER 1994 by President
FIDEL RAMOS.

TAGUIG CITY:
 TAGUIG was one of the earliest known territories to
have been Christianized when the Spaniards
succeeded in SUBJUGATING MAINLAND LUZON
through LEGAZPI EXPEDITION IN 1571. It was in
1587 when Taguig was established as a separate
pueblo of the province of Manila.
 After the start of American regime, Taguig was
proclaimed as an independent municipality with the
promulgation of GENERAL ORDER NO. 4 on MARCH
9, 1900.
 On OCTOBER 12, 1903, TAGUIG, MUNTINLUPA, and
PATEROS were merged by the virtue of ACT NO.
942 with Pateros hosting the seat of the municipal
government.

SAN JUAN CITY:

 "San Juan City" is a contraction of the city's longer,
ceremonial name of SAN JUAN DEL MONTE. As with
numerous other places in the Philippines, the city's
name combines a PATRON SAINT and a TOPONYM;
in this case, the place is named for SAINT JOHN DE
BAPTIST and its hilly, relatively high elevation
compared to surrounding areas.
 When the Spanish first took over the KINGDOM
NAMAYAN (where San Juan was a part of) which
they’re christened as STA ANA DE SAPA, the village
remained a part of it, re classified as a barrio and
became a small encomienda by 1590. In 1783, San
Juan became independent of Santa ana but it was
still then a barrio. Although not officially designated
as such, the city of San Juan could also called the
"THE TOWN OF PHILIPPINES PRESIDENTS."
 On JUNE 16, 2007, voters in San Juan ratified the
conversion of the municipality into a highly
urbanized city, pursuant to REPUBLIC ACT NO.
9388.
 VISAYAN ISLANDS
 The Visayan Island, lying between Luzon and
Mindanao, comprise the second geographical divisions
of the country. Due to the development and
Orientation of the different Islands, this region is
reasonably divided into three geographic units,
Namely, WESTERN VISAYAS, CENTRAL VISAYAS and
the EASTERN VISAYAS.
7 main Islands of Visayas:
 PANAY
 NEGROS
 CEBU
 BOHOL
 LEYTE
 MASBATE
 SAMAR
WESTERN VISAYAS
 AKLAN
 ANTIQUE (where mountains meet the sea)
 CAPIZ
 ILOILO
 GUIMARAS
 NEGROS OCCIDENTAL (the sugar capital of the PH)
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
 The first four provinces are found in the Island of
PANAY. The sixth largest Island, which shown roughly
the shape of an equilateral triangle. The three district
topographic features are: the western upland, which
form the eastern boundary of the province of
ANTIQUE; the Central lowland, which is partly
intermountain and partly coastal in character; and
lastly, the Eastern upland, which follow a Northeast-
Southeast direction extending for about 56 kilometer.
GUIMARAS, a sub-province of Iloilo. NEGROS
OCCIDENTAL has a narrow coastal plain in its Western
portion facing Guimaras Island.
ECONOMIC RESOURCES
 Principal Agricultural Crops: RICE, COCONUT
SUGAR/SUGAR CANE.
 The inhabitants of PANAY and NEGROS OCCIDENTAL
speak common visayan dialect, HILIGAYNON.
CULTURAL ASPECT
 The port of Iloilo services a very rich sugar and fish
producing hinterland in the Island of Panay.
CLIMATE IN PANAY
 Western portion of Panay has a wet and dry season
lasting for 6months each, while the Eastern portion
has a shorter period of dry season.
CENTRAL VISAYAS
 CEBU
 BOHOL
 SIQUIJOR
 NEGROS ORIENTAL
 CITTA DI MARE – a new city rises in Cebu.
 CEBU CITY – the queen city of the South.
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
 The unique position places this region midway
between PALAWAN and SAMAR. SIQUIJOR ISLAND
which was once a sub-province of Negros Oriental has
rolling hills at the Central portion and narrow coastal
plain around the Island.
ECONOMIC RESOURCES
 Agriculture, FORESTRY and as well as
MANUFACTURING are the principal economic
activities of the region. BILAR – man-made forest.
 The coastal plain of Oriental Negros are composed of
water deposited volcanic materials brought down
from the central highlands and favorable for
SUGARCANE PRODUCTION. NEGROS ORIENTAL is the
most thickly forest among the provinces of the region.
CEBU is the most intensively cultivated island to meet
the needs of its dense population.
 The strategic location of Central Visayas in the
Philippines has made METROPOLITAN CEBU which is
the regional center, and industrial, commercial,
financial, transportation and educational center of the
Visayas-Mindanao area.
CULTURAL ASPECT
 The inhabits of Central Visayas speak a common
language, the CEBU-VISAYAN DIALECT.
 CEBU is one of the most thickly populated region of
the country. Cebu was dubbed as the "Queen City of
the South". As an educational center- CEBU CITY is the
seat of the universities like the UNIVERSITY OF SAN
CARLOS, UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES, CEBU
COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF THE VISAYAS and
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES.
DUMAGUETE CITY, the capital of Negros Oriental is
the principal commercial and educational center of
the province.
 BANTAYAN ISLAND in Cebu is the best fishing grounds
of the province.

EASTERN VISAYAS
 SAMAR
 LEYTE
 BILIRAN (undiscovered paradise)
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
 The provinces of Samar taken collectively comprise
the Island of Samar which is the third largest while
Leyte is the eight largest Island of the country. Samar
is more of hilly country rather than a mountainous
one.
ECONOMIC RESOURCES
 The NORTH EASTERN PORT OF LEYTE is more fitted
for agricultural production as it is made up of all VIAL
SOIL. SAMAR is even less developed than Leyte. It is
poor system of transportation and exposure to
frequent typhoons are the principal deterrent factors.
 Major Food Crops: RICE, FRUITS, CORN, COFFEE &
ROOTS CROPS. The most important commercial crops
is COCONUT.
CULTURAL ASPECT
 The regional ties between Leyte and Samar are
enhanced by the sharing of a common Samar Leyte
(WARAY-WARAY) ethnolinguistic culture.
 TACLOBAN CITY – The capital of Leyte and the
regional centre, dominates the trade and financial
activities of the region.
 ORMOC CITY – The centre of commerce and
industry on the Wester part of Leyte.
 CALBAYOG CITY – Located on the coast of Western
Samar, facing the Samar sea, is the trading and
commercial centre of the province.
MIMAROPA
 The Philippine Republic's Region IV, Southern Tagalog,
comprised 11 PROVINCES with 8 CITIES. Most of these
provinces are in the Southern part of the island of
Luzon, but the province of PALAWAN, an archipelago
in itself, stretches Southwest of Luzon almost as far as
BORNEO, forming one of the four sides of the SULU
SEA,
 It has subsequently been subdivided into
CALABARZON (Region IV-A, comprising BATANGAS,
CAVITE, LAGUNA, QUEZON and RIZAL) and
MIMAROPA (Region IV-B, comprising OCCIDENTAL
MINDORO, ORIENTAL MINDORO, MARINDUQUE,
ROMBLON and PALAWAN).
 East of the Province of ORIENTAL MINDORO is the
smaller province of MARINDUQUE. Its population is
217,000 in six towns, of which BOAC is the capital,
totalling 959 sq. km. It has been a separate province
since 1920. It has considerable mineral resources, but a
disastrous leak of mine tailings in 1996 forced the
closure of the copper mines. Its chief products are
coconuts, rice, maize, fruits, vegetables, livestock, fish,
wood, and the products of a number of small-scale
industries. Off the coast are three small islands called
the THREE KINGS, individually GASPAR, MELCHOR, and
BALTAZAR, a favoured spot for day trips and diving; a
SPANISH GALLEON was found off Gaspar in forty
meters of water in 1981. It has yielded a wealth of
archaeological treasure. Both provinces seem to offer
sufficient wilderness, wildlife, and water to make many
vacationers happy, but here has been little touristic
development.
 LOST RIVERS, LOST LIVES: 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
MARINDUQUE MINESPILL: December 6, 1993 - 25
years ago today, Marinduque experienced the worst
mining disaster in Philippine history. The MARCOPPER-
BUILLT MOGPOG RIVER DAM burst, flooding the
downstream villages in Mogpog. A toxic deluge swept
through the valley, submerging villages, farmland and
the town of Mogpog where two children were swept to
their deaths.
 The MARCOPPER MINE SPILL was the worst mining
disaster in Philippine history. It rendered
MARINDUQUE island's rivers and bay lifeless, leaving
fishing and farming families severely affected. More
than two decades on, justice remains elusive for the
people of Marinduque. Let's not forget the people and
communities of Marinduque.
 MIGUEL LOPEZ DE LEGASPI, discovered the island in
1569. GOLD SEDIMENTS in the streams led the
Spaniards to christen the Isla Northeast of the Province
of Palawan in Region IV of the Philippine Republic is
the ISLAND OF MINDORO, which (with surrounding
smaller islands) constituted the Province of Mindoro
from 1921 until 1950, when it was split into Occidental
and Oriental halves. Occidental Mindoro has a
population of 378,000 in eleven towns, of which
MAMBURAO is the capital, on 5880 sq.km.
 The CHINESE traded with the natives of Mindoro for
centuries before the Spanish, in the person nd "Mina
de Oro" or "Gold Mine," but that didn't pan out to any
great extent. The name survives, compressed. Spanish
occupation began the next year under Lopez de
Legaspi's lieutenant and grandson, JUAN DE SALCEDO.
 Both provinces Mindoro Occidental and Mindoro
Oriental include primeval forest, nature reserves, many
miles of unspoiled beach, and opportunities for hiking,
swimming, diving, wind-surfing, fishing, camping,
nature watching, etc. The island is sole home to the
TAMARAW, a wild relative of the carabao, or water
buffalo, with horns that grow up in a V instead of
curving in. Exotic birds and butterflies also abound.
ORIENTAL MINDORO has the oldest Spanish fort in the
Philippines, with the cannons that were used against
Moro raiders, whose depredations continued well into
the nineteenth century. OCCIDENTAL MINDORO
includes the islands where Japanese soldiers HIROO
ONODA and FUMIO NAKAHIRA prolonged World War
II until 1974 and 1980, respectively. Both provinces are
mainly agricultural, growing rice, maize, coconuts,
bananas, and vegetables. There is some light industry,
and the ocean teems with commercial and sport fish.

 The province of PALAWAN, an archipelago in itself,

stretches southwest of Luzon almost as far as Borneo,
forming one of the four sides of the Sulu Sea. It
consists of a principal island, Palawan, and more than
seventeen hundred minor islands. Its capital and only
city is PUERTO PRINCESA. A surviving fortress church in
CUYO with cannon on its four towers bears witness
that Palawan was a regular route of the MORO
PIRATES. The province's ethnography is extremely
complex. The population is some 737,000 on 16,456
sq.km. Its wildlife is remarkably diverse, including
many species not found elsewhere. The government
encourages eco-tourism to prevent habitat
destruction, and there are a number of national parks
and wildlife refuges. Palawan produces maize, rice,
coconuts, cashews, natural gas and oil, and huge
amounts of fish. Livestock raising, seaweed farming,
and food processing are being developed.