REGION 6: Western Visayas Regional Profile Analysis

Region VI (Western Visayas) is located in Central Philippines and consists of the major
island of Panay and the smaller Guimaras as well as several outlying islands. The Region has
a total land area of 12,828.97 sq km and is bordered to the north by the Sibuyan Sea and
northeast by the Visayan Sea, east by the Guimaras Strait, south by the Iloilo Strait and the
Panay Gulf and west by the Sulu Sea
A. Demography

The population of Region VI (Western Visayas) as of August 1, 2015 was 4,477,247 based
on the 2015 Census of Population (POPCEN 2015). The 2015 population of the region is
higher by 282,668 compared with the population of 4.19 million in 2010, and by 831,932
compared with the population of 3.65 million in 2000.
The population of Region VI increased by 1.25 percent annually, on average, during the
period 2010 to 2015. By comparison, the rate at which the region’s population grew during
the period 2000 to 2010 was higher at 1.41 percent.
The total population of Region VI accounted for about 4.4 percent of the Philippine
population in 2015.

B. Physical

Region VI (Western Visayas) is in Central Philippines an consists of the major island of

Panay and the smaller Guimaras as well as several outlying islands. The Region has a total
land area of 12, 828.97 sq. km and is bordered to the north by the Sibuyan Sea and northeast
by the Visayan sea, east by the Guimaras Straut, south by the Iloilo strait and the anay gulf
and west by the sulu sea.
The prevailing climatic condition in the region is a combination of humid and moist although
some areas, especially the upper half of Panay, experience the wet type of climate. Higher
amounts of rainfall are experienced from June to November when there are more than 15
rainy days per month. Lesser amounts of rainfall and shorter number of rainy days are
experienced during the remaining months. Hot months are experienced in March & April and
cold months in Jan., Feb. & December.

C. Economy

Economy bounced back from Typhoon Yolanda. The region’s economy suffered in the
aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda: GRDP growth fell from 7.7 percent in 2011-2012 to only 4.1
percent in 2012-2013. However, the region bounced back with an impressive growth from 5.2
percent in 2013-2014 to 8.3 percent in 2014-2015 making Western Visayas the second-best
performing region in the country. The impressive overall

SECTORAL PROBLEM ANALYSIS | Part 1 Regional Profile

REGION 6: Western Visayas Regional Profile Analysis

economic performance of the region in the recent years was largely contributed by the
industry and services sectors.
Improving food security and reducing agricultural losses in the region remained elusive.
Production and productivity of most crops and livestock were below plan targets.
Commercial and municipal fishery production kept on declining except aquaculture which
surpassed production targets in 2014 and 2015. Sufficiency targets were achieved for chicken
meat but not for pork and beef. Low farm gate prices coupled with high input costs of
commercial feeds, veterinary medicines, herbicides and pesticides greatly affected local
production.
Inflation rate was contained within the target of 3.5-4.8 percent over the plan period (Table
2.2). Compared to the other two Visayas regions, Western Visayas registered the lowest
inflation rate in 2014 - Region VII at 5 percent, and Region VIII at 6.5 percent.

SECTORAL PROBLEM ANALYSIS | Part 1 Regional Profile