CHAPTER III

SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE OF BICOL REGION (REGION V)

HISTORY
The region was originally called Ibalong; some thought it originated from ibalio (“to
bring to the other side”), ibalon (“people from the other side” or “people who are hospitable
and give visitors gifts to bring home”), or from Gibal-ong, a sitio of Magallanes in the province
of Sorsogon, where the Spaniards first set foot in 1567.
It was in 1572 when the Bicol RIver was initially mentioned in Spanish documents. After
the Spaniards discovered huts in Camalig, Albay, the region was called Los Camarines.
Indigenous groups, especially the Aeta from Camarines Sur to Sorsogon, imply that
natives lived in the region long ago, but the earliest proof is dated to late Neolithic life.
In 1569, barangay systems were established. Documents suggest no sign of Islamic rule
nor any force exceeding the datu (chieftain). It can be concluded that pre-colonial governance
was based on strength, courage, and intelligence.
Augustinian and Franciscan Spanish missionaries helped in influencing Western culture
into the region. The first churches in Bicol – San Francisco Church, Naga Cathedral, and Holy
Cross Parish -were established by the Holy Order of Franciscans. The Archdiocese of Caceres,
among the oldest diocese in the country, was also instituted by the Spaniards in the region.
The region also has Latin-American communities and cultural influences from Mexico
because of the widespread chili plantations in the region. Bicolano dishes are known for their
spiciness.
Bicol is among the administrative regions of the Philippines, labeled as Region V. It has
six provinces, four of which are on the Bicol peninsula mainland – Albay, Camarines Sur,
Camarines Norte, Albay, and Sorsogon – and the offshore island provinces of Catanduanes and
Masbate.

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS
Bicol region has six provinces: Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon,
Catanduanes, and Masbate.
Occupying 30.4% of the region’s total land area is Camarines Sur, making it the largest
province in Bicol. Catanduanes, on the other hand, is the smallest with only 8.4% of the total
regional area.
Iriga, Legazpi, Ligao, Masbate City, Sorsogon City, and Tabaco are considered
component cities, and Naga is known to be an independent component city.
PROFILE OF REGION 5
Geographically, Bicol Region is located in the southernmost tip of Luzon, which lies at
123 to 126 degrees longitude and 12 to 14 degrees latitude or generally at the mid-section of
the country. It has a total land area of 17,362 square kilometers representing 5.67% share of
the Philippines in terms of land area.
The region is the gateway of Luzon to the Visayas and Mindanao and is within the
international seas, hence, the gateway to the Pacific. Located in the heart of the industrialized
countries, the place would serve as a jumping board for market and business in the Pacific Rim,
Europe, and the United States.
Bicol is accessible by land from Manila and the rest of Luzon thru the Maharlika and
Quirino Highways. From the Visayas and Mindanao islands, it can be reached via the Matnog
ferry terminal. Manila is about 10 hours away from Legaspi City. It is serviced by major bus lines
traversing the Manila-Bicol route.
Bicol Region is composed of four contiguous provinces: Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines
Norte, and Sorsogon; two island provinces of Catanduanes and Masbate; and seven cities
namely, Legazpi, Naga, Iriga, Tabaco, Ligao, Sorsogon, and Masbate.

MAP
Bicol Region is bordered, clockwise from the Northeast, by the Philippine Sea, San Bernardino
Strait, Samar Sea, Visayan Sea, Asid Gulf, Sibuyan Sea, Ragay Gulf, and CALABARZON.
CULTURE AND TRAITS
Bicolano dishes are famous for using chili peppers and gata or coconut milk. A typical
example is the gulay na lada, commonly known as the Bicol Express, which is a well-adorned
cuisine using siling labuyo or native small chilies and gata.
Bicolanos are very religious, sweet, friendly, adventurous, and prioritize education and
social status. They are also stereotyped for loving chili.
Just like other nearby regions, women in Bicol are expected to help in household chores
and to do the cleaning and cooking after getting married. Men, on the other hand, should
provide the primary source of income and financial support for the household.

RELIGION
Bicol retains Roman Catholicism through the efforts of the bishops from Nueva Caceres
in Naga from the 17th century until the Philippine Revolution in 1898.
Naga in Camarines Sur is the religious hotspot of the region and houses the oldest
dioceses in the Philippines, the ecclesiastical Archdiocese of Caceres. Other dioceses include the
Dioceses of Legazpi, Sorsogon, Daet, Masbate, Libmanan, and Virac.
Fiestas are yearly celebrations of parishes, from a simple barrio fiesta commemorating a
patron for a good harvest, to a town fiesta honoring a saint, a diocesan fiesta such as the feast
of Our Lady of Salvation, or a regional fiesta of Our Lady of Peñafrancia which is a seven-day
celebration to honor the Virgin Mary, known as the “Patroness of Bicolandia.”
The biggest minority religion in Bicol is Iglesia ni Cristo. Other religions include Jehovah’s
Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventist church, Baptist Church, Pentecostal, and indigenous
religions.

DEMOGRAPHICS
POPULATION BY AGE GROUP
 According to the 2015 Census, the age group with the highest population in Bicol Region
is 10 to 14, with 708,763 individuals. Conversely, the age group with the lowest population is 80
and over, with 49,044 individuals.
Combining age groups together, those aged 14 and below, consisting of the young
dependent population which include infants/babies, children and young adolescents/teenagers,
make up an aggregate of 36.25% (2,101,339). Those aged 15 up to 64, roughly, the
economically active population and actual or potential members of the work force, constitute a
total of 58.55% (3,393,984). Finally, old dependent population consisting of the senior citizens,
those aged 65 and over, total 5.20% (301,666) in all.
The computed Age Dependency Ratios mean that among the population of Bicol Region
(Region V), there are 62 youth dependents to every 100 of the working age population; there
are 9 aged/senior citizens to every 100 of the working population; and overall, there are 71
dependents (young and old-age) to every 100 of the working population.
The median age of 22 indicates that half of the entire population of Bicol Region (Region
V) are aged less than 22 and the other half are over the age of 22.
HISTORICAL POPULATION
The population of Bicol Region grew from 643,901 in 1903 to 6,082,165 in 2020, an
increase of 5,438,264 people over the course of 117 years. The latest census figures in 2020
denote a positive growth rate of 1.02%, or an increase of 285,176 people, from the previous
population of 5,796,989 in 2015.
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPY OF THE REGION
Bicol Peninsula, peninsula, southeastern Luzon, Philippines. It is irregular in form, with
several deep coastal bays, large sub peninsulas, and a lengthy coastline. The peninsula has an
area of about 4,660 square miles (12,070 square km). It comprises the Bicol Plain, a large
lowland area important in the production of rice, and volcanic highlands. A well-watered area,
it is densely populated although largely rural and agricultural. The peninsula is the homeland of
the Bicol, the fifth largest ethnolinguistic group in the Philippines, whose educational and
commercial centre is Naga. The peninsula has been a stronghold of Philippine communists.
SOIL CLASSIFICATION MAP
LAND USE MAP OF THE BICOL REGION: 2013
LAND CLASSIFICATION MAP OF BICOL REGION
DISTRIBUTION OF FAULT, VOLCANIC AND EARTHQUAKE BELTS, BICOL REGION
PHOTOS OF INTEREST IN BICOL REGION
MAYON VOLCANO

The Mayon Volcano is situated in the southern part of the main island of Luzon, 500 kilometres
south of Manila. Towering at a height of 2,462 meters above sea level, it is known for its
perfectly conical shape whose natural beauty has inspired a number of legends and art. The
most active volcano in the Philippines and one of the most active in the world, having erupted
over 51 times in the past four centuries, the most destructive of which is in 1814 when five
towns in its periphery were destroyed. Nevertheless, it has developed a culture of resiliency
among the inhabitants of its vicinity, who always rebuilt their towns and cultivated their fields
after each destructive eruption.

BULUSAN LAKE

Situated in the sheltered tropical lushness of Sorsogon, the small town of Bulusan serves as
home to Mount Bulusan, the fourth most active volcano in the Philippines. The volcanic
mountain rises at 5,135ft above sea level on the large expanse of Bulusan National Park in the
southernmost portion of Luzon. You can explore the park through a tour of Sorsogon's top
tourist spots.

SUBIC BEACH

Subic Beach is an idyllic beach spot in Calintaan and one of the pink sand islands in Matnog
(others being Tikling and the Juan Lagoon Fish Sanctuary). Offering more than just its stunning
waves and finely crushed red corals decorating its beds of sand, Subic Beach is also the gateway
to a series of sea caves and rock formations that you can explore from a short sailing distance
away.

BINURONG POINT

Binurong Point. Located in the meandering terrains along the coast of Baras municipality, this
hiking trail is a popular tourist spot among adventure and nature enthusiasts alike.
Reaching the pastoral cliff offers endless views of the wide-open sea and lush, lyrical terrains
enveloping the region that's worth a thousand pictures. While it shares striking similarities with
the rural scenery in Batanes, this route is known as a beginner hike that only takes less than an
hour.

DARAGA CHURCH
Daraga Church sits on top of a hill overlooking Mount Mayon Volcano and is considered a
religious landmark in Legazpi, Albay. A must-visit for first-time visitors in Bicol's regional center,
walking down its halls feels like a short journey through history, religion, and design.
The church was originally named Nuestra Señora de la Porteria (Our Lady of the Gate) Parish
Church and first established as a settlement by people relocating from Cagsawa after a major
eruption of the Mayon Volcano. In 1772, the Spanish government granted permission to build
the religious structure with the intention of fostering a new community in the south of
Cagsawa.

SUMLANG LAKE

Hidden in the outskirts of Legazpi, the lake sits on the Albay Agri Ethno Eco Village in Camalig
town and is accessible via jeep from the city center. Don’t forget to try riding on a traditional
bamboo raft while enjoying the beautiful scenery Albay has to offer. It's also home to Socorro's
Lakeside Restaurant and Grill, one of the best restaurants in Albay.

DONSOL WHALE SHARK INTERACTION CENTER

Situated in the province of Sorsogon, Donsol is now a popular hub of tourism that houses the
Whale Shark Interaction Eco-Tourism Project initiative of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Like
many other touristy locations in the Bicol Region, the municipality is leading the way for
sustainable tourism by involving the general public to discover and meet the gentle giants of
the Philippine Sea.

CARAMOAN
Caramoan is considered the Philippines’ last frontier in terms of uncharted islands. This
secluded area sets the new standard for ideal tropical destinations with its well-preserved
marine life and incredible rock formations.

CALAGUAS

Otherwise known as 'The Concealed White Beach of Bohol', Calaguas is a small group of islands
located in the municipality of Vinzons. The island is famous for having unspoiled natural
resources that help preserve its pristine beauty. This serene coastline is now a marvel filled with
untouched natural wonders, cottages, and DIY tents that city dwellers seek as a temporary
refuge.

CAMSUR WATERSPORTS COMPLEX

This 6-hectare world-class water park takes watersports on a whole other level with its top-of-
the-line facilities amid the cozy, relaxing environment. Owing to its location in the capital of Pili,
Camarines Sur, CWC is a popular spot for traveling families and friends on the lookout for
places .