 Central Luzon is a combination of towering

mountains, extinct and active volcanoes, lush,

verdant farmlands, and natural sea harbours. It is
one of the leading growth regions in the Philippines,
strategically located at the heart of Asia. Region III
lies between Manila and Northern Luzon. It is
composed of seven provinces, twelve cities and 118
municipalities. Its 7 provinces are Aurora, Bataan,
Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and
Zambales. Its 12 cities are Balanga from Bataan,
Malolos and San Jose del Monte from Bulacan,
Cabanatuan, Gapan, Muñoz, Palayan and San Jose
from Nueva Ecija; Angeles and San Fernando from
Pampanga, Tarlac from Tarlac; and Olongapo from
Zambales.
 It includes all land area north of Manila Bay
from the tip of Bataan peninsula on the west,
and all the lands north of the Caraballo
mountains on the east. It is the longest
contiguous area of lowlands, and is otherwise
known as the Central Plains of Luzon. The
region produces one third of the country’s total
rice production, thus is also called the Rice
Granary of the Philippines.
 Located adjacent to the National Capital
Region (NCR), it has benefited from the
“spillover” from Metro Manila. It is a part of
the National Industrial Core Region, together
with NCR and Region IV or the Southern
Tagalog Region. The Core Region contributed
70% of manufacturing value added in 1988. It
has emerged as an alternative area for
investment to Region IV, but is still
overcoming the effects of the Mount Pinatubo
eruption in 1991.
 Only 66 kilometers away from Metro Manila, Central Luzon
contains the largest plain in the country and is the gateway
to the Northern Luzon regions. It covers a total land area
of 21,470 square kilometers. The City of San Fernando, in
Pampanga, is the regional center. Aurora was transferred
from Region IV to Region III through Executive Order No.
103 in 2002.

 In terms of population, Region III was the third largest

region, containing 10.50 percent of the 76.5 million
human beings of the country as recorded in Census 2000.
Located at the crossroads of Asia-Pacific, Central Luzon is
one of the dynamic and vibrant regions in the Philippines.
It caters to European and American business organizations
desiring to penetrate Asia.
 Central Luzon also has its share of colorful
history. Malolos, Bulacan was the place where
the first constitution of an independent
Philippines was promulgated on January 21,
1899. Tarlac town became the seat of the
Philippine government for one month in
March 1899, when Pres. Aguinaldo left
Bulacan to escape approaching US forces.
 The travel time to Malolos by land from Metro
Manila is 42 minutes. The travel time to Clark
Special Economic Zone is one hour and 44
minutes by land from Metro Manila. The City
of San Fernando in Pampanga, is one hour
and six minutes by land from Metro Manila.
Olongapo City and its adjacent Subic Bay
Freeport Zone by land from Metro Manila is
two hours and five minutes.
 The population of Central Luzon Region on January 1st 2010 is
approximately 9,793,184. (Extrapolated from a population of 8,204,742
on May 24th 2008 and a population of 9,720,982 on February 28th
2010.) The region has the highest urban population ratio (60.3%) to total
population.

 There are three areas of urban population concentration: (a) areas in

Bulacan along highways leading from Metro Manila; (b) San Fernando-
Angeles City-Mabalacat corridor area; (c) Subic - Dinalupihan area. The
total urban population in these areas is over 2 million, over half of the
total urban population in Central Luzon.

 Human resources in the region are better prepared in terms of a higher

participation rate at the primary and secondary levels of education. The
participation rate of Central Luzon is 94.2% and 86.1%, respectively, as
compared to the national average of 85.7% and 66.1% in SY 1992- 93.
There are comparatively more non-government organizations,
cooperatives and people’s organizations in the region.
 Dry season in the Region is from
November to May. Rains normally occur
during the months of July to October.
 Region III covers a total land area of 2,147,036
hectares. Of this, 1,204,649 hectares are
alienable & disposable lands (A&D) and 942,387
hectares are forest lands. Forty-one percent
(41%) of the A&D lands are agricultural plains,
with rice as the major crop. The region also
produces corn, banana, fruits, and vegetables.

 Forest land comprises 43.89% of the region’s

total land area. Based on the 2011 Philippine
Forestry Statistics, the region has a total forest
cover of 589,495 hectares, mostly concentrated
in the provinces of Aurora and Zambales.
 As of 2012, a total of 120 Community-Based
Forest Management (CBFM) Agreements have
been issued by the DENR in Region 3 placing
under community stewardship 66,822.63
hectares of forestland, benefitting 120 people’s
organizations and 10,454 households.

 The CBFM is a government strategy which “gives

the management of forests back to the people.”
It offers long-term security of tenure to partner-
communities and promotes an integrated
approach to sustainable forest resource
management.
 The Region also implements the National
Greening Program (NGP), a flagship program of
President Benigno S. Aquino III which aims to
plant 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares of
denuded areas in the country from 2011-2016.

 In 2012 alone, Region 3 was able to rehabilitate

15,751 hectares of open and denuded lands
through massive tree planting involving business
and industry groups, socio-civic and people’s
organizations, academe and other government
agencies, including media and faith-based
organizations.
 Central Luzon is rich in timber and mineral resources
(both metallic and non-metallic). Aurora is known for
its timber; Zambales for its refractory chromite,
copper and nickel deposits; Tarlac for Manganese;
Bulacan for marble; Pampanga for sand and gravel;
and Nueva Ecija for feldspar.

 Fertile rice lands, melon patches and fishponds can

also be found along rivers and tributaries. Region III
accounts for the third largest aquaculture production
in the Philippines. Aurora’s 332-kilometer coastline
and Zambales’ 272 kilometers are teeming with
marine resources.
 The three-layered virgin forest of Subic Bay and
Bataan is home to the world's largest bats: the giant
flying fox (Acerodon jubatus) and the golden crown
flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus). Over the years, these
two species of giant fruit bats have roamed the
10,000-hectare Subic Watershed and Forest Reserve,
which is among the world’s largest roosting sites for
bats.

 An ordinary giant flying fox weighs up to 2.5 pounds

(1.1 kilograms) which is heavier than the golden
crown flying fox. The golden crown, however, is the
largest of all bats with wingspan measuring up to six
feet.
 In Zambales, the 17,000-hectare Mt. Tapulao is
home to species of murrid rodents, the
Rhyncomys tapulao and Apomys brownorum.
These rodents can only be found in Mt. Tapulao.

 Seven insectivorous bats were recorded in Mt.

Tapulao, three of which are endemic to the
Philippines -- the yellow-faced horseshoe bat
(Rhinolophus virgo), large-eared horseshoe bat
(Rhinolophus philippinensis), and the orange-
fingered myotis (Myotis rufopictus).
 Central Luzon has 24 sites included in the initial
components of the National Integrated Protected
Areas System (NIPAS), consisting of eight national
parks, one bird/fish sanctuary, and 15 watershed
forest reserves.

 Of these, the following have already been

proclaimed as protected areas: Roosevelt
National Park (Bataan), Dinadiawan River (Aurora),
Amro River (Aurora), Talaytay River (Aurora),
Simbahan-Talagas River (Aurora), and Masinloc &
Oyon Bays Marine Reserve (Zambales).
 Region III is an important trading center and
transportation terminal for products. Land travel is
facilitated by a network of well-paved and extensive
highways and roads linking all municipalities within
the region. An extensive railway system is planned to
be built linking Clark Air Base in Angeles City,
Pampanga and Manila. The two former U.S. bases, the
Clark Air Force Base in Pampanga and Subic Naval
Base in Zambales, are now special economic zones.
There are two international airports in the region:
Clark International Airport (now Diosdado Macapagal
International Airport) and Subic International Airport.
Port facilities facilitate trade with other areas in the
Asia-Pacific region such as Hongkong, China, Taiwan,
Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.
 Central Luzon is well provided with
communication facilities. Its provinces have
adequate supply of electricity and potable
water. Big markets, recreational facilities, and
educational and financial institutions service
the needs of the populace.
 Aurora, officially the Municipality of Aurora, is a 2nd
class municipality in the province of Zamboanga del
Sur, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a
population of 50,755 people.[3]

 It is the easternmost municipality in Zamboanga del

Sur, bounded by the Province of Lanao del Norte on its
eastern side. The town was named after President
Manuel Quezon's wife, Aurora Quezon.

 In 1948, a portion of Aurora was separated to form the

town of Molave.
 Zambales is the second-largest province of
Central Luzon and has a one of the less densely
populated areas in the Philippines.
 Zambales has great wreck diving spots and it is
actually considered as the wreck diving capital of
the Philippines – with most of it concentrated in
the Subic area, the former site of one of the
biggest naval bases of the Americans in the area.
During World War 2, at least 25 Japanese ships
were sunk off the Zambales coast – some of which
were probably salvaged immediately during the
immediate postwar period to open up Subic Bay
for shipping.
 Pampanga is a province of the Philippines located
in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is the City
of San Fernando.
 Pampanga also lies on the northern shore of
Manila Bay. Angeles City, although within the
geography of Pampanga, is classified as a first-
class, highly urbanized city and has a government
independent of Pampanga. The name "La
Pampanga" was given by the Spaniards who
found the early natives living near the river banks.
It also served as the capital of the archipelago for
two years from 1762–1764 during the British
invasion of Manila.
 Tarlac is a landlocked province located in
the Central Luzon region of the
Philippines. It is bounded on the north by
the province of Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija
on the east, Zambales on the west and
Pampanga in the south. The province
comprises three congressional districts
and is subdivided into 17 municipalities
and one city, Tarlac City, which is the
provincial capital.
 Bataan is a province in Philippines located in Central Luzon Region
holding many interesting tourist spots. The province has plenty of
historical landmarks to visit including monuments, markers, old
houses, shrines and old churches since it played an important role
in the history of the country (Battle of Bataan). For relaxation,
outdoor activities and sightseeing destinations, it has a lot to offer
such as nature parks, vast beaches and mountains.

 The province of Bataan occupies the entire Bataan Peninsula and

bordered by the provinces of Zambales and Pampanga to the
north. There are around 760,000+ residents in the province and
they speak in mostly Tagalog, Kapampangan and English
languages. The capital city of Bataan is Balanga City.
 Bulacan has fast become an ideal tourist destination. The
province is popularly known not only for its historical
sites; nostalgic old houses and churches; idyllic
ecological attractions; religious attractions; colorful and
enchanting festivals; but also for swimming and various
themed attractions; and other recreational facilities.
 Nueva Ecija Province is one of Philippines’ hidden gems. A landlocked province
in the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Below is a guide through
the tourist spots of Nueva Ecija, Nueva Ecija hotels and delicacies to try while
visiting. Nueva Ecija is popular with travellers not just for sightseeing in the
many Nueva Ecija tourist spots but with those seeking a little adventure.

 Whether you want to check out Nueva Ecija food or adventure you will find it all
in this part of Philippines. For foodies this gem is a treat as you can focus your
trip on sampling delicacies you can only find in a Nueva Ecija province, immerse
yourself in local culinary experiences, check out local cafes and find the best
pasalubong (souvenir in the Philippines) to can take back home.
 Coco Sabutan Festival
 The festival features the significance of developing palm
trees privately called Sabutan on the networks financial
prosperity. The crude materials which develops on mountain
territory and timberland arrive is utilized to weave an
assortment of valuable items and ornamentals like caps,
situations, fans, and even local dress-all made of Sabutan.
The festival highlights local move introduction among
schools youngsters, exchange reasonable, social shows and
exhibits. Sabutan Festival is praised each year to pay tribute
to the Patron Saint of Baler, Aurora, San Luis Obispo, and in
recognition of the introduction of an awesome pioneer and
statesman, President Manuel Luis Quezon.
 IBA, ZAMBALES – Clad in coloful mango-inspired costumes,
street dancers pepped up the annual province-wide festival
that celebrates the thriving local mango industry

 This province is known for its sweet mango varities. In fact,

the Sweet Elena carabao mango variety grown here was cited
in the Guinness Book of World Records world’s sweetest in
1995.

 This paved the way for the yearly festivity known as

"Dinamulag Festival," to celebrate the bountiful harvest of
other mango varieties known also for their large sizes.
 Days before Christmas, giant lanterns made of colored
crepe and Japanese paper with frames of intricately
tin-wired skeletons containing electrical mechanism
and a thousand bulbs, highlights the San Fernando
Giant Lantern festival. The lanterns dance, blink and
brilliantly twinkle in kaleidoscopic pattern and cadence
with the band music. Through the years, different
provinces in Pampanga showcase their different
designs and craft and compete against each other.
 Dinagyang Festival A dance festival in
honor of the Sto. Niño in Iloilo City,
Iloilo province, “dinagyang” is
Hiligaynon for “merrymaking.” Tribes
painted with soot dance in patterns,
while using their spears, shields and
the image of the Child Jesus.
 Singkaban Festival is an annual provincial event of Bulacan where Bulakenyo culture and
arts are featured in a week-long celebration. It showcases the traditional arts of the
literary form “Balagtasan,”folk dances, and traditional songs known as “kundiman.”

 The main focus though, is on the singkaban, a Bulakenyo art of creating an entrance arch
and other decorative materials mainly from bamboo.

 The main event of the festival is the street dance and float parade where
representatives from different Bulacan towns, as far as San Jose del Monte in the
southeast and San Miguel in the north, travel to Malolos during the festival season.
 MARIVELES, Bataan – In an effort to further promote and protect the sea
turtles frequenting the coastal areas of this municipality, the local
government unit will celebrate the annual Pawikan Festival on 1 December
at the Pawikan Conservation Center in Barangay Nagbalayong, Morong
town .

 According to Tourism Operations Officer Danica Tigas, the annual event

with the theme “Help Save the Pawikan” is not only for the conservation
of the marine animal in their area, but to also raise awareness to other
coastal areas where sea turtles usually nest.
 Sibuyasan Festival is celebrated in town annually, in the month
of April. This festival aims to celebrate the prosperous harvest
of the farmers through the year though many disasters come
in their way. Even before the festival, different stores build
their small business which will stand even after the Festival.
Different rides like Ferris wheel will also be noticed as the big
day comes.