MIMAROPA Region IV-B: Overview and History

• Region IV-B, also known as MIMAROPA, consists of the island provinces of Mindoro (Oriental and Occidental), Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan.
• MIMAROPA and Eastern Visayas are the only regions without a land border with another region.
• The name MIMAROPA is a portmanteau of the names of its provinces.
• Southern Tagalog Islands is another name for the region.
• Calapan City is MIMAROPA's regional center, but most regional government offices, such as the Department of Public Works, are in Quezon City, Metro Manila.

History

• Executive Order No. 103, issued on May 17, 2002, divided Region IV (Southern Tagalog) into Region IV-A (CALABARZON) and Region IV-B (MIMAROPA).
• The division aimed to improve government efficiency and accelerate development.
• Region IV-A is called CALABARZON, representing Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon provinces.
• Region IV-B is called MIMAROPA, representing the island provinces of Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan.
• Executive Order 103 transferred Aurora province to Region III in Central Luzon.
• Executive Order 429 moved Palawan to Region VI on May 23, 2005, leading to the region being referred to as MIMARO.
• Administrative Order No. 129 was issued on August 19, 2005, to address concerns about the Palawan transfer.
• The order suspended Executive Order 429 while an implementation plan was in development.
• As of 2012, the transfer of Palawan to Region VI was still considered pending by the Philippine government.
• The 2010 Philippine Census of Population still listed Palawan as part of MIMAROPA.

Languages

• Tagalog is widely spoken in MIMAROPA.
• In Marinduque, Tagalog has a unique blend of Bicolano and Visayan influences.
• Various Mangyan languages, including Iraya, Alangan, Tawbuid, Hanunoo, Tadyawan, Buhid, and Ratagnon, are spoken in the interior of Mindoro.
• Ratagnon is a Visayan language with few speakers.
• Romblon has three main Visayan languages: Romblomanon, Asi, and Onhan.
• Palawan has its own native languages, such as Cuyonon, Calamian Tagbanwa, and Palawano.

Marinduque

• Marinduque is a volcanic island with plains on the western side and mountains on the eastern side, reaching 1,157m at Mt. Malindig.
• It has 17 outlying islets, including the Tres Reyes and Elephant Island.
• Legend says that the heart-shaped island was formed from the tragic love of Marina and Garduke, who drowned themselves due to disapproval from Marina's father.
• The original name of the island was "Malandik," derived from Mt. Malindig, but the Spaniards changed it to Marinduc.
• The Marinduquenos have a unique hospitality custom called putong, where visitors are welcomed and honored with flowers, songs, and dances.

Marinduque: See and Do

• Battle of Pulang Lupa Marker stands at the site of the bloodiest battle between Marinduque revolutionary forces and the Americans.
• The Bathala caves are believed to be mystical, with seven caves within a complex; Simbahan cave has rock formations resembling a church.
• Tres Reyes Island has picnic grounds and dive spots, with Gaspar islet having a coral beach and Melchor and Baltazar islets having precipitous coasts.
• Mt. Malindig is an inactive volcano with a dense forest on its upper half, suitable for mountain climbing, camping, and bird watching;
• During Holy Week, towns such as Boac, Mospog, and Gasan stage the Moriones Festival; Longinus, a Roman centurion, is a major character in the festival.

Occidental Mindoro

• Mindoro is the seventh largest island in the Philippines.
• It was founded by members of the Spanish mission, but they were driven away by Muslim forces who later built strongholds.
• Simon de Anda's forces eventually vanquished the Muslims.
• Formerly called Mait, Mindoro was known to Chinese traders before the arrival of the Spanish.
• In 1570, the Spanish explored the island and named it "Mina de Oro" (mine of gold) after finding some precious metal.
• Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro were created under Republic Act No. 505.
• The plains of Occidental Mindoro are inhabited by Tagalogs, and the interior is inhabited by the Mangyans.
• Apo Reef National Park is a diving mecca in the Philippines.
• It has north and south lagoon systems and is considered one of the best in Asia.
• It includes the island of Binangaan and Cajos del Bajo in Sablayan, populated by various bird species.

Oriental Mindoro

• Oriental Mindoro is considered an emerging eco-tourism destination with spectacular attractions.
• The Mangyans were among the earliest inhabitants of Mindoro.
• The Iraya live in the northern towns, maintain secondary huts in kaingin sites, and are known for fine baskets.
• The Alangan live around Mt. Halcon, with the Paitan area designated as their reservation.
• The Batangan or Taobuid belong to the proto-Malay ethnic stock.
• The Hanunuo in the southern towns consider themselves the "true" Mangyans, use an ancient script, chant inukoy, sing ambahan, and play musical instruments.
• Towering 8,488 feet above sea level, Mt. Halcon is one of the country's highest peaks.
• Buyayao Island, off the coast of Mansalay, is a rocky island suited for deep-sea fishing.
• The 423-foot Tamaraw Falls is in Barangay Villaflor, Puerto Galera.
• Puerto Galera is a major tourist destination; Naujan Lake is the largest in the province.

Palawan

• Palawan is an island province in the MIMAROPA region, with Puerto Princesa City as its capital and the largest province in the country in terms of total area.
• The islands stretch from Mindoro in the northeast to Borneo in the southwest, between the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea.
• Palawan consists of the long and narrow Palawan Island and other smaller islands.
• The Calamianes Group of Islands to the northeast includes Busuanga Island, Culion Island, and Coron Island;
• Approximately 2,000 kilometers (1,200 mi) of irregular coastline are dotted with roughly 1,780 islands and islets.
• The mountain heights average 3,500 feet (1,100 m) in altitude, rising to 6,843 feet (2,086 m) at Mount Mantalingahan.

Palawan: Cultural Minorities and See and Do

• Tagbanuas, scattered in the north, are short and slender, known for basket-weaving and woodcarving.
• The Pala'wans occupy the southern highlands and hunt using spears and bamboo blowguns.
• The Batacs are of negrito descent.
• The Calamianes or Kalamians are native to the Calamian Islands.
• The Ken-Uys, "the vanishing tribe", live in the southern mountains.
• The Molbogs live in Balabac Island.
• Tau't Batu, "people of the rock," are cave dwellers.
• Tubbataha Reefs National Park is a marine sanctuary in the Middle Central Sulu Sea, declared a World Natural Heritage site by UNESCO on December 1, 1993.
• Tabon Cave consists of chambers with the remains of ancient man and his stone tools, known as the Cradle of Philippine Civilization.
• Coron Reefs attract nature lovers; Busuanga Island is the jump-off point for numerous dive operators, featuring 12 World War II Japanese shipwrecks.
• Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary is a game reserve with exotic African animals.
• St. Paul Subterranean National Park has an underground river.
• El Nido (Swallow's Nest) is known for the edible nests of balinsasayaw.

Romblon

• Romblon is an island province in the MIMAROPA Region, south of Marinduque and Quezon, east of Mindoro, north of Aklan and Capiz, and west of Masbate.
• Its capital is also named Romblon.
• The province consists of Romblon Island, Tablas Island, and Sibuyan Island, along with smaller islands.
• Early aborigines were the Negritos from Panay Island and the Mangyans from Mindoro, referred to as "Lomlon".
• Ilongo and Tagalog are widely spoken.
• Romblon is known for its marble resources, with quarries producing raw marble for sculpture and construction.
• Odiongan is the province's largest town and main port on Tablas Island.
• Carabao Island has beautiful beaches.
• Mt. Guiting-Guiting dominates Sibuyan Island.
• Banton Island is known for its "Hanging Cemetery."

Region IV-B, also known as MIMAROPA, consists of Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan. It is one of the regions without a land border with another region in the Philippines. The division of the Southern Tagalog region aimed to improve government efficiency and accelerate development.