Philippine Islands Regions

Overview

• The Philippine Islands are divided into 17 regions to facilitate resource distribution
• These regions are subdivided into provinces, cities, and towns
• Different attractions are available in each region

National Capital Region

• Manila and 15 surrounding cities make up Metro Manila
• The Ninoy Aquino International Airport serves international visitors
• The Manila Seaport is the country's chief seaport
• Accommodations, restaurants, shopping centers, and entertainment venues are abundant
• A mix of cultures, traditions, and cuisines offers no distinct regional specialty

Key attractions in the National Capital Region

• Intramuros
• Luneta Park
• Binondo (Manila Chinatown)
• SM Mall of Asia
• Manila Bay

Cordillera Administrative Region

• It is the only land-locked region, centered on the Cordillera Mountain range in Central Luzon
• Highlands are inhabited by indigenous tribes like the Ifugaos, Ibalois, and Kalingans
• Baguio City serves as the region's main tourist hub and commercial center
• Temperatures are colder than Metro Manila, making it an ideal summer escape
• Baguio City is known as the Summer Capital of the Philippines
• Strawberries are a famous product, along with peanut brittle, ube jam, and sundot kulangot

Key attractions in the Cordillera Administrative Region

• Camp John Hay
• Mansion House
• Banaue Rice Terraces
• Panagbenga Festival in February

Ilocos Region (Region 1)

• Located on Luzon's northwestern coast, bordering the South China Sea and the Cordilleras
• The region consists of four provinces: Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte
• The home of the Marcoses, with increased tourism promotion efforts
• Features include historical sites, beaches, and food
• Home to the Pagudpud Beaches and surfing in La Union
• Includes "bagnet", "longganisa", "empanada", and "pinakbet"

Key attractions in the Ilocos Region

• Vigan City (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
• Bangui Windmills
• La Paz Sand Dunes
• Fort Ilocandia
• Paoay Church
• San Juan, La Union (surfing)
• Hundred Islands, Pangasinan

Cagayan Valley (Region 2)

• Located between the Sierra Madre and Cordillera Mountain Ranges
• It is the largest region, which includes the Batanes and Babuyan Islands
• The Cagayan River runs through the region into the Luzon Strait
• The region is agricultural, with coastal towns involved in fisheries
• The Tilapia Capital of the Philippines

Key attractions in the Cagayan Valley

• Callao Cave
• Lighthouses of Batanes
• Magat Dam Tourist Complex

Central Luzon (Region 3)

• Contains vast plains for agriculture and rice production
• Known as the "Rice Bowl of the Philippines”
• San Fernando City in Pampanga is the regional center and Culinary Capital of the Philippines

Key attractions in Central Luzon

• Subic Bay Freeport Zone
• Mt. Arayat
• Historical town of Baler
• Corregidor
• Sea Turtles of Morong
• Barasoain Church

Calabarzon (Region 4A)

• An acronym for Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon, also known as Southern Tagalog Mainland
• The seat of the revolution
• Cavite has historical attractions
• Batangas offers natural wonders
• Laguna produces buko pie

Key attractions in Calabarzon

• Tagaytay City
• Taal Lake and Taal Volcano
• Anilao, Batangas (diving)
• Rizal Shrine in Calamba, Laguna
• Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite
• Pahiyas Festival in Lucban
• Enchanted Kingdom Theme Park

Mimaropa (Region 4B)

• It consists of Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan
• Also known as the Southern Tagalog Islands
• A popular region known for its archipelagic features
• Home to natural attractions and ecotourism sites, including Puerto Princesa Underground River
• Features beaches, peaks, and dive sites

Key attractions in Mimaropa

• Puerto Galera
• El Nido, Palawan
• Coron, Palawan
• Dive sites in Romblon
• Tres Reyes Marine Sanctuary in Marinduque
• Moriones Festival in Marinduque
• Tubbataha and Apo Reefs

Bicol Region (Region 5)

• Also called Bicolandia, located on the southeastern end of Luzon
• Made up of Masbate, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, and Albay
• Features volcanoes, crater lakes, and hot springs
• Known for spicy cuisine, including chili ice cream

Key attractions in the Bicol Region

• Mt. Mayon
• Whale sharks of Donsol, Sorsogon
• CamSur Watersports Complex
• Beaches of Camarines Norte and Catanduanes

Western Visayas (Region 6)

• The home of Boracay Island
• Includes natural wonders and progressive cities
• Served by three international and four domestic airports
• Tourists can arrive through the port of Iloilo City

Key attractions in Western Visayas

• White Beach, Boracay
• Masskara Festival in Bacolod
• Ledesma Ruins, Talisay
• Dinagyang Festival of Ilo-ilo City

Central Visayas (Region 7)

• Consists of Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor
• Cebu City is the regional center, known as the Queen City of the South
• Served as the seat of the Catholic faith and was the site of the first battle against conquistadors
• Site of explorer Ferdinand Magellan's demise
• Accessible through Mactan-Cebu International Airport and domestic airports
• The region has inter-island vessels
• The region is known for Cebu Lechon and Bohol’s calamay and peanut kisses

Key attractions in Central Visayas

• Basilica Minore del Santo Nino de Cebu
• Sinulog Festival in Cebu City
• Panglao Island, Bohol
• Magellan’s Cross
• Beaches of Siquijor and Mactan
• Bantayan and Malapascua Islands
• Chocolate Hills of Bohol

Eastern Visayas (Region 8)

• Located on the easternmost side of the Philippine Islands facing the Pacific Ocean
• One of the wettest regions, mainly agricultural
• Natural resources from the sea
• Undiscovered by tourists
• Tacloban is the regional center

Key attractions in Eastern Visayas

• Sto. Nino Shrine and Heritage Museum
• San Juanico Bridge
• McArthur’s Landing

Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9)

• Located on the northwestern portion of Mindanao
• Located between the Sulu Sea
• Consists of Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga del Sur
• Formerly part of the Spanish East Indies
• The local dialect is known as Chavacano
• Rich in natural resources
• Tourism impacted by insurgencies in Mindanao

Key attractions in Zamboanga Peninsula

• Vintas (boats with colorful sails)
• White sand beaches of Zamboanga Sibugay
• Curacha crabs

Northern Mindanao (Region 10)

• Located west of the Zamboanga Peninsula
• Consists of five provinces, including Camiguin Island
• The regional center is Cagayan de Oro
• Mild climate with evenly distributed rainfall
• Unaffected by monsoons
• Bukidnon has a cold climate

Key attractions in Northern Mindanao

• White water rafting along the Cagayan River
• Pineapple plantations of Bukidnon
• White Island, Camiguin
• Sunken Cemetery, Camiguin
• Katibawasan Falls

Davao Region (Region 11)

• The main commercial and industrial center of Mindanao, centered on Davao City
• Encompasses Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Compostella Valley, and Davao Oriental
• Home to indigenous tribes
• Abundant natural resources
• Protected from storms due to its proximity to Mt. Apo

Key attractions in Davao Region

• Island Garden City of Samal beaches
• Davao Crocodile Park
• Philippine Eagle Center
• Camp Sabros, Davao del Sur
• Mount Apo National Park
• Hot springs of Compostella Valley
• Kadayawan sa Dabaw

Soccksargen (Region 12)

• An acronym for South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City
• Located in south central Mindanao
• Birthplace of Manny Pacquiao
• General Santos City and Sarangani are known for tuna exports
• Beaches and natural wonders, but limited tourism due to conflicts

Key attractions in Soccksargen

• Lake Sebu
• Gumasa Beach in Glan, Sarangani
• Baras Bird Sanctuary in Tacurong City

CARAGA Region (Region 13)

• Located at the northwestern portion of Mindanao, facing the Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Sea
• Siargao, Surigao del Norte is known as the Surfing Capital of the Philippines
• Features rivers, falls, forests, islands, and caves
• Agusan del Sur is home to the largest crocodile in captivity, Lolong

Key attractions in CARAGA Region

• Agusan Marsh
• Cloud 9, Siargao
• Enchanted River
• Hinagdanan Falls

Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)

• Predominantly Muslim region covering western Mindanao and the islands of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi
• Features beaches, mangrove forests, mountain springs, and waterfalls
• The people display a rich culture
• Discouraged by foreign governments to visit
• Includes terrorist and rebel groups Abu Sayaff and MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front)

Key highlights of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao

• Must take precautions and seek protection from authorities
• The Philippines is a paradise with no boundaries to what can be experienced