1. EXPLORING THE SOUTHERN LUZON

3. 3 Regions of Southern Luzon Region IV-A (CALABARZON) Region IV –B (MIMAROPA) Region V (BICOL REGION)

4. Region IV – A (CALABARZON) -Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal & Quezon

5. Area:16,228.6 km²

6. DEMOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of Feb 2009 by the NSO) Total Population (2007):11,743,110 Growth rate (2007):3.24 Population Projection (2000 Census-Based Provincial Projection): 2009 – 11,653,000 2010 – 11,904,100

7. LABOR & EMPLOYMENT (Based on Quickstat as of Feb 2009 by the NSO) Labor Force Participation Rate:63.2 Employment Rate:90.0 Unemployment Rate:10.0 Underemployment Rate:15.5 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2008 only

8. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY (Based on Quickstat as of Feb 2009 by the NSO) Manufacturing:1,547 Wholesale & Retail: 634 Education/Private Educ.: 460 Hotels & Restaurant: 387 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2005 only

10. HISTORY Cavite: from the Tagalog word kawit (hook); located on a hook-shaped peninsula Cavite Harbour: a center of shipbuilding during Spanish era Birthplace of the 1 st Phil. President (Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo) Cavite Mutiny (1872) – caused the faulty implication of GOMBURZA Cavite City (1901)– supply base for American Fleet

11. LOCATION Bordered to the north by the Manila Bay & Manila; Rizal & Laguna to the east; Batangas to the South; South China Sea to the west

12. MAIN SOURCE OF INCOME Agriculture (rice, vegetables, fruits) – due to fertile soil and abundant rainfall Fishing Tourism ECONOMY one of the fastest growing provinces in the country due to its close proximity to Metro ManilaMetro Manila Five SM Supermalls and three Robinsons malls are located in CaviteSM Supermalls Robinsons malls

13. DEMOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Total Population (2000): 2,063,161 Male – 1,019,820 Female – 1,043,341

14. GEOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Number of Cities: 3 Number of Municipalities: 20 Number of Barangays:829 Area: 1,297.6 km²

15. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Type of Business Micro:21,244 Small: 1,273 Medium: 130 Large: 151 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2002 only

16. Top 5 Agricultural Crops (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) PRODUCTION (metric tons) Palay56,888 Coconut40,260 Banana27,789 Sugarcane21,424 Corn 2,749 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2005 only

17. Top 5 Livestock (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Chicken2,191,953 Duck 34,145 Cattle 31,153 Goat 15,579 Carabao 4,427 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2005 only

18. What to see: What to see: Taal Volcano (smallest volcano in the world) & Lake Taal Puerto Azul Beach Resort (deluxe hotel) Top-of-the-line Golf Courses (e.g. Tagaytay Highlands) Mount Sea Hotel (standard hotel) The Manila Manor (standard hotel) Corregidor (no spectacular beaches)

20. HISTORY Birthplace of Dr. Jose Rizal Rizal-House, the house where Dr. Rizal was born is now a museum Old Churches were built during the Spanish era Sta. Cruz which is the province’s capital is an example of old Spanish colonial style

21. LOCATION Located in the center of CALABARZON (bordered by Rizal to the north; Quezon to the South; Sierra Madre Mountains to the east; Cavite & Batangas to the west) A landlocked province (no beaches) Terrain is generally flat Dominated by 2 massive volcanoes: Mount Makiling & Mount Banahaw Where forestry & agriculture colleges of UPLB & IRRI (Internt’l Rice Research Inst.) are located

22. GEOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Number of Cities: 1 Number of Municipalities: 13 Number of Barangays:188 Area:1,759.7 km²

23. DEMOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Total Population (2000): 1,707,218 Male – 856,860 Female – 850,358

24. ECONOMY Contributors: Natural Resources Agricultural Activities Financial Institutions Exports

25. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Type of Business Micro: 22,204 Small: 1,412 Medium: 58 Large: 64 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2002 only

26. Top 4 Agricultural Crops (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) PRODUCTION (metric tons) Palay37,581 Banana 3,472 Coconut 736 Corn 173 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2005 only

27. Top 5 Livestock (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Chicken4,796,969 Duck 85,340 Carabao 6,793 Cattle 3,778 Goat 1,485 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2005 only

28. What to see: Mount Makiling & Mount Banahaw Laguna de Bay (largest lake in the country) Pagsanjan Falls Hot Springs Jungle Golf Courses History (e.g. old churches built during the Spanish Era) Wild Rivers Remote Quiet Villages Other natural wonders & scenic spots (e.g. 7-crater lakes in San Pablo) Enchanted Kingdom & Splash Island (no beaches)

29. THREATS Fast increasing siltation in Laguna de Bay due to: - Continuing deforestation - Quarrying - Dumping of industrial & human waste Result: out of 20 indigenous fish-species, only 5 remain; fish-farming is affected

31. HISTORY 1950 - discovered by the 1 st conquistadores, Juan de Salcedo & Martin de Goiti Abundance of rivers & pastures delighted the Spaniards Cattle Country up to present 1750 – coffee bean from Mexico was introduced (source of fortunes to the rich & powerful in the province)

32. LOCATION Bordered to the west by the South China Sea; to the south by Verde Passage (separates Luzon from Mindoro); to the east by Quezon & Laguna; Cavite to the north Only 1 in the country w/ 2 oil refineries: Caltex (Phil.) Inc. & Pilipinas Shell Crops flourish due to rich volcanic soil Easy access to Puerta Galera (Mindoro) Batangas City – capital of the province Batangas Port - important port for sea-going & coastal vessels

33. GEOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Number of Cities: 3 Number of Municipalities: 31 Number of Barangays:1,078 Area: 3,165.8 km²

34. DEMOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Total Population (2000): 1,905,348 Male – 958,411 Female – 946,937

35. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Type of Business Micro: 19,829 Small: 1,295 Medium: 45 Large: 51 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2002 only

36. Top 5 Agricultural Crops (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) PRODUCTION (metric tons) Sugarcane 1,742,202 Coconut 133,001 Palay54,478 Banana 49,560 Corn 19,570 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2005 only

37. Top 5 Livestock (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Chicken6,110,054 Cattle 125,105 Duck 110,492 Goat 102,150 Carabao 34,325 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2005 only

38. What to see: Lake Taal & Taal Volcano Fine race horses Fantastic beaches (Matabungkay, Nasugbu) Calatagan Peninsula (most of its area is owned by rich Spanish mestizo family Zobel-Ayala) where Punta Baluarte is found Fortune Island (where the Dutch Adm. Olivier van Noort destroyed the Spanish fleet under Adm. Antonio de Morga) – this sunken ship was salvaged & now displayed in Manila Diving Sites (Anilao in Calumpan Peninsula & some sites near Maricaban Island) Challenging Golf Courses

40. HISTORY Named in honour of our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal

41. LOCATION Bordered to the north by Bulacan; Laguna de Bay to the South; nearest eastern neighbor to Manila; to the west lie the provinces of Laguna & Quezon Antipolo – capital of the province Has a unique diversity of landscape & economic activities due to: –Laguna de Bay (south) – important supplier of fish for Manila Markets –Sierra Madre (north) – rivers descending from it are used for drinking water for Metro Manila or for electricity generation in Central Luzon; foothills are ideal growing areas for fruits & vegetables for same markets

42. GEOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Number of Cities: 1 Number of Municipalities: 13 Number of Barangays: 188 Area: 1,308.9 km²

43. DEMOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Total Population (2000): 1,707,218 Male – 856,860 Female – 850,358

44. ECONOMY Contributors: –huge piggery estates owned by Manila-based families –farming in the northern towns –fishing predominates in the southern towns

45. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Type of Business Micro: 22,204 Small: 1,412 Medium: 58 Large: 64 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2002 only

46. Top 4 Agricultural Crops (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) PRODUCTION (metric tons) Palay37,581 Banana 3,472 Coconut 736 Corn 173 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2005 only

47. Top 5 Livestock (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Chicken4,796,969 Duck 85,340 Carabao 6,793 Cattle 3,778 Goat 1,485 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2005 only

48. What to see: Fantastic views of the Laguna de Bay & the Sierra Mountain ranges Icon of Our Lady of Peace & Good Voyage in the hillside shrine (carved out of Mexican wood, arrived from Mexico in 1626) Hinulugang Taktak The “art” town of Angono (homes of contemporary painters, Blanco & Miranda) Cordona – center of the milkfish culture Morong – famous for baroque church & belfry Tanay – beautiful waterfalls Excellent Golf Courses (no dive sites)

50. HISTORY Named after former President of the Commonwealth of the Phils. (Manuel L. Quezon) Buenavista – former name of Lucena City (1580) because of its scenic beauty; formerly a barrio of Tayabas Lucena – named in honor of friar Mariano Granja, native of Lucena, Andalucia, Spain; a center of guerrilla activities in World War II against Japanese Forces

51. LOCATION A huge province and has borders to the north with Aurora; Camarines Sur in the South; to the west is Aurora, Batangas, Bulacan, Laguna, Nva. Ecija & Rizal; to the west with Camarines Norte & Camarines Sur Northern part in extremely remote – has a depressed economy based on fishing & (illegal) logging Southern part has a booming economy based on agriculture, light industry and tourism Lucena City – capital of the province Can be reached (from Manila) by train apart from bus/car

52. GEOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Number of Cities: 1 Number of Municipalities: 13 Number of Barangays: 188 Area: 8,706.6 km²

53. DEMOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Total Population (2000): 1,679,030 Male – 758,350 Female – 724,605

54. ECONOMY Leading producer of coconuts Fishing

55. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Type of Business Micro: 17,581 Small: 735 Medium: 16 Large: 14 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2002 only

56. Top 4 Agricultural Crops (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) PRODUCTION (metric tons) Coconut 1,206,761 Palay135,722 Banana 39,837 Corn 39,448 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2005 only

57. Top 5 Livestock (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Chicken2,036,887 Duck 66,149 Carabao 64,306 Cattle 44,381 Goat 11,110 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2005 only

58. What to see: Northern wilderness (4/5 of the province) for adventurers & explorers; tourists can spot: – the endangered Philippine Eagle (with a little bit of luck) –Civet (a catlike carnivorous mammal and is slightly larger than a housecat) –Monkeys –Remote beaches –Virgin jungle –Indigenous tribes

59. What to see: Southern Part –Mt. Banahaw –Villa Escudera (old coconut plantation and a holiday resort) –Pahiyas Fiesta in Lukban –Sampaloc (a scenic town in the middle of coconut plantation) –Mauban (a small town located on a beautiful bay where the Quezon Power Plant, a coalfired power station, is located) –Pagbilao Grande & Pagbilao Chico (2 islands connected by a narrow sandy stretch; covered w/ tropical jungle and giant yucca plants) –Quezon Nat’l Park (where monkeys might steal your sandwich from the table)

60. THREATS Mt. Banahaw – for years the summit is the command port for the Mt. Banahaw Command of the Central Luzon section of the NPA, the armed wing of the CPP

61. Region IV – B (MIMAROPA) -Mindoro Oriental, Mindoro Occidental, Marinduque, Romblon & Palawan

63. DEMOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of Feb 2009 by the NSO) Total Population (2007):2,559,791 Growth rate (2007):1.49 Population Projection (2000 Census-Based Provincial Projection): 2009 – 2,941,400 2010 – 3,018,000 Area:27,456.1 km²

64. LABOR & EMPLOYMENT (Based on Quickstat as of Feb 2009 by the NSO) Labor Force Participation Rate:68.5 Employment Rate:96.6 Unemployment Rate: 3.4 Underemployment Rate:23.6 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2008 only

65. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY (Based on Quickstat as of Feb 2009 by the NSO) Wholesale & Retail: 43 Education/Private Educ.: 35 Electricity, Gas & Water: 20 Transport, Storage & Communiction: 20 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2005 only

66. HISTORY Mindoro is one of the larger Phil. Islands & has its name from the Spanish mina de oro (gold mine) – no gold in any substantial amount has been found yet Mangyans – original settlers (subdivided into 7 tribes; most well-known are the Hanunoos, who call themselves the ‘real Mangyans’)

68. LOCATION Faces the Batangas Province Occupies the eastern half of Mindoro island; bordered by Sibuyan Island & Romblon to the east; to the north is Batangas across the Verde Island Passage; the Semirara Islands of Antique to the south; Mt. Halcon to the west Calapan – provincial capital

69. GEOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Number of Cities: 1 Number of Municipalities: 14 Number of Barangays: 426 Area: 4,364.7 km²

70. DEMOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Total Population (2000): 681,818 Male – 346,510 Female – 335,308

71. ECONOMY relies on tourism and agriculture, especially fruits, for its income. 70% of the population is engaged in agriculture and fishing the remaining 30% engages in commercial and other livelihood means

72. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Type of Business Micro: 7,106 Small: 216 Medium: 5 Large: 3 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2002 only

73. Top 4 Agricultural Crops (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) PRODUCTION (metric tons) Palay289,782 Banana177,262 Coconut 118,965 Corn 804 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2005 only

74. Top 5 Livestock (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Cattle 813,405 Chicken 558,797 Carabao 45,838 Goat 28,185 Duck 12,109 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2005 only

75. What to see: Sanduguan Festival (1 st meeting of the Mangyans & the Chinese seafarers) Puerto Galera –beaches –barhopping –dive center –Golf course –Pan for gold in the hinterlands –Trek through virgin jungle –Naujan Lake (one of the largest fresh water in the country)

77. HISTORY Lubang Island group – northwest tip of Mindoro; where Lt. Hiroo Onoda, a Japanese fugitive from World War II was found hiding from the Allied Forces & did not know that the war was over.

78. LOCATION Occupies the western half of the island of Mindoro, on the west by Apo East Pass, and on the south by the Mindoro Strait; Oriental Mindoro is at the eastern half. The South China Sea is to the west of the province and Palawan is located to the southwest, across Mindoro Strait. Batangas is to the north, separated by the Verde Island Passage. MindoroMindoro Strait Oriental MindoroSouth China SeaPalawanMindoro Strait BatangasVerde Island Passage Mamburao – provincial capital

79. GEOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Number of Cities: 0 Number of Municipalities: 11 Number of Barangays: 162 Area: 5,879.9 km²

80. DEMOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Total Population (2000): 380,250 Male – 196,574 Female – 378,534

81. ECONOMY economic base is rice production Producer of other various agricultural products forest resources include timber and minerals no large industries in the province (biggest employer is the government, absorbing most of the off-farm labor force) Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (OMECO), is the biggest employer in the private sector

82. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Type of Business Micro: 8,260 Small: 634 Medium: 3 Large: 1 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2002 only

83. Top 4 Agricultural Crops (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) PRODUCTION (metric tons) Palay226,495 Corn 42,634 Coconut 8,872 Banana 2,871 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2005 only

84. Top 5 Livestock (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Chicken 558,797 Duck 76,523 Carabao 66,982 Goat 55,615 Cattle 17,943 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2005 only

85. Main Sources of Income farming fishing cattle raising

86. What to see: Lubang Islands – known for it’s bio- diversity; many of its animals are unique in the world; its flora and fauna developed completely on its own Tamaraw hunting (by camera only) – there are about 300 left in the wilderness of Mindoro Ilin Island – for trekking to the hinterlands Diving and snorkeling spots - Apo Reef, Pandan Island and Ilin Island.

88. HISTORY 1920 – became an independent province

89. LOCATION lies between Tayabas Bay to the north and Sibuyan Sea to the south. It is located south and west of Quezon, east of Mindoro, and north of Romblon.Tayabas BaySibuyan SeaQuezonMindoroRomblon Boac – provincial capital

90. GEOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Number of Cities: 0 Number of Municipalities: 6 Number of Barangays: 218 Area: 959.3 km²

91. DEMOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Total Population (2000): 217,392 Male – 109,680 Female – 107,712

92. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Type of Business Micro: 2,846 Small: 53 Medium: 2 Large: 1 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2002 only

93. Top 4 Agricultural Crops (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) PRODUCTION (metric tons) Coconut 142,567 Palay30,262 Banana 1,523 Corn 1,216 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2005 only

94. Top 5 Livestock (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Chicken 347,462 Carabao 25,967 Cattle 15,728 Goat 10,115 Duck 4,260 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2005 only

95. Sources of Income Agriculture (copra) Mining (iron ore, copper and gold) Tourism Handicrafts Fishing

96. What to see: Sandy beaches (e.g. Torrijos) Old churches (e.g. Sta. Cruz Church because of its original Spanish paintings and sculptures) Moriones Festival – during Holy Week Mt. Marlanga – dormant volcano Elephant Island – luxurious Japanese resort Tres Reyes (3 Kings) Islands – only Gaspar is permanently inhabited Bathala Caves – complex of 7 caves Malbog Hot Spring Susanna Hot Spring Resort Dive sites and golf courses

98. HISTORY was formerly called Lomlon (an act of a hen nesting to warm her eggs, based on the fact that when a Spanish soldier was ordered to ask the natives the name of the island and accidentally pointed to a place where a hen is nesting, the native answered lomlom, hence the misinterpretation) and later corrupted to the word Domblon.

99. LOCATION Lies south of Marinduque and Quezon, east of Mindoro, north of Aklan and Capiz, and west of MasbateMarinduqueQuezon MindoroAklanCapiz Masbate Often referred as the heart of the Philippines (links supply areas of Luzon, Visayas & Mindanao) Romblon is its provincial capital A small archipelago – 20 islands and islets Famous for its marble Dialects spoken – Romblomanon, Hiligaynon, Bantonanon (Asi) and Tagalog (Batangas) Belongs to the 20 poorest areas in the country

100. GEOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Number of Cities: 0 Number of Municipalities: 17 Number of Barangays: 219 Area: 1,355.9 km²

101. DEMOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Total Population (2000): 264,357 Male – 133,832 Female – 130,525

102. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Type of Business Micro: 1,866 Small: 86 Medium: 1 Large: 1 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2002 only

103. Top 4 Agricultural Crops (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) PRODUCTION (metric tons) Coconut 244,752 Palay31,242 Banana10,583 Corn 881 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2005 only

104. Top 5 Livestock (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Chicken 667,747 Cattle 26,099 Goat 22,936 Carabao 15,617 Duck 6,351 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2005 only

105. Main Sources of Income Agriculture (copra) Fishing

106. What to see: Fort San Andres and Fort Santiago Hill Mount Guiting-Guiting – difficult to climb due to the thick moss that covers the slopes; someone reached the top for the first time as recently as 1982 Lambigan Falls Lagting Falls Diving sites

108. HISTORY Paragua – old name of Palawan 1521 – survivors of Magellan’s expedition, after his death, passed in Paragua to replenish their food supply Named by Pigafetta as the Land of Promise Southern part was once part of Northern Borneo accdg. to some geologists (flora & fauna are unique) Proto-Malays from Borneo – believed to be the first inhabitants and probably migrated to Palawan via the Land-bridges during the ice- age (descendents are still around: Batak, Palawanon and Tagbanua Tribes)

109. LOCATION stretches from Mindoro to Borneo in the southwest. It lies between the South China Sea in the northwest and Sulu Sea in the southeast.MindoroBorneoSouth China SeaSulu Sea Puerto Princesa City – provincial capital

110. GEOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Number of Cities: 1 Number of Municipalities: 23 Number of Barangays: 432 Area: 17,030.75 km²

111. DEMOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Total Population (2000): 755,412 Male – 390,603 Female – 364,809

112. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Type of Business Micro: 4,874 Small: 221 Medium: 11 Large: 8 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2002 only

113. Top 4 Agricultural Crops (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) PRODUCTION (metric tons) Palay207,528 Coconut 151,994 Corn 48,626 Banana 11,437 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2005 only

114. Top 5 Livestock (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Chicken 1,033,471 Carabao 36,407 Goat 26,884 Duck 22,147 Cattle 21,271 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2005 only

115. Main Sources of Income Fishing (65% of the country’s fish supply comes from Palawan) Aquaculture (cultivated types of fish and crustaceans) Cattle growing Oil (Malampaya Gasfield owned by Shell Pilipinas) Minerals – rich in gold, nickel, phosphate, limestone, mercury, chromite, copper, iron, manganese, silica, quartz and marble

116. What to see: Unique fauna – Phil. mouse deer (Asia’s smallest hoofed animal), Palawan Mongoose, Hornbill, Bear Cat, Civet, Anteater, Porcupine, Flying Squirrel, Giant Sea Turtle and Palawan Peacock Pheasant Puerta Princesa Bay Palawan Museum Irawan Crocodile Farming Institute St. Paul’s Subterraneum National Park (underground river) Tabon Caves Brooke’s Point (watchtower)

117. What to see: El Nido (means paradise) Busuanga Island – wildlife park Diving spots

118. Region V (BICOL) -Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate & Sorsogon

120. DEMOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of October 2008 by the NSO) Total Population (2007):5,109,798 Growth rate (2007):1.23 Population Projection (2000 Census-Based Provincial Projection): 2009 – 5,604,600 2010 – 5,711,500 Area: 18,114 km²

121. LABOR & EMPLOYMENT (Based on Quickstat as of Feb 2009 by the NSO) Labor Force Participation Rate:64.7 Employment Rate:94.8 Unemployment Rate: 5.2 Underemployment Rate:31.2 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2008 only

122. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY (Based on Quickstat as of Feb 2009 by the NSO) Wholesale & Retail: 109 Education/Private Educ.: 106 Hotels & Restaurants: 60 Manufacturing: 53 ***data gathered are up to 2005 only

124. LOCATION borders Quezon to the west and Camarines Sur to the southQuezon Camarines Sur Northern half of what used to be Ambos Camarines Province Daet – capital of the province

125. GEOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of Jul 2007 by the NSO) Number of Cities: 0 Number of Municipalities: 12 Number of Barangays: 282 Area: 2,112.5 km²

126. DEMOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of Jul 2007 by the NSO) Total Population (2000): 470,654 Male – 241,388 Female – 229,266

127. Sources of Income Fishing Agriculture four major manufacturing and processing industries in the province are jewelry craft, gifts/toys/housewares, pineapple and coconut industry

128. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY (Based on Quickstat as of Jul 2007 by the NSO) Type of Business Micro: 4,629 Small: 174 Medium: 5 Large: 2 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2002 only

129. Top 4 Agricultural Crops (Based on Quickstat as of Sep 2007 by the NSO) PRODUCTION (metric tons) Coconut 208,889 Palay 66,379 Banana 8,016 Corn 813 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2005 only

130. Top 5 Livestock (Based on Quickstat as of Sep 2007 by the NSO) Chicken 451,318 Duck 30,018 Carabao 26,735 Cattle 7,608 Goat 6,042 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2005 only

131. What to see: Bagasbas Beach Lanot Mineral Springs Islands with sandy beaches snorkeling sites and sports fishing Malaguit & Labo Rivers (for gold panning) Golf Courses Good diving sites

133. LOCATION borders Camarines Norte and Quezon to the north, and Albay to the south. To the east lies the island province of Catanduanes across Maqueda ChannelCamarines NorteQuezonAlbay CatanduanesMaqueda Channel Lower part of what used to be Ambos Camarines Province Pili – capital of the province\ Dominated by 2 huge volcanoes: Mt. Isarog (dormant) & Mt. Iriga (active)

134. GEOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of Sep 2007 by the NSO) Number of Cities: 2 Number of Municipalities: 35 Number of Barangays: 1,063 Area: 5,266.8 km²

135. DEMOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of Sep 2007 by the NSO) Total Population (2000): 1,551,549 Male – 791,338 Female – 760,221

136. ECONOMY Agri-based, producing rice, corn, feedmeal, freshwater fish, livestock Entrepreneurs engage in trading

137. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY (Based on Quickstat as of Sep 2007 by the NSO) Type of Business Micro: 10,718 Small: 551 Medium: 17 Large: 17 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2002 only

138. Top 4 Agricultural Crops (Based on Quickstat as of Sep 2007 by the NSO) PRODUCTION (metric tons) Palay524,625 Coconut 362,263 Sugarcane215,537 Corn 52,243 Banana 32,369 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2005 only

139. Top 5 Livestock (Based on Quickstat as of Sep 2007 by the NSO) Chicken 3,673,077 Carabao 69,617 Duck 45,528 Goat 29,616 Cattle 13,136 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2005 only

140. What to see: Old Spanish Churches Quince Martires Monument (commemorates the 15 martyrs of Bicolandia) Peñafrancia Festival Mt. Isarog National Park Lake Buhi (home of the world’s smallest edible fishes, the simarapan & the tabios)

142. HISTORY Its name is derived from Ibal (trading center)

143. LOCATION borders the Camarines Sur to the north and Sorsogon to the south. Also to the northeast is Lagonoy Gulf leading to the Philippine Sea, and to the southwest is Burias PassCamarines SurSorsogonLagonoy Gulf Philippine Sea Burias Pass Dominated by the Mount Mayon & Legazpi City (for centuries is one of the most important port and trading center of the Philippines) Legazpi City – capital of the province

144. GEOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Number of Cities: 3 Number of Municipalities: 15 Number of Barangays: 720 Area: 2,552.6 km²

145. DEMOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Total Population (2000): 1,090,097 Male – 553,821 Female – 537,086

146. ECONOMY Agriculture is the main industryAgriculture Handicrafts is the major source of rural income Forestry and papermakingForestrypapermaking manufacture of abacá products Fishing Tourism Heavy manufacturing industries Transportation

147. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Type of Business Micro: 6,902 Small: 483 Medium: 13 Large: 12 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2002 only

148. Top 4 Agricultural Crops (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) PRODUCTION (metric tons) Coconut 183,246 Palay179,467 Sugarcane 68,525 Corn 31,629 Banana 12,051 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2005 only

149. Top 5 Livestock (Based on Quickstat as of Dec 2007 by the NSO) Chicken1,225,084 Duck 102,640 Carabao 47,596 Goat 15,304 Cattle 12,280 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2005 only

150. What to see:ourist Attractions Mayon Volcano (Daragang Magayon or Beautiful Maiden) - world’s most perfect cone Cagsawa Ruins – after Mayon’s eruption in 1814, the town of Cagsawa was buried under lahar (sticking out of the lahar is the church tower w/c was built in 1773) Hoyop-Hoyopan Caves – labyrinths & limestone caves Calabidong Caves – used as shelter from typhoons; contain artifacts from 4,000 BC Tiwi Hot Springs – energy source for the Tiwi-Tiwi Geothermal Power Plant Black Beaches – due to the volcanic nature of the area

151. Threats Mayon Volcano – its being active makes it a deadly volcano; erupts lethal gas which happens so often

153. LOCATION borders the province of Albay to the north. Sorsogon is at the tip of the Bicol Peninsula and faces the island of Samar to the southeast across the San Bernardino Strait and Ticao Island to the southwestAlbayBicol PeninsulaSamarSan Bernardino Strait Sorsogon City – capital of the province Dominated by Mt. Bulosan (central point of Sorsogon)

154. MAIN SOURCE OF INCOME Economic activity is highly concentrated in Sorsogon City & the towns of Bulan & Matnog Contributed 97% growth in investment for 1Q of 2008 despite the decrease of rice production & incessant rains With increasing tourism arrivals Agriculture (rice, corn & camote) Fishing (province is a peninsula) ECONOMY

155. GEOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of Jul 2007 by the NSO) Number of Cities: 1 Number of Municipalities: 14 Number of Barangays: 541 Area: 2,141.4 km²

156. DEMOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of Jul 2007 by the NSO) Total Population (2000): 650,535 Male – 334,844 Female – 315,691

157. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY (Based on Quickstat as of Jul 2007 by the NSO) Type of Business Micro: 3,179 Small: 121 Medium: 6 Large: 2 ***data gathered are up to yr. 2002 only

158. Top 4 Agricultural Crops (Based on Quickstat as of Jul 2007 by the NSO) PRODUCTION (metric tons) Coconut 243,436 Palay100,403 Banana 11,411 Corn 417 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2005 only

159. What to see: Mount Bulusan – 4 th most active volcano of the country Lake Bulusan Hot Springs in the foothill of Mt. Bulusan: –Masacrot Springs –Mateo Hot & Cold Springs Resort Rizal Beach

160. Threats Mount Bulusan – its being active Typhoons – May to December

162. LOCATION consists of three major islands: Masbate, Ticao and Burias.MasbateTicaoBurias lies exactly in the center of the Philippine archipelago north of the Visayas region. The main island looks like an arrowhead with its tip pointing north. Its southern portion encloses the Asid Gulf, while the Jintotolo Channel separates it from Panay Island. The Masbate Pass separates the two islands of Burias and Ticao from the main island of MasbateVisayas Masbate City – capital of the province

163. MAIN SOURCE OF INCOME Designated as first class province Meat Production (large herds & cattle due to its rolling hills & vast plains) Fishing Gold mining (one of the country’s leading producers; started in the 16 th century) ECONOMY

164. GEOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of May 2007 by the NSO) Number of Cities: 1 Number of Municipalities: 20 Number of Barangays: 550 Area: 4,047.7 km²

165. DEMOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of May 2007 by the NSO) Total Population (2000): 707,668 Male – 361,695 Female – 345,973

166. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY (Based on Quickstat as of May 2007 by the NSO) Type of Business Micro: 2,775 Small: 95 Medium: 3 Large: 1 ***data gathered are up to yr. 2002 only

167. Top 4 Agricultural Crops (Based on Quickstat as of May 2007 by the NSO) PRODUCTION (metric tons) Coconut 185,248 Palay81,112 Banana 3,025 Corn32,848 ***data gathered are up to 2005 only

168. What to see: Few caves, waterfalls and nice beaches Beautiful bays that offer sheltered anchorages for sailors

170. HISTORY Isla de Cobos (Island of Huts) – 1 st adopted name Catanduanes – derived from tandu (native beetle) & samdong tree which are abundant in the place

171. LOCATION lies to the east of Camarines Sur across Maqueda ChannelCamarines Sur Maqueda Channel The Land of the Howling Winds – averages 22 typhoons per year With thick mahogany forest cover Virac – capital of the province

172. MAIN SOURCE OF INCOME Agriculture Fishery Has great potential for tourism and mining (there are deposits of coal, silver, gold & copper but nothing is mined yet)

173. GEOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of Nov 2007 by the NSO) Number of Cities: 0 Number of Municipalities: 11 Number of Barangays: 315 Area: 1,511.5 km²

174. DEMOGRAPHY (Based on Quickstat as of Nov 2007 by the NSO) Total Population (2000): 215,356 Male – 109,515 Female – 105,841

175. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY (Based on Quickstat as of Nov 2007 by the NSO) Type of Business Micro: 1,104 Small: 58 Medium: 3 Large: 1 ***data gathered are up to yr. 2002 only

176. Top 4 Agricultural Crops (Based on Quickstat as of May 2007 by the NSO) PRODUCTION (metric tons) Palay 29,932.00 Coconut 2,244.00 Banana 1,364.00 Corn 165.00 Sugarcane 0.32 ***data gathered are up to 2005 only

177. Top 5 Livestock (Based on Quickstat as of Nov 2007 by the NSO) Chicken 306,682 Duck 14,262 Carabao 9,148 Cattle 2,713 Goat 1,584 ***data gathered are up to Oct 2005 only

178. What to see: Centuries old Spanish churches Ancient gate of Patnab Camposante Diving Sites Beaches in Puraran – rollers of the Pacific Ocean breaks on them (create excellent opportunities for surfers) Gold panning 18-hole Golf Course Fascinating beaches, immense forests, cascading waterfalls & deep ravines are still waiting to be discovered

179. Threats Typhoons – May to December