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AURORA
Transformation of Aurora from its former category as
a sub-province (part of Quezon province) to a new
province came in a plebiscite held on May 20, 1979 when
more tan 99 percent voted for province-hood status.
From an economic viewpoint, Aurora is purely
agriculture-based. However, it has industrial potentials
because of its mineral deposits, the extent of which is
still to be explored. It also has potentials for
developing into one of the principal fish-producing
provinces of the country.
Size-wise, Aurora is larger than the provinces of
Batangas, Laguna, Ilocos Norte, and Siquijor.
Former Name: Bondo (1814 to 1935)
Land Area: 3,239.6 square kilometers
Capital: Baler
Population: 107,145 (1980)
Principal Dialects: Tagalog
Income Classification: Fifth Class Province
No. of Cities: None
No. of Municipalities: 8 (Baler, Casiguran,
Dilasag, Dinalongan, Dingalan, Dipaculao, Maria Aurora,
and San Luis)
No. of Municipal Districts: None
Topography: The province has a verdant and
rugged terrain.
No. of Principal Rivers: 3 (with Quezon)
No. of Mountains: 26 (with Quezon)
Climate: Characterized by the absence of a dry
season with a pronounced maximum rainfall occurring From
October to January. The position of the province exposes
it to typhoons that batter the country.
Average Annual Rainfall: 111.56 inches
Principal products/crops: copra and rice
Industries: Fishing and buntal hat weaving
Mineral Resources: Gold, coal, limestone and
silica
Forest Resources: Timber
Tourist Attractions: Cape Encanto Point, and a
number of coves and beaches
Governor: Eunice G. Cucueco
Congressman: Benedicto G. Miran
BATANGAS
Batangas was one of the eight provinces which revolted
against Spain; hence, it was placed under law by Gov.
Gen. Ramon Blanco on August 30, 1896. The province has
large forest areas in the highlands. Lumbang oil, used
in making paints and varnishes, is obtained from the
seeds of the lumbang trees which thrive in these forest.
American civil government was established in Batangas on
May 2, 1901 and again on July 4, 1902.
Former Name: “Bonbon” or “Balayan” and “Taal”
Land Area: 3,165.8 square kilometers
Capital: Batangas City
Population: 1,174,201 (1980)
Principal Dialect: Tagalog
Income Classification: First Class Province
No. of Cities: 2 (Batangas and Lipa)
No. of Municipalities: 32 (Agoncillo, Alitagtag,
Balayan, Balete, Bauan, Calaca, Calatagan, Cuenca, Ibaan,
Laurel, Lemery, Lian, Lobo, Mabini, Malvar, Mataas na
Kahoy, Nasugbu, Padre Garcia, Rosario, San Jose, San
Juan, San Luis, San Nicolas, San Pascual, Santa Teresita,
Santo Tomas, Taal, Talisay, Tinauan, Taysan, Tingloy,
and Tuy)
No. of Municipal Districts: None
Topography: The province which is elevated down
toward the west, south and southwest coasts. It is
characterized by highlands.
No. of Principal Rivers: 7( some of which are
Malaking Ilog, Malitlit, Munting Tubig, and Rosario)
No. of Mountains: 5
Climate: Dry season from November to April and
wet during the rest of the year. Heaviest rainfall is
from July to August. The coldest month is January; the
warmest months are April and May.
Average Annual Rainfall: 85.66 inches
Principal products/crops: Rice, sugarcane,
coconut, corn, banana, mandarin, orange, and coffee
Industries: Fishing, farming and weaving (embroidery)
Mineral Resources: Copper, ore, lead, clay and
limestone
Forest Resources: Timber and lumbang oil
Tourist Attractions: Taal Volcano and Lake,
Matabungkay Beach Resort, Talisay Beach, Butong Beach,
Laiya, Batulao Beach and the Calatagan resort (Punta
Baluarte)
Governor: Vicente A. Mayo
Congressman: Conrado Apacible, Hernando B. Perez,
Milagros L. Trinidad, Jose Calingasan
CAVITE
Cavite province, where the first Philippine flag was
unfurled and the national anthem first played, is
traditionally called “the cradle of Philippine freedom.”
It was here, in 1872, that an event leading to the
execution of the three-martyr-priests, Fathers Gomez,
Burgos and Zamora, took place fanning in consequence the
embers of Filipino nationalism.
Rich in history, Cavite has, however, been rather slow
in catching up with the times. It is, in fact what might
be called “the slumbering province.” In 1942, about
18,000 Cavitenos still spoke chabacano. Also, in spite
of the advent of electricity, jeepneys, and a refinery
in Rosario, Cavite remains very much as it was before
World War II.
Former Name: None
Land Area: 1,287.6 square kilometers
Population: 771,320 (1980)
Principal Dialect: Tagalog
Income Classification: Second Class Province
No. of Cities: 3 (Cavite, Tagaytay and Trece
Martires
No. of Municipalities: 20 (Alfonso, Amadeo,
Bacoor, Carmona, Dasmarinas, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo (Bailen),
Gen. Mariano Alvarez, Gen. Trias, Imus Indang, Kawit,
Magallanes, Maragondon, Mendez-Nunez, Naic, Noveleta,
Rosario, Silang, Tanza, and Ternate)
No. of Municipal Districts: None
Topography: Its terrain is characterized by
rolling hinterlands punctuated by hills where upland
crops grow in abundance. The shoreline fronting Manila
Bay is at sea level. The only rugged portion of the
province is at the boundary of Batangas where the Dos
Picos mountains are located.
No. of Principal Rivers: 2
No. of Mountains: 2 (Mt. Dos Picos and Mt. Tala)
Climate: Dry season from December to April and
rainy season from May to November.
Average Annual Rainfall: 77.2 inches
Principal products/crops: Rice, sugarcane,
coconut, coffee, banana and peanuts
Industries: Fishing, salt making and chemical
manufacturing (major industries)
Mineral Resources: Salt
Forest Resources: Timber and rattan
Tourist Attractions: The municipality of Alfonso
where traditional customs such as “Palaro”, and
“Santacruzan” are held, the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit,
and the Lake Taal and Taal volcano, which are visible
from different lodges.
Governor: Juanito R. Remulla
Congressman: Leonardo L. Guerrero, Renato P.
Dragon, George A. Nunez
LAGUNA
Laguna and its people hade figured prominently in
Philippine history. The province is one of the oldest
settlements in the country where the Spaniards found
densely populated settlements along the Laguna de Bay
coasts, inland lakes and its many rivers. The Aetas,
after them, the Dumagats, first sttled in Laguna before
they were displaced by the Tagalogs.
Laguna was one of the first eight provinces that rose
against Spain. The province is also known as the
birthplace of Dr. Jose Rizal, the country’s national
hero.
Today, Laguna which is famous for its Pagsanjan and
Botocan Falls, is the center of scientific agriculture
research in the Philippines.
Former Name: None
Land Area: 1,759.7 square kilometers
Capital: Cruz
Population: 973,104 (1980)
Principal Dialect: Tagalog
Income Classification: First Class Province
No. of Cities: 1 (San Pablo)
No. of Municipalities: 29 ( Alaminos, Bay, Biñan,
Cabuyao, Calamba, Calauan, Cavinti, Famy, Kalayaan-
Longos, Liliw (Lilio), Los Baños, Luisiana, Lumban,
Mabitac, Magdalena, Majayjay, Nagcarlan, Paete, Pagsajan,
Pakil, Pangil, Pila, Rizal, San Pedro, Santa Cruz, Santa
Maria, Santa Rosa, Siniloan, and Victoria)
No. of Municipal Districts: None
Topography: Characterized by a series of dormant
volcanoes alternating with gently rolling and level
plains. There are several mountains here, most famous of
which are Mt. Makiling, and Mt. Banahaw.
No. of Principal Rivers: 7 (Balanac, Lumban,
Mabacan, Malaunod, Mayor, Sta. Cruz and Sta. Maria)
No. of Mountains: 10 (Makiling, Banahaw and San
Cristobal among others)
Climate: The eastern portion has more or less
evenly distributed rainfall throughout the year. A small
portion in the southern boundary has no pronounced
seasons although it is relatively dry from November to
April and wet during the rest of the year. The rest of
Laguna is dry from November to April and wet the rest of
the year.
Average Annual Rainfall: 100.3 inches
Principal products/crops: Coconut, rice,
sugarcane and corn
Industries: Fishing, livestock and poultry
raising
Mineral Resources: Copper and iron ore
Forest Resources: Timber
Tourist Attractions: Sampaloc Lake, Dona Leonilla
Park, UP College of Agriculture, the Mount Makiling
National Park, Pagsajan Falls, Hidden Valley, National
Arts Center, National Botanical Garden, La Laguna
Encantada, Cielito Lindo, Underground Cemetery in
Nagcarlan, and the hidden valley springs in Caliraya.
Governor: Felicisimo T. San Luis
Congressman: Nereo R. Joaquin, Joaquin M. Chipeco
Jr., Florante L. Aquino, Magdaleno M. Palacol
MARINDUQUE
Rich in religious heritage, Marinduque formerly
belonged to the Archdiocese of Manila. However, when the
secular priest stationed in Boac died in 1821,
Archbishop Miguel Garcia Serrano entrusted its spiritual
care to the Jesuits who later founded the first three
towns of Boac, Sta. Cruz and Gasan.
Marinduque was created on May 1, 1901 when Act. No. 125
of the US-Philippine Commission was passed.
Legend, however, has a different version of how the
island of Marinduque was formed. Heart-shaped,
Marinduque was formed as a consequence of a tragic love
affair between a girl named Marin and her lover Garduke.
Because Datu Batumbacal, Marin’s father, disapproved of
the affair, he ordered the beheading of Garduke. But
before this could be done, the pair sailed out to sea
and drowned themselves. The island that rose from the
waters was named Marinduque.
Former Name: Malandik and Marindoc
Land Area: 959.2 square kilometers
Capital: Boac
Population: 173,715 (1980)
Principal Dialect: Tagalog
Income Classification: Fourth Class Province
No. of Cities: None
No. of Municipalities: 6 (Boac, Buenavista, Gasan,
Mogpog, Santa Cruz and Torrijos)
No. of Municipal Districts: None
Topography: The province has several rivers, and
its terrain is flat in the towns of Boac, Mogpog, Gasan
and a portion of Buenavista. The land becomes rugged
towards the central spine.
No. of Principal Rivers: 3 (Boac River is the
largest
No. of Mountains: 3
Climate: Dry season from December to May, and
rainy season from June to November. The province is
frequently visited by typhoons.
Average Annual Rainfall: 70.99 inches
Principal products/crops: Rice, copra, corn and
cassava
Industries: Mining and agriculture
Mineral Resources: Gold, copper, silver and iron
Forest Resources: Timber
Tourist Attractions: The Bathala Caves, Banot
beach in Gasan, the Tres Reyes Islands (Melchor, Gaspar,
Baltazar), the Malbog sulphur hot springs in Buenavista,
and the Moriones Festival, celebrated during Holy Week.
Governor: Luisito M. Reyes
Congressman: Carmencita O. Reyes
OCCIDENTAL MINDORO
Native to the island of Mindoro is the Mangyan tribe.
Intensive settlement during the Spanish and American
eras has produced a population of migrants from other
provinces, including Muslims from Mindanao and Sulu.
As early as the 10th century, the natives of Mindoro
were trading extensively with Chinese merchants. In a
document dated 1226 A.D., Chau-Ju-Jua, a Chinese
historian, mentions Mindoro and refers o the island as
“Mai”.
Spanish expeditions come to tame the land as early as
1570, particularly the areas known as Mamburao and
Lubang.
Former Name: Mait and Mina de Oro
Land Area: 5,879.8 square kilometers
Capital: Mamburao
Population: 222,431 (1980)
Principal Dialect: Tagalog
Income Classification: Fourth Class Province
No. of Cities: None
No. of Municipalities: 11 (Abra de Ilog,
Calintaan, Looc, Lubang, Magsaysay, Mamburao, Paluan,
Rizal, Sablayan, San Jose, and Santa Cruz)
No. of Municipal Districts: None
Topography: Its terrain is marked by successive
mountain ranges intermittent valleys and elongated
plateaus. There are also rolling prairie lands along the
coastal region.
No. of Principal Rivers: 2
No. of Mountains: 19 (Mt. Baco is the highest)
Climate: Dry season from November to May, and
rainy season from June to October.
Average Annual Rainfall: 93.18 inches
Principal products/crops: Rice, coconut, fruits
and rootcrops.
Industries: Fishing (major industry), logging
lumbering and cattle raising
Mineral Resources: Iron, chromite, copper, gypsum
and coal
Forest Resources: Timber
Tourist Attractions: Pagbahan River, White
Island, Busuanga River and Tayamaan Cove
Governor: Pedro Medalla Jr.
Congressman: Mario Gene J. Mendiola
ORIENTAL MINDORO
In the early years, Mindoro was administered as a part
of the province of Bonbon, now Batangas. It was
separated at the start of the 17th century and organized
into a corregimiento with Puerto Galera as the capital.
During the Philippine Revolution of 1896, the
revolutionary forces in Mindoro established a government
until 1901 when the American forces occupied the
province.
The island of Lubang, formerly a part of Cavite, was
annexed to Mindoro on June 23, 1902. Mindoro was made a
part of Marinduque when the latter was organized into
regular province. Five years later, Mindoro was
organized into a special province. It was mad a regular
province under Act. No. 2964 approved on February 20,
1921. On June 13, 1950, Mindoro was split into two
provinces under Republic Act No. 205.
Former Name: Mait and Mina de Oro
Land Area: 4,364.7 square kilometers
Capital: Calapan
Population: 446,938 (1980)
Principal Dialect: Tagalog
Income Classification: Second Class Province
No. of Cities: None
No, of Municipalities: 15 ( Baco, Bansud,
Bongabong, Bulalakao-San Pedro, Calapan, Gloria,
Mansalay, Naujan, Pinamalayan, Pola, Puerto Galera,
Roxas, San Teodoro, Socorro, and Victoria)
No. of Municipal Districts: None
Topography: There are several mountains in the
northern and western portions of Oriental Mindoro. Just
off the north coast is the Verde Island Passage, which
divides the Verde Island into north and south passes.
Soquicay Bay provides the best typhoon refuge on the
coast.
No. of Principal Rivers: 1
No. of Mountains: 15 (Mt. Halcon is the highest)
Climate: Rainy season from June to October and
dry season from November to May.
Average Annual Rainfall: 85.11 inches
Principal products/crops: Coconut, fruits,
coffee, vegetables and abaca
Industries: Logging and lumbering (major
industries), livestock and poultry raising, and
weaving.
Mineral Resources: Copper, gold, and marble
Forest Resources: Timber
Tourist Attractions: The Bangkuro Church (a
church within a church), Lazarete Wharf, and the beaches
in Balete, Aganahaw, and Puerto Galera.
Governor: Benjamin I. Espiritu
Congressman: Rodolfo G. Valencia, Jesus M.
Punzalan
PALAWAN
Palawan, which is the country’s largest province, has
three historical forts. Fort Culion built in 1740, Fort
Cuyo in 1680, and Fort Labo in 1719, were all
constructed by the Augustinians to ward off Muslim
Raiders.
Palawan has the richest fishing grounds in the country.
But still another important source of income for many
people of the province is the gathering of edible bird’s
nests. Highly prized as a delicacy, edible bird’s nests
are gathered from caves and cliffs in certain areas of
the province.
Palawan has several exciting natural wonders. Among them
are the wonderful Tabon caves in Quezon Island, Ursula
Island in Brooke’s Point, and the Palawan Beach Resort.
There are also groups of rare animals found in the
province.
Former Names: Calamianes and Paragua
Land Area: 14,896.3 square kilometers
Capital: Puerto Princesa City
Population: 371,782 (1980)
Principal Dialect: Tagalog and Cuyonan
Income Classification: Second Class Province
No. of Cities: 1 (Puerto Princesa)
No. of Municipalities: 21 (Aborlan, Agutaya,
Araceli, Balabac, Batarasa, Brooke’s Point, Busuanga,
Cagayancillo, Coron, Cuyo, Dumaran, El Nido, Kalayaan
Island, Linapacan, Magsaysay, Narra, Marcos, Quezon,
Roxas, San Vicente, and Taytay)
No. of Municipal Districts: None
Topography: Palawan is a frontier country noted
for its wild life. The island has rugged mountains
running its entire length, with ridges visibly higher on
its southern side. Peaks range from 1,000 to 1,900
meters. Along the east and west coasts are heavily
forested rolling plains. Rivers and streams characterize
the eastern section. The most unusual of these is the
Underground River flowing under limestone rocks for
about seven kilometers. Except for a few which admit
flat-bottomed crafts, there are no navigable rivers.
No. of Principal Rivers: 1
No. of Mountains: 47
Climate: The entire western coastal region had
two distinct seasons: dry from April to September and
wet the rest of the year. The eastern coast has a
pronounced dry season from April to June, and wet the
rest of the year. Calm months are from April to June on
the northern and southern portions (the southern areas
are practically free from typhoons while the northern
areas are buffeted with gales and torrential rains from
July to August).
Average Annual Rainfall: 63.28 inches
Principal products/crops: Rice, coconut, banana, corn,
vegetables, rootcrops, and fruits
Industries: Logging (main industry), fishing and
gathering of edible bird’s nests
Mineral Resources: Copper, manganese, mercury and
chromite
Forest Resources: Edible bird’s nests, rare
animals and plants, and timber
Tourist Attractions: The noted Underground River,
Canigaran beach, Iwahig Penal Colony, the Tabon Caves in
Quezon Island, Ursula Island in Brooke’s Point, and the
Palawan Beach Resort.
Governor: Victoriano J. Rodriguez
Congressman: David A. Ponce de Leon, Ramon V.
Mitra
QUEZON
Quezon, which was explored by the Spaniards in 1571 and
1572, was the site of many sporadic rebellions, the most
notable of which was that led by Apolinario de la Cruz.
Later called “Hermano Pule”, de la Cruz was not allowed
to join a Spanish monastic order. The founding of his
own religious society resulted in a rebellion.
Succeeding at first, Hermano Pule proclaimed himself
king of the Tagalogs.
The establishment of a civil government in the province
took place during the American Occupation in 1901. On
September 7, 1946, President Manuel L. Roxas, by the
virtue of Republic Act No. 14, renamed Tayabas to Quezon,
in honor of Manuel L. Quezon who came from the town of
Baler (formerly a part of Quezon).
Former Names: Kalilaya and Tayabas
Land Area: 8,706.7 square kilometers
Capital: Lucena City
Population: 1,129,277 (1980)
Principal Dialect: Tagalog
Income Classification: First Class Province
No. of Cities: 1 (Lucena)
No. of Municipalities: 40 (Agdangan, Alabat,
Atimonan, Buenavista, Burdeos, Calauag, Candelaria,
Catanauan, Dolores, General Luna, General Nakar,
Guinayangan, Gumaca, Infanta, Jumalig, Lopez, Lucban,
Macelelon, Mauban, Mulanay, Padre Burgos, Pagbilao,
Panukulan, Patnanungan, Perez, Pitogo, Plaridel, Polillo,
Quezon, Real, Sampaloc, San Andres, San Antonio, San
Francisco, San Narciso, Sariaya, Tagkawayan, Tayabas,
Tiaong and Unisan)
No. of Municipal Districts: None
Topography: There are small coastal lowlands rimmed by
rugged highlands in the interior of the province. The
Sierra Madre Range runs along the entire length of
Quezon. Several islands are part of the province, the
largest of which is Polillo Island.
No. of Principal Rivers: 5
No. of Mountains: 26
Climate: Characterized by the absence of a dry
season, the pronounced rainy period occurs from October
to January. The position of the province exposes it to
the annual typhoons affecting the country.
Average Annual Rainfall: 111.56 inches
Principal products/crops: Coconut, corn, banana,
vegetables and rootcrops
Industries: Logging and fishing
Mineral Resources: Gold, coal, limestone and
silica
Forest Resources: Timber
Tourist Attractions: The Landlocked bays of Padre
Burgos, Perez Park, Dalahican Beach, Quezon Memorial
Park, and Balesin and Jomalig Bay Resorts.
Governor: Eduardo T. Rodriguez
Congressman: Wilfredo L. Enverga, Bienvenido O.
Marquez Jr., Oscar F. Santos
RIZAL
Rizal, once an Aeta territory, is the only province
which can really be considered as fully industrialized.
Most of the country’s biggest corporations operate
within the province. Its proximity to Manila has enabled
its people to gain access to latest social, cultural and
educational developments. Also as a direct result of its
nearness to Manila, Rizal has become the most urbanized
provinces in the country.
The old province of Rizal was originally made up of the
military district of Morong (one of its present towns)
and a part of what was then the province of Manila.
Rizal was created by the Americans under the Provincial
Organization Act No. 1901. Under the Act, the Province
of Rizal comprised 19 towns of the politico-military
district of Morong. The province was named after the
national hero Jose Rizal.
Former Name: Morong or Moron (Rinconada de Morong)
Land Area: 1,308.9 square kilometers
Capital: Pasig (although a part of Metro Manila)
Population: 555,533 (1980)
Principal Dialect: Tagalog
Income Classification: Second Class Province
No. of Cities: None
b14 (Angono, Antipolo, Baras, Binangonan, Cainta,
Cardona, Jalajala, Morong, Pililla, Rodriguez, San
Mateo, Tanay, and Teresa)
No. of Municipal Districts: None
Topography: The eastern portion of Rizal is composed of
gently rolling hills broken only by a few ridges, while
the western part is low and flat.
No. of Principal Rivers: 2 (Marikina and Pasig)
No. of Mountains: 36
Climate: Dry season from November to April and
wet the rest of the year.
Average Annual Rainfall: 58.83 inches
Principal products/crops: Rice
Industries: Manufacturing and fishing
Mineral Resources: Cement, marble, limestone and
feldspar
Forest Resources: Timber
Tourist Attractions: The town of Antipolo,
Daranac Waterfalls, and Montalban Dam
Governor: Reynaldo San Juan
Congressman: Francisco S. Sumulong, Sr., Egmidio
S. Tanjuatco Jr.
ROMBLON
The province of Romblon, better known for its marble
quarries was organized into a politico-military
comendencia by the Spanish colonial government in 1853.
During the Philippine-American War, Filipinos captured
the province and held it until the establishment of
civilian rule by the Americans. The islands remained a
sub-province of Capiz until 1917 when it was created as
an independent province.
The earliest inhabitants of the province were said to be
the Negritos from Panay and the Mangyans from Mindoro.
Today, Romblon’s population is made up of several
ethno-linguistic groups. The majority are descendants of
the seafaring Malays who settled on the island of Panay.
Former Names: Lomlon and Donblon
Land Area: 1,355.9 square kilometers
Capital: Romblon
Population: 193,174 (1980)
Principal Dialect: Hilagaynon
Income Classification: Fifth Class Province
No. of Cities: None
No. of Municipalities: 17 ( Alcantara, Banton
(Jones), Cajidiocan, Calatrava, Concepcion, Corcuera,
Ferrol, Imelda, Looc, Magdiwang, Odiongan, Romblon, San
Agustin, San Andres, San Fernando, San Jose, and Santa
Fe)
No. of Municipal Districts: 1 (Calatrava)
Topography: Tablas, the largest island of Romblon,
is about 70 kilometers long and 17 kilometers wide, with
a continuous rolling plain on the west and an alluvial
plain that reaches the sea on the east. Another island
is the kidney-shaped Sibuyan
island. Sibuyan is a mountain mass marked by thick
forests.
No. of Principal Rivers: 1 (Catingas)
No. of Mountains: 10
Climate: Although open to the northwest monsoon,
Romblon is partly sheltered from the northern and trade
winds. It has no pRonounced maximum rain period but has
a dry season from one to three months.
Average Annual Rainfall: 90 inches
Principal products/crops: Rice, rootcrops, corn,
vegetables, fruits, coconut, and sugarcane
Industries: Logging (major industry), fishing,
timber operations, and production of food crops.
Mineral Resources: Marble, zinc, copper, silver,
limestone, sulfide ore, and pyrite.
Forest Resources: Timber
Tourist Attractions: Bonbon Beach, Festin’s
Treehouse and the Fort of San Andres in Romblon town.
Governor: Jose N. Madrid
Congressman: Natalio M. Beltran, Jr.
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