Oriental Mindoro | |
|---|---|
      (From top: left to right)Puerto Galera,Lake Naujan,Mount Halcon,Puerto Galera white beach,Calapan andSabang Bay. | |
 Flag  Seal | |
| Anthem: Martsa ng Silangang Mindoro (Oriental Mindoro March) | |
 Location in the Philippines | |
OpenStreetMap  | |
| Coordinates:13°00′N121°25′E / 13°N 121.42°E /13; 121.42 | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Region | Mimaropa |
| Founded | November 15, 1950[1] |
| Capital and largest city | Calapan |
| Government | |
| • Type | Sangguniang Panlalawigan |
| • Governor | Humerlito "Bonz" A. Dolor (GSM) |
| • Vice Governor | Antonio S. Perez Jr. (MBS) |
| • Legislature | Oriental Mindoro Provincial Board |
| Area | |
• Total | 4,238.38 km2 (1,636.45 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 28th out of 81 |
| Highest elevation | 2,616 m (8,583 ft) |
| Population (2024 census)[3] | |
• Total | 919,504 |
| • Rank | 33rd out of 81 |
| • Density | 216.947/km2 (561.890/sq mi) |
| • Rank | 47th out of 81 |
| Demonyms |
|
| Divisions | |
| • Independent cities | 0 |
| • Component cities | |
| • Municipalities | |
| • Barangays | 426 |
| • Districts | Legislative districts of Oriental Mindoro |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (PHT) |
| IDD : area code | +63 (0)43 |
| ISO 3166 code | PH-MDR |
| Spoken languages | |
Oriental Mindoro (Tagalog:Silangang Mindoro), officially theProvince of Oriental Mindoro (Tagalog:Lalawigan ng Silangang Mindoro (Oriental Mindoro)), is aprovince in thePhilippines located on the island ofMindoro underMimaroparegion inLuzon, about 140 kilometres (87 mi) southwest ofManila. The province is bordered by theVerde Island Passage and the rest ofBatangas to the north, byMarinduque,Maestre de Campo (or known asSibale but official name isConcepcion) Island,Tablas Strait and the rest ofRomblon to the east, bySemirara and the rest ofCaluya Islands,Antique to the south, and byOccidental Mindoro to the west. Its provincial capitalCalapan, the only city in the island, is the most-populous in the province, and Mimaropa's regional center.
Oriental Mindoro is touted as the country's emerging eco-tourism destination. In 2005, the Philippines was found to be the center of marine fish biodiversity and the home of the most diverse marine ecosystem in the world,[4] by American biologists Kent Carpenter and Victor Springer. Most of theendemic species in the Philippines are found in the Verde Island Passage between Mindoro island and the main island of Luzon. The passage houses 2,983 individual species of algae, corals, crustaceans, mollusks, fishes, marine reptiles, and marine mammals, based on a study conducted by Carpenter and Springer in 2005.
UNESCO declaredPuerto Galera abiosphere reserve[5] under its Man and the Biosphere Programme in the 1970s. TheVerde Island Passage is at the apex of the so-calledCoral Triangle – the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia – which has the distinction of being the "center of the center of the world's marine biodiversity" and the "center of the center of marine shorefish biodiversity".
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AJapanese force landed on northeastern Mindoro in the Philippine Islands on 27 February 1942.
Almost three years later, after the invasion of Mindoro by Allied forces, they proceeded to land toBongabong and heading to and capturing Calapan, the capital of the unitedMindoro Province at the time on 24 January 1945.
AfterWorld War II, reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure and the economy took place on the island, which then constituted a single province. This was partitioned on 13 June 1950 into Oriental Mindoro andOccidental Mindoro by virtue ofRepublic Act No. 505.[6]
In the decades after the War, Mindoro attracted settlers from overpopulated provinces in the Philippines. Apart from the hope to become landowners or to have better tenancy conditions, theHukbalahap Rebellion inCentral Luzon was an important factor for migration. Under the settlement program of the National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Administration (NARRA) founded in 1954, families fromCentral Luzon were settled in the Bongabong-Pinamalayan area. This project ended in 1956 after 606 families (3,636 people) were settled on 8,600 hectares (21,000 acres) of public land. Since then, new settlers have continued to migrate to Mindoro until today.
On November 15, 1994, amagnitude 7.1 earthquake struck theVerde Island Passage located north of Oriental Mindoro, killing 69 people in the province, with most casualties due to the tsunami caused by the earthquake.[7] Within a year after the calamity, however, the provincial government under Governor Rodolfo G. Valencia was able to successfully rehabilitate the province in a brisk manner, and was thus conferred the Disaster Management Award by theNational Disaster Coordinating Council in July 1995.[8]
The island currently sees an ongoing conflict between theArmed Forces of the Philippines and insurgents. On March 6, 2010, eleven soldiers were killed and seven were hurt in a gun battle with theNew People's Army inMansalay, Oriental Mindoro.[9]
Oriental Mindoro covers a total area of 4,238.38 square kilometres (1,636.45 sq mi)[10] occupying the eastern section ofMindoro island inMimaropa region. The province is bordered by theVerde Island Passage to the north, byMarinduque,Maestre de Campo,Tablas Strait and the rest ofRomblon to the east, bySemirara and the rest ofCaluya Islands,Antique to the south, and byOccidental Mindoro to the west.
The western portion of the province is mountainous or rugged, while the east has hills and flood plains.Mount Halcon, standing 2,582 metres (8,471 ft) above sea level, is the 18th highest mountain in the country and is the province's and island's highest peak.Lake Naujan, the fifth largest lake in the country with an area of approximately 8,125 hectares (20,080 acres) of open water, is located in the northeastern part of the island and the province.
Oriental Mindoro comprises 14municipalities, with onecity,Calapan serving as the provincial capital.
Oriental Mindoro has no distinct wet or dry season. Average temperature ranges from 28 to 32 °C (82 to 90 °F). The province experiences maximum rainfall during the months of June to September. Relative humidity is registered at 87%.[12]
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1903 | 26,359 | — |
| 1918 | 43,738 | +3.43% |
| 1939 | 92,530 | +3.63% |
| 1948 | 124,556 | +3.36% |
| 1960 | 228,998 | +5.20% |
| 1970 | 328,364 | +3.67% |
| 1975 | 388,744 | +3.44% |
| 1980 | 446,938 | +2.83% |
| 1990 | 550,049 | +2.10% |
| 1995 | 608,616 | +1.91% |
| 2000 | 681,818 | +2.46% |
| 2007 | 735,769 | +1.06% |
| 2010 | 785,602 | +2.41% |
| 2015 | 844,059 | +1.38% |
| 2020 | 908,339 | +1.56% |
| 2024 | 919,504 | +0.29% |
| Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[11][13][14][15] | ||
The population of Oriental Mindoro in the 2020 census was 908,339 people,[3] with a density of 210 inhabitants per square kilometre or 540 inhabitants per square mile.
The province is largely rural, with 70% of the population engaged in agriculture and fishing and with only 30% living in urban centers.
Tagalog andEnglish are widely spoken in the province. Tagalog is usually spoken withBatangas dialect both due to its geographical contact withBatangas and Batangueño residents in the province, although it has been greatly influenced by the nativeMangyan andVisayan languages, creating another unique dialect. Other languages spoken areIlocano,Bicolano,Kapampangan,Maranao,Maguindanaon,Tausug andCebuano, to varying degrees by their respective communities within the province. Dialects of theMangyan language are Arayan, Alagnan, Buhid, Hanunoo, and Tadyawan.[16] People from the southern part can understandHiligaynon andKaray-a due to its closeness facingPanay.
A very large portion of the population are ofRoman Catholic conviction (81%).[17] OtherChristian andIslamic beliefs constitute most of the remaining religious affiliations in the province. Other populations practiceindigenous Philippine folk religions,animism, oratheism.
The indigenous people of Oriental Mindoro are theMangyans (Manguianes inSpanish,Mañguianes inOld Tagalog), consisting of seven distinct tribes. They occupy the interior, especially the highlands. Mangyans have inhabited the island since pre-history. They are believed to have originally traveled from Indonesia and settled down for good on the island.
Oriental Mindoro's rich and arable land is suitable for agriculture. It produces large quantities ofrice,corn,coconut,vegetables andfruits likecalamansi,banana, rambutan,marang oruloy, lanzones anddurian. For that, Oriental Mindoro is also known as theRice Granary andFruit Basket of Southern Tagalog. It still is theBanana King and Calamansi King of the region. Its total agricultural area is 169,603.34 hectares (419,099.0 acres). Based on agricultural statistics, 85,244 hectares (210,640 acres) are devoted topalay production while 21,671 hectares (53,550 acres)s to coconut plantation. For 2019, the province has been one of the top producers of rice becoming a source of rice for theNational Food Authority's rice procurement target.[26]
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Access from Luzon via the Batangas ports mostly goes through theVerde Island Passage to reachPuerto Galera, the key entry point to Oriental Mindoro. In November 2004, Puerto Galera was voted a member of the UNESCO-affiliated ‘The Club of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World. Puerto Galera features a natural harbor which also protects ships, yachts andbancas from strong typhoons sweeping in from the Pacific.
Puerto Galera, known for its white sand beaches and the accompanying honky tonk bar scene on some key beaches, is known for its dive sites with a biodiversity of marine life in and around the coral reefs. Underwater rock formations and coral gardens are home to a variety of marine life, which include numerous species ofnudibranch,mantis shrimp,sea anemone, moray and sea fan sea horses. The seas off the coast are host to passing dolphin pods and even the rarerwhale shark, and are part of the migratory small whale route from theVisayas.
Towering 8,488 feet (2,587 m) above sea level,Mount Halcon inBaco, is a popular mountain climbing destination. Local and migratory birds allow birdwatching activities. The province is home to endemic wildlife like thetamaraw, a straight-horned water buffalo.
Other tourist destinations include:
The attraction consists of a natural spring with a swimming pool and picnic cottages. It is located in Baco, and can be reached in 45 minutes by taking a jeepney bound for the Calapan market.
The island measures 5 ha and is noted for its white sand. The place serves as the breeding place of seagulls and turtles. Corals and oysters can be found all around the area. The island is also called "Target Island" because Americans used the island for bombing practice in 1946. It is located in Baco, and can be reached in an hour through a motorizedbanca from the market square.
It is a rocky island, except for the area facing Buyayao Peninsula. Big snakes called "sobre kama" are found in the mountains. The water around the island is suitable for deep-sea fishing. It is located off the coast of Mansalay, and can be reached in 30 minutes by motorizedbanca from Mansalay market.
This is a public beach with cottages and other facilities. It is a favorite place for the local people, especially during the summer. It is located in Suqui, Calapan, and can be reached in 15 minutes by taking a tricycle from the town proper.
The place is a good spot for picnicking and swimming, especially during the summer. It is located in Pili, Pinamalayan, and can be reached by taking a jeepney to the port of Barangay Wawa, then an hour's ride by motorized banca to the beach.
It is a secluded beach, with a 2-kilometre (1.2 mi) white sand beach. It is located in Bongol, Pinamalayan, and can be reached in two hours by boarding a Bongol-bound jeepney from the town proper of Pinamalayan and then a tricycle to the beach area.
The 423-foot (129 m) waterfalls, situated alongside the road, are actually a series of asymmetrical falls, leading to the grand one, dropping to a frothy waterbed below. The cascading waterfalls are a great attraction to passers-by. Tamaraw Falls is located in Barangay Villaflor, Puerto Galera. It can be reached in two hours by taking a jeepney bound for Barangay Villaflor from Puerto Galera, or Calapan.
An ideal place for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. There are a number of resorts that offer accommodation and other travel and aqua sports facilities to both domestic and international tourists. It is located in La Laguna, Puerto Galera, and can be reached in 30 minutes from the town proper of Puerto Galera by taking a jeepney bound for La Laguna.
This area is ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. A cluster of nightspots abound in this area, which makes it popular for evening socials. Cottages with entertainment facilities stand close to each other. Low-budget accommodations are available. It is located east of Puerto Galera, and can be reached in 15 minutes from the Puerto Galera pier by taking a jeepney or an outrigger banca.
Contrary to its name, Small La Laguna is bigger than La Laguna, and has more facilities. It has coral reefs, and its water is ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving. There are diving equipment for rent at nearby dive shops. It is located beside Sabang Beach, and can be reached in 20 minutes from the pier by taking a jeepney bound for Sabang.
This area is not as busy as the other beaches in Puerto Galera. Thus, it is an ideal site for private swimming. It is located in Puerto Galera, and can be reached in 40 minutes by taking a jeepney or an outrigger boat from the town pier.
The white sandy strips of this beach offer excellent opportunities for swimming. Resorts in this area provide entertainment facilities for tourists' greater amusement and leisure. It is located in Barangay San Isidro, Puerto Galera, and is accessible in 30 minutes from the town proper by a jeepney or a boat.
This beach is far from the busy areas of Puerto Galera; thus, it is ideal for those who seek privacy and retreat. It is located in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, and can be reached by taking a 10-minute jeepney ride from the town proper, to about one kilometer on the beach mark. The remaining distance is covered on foot.
It is a beige-colored sandy beach with cottages for rent. It is located in Roxas, Oriental Mindoro, and can be reached in 10 minutes by a banca from the pier.
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Higher education institutions in the province:[27]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
Media related toOriental Mindoro at Wikimedia Commons
Geographic data related toOriental Mindoro atOpenStreetMapPlaces adjacent to Oriental Mindoro | |
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 Province ofOriental Mindoro | |
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Calapan (capital and largest city) | |
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| Component city | |
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