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, Bi�an, Cabuyao, Calamba, Calauan, Cavinti, Famy, Kalayaan- Longos, Liliw (Lilio), Los Ba�os, 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 10^th 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 17^th 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,Cuyonin

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 Cuyonin and Waray

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 1,700 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

No. of Municipalities: 14 (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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