Mindoro

• the seventh-largest island in the Philippines

•located off the coast of Luzon, and northeast of Palawan

•forms the northeastern extremum of the Sulu Sea

Brief History

• has been called Mai or Mait by Chinese

traders

• as Mina de Oro (meaning "gold mine") by

the Spaniards

• The island was once a single province from

1920 to 1950 when it was divided into its two

present-day provinces, Occidental

Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro.

Occidental MindoroIts capital is Mamburao and 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.

Climate:

• Occidental Mindoro has two distinct weather types: rainy season and dry season

• The months of August and September are the wettest period, with storms directly passing through the area.

• March and April are the driest period, with cloudless skies and parched earth characterizing the general area.

• Temperature range is from 26 °C (79 °F) in the windy uplands to 32 °C (90 °F) in the lowlands.

Languages:

• Tagalog

• Kamangyan

• English

Municipalities

MunicipalityNo. of

BarangaysArea(km²)

Population(2010)

Pop. density(per km²)

Income Class(2008)

Abra de Ilog 9 533.70 29,225 54.8 2nd Class

Calintaan 7 382.50 28,148 73.6 3rd Class

Looc 9 132.30 9,758 73.8 5th Class

Lubang 16 113.10 23,068 204 4th Class

Magsaysay 12 296.70 31,969 107.7 3rd Class

Mamburao 15 283.51 39,237 138.4 2nd Class

Paluan 12 564.50 15,223 27 3rd Class

Rizal 11 242.50 34,458 142.1 3rd Class

Sablayan 27 2,188.80 76,153 34.8 1st Class

San Jose 38 446.70 131,188 293.7 1st Class

Santa Cruz 11 681.40 34,544 50.7 1st Class

Where to go?

Apo Reef National Park

Found in Apo Island, Sablayan, the park dubbed as the diving mecca of the Philippines, is a 34 kilometer reef that has a narrow channel dividing the reef into two lagoon systems. Beneath the clear water of these

lagoons, divers can explore the fine white sand bottom with its colorful array of approximately 400 to 500 coral species. Almost 500 marine species, including a

variety of sharks, stingrays and manta rays, can also be spotted around the area. Bird watchers can visit the fascinating bird populated islands of Binangaan and Cajos del Bajo, which is also part of the Apo Reef

Marine Park.

Calawagan Mountain Resort

The resort’s main attraction is the Calawagan River, which has won the Cleanest Inland Body of Water award

several times. It also features natural and man-made pools, a hanging bridge, tree houses ad a natural rain

forest.

White Island

True to its name, this island has a mile long beach with divinely white and powdery smooth sand that makes it an

ideal site for lounging under the sun. Aside from vacationers who go for swimming, fishing and scuba

diving, the island is also a favorite nestling ground of turtles. Turtle eggs are often found buried in the sand,

and visitors are enjoined to leave these undisturbed.

Presing Park

The main attraction is the watchtower, which was constructed in 1861 and features a set of bells that were rung to warn the people of impending raids. The

cannon that was used to defend the town still stands at the promontry.

Tayamaan Beach

This one hectare-beach is lined with coconut tress and is a favorite swimming spot of the local residents.

Pandan Island

The home of pandan island resort,which features a beautiful stip of whitish-sand beach.the place is also

very ideal for picnics.

Ilin Island

The main atrraction of the island is the mina de orobeach which boats of a fine white-sand beach.fifteenminutes from the beach by boat is a cave,the entrance

to which you have to swim through if the tide high.

How to travel?

• Occidental Mindoro, 15 kilometers from the southwest coast ofLuzon, is accessible by sea and air. Flights from Manila to SanJose are available from Sunday to Friday and travel time isaround one hour. There are also chartered and commuter flightsfrom Manila to Lubang Island that take about 45 minutes.

• Travelers can likewise take a ferry from Batangas port to Abrade Ilog. Travel time takes about two and a half hours. From Abrade Ilog, there are air-conditioned vans plying the route toSablayan and San Jose.

Oriental Mindorotouted as the country's emerging eco-tourism destination

Brief History

• World War II wrought heavy damages, death and pain to the people of Mindoro.

• After the war, reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure and economy took place which ended with the division of the island into two provinces of Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro on June 13, 1950, by virtue of the Republic Act No. 505.

• the island continued to become one of the preferred areas of new settlers coming from the overpopulated provinces in the Philippines in search of the new land

• Since then new settlers have incessantly migrated to Mindoro until today.

Municipalities

• Baco• Bansud• Bongabong• Bulalacao• Gloria• Mansalay• Naujan• Pinamalayan• Pola• Puerto Galera• Roxas• San Teodoro• Socorro• Victoria

Where to go?

Aganahaw Island

The island has a wide expanse of beach with whitish sand . suitable for swimming and picnicking .

Buyayao Island

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 suited for deep-sea fishing. It is located off the coast of Mansalay, and can be reached in 30

minutes by motorized banca from Mansalay market.

Puerto Galera

Puerto galera is a popular destination among tourist, aside from the beautiful beaches ,the town also offers a number of tourist facilities . the waters are ideal for

scuba diving.

Bulalacao Beach

A local favorite,this beach is frequented for by excurssionist.

Naujan Lake National Park

This 79-square kilolometer,20-feet-deep is he largest in the province and the dwelling place of mindoro

crocodile,the banak and the simbal,it is now a wildlife sangtuaryhunting and fishing are supervised by the

natoinal park people.

Mount Halcon

The fourth highest point in the country rising 2,586 meters above sea level, this mountain is a favorite

among mountaineers , trekkers, and other nature lovers. Wild tamaraws still roam its forest.

END of Mindoro Province