Palawan

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This article is about the Philippine province. For other uses, see Palawan (disa
mbiguation).
Palawan
Province
Flag of Palawan
Flag Official seal of Palawan
Seal
Nickname(s): Philippine's Last Frontier[citation needed]; The Land of the Promis
e[citation needed]; Alaska of South East Asia[citation needed]
Map of the Philippines with Palawan highlighted
Map of the Philippines with Palawan highlighted
Coordinates: 1000?N 11850?ECoordinates: 1000?N 11850?E
Country Philippines
Region MIMAROPA (in transition[1][2])
Founded 1818
Capital Puerto Princesa
Government
Type Province of the Philippines
Governor Jose C. Alvarez (NPC)
Vice Governor Victorino Dennis M. Socrates (NUP)
Area[3]
Total 14,649.73 km2 (5,656.29 sq mi)
Area rank 1st out of 81
Excludes Puerto Princesa
Population (2010)[4]
Total 771,667
Rank 32nd out of 81
Density 53/km2 (140/sq mi)
Density rank 80th out of 81
Excludes Puerto Princesa
Demonym Palaweo
Divisions
Independent cities 1
Component cities 0
Municipalities 23
Barangays 367
including independent cities: 433
Districts 1st to 3rd districts of Palawan (shared with Puerto Princesa Cit
y)
Time zone PHT (UTC+8)
ZIP Code 5300 to 5322
Dialing code 48
ISO 3166 code PH-PLW
Spoken languages Tagalog, Cuyonon, Hiligaynon, Tausug, Batak, Tagbanwa (A
borlan, Calamian, Central), Palawano, Kagayen, Bikol, English
Website www.palawan.gov.ph
Palawan (Tagalog pronunciation: [p??lawan]), officially the Province of Palawan
(Filipino: Lalawigan ng Palawan), is an island province of the Philippines that
is located in the MIMAROPA region. It is the largest province in the country in
terms of total area of jurisdiction. Its capital is Puerto Princesa City, but it
is governed independently from the province.
The islands of Palawan stretch from Mindoro in the northeast to Borneo in the so
uthwest. It lies between the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea. The province is n
amed after its largest island, Palawan Island (0930?N 11830?E), measuring 450 kilo
metres (280 mi) long, and 50 kilometres (31 mi) wide.[5][6]
Contents [hide]
1 Geography
1.1 Climate
1.2 Subdivisions
1.3 Region
1.4 Geology
2 History
2.1 Ancient times
2.2 Classical Period
2.3 Spanish period
2.4 American rule
2.5 Japanese invasion
2.5.1 The Palawan Massacre
2.5.2 Liberation
3 Demographics
3.1 Religion
3.1.1 Roman Catholicism
3.1.2 Protestantism and other groups
3.1.3 Non-Christian religions
3.2 Language
4 Economy
5 Flora and fauna
6 Attractions
6.1 Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary
6.2 Coron Reefs, Coron Bay, Busuanga
6.3 El Nido Marine Reserve Park
6.4 Malampaya Sound Land and Seascape Protected Area
6.5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
6.6 Ursula Island
7 Infrastructure
7.1 Transportation
7.2 Security
7.3 Communication
7.4 Health facilities
7.5 Utilities
7.5.1 Electricity
7.5.2 Water facilities
8 Education
9 Media
9.1 Radio
9.2 Television
9.3 Print media
10 See also
11 References
12 External links
Geography[edit]
Palawan is composed of the long and narrow Palawan Island, plus a number of othe
r smaller islands surrounding the main island. The Calamianes Group of Islands t
o the Northeast consists of Busuanga Island, Coron Island and Culion Island. Dur
angan Island almost touches the westernmost part of Palawan Island, while Balaba
c Island is located off the southern tip, separated from Borneo by the Balabac S
trait. In addition, Palawan covers the Cuyo Islands in the Sulu Sea. The dispute
d Spratly Islands, located a few hundred kilometres to the west, are considered
part of Palawan by the Philippines, and is locally called the "Kalayaan Group of
Islands".
Palawan's almost 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) of irregular coastline are dotted w
ith roughly 1,780 islands and islets, rocky coves, and sugar-white sandy beaches
. It also harbors a vast stretch of virgin forests that carpet its chain of moun
tain ranges. The mountain heights average 3,500 feet (1,100 m) in altitude, with
the highest peak rising to 6,843 feet (2,086 m)[6] at Mount Mantalingahan. The
vast mountain areas are the source of valuable timber. The terrain is a mix of c
oastal plain, craggy foothills, valley deltas, and heavy forest interspersed wit
h riverine arteries that serve as irrigation.[5]
Climate[edit]
The province has two types of climate. The first, which occurs in the northern a
nd southern extremities and the entire western coast, has two distinct seasons s
ix months dry and six months wet. The other, which prevails in the eastern coast
, has a short dry season of one to three months and no pronounced rainy period d
uring the rest of the year. The southern part of the province is virtually free
from tropical depressions but northern Palawan experiences torrential rains duri
ng the months of July and August. Summer months serve as peak season for Palawan
. Sea voyage is most favorable from March to early June when the seas are calm.
The average maximum temperature is 31 degrees C with little variation all year.[
5]
Subdivisions[edit]
Political map of Palawan
Palawan consists of 367 barangays in 23 municipalities, and two congressional di
stricts that divide the province into north and south portions. Thirteen municip
alities are considered as mainland municipalities, and these are, Aborlan, Narra
, Quezon, Sofronio Espaola, Brooke's Point, Rizal, and Bataraza (located south);
San Vicente, Roxas, Dumaran, El Nido, and Taytay (found in the north). The remai
ning island municipalities are: Busuanga, Coron, Linapacan and Culion (forming t
he Calamianes group of islands), Cuyo, Agutaya and Magsaysay (the Cuyo group of
islands), Araceli, Cagayancillo, Balabac and Kalayaan (Spratly Islands). The cap
ital, Puerto Princesa is a highly urbanized city that governs itself independent
ly from the province, but it usually grouped with the province for statistical a
nd geographic purposes.
It has a total land area of 14,896 square kilometer (km2), When Puerto Princesa
City is included for geographical purposes, the province's land area is 17,030.7
5 square kilometres (6,575.61 sq mi).[3] The land area is distributed to its mai
nland municipalities, comprising 12,239 km, and the island municipalities, which
altogether measure 2,657 km. On the average, each municipality has an area of 620
km. On the other hand, the island municipality of Cuyo (4,003 km) ranks largest i
n terms of municipal waters. On the latter, the mainland municipality of Sofroni
o Espaola has the smallest marine area with only 485 km.
The largest municipalities are situated in the central and northern mainland, an
d they are: Taytay (1,390 km), and Roxas (1,220 km). On the contrary, the smallest
local government units are the island municipalities of Cagayancillo (15.40 km),
Magsaysay (27.70 km) and Cuyo (57.30 km). All 24 local government units have 431
barangays as of June 2002.
Municipality Location No. of
Barangays Area
(km)[7] Population
(2010)[8] Pop. density
(per km) Income class[7]
Aborlan Mainland 19 807.33 32,209 39.9 1st class
Agutaya Island 10 37.31 11,906 319.1 5th class
Araceli Island 13 204.30 14,113 69.1 4th class
Balabac Island 20 581.60 35,758 61.5 2nd class
Bataraza Mainland 22 726.20 63,644 87.6 1st class
Brooke's Point Mainland 18 1,303.40 61,301 47 1st clas
s
Busuanga Island 14 392.90 21,358 54.4 3rd class
Cagayancillo Island 12 26.39 7,116 269.6 6th class
Coron Island 23 689.10 42,941 62.3 1st class
Culion Island 14 499.59 19,543 39.1 3rd class
Cuyo Island 17 84.95 21,847 257.2 4th class
Dumaran Mainland 16 435.00 21,397 49.2 3rd class
El Nido Mainland 18 923.26 36,191 39.2 1st class
Kalayaan Island 1 290.00 222 0.8 5th class
Linapacan Island 10 195.44 14,180 72.6 5th class
Magsaysay Island 11 49.48 11,965 241.8 5th class
Narra Mainland 23 831.73 65,264 78.5 1st class
Puerto Princesa
(only geographically within province) Mainland 66 2,381.02
222,673 93.5 1st class
Quezon Mainland 14 943.19 55,142 58.5 1st class
Rizal Mainland 11 1,256.47 42,759 34 1st class
Roxas Mainland 31 1,177.56 61,058 51.9 1st class
San Vicente Mainland 10 1,462.94 30,919 21.1 1st clas
s
Sofronio Espaola Mainland 9 473.91 29,997 63.3 2nd class
Taytay Mainland 31 1,257.68 70,837 56.3 1st class
Region[edit]
In 2001, the residents of Palawan voted in a plebiscite to reject inclusion into
an expanded Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.[9]
On 17 May 2002, Executive order No. 103 divided Region IV into Region IV-A (CALA
BARZON) and Region IV-B (MIMAROPA), placing the province of Palawan into MIMAROP
A.[10]
On 17 May 2002, Executive order No. 103 divided Region IV into Region IV-A (CALA
BARZON) and Region IV-B (MIMAROPA), placing the province of Palawan into MIMAROP
A.[10]
On 23 May 2005, Executive Order No. 429 directed that Palawan be transferred fro
m Region IV-B to Region VI.[1] However, Palaweos criticized the move, citing a la
ck of consultation, with most residents in Puerto Princesa City and all municipa
lities but one preferring to stay with Region IV-B. Consequently, Administrative
Order No. 129 was issued on 19 August 2005 that the implementation of EO 429 be
held in abeyance pending approval by the President of its implementation Plan.[
2] The Philippine Commission on Elections reported the 2010 Philippine general e
lection results for Palawan as a part of the Region IV-B results.[11] As of 30 J
une 2011, the abeyance was still in effect and Palawan remained a part of MIMARO
PA.[3]
Geology[edit]
The crust of northeast Palawan was derived from the Eurasian Plate of mainland C
hina. It is the exposed portion of a microcontinent that drifted southward with
the opening of the South China Sea. This microcontinent also forms the shallow w
ater north of Palawan in the Reed Bank-Dangerous Grounds area of the southern So
uth China Sea. Some of the oldest rocks of the Philippines are found in northeas
t Palawan (Permian-Carboniferous age). Southwest Palawan exposes primarily ophio
litic material (rocks derived from uplifted oceanic crust and mantle). This ocea
nic material appears to have been thrust upon the continental crust. The transit
ion from "oceanic" ophiolite in the southwest to "continental"-type rocks in the
northeast occurs in the area of central Palawan around Ulugan Bay. In the Dalry
mple Point area, on the east side of Ulugan Bay, are several exposures showing t
hat the Palawan ophiolite has been thrust on to the continent-derived clastic ro
cks ("Sabang thrust").
Specific rock types in the "continental" northeast, include clastic rocks (sands
tones and mudstones). Good exposures of these rocks types can be found on the ma
in road running along the southern coast east of Puerto Princesa all the way up
to Malampaya Sound. These rocks probably formed the continental shelf, rise, slo
pe or even deeper marine deposits on the southeast margin of China prior to the
opening of the South China Sea. These rock units were deformed as they collided
with the Cagayan arc-subduction zone. They underwent polyphase deformation with
observable transposed foliations and at least 3 phases of folding. The rocks are
largely metapelites (metamorphic rocks derived from mudstones) and metapsammite
s (derived from sandstones) metamorphosed at low metamorphic grade where the mud
stones have been transformed to slates and phyllites.
The Palawan Trough is an area of deeper water adjacent to the north coast of Pal
awan in the South China Sea.[12]
Further north, around the Malampaya Sound area and up to the El Nido area, one f
inds deep marine chert and limestone. Based on the structure of these sedimentar
y units, it is thought that they formed part of an accretionary prism on the sou
theast margin of China at a time when that part of China was an Andean-type plat
e margin (an ocean-continent subduction zone). The chert and limestone were scra
ped off of an oceanic plate and accreted to the margin of China (again, prior to
the opening of the South China Sea). Some of the limestones are also thought to
be of olistostromal origin (i.e., they formed in shallow water but were transpo
rted to deeper water by submarine slides).
Coron Island.
It is interesting to note that the spectacular karst limestones in the St. Paul
area and El Nido area that Palawan is somewhat famous for, are of different orig
in and age. The limestones in the St. Paul National Park east of Ulugan Bay (whe
re the famous Underground River is located) are relatively young. Based on their
fossil content they are assigned an Oligocene-Miocene age (~30 to 15 million ye
ars old). These younger limestones formed largely as reef structures on the bit
of continental crust that drifted south from China during the opening of the Sou
th China Sea. These are the same limestones that host most of the oil and gas th
at is being extracted offshore in the South China Sea. In contrast, the limeston
es in the El Nido area are largely Permian in age (~300-250 million years old).
They are related to the karst limestones of Vietnam and China.
Intruding these rocks in central Palawan (Cleopatra's Needle area) and northern
Palawan (Mount Capoas or Kapoas area) are young granite bodies (true granite to
granodiorite) of Miocene age (13-15 million years old based on zircon and monazi
te U-Pb dating). In the Taytay area of northern Palawan, a young basaltic cinder
cone is another manifestation of young magmatic activity. The granitic magmatis
m and basaltic magmatism are both expressions of what has been identified as a w
idespread post-South China Sea spreading magmatism that has affected many areas
around the South China Sea. Hydrothermal activity associated with mercury minera
lization near Puerto Princesa is yet another sign of recent magmatic-hydrotherma
l activity. Surprisingly though, Palawan is relatively "quiet" in terms of seism
ic activity. Very few moderate-sized earthquakes are recorded in the area in con
trast to the rest of the Philippines east of Palawan which are very seismically
active.
Tectonically, Palawan with the Calamian Islands, is considered to be a north-eas
t extension of the Sunda Plate, in collision with the Philippine Mobile Belt at
Mindoro.
History[edit]
The history of Palawan (means Kapalawan in Meranau) may be traced back 22,000 ye
ars ago, as confirmed by the discovery of bone fragments of the Tabon Man in the
municipality of Quezon. Although the origin of the cave dwellers is not yet est
ablished, anthropologists believe they came from Borneo. Known as the Cradle of
Philippine Civilization, the Tabon Caves consist of a series of chambers where s
cholars and anthropologists discovered the remains of the Tabon Man along with h
is tools and a number of artifacts.[5]
Ancient times[edit]
Waves of migrants arrived in the Philippines by way of land bridges between Born
eo and Palawan. From 220 up to 263 AD, during the period of the Three Kingdoms,
"little, dark people" living in Anwei province in South China were driven South
by Han People. Some settled in Thailand, others went farther south to Indonesia,
Sumatra, Borneo. They were known as Aetas and Negritos from whom Palawan's Bata
k tribe descended.[13] Other tribes known to inhabit the islands such as the Pal
awano and Tagbanwa, are also descendants of the early settlers, who came via ice
-age land bridges. They had a form of indigenous political structure developed i
n the island, wherein the natives had their non-formal form of government, an al
phabet, and a system of trading with sea-borne merchants.[14]
In AD 982, ancient Chinese traders regularly visited the islands.[13] A Chinese
author referred to these islands as Kla-ma-yan (Calamian), Palau-ye (Palawan), a
nd Paki-nung (Busuanga). Pottery, china and other artifacts recovered from caves
and waters of Palawan attest to trade relations that existed between Chinese an
d Malay merchants.[14]
Classical Period[edit]
In the 12th century, Malay settlers, who came on boats, began to populate the is
land. Most of the settlements were ruled by Malay chieftains. These people grew
rice, ginger, coconuts, sweet potatoes, sugarcane and bananas. They also raised
pigs, goats and chickens. Most of their economic activities were fishing, farmin
g, and hunting by the use of bamboo traps and blowguns. The local people had a d
ialect consisting of 18 syllables.[14] They were followed by the Indonesians of
the Majapahit Empire in the 13th century, and they brought with them Buddhism an
d Hinduism.[15]
Because of Palawan's proximity to Borneo, southern portions of the island was un
der the control of the Sultanate of Brunei for more than two centuries, and Isla
m was introduced. During the same period, trade relations flourished, and interm
arriages among the natives and the Chinese, Japanese, Arab, Hindu. The inter-mix
ing of blood resulted to a distinct breed of Palaweos, both in physical stature a
nd features.[14]
Spanish period[edit]
Taytay, the capital of Province of Calamianes in 1818 (Spanish Palawan)
After Ferdinand Magellan's death, remnants of his fleet landed in Palawan where
the bounty of the land saved them from starvation. Antonio Pigafetta, Magellan's
chronicler named the place "Land of Promise."[13]
The northern Calamianes Islands were the first to come under Spanish authority,
and were later declared a province separate from the Palawan mainland. In the ea
rly 17th century, Spanish friars sent out missions in Cuyo, Agutaya, Taytay and
Cagayancillo but they met resistance from Moro communities. Before 18th century,
Spain began to build churches enclosed by garrisons for protection against Moro
raids in the town of Cuyo, Taytay, Linapacan and Balabac. In 1749, the Sultanat
e of Brunei ceded southern Palawan to Spain.[14]
In 1818, the entire island of Palawan, or Paragua as it was called, was organize
d as a single province named Calamianes, with its capital in Taytay. By 1858, th
e province was divided into two provinces, namely, Castilla, covering the northe
rn section with Taytay as capital and Asturias in the southern mainland with Pue
rto Princesa as capital. It was later divided into three districts, Calamianes,
Paragua and Balabac, with Principe Alfonso town as its capital. and During the S
panish colonization of the Philippines, Cuyo became the second capital of Palawa
n from 1873 to 1903.
American rule[edit]
In 1902, after the Philippine-American War, the Americans established civil rule
in northern Palawan, calling it the province of Paragua. In 1903, pursuant to P
hilippine Commission Act No. 1363, the province was reorganized to include the s
outhern portions and renamed Palawan, and Puerto Princesa declared as its capita
l.[14]
Many reforms and projects were later introduced in the province. Construction of
school buildings, promotion of agriculture, and bringing people closer to the g
overnment were among the priority plans during this era.[14]
Japanese invasion[edit]
The Palawan Massacre[edit]
U. S. Army personnel toiled to identify the charred remains of Americans capture
d at Bataan and burned alive on Palawan. 20 March 1945
Main article: Palawan Massacre
During World War II, in order to prevent the rescue of prisoners of war by the a
dvancing allies, on 14 December 1944, units of the Japanese Fourteenth Area Army
(under the command of General Tomoyuki Yamashita) herded the remaining 150 pris
oners of war at Puerto Princesa into three covered trenches which were then set
on fire using barrels of gasoline. Prisoners who tried to escape the flames were
shot down.[16] Others attempted to escape by climbing over a cliff that ran alo
ng one side of the trenches, but were later hunted down and killed. Only 11 men
escaped the slaughter and between 133 and 141 were killed.
The massacre is the basis for the recently published book Last Man Out: Glenn Mc
Dole, USMC, Survivor of the Palawan Massacre in World War II by Bob Wilbanks, an
d the opening scenes of the 2005 Miramax film, The Great Raid. A memorial has be
en erected on the site and McDole, in his eighties, was able to attend the dedic
ation.
Liberation[edit]
During the first phase of the Battle of Leyte Gulf, just off the coast of Palawa
n, two United States Navy submarines, USS Dace (SS-247) and USS Darter (SS-227)
attacked a Japanese cruiser task force led by Admiral Takeo Kurita, sinking his
flagship (in which he survived) Atago, and her sister ship Maya. Darter later ra
n aground that afternoon and was scuttled by USS Nautilus (SS-168).
The island was liberated from the Japanese Imperial Forces by a task force consi
sting of Filipino and American military personnel between February 28 and April
22, 1945.
Demographics[edit]
Population census of Palawan
Year Pop. % p.a.
1990 436,140
1995 510,909 +3.22%
2000 593,500 +3.04%
2007 682,152 +2.01%
2010 771,667 +4.20%
Excluding Puerto Princesa City
Source: National Statistics Office[4]
Further information: Tribes of Palawan
Based on the 2010 census, the population of the province excluding the independe
nt Puerto Princesa City is 771,667 persons, or 994,340 including Puerto Princesa
.[4]
The province is a melting pot of 87 different cultural groups and races who live
together in peace and harmony. Basically, its culture bears a strong influence
from China, India and the Middle East. Influx of migrants from other parts of th
e Philippines, particularly from Muslim Mindanao, accounts for the high populati
on growth rate of 3.98% annually. The native-born Palaweos still predominate the
populace. Eighteen percent is composed of cultural minority groups such as the T
agbanwa, Palawano, Batak, and Molbog.
Religion[edit]
Roman Catholicism[edit]
Main article: Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Princesa
The predominant religion in Palawan is Roman Catholicism. Although there are man
y Roman Catholic parishes in Puerto Princesa City, the number of Catholic faithf
uls are too scarce for it to be considered a full-fledged diocese. One of the re
ligious orders that had a significant mission in the islands is the Order of Aug
ustinian Recollects.
The island of Palawan is divided into two Apostolic Vicariates: the Apostolic Vi
cariate of Puerto Princesa in Southern Palawan and the Apostolic Vicariate of Ta
ytay in Northern Palawan.
Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Protestantism and other groups[edit]
Several Baptist and other Protestant denominations have a strong presence on Pal
awan as do the Church of the Foursquare Gospel in the Philippines, and the Seven
th-day Adventists. Charismatic groups such as Jesus is Lord (JIL) and the Life C
hurch (formerly known at the Life Renewal Center).
The Members Church of God International popularly called Ang Dating Daan establi
shes three church districts namely Coron, Northern Palawan and Southern Palawan
which signifies strong membership in the province.
Other Christian denominations including the indigenous Iglesia ni Cristo has man
y local congregations in the province.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day S
aints, the United Church of Christ in the Philippines or (UCCP), the Jesus Mirac
le Crusade, the Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ or PMCC as well as the I
glesia Filipina Independiente (Philippine Independent Church or Aglipayan Church
) which is standing as one diocese (The Diocese of Palawan). Jehovah's Witnesses
have an active membership of 181,236 in the Philippines as of 2012. Special pio
neers from the Witnesses have been preaching to prisoners at the Iwahig penal co
lony in Palawan, and were permitted to build a small Kingdom Hall right on the p
remises.[17]
Non-Christian religions[edit]
There are Buddhists - mainly Vietnamese refugees who settled in Palawan, as well
as some ethnic Chinese Buddhists. One notable Vietnamese Buddhist Temple in Pal
awan is Cha V?n Php.[18]
Most of the ethnic minorities such as Batak and Tagbanwa are animists, but many
have become Christians (usually Protestant) or have joined other sects.
Language[edit]
Spoken languages in Palawan
Languages percentage
Filipino (Tagalog)
?
50%
Cuyonon
?
27%
Hiligaynon (Ilonggo)
?
9.6%
Palawano
?
4%
There are 52 languages and dialects in the province, with Tagalog being spoken b
y more than 50 percent of the people. Other languages are Cuyonon (26.27 percent
), Palawano (4.0 percent), and Hiligaynon (9.6 percent).
Economy[edit]
Palawan's economy is basically agricultural. The three major crops are palay, co
rn and coconut. Mineral resources include nickel, copper, manganese, and chromit
e. Logging is also a major industry. Palawan has one of the richest fishing grou
nds in the country. About 45% of Manila's supply of fish comes from here. Having
natural gas reserves of approximately 30,000 trillion cubic feet, the province
is the only oil-producing province in the country.[19][20] In addition, tourism
is also a thriving sector.
Pearl diving used to be a significant economic activity for Palawan until the ad
vent of plastics.[citation needed] The world's largest pearl, the 240 millimetre
s (9.4 in) diameter Pearl of Lao Tzu, was found off Palawan in 1934.
The economic and agricultural business growth of province is at 20% per annum.[2
0] Coconut, sugar, rice, lumber, and livestock are produced here.[6]
Flora and fauna[edit]
A Palawan Peacock-Pheasant
Unlike most of the Philippines, Palawan is biogeographically part of Sundaland,
with a fauna and flora related to that found in Borneo.[21]
Among the many endemic species are the Palawan Peacock-pheasant, Philippine Mous
e-deer, Philippine Pangolin and Palawan Bearded Pig. In the forests and grasslan
ds, the air resonates with the songs of more than 200 kinds of birds. Over 600 s
pecies of butterflies flutter around the mountains and fields of Palawan, attrac
ted to some 1500 hosts plants found here. Endangered sea turtles nest on white s
and beaches.[22] Dugong numbers have fallen seriously, although Palawan still ha
s a larger population than any other part of the country[23] and organizations s
uch as Community Centred Conservation (C3) are working to end the unsustainable
use of marine resources in Palawan and in Philippines.[24]
Palawan Palm forrest.
Total forest cover is about 56 percent of the total land area of the province wh
ile mangrove forest accounts for 3.35 percent based on the 1998 Landsat imagery.
Grasslands dwindled from 19 percent in 1992 to 12.40 percent in 1998. This is a
n indication of improving soil condition as deteriorating soil is normally invad
ed by grass species. Brushlands increased to 25 percent of the total land area.
Sprawled beneath the seas are nearly 11,000 square kilometers of coral reefs, re
presenting more than 35% of the country's coral reefs.[22]
Palawan, the only Philippine island cited, is rated by National Geographic Trave
ler magazine as the best island destination in East and Southeast Asia region in
2007, and the 13th best island in the world having "incredibly beautiful natura
l seascapes and landscapes. One of the most biodiverse (terrestrial and marine)
islands in the Philippines... The island has had a Biosphere Reserve status sinc
e early 1990s, showing local interest for conservation and sustainable developme
nt".[25][26]
Taranaban River
The province was also categorized as "doing well" in the 4th Destination Scoreca
rd survey conducted by the National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destinatio
ns, and Conde Nast Traveler magazine voted its beaches, coves and islets as the
tourist destination with the best beaches in Asia.[27] Renowned underwater explo
rer Jacques Cousteau has described the province as having one of the most beauti
ful seascapes in the world.[22] and Caril Ridley, founder of Palawan Environment
al and Marine Studies Center (PEMS) says the Islands of northern Palawan are des
tined to become a future destination for Asia's growing economic and environment
al conferencing.
In 2012, the purple crab was discovered here along with four other species.
Attractions[edit]
Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary[edit]
A game reserve and wildlife sanctuary of exotic African animals and endangered e
ndemic animals of Palawan. The reserve was established on August 31, 1976 by vir
tue of the Presidential Decree No.1578, this was initiated in response to the ap
peal of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature to help save Afri
can wildlife when former President Ferdinand Marcos attended the 3rd World Confe
rence in Kenya. By virtue of the Republic Act 7611 (SEP), administrative jurisdi
ction of DENR was given to the local government of Palawan, effective December 3
1, 1993. Management of the area is the responsibility of the Office of the Palaw
an Council of Sustainable Development (PCSD). It is located in Calauit Island in
Busuanga.
Coron Reefs, Coron Bay, Busuanga[edit]
Coron, Palawan
Seven lakes surrounded by craggy limestone cliffs attract hundreds of nature lov
ers to Coron Reefs in Northern Palawan, near the town of Coron. Busuanga Island,
whose main town is Coron, is the jump-off point for numerous dive operators. Th
e principal dive sites are 12 World War II Japanese shipwrecks sunk on September
24, 1944 by US Navy action. They range in depth from the surface to 40 meters.
This large variety offers exciting wreck exploration for enthusiasts, from novic
e divers and snorkelers and recreational divers to experienced TEC divers. The a
quatic views from the sunken Japanese warships off Coron Island are listed in Fo
rbes Traveler Magazine's top 10 best scuba sites in the world.[27]
Dive operators offer PADI dive courses ranging from Discover Scuba to Assistant
Instructor, Technical and Enriched Air Diving, as well as other specialty course
s. Dive operators offer day diving, snorkeling trips, and overnight dive safaris
. Live-aboard and charter boats also offer diving in the area.
El Nido Marine Reserve Park[edit]
El Nido Palawan
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.
Whitetip reef shark at the Tubbataha Reef.
The January 2008 issue of international magazine Travel + Leisure, published by
the American Express Co. (which partnered with Conservation International) liste
d El Nido's sister hotel resorts El Nido Lagen Island and El Nido Miniloc Island
in Miniloc and Lagen Islands as "conservation-minded places on a mission to pro
tect the local environment." Travel + Leisure's 20 Favorite Green Hotels scored
El Nido Resort's protection of Palawan's giant clam gardens and the re-introduct
ion of endangered Philippine cockatoos: "8. El Nido Resorts, Philippines: Guest
cottages on stilts are set above the crystalline ocean. The resorts are active i
n both reef and island conservation."[28]
Malampaya Sound Land and Seascape Protected Area[edit]
Located in the Municipality of Taytay, this important ecological and economic zo
ne is a watershed and fishing ground, and the habitat of Bottle-nosed and Irrawa
ddy dolphins.[29]
UNESCO World Heritage Sites[edit]
Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park (1999)
This park features a large limestone karst landscape with an underground river.
One of the river's distinguishing features is that it emerges directly into the
sea, and its lower portion is subject to tidal influences. The area also represe
nts a significant habitat for biodiversity conservation. The site contains a ful
l 'mountain-to-sea' ecosystem and has some of the most important forests in Asia
.
Tubbataha Reef Marine Park (1993)
The Tubbataha Reef Marine Park covers 332 km, including the North and South Reefs
. It is a unique example of an atoll reef with a very high density of marine spe
cies; the North Islet serving as a nesting site for birds and marine turtles. Th
e site is an excellent example of a pristine coral reef with a spectacular 100 m
perpendicular wall, extensive lagoons and two coral islands.
Ursula Island[edit]
This game refuge and bird sanctuary is situated near the Municipality of Brooke'
s Point in southern Palawan. The islet is a migratory and wintering ground for s
horebirds and seabirds.[29]
Infrastructure[edit]
Transportation[edit]
Palawan is served by several airports, landing airstrips and military airfields
such as the following:
International
Puerto Princesa International Airport, Puerto Princesa City
National Airport
Francisco B. Reyes Airport, Coron (Busuanga Island)
El Nido Airport, El Nido
Community Airports
Cuyo Airport, Magsaysay
Taytay Airport, Taytay
Del Pilar Airport, Roxas
Bugsuk (Bonbon) Airport, Balabac (Bugsuk Island)
Tagbita Airport, Rizal
Balabac Airport, Balabac
Rio Tuba Airport, Bataraza
Airstrips and Airfields
Coron Airstrip, Coron
Culion Airstrip, Culion
Brooke's Point Airstrip, Brooke's Point
Candaraman Airstrip, Balabac (Candaraman Island)
Inandeng Airstrip, San Vicente (under construction)
Pamalican (Amanpulo) Airstrip, Cuyo (Pamalican Island)
Old Busuanga Airstrip, Busuanga
Rancudo Airfield, Kalayaan (military)
Tarumpitao Point Airfield, Rizal
Security[edit]
The Armed Forces of the PhilippinesWestern Command in Canigaran and the Philippin
e National Police-Palawan Command with headquarters in Tiniguiban, Puerto Prince
sa, are responsible for maintenance of the peace and order. Military units in th
e province under the Western Command are the Philippine Air Force 4th Naval Dist
rict IV, Delta Company and 10th Marine Battalion Landing Team located in Tinigui
ban, Puerto Princesa.
Communication[edit]
Four telecommunication companies provide local and international direct distance
dialing and fax services. Inter island communications is available through the
government's telegraph network and the Provincial Radio Communication System. In
addition, there are 19 post offices, a number of cargo forwarders provide air p
arcel and freight services.[30]
The province has access to two satellite-linked television stations. Cable telev
ision in the City of Puerto Princesa offers dozens of foreign channels while sma
ller firms provide cable services in selected towns. Individual cable facility (
Dream Cable) is available locally. Seven radio stations are based in Puerto Prin
cesa, four on the AM and three on the FM bands. Community-based radio stations o
perate in some of the municipalities in the north and south of the province. Add
itional stations are expected to set up local affiliates in the capital city of
Puerto Princesa.[30]
Two mobile phone companies, Smart Communications and Globe Telecom, are operatin
g in the province. Sun Cellular is expected to start operations in the province
soon.[30]
There are three Internet Service Providers in the Province-Kawing Internet, Mozc
om Puerto Princesa and Pal-Isla Globelines Broadband, PLDT My DSL and Smart Amaz
ing Wireless Broadband are also available.[30]
Health facilities[edit]
There are nine provincial government hospitals, two national government hospital
s, one military hospital and nine private hospitals in the province. The Culion
Sanitarium and General Hospital, Ospital ng Palawan, managed and administered by
the Department of Health (DOH), MMG-PPC Cooperative Hospital, and the Palawan A
dventist Hospital are located in Puerto Princesa.[30]
Hospitals in Palawan:
Municipal Hospital
Narra Municipal Hospital
Vice Governor Francisco F. Ponce De Leon Municipal Hospital
Medicare Hospitals
Aborlan Medicare Hospital
Quezon Medicare Hospital
Roxas Medicare Hospital
District Hospitals
Cuyo District Hospital
Coron District Hospital
Provincial Hospital
Southern Palawan Provincial Hospital
Northern Palawan Provincial Hospital
Private Hospitals
MMG-PPC Cooperative Hospital - Mabini corner Burgos St., Puerto Princesa
Palawan Adventist Medical Center - San Pedro, Puerto Princesa
Sacred Heart Hospital - Narra
Manipol Hospital Brooke's Point
RTN Hospital Rio-Tuba, Bataraza
Palawan Baptist Hospital Roxas
Alfonso Birthing Home Malvar St., Puerto Princesa
Leoncio General Hospital Brooke's Point
Sagrado Hospital Brooke's Point
Rural Health Units (RHU) now know as Municipal Health Office (MHO):
Aborlan MHO
Narra MHO
Quezon MHO
Rizal MHO
Sofronio Espaola MHO
Brooke's Pt. MHO
Bataraza MHO
Balabac MHO
Cuyo MHO
Agutaya MHO
Magsaysay MHO
Cagayancillo MHO
Roxas MHO
San Vicente MHO
Taytay MHO
El Nido MHO
Dumaran MHO
Araceli MHO
Curon MHO
Culion MHO
Busuanga MHO
Linapacan MHO
Agutaya MHO
Utilities[edit]
Electricity[edit]
The National Power Corporation has 14 electric facilities all over Palawan. It o
perates with a total of 51.363 megawatts of electricity. These electric faciliti
es include:[30]
Agutaya Power Plant
Araceli Power Plant
Balabac Power Plant
Cagayancillo Power Plant
Culion Power Plant
Cuyo Power Plant
El Nido Power Plant
Linapacan Power Plant
Delta P (IPP)
Puerto Princesa Power Plant
Roxas Power Plant
San Vicente Power Plant
Taytay Power Plant
NPC Modular Power Plant (Irawan)
Water facilities[edit]
Water facilities in Palawan are classified as Level I (deepwell, handpump), Leve
l II (communal faucet), or Level III (house connection). Among all of these type
s, Level I has the most number of units, accounting to 17,438; this is followed
by Level III, with 1,688 units; and Level II, with only 94 units.[30]
Education[edit]
The literacy rate in Palawan is increasing by 2% annually because of expanding a
ccess to education. Among these programs are the establishment of schools in rem
ote barangays, non-formal education, multi-grade mobile teaching and the drop-ou
t intervention program.[30]
Public schools in the province consist of 623 elementary schools, 126 secondary
schools and two universities. Private schools are as follows: 26 elementary, 19
secondary, 4 private colleges, and 10 vocational schools.
Among the public institutions of higher education are the Western Philippines Un
iversitywith campuses in Aborlan and Puerto Princesa City, Coron College of Fish
eries, Puerto Princesa School of Arts and Trade and the Palawan College of Arts
and Trade in Cuyo, Palawan.Also Palawan State University located at pueto prince
ssa. , Some of the private institutions are the Holy Trinity University run by t
he Dominican Sisters of Saint Catherine of Siena, Fullbright College, Palawan Po
lytechnical College Inc., in Roxas, San Vicente and Puerto Princesa City, System
s Technology Institute (STI), AMA Computer Learning Center (ACLC) in Puerto Prin
cesa City, San Francisco Javier College run by the Augustinian Recollect Sisters
in Narra, Loyola College in Culion run by the Jesuits, St. Joseph Academy in Cu
yo, St. Augustine Academy in Coron, Coron Technical School, Sacred Heart of Jesu
s High School in Brooke's Point; Northern Palawan Christian Institute (owned and
manage by the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, Palawan Diocese) and the unique e
ducational institution called the St. Ezekiel Moreno Dormitory located in barang
ay Macarascas, Puerto Princesa City founded by Bishop Broderick Pabillo, the pre
sent auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Manila. The Palawanologist, Andrei U
stares Acosta of El Nido, Palawan, founded the new discipline on the studies of
Palawan called the Palawanology.[30]
Media[edit]
Radio[edit]
AM stations:
DYPR 765 kHz in Puerto Princesa, owned by Palawan Broadcasting Corporation
DWRM Radyo ng Bayan, owned by Philippine Broadcasting Service
DZRH Puerto Princesa DYPH 693 kHz, owned by Manila Broadcasting Company
DZIP-AM 864 kHz RADYO PALAWEO, owned by ITRANSMISSION INC.
DYSP Super Radyo 909 kHz in Puerto Princesa, owned by GMA Network
FM stations:
DYUN 89.3 MHz in Aborlan, owned by State Polytechnic University of Palawan
92.3 MHz in Puerto Princesa, owned by Interactive Broadcasting Media
94.3 MHz Home Radio in Puerto Princesa, owned by Aliw Broadcasting Corporation
95.9 MHz in Puerto Princesa, owned by Katigbak Enterprises
95.9 MHz in Taytay, owned by Palawan Broadcasting Corporation
96.7 MHz Radyo Natin, Narra owned by Mitransmission
97.5 MHz Barangay 97.5 in Puerto Princesa, owned by Republic Broadcasting System
(Radio GMA)
DYEZ-FM 98.3 MHz in Puerto Princesa, owned by Manila Broadcasting Company
DWWA Radyo Cabayugan 98.5 MHz in Puerto Princesa, owned by Palawan Council for S
ustainable Development
The Hit FM 99.1 MHz in Puerto Princesa, owned by Rajah Broadcasting Network
DYPR IFM 99.9 MHz in Puerto Princesa, owned by Palawan Broadcasting Corporation
and Radio Mindanao Network
DWRZ Radyo Natin 100.5 MHz in Coron, owned by Manila Broadcasting Company
DWGA Radyo Inogbong 101.1 MHz in Bataraza, owned by Palawan Council for Sustaina
ble Development
DWRO Radyo Natin 101.3 MHz in Roxas, owned by Manila Broadcasting Company
Bay Radio 103.1 MHz in Puerto Princesa, owned by Baycomms Broadcasting Corporati
on
Radyo Natin 103.3 MHz in Taytay, owned by Manila Broadcasting Company
DYMS 103.9 MHz in Puerto Princesa, owned by Romeo Servando (Rolin Broadcasting)
DWMI Radyo Natin 104.5 MHz in Brooke's Point, owned by Manila Broadcasting Compa
ny
105.5 MHz in Puerto Princesa, owned by VTV[disambiguation needed]
Television[edit]
Stations:
DYFJ-TV Channel 29 in Puerto Princesa City owned by the Rajah Broadcasting Netwo
rk
DYPR -TV Channel 7, in Puerto Princesa City, owned by Palawan Broadcasting Corpo
ration (an affiliate of ABS-CBN)
NBN Channel 4 in Puerto Princesa City, owned by National Broadcasting Network
DYPQ-TV GMA News TV 27 in Puerto Princesa City owned by GMA Network
DYPQ-TV Sonshine TV 39 in Puerto Princesa City owned by ACQ-Kingdom Broadcasting
Network
DYPU-TV GMA Channel 12 in Puerto Princesa City
DYAA-TV GMA Channel 6 in Brooke's Point, Palawan- a relay station of GMA Network
DWRF-TV GMA Channel 8 in Coron, Palawan- a relay station of GMA Network
Cable television companies:
Calamianes Cable Television, Inc.-Coron, Palawan
Culion CATV Services, Inc.-Culion, Palawan
Cuyo Cable TV Corporation-Cuyo, Palawan
Global Destiny Cable-Puerto Princesa
Palawan Cable Television Corporation-Puerto Princesa
Puerto Princesa CATV, Inc.-Puerto Princesa
Roxas Cable Television, Inc.-Roxas, Palawan
Taytay CATV Service-Taytay, Palawan
Treasure Cable Television, Inc.-Cuyo, Palawan
Vinta Cable Services-Brooke's Point, Palawan
Vinta Cable Services-Narra, Palawan
Print media[edit]
Bandillo ng Palawan (Environment and Development Weekly): Philippine Press Insti
tute's Hall of Fame Awardee for Best in Science and Environmental Reporting
The Palawan Times by Luntian Publishing Inc., a weekly newspaper in Puerto Princ
esa
Palawan Sun
Palawan Mirror
See also[edit]
Legislative districts of Palawan
References[edit]
^ Jump up to: a b President of the Philippines (May 23, 2005). "Executive Order
No. 429 s. 2005". Official Gazette. Philippine Government.
^ Jump up to: a b President of the Philippines (August 19, 2005). "Administrativ
e Order No. 129 s. 2005". Official Gazette. Philippine Government.
^ Jump up to: a b c "List of Provinces". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippi
nes: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
^ Jump up to: a b c "Population and Annual Growth Rates for The Philippines and
Its Regions, Provinces, and Highly Urbanized Cities". 2010 Census and Housing Po
pulation. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 2012-11-07.
^ Jump up to: a b c d WowPhilippines:Palawan - the Philippines' Last Frontier. A
ccessed August 27, 2008.[dead link]
^ Jump up to: a b c MSN Encarta: Palawan. Accessed September 05, 2008.
^ Jump up to: a b "Province: Palawan". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippine
s: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
Jump up ^ "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of
May 1, 2010". 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office.
Retrieved 16 May 2014.
Jump up ^ "Philippines 'rejects' Muslim self-rule". BBC News. 15 August 2001. Re
trieved 2008-08-15.
^ Jump up to: a b President of the Philippines (17 May 2002). "Executive Order N
o. 103". ncsb.gov.ph. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
Jump up ^ Philippine 2010 Election Results: Region IV-B, Philippine Commission o
n Elections.
Jump up ^ C.Michael Hogan (2011) South China Sea Topic ed. P.Saundry. Ed.-in-chi
ef C.J.Cleveland. Encyclopedia of Earth. National Council for Science and the En
vironment. Washington DC
^ Jump up to: a b c Puerto Princesa website: History of Palawan. Accessed August
28, 2008.
^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g Palawan Tourism Council: History of Palawan at the W
ayback Machine (archived July 31, 2008). Accessed August 27, 2008.
Jump up ^ Camperspoint: History of Palawan. Accessed August 27, 2008.
Jump up ^ Gevinson, Alan. "American POWs in Japanese Captivity." Teachinghistory
.org, accessed 10 September 2011.
Jump up ^ 2003 & 2013 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses published by Watchtower Bi
ble and Tract Society of New York, INC
Jump up ^ Cha V?n Php Palawan
Jump up ^ Palawan Profile at Home.comcast.net. Accessed August 28, 2008.
^ Jump up to: a b Puerto Princesa website: Quick facts. Accessed August 28, 2008
.
Jump up ^ What is Sundaland?. Accessed 11th June 2010.
^ Jump up to: a b c The Official Website of the Province of Palawan: Environment
. Accessed August 28, 2008. (archived from the original on 2009-005-10)
Jump up ^ Dugong Page: Philippines. Accessed 11 June 2010.
Jump up ^ Community Centred Conservation (C3) | Local Causes, Global Effects.
Jump up ^ "Destinations Rated: Islands".
Jump up ^ "4th Annual Places Rated: 111 Islands" (PDF).[dead link]
^ Jump up to: a b "Lagen, Miniloc resorts win worlds green vote". Manilastandardt
oday.com. Retrieved 2012-07-15.
Jump up ^ Times, Victoria (2008-01-17). "The world's greenest hotels, from Switz
erland to Sri Lanka". Canada.com. Retrieved 2012-07-15.
^ Jump up to: a b Palawan Tourism Council: Palawan Environment. Accessed August
28, 2008.
^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i Official Website of the Province of Palawan. Acc
essed August 28, 2008. (archived from the original on 2007-10-11)
External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Palawan.
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Palawan Pictures
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