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Western Visayas

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Western Visayas, also known as Region VI, is an administrative region in the Philippines.

Ph western visayas
Ph western visayas

It is located in the greater Visayas area. The region is primarily made of the large island of Panay and the smaller island of Guimaras. Several outlying islands also belong to the region.

It covers 4.25% of the total land area of the country. The region is surrounded by several bodies of water. To the north is the Sibuyan Sea. The northeast is bordered by the Visayan Sea. To the south lie the Iloilo Strait and the Panay Gulf. The west is bordered by the Sulu Sea.

Climate of Western Visayas NOCC excluded
Climate of Western Visayas NOCC excluded

The region is organized into five provinces and one highly urbanized city. The five provinces are Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo.

Seal of Aklan
Seal of Aklan
Official Seal of Antique
Official Seal of Antique
Seal of Capiz
Seal of Capiz
Ph seal guimaras
Ph seal guimaras
Iloilo Provincial Seal
Iloilo Provincial Seal

Iloilo City is the largest city and serves as the regional center. It is a highly urbanized city, which means it operates with a high level of independence. The region contains 98 municipalities and 3,209 barangays. A barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines. The total population of the region was 4,730,771 in its earlier census. By the 2024 census, the population grew to 4,861,911. This number was much higher before some provinces were moved.

Many different languages are spoken throughout the region. Hiligaynon is the lingua franca, which is a common language used for communication between different groups. It is native to Iloilo City. Other major native languages include Kinaray-a, Aklanon, and Capiznon. Specific groups speak other languages as well. The Ati people speak Inati. In northwestern Aklan, people speak Malaynon. On the Semirara Islands, the language is Caluyanon. In the highlands, the Sulod people speak Ligbok.

Western Visayas Language Map
Western Visayas Language Map

The history of the region involves many changes in its borders. It was first established on September 24, 1972. President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. created it through Presidential Decree No. 1. This was part of the Integrated Reorganization Plan. At that time, the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental formed the region. There was also an attempt to move Palawan into the region in 2005. However, the people of Palawan disagreed with this move. Consequently, Palawan remained part of Region IV-B. The province of Negros Occidental has moved in and out of the region several times. It was removed in 2015 to form the Negros Island Region. It returned in 2017 because of a lack of funds. However, it was removed again in June 2024 under Republic Act No. 12000.

Western Visayas has a strong economy. It is the sixth largest economy in the Philippines. The economy relies on three major sectors. These are agriculture, forestry, and fishery. The region also relies on services and industry. Iloilo City acts as the main economic hub. Metro Iloilo is a large area that includes Iloilo City and several nearby municipalities. This area is a center for trading, finance, and industry.

Injap Tower and SM Strata, Iloilo City
Injap Tower and SM Strata, Iloilo City

Other commercial centers include Roxas City, Kalibo, and San Jose.

Tourism is a very important part of the region. It is known for natural beauty and cultural heritage. Boracay Island in Aklan is world-famous for its white sand beaches.

Boracay White Beach Station 1 3 (Malay, Aklan; 04-06-2024)
Boracay White Beach Station 1 3 (Malay, Aklan; 04-06-2024)

The Miag-ao Church in Iloilo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It features Baroque-Romanesque architecture. Iloilo City is also a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. Other sites include the Gigantes Islands and the Panay Church. The Panay Church holds the biggest church bell in Asia. In Antique, Mount Madja-as is the highest mountain. Guimaras is famous for its very sweet mangoes.

Travel within the region is supported by many systems. People use jeepneys, taxis, and tricycles for local trips.

Iloilo Diversion Bridge Mandurriao top view (Iloilo City; 04-03-2024)
Iloilo Diversion Bridge Mandurriao top view (Iloilo City; 04-03-2024)

For travel between provinces, people use buses and vans. The region is also connected by many seaports. The Port of Iloilo is the primary seaport.

Iloilo City container port (cropped)
Iloilo City container port (cropped)

Other ports serve Guimaras, Capiz, Antique, and Aklan. Air travel is also common. There are two international airports. These are Iloilo International Airport and Kalibo International Airport. There are also three domestic airports serving Roxas, Antique, and Boracay.

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🖼️ Images & Media (18)
File:Western Visayas (DIWATA I Microsatellite) w Borders n.png
Western Visayas (DIWATA I Microsatellite)...
File:Climate of Western Visayas NOCC excluded.png
Climate of Western Visayas NOCC excluded.png
File:Ph western visayas.png
Ph western visayas.png
File:Seal of Aklan.png
Seal of Aklan.png
File:Gov Miraflores.png
Gov Miraflores.png
File:Official Seal of Antique.svg
Official Seal of Antique.svg
File:Seal of Capiz.png
Seal of Capiz.png
File:Gov Castro.png
Gov Castro.png
File:Ph seal guimaras.png
Ph seal guimaras.png
File:Rep. Ma. Lucille Nava (19th Congress).jpg
Rep. Ma. Lucille Nava (19th Congress).jpg
File:Iloilo Provincial Seal.png
Iloilo Provincial Seal.png
File:Arthur Defensor Jr. (cropped).jpg
Arthur Defensor Jr. (cropped).jpg

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