by Lionunion 
Iloilo is a province located in the region of Western Visayas in the Philippines. Iloilo occupies a major southeast portion of the Visayan island of Panay and is bordered by the province of Antique to the west, Capiz to the north, the Jintotolo Channel to the northeast, the Guimaras Strait to the east, and the Iloilo Strait and Panay Gulf to the southwest. Its capital is the city of Iloilo.
An Overview of Iloilo
Cities and Municipalities: Iloilo is composed of 42 municipalities and 2 component cities. The cities are Passi and Iloilo City, which is a highly urbanized city that administers itself independent of the province. The municipalities are grouped into five legislative districts.
Land Area: The province has a land area of 5,000.83 square kilometers or 1,931.60 square miles.
Population: As of the 2020 census, Iloilo has a population of 2,059,547 people.
Economy: Iloilo’s economy is largely based on agriculture with rice being the main crop. It also has a significant amount of fishery, poultry, and livestock production. The province is also known for its food and handicrafts. In recent years, Iloilo has been developing as a major IT-BPO destination in the country.
Real Estate Market: The real estate market in Iloilo has been growing over the years. The province has seen an increase in the construction of residential, commercial, and office spaces, especially in Iloilo City. The demand for real estate is driven by the growing economy, the increasing population, and the development of tourism in the area.
Exploring the Cities of Iloilo
Iloilo City
Iloilo City, often referred to as the “City of Love”, is a highly urbanized city on Panay Island in the Philippines. It is the capital city of the province of Iloilo and is located in the Western Visayas region. Here is a summarized information about Iloilo City:
Geography and Land Area: Iloilo City has a total land area of 78.34 square kilometers. It is bordered by the towns of Oton in the west, Pavia in the north, Leganes in the northeast and the Iloilo Strait in its eastern and southern coastlines.
Population: As of the 2020 census, the city has a population of 457,626 people. It is the third most populous city in the Western Visayas region.
Economy: Iloilo City is a major commercial and trading hub in the Philippines. It has a diverse economy with sectors such as retail, real estate, banking, IT-BPO, hospitality, healthcare, and agribusiness. The city is also known for its exports of agricultural products like rice, bananas, mangoes, and sugar.
Real Estate Market: The real estate market in Iloilo City has been growing rapidly in recent years. The city has seen a surge in demand for residential, commercial, and office spaces. Major real estate developers have invested in the city, resulting in the construction of condominiums, shopping malls, hotels, and IT parks.
Oton
Oton, officially known as the Municipality of Oton, is a 1st class municipality in the province of Iloilo, Philippines. It is the second oldest Spanish settlement in the Philippines after Cebu, founded in 1566, and is part of the Metro Iloilo–Guimaras area.
Here are some key details about Oton:
Land Area: Oton has a total land area of 86.44 square kilometers.
Population: According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 98,509 people, making it the most populous town in the province and the entire Panay island.
Economy: Oton’s economy is experiencing significant growth, driven by its proximity to Iloilo City. This has led to a surge in real estate developments, with a growing number of residential and commercial properties being established in the area. The town also benefits from the presence of prominent retail establishments like Gaisano Oton, Puregold Oton, and Vista Mall Iloilo. In terms of agriculture, rice production and fruits play a significant role in Oton’s economy.
Real Estate Market: An important development in Oton is the Vista City Iloilo. Spanning 500 hectares, this flagship master-planned city by Vista Land in the Visayas stretches from Barangay Polo Maestra Bita to Barangay Abilay Norte. Alongside existing residential areas, Vista City Iloilo will feature a 100-hectare central business district. This planned urban development is poised to become a major economic center, attracting investments and providing opportunities for businesses and residents alike.
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is a municipality in the province of Iloilo, Philippines. It is located in the center of the province and is part of the Iloilo Metropolitan Area. The town is known for its historical significance in the struggle for Philippine independence.
As of the 2020 census, Santa Barbara has a population of 60,981 people. The municipality has a land area of 131.00 square kilometers, making it the 6th largest municipality in the province of Iloilo in terms of land area.
The economy of Santa Barbara is primarily based on agriculture, with rice and fish being the main products. The town is also known for its poultry and swine industries. In recent years, the local government has been promoting tourism as a way to diversify the economy. The town is home to several historical sites, including the Santa Barbara Church and Convent, which is a National Historical Landmark.
In terms of the real estate market, Santa Barbara has been experiencing growth due to its strategic location and the development of infrastructure projects in the area. The town is considered a prime location for residential, commercial, and industrial development. The local government has been implementing policies to attract investors and promote sustainable development.
Pavia
Pavia is a municipality located in the province of Iloilo, Philippines. It is part of the Iloilo Metropolitan Area and is situated 9.3 kilometers north of Iloilo City.
As of the 2020 census, Pavia has a population of 56,332 people. The municipality has a land area of 29.64 square kilometers, making it the smallest municipality in terms of land area in Iloilo.
Pavia’s economy is primarily based on agriculture, with rice and vegetables being the main products. The municipality is also known for its pottery industry, which is a significant source of income for many residents.
As for the real estate market, Pavia is experiencing growth due to its strategic location near Iloilo City. The demand for residential and commercial properties is increasing, leading to the development of several real estate projects in the area. These include subdivisions, condominiums, and commercial centers. The presence of these developments is expected to further boost Pavia’s economy in the coming years.
San Miguel
San Miguel, officially known as the Municipality of San Miguel, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Iloilo, Philippines. It is part of the Metro Iloilo–Guimaras area, centered on Iloilo City.
Here are some key details about San Miguel:
Land Area: San Miguel has a total land area of 31.97 square kilometers.
Population: According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 30,115 people.
Economy: San Miguel is the site of Aganan River Dam, which is used for irrigation of the rice fields in the surrounding towns. This suggests that agriculture plays a significant role in the local economy. Additionally, Pepsi Bottlers Philippines Inc. has a bottling plant in San Miguel, which supplies Pepsi products in Panay Island.
Source: wikipedia
