by Lionunion 
Mimaropa, officially known as the Southwestern Tagalog Region, is an administrative region in the Philippines. It is unique in that it is one of two regions in the country that does not share a land border with another region. The name Mimaropa is an acronym derived from its constituent provinces: Mindoro (divided into Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro), Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan.
An Overview of Mimaropa
The region covers a total area of 29,620.90 square kilometers (11,436.69 square miles). As of the 2020 census, it has a population of 3,228,558 people, with a density of 110 people per square kilometer (280 people per square mile). The regional center of Mimaropa is Calapan, located in Oriental Mindoro, and its largest city is Puerto Princesa.
In terms of economy, Mimaropa had a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of ₱382 billion or $7 billion in 2021, with a growth rate of 3.3%. The region’s economy is primarily driven by the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector, which contributes 42.1% to the total regional economy. The industry sector, which includes mining and quarrying, contributes 38.3%. The service sector has also shown growth, particularly in trade, finance, and government services.
Mimaropa is also known for its scenic spots, which contribute to its tourism sector. Some notable attractions include the Bathala Cave, Balanacan Bay, and Tres Reyes Islands in Marinduque; White Island in Mindoro; Fort San Andres, Mount Guiting-Guiting, and Bonbon Beach in Romblon; and the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and El Nido Marine Reserve Park in Palawan.
Exploring the Provinces of Mimaropa
Marinduque
Marinduque is an island province in the Philippines located in the Southwestern Tagalog Region or MIMAROPA, formerly designated as Region IV-B. The province is known for its unique geographical shape, similar to a human heart from the sky, and is often referred to as the “Heart of the Philippines”.
The province has a land area of 952.58 square kilometers or 367.79 square miles. As of the 2020 census, it has a population of 234,521 people.
The economy of Marinduque is primarily based on agriculture with fishing coming in a close second. Major crops that are grown in the province include rice, corn, coconut, and fruits. Livestock and poultry raising are also important sources of income for the residents.
The mining industry also plays a significant role in the economy of Marinduque. The province was previously the site of the largest copper mine in the world, Marcopper, but it was closed in 1996 due to environmental problems and controversies.
Occidental Mindoro
Occidental Mindoro is a province in the Philippines located in the Mimaropa region. Its capital is Mamburao and it occupies the western half of the island of Mindoro. The province is bordered on the east by the province of Oriental Mindoro, and on the south by the Mindoro Strait.
As of 2020, the province has a population of 487,414 people. It covers a total land area of 5,865.71 square kilometers.
The economy of Occidental Mindoro is largely based on agriculture. Products grown in the province include rice, corn, garlic, and fruits such as bananas and calamondin. The province is also a major producer of fish, particularly milkfish and tilapia.
The real estate market in Occidental Mindoro is not as developed as in some other regions of the Philippines. However, there has been growth in recent years, particularly in the capital, Mamburao. The market is primarily focused on residential properties, with a growing demand for both houses and lots. The province’s growing economy and population, along with its natural beauty, make it an attractive place for real estate investment.
Oriental Mindoro
Oriental Mindoro is a province in the Philippines located in the island group of Mindoro under MIMAROPA region in Luzon, about 140 kilometers southwest of Manila. The province is bordered by the Verde Island Passage and the rest of Batangas to the north, by Marinduque, Maestre de Campo (or known as Sibale but official name is Concepcion), Tablas Strait and the rest of Romblon to the east, by Semirara and the rest of Caluya Islands, Antique to the south, and by Occidental Mindoro to the west. Calapan, the only city in the island, is the provincial capital.
As of 2020, the province has a population of 908,945. It has a land area of 4,238.4 square kilometers, making it the 20th largest province in the country. The economy of Oriental Mindoro is largely based on agriculture. Products consist of a wide variety of fruits, such as citrus, bananas, lanzones, rambutan and coconuts, grains (rice and corn), sugar cane, peanuts, fish (catfish, milkfish and tilapia), livestock and poultry. Industries include fish processing, furniture making, handicraft making, sawmill and other wood-based industries, and garment making.
Palawan
Palawan is a province of the Philippines located in the Mimaropa region. Its capital is the city of Puerto Princesa, but the city is governed independently from the province as a highly urbanized city. The islands of Palawan stretch from Mindoro in the northeast to Borneo in the southwest. It lies between the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea. The province is named after its largest island, Palawan Island, measuring 450 kilometers (280 mi) long, and 50 kilometers (31 mi) wide.
As of 2020, the province of Palawan has a population of 1,104,585 people. It is the least densely populated province in the Philippines with 58 people per square kilometer. The province is multicultural and multilingual, with indigenous peoples such as the Tagbanwa, Palaw’an, Taaw’t Bato, Molbog, and Batak tribes, as well as migrants from other parts of the Philippines and other countries.
The economy of Palawan is based mainly on its rich natural resources, which include agricultural lands, forests, fishery products, minerals, and wildlife. The province has fertile lands, waters teeming with fish, vast grazing lands, and extensive mineral deposits of nickel, copper, manganese, and chromite. Palawan is also known for its ecotourism, with many resorts and tourist facilities, particularly in the coastal areas.
Regarding the real estate market, Palawan has seen a surge in property development in recent years, especially in the tourism sector. The real estate market in Palawan is growing, with a rise in both residential and commercial properties. The growth of the tourism industry has led to an increase in the demand for accommodations, from budget inns to luxury resorts. This has also led to a rise in property prices in prime locations. However, there are still opportunities for investment, especially in less developed areas of the province.
Romblon
Romblon is a province of the Philippines located in the Mimaropa region. Its main islands include Romblon Island, Tablas Island, and Sibuyan Island.
Here’s a summary of the information about romblon:
Land Area: Romblon has a total land area of 1,533.45 square kilometers.
Population: As of the 2020 census, the province has a population of 308,985 people.
Economic Situation: The economy of Romblon is largely based on agriculture, fishing, and mining. The province is known for its marble, comparable to that of Italy’s Carrara. They also have significant deposits of nickel and copper. However, in recent years, tourism has also become a major source of income for the locals.
Source: wikipedia
