Guimaras is a small island province of the Philippines located in the southern coast of Panay Island in Western Visayas Region. Negros Island is located southeast of the province. It is accessible by air via airport of Iloilo City and then using the Roll-on Roll-off service that ferry vehicles to Jordan, the capital town of Guimaras. It can also be reached using pumpboat from Bacolod City of Negros Occidental. Except for a few hills at the central part of the island, terrain is mostly flat. Climate is characterized by two pronounced seasons: dry from November to April and wet during the rest of the year.

Guimaras Provincial Capitol

Ilonggos are the majority of the people with some migrants from other provinces of Region 6.

Economy of the province depends much on agriculture. Guimaras is famous for its sweet mangoes.

Agricultural production of Guimaras in 2007 are as follows (figure in thousand metric tons, rank among 79 provinces)

Animal inventory of Guimaras in 2007 are as follows (figure in thousand, rank among 79 provinces)

Other farm products are rootcrops, cashew, and citrus. In 2007, there were 5 banks operating in the province with total deposits of 337 million pesos. Poverty incidence stood at 39.6% in 2006, higher than the country's average at 32.9%.

Tourism-related ventures are the best investment to make in this part of the country. For agribusiness, the production of high value commercial crops such as malunggay and herbal plants can also prove to be profitable. Small scale food processing plants are also recommended. For technical help in setting up an science-based enterprise, visit the University of the Philippines Marine Biological Center in Nueva Valencia town, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) in the same town or the National Mango Research and Development Center (NMRDC).

1. Trappist Monastery - famous for its fruit jams and preserves
2. Isla Naburot - famous for its lodging made of antique materials
3. Navalas Church
4. Alubihod beach in Nueva Valencia
5. Beaches in Guiwanon, Panobolon, and Inampulugan islands

Capitol photo credit to skyscrapercity.com

Back to top