Oriental Mindoro is a province of the Philippines in the MIMAROPA Region. It is located east of Occidental Mindoro, west of Marinduque Province and south of Batangas Province across Verde Island Passage. It is accessible by air and sea transportation through the airport and seaport of Calapan City. Terrain is mountainous in the western side of the province, the area being the Central Mindoro Mountain Range while the province's eastern seaboard is flat. Highest peak is 2,585-meter Mount Halcon followed by 1,200-meter Mount Hitding. Climate is characterized by having no very pronounced seasons: dry from November to April and wet during the rest of the year.

Oriental Mindoro Provincial Capitol

The people of Mindoro are mostly Tagalogs with sizable number of migrants from the Visayas. The Mangyans are the aborigines of the island and they live in the mountainous areas.

1. Noli De Castro - Vice-President of the Philippines, Noted radio and television broadcaster from Pola
2. Lito Camo - Singer, Songwriter/Composer
3. Ejay Falcon - Movie and television actor from Pola
4. Jason Francisco - Movie and television actor, commedian from Calapan City

Oriental Mindoro landscape

Oriental Mindoro is primarily an agricultural province. Although it is rich in natural resources and endowed with many natural attractions, it is one of the provinces with a very high poverty incidence which stood at 57% in 2006. This is almost double the national average of 32.9%.

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

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

There are no large manufacturing industries in the province. The province has rich mineral reserves but mining is facing stiff opposition from many sectors who fear that mining leads to environmental degradation. Tourism is a major industry especially around the famed Puerto Galera. In 2006, the number of banks operating in the province reached 50 with total deposits of 6.2 billion pesos.

Tourism-related projects are the best business to go into especially in the unexplored areas of the province and along the Strong Republic Nautical Highway. Small to medium manufacturing plants such as food processing, metalworks, and furniture making are possible winners. Bamboo, jatropha, cacao, coffee, and malunggay plantations are recommended in addition to commercial livestock and poultry-raising. A modern cold storage terminal should be put up.

1. Puerto Galera - One of the most popular destinations for beach combers and divers
2. Lake Naujan National Park
3. Bancurro Church Ruins in Naujan Town
4. San Rafael Cave in Roxas Town
5. Mt. Halcon
6. Bulalakao Reefs
7. Mansalay Beaches
8. Alibatan Beaches in Baco Town

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