Mabuhay!   Welcome online to the frontier region!

MIMAROPA stands for MIndoro, MArinduque, ROmblon and PAlawan, all of which are islands in the southwest of Luzon. Also known as Region IV-B, it was created under Executive Order No. 103 dated May 17, 2002, dividing the former Southern Tagalog Region into CALABARZON and MIMAROPA and transferring the province of Aurora to Region III.

Region IV-B is the largest in terms of land area. It is often referred to as the last frontier area in the Philippines due to its many unexplored forests and virgin beaches particularly in the province of Palawan and Occidental Mindoro.

With a population dencity of only 84 persons per square kilometer, MIMAROPA is second to Cordillera Region as the least populous region in the country. The region is home to many migrants from Luzon and Visayas. The original cultural groups in the region are the Mangyans of Mindoro and the Palawanons and Tagbanwas of Palawan.

Agriculture is the main economic activity of the people in the region. Main products are palay, corn, coconut, and banana. Palawan is the number one fish producing province in the country. Other agricultural products in limited quantities are fruits and vegetables, poultry, hog, and cattle.

The region is one of the riches in mineral resources. Many companies are currently exploring and/or producing gold, copper, nickel, chromite, and marble. The most important development is the discovery of commercial oil in the province of Palawan. The full development of this reserve will hopefully reduce the country's dependence of imported oil.

If there is a sunrise industry that is making a big splash in the region, it is tourism and righly so. The region is endowed with many interesting natural wonders such as beaches, rivers, caves, and diving spots, to name a few. The St. Paul's underground river in the province of Palawan has made it to the United Nation's World Heritage List.

The development of the vast natural resources of the region provides a promise for sustained economic development. This would increase the region's share in the national economic output which in 2007 stood at a negligible 2.74% and at the same time reduce significantly the region's poverty incidence which is currently one of the highest at around 52.74%

Major tourist spots in MIMAROPA Region

• Subterranean River and El Nido Marine reserve in Palawan
• Puerto Galera Beach and Lake Naujan in Oriental Mindoro
• Apo Reef Marine Park in Occidental Mindoro
• Boac Cathedral and Balanacan Shrine in Marinduque
• Carabao and Sumara Islands in Romblom