Central Luzon
Encyclopedia
Central Luzon , also known as Region III (or Region 3), is an administrative division or region
of the Republic of the Philippines
, primarily serve to organize the 7 provinces of the vast central plain of the island of Luzon
(the largest island), for administrative convenience. The region contains the largest plain
in the country and produces most of the country's rice
supply, earning itself the nickname "Rice Bowl of the Philippines". Its provinces are: Aurora, Bataan
, Bulacan
, Nueva Ecija
, Pampanga
, Tarlac
, and Zambales
.
Central Luzon Region is located north of Manila
, the nation's capital. Bordering the region are the regions of Ilocos
, Cordillera Administrative Region
and Cagayan Valley
regions to the north; National Capital Region
and CALABARZON
to the south; and of waters of Manila Bay
to the south; South China Sea
to the west; and The Philippine Sea
to the east.
There are thirteen cities
which include: Balanga
in Bataan; Malolos
, Meycauayan and San Jose del Monte
in Bulacan; Cabanatuan
, Gapan
, Muñoz
, Palayan
and San Jose
in Nueva Ecija; Angeles
and San Fernando
in Pampanga; Tarlac
in Tarlac; and Olongapo
in Zambales.Central Luzon produces the most rice in the whole country.Excess rice is delivered and imported to other provinces of the Philippines.
The City of San Fernando
, in Pampanga, is the regional center.
Aurora was transferred from Region IV by Executive Order No. 103.
, 13 cities
, 117 municipalities
, 3,102 barangays
¹ Angeles City
and Olongapo City
are highly-urbanized cities; figures are excluded from Pampanga and Zambales respectively.
Regions of the Philippines
In the Philippines, regions are administrative divisions that serve primarily to organize the provinces of the country for administrative convenience. Currently, the archipelagic republic of the Philippines is divided into 17 regions...
of the Republic of the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, primarily serve to organize the 7 provinces of the vast central plain of the island of Luzon
Luzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
(the largest island), for administrative convenience. The region contains the largest plain
Plain
In geography, a plain is land with relatively low relief, that is flat or gently rolling. Prairies and steppes are types of plains, and the archetype for a plain is often thought of as a grassland, but plains in their natural state may also be covered in shrublands, woodland and forest, or...
in the country and produces most of the country's rice
Rice
Rice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
supply, earning itself the nickname "Rice Bowl of the Philippines". Its provinces are: Aurora, Bataan
Bataan
Bataan is a province of the Philippines occupying the whole of the Bataan Peninsula on Luzon. The province is part of the Central Luzon region. The capital of Bataan is Balanga City and it is bordered by the provinces of Zambales and Pampanga to the north...
, Bulacan
Bulacan
Bulacan , officially called the Province of Bulacan or simply Bulacan Province, is a first class province of the Republic of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon Region in the island of Luzon, north of Manila , and part of the Metro...
, Nueva Ecija
Nueva Ecija
Nueva Ecija is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is Palayan City...
, Pampanga
Pampanga
Pampanga is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. Pampanga is bordered by the provinces of Bataan and Zambales to the west, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija to the north, and Bulacan to the southeast...
, Tarlac
Tarlac
Tarlac is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Luzon Island. Its capital is Tarlac City. Tarlac borders Pampanga to the south, Nueva Ecija to the east, Pangasinan to the north, and Zambales to the west...
, and Zambales
Zambales
Zambales is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is Iba. Zambales borders Pangasinan to the north, Tarlac and Pampanga to the east, and Bataan to the south. The province lies between the South China Sea and the Zambales Mountains. With a land area of...
.
Central Luzon Region is located north of Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
, the nation's capital. Bordering the region are the regions of Ilocos
Ilocos
Ilocos collectively refers to two provinces in the Philippines: Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. Inhabitants are called Ilocanos and they speak the language Iloko, also called Ilocano.The Ilocos Region, containing four provinces, is named after Ilocos...
, Cordillera Administrative Region
Cordillera Administrative Region
The Cordillera Administrative Region is a region in the Philippines composed of the provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mountain Province, as well as Baguio City, the regional center. The Cordillera Administrative Region encompasses most of the areas within the Cordillera...
and Cagayan Valley
Cagayan Valley
Cagayan Valley is a region of the Philippines, also designated as Region II or Region 02. It is composed of five provinces, namely: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino...
regions to the north; National Capital Region
Metro Manila
Metropolitan Manila , the National Capital Region , or simply Metro Manila, is the metropolitan region encompassing the City of Manila and its surrounding areas in the Philippines...
and CALABARZON
CALABARZON
CALABARZON is one of the regions of the Philippines. It is also designated as Region IV-A and its regional center is Calamba City in Laguna...
to the south; and of waters of Manila Bay
Manila Bay
Manila Bay is a natural harbor which serves the Port of Manila , in the Philippines.The bay is considered to be one of the best natural harbors in Southeast Asia and one of the finest in the world...
to the south; South China Sea
South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea that is part of the Pacific Ocean, encompassing an area from the Singapore and Malacca Straits to the Strait of Taiwan of around...
to the west; and The Philippine Sea
Philippine Sea
The Philippine Sea is a marginal sea east and north of the Philippines occupying an estimated surface area of 2 million mi² on the western part of the North Pacific Ocean...
to the east.
There are thirteen cities
Cities of the Philippines
A city is a tier of local government in the Philippines. All Philippine cities are chartered cities, whose existence as corporate and administrative entities is governed by their own specific charters in addition to the Local Government Code of 1991, which specifies the administrative structure...
which include: Balanga
Balanga City
Balanga City is a second class city in the province of Bataan, Region III - Central Luzon, Philippines. It is the capital city of Bataan. According to the latest census, it has a population of 84,105 people in 14,065 households. Its citizens are called Balangueños.Balanga City is primarily a...
in Bataan; Malolos
Malolos City
City of Malolos is a 3rd class urban component city in the Republic of the Philippines. Malolos is considered as the 115th city in the country. It is the capital city of the province of Bulacan as the seat of the provincial government...
, Meycauayan and San Jose del Monte
San Jose del Monte City
The City of San Jose del Monte is a first class suburban component city in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. It is bordered by Caloocan City and Quezon City, both in Metro Manila, in the south; by Rodriguez, Rizal in the east; Santa Maria and Marilao, both of Bulacan, in the west and...
in Bulacan; Cabanatuan
Cabanatuan City
The City of Cabanatuan is a first class, urban city in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines. It is considered the commercial, industrial and educational hub of the province. According to the latest census, it has a population of 259,267 people in 45,424 households which makes it the largest...
, Gapan
Gapan City
Gapan City is a 4th class city in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines. Gapan is nicknamed the "Footwear Capital of the North", and it is an inseparable part of the Rice Granary of the Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 98,795 people in 18,200 households...
, Muñoz
Science City of Muñoz
Science City of Muñoz is a city in Central Luzon, Philippines, situated north of the capital Manila. Due to its rich topography and tropical climate, it is now home to agricultural research and technology centers, committed to the production of information and technological breakthroughs to...
, Palayan
Palayan City
The City of Palayan is a 5th class city in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines. It is the capital city of Nueva Ecija...
and San Jose
San Jose City, Nueva Ecija
San Jose City is a 2nd class city in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines. It is the northernmost city of the province. According to the latest Philippine census, it has a population of 122,353 people in 23,191 households....
in Nueva Ecija; Angeles
Angeles City
The City of Angeles , located within the province of Pampanga in the Philippines, is locally classified as a first-class, highly-urbanized city. Its name is derived from El Pueblo de los Ángeles in honor of its patron saints, Los Santos Ángeles de los Custodios , and the name of its founder, Don...
and San Fernando
San Fernando City, Pampanga
The City of San Fernando, is a first class, component city in the Philippine province of Pampanga. It is the capital city of Pampanga and the regional center of Central Luzon...
in Pampanga; Tarlac
Tarlac City
The City of Tarlac is a 1st class city in the province of Tarlac, Philippines. Tarlac provincial capitol building is shown on the back of the Philippines 500 peso note that features former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr...
in Tarlac; and Olongapo
Olongapo City
The City of Olongapo is a highly urbanized city located in the province of Zambales, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 227,270 people in 50,300 households.-History:...
in Zambales.Central Luzon produces the most rice in the whole country.Excess rice is delivered and imported to other provinces of the Philippines.
The City of San Fernando
San Fernando City, Pampanga
The City of San Fernando, is a first class, component city in the Philippine province of Pampanga. It is the capital city of Pampanga and the regional center of Central Luzon...
, in Pampanga, is the regional center.
Aurora was transferred from Region IV by Executive Order No. 103.
Political Divisions
Region III is composed of 7 provincesProvinces of the Philippines
The Provinces of the Philippines are the primary political and administrative divisions of the Philippines. There are 80 provinces at present, further subdivided into component cities and municipalities. The National Capital Region, as well as independent cities, are autonomous from any provincial...
, 13 cities
Cities of the Philippines
A city is a tier of local government in the Philippines. All Philippine cities are chartered cities, whose existence as corporate and administrative entities is governed by their own specific charters in addition to the Local Government Code of 1991, which specifies the administrative structure...
, 117 municipalities
Municipalities of the Philippines
A municipality is a local government unit in the Philippines. Municipalities are also called towns . They are distinct from cities, which are a different category of local government unit...
, 3,102 barangays
| Province Provinces of the Philippines The Provinces of the Philippines are the primary political and administrative divisions of the Philippines. There are 80 provinces at present, further subdivided into component cities and municipalities. The National Capital Region, as well as independent cities, are autonomous from any provincial... /City Cities of the Philippines A city is a tier of local government in the Philippines. All Philippine cities are chartered cities, whose existence as corporate and administrative entities is governed by their own specific charters in addition to the Local Government Code of 1991, which specifies the administrative structure... | Capital | Area (km²) | Population (2000) | Population (2007) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora | Baler Baler, Aurora Baler is a 4th class municipality in the province of Aurora, Philippines. It is the provincial capital of Aurora. According to the latest census, it has a population of 34,492 people and 5.955 members per household.... |
3,147.32 | 173,797 | 187,802 |
| Bataan Bataan Bataan is a province of the Philippines occupying the whole of the Bataan Peninsula on Luzon. The province is part of the Central Luzon region. The capital of Bataan is Balanga City and it is bordered by the provinces of Zambales and Pampanga to the north... |
Balanga City Balanga City Balanga City is a second class city in the province of Bataan, Region III - Central Luzon, Philippines. It is the capital city of Bataan. According to the latest census, it has a population of 84,105 people in 14,065 households. Its citizens are called Balangueños.Balanga City is primarily a... |
1,372.98 | 557,659 | 662,153 |
| Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan , officially called the Province of Bulacan or simply Bulacan Province, is a first class province of the Republic of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon Region in the island of Luzon, north of Manila , and part of the Metro... |
City of Malolos | 2,774.85 | 2,234,088 | 2,826,936 |
| Nueva Ecija Nueva Ecija Nueva Ecija is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is Palayan City... |
Palayan City Palayan City The City of Palayan is a 5th class city in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines. It is the capital city of Nueva Ecija... |
5,751.33 | 1,659,883 | 1,853,853 |
| Pampanga Pampanga Pampanga is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. Pampanga is bordered by the provinces of Bataan and Zambales to the west, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija to the north, and Bulacan to the southeast... |
City of San Fernando | 1,984.72 | 1,882,730 | 1,911,951 |
| Tarlac Tarlac Tarlac is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Luzon Island. Its capital is Tarlac City. Tarlac borders Pampanga to the south, Nueva Ecija to the east, Pangasinan to the north, and Zambales to the west... |
Tarlac City Tarlac City The City of Tarlac is a 1st class city in the province of Tarlac, Philippines. Tarlac provincial capitol building is shown on the back of the Philippines 500 peso note that features former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr... |
2,736.64 | 1,068,783 | 1,243,449 |
| Zambales Zambales Zambales is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is Iba. Zambales borders Pangasinan to the north, Tarlac and Pampanga to the east, and Bataan to the south. The province lies between the South China Sea and the Zambales Mountains. With a land area of... |
Iba Iba, Zambales Iba is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Zambales, Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Zambales. According to the latest census, it has a population of 44,344 people in 7,260 households.... |
3,529.40 | 433,538 | 493,085 |
| Angeles City Angeles City The City of Angeles , located within the province of Pampanga in the Philippines, is locally classified as a first-class, highly-urbanized city. Its name is derived from El Pueblo de los Ángeles in honor of its patron saints, Los Santos Ángeles de los Custodios , and the name of its founder, Don... |
— | 60.27 | 263,971 | 314,493 |
| Olongapo City Olongapo City The City of Olongapo is a highly urbanized city located in the province of Zambales, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 227,270 people in 50,300 households.-History:... |
— | 185.00 | 194,260 | 227,270 |
¹ Angeles City
Angeles City
The City of Angeles , located within the province of Pampanga in the Philippines, is locally classified as a first-class, highly-urbanized city. Its name is derived from El Pueblo de los Ángeles in honor of its patron saints, Los Santos Ángeles de los Custodios , and the name of its founder, Don...
and Olongapo City
Olongapo City
The City of Olongapo is a highly urbanized city located in the province of Zambales, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 227,270 people in 50,300 households.-History:...
are highly-urbanized cities; figures are excluded from Pampanga and Zambales respectively.
Cities
The Central Luzon Region has thirteen cities.| City Cities of the Philippines A city is a tier of local government in the Philippines. All Philippine cities are chartered cities, whose existence as corporate and administrative entities is governed by their own specific charters in addition to the Local Government Code of 1991, which specifies the administrative structure... | Province Provinces of the Philippines The Provinces of the Philippines are the primary political and administrative divisions of the Philippines. There are 80 provinces at present, further subdivided into component cities and municipalities. The National Capital Region, as well as independent cities, are autonomous from any provincial... | City Class | Income Class | Area (km²) | Population (2007) | Density (/km2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angeles City Angeles City The City of Angeles , located within the province of Pampanga in the Philippines, is locally classified as a first-class, highly-urbanized city. Its name is derived from El Pueblo de los Ángeles in honor of its patron saints, Los Santos Ángeles de los Custodios , and the name of its founder, Don... |
Pampanga Pampanga Pampanga is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. Pampanga is bordered by the provinces of Bataan and Zambales to the west, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija to the north, and Bulacan to the southeast... |
Highly Urbanized | 1st | 66.16 | 314,493 | 4,753 |
| Balanga City Balanga City Balanga City is a second class city in the province of Bataan, Region III - Central Luzon, Philippines. It is the capital city of Bataan. According to the latest census, it has a population of 84,105 people in 14,065 households. Its citizens are called Balangueños.Balanga City is primarily a... |
Bataan Bataan Bataan is a province of the Philippines occupying the whole of the Bataan Peninsula on Luzon. The province is part of the Central Luzon region. The capital of Bataan is Balanga City and it is bordered by the provinces of Zambales and Pampanga to the north... |
Component | 4th | 111.63 | 84,105 | 753.4 |
| Cabanatuan City Cabanatuan City The City of Cabanatuan is a first class, urban city in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines. It is considered the commercial, industrial and educational hub of the province. According to the latest census, it has a population of 259,267 people in 45,424 households which makes it the largest... |
Nueva Ecija Nueva Ecija Nueva Ecija is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is Palayan City... |
Component | 1st | 192.29 | 259,267 | 1,348 |
| Gapan City Gapan City Gapan City is a 4th class city in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines. Gapan is nicknamed the "Footwear Capital of the North", and it is an inseparable part of the Rice Granary of the Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 98,795 people in 18,200 households... |
Nueva Ecija Nueva Ecija Nueva Ecija is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is Palayan City... |
Component | 4th | 164.44 | 98,795 | 600.8 |
| City of Malolos | Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan , officially called the Province of Bulacan or simply Bulacan Province, is a first class province of the Republic of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon Region in the island of Luzon, north of Manila , and part of the Metro... |
Component | 3rd | 77.25 | 223,069 | 3,314 |
| Meycauayan City | Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan , officially called the Province of Bulacan or simply Bulacan Province, is a first class province of the Republic of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon Region in the island of Luzon, north of Manila , and part of the Metro... |
Component | 3rd | 32.10 | 196,569 | 6,123.6 |
| Science City of Muñoz Science City of Muñoz Science City of Muñoz is a city in Central Luzon, Philippines, situated north of the capital Manila. Due to its rich topography and tropical climate, it is now home to agricultural research and technology centers, committed to the production of information and technological breakthroughs to... |
Nueva Ecija Nueva Ecija Nueva Ecija is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is Palayan City... |
Component | 4th | 163.05 | 71,669 | 439.6 |
| Olongapo City Olongapo City The City of Olongapo is a highly urbanized city located in the province of Zambales, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 227,270 people in 50,300 households.-History:... |
Zambales Zambales Zambales is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is Iba. Zambales borders Pangasinan to the north, Tarlac and Pampanga to the east, and Bataan to the south. The province lies between the South China Sea and the Zambales Mountains. With a land area of... |
Highly Urbanized | 1st | 185.00 | 227,270 | 1,228.5 |
| Palayan City Palayan City The City of Palayan is a 5th class city in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines. It is the capital city of Nueva Ecija... |
Nueva Ecija Nueva Ecija Nueva Ecija is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is Palayan City... |
Component | 5th | 101.40 | 33,506 | 685 |
| City of San Fernando San Fernando City, Pampanga The City of San Fernando, is a first class, component city in the Philippine province of Pampanga. It is the capital city of Pampanga and the regional center of Central Luzon... |
Pampanga Pampanga Pampanga is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. Pampanga is bordered by the provinces of Bataan and Zambales to the west, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija to the north, and Bulacan to the southeast... |
Component | 1st | 67.74 | 269,365 | 3,977 |
| San Jose City San Jose City, Nueva Ecija San Jose City is a 2nd class city in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines. It is the northernmost city of the province. According to the latest Philippine census, it has a population of 122,353 people in 23,191 households.... |
Nueva Ecija Nueva Ecija Nueva Ecija is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is Palayan City... |
Component | 2nd | 185.99 | 122,353 | 657.8 |
| San Jose del Monte City San Jose del Monte City The City of San Jose del Monte is a first class suburban component city in the province of Bulacan, Philippines. It is bordered by Caloocan City and Quezon City, both in Metro Manila, in the south; by Rodriguez, Rizal in the east; Santa Maria and Marilao, both of Bulacan, in the west and... |
Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan , officially called the Province of Bulacan or simply Bulacan Province, is a first class province of the Republic of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon Region in the island of Luzon, north of Manila , and part of the Metro... |
Component | 1st | 165.10 | 439,090 | 2659.5 |
| Tarlac City Tarlac City The City of Tarlac is a 1st class city in the province of Tarlac, Philippines. Tarlac provincial capitol building is shown on the back of the Philippines 500 peso note that features former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr... |
Tarlac Tarlac Tarlac is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Luzon Island. Its capital is Tarlac City. Tarlac borders Pampanga to the south, Nueva Ecija to the east, Pangasinan to the north, and Zambales to the west... |
Component | 1st | 274.66 | 314,155 | 1,143.8 |
Governors
- Bellaflor Angara-CastilloBellaflor Angara-CastilloBellaflor J. Angara-Castillo is the incumbent Governor of the Philippine Province of Aurora. She was elected governor in 2004 and reelected in 2007 and 2010. She is Aurora's third woman governor. She was the first and so far the only woman in Philippine history to become House Majority Floor...
- Aurora - Enrique T. Garcia Jr.Tet GarciaEnrique "Tet" Garcia Jr. is the incumbent Governor of the Province of Bataan, in the Philippines.Garcia entered politics in 1987 when he was elected Congressman representing the 2nd district of Bataan. In 1992 he was elected as the Governor of Bataan. He returned to serve as Congressman for the...
- Bataan - Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado - Bulacan
- Aurelio M. Umali - Nueva Ecija
- Lilia Pineda - Pampanga
- Victor Yap - Tarlac
- Jun Ebdane - Zambales