Facts and Figures

Facts and Figures

Western Visayas is located in Central Philippines and lies between two large bodies of water, namely; the Sibuyan Sea and the Visayas Sea. The Region is composed of six provinces:

The Region has a total land area of 20,223.2 sq km, which is approximately 6.74 percent of the total land area of the Philippines. Forty-three percent of the region's land resources is devoted to agricultural purposes. Sugar cane covers the majority of area in Negros Occidental and rainfed or irrigated palay in Panay. The region's fishing grounds produce a large variety of marine, fishery and aquaculture products. It is one of the country's major exporters of prawn, tuna, and other fish products.

Western Visayas is rich in mineral and non-mineral resources. Metallic ore reserves found in the region include primary copper, iron (lump ore) and pyrite. The region is a good place for investment. Its foremost resource is its rich, fertile soil which can grow a wide variety and abundant supply of agricultural crops throughout the year.

Natural attractions like Boracay and Guimaras Islands make the region a major tourist destination. Its rich cultural heritage provides a microcosm of Philippine culture and heritage.

The region's ports and airports are well-kept to facilitate and accommodate the inflow and outflow of commodities in the region. The deep natural harbor in the city of Iloilo has the potential of becoming a major gateway for the region's produce.

The region's skilled manpower resource is also due of its greatest potential. With proper training and capability building, the people of the region can pave the way for the industrial growth and expansion of Western Visayas.

FACTS & FIGURES

No. of Provinces: 6 (As of 2010)
No. of Municipalities: 117 (As of June 2006)
No. of Cities: 16 (As of 2010)
No. of Barangays: 4,050 (As of June 2006)
Total Population: 6,843,643 (As of Aug 1, 2007 census)
Population Growth Rate: 10.22% (2000-2007)
GRDP Growth Rate: 5.9% (2004-2005)
Employment Rate: 93% (As of 2008)
Average Annual Family Income: 130,000 (2006)
Annual Per Capita Poverty Threshold:14,405 (2006)
No. of Public Elementary Schools: 3,384 (SY 2008-2009)
No. of Pubic Secondary Schools: 603 (SY 2008-2009)
No. of Public and Private Tertiary Schools: 137(SY 2008-2009)
No. of Hospitals: 87 (2009)
Telephone Capacity: 338,793 (2009)
Telephone Density (per 100 population): 2.00 (2009)
No. of Operational AM Broadcast Stations: 29 (2009)
No. of Operational FM Broadcast Stations: 46 (2009)
No. of Motor Vehicles Registered: 348,406 (2010)
No. of Visitor Arrivals: 1,821,896 (2009)
Functional Literacy Rate: 81.5 % (2003)
Simple Literacy Rate: 92.8 % (2003)
No. of Registered Business Establishments:
Business Name Registration: 10,503 (2010)

The NSCB RD6 Office
is at Luna St. La Paz, Iloilo City, 5000 Philippines
Tel/Fax No. (033)-320-0513
URL: http://www.nscb.gov.ph/ru6
Email: nscb6@yahoo.com

Updated 27 April 2011

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