Western Visayas

Administrative region of the Philippines

Region in Visayas, Philippines

Western Visayas

Kabisay-an Nakatundan
Kanlurang Visayas

Region

Clockwise from the top: Miagao Church, Jaro Belfry, Taklong Island, Islas de Gigantes, Tibiao Rice Terraces, Pan-ay Belfry, Boracay

Location in the Philippines

OpenStreetMap

Coordinates: 11°08′N 122°32′E﻿ / ﻿11.13°N 122.53°E﻿ / 11.13; 122.53
Country|  Philippines
Island group| Visayas
Regional center
and largest city| Iloilo City
Area

• Total

| 12,750.63 km2 (4,923.05 sq mi)
Highest elevation

(Mount Madja-as)

| 2,117 m (6,946 ft)
Population

(2020 census)[1]

• Total

| 4,730,771
• Density| 370/km2 (960/sq mi)
GDP (Nominal, 2024)

• Total| US$13.9 billion[2]
• Per capita| US$2,878[2]
Time zone| UTC+8 (PST)
ISO 3166 code| PH-06
Provinces|

* Aklan
* Antique
* Capiz
* Guimaras
* Iloilo

Independent cities|

* Iloilo City

Component cities|

* Passi
* Roxas City

Municipalities| 98
Barangays| 3,209
Cong. districts| 10
Languages|

* Hiligaynon
* Kinaray-a
* Aklanon/Malaynon
* Capiznon
* Inati
* Tagalog
* Onhan
* Ligbok
* English

HDI|  0.761 (High)
HDI rank| 5th in the Philippines (2019)

Western Visayas (Hiligaynon: Kabisay-an Nakatundan; Tagalog: Kanlurang Kabisayaan; Filipino: Kanlurang Visayas) is an administrative region in the Philippines, numerically designated as Region VI. The region comprises the islands of Panay and Guimaras. It consists of five provinces: Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Iloilo on Panay, and the island province of Guimaras. The region also includes one highly urbanized city, Iloilo City, which is the largest city and serves as the regional center.[3]

The Hiligaynon language, native to Iloilo City, is the region's lingua franca. The region is also dominated by native speakers of three Visayan languages: Kinaray-a, Aklanon and Capiznon. The land area of the region is 12,750.63 km2 (4,923.05 sq mi), and with a population of 4,730,771 inhabitants.

## Etymology

[edit]

The region's current name is in reference to its geographic position in the greater Visayas area.

## History

[edit]

Satellite map of Western Visayas

Regions first came into existence on September 24, 1972, when the provinces of the Philippines were organized into 11 regions by Presidential Decree No. 1 as part of the Integrated Reorganization Plan by President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. The provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo (including its then-subprovince of Guimaras), and Negros Occidental were grouped together to form the Western Visayas region.

The province of Palawan was transferred to Region VI (Western Visayas) on May 23, 2005, by Executive Order 429.[4] The Department of the Interior and Local Government announced in June 2005 that the transfer had been completed.[5] However, Palaweños criticized the move, citing a lack of consultation, with most residents in Puerto Princesa City and all municipalities but one preferring to stay with Region IV-B. Consequently, Administrative Order No. 129 was issued on August 19, 2005, to address this backlash. This Order directed the abeyance of Executive Order 429 pending the approval of an implementation plan for the orderly transfer of Palawan from Region IV-B to Region VI.[6] Hence, Palawan is currently still part of Region IV-B.

By virtue of Executive Order No. 183 issued on May 29, 2015, by President Benigno Aquino III, the province of Negros Occidental and its capital, Bacolod, were both removed from Western Visayas in order to form the Negros Island Region along with Negros Oriental.[7] But later regained Negros Occidental and its capital, Bacolod City back into Western Visayas on August 9, 2017, when President Rodrigo Duterte dissolved the Negros Island Region, revoking Executive Order No. 183, s. 2015 through the signage of Executive Order No. 38, citing the reason of the lack of funds to fully establish the NIR according to Benjamin Diokno, the Secretary of Budget and Management.[8]

On June 13, 2024, the region again lost Negros Occidental and Bacolod when the Negros Island Region was reestablished under Republic Act No. 12000 signed by President Bongbong Marcos[9]

## Geography

[edit]

Western Visayas consists of the major island of Panay and the smaller Guimaras, as well as several outlying islands. Its land area is 12,750.63 km2 (4,923.05 sq mi), 4.25% of the country's total land area.

The region is bordered to the north by the Sibuyan Sea, northeast by the Visayan Sea, southeast by the island of Negros, south by the Iloilo Strait and Panay Gulf, and west by the Sulu Sea.

Map shows the Koppen-Geiger climate classification of the Western Visayas region, Philippines.

### Administrative divisions

[edit]

#### Provinces

[edit]

Political map of Western Visayas

Western Visayas consists of 5 provinces, 1 highly urbanized city, 2 component cities, 98 municipalities and 3,209 barangays.

Province or HUC | Capital  | Population (2020)[1] | Area[10] | Density  | Cities  | Muni. | Barangay

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

|  |  | km2 | sq mi  | /km2 | /sq mi  |  |  |
Aklan | Kalibo | 7.7% | 615,475  | 1,760.30  | 679.66  | 350  | 910  | 0  | 17  | 327
Antique | San Jose de Buenavista | 7.7% | 612,974  | 2,730.67  | 1,054.32  | 220  | 570  | 0  | 18  | 590
Capiz | Roxas City | 10.1% | 804,952  | 2,594.64  | 1,001.80  | 310  | 800  | 1  | 16  | 473
Guimaras | Jordan | 2.4% | 187,842  | 611.87  | 236.24  | 310  | 800  | 0  | 5  | 98
Iloilo | Iloilo City | 25.8% | 2,051,899  | 4,997.64  | 1,929.60  | 410  | 1,100  | 1  | 42  | 1,721
Iloilo City | †  | —  | 5.8% | 457,626  | 78.34  | 30.25  | 5,800  | 15,000  | —  | —  | 180
Total  | 4,730,771  | 12,750.63  | 4,923.05  | 370  | 960  | 2  | 98  | 3,209

*  †  Iloilo City is a highly urbanized city; figures are excluded from Iloilo province.

##### Governors and vice governors

[edit]

Province  | Image  | Governor  | Political Party  | Vice Governor

|
|
|
|

Aklan

|  | Jose Enrique Miraflores  |  | Lakas | Dexter M. Calizo

Antique

|  | Paolo Everardo S. Javier  |  | Aksyon | Genevive L. Reyes

Capiz

|  | Fredenil Castro |  | 1-Capiz | James Magbanua

Guimaras

|  | Ma. Lucille L. Nava |  | NUP | Cecile C. Gamarin

Iloilo

|  | Arthur Defensor Jr. |  | Uswag Ilonggo | Nathalie Ann F. Debuque

#### Cities

[edit]

* * *

*  †  Regional center

City  | Population (2020)[1] | Area  | Density  | City class  | Income class  | Province

|
|
|
|
|
|

|  | km2 | sq mi  | /km2 | /sq mi  |  |  |
† Iloilo City | 457,626  | 78.34  | 30.25  | 5,800  | 15,000  | Highly urbanized  | 1st  | Iloilo
Passi | 88,873  | 251.39  | 97.06  | 350  | 910  | Component  | 4th  | Iloilo
Roxas City | 179,292  | 95.07  | 36.71  | 1,900  | 4,900  | Component  | 1st  | Capiz

## Demographics

[edit]

Population census of Western VisayasYear| Pop.| ±% p.a.

|
|

1903 | 1,083,474| —
1918 | 1,347,249| +1.46%
1939 | 2,173,579| +2.30%
1948 | 2,530,517| +1.70%
1960 | 3,078,305| +1.65%
1970 | 3,618,326| +1.63%
1975 | 4,146,390| +2.77%
1980 | 4,525,615| +1.77%
1990 | 5,393,333| +1.77%
1995 | 5,776,938| +1.30%
2000 | 6,211,038| +1.57%
2007 | 6,843,643| +1.35%
2010 | 7,102,438| +1.36%
2015 | 7,536,383| +1.14%
2020 | 7,954,723| +1.14%
Data in 2015 and 2020 includes Negros Occidental and Bacolod.
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[11][12]

According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 4,730,771. Before Negros Occidental and Bacolod separated from the region in 2024, it was 7,954,723.

### Languages

[edit]

Western Visayas Language Map.

The native languages of Western Visayas are:

* Aklanon/Akeanon, spoken in Aklan, northwestern Capiz, and northern Antique.
* Capiznon, spoken in Capiz, northeastern Iloilo, and eastern Aklan.
* Hiligaynon, spoken in Iloilo, Guimaras, Capiz, Antique, and Aklan. It is the regional lingua franca.
* Kinaray-a, spoken in Antique, western half of Iloilo, Guimaras, western Capiz, and southwestern Aklan.
* Inati, spoken by the indigenous Ati people in Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Aklan, and Capiz.
* Malaynon, spoken in northwestern Aklan including Boracay Island.
* Caluyanon, spoken in the Semirara Islands (Semirara, Caluya, and Sibay Islands).
* Ligbok, spoken by the Sulod people in the highlands of Tapaz, Capiz and Calinog, Iloilo.

## Economy

[edit]

A view of Iloilo City as seen in January 2019

Poverty incidence of Western Visayas

2000
53.22

2003
39.20

2006
29.08

2009
30.80

2012
29.14

2015
24.60

2018
16.32

2021
13.80

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]

Injap Tower & SM Strata in June 2018

Western Visayas is the sixth largest economy in the Philippines, comprising three major sectors: agriculture, forestry, and fishery; services; and industry.[21] Iloilo City serves as the region's economic hub. Other major trading and commercial centers in the region include Roxas City for Capiz and the entire northern Panay. Provincial capitals such as Kalibo in Aklan, San Jose in Antique, and Jordan in Guimaras serve as the commercial centers for their respective provinces. Metro Iloilo, composed of Iloilo City and the municipalities of Oton, San Miguel, Pavia, Leganes, Santa Barbara, and Cabatuan, is the center for trading, commercial, financial, and industrial activities in the region.

## Tourism

[edit]

White Beach in Boracay, one of the most popular beaches in the world

The region is known for its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, featuring several key tourism highlights. Boracay Island, located in Malay, Aklan, is world-famous for its pristine white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant nightlife.[22][23] Miag-ao Church in Miag-ao, Iloilo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcases unique Baroque-Romanesque architecture and detailed designs.[24] Iloilo City, a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, is also known for its colonial-era heritage houses, churches, and buildings. The Gigantes Islands in Carles, Iloilo, are known for their white sand beaches, sandbars, limestone cliffs, and clear blue waters. Panay Church in Panay, Capiz hosts the biggest church bell in Asia. Mount Madja-as in Antique is the highest mountain in the region. Guimaras mangoes from Guimaras are known as some of the sweetest in the world.[25] The region is also home to popular festivals such as the Dinagyang of Iloilo City and the Ati-Atihan of Kalibo, Aklan.

## Transportation

[edit]

### Roads

[edit]

Iloilo–Capiz Road in Iloilo City

Western Visayas is interconnected by major inter-provincial roads that facilitate travel across its provinces. Iloilo City, the region's primary urban center, relies heavily on various public transportation options, including passenger jeepneys, modern Public Utility Jeepneys (modern PUJs), white metered taxis, and tricycles within city limits. In other cities and municipalities, such as Roxas City, Kalibo, and San Jose de Buenavista, tricycles are the primary mode of transport for short distances. Travel between cities and municipalities across Panay Island is typically facilitated by jeepneys, vans, and buses operated by companies like Ceres.

In March 2019, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) launched a Premium Point-to-Point Bus Service in Iloilo City, providing express bus services to airports in Cabatuan, Kalibo, and Caticlan (Boracay).

### Ports

[edit]

International Container Terminal in Port of Iloilo

The Port of Iloilo is the primary seaport serving the region. Other seaports include Dumangas Port in Dumangas, Iloilo, serves ro-ro and fastcraft to Negros Island and vice versa; Jordan Port in Guimaras, serves ferries from Iloilo City and vice versa; Culasi Port in Roxas, Capiz, serves ferry routes to Batangas and Caticlan and vice versa; Caticlan Port in Malay, Aklan, serves ferries to Boracay Island and vice versa; and the Port of San Jose de Buenavista in Antique, which serves ferries to Palawan and Iloilo City and vice versa.

### Airports

[edit]

Iloilo International Airport

Kalibo International Airport

Western Visayas is served by two international airports and three domestic airports. Iloilo International Airport, located in Cabatuan, Iloilo, serves the general area of Metro Iloilo–Guimaras as well as the entire province of Iloilo, and a gateway into the region. Kalibo International Airport serves the general area of Aklan and is one of the two airports serving Boracay, the other being the domestic Godofredo P. Ramos Airport in Caticlan, Malay, Aklan. The other domestic airports are Roxas Airport, serving the general area of Roxas City and the province of Capiz, and Evelio B. Javier Airport, serving the general area of the province of Antique.

The other airports and airstrips in the region include Semirara Airport on Semirara Island in Caluya, Antique; Sicogon Airport on Sicogon Island in Carles, Iloilo; and Guimaras Airstrip.

### Rail

[edit]

Proposals to re-connect Iloilo-Roxas, Iloilo-Kalibo, Iloilo-Malay (Aklan) and Iloilo-San Jose (Antique) from Iloilo City via rail were included in the revival of the currently defunct Panay Railways network which has a station in Santa Barbara town proper.[26]

## Notable people

[edit]

Main articles: Aklan § Notable people, Antique (province) § Notable people, Capiz § Notable people, Guimaras § Notable people, and List of people from Iloilo

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Census of Population (2020). "Region VI (Western Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
2. ^ a b "2022 to 2024 Gross Regional Domestic Product" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority.
3. ^ "History of Urban Growth of Iloilo City". Iloilo City Government. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
4. ^ President of the Philippines. "Executive order No. 429". Office of the Press Secretary. Archived from the original on July 7, 2007.
5. ^ "Palawan, Puerto Princesa Transfer to Region VI" (Press release). Government of the Philippines. June 3, 2005.
6. ^ President of the Philippines (August 19, 2005). "Administrative Order No. 129". Office of the Press Secretary. Archived from the original on July 13, 2006.
7. ^ "Executive Order No. 183, s. 2015". Official Gazette (Philippines). May 29, 2015. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
8. ^ "Duterte dissolves Negros Island Region". Rappler. August 9, 2017. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
9. ^ "Marcos signs law creating Negros Island Region". ABS-CBN. June 13, 2024. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
10. ^ "PSGC Interactive; List of Provinces". Philippine Statistics Authority. Archived from the original on July 11, 2016.
11. ^ Census of Population (2015). "Region VI (Western Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
12. ^ "Population and Annual Growth Rates for The Philippines and Its Regions, Provinces, and Highly Urbanized Cities" (PDF). 2010 Census and Housing Population. Philippine Statistics Authority. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 28, 2013. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
13. ^ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
14. ^ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. November 29, 2005.
15. ^ "2009 Official Poverty Statistics of the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. February 8, 2011.
16. ^ "Annual Per Capita Poverty Threshold, Poverty Incidence and Magnitude of Poor Population, by Region and Province: 1991, 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. August 27, 2016.
17. ^ "Annual Per Capita Poverty Threshold, Poverty Incidence and Magnitude of Poor Population, by Region and Province: 1991, 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. August 27, 2016.
18. ^ "Annual Per Capita Poverty Threshold, Poverty Incidence and Magnitude of Poor Population, by Region and Province: 1991, 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. August 27, 2016.
19. ^ "Updated Annual Per Capita Poverty Threshold, Poverty Incidence and Magnitude of Poor Population with Measures of Precision, by Region and Province: 2015 and 2018". Philippine Statistics Authority. June 4, 2020.
20. ^ "2021 Full Year Official Poverty Statistics of the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. August 15, 2022. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
21. ^ "Tables | Philippine Statistics Authority | Republic of the Philippines". psa.gov.ph. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
22. ^ "After six years, Boracay beach parties are back". Rappler. February 25, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
23. ^ "US travel magazine cites White Beach in Boracay". The Philippine Star. September 10, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
24. ^ "List of Baroque Churches of the Philippines". UNESCO World Heritage Convention. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
25. ^ "Guimaras mangoes' reputation as 'sweetest' now protected". Philippine News Agency. May 25, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
26. ^ Salvilla, Rex S. (July 28, 2006). "Anything Under the Sun: Panay Railways". The News Today. TNT Publishing, Inc. Retrieved June 12, 2008.

## External links

[edit]

* Media related to Western Visayas at Wikimedia Commons
* Western Visayas travel guide from Wikivoyage
* Geographic data related to Western Visayas at OpenStreetMap

Places adjacent to Western Visayas

| Mimaropa / Tablas Strait | Mimaropa
Sibuyan Sea | Bicol Region
Jintotolo Channel

|
|

|  |
Sulu Sea |

Western Visayas

| Central Visayas
|  |
| Sulu Sea | Negros Island Region

* v
* t
* e

Western Visayas (Region VI)

Regional center|

* Iloilo City

Provinces|

* Aklan
* Antique
* Capiz
* Guimaras
* Iloilo

Metropolitan Area|

* Metro Iloilo–Guimaras

Highly urbanized city|

* Iloilo City

Component cities|

* Passi
* Roxas

Provincial capitals|

* Iloilo City
* Jordan
* Kalibo
* Roxas
* San Jose de Buenavista

Municipalities|

* Ajuy
* Alimodian
* Altavas
* Anilao
* Anini-y
* Badiangan
* Balasan
* Balete
* Banate
* Banga
* Barbaza
* Barotac Nuevo
* Barotac Viejo
* Batad
* Batan
* Belison
* Bingawan
* Buenavista
* Bugasong
* Buruanga
* Cabatuan
* Calinog
* Caluya
* Carles
* Concepcion
* Cuartero
* Culasi
* Dao
* Dingle
* Dueñas
* Dumalag
* Dumangas
* Dumarao
* Estancia
* Guimbal
* Hamtic
* Ibajay
* Igbaras
* Ivisan
* Jamindan
* Janiuay
* Jordan
* Kalibo
* Lambunao
* Laua-an
* Leganes
* Lemery
* Leon
* Lezo
* Libacao
* Libertad
* Maasin
* Ma-ayon
* Madalag
* Makato
* Malay
* Malinao
* Mambusao
* Miagao
* Mina
* Nabas
* New Lucena
* New Washington
* Nueva Valencia
* Numancia
* Oton
* Panay
* Pandan
* Panitan
* Patnongon
* Pavia
* Pilar
* Pontevedra
* Pototan
* President Roxas
* San Dionisio
* San Enrique
* San Joaquin
* San Jose de Buenavista
* San Lorenzo
* San Miguel
* San Rafael
* San Remigio
* Santa Barbara
* Sapian
* Sara
* Sebaste
* Sibalom
* Sibunag
* Sigma
* Tangalan
* Tapaz
* Tibiao
* Tigbauan
* Tobias Fornier
* Tubungan
* Valderrama
* Zarraga

Visayas, Republic of the Philippines

* v
* t
* e

Regions of the Philippines

Luzon|

* NCR – National Capital Region
* CAR – Cordillera Administrative Region
* I – Ilocos Region
* II – Cagayan Valley
* III – Central Luzon
* IV-A – Calabarzon
* Mimaropa – Southwestern Tagalog Region
* V – Bicol Region

Visayas|

* VI – Western Visayas
* NIR – Negros Island Region
* VII – Central Visayas
* VIII – Eastern Visayas

Mindanao|

* IX – Zamboanga Peninsula
* X – Northern Mindanao
* XI – Davao Region
* XII – Soccsksargen
* XIII – Caraga Region
* BARMM – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

Former regions|

* ARMM – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
* IV – Southern Tagalog

Authority control databases: Geographic |

* MusicBrainz area

|

*[HUC]: Highly urbanized city; administered independently from any province
*[Muni.]: Municipalities
*[Barangay]: Barangays
*[Pop.]: Population
*[±% p.a.]: Per annum growth rate. Executive Order 135 §6 states that for "census years" (years divisible by 10) the reference date would be May 1st, but for all other years, the reference date is to be the "middle of the year". This means that growth rates, although correct, are not necessarily simple year-on-year comparisons.
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template