the National
Industrial Core Region, together
with NCR and Region IV or the
Southern Tagalog Region. The
Core Region contributed 70%
of manufacturing value added
in 1988. It has emerged as an
alternative area for investment
to Region IV, but is still overcoming
the effects of the Mount Pinatubo
eruption in 1991.
POPULATION
In 2000, the region’s
population totaled 7,797,000
in a total land area of 18,230.8
sq.kms. In 1990, the male population
outnumbered that of the female
population, at 50.38% and 49.6%
respectively.
The region has the highest urban
population ratio (60.3%) to
total population.
There are three areas of urban
population concentration: (a)
areas in Bulacan along highways
leading from Metro Manila; (b)
San Fernando-Angeles City-Mabalacat
corridor area; (c) Subic - Dinalupihan
area. The total urban population
in these areas is over 2 million,
over half of the total urban
population in Central Luzon.
Human resources in the region
are better prepared in terms
of a higher participation rate
at the primary and secondary
levels of education. The participation
rate of Central Luzon is 94.2%
and 86.1%, respectively, as
compared to the national average
of 85.7% and 66.1% in SY 1992-
93. There are comparatively
more non-government organizations,
cooperatives and people’s
organizations in the region.
CLIMATE
Dry season in the Region is
from November to May. Rains
normally occurring during the
months of July to October.
LAND USE
41% of its total land area are
agricultural plains with rice
as the major crop.
It produces one third of the
country’s palay followed
by corn, banana, fruits and
vegetables. Forestland comprises
23% of its land area .
NATURAL RESOURCES
Central Luzon has both timber
and mineral resources. Both
metallic and non-metallic resources
are found in the region. Bataan
is known for its copper deposits
while refractory chromite, gold
and marble may be extracted
from Zambales and Bulacan. Fertile
rice lands, melon patches and
fishponds can be found along
rivers and tributaries. It has
a long coastline rich with marine
resources in western Bataan
and Zambales. The region accounts
for the third largest aquaculture
production in the Philippines.
FACILITIES
Region III is an important trading
center and transportation terminal
for products. Land travel is
facilitated by a network of
well-paved and extensive highways
and roads linking all municipalities
within the region. An extensive
railway system is planned to
be built linking Clark Air Base
in Angeles City, Pampanga and
Manila. The two former U.S.
bases, the Clark Air Force Base
in Pampanga and Subic Naval
Base in Zambales, are now special
economic zones. An international
airport is to be established
in Clark Air Base, while port
facilities and a planned international
airport in Subic will facilitate
trade with other areas in the
region such as Hongkong, China,
Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia
and Thailand.
Central Luzon is well provided
with communication facilities.
Its provinces have adequate
supply of electricity and potable
water. Big markets, recreational
facilities, educational and
financial institutions service
the needs of the populace.
URBAN CENTERS
The major trading centers in
the region are Olongapo in Zambales,
Angeles City and San Fernando
in Pampanga; Cabanatuan and
San Jose in Nueva Ecija; Balanga
in Bataan province, Tarlac City,
Tarlac and Malolos, Bulacan.
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