POPULATION
In 2000, the
region’s total population
reached 6,147,000. The population
increased by 6% from 1995. In
1990, the urban population was
36% of the total population.
CULTURAL GROUPS
The region’s
ethno linguistic people are
called Panay-Hiligaynons (Ilonggos,
Aklanons, Capiceños,
Antiqueños and Negrenses).
CLIMATE
The province has no
pronounced climate. It has a
short dry season and is relatively
wet the rest of the year.
LAND USE
Region VI is an agricultural
region with an area of around
1.05 M hectares or 52% of the
total land area. 35.4% of this
is riceland. The region also
produces sugar, coconut, banana,
fruits, root crops and vegetables.
It is one of the top food producers
in the country. It is the largest
producer of sugar, 63% of the
total sugar produced in 1996.
In 1996, it was the third largest
rice producer among the regions,
third ranking marine fish producer,
and fourth largest aquaculture
supplier.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Western Visayas is one of the
richest regions in the country
in terms of natural resources.
Its forests however have been
denuded due to indiscriminate
logging. Its waters abound with
numerous species of fish and
other marine products. Mineral
resources include copper, gold,
silver, clay, limestone, coal,
sand and gravel and other non-metallic.
It is a key fisheries development
area, with its 84 coastal municipalities,
eight major fishing grounds,
inland bodies of water and 43,050
hectares of fishponds.
INDUSTRIES
The major economic activities
of the region are farming, sugar,
rice and corn milling, fishing,
mining and trading. Forward
and backward integration in
production, processing or marketing
are good areas for investment.
Other important industries include
livestock and poultry raising
and cottage industries such
as rattan craft, food preservation,
ceramics and confectionery manufacturing.
The region has a competitive
advantage in the production
of seaweeds, mangoes, pineapple,
banana and cashew.
URBAN CENTERS
The major trading and commercial
centers of Western Visayas are
the cities of Bacolod, Bago,
Cadiz, La Carlota, San Carlos
and Silay in Negros Occidental;
Iloilo City in Iloilo; Roxas
City in Capiz; San Jose in Antique
and Kalibo in Aklan.
Metropolitan Iloilo, composed
of Iloilo city and the municipalities
of Oton, San Miguel, Pavia and
Leganes, is planned to be the
center for residential, commercial,
financial and industrial activities
for the region.
FACILITIES
The road network of Panay is
almost 2,000 kilometers. Iloilo
has the longest stretch of paved
roads. The region has several
seaports and airports for both
water and air travel. Telephone,
postal and telegraphic services
are available. Electricity and
water supply are accessible
to the population.
|
