Southern Tagalog was the largest region in terms of both area and population. It comprised the provinces of Aurora (now part of Central Luzon),Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Quezon, Rizal, Romblon, and Palawan. Quezon City was the designated regional centre of Southern Tagalog. The former region covered the area where many Tagalog speakers reside; the two other majority-Tagalophone regions are the National Capital Region and Central Luzon.
By virtue Executive Order No. 103, dated May 17, 2002, Region IV was divided into Region IV-A (CALABARZON) and Region IV-B (MIMAROPA).
Transfer of Palawan
Palawan was transferred to Region VI (Western Visayas) on May 23, 2005 by virtue of Executive Order 429. However, Palaweños criticised the move citing a lack of public consultation. Most residents of Puerto Princesa and all but one of the province's munipalities preferred to stay in Region IV-B.[1]
Consequently, Administrative Order No. 129 was issued on August 19, 2005 to address this backlash directing the abeyance of Executive Order 429, pending the approval of an implementation plan for the orderly transfer of Palawan from MIMAROPA to Region VI. Presently, Palawan is still considered part of MIMAROPA.[2]
Region IV is Southern Tagalog Region. It is composed of the provinces in southwestern Luzon and the islands south of Luzon. Another province, Aurora, is outside the geographical grouping of this region. It is on the eastern side of Luzon.
Look at the map. Name the provinces in this region.
Geographical Features
Southern Tagalog is the biggest region in the whole country. Its land area covers a total of 46,924 square kilometres. The lands are mostly mountainous and hilly. Only the province of Laguna has wider plains. Among tne mountains in the region are the legendary Mt. Makiling in Laguna, Mt. Banahaw in Quezon and Mt. Halcon in Mindoro. Taal in Batangas inan active volcano has several lakes. The most famous among them arejLaguna de Bay and Taal Lake. Laguna de Bay is the biggest lake in the country. Taal Lake is noted for its delicious fish..San Pablo City. the regional center, is known as the City of Seven Lakes.
Climate
The provinces in the region experience different types of climate. The provinces of Aurora, Quezon, Marinduque, the southeastern part of Batangas and eastern Mindoro have rainfall throughout the year. Southeastern Palawan and Romblon have three months of dry season and rain the rest of the year. The other provinces experience climate common in the country. Typhoons that start in the Pacific usually hit the region.
Southern Tagalog is a progressive region. It is the most urbanized region next to Metro Manila. It has good transportation facilities. The people in the region are engaged in different kinds of industries.
Southern Tagalog produces different crops. It is number one in the production of coconuts in the whole country. Rice is grown in the plains in all provinces. Laguna produces the most rice.
The International Rice Research Institute, the foremost rice research center in Southeast Asia, is in Laguna. Sugar is produced in Laguna and Batangas. Cavite has coffee, banana and pineapple. Citrus grow well in Batangas. Lanzones come from Laguna.
Fishing is also a major source of livelihood in Region IV. The chief fishing grounds are the Batangas Coast, Pola Bay, Tayabas Bay and Lamon Bay.
Historical Places
Region IV has played very important roles in our history. Cavite, Batangas and Laguna were part of the group that first revolted against the Spaniards. Philippine independence was proclaimed in Kawit, Cavite by (Sen. Emilio Aguinaldo on June 12, 1898. Calamba, Laguna is the birthplace of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.
