ISO 3166 code PH-06 | Time zone PST (UTC+8) Municipalities 95 | |
 | ||
Cities Iloilo City, Passi, Iloilo, Roxas, Capiz Points of interest Boracay, Nogas Island, Bakhawan Eco‑Park, Jaro Cathedral, Miagao Church Destinations | ||
Western visayas philippines explore unique island destinations
Western Visayas (Hiligaynon: Kabisay-an Nakatundan; Filipino: Kanlurang Kabisayaan) is an administrative region in the Philippines, numerically designated as Region VI. It consists of five provinces: (Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras and Iloilo) and one highly urbanized city (Iloilo City), which serves as the regional center.
Contents
- Western visayas philippines explore unique island destinations
- Map of Western Visayas Philippines
- History
- Geography
- Administrative divisions
- Languages
- International
- Domestic
- Rail
- References
Map of Western Visayas, Philippines
History
The Western Visayas region was created from Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo (including its then-subprovince of Guimaras) and Negros Occidental by Presidential Decree No. 1 as part of the Integrated Reorganisation Plan of President Ferdinand Marcos.
The province of Palawan was transferred to Region VI (Western Visayas) on May 23, 2005 by Executive Order 429. The Department of the Interior and Local Government announced in June 2005 that the transfer had been completed. 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. 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 City, were both removed from Western Visayas in order to form the Negros Island Region along with Negros Oriental.
Geography
Western Visayas consists of the major island of Panay and the smaller Guimaras, as well as several outlying islands. The region is bordered to the north by the Sibuyan Sea, northeast by the Visayan Sea, east by the Guimaras Strait, south by the Iloilo Strait and the Panay Gulf, and west by the Sulu Sea.
Administrative divisions
Western Visayas consists of 5 provinces, 1 highly urbanized city, 2 component cities, 98 municipalities and 3,389 barangays.
Languages
The languages native to the inhabitants of Western Visayas are:
International
Domestic
Rail
Proposals to re-connect again Iloilo-Roxas, Iloilo-Kalibo, Iloilo-Malay (Aklan) and Iloilo-San Jose (Antique) from the Iloilo City via rail was included in the revival of the currently defunct Panay Railways network which has a station in Santa Barbara town proper.