Sulu

Sulu is an island province of the Philippines belonging in the Autonomous Region

in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). It is located in the southernmost part of the country
and consists of over 157 scattered and almost isolated islands, some of them still
unnamed, stretching from the tip of Zamboanga southward towards Borneo. These
islands and islets are divided into four groups: Jolo group, Pangutaran group,
Tongkil-Banguingui (Samales) group and Siasi-Tupal group.
The province is divided into two congressional districts, 18 municipalities and 410
barangays. Ten municipalities are on mainland Jolo while eight others are island
municipalities. Jolo is the provincial capital.
Although consisting of mixed community of Muslims and Christians, the Tausugs dominate
the Sulu Archipelago. They were among the first Filipinos to embrace Islam as a religion and
a way of life. They are referred to as people of the current because of their close ties to
the sea. The typical houses of the Tausugs are made of bamboo and lumber. Some houses
have elaborate woodcarving, and have slits instead of windows. This is for protection and to
keep its young maidens from view.
The province lies outside the typhoon belt of the Philippines. Because of this, it is blessed
with a year-round bounty from both land and sea. The province grows a variety of products
such as abaca, coconut, and fruits like oranges, lanzones, mangosteen and durian.
Fishing is an important industry in the province. Sea turtles and fish of all kinds are caught.
Trepang and pearls are also gathered in Sulu. Trepang is a sea cucumber of the genus
Holothuria of the southern Pacific and Indian Oceans, and is often dried or smoked for use
as an ingredient in soup, especially in China and Indonesia.
The Sulu Sea is dotted with coral reefs, such as the pearl farm at Marungas Island and
provides some of the worlds best dive spots. The Tubbataha Reef, a 33,200 hectare
underwater splendor, is the best site of Sulu Sea. Because of its fabulous beauty, the
Tubbataha Reef Marine Park was honored by UNESCO in December 1993 as the first natural
site in the Philippines to be etched in the prestigious World Heritage List.
Other places to see in the province are the Sulu Ethnological Museum at Notre Dame
College, the Provincial Capitols Moor-inspired architecture, the Masjid Jami, the largest
mosque, and the Barter Trade Market.
The most populous cities and municipalities in Sulu are:
Area Income

City/Municipality

City class

Jolo

Municipality 126.40

urban

Talipao

Municipality 380.57

partly urban

in km

class

Urbanisation

Population
Total

Density/km

140,307

1,110.02

85,920

225.77

Indanan

Municipality 170.72

partly urban

85,220

499.18

Parang

Municipality 258.00

partly urban

65,019

252.01

Siasi

Municipality 192.87

partly urban

63,518

329.33

Patikul

Municipality 330.04

partly urban

56,805

172.12

Old Panamao

Municipality 107.57

partly urban

49,903

463.91

Maimbung

Municipality

77.50

partly urban

38,092

491.51

Municipality 125.10

partly urban

35,263

281.88

Municipality 313.04

partly urban

33,508

107.04

Panglima Estino (New

Panamao)
Luuk

Basilan
Basilan is an island province of the Philippines located within the Autonomous
Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Basilan Island which includes about 400
islands is the biggest and northernmost among the islands of the Sulu
Archipelago. It is located just off the southern coast of Zamboanga Peninsula and
Isabela City is the provincial capital.
Basilan is classified as a 4th class province in terms of gross provincial income. However, the
gap between Basilans rich and poor residents ranked 3rd nationwide and is among the
narrowest in the country which means that the province has one of the most equitable
distributions of wealth anywhere in the country.
The climatic condition of Basilan is the same as other areas in the entire Zamboanga
Peninsula. It is outside the typhoon belt. March to May is hot and dry while June to October
is rainy. The temperature in the province ranges from 22 degress to 28 degress Celsius.
Basilan has a population that is 27% Christian about 90% of whom is Roman Catholic and
71% Muslim. A majority of Basilans Muslim population are concentrated mostly in the
islands southern slopes while the Christians reside mostly in the urban centers of Isabela
and Lamitan where they constitute a majority.
Chavacano is the primary language of Basilan, understood and spoken by nearly 80% of the
population both Christian and Muslim. The province has the biggest concentration of
Chavacano speakers in the Philippines, outside of Zamboanga City. Filipino or Tagalog is also
use by almost all residents as a second language. Tausug is also widely spoken and
understood, especially among the Muslim tribes while Cebuano or Bisaya is preferred among
the Christians tribes. English, on the other hand, is use for most official, business or
government transactions.
Agriculture is the main source of economic livelihood of Basilan. The provinces major
products are coconut, rubber, coffee, black pepper and African palm oil. Other crops are
palay, corn, cacao and cassava. The islands waters produce tuna, squid, octopus, marlin

and its fishponds supply milkfish, prawn and shrimp. In addition, seaweed is cultivated
along some coastal areas.
There are various attractions in the island of Basilan. There are architectural landmarks such
as the Santa Isabel Cathedral, the Calvario Peak on which the Chapel of Peace stands and
the Kaum Purnah Mosque. Natural attractions can also be seen in the province such as the
Kumalarang River, Tabiawan and Busay Waterfalls, Sumagdang Beach and the Malawi Island
where the traditional final resting places of nomad sea-faring Badjaos and Samal-LuansBanguingui can be found. Various cultures can also be visited such as the Badjao, the Yakan
and the Muslim communities.
The most populous cities and municipalities in Basilan are:
Population

Area

Income

in km

class

Component City

354.45

partly urban 82,074

231.55

Sumisip

Municipality

567.60

partly urban 71,807

126.51

Maluso

Municipality

304.14

partly urban 48,178

158.41

Ungkaya Pukan

Municipality

257.03

rural

30,472

118.55

Lantawan

Municipality

405.04

rural

28,978

71.54

Tipo-tipo

Municipality

217.00

rural

26,548

122.34

Tuburan

Municipality

546.00

rural

26,498

48.53

Al-barka

Municipality

188.70

rural

26,229

139.00

Hadji Mohammad Ajul Municipality

202.50

partly urban 26,132

129.05

Akbar

182.01

partly urban 21,312

117.09

City/Municipality

City class

City Of Lamitan

Municipality

Urbanisation

Total

Density/km

Maguindanao
Maguindanao is a province of the Philippines located in the Autonomous Region in
Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). It is composed of 36 municipalities, which are further
subdivided into 492 barangays with Shariff Aguak as the provincial capital.
Maguindanao is bounded on the north by Lanao del Sur, on the west by Ilana Bay,
on the east by Cotabato and on the south by Sultan Kudarat.
On November 22, 1972, the province of Maguindanao was created when North Cotabato
was divided into three provinces (Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato) by
virtue of Presidential Decree No. 341. In 1989, Maguindanao joined the Autonomous Region
in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) by virtue of Republic Act No. 6734.
On November 23, 2009, the Maguindanao Massacre, also known as the Ampatuan Massacre
after the town where the mass graves were found, occurred. While the victims were on their
way to file a certificate of candidacy for Esmael Mangudadatu for 2010 gubernatorial

election, they were kidnapped and brutally killed. Fifty-eight people were killed including
Mangundadatus wife, his two sisters, journalists, lawyers, aides, and motorists who were
witnesses or were mistakenly identified as part of the caravan. The massacre was
considered as the single deadliest event for journalists in history because at least 34
journalists are known to have died in the massacre.
The Maguindanaos, which literally means People of the Flood Plain, comprise 60% of the
population. They are mostly rice farmers and they produce fine brassware, malongs and
mats. They practice kaingin or slash and burn farming, do some hunting and weave
attractive baskets and handbags made of nito and rattan. They are divided into coastal,
river and mountain groups who live in communal households and practice polygamy and
have an effective indigenous legal system.
Maguindanao and Cebuano are the major dialects spoken in the province. Subdialects
include Tboli, Manobo and Tiruray. The province has evenly distributed rainfall throughout
the year. The hottest months are April to June.
Maguindanao grow a variety of crops, trap fish, and obtain wild foods and other materials
from the marshes for their subsistence. Wet rice is grown in the lowlands, and dry rice and
corn are farmed in the upland areas. Tubers, including yams and sweet potatoes, are among
the staple crops of the province. Vegetables such as tomatoes, squash, and beans are also
harvested in abundance. Many kinds of fruits are common in the province, including
bananas, mangoes, guavas and durians.
The most populous cities and municipalities in Maguindanao are:
Area Income

City/Municipality

City class

Sultan Kudarat (Nuling)

Municipality 712.91

Datu Odin Sinsuat (Dinaig) Municipality 461.80

Parang

Municipality 850.78

Shariff Aguak (Maganoy)

in km

class

Urbanisation

Population
Total

partly urban 121,324

rural

Density/km
170.18

103,765

224.70

partly urban 102,247

120.18

Municipality 392.70

partly urban

70,340

179.12

Datu Piang

Municipality 302.97

partly urban

49,971

164.94

Datu Saudi-ampatuan

Municipality

60.16

partly urban

45,126

750.10

Upi

Municipality 742.95

partly urban

41,757

56.20

Datu Unsay

Municipality

95.39

rural

40,522

424.80

Buldon

Municipality 429.40

rural

36,937

86.02

Matanog

Municipality 146.50

partly urban

36,319

247.91

Tawi-tawi
Tawi-Tawi is an island province of the Philippines, consisting of 107 islands and
islets, located in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). It is the
southernmost province of the country and has been traditionally referred to as
Philippines back door sharing sea borders with the Malaysian State of Sabah and
the Indonesian Kalimantan province. Tawi-Tawi is subdivided into 11
municipalities with the municipality of Bongao as the provincial capital.
The name Tawi-Tawi is believed to be derived from the Malay term jaui, which means far.
Prehistoric travelers called the province as Jaui-jaui to denote a very far place because of
its distance from mainland Asia. Tawi-Tawi was previously part of the province of Sulu but
pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 32, the province was officially created, separate from
Sulu on September 11, 1973.
Tawi-Tawi is the home of the Samals and Badjaos commonly known as Sea Gypsies among
the Western people. They are part of the Sama ethnic group whose culture is closely linked
to the sea. Samals build their houses on silts over shallow seas and their sustenance is
largely associated with marine resources with cassava as the staple. The Badjaos, on the
other hand, are born and live on their houseboats the lepa. The lepa is one of the most
beautiful of traditional boats, possessing an ancient type of boat architecture. Their
population, however, is diminishing due to diseases and migration to other areas in the
Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia.
The prevailing language in the province is the indigenous Bahasa Sama which is widely used
in varied tones and accents. The Bajau-Sama language is also spoken, as well as English
and Tagalog. Many locals and barter traders can speak Malay and Indonesian. Chavacano is
also spoken by Christian and Muslim locals who maintain contacts and trade with mainland
Zamboanga Peninsula and Basilan.
Rich Malay influences as well as tribal arts and crafts are very much visible in the province.
It is not uncommon to see folks dressed in colorful malongs and its women are adorned in
beads and brass and gold trinkets.
Tawi-Tawi, known as the Seaweed Capital of the Philippines is the major producer of agar
(powdered seaweed extract) in the country. Agriculture and fishing are also the leading
source of livelihood for the people of the province. Quite a number of the population also
engaged in barter trade business. Copra is the top agricultural product of the province,
followed by root crops, fruits and vegetables.
Tawi-Tawi, called as the southernmost pearl of the Philippines, is fast becoming a tourist
destination. Sure the security in the province is a major concern, but given enough support,
it has huge tourism potential. Its beautiful and unspoiled beaches, virgin forest and friendly

people are among its attraction. Tourists can experience various underwater activities like
scuba diving, deep sea swimming and snorkeling at white sand beaches.
The most populous cities and municipalities in Tawi-tawi are:
Area Income

City class

Bongao

Municipality 365.95

partly urban 95,055

259.75

Languyan

Municipality 581.20

partly urban 51,377

88.40

Panglima Sugala (Balimbing) Municipality 416.66

partly urban 50,504

121.21

Sitangkai

Municipality 792.00

partly urban 40,641

51.31

Simunul

Municipality 167.25

partly urban 38,239

228.63

Sapa-sapa

Municipality 235.61

partly urban 37,135

157.61

Sibutu

Municipality

0.00

partly urban 35,377

0.00

Tandubas

Municipality 552.05

partly urban 33,037

59.84

South Ubian

Municipality 272.04

partly urban 32,986

121.25

Municipality 181.29

partly urban 29,801

164.38

Mapun (Cagayan De Tawitawi)

in km

class

Urbanisation

Population

City/Municipality

Total Density/km

Lanao Del Sur

Lanao del Sur is one of the provinces of the Philippines and is part of the
Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). It forms the western portion of
Northern Mindanao and is bounded on the north by Lanao del Norte, on the east by
Bukidnon, on the west by Illana Bay, and on the south by Maguindanao and
Cotabato. The province is subdivided into 39 municipalities and 1 city, Marawi
which the capital. Marawi City is now the only chartered city in the country with
predominantly Muslim population.
Lanao del Sur has a cool and pleasant climate characterized by even distribution of rainfall
throughout the year, without a distinct summer season. It is relatively dry from November
to April and wet during the rest of the year. It is outside the typhoon belt of the country. Mt.
Butig is the highest peak which is located in the southern part of the province.
Lanao comes from the word ranao which means lake because the life of its people centers
on Lake Lanao, the second largest and deepest lake in the Philippines which is found at the
center of the province. Thus, Lanao is the land of the Maranaos, the people of the lake.
Lake Lanao is one of the breathtakingly beautiful spots in the province. It is surrounded with
myths and legends. Marawi City offers a magnificent view of the lake.
Because of its fertile agricultural lands and good typhoon-free climate, the province is ideal

for high value commercial crops such as rubber, cacao, coffee, sweet corn and other fruits
and vegetables. Goat and cattle raising have great potential not only for domestic
consumption but also for export.
The native Maranaos of Lanao del Sur have fascinating culture which is best manifested in
Marawi City by the presence of many large torogans, the Maranao houses, which are
characterized by an antique royal high roof with curved designs. The Aga Khan Museum
located within Mindanao State University stores Maranao and other Moro artifacts. It prides
itself for its huge collection of indigenous art and cultural materials, ethnic music, native
tools and weapons used by the Muslims.
The native wear of Maranao women is the malong which is worn as a shirt or dress, used to
cover the head or as a blanket. It can be geometric, floral, violet, purple, green, red or
yellow in color.
The most populous cities and municipalities in Lanao Del Sur are:

City/Municipality
Marawi City

City class
Component

Area Income
in km

class

Urbanisation

87.55

urban

Municipality

640.02

Wao

Municipality

485.24

Malabang

Municipality

Piagapo

Population
Total

Density/km

177,391

2,026.17

partly urban

57,304

89.53

partly urban

42,186

86.94

198.10

partly urban

41,024

207.09

Municipality

340.07

partly urban

34,792

102.31

Balabagan

Municipality

230.00

partly urban

33,421

145.31

Marantao

Municipality

660.00

partly urban

32,075

48.60

Balindong (Watu)

Municipality

453.94

rural

30,295

66.74

Masiu

Municipality

170.00

partly urban

30,196

177.62

Maguing

Municipality

815.04

rural

29,045

35.64

Lumba-bayabao
(Maguing)

City