Central Luzon

Region III

Geographi
cal
Backgrou
Central
nd Luzon
occupies the central
portion of the island
of Luzon and is
strategically located
between Northern
Luzon and National
Capital Region.

Geographical Background
Characteristics

Total Land Area:

2,201,463 ha

Provinces:

Cities:

13

Municipalities:

117

Barangays:

3,102

Agricultural Land Area:

552,104 ha.

Temporary Crop Land:

410,973 ha.

Idle Land:

4,790 ha.

http://countrystat.bas.gov.ph/?cont=16&r=3

Geographical Background
Permanent Crop Land:

100,194 ha.

Meadows/Pasture:

5,801 ha.

Forest Land:

3,360 ha.

Other Land:

23,620 ha.

Population (2010)
Total Population:

10,137,737

Growth Rate (2000-2010):

2.14 percent

Climate:

Type I, II, III

Dialect:

Tagalog, Kapampangan, Sambal, Casiguranin, Ilocano

Poverty incidence among families (%) 2012:

10.10 percent

Provinces
Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac,
Zambales

Aurora
Nicknamed: "Land of the
Golden Sunrise
and "Gateway to the
Pacific"

Aurora
A province of the Philippines located in the
eastern part of Central Luzon region, facing the
Philippine Sea. Its capital is Baler and borders,
clockwise from the south, the provinces of
Quezon, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya,
Quirino, and Isabela.

Economy
Agriculture is the primary industry in Aurora, employing
approximately half of the population. About 49,991
hectares, or 15% of the provincial land area, consist of
cultivated land. Major crops include rice, coconut, coffee,
bananas, root crops, corn, citrus fruits, peanuts and
abaca.

Bataan

Bataan
The capital of Bataan is Balanga City and it is bordered by
the provinces of Zambales and Pampanga to the north. The
peninsula faces the South China Sea to the west and Subic
Bay to the north-west, and encloses Manila Bay to the east.

Bataan
The population of Bataan for the year 2000 was 552,000
based on the growth rate of 2.12% in Central Luzon
Tagalog is the main language and is widely used, followed
by Pampango and Ilocano. English is used mostly as the
medium of transaction in business.

MAJOR INDUSTRIES
Bataan remains basically an agricultural province in spite
of the rapid industrialization during the last decade.
Mariveles is the site of an export-processing zone that
accounts for heavy industry in the province.

Bulacan

Bulacan
A first class province of the Republic of the Philippines
located in the Central Luzon Region (Region 3) in the island
of Luzon, 50 km north of Manila (the nation's capital), and
part of the Metro Luzon Urban Beltway Super Region.
Bulacan was established 15 August 1578.

Bulacan
The province is honored as one of the 8 rays of the sun in
the national flag. It is the home of the "Three Republics."
These are the Republic of Real de Kakarong de Sili (1896)
in Pandi, the Republic of Biak-na-Bato (1897) and the First
Philippine Republic in Malolos (18991901).

Nueva
Ecija
Nueva Ecija is the largest
province and the biggest rice
producer of Central Luzon and
the Philippines, thus, often
referred to as the Rice Bowl
of the Philippines.

Nueva Ecija
A landlocked province of the Philippines located in the
Central Luzon region. Its capital is Palayan City. Nueva
Ecija borders, from the south clockwise, Bulacan,
Pampanga, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, and
Aurora.

Nueva Ecija
The province of Nueva Ecija was created in 1705 by the
Spanish Governor General Don Fausto Cruzar y Gongora.
Nueva Ecija is considered the main rice growing province
of the country, thus it is often referred to as the Rice
Granary of the Philippines.

Nueva Ecija
Nueva Ecija is one of the top producers of agricultural
products in the country. Its principal crops is mainly rice
but corn and onion are also produced in quantity. The
province is often referred to as the Rice Granary of the
Philippines.

Pampang
a

Pampanga
A province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon
region. Its capital is the City of San Fernando. Pampanga is
bordered by the provinces of Bataan and Zambales to the
west, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija to the north, and Bulacan to
the southeast.

Pampanga
The population has produced two presidents, three chief
justices, a senate president, the first Filipino cardinal and
many

outstanding

personalities

in

public

service,

education, diplomacy, journalism, the arts and sciences,

entertainment and business.

Tarlac
Melting Pot Of Central
Luzon and Sugar
Capital of Luzon

Tarlac
The economy of Tarlac is predominantlyagricultural.
Principal crops arericeandsugarcane. Other major crops
arecornandcoconut; vegetables such
aseggplant,garlic, andonion; and fruit trees
likemango,banana, andcalamansi. It is among the
biggest producers ofriceandsugarcane.

Zambales

Zambales
Zambales is served by the Subic Bay International Airport, which
is located in Cubi Point in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. The
Freeport Zone is host to many tourist attractions which include
casinos, beach resorts, parks, beachside huts and cottages and
historical sites.

Zambales
Tourism plays a large role in the economy of Zambales. Local and
foreign

tourist

flock

its

many

beaches

creating

many

job

opportunities and contributing to the economy. Most of the

province is still agricultural but there are considerable industrial
zones that provide jobs not just for residents of Zambales but also
for neighboring provinces. Mining has recently been booming in
Zambales where there is an abundant deposit of Nickel and other
minerals.

Products, Delicacies &

Festivals
Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac,
Zambales

Aurora
It isa bit sweet alreadyso
no need to dip it in sugar.
It comes in two versions -- the
basic white and the ubecolored one made with rice
coming from Dilasag, Aurora.

Aurora

Ensaladang Pako

Peanut Butter

DICASALARIN
COVE

Festivals
AURORA DAY AND
SUMAN FESTIVAL
February 14- February 19 |
Baler, Aurora
Baler, Aurora
The biggest and grandest
of all feasts in Aurora is a
parade of floats uniquely
designed. Main streets
and homes are decked
with suman, a native
delicacy

Festivals
Sabutan Festival
Date August 24-25
Venue San Luis, Aurora
Description The Sabutan Festival
in the town of San Luis, province
of Aurora highlights the
importance of growing palm trees
locally called Sabutan on the
community's economic wellbeing.

Historical Sights
Aurora Quezon Marker
The historic marker built in honor of
Doa Aurora Aragon Quezon, the wife
of Commonwealth President Manuel
L. Quezon. Aurora Quezon was known
for her untiring efforts in social
welfare, especially for the benefit of
the people of Aurora province

Historical Sights
Baler Catholic Church
The structure is an old church with a
simple facade. Here, the last Spanish
garrison of four officers and 50 men
was besieged by Filipino insurgents
from June 27, 1898 to July 2, 1899.

Bataan
Tinapais the Filipino term
that usually refers to fish
cooked or preserved through
the process of smoking.

Bataan
Ukoy
Ukoyis the Filipino version
of Shrimp Fritters. This dish
can be eaten as a snack or
an appetizer.

Bataan
Ginataang Laing
is taro leaves cooked in
coconut

milk

plus

other

flavorsome ingredients and

seasonings

Bataan
is

mountain

in

thetown

ofPilr,

Province ofBataan, in the Republic of

thePhilippines. Located on the summit
of

the

mountain

Kagitingan(Shrine

is

Dambana

ng

of

Valour),

memorial shrine complex built to honor

and remember the gallantry of Filipino
and

American

soldiers

duringWorld War 2.

who

fought

Philippine Japanese Friendship Tower

located

at

Bataan,

was

commemorate
reconciliation,

Bagac,
built

to
the

peace,

and friendship between

the once warring nations
of Philippines and Japan
during the World War II.

TOURIST ATTRACTION

FIRST ABUCAY CATHOLIC

CHURCH

MOUNT SAMAT

ZERO KILOMETRE
DEATH MARCH
MARKER

TheZero Km. Death

March Markerwas
the starting point of
theBataan Death
MarchinBagacin
1942

FESTIVALS

BANGA FESTIVAL PAKIWAN FESTIVAL

Products, Delicacies &

Festivals of Bulacan

Delicacies
Puto bumbong
Bulacan, home of
numerous delicious recipes,
has made Philippine
delicacies more flavorful.
Thanks to its people who
are very good in cooking.

Suman
bulacan
Made up of glutinous rice

Yema
pastillas
Yema

is

another

favorite for those who

have a sweet tooth.
Bulacan is the home of
this tasty and sweet
candy.

Meringue
Meringue is a great treat
for the sweet tooth. It is a
delicacy loved and enjoyed
by both young and old but
most especially the kids.

Biak na
Bato
Biyak na Bato is a national park.
It was declared so by President
Manuel L. Quezon in 1937. History
has it that Filipino revolutionaries
like Emilio Aguinaldo used the
numerous caves of Biak na Bato
as

refuge

when

they

against the spaniards.

fought

Obando
Fertility Rites

Carabao
Festival
PULILAN CARABAO
FESTIVAL

Singkaban
Festival: Linggo
Ng Bulacan

Pagoda Festival

Obando
Church

Bato
National
Park

Products, Delicacies &

Festivals of Nueva
Ecija

Taong Putik
Festival

Kariton
Festival

Taduyong
Festival

Delicacies
Suman sa lihiya
Suman sa Lihiya
originated in Nueva
Ecija. It is made of
glutinous rice, water and
lihiya. Sugar and grated
coconut can be added
as desired.

Duro-duro
Duro-duro is a delicacy
made

from

rice

that

originated in Nueva Ecija.

It only has three simple
ingredients:

glutinous

rice,

oil,

cooking

and

brown sugar. But it surely

has a great taste.

Church of Penaranda
The church of Penaranda was erected in
1869

by

Fr.

Florentino

Samonte.

Construction was continued by Fr. Candicho

San Miguel from 18791881 and by Fr.
Santos Vega from 1887-1889. From 1889 to
1891, the parochial house of bricks and
wood was built by Fr. Valentin Gatode la
Fuente. Fr. Alvaro Callega built the original
church with thatch-roof and stone walls

Minalungao Park
Declared as a national park, it
features a breathtaking view of the
narrow but deep Penaranda River.
On both sides of the river bank are
16 meter high limestone walls. The
ridge formation of white sculptured
limestone walls shows the might of
the great river.

Products, Delicacies &

Festivals of Pampanga

Tourist
Attraction
s
Fort Stotsenburg

Mt.
Pinatubo
Crater

Mt Arayat National park

in Arayat
Mount Arayat is a dormant
volcano with an area of 3,
715.28 hectares situated in
Pampanga.

Delicacies
Bulanglang Kapampangan
A healthy soup perfect for any
fried dishes to liven up your
meal. It was introduced by the
province of Pampanga.

Pastillas de leche

Pastillas de mocha

Giant
Lantern
Festival
The word parol derives from the
Spanish farol, meaning lantern or
light. Filipinos place much
significance on the symbolism of
light, the star regarded as a fount
of light and a sign of hope in the
predominantly Christian country
in Asia.

Sinukwan
Festival
TheSinukwan Festivalrelives
theKapampanganspirit with a
week-long calendar of cultural
revivals capped by a grand streetdance parade in the streets ofSan
Fernando, with towns outdoing
each other to the tune of Atin Cu
Pung Singsing.

Products, Delicacies &

Festivals of Taclac

Belenismo
sa Tarlac
The campaign to create an annual tourist
attraction for Tarlac and at the same
time develop a Belen-related cottage
industry while preserving the religious
importance of remembering the birth of
Jesus Christ has gained ground with the
launch in December 2007 of "Belenismo
sa Tarlac," a project initiated by a group
led by Ms. Isabel Cojuangco-Suntay that
seeks to transform the province into the
"Belen Capital" of the Philippines

Delicacies:
pancit malabon,
palabok

Tourist
Spots:
Hacienda Luisita
Tarlac City, Tarlac
The Cojuangco-owned
hacienda in Tarlac City
houses the famous Tarlac
Industrial Park where a
growing lists of international
export producing companies
are located

Magsaysay
Dam
Mayantok, Tarlac
This dam, named after the
late

Pres.

Magsaysay,
crystal-clear

Ramon
boasts
water

of
from

the mountain and a scenic

view of surrounding areas.

Camiling Museum
Maria Clara Museum, in Camiling, Tarlac, was built in honor of Leonor
Rivera, sweetheart of Dr. Jose Rizal the Philippine national hero,
immortalized as the heroine Maria Clara in his novels Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo. Preserved inside are the priceless
mementos of Leonora like pieces of embroidered box, jewelry music
box and wigs where Rizal's letters were meticulously kept. Ornate
pieces of furniture that was used by the heroine can be seen inside.

Products, Delicacies &

Festivals of Zambales

Looc Lake

Bagnet

Ginipang of
Sta. Cruz
Ginipa is a native delicacy
of the northernmost town
of

Zambales,

conspicuously
grains

made
dried

flavored

of
rice

with

uniquely sweet concoction

to taste.

Mango
Festival
The event is a celebration of a
bountiful harvest of mangoes
and

other

agricultural

products which the province is

so known for. It is aimed to
highlight

the

attractions

and

must-see
places

interest in all its towns.

of