List of the 18 Regions in the Philippines
National – Capital Region ● I – Ilocos ● II – Cagayan Valley ● III – C. Luzon ● IV‑A – Calabarzon ● IV‑B – Mimaropa ● V – Bicol ● VI – W. Visayas ● VII – C. Visayas ● VIII – E. Visayas ● IX – Zamboanga Peninsula ● X – N. Mindanao ● XI – Davao ● XII – Soccsksargen ● XIII – Caraga ● XIV – CAR ● XV – BARMM ● XVI – Negros Island Region (NIR)
Educational Note: Only 17 of the 18 administrative regions of the Philippines are under the jurisdiction and general supervision of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is the sole exception — it operates under its own organic law and answers directly to the President of the Philippines.. (This distinction is often misunderstood, as many Filipinos assume BARMM is under the DILG — it is not.)
The National Capital Region (NCR), commonly known as Metro Manila, represents a microcosm of the Philippines. Located in the central section of Luzon, it is the premier political, economic, educational, social, recreational, and cultural hub of the country, profoundly influencing the rest of the nation.
Metro Manila began as a small tribal settlement along the banks of the Pasig River near Manila Bay. Over the centuries, it expanded steadily from the southern area along the Pasig River and the coastal flatlands between Manila Bay and the Marikina Valley. Major land reclamation projects in the 1980s further expanded its urban footprint westward into Manila Bay, accommodating the growing metropolitan sprawl.
Today, Metro Manila serves as the nation’s capital region and its principal gateway to the world. It remains the Philippines’ foremost commercial, financial, and educational center, while housing the seat of the national government. Strategically situated, it shapes the country’s political and economic landscape, with influences radiating into the surrounding provinces and countryside.
Since its official designation as the National Capital Region in 1975, Metro Manila has grown to consist of sixteen highly urbanized cities and one independent municipality. These include:
Cities: Manila, Quezon City, Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Makati, Taguig, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Malabon, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Marikina, Las Piñas, Navotas, and San Juan
Municipality: Pateros
Metro Manila is home to a vast network of shopping and commercial centers including the Ayala Center, Greenbelt Shopping Center, Landmark Makati, multiple SM and Robinson’s malls scattered in various cities, Rustan’s Department Stores, Festival Mall, and the historic Tutuban Center. New economic hubs, such as Bonifacio Global City (The Fort) and the Rockwell Center in Makati, continue to drive business and lifestyle innovation.
The financial sector flourishes here, hosting major banks and institutions, including the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Presently, there are 47 commercial banks, 16 thrift banks, and two specialized government banks operating within the region.
Education thrives with numerous institutions ranging from elementary to tertiary levels. The region boasts 81 higher education institutions and 1,559 elementary and secondary schools, maintaining an impressive literacy rate above 92%. Prestigious universities like the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, University of Santo Tomas, the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), and the University of Asia and the Pacific (UAP) call Metro Manila home.
With its diverse population of over 14 million people spread across approximately 636 square kilometers, Metro Manila is one of the most densely populated metropolitan areas in the world. Its constant evolution keeps it at the forefront of the country’s development and growth.
| Cities in the NCR – Metro Manila Area | Districts |
|---|---|
| Caloocan | Northern Manila or Camanava – 3rd District |
| Las Piñas | Southern Manila – 4th District |
| Makati | Southern Manila – 4th District |
| Malabon | Northern Manila or Camanava – 3rd District |
| Mandaluyong | Eastern Manila – 2nd District |
| Manila | Capital District – 1st District |
| Marikina | Eastern Manila – 2nd District |
| Muntinlupa | Southern Manila – 4th District |
| Navotas | Northern Manila or Camanava – 3rd District |
| Parañaque | Southern Manila – 4th District |
| Pasay | Southern Manila – 4th District |
| Pasig | Eastern Manila – 2nd District |
| Pateros | Southern Manila – 4th District |
| Quezon City | Eastern Manila – 2nd District |
| San Juan | Eastern Manila – 2nd District |
| Taguig | Southern Manila – 4th District |
| Valenzuela | Northern Manila or Camanava – 3rd District |
Capital District (Manila) – 1st District
Eastern Manila – 2nd District (Mandaluyong, Marikina, Pasig, Quezon City, San Juan)
Northern Manila or Camanava – 3rd District (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela)
Southern Manila – 4th District (Las Piñas, Makati, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Pasay, Taguig)
Featured News of the Philippines
January 7, 2026
1️⃣ Andas for Traslación 2026 now ready, with upgrades
The Andas carrying the Black Nazarene for January 9 Traslación features new steering wheel and reinforced underchassis to handle massive devotee crowds safely.
2️⃣ Over 3,500 affected by Mayon volcano unrest
NDRRMC reports 3,515 people from 964 families evacuated in Albay due to recent magmatic eruptions, ashfall, and pyroclastic flows; all in permanent danger zone.
3️⃣ Magnitude 6.4 quake hits off southern Philippines
USGS detects 6.4 quake off Davao Oriental coast—no tsunami threat reported, but locals feel shaking; no immediate damage confirmed.