CALABARZON: represents the names of the provinces in the region.

Cavite Province, Philippines

Laguna Province, Philippines

Batangas Province, Philippines

Rizal Province, Philippines

Quezon Province, Philippines

Region IV-A – CALABARZON: The Economic Powerhouse of the South

Region IV-A, officially known as CALABARZON, is one of the most dynamic and strategically important regions in the Philippines. The name is an acronym derived from the names of its five provinces: CAvite, LAguna, BAtangas, RIZAl, and QuezON. Located immediately south of Metro Manila, the region functions as the nation’s primary industrial, manufacturing, and logistics hub, often referred to as the “Industrial Belt of the Philippines.” Its geography is diverse, ranging from the highly urbanized sprawl of Cavite and Laguna to the vast agricultural and coastal stretches of Batangas and Quezon, offering a unique blend of modernization and natural beauty.

Location and Accessibility

CALABARZON is situated in the southwestern part of Luzon. It is bounded by Metro Manila, Bulacan, and Pampanga to the north, the Bicol Region to the southeast, and the West Philippine Sea and Tayabas Bay to the south. The region is highly accessible due to its crucial road network, which links it directly to the National Capital Region (NCR). The vast majority of people get to and around the area using the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR Tollway), and the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX). These modern expressways facilitate the rapid movement of goods, commuters, and tourists, making CALABARZON a prime residential and business extension of Metro Manila. Bus lines, commuter vans, and private vehicles are the dominant modes of transport.

Population and Demographics (2020 Census)

According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Region IV-A – CALABARZON is the most populous region in the Philippines after the National Capital Region (NCR), with a total population of 16,195,042 residents. This figure accounts for nearly 15% of the national population, highlighting its density and high growth rate. The population is concentrated mainly in the provinces closest to Manila: Cavite (the largest with 4,344,829), Laguna, and Rizal. The region is predominantly Tagalog-speaking, especially in Batangas (known for the distinct Batangueño dialect) and Laguna, but rapid migration due to industrialization has introduced a highly cosmopolitan mix of dialects and cultures from all over the country.

Distance from Nearest Major Ports and Gateways

The regional seat of government is officially designated as Calamba City, Laguna. Its proximity to major transportation hubs is critical for the region’s economic success:

• By Air: The closest major international gateway is the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Metro Manila. Calamba City is approximately 45 to 60 kilometers away from NAIA, with a typical driving time of 1.5 to 2 hours via SLEX.
• By Sea: The regional government seat is close to two of the country’s most important seaports:

  – Batangas Port (Batangas City): Approximately 60 to 70 kilometers from Calamba City. By bus via the STAR Tollway, this journey takes around 1.5 to 2 hours, serving as the main domestic port connecting Luzon to the Visayas and Mindanao.
  – Port of Manila (Manila/NCR): Located roughly 50 to 70 kilometers away, allowing manufacturers in Cavite and Laguna quick access to the country’s main international cargo hub.

Main Contributing Industries and Economy (2023 Data)

CALABARZON’s economy is unparalleled outside of Metro Manila, consistently ranking as the second-largest contributor to the Philippines’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In 2023, the region’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) amounted to approximately ₱3.10 trillion, comprising nearly 17.2% of the national GDP. The region has the largest share of the nation’s total Industry sector output. Key industries:

• Manufacturing and Industry (Dominant Sector): This sector is the primary economic engine. Cavite and Laguna host numerous industrial parks and special economic zones specializing in high-tech electronics, automotive assembly (Santa Rosa, Laguna is known as the “Motor City of the Philippines”), machinery, and semi-conductors.
• Services: The services sector is rapidly expanding, fueled by trade, logistics, and the growth of business process outsourcing (BPO) and financial services in cities like Calamba, Sta. Rosa, and Antipolo.
• Agriculture: While industry dominates, the region maintains a strong agricultural base. Batangas is famous for Kapeng Barako (coffee) and livestock, while Quezon is the country’s leading producer of coconut products (copra and oil).

In terms of provincial ranking, according to 2023 Provincial Product Accounts (PPA) data, Laguna emerged as the top provincial economy in the country, surpassing the trillion-peso mark (₱1.03 trillion), with Cavite and Batangas also consistently ranking among the top provincial economies nationally.

Current Elected Provincial Leaders

CALABARZON is composed of five provincial governments. The current leadership (as of the 2022 elections) is as follows:

• Batangas: Governor Hermilando I. Mandanas / Vice Governor Mark Leviste
• Cavite: Governor Jonvic Remulla / Vice Governor Athena Tolentino
• Laguna: Governor Ramil L. Hernandez / Vice Governor Katherine C. Agapay
• Quezon: Governor Angelina DL. Tan / Vice Governor Anacleto C. Alcala III
• Rizal: Governor Rebecca A. Ynares / Vice Governor Junrey H. San Juan

Note: The highly urbanized city of Lucena, Quezon, has its own separate city government.

Prominent Tourist Attractions

The region’s tourist appeal lies in its combination of historical sites, mountain retreats, and beaches:

• Taal Volcano and Tagaytay Ridge (Batangas/Cavite): Tagaytay City offers panoramic views of the Taal Volcano and Lake, the world-famous “lake within a volcano within a lake.”
• Pagsanjan Falls (Laguna): Known for the exhilarating “Shooting the Rapids” boat ride through rocky gorges to reach the main falls.
• Rizal Shrine (Calamba, Laguna): The fully reconstructed ancestral home of the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, is a major historical destination.
• Heritage Town of Taal (Batangas): A beautifully preserved Spanish-era town featuring the Basilica of St. Martin of Tours, the largest Catholic church in Asia.
• Mount Banahaw (Laguna/Quezon): A sacred, dormant volcano that is a popular destination for religious pilgrims and hikers.
• Beaches of Batangas: Resorts in Anilao (Mabini) and Nasugbu are globally renowned diving and snorkeling havens.

Yearly Festivals

CALABARZON is home to some of the country’s most colorful and historically significant annual festivals:

• Pahiyas Festival (Lucban, Quezon): Held every May 15th, this is a harvest festival in honor of San Isidro Labrador. Houses are decorated with colorful agricultural produce, particularly kiping (rice wafers) and fruits, showcasing the town’s bountiful harvest.
• Parada ng Lechon (Balayan, Batangas): Celebrated every June 24th, this festival honors St. John the Baptist, where roasted pigs (lechon) are paraded through the streets wearing elaborate costumes before being enjoyed by the public.
• Sublian Festival (Batangas City, Batangas): A two-week-long celebration in July that features the subli, a traditional dance ritual honoring the Holy Cross of Bauan and Agoncillo.
• Higantes Festival (Angono, Rizal): Celebrated every November, the festival showcases gigantic paper-mâché effigies (higantes) measuring 10 to 12 feet tall, usually depicting comical politicians or community figures.

History

The CALABARZON region holds an unparalleled place in Philippine history as the Cradle of the Philippine Revolution. The region was home to several key figures who led the movement for independence from Spain, most notably Dr. Jose Rizal (born in Calamba, Laguna) and General Emilio Aguinaldo (born in Kawit, Cavite), who declared independence from his ancestral home in 1898. During the Spanish colonial period, the region was collectively known as Southern Tagalog. It remained one administrative region (Region IV) until 2002, when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo officially separated it into Region IV-A (CALABARZON) and Region IV-B (MIMAROPA) through Executive Order No. 103, largely to rationalize economic development and facilitate the planning of vital infrastructure projects that were increasingly making the area the industrial backbone of the Philippines.

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