GlobalPinoy, Travel - Occidental Mindoro

Occidental Mindoro is the western part of Mindoro. Found in the south of the Province of Batangas and northwest of the Visayas. The province is bounded on the north by the Verde Island Passage, on the west and south by the Mindoro Strait and on the east by its sister province, Oriental Mindoro.

Even before the Spaniards came the Chinese traders knew about the town, which is known before as “Mait”. During the exploration of the Spaniards in 1570 they changed the name from Mait to “Mina de Oro” meaning mine of gold and afterwards found some of the precious metal, though no major gold discoveries ever made.

Occidental Mindoro

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Agriculture is basically the major industry in Occidental Mindoro and holds the record of being the Southern Tagalog Region's leading rice producer. Other major agricultural products that are likewise exported from the province include coconut, corn, tobacco, garlic, mango, banana and peanut. The residents are also engaged in cattle and poultry raising, logging and fishing. The famous "Mindoro Bangus" is produced in many fresh-water ponds, while its offshore water teem with tuna, grouper and octopus. There are also light industries like processing fruits, fish, prawns and nuts, feed milling, gemstone and marble finishing, handicrafts, toys and gifts, which make use of the province’s profuse and accessible resources.

The province is gifted with varied attractions that are mostly natural. The place has virgin forests, beautiful white sand beaches, islands and islets rich with marine life, coral gardens, caves and waterfalls. Besides Boracay, it is one of the best places to scuba dive. Many scuba divers cannot resist the underwater beauty of Occidental Mindoro.

There are not much of historical sites, but the province offers a lot of tourist attractions like the Apo National Reef Park in Sablayan, which is acclaimed to be the best in Asia and the diving mecca of the Philippines. Cabra Island in Lubang is a favorite spot for fishing.

Local airlines flies from Manila to San Jose on a regular schedule. Travel time is 40 minutes. By sea transfer, William Lines leave the port of Manila for San Jose or Sablayan. Travel time is 16 hours.

FACTS

Region: 4
Capital: Mamburao
Land Area: 5,879.8 sq. km.
Number of Towns: 11

1. Lubang
2. Looc
3. Paluan
4. Abra de Ilog

5. Mamburao
6. Sta. Cruz
7. Sablayan
8. Calintaan

9. Rizal
10. San Jose
11. Magsaysay

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

AMBULONG ISLAND, San Jose - This 3000-hectare island has underwater caves, fine white beaches, cliffs and abundant coral formations.

APO REEF NATIONAL PARK, Sablayan - One of the prime dive sites of the country. An atoll reef divided by a narrow lagoon, with crystalline blue water covering an area of 35 sq. km. of coral reef teeming with a wide variety of marine life.

HULAGAAN FALLS, Lubang - This is a series of falls leading to a stony beach.

LUBANG ISLAND - Located in the northern part of Occidental Mindoro and offers stunning beaches and fabulous coves. This was where Hiroo Onoda, the last Japanese straggler of World War II, hid himself for 30 years before he finally surrendered in 1974.

MT. HALCON - The third highest mountain in the Philippines, is famous among hikers and mountaineers.

MT. IGLIT, San Jose - A sanctuary for the tamaraw, a wild animal that resembles the carabao.

PANDAN GRANDE ISLAND, Sablayan - A 30-hectare coral islet that is surrounded by white sand beach. It is also the nearest jump-off point to Apo Reef.

PRESING PARK (PAROLA), Sablayan - A 5-hectare park overlooking the sea, here stands the historic watchtower (Parola) that was used by the early natives to prey on Muslim Vintas. In the middle of the park near the Parola is a 15th century cannon that used to defend the town against the Moro pirates.

PURNAGA CAVE, Magsaysay - Inside the cave are several compartments with the size of small cargo containers. Found to contain guano deposits and water pools, the cave is believed to extend to the adjacent province of Oriental Mindoro.

WHITE ISLAND, San Jose - An almost mile-long beach with smooth and powdery white sand. A ideal place for swimming, scuba diving and fishing. Turtle eggs are occasionally found buried in the sand.