July 24, 2019What You Should Know About Palawan

Palawan, the country’s westernmost province, is among the few places of paradise. It boasts of beautiful beaches and rich biodiversity. It is also the only province in the Philippines that has not been visited by strong earthquakes.

It has appeared multiple times in the World’s Best Islands list of Travel + Leisure magazine, even topping the rankings in 2013, 2016 and 2017. In 2019, Palawan placed 2nd overall.

As Rappler heads to the Palawan State University on Thursday, July 25, for its #MovePalawan roadshow to promote social good in the digital age, here are additional fast facts about the province.

1. Palawan is the largest province in the Philippines by land area…

It has an area of 17,030.75 square kms, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. This includes Puerto Princesa City, the provincial capital and the country’s second largest city by land area, after Davao City.

Palawan’s population is 1,104,585 as of the 2015 census. Nearly a quarter of that number is in Puerto Princesa City, with 255,116. Its big size, however, makes Puerto Princesa the least densely populated city in the Philippines, with only 107 persons per square km.

Despite being Palawan’s capital, Puerto Princesa is a highly-urbanized city and is not administratively part of the province.

2. … but Palawan may be split into 3 provinces if voters there will approve the division.

In April 2019, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act 11259 dividing Palawan into 3: Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental, and Palawan del Sur. Puerto Princesa City will not be part of any province administratively.

But first, voters in Palawan (except Puerto Princesa) will have to approve these changes in a plebiscite on May 11, 2020.

Among the 3 proposed new provinces, Palawan del Sur will be the largest by land area and by population, while Palawan Oriental will be the smallest.

Province (proposed) Population (2015) Land Area (in sq. km.)
Palawan del Sur 434,423 7,213.83
Palawan del Norte 226,427 3,957.97
Palawan Oriental 188,619 3,477.93

3. Palawan is home to one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

The Puerto Princesa Underground River contains a stunning network of subterranean rivers and cave systems. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The national park for the underground river is teeming with various plant and animal species. The area “also represents a significant habitat for biodiversity conservation,” said UNESCO in its website. (WATCH: Hidden gems of the Puerto Princesa Underground River)

The Puerto Princesa Underground River joins others on the New 7 Wonders of Nature list, such as the Amazon rainforest in South America and Jeju Island in South Korea.

4. Tourist arrivals in Palawan picked up in 2018.

A total of 1,809,880 tourists visited Palawan in 2018, up by 21% versus 2017, reported Palawan Daily News, citing data from the province’s tourism department.

Around 6 out of 10 tourists in 2018 were domestic travelers, while the rest were foreigners.

Besides the Puerto Princesa Underground River, tourists also visit the beaches in Coron and El Nido, among others.

5. Palawan hasn’t been hit by a destructive earthquake at least since 1907.

A map by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) shows that from 1907 to 2012, Palawan has not been visited by destructive earthquakes. (The closest are some earthquakes near the northern part of Palawan, around Busuanga and Coron islands.)

Phivolcs explained that Palawan has no active faults, making the province generally safe from earthquakes. However, Phivolcs warned that it remains prone to hazards caused by earthquakes in nearby areas, like tsunamis.

Source: Rappler

The El Nido Beach Investment Report 2024

Learn more about market forecasts & exciting opportunities to enjoy invaluable financial benefits with special privileges in Southeast Asia's fastest growing tourism industry.

Get in touch

Head Office

  • Labuan Financial Park, Level 14,
    Main Office Tower 87000
    Labuan, Malaysia

Philippine Office

  • Unit 212 2F Commercenter,
    Filinvest Alabang,
    Muntinlupa City

Copyright © 2024 El Nido Beach Resorts Inc. All Rights Reserved.

© 2023 – This development project is brought by El Nido Beach Resorts Inc., a company duly organized and existing under the laws of Labuan, Malaysia. The project is exclusive to accredited investors and not available to the general public. The information set forth herein is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. Any person considering a potential investment opportunity featured herein should make their own commercial assessment of an investment opportunity after seeking the advice of an appropriately authorized or regulated financial advisor. This website should not be construed as advice or a personal recommendation to any prospective investor. The following renderings, specifications and any graphic materials described herein are conceptual and for illustrative purposes only. They do not form part of any legally binding contract. The developer reserves the right to modify, revise, or withdraw any or all of the same in its sole discretion and without prior notice or to substitute any of the foregoing with items of similar or better value, in the developer’s opinion. All rights reserved.