Official Website of the Province of Palawan

Map of Palawan

MAGSAYSAYMAGSAYSAY, is located in the same island as Cuyo, used to be part of the latter. It became a town only in 1963. The people of Magsaysay were already blacksmiths and goldsmith even the Spaniards came. These skills had been passed on to the present generation. It is, however, essentially an agricultural and fishing town. Among its tourist attractions is the Cola Spanish Fort in Lucbuan. Magsaysay produces the famous seaweeds, “Lato” popular among the Cuyono’s.
CUYOCuyo is a group of 45 scattered islets the biggest of which is Cuyo Islan with an area of 22 square miles The Amanpulo, a first-class island resort frequented by the rich and famous of the world, is in one of these islets.
AGUTAYAThe word Agutaya is a derivative word Agunan, a kind of root crop growing abundantly in the place, and Yan, a kind of fish that also abounds in the seas around it. With the word TA added in between Agu and Yan, the present name Agutaya is formed. It means plenty of roots and fishes in the place.
CAGAYANCILLOThe Tubbataha National Marine Park, one of the best, if not the best – diving sites in the world, is one of the natural wonders that cagayancillo can be truly proud of, and rightly so, because Tubbataha is the first National Marine Park in the Philippines that was proclaimed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
ARACELIARACELI’S name has a unique origin. It was derived from two roots words, ARA and SILI. It was said that a Muslim Vinta arrived at the place and asked for sili, a plant called Catombal in Cuyuno, and pepper in English. The inhabitants answered “ARA” meaning “NONE”. But in an island where food is plentiful, pepper is the last thing that the people need.
BUSUANGABUSUANGA is one of the municipalities that comprise the Calamianes. It used to be a barrio of Coron. Because of its rich deposits in manganese, the Japanese became interested in it. Occupying it during WW II. It became a municipality only in 1960. Today it is home to the Calauit Wildlife Sanctuary where African and endemic animals roam freely in verdant hills and plains.
CORONThe name CORON was derived from the Tagbanua word coron meaning “enclosed” because the place was almost enclosed by tall mountains on its three sides. Coron island has been home to tagbanuas, a nomadic and a deeply superstitious people who, for many years, believed that the island is enchanted. The Tagbanuas were part of the second wave of Indonesians who migrated to this country some 5,000 years ago. They are paganistic and nomadic by nature.. The newly constructed Mt. Tayapas Environmental Park is one of the additional tourist attractions to local and foreign tourists.
CULIONIn 1740 , CULION was established by the Spaniars as a bastion of defense against the “Moros.” In 1904 the island was declared a Leper Colony Reservation by virtue of Executive Order No. 35 promulgated by Civil Governor Luke E. Wright, purposely for the isolation and treatment of all persons suffering from Hansen’s disease or leprosy. Because of its rich seawaters and fertile lands, it attracted migrants from all over the country.. It became a municipality in 1992. Today, cullion is better known as the seaweeds capital of Palawan.
DUMARANAttracted by the rich fishing ground and huge farmlands of DUMARAN, migrants from Cuyo and the rest of the country came to populate the place. Accessible by land and sea the City of Puerto Princesa, this serene farming and fishing town is gradually asserting its importance in the province. The Dumaran Cave, Penaculitan Lake Umalingayan Waterfalls are among Dumaran’s Treasures that are just waiting to be discovered.
EL NIDOLocated in the northernmost parts of mainland Palawan, El Nido is one of the jewels of Palawan. Its towering and majestic marble cliffs, pristine waters amazing islands and islets, and world-class diving sites make it one of the most-visited towns of palawan. The presence of such first-rate resorts as Ten Knots testify to its strong potential as a major tourist destination. It is also famous for its edible bird’s nest and they yearly celebration of Pista ng Kulambo.
LINAPACANLegend has it that long time ago, when the Spanish Missionaries arrived in this beautiful island, they saw a beautiful woman walking along the beach. When they asked her name, she Answered “ PACAN.” They discovered later that she was the wife of the chieftain of the island, so they named the island “ Reina Pacan,” in honor of the beautiful queen. Long after, Reina Pacan became LINAPACAN. Queenly indeed is the wealth of this island municipality, in its shores is the West Linapacan Oil Field.
ROXASRoxas id the place in Palawan where it was once said that people walk on wealth. This was because the land that the residents were walking on was precious industrial commodity silica. It is one of Palawan’s most progressive municipalities. In these days tourists frequent this place because of its pristine beaches like Coco Loco Island Resort.
SAN VICENTEThe Municipality of SAN VICENTE, located in Northern Palawan, was once a logging camp. But due to concerted efforts, and recent environment activities to protect its nature, it now boats of its tourism potentials. Long white sand beaches and exotic islands can be found here.
TAYTAYIt was in the year 1890 when the Spaniards came to TAYTAY and discovered that its inhabitants were the Tagbanuas. Migrants coming from different places paved the way to make it a barrio. Progress started to creep as fishing ventures and lucrative business lured other people to come and finally stay. Civilization started to flourish with the influence of the Spaniards. Today. It is a home to the world-class resort that is Club Noah Isabelle.
PUERTO PRINCESA CITYThe capital of Palawan, Puerto Princesa City is home to the world-famous Puerto Princesa City Subterranean River National Park, the world’s longest navigable underground river, inscribed by UNESCO as a Worls Heritage Site.
SOFRONIO ESPAÑOLASOFRONIO ESPAÑOLA, lies in Southern Palawan. The original settlers of this place were the natives called Palaw’an, who enjoyed the rich gift of nature but years later, people from Aklan and Iloilo started to migrate and decided to stay in Epañola. Among its tourist-drawers are the King’s Paradise Resort, the Iraray Hot Spring and the El Salvador Park.
ABORLANThe original settlers of the place believe that the first inhabitants were GODS. The place then was known as “Abelan” taken from the world Abel which is a legendary tree belonging to the gods which served as a source of clothing for the inhabitants during that time.
NARRANARRA, is not named after the national tree. It is an abbreviation for a government resettlement plan during the presidency of Ramon Magsaysay. NARRA stands for National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Administration. As the rice granary of Palawan, it is now one of the most progressive towns.
QUEZONQuezon id known in local history as the “ cradle of civilization of Palawan” because of the Tabon man that was discovred by Dr. Fox several years ago. The skull and the Mangunggul Jar which is considered the “ Most Esquisite among its contemporaries,” were found in the Tabon Caves Complex numbering more than 200 caves and cavelets is now a protected area under the auspices of the national Museum.
JOSE P. RIZALThe Municipality of RIZAL in southern Palawan I home to the indigenous community called palaw’an. The Palaw’ans come down from the mountain regularly to the center of the town to participate in the Tabuan, a market place where they converge to sell their products.
BATARAZAEstablished in 1964, it was named in honor of Datu Bataraza Narrazid who, during the Amrican occupation succeeded in fighting for the rights and recognition in the area. The Ursula Island, declared a bird sanctuary for being the haven of over 150,000 birds the congregate there two hours before sunset, is under its political jurisdiction. Together with Ursula Island, waterfalls like the Kapangyan and Lalatuan are potential tourist attraction.
BROOKE'S POINTNamed after Sir Philip Brooke, a british adventure who was the first white man to land in the area to chart and make geopraphical maps for navigation as commissioned by the British Admiralty in the late 19th century, Brooke’s Point used to be the economic link between Palawan and Borneo which was then under the Sultan of Jolo.
BALABACBALABAC id the last island town of Palawan in the south and is near Borneo and Malaysia. If there is anything special about Balabac, it is one of the oldest lighthouse ever built in the country The Lighthouse at Cape Melville is one of the most historical structures in the province. The places of interest in Balabac include Morenton Peak Game Refuge, and Basay Waterfalls.
KALAYAANKALAYAAN is located in the Spratlys Group of islands , South China Sea. In the waters that surrounds the islands that compose the municipality, are rich fishing grounds frequented not just by Filipino fishers, but also those originating from other claimant countries, like China and Vietnam. It is also believed that beneath the sea bed of the municipality are rich deposits of oil and natural gas.