PALAWAN : THE COUNTRY'S LAST FRONTIER

I. OVERVIEW

Palawan, an island province southwest of Manila, is revered as one of the Philippines' and Asia 's most haunting and final frontiers.

Palawan, the country's last environmental frontier, is blessed with 1,780 islands and islets most of which have irregular coastlines that make excellent harbors. Thick forests covering these steepIy sloped mountains assure adequate watersheds for rivers and streams. Palawan is surrounded by a coral shelf that abounds with varied and colorful marine life, hence the island province has been declared a nature sanctuary. The province boasts of extraordinary scenic wonders like El Nido, St. Paul Underground River, Tabon Caves and Honda Bay Islands.

Puerto Princesa is the capital of Palawan.

A. BRIEF HISTORY
The history of Palawan may be traced back 22,000 years ago as confirmed by the discovery of fossils of the Tabon cave man in Quezon, Palawan. Although the origin of the cave dwellers is not yet established, anthropologists believe these came from Borneo traveling across the land bridge that connected Palawan with Borneo. The similarity of Palawan's flora and fauna with that of Borneo fostered this belief.

There are several versions regarding the origin of the name "Palawan". Some contend that it was derived from the Chinese word Pa lao yu" meaning" Land of the Beautiful Harbours". Others believe that it came from the Indian word 'Palawas' meaning territory. Still others believe that it was derived from a plant which the natives called 'Palwa'. But the popular belief is that "Palawan" is a corrupted form of the Spanish word "Paragua" because the main island's shape resembles a closed umbrella.

B. GEOGRAPHY
Palawan has a land area of l,489,655 hectares. It reclines between Mindoro and North Borneo Islands. Palawan is approximately 586 kilometers southwest of Manila. The island province extends toward the southwest forming a partial land bridge between Mindoro and North Borneo. The western side of the island faces South China Sea. Palawan's important islands are Busuanga, Culion, Linapacan, Cuyo, Dumaran, Cagayanes and Balabac.

The mountain ranges average 3,500 feet in attitude with the highest peak rising to 6,800 feet at Mount Matalingahan. On both sides are virgin islands with rivers and streams serviceable for irrigation. The vast mountains are the source of valuable timber. Palawan's main island measures 425 kilometers long and averages 40 kilometers wide. Palawan has 1,959 kilometers of coastline which is mostly irregular and thus make excellent harbors. Puerto Princesa, the capital city, is the chief seaport and the center of trade and commerce.

C. POLITICAL SUBDIVISION
The province is subdivided into 23 municipalities namely Aborlan, Agutaya, Araceli, Balabac, Bataraza, Brooke's Point, Busuanga, Cagayancillo, Coron, Cuyo, Dumaran, El Nido, Kalayaan, Linapacan, Magsaysay, Narra, Quezon, Roxas, Rizal, San Vicente and Taytay. Furthermore, there are 420 barangays and one city. Twelve municipalities are located in the mainland. The other 18 island municipalities are accessible by motorized bancas and launches plying the neighboring municipalities and the city of Puerto Princesa.

D. CLIMATE
The province has two types of climate: the first type which occurs in the northern and southern extremities and the entire western coast has two distinct seasons - six months dry and six months wet. The other type, which prevails in the eastern coast, has short dry season of one to three months and no pronounced rainy period during the rest of the year. The southern part of the province is practically free from typhoons but the northern part has persistent gales and torrential rains during July and August.

E. POPULATION
Palawan's projected population for 1995 is 750,000. This figure includes native Palawenos and migrants from the various provinces within and outside Region IV. Population density is 36 persons / square kilometer while sex ratio is 116 males : 100 females.

Palawan is a melting pot of 87 different cultural groups and races who live together in peace and harmony. Generally, the people are of Malay origin but there is a strong evident influence from Borneo, China and the Middle East. Eighteen percent (18%) of the populace is composed of the following cultural minority groups:
1. Tagbanua 2. Pinalawan 3. Batak 4. Ken-uy or Tao't Bato 5. Calamianen

The native born Palawenos, still predominate the populace. They are characterized as very religious, proud, cordial, cheerful and with a highly developed community spirit. They place a high value in education and are influential in shaping the political cultural, social and economic life of the province. Next predominant group is the Muslim group, then the Bataks.

F. LANGUAGE / DIALECTS
There are 52 dialects in the province, with Tagalog being spoken by 28% of the people. Other major dialects are Cuyono (26.27%) Pinakawan (IIonggo 11.08%) and IIonggo (9.6%).

G. MAJOR INDUSTRIES

1. Agricultural Crops
Palawan has a potential agricultural land area of 454,407.5 hectares of which only one fifth is cultivated. Most of these uncultivated land are suitable for both commercial and staple crop production. Listed below are the major crops grown in the province:

2. Livestock Raising
The readily available source of cheap feeds for poultry and the vast grazing land for cattle fattening make livestock commercially viable.

3. Fishing
Palawan's fishing grounds are among the richest in the Philippines. It is the source of more than 37% of commercial fish output in the country (although most operators come from Manila).

Estimated area for inland fishing is 40,126 hectares. Likewise some 637 hectares are suited for mussel, oyster and seaweed. Of the 1,169 hectares of existing and developed fishponds (brackish and freshwater), only 288 hectares are productive. A total of 27,943 hectares are identified for fishpond development.
Aquaculture:
a. tuna fishing
b. prawn culture
c. carp, catfish, mullet, eel, milkfish and tilapia culture
d. mussel and oyster farming
e. seaweed farming

4. Forest Resources
The total forest area in mainland Palawan is 733,400 hectares and 46,450 hectares of mangrove. In the island municipalities, the total forest area is 888,888 hectares while mangrove is 13,780 hectares.

Major lumber products are apitong narra, ipil, malugai and falcatta. Minor forest products available are almaciga resin, rattan, nipa shingles, bamboo, buri palm midribs and honey. Logging wastes may also be processed using available technology for specific purposes.

5. Manufacturing
Forest products can sustain secondary industries such as furnitures, hand bag, baskets and other crafts. industries:

6. Mineral Resources
Palawan enjoys abundant mineral resources--nickel, copper, manganese, chromite, limestone, gold, iron pyrite, sulphur and guano.