NCR - National Capitol Region

NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION: METRO MANILA GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION The National Capital Region or NCR is the center of Luzon and capital region of the Philippines. The Cordillera Mountains forms its boundary on the east, Laguna de Bay on the southeast, Central Luzon on the north and Southern Tagalog region on the south. It is composed of the cities of Manila, Kalookan, Las Pinas, Makati, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Paranaque, Muntinlupa, Pasay, Pasig and Quezon City. Pending ratification for city hood through plebiscites by their respective residents are the municipalities of Taguig, Valenzuela, and the industrial district of Novaliches in Quezon City. The municipalities of MM are Navotas, Malabon, Pateros and San Juan. Its total land area of 636 10 sq. kms. includes residential, industrial, institutional and agricultural areas and unclassified public forests. MM is divided into 6 zones: Manila Bay, Coastal Margin including its reclaimed area, Laguna de Bay, Guadalupe Plateau, Marikina Valley and Laguna Lowland. POPULATION In 2000, the region’s population was 10,492,000 which increases to more than 13 million during daytime due to a large workforce residing in the areas adjoining the metropolis but working in the city. CULTURAL GROUPS Metro Manila is composed of almost all the cultural groups of the Philippines. The principal language used is Tagalog with English as the secondary language. CLIMATE The dry season is from November to May and the rainy season from June to October. April and May are normally its warmest months. FACILITIES The metropolis has one of the first-class harbors in Asia. The Manila Bay opens out into South China Sea and is a gateway to Asia. Metro Manila is considered the country's premier business region with adequate facilities and services in transportation, housing and commercial infrastructure, communications, power supply and recreational facilities. It has world-class malls and commercial centers. It has excellent seaport facilities and an international airport supplemented by the seaports of international standards in Batangas City and Subic Bay, Olongapo and by the Clark International Airport in Angeles City. The government has envisioned an integrated road network and mass based rail transport system within the metropolis. Makati City is the premier business and financial district, although other areas are being developed such as the Ortigas Center in Pasig City, the Filinvest Corporate Center and Fort Bonifacio, Makati City.

SOURCES    -Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) -National Census and Statistics Office (NCSO) -(NAMRIA) -Department of Tourism (DOT) -Abigan Jr., Edmundo R. Philguides Maps Regions I - XIII (Manila: Philippine Guides, Inc.) 1999 -Regional Development Plan: Directions for the 21st Century Regions I –XIII, Cordillera Administrative Region (Philippines: Regional Development Council) 1998 -NEDA Medium Term Development Plan (Philippines, National Economic and Development Authority), 1999. -Actual Population per Region. http://www.PIDS.gov.ph Available online. January 2001