Romblon
| Romblon | |||
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| — Province — | |||
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| Coordinates: | |||
| Country |  Philippines |
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| Region | MIMAROPA (Region IV-B) | ||
| Founded | March 10, 1917 | ||
| Capital | Romblon | ||
| Government | |||
| - Governor | Natalio Beltran III (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 1,533.5 km2 (592.1 sq mi) | ||
| Area rank | 68th out of 80 | ||
| Population (2007) | |||
| - Total | 279,774 | ||
| - Rank | 65th out of 80 | ||
| - Density | 182.4/km2 (472.5/sq mi) | ||
| - Density rank | 43rd out of 80 | ||
| Divisions | |||
| - Independent cities | 0 | ||
| - Component cities | 0 | ||
| - Municipalities | 17 | ||
| - Barangays | 219 | ||
| - Districts | Lone district of Romblon | ||
| Time zone | PHT (UTC+8) | ||
| ZIP Code | |||
| Spoken languages | Romblomanon, Onhan, Asi and Sibuyanon | ||
Romblon is an island province of the Philippines located in the MIMAROPA region in Luzon. The province consists of numerous islands sitting in the Sibuyan Sea. It lies south of Marinduque and Quezon, east of Mindoro, north of Aklan and Capiz, and west of Masbate. The three major islands are Romblon Island, Tablas Island, and Sibuyan Island. Its capital is the municipality also named Romblon located in Romblon Island; they are near the centre of the archipelago, and the most northern islands of the Visayan group, hence it belongs previously to Western Visayas, but later its regional grouping was transferred later to Southern Tagalog (Islands) Region IV-B or MiMaRoPa Region.
The northern islands of the Archipelago, known as the Maghali group or Tres Islas, form with the islands of Mindoro and Marinduque clear, deep channels, much frequented by Filipino boats; the islands are indented with well sheltered inlets and bays. The province was organized into Politico Military Commandancia in 1853. Islands constituting the province are as follows: Banton Island, the most northerly island of the group; Maestro de Campo Island, the westernmost island of the province; Simara Island, situated in between Tablas and Banton; Tablas Island, the largest island in the group; Sibuyan Island, the second largest, easternmost island in the group; Carabao Island, the southernmost island of the province, and Romblon Island, the third largest island, which gives its name to the group and to the province, due to its central location and its mineral wealth, namely marble.
Romblon is the country's leading producer of high-quality marble, comparable to that of Italy.
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History
The province of Romblon was formerly called Lomlon (an act of a hen nesting to warm her eggs, based on the fact that when a Spanish soldier was ordered to ask the natives the name of the island and accidentally pointed to a place where a hen is nesting, the native answered lomlom, hence the misinterpretation) and later corrupted to the word Domblon. It was organized by the Spanish into a politico-military district in 1853 and made a sub-province of Capiz. In 1917, it was converted into a separate province. In October 1, 1946, Romblon was made into a special province with four municipalities, namely Tablas, Romblon, Sibuyan and Maghali. On January 1, 1947, the regular provincial status of Romblon was restored.
Romblon's early inhabitants were the Negritos from Panay and Mangyan tribes from Mindoro. Ancient hanging coffins and aboriginal artwork was discovered in caves of Banton Island signify a rich ancient civilization and culture.
Geography
Approximately 187 nautical miles (346 km) south of Manila, the islands of Romblon lie on Sibuyan Sea, South of Marinduque Island and North of Panay. To the east is the island of Masbate and in the west is Mindoro.
Romblon is endowed with lush vegetation and mineral resources. Aside from marble, the islands are rich in granite, nickel, silica, mercury, zinc, copper, silver, limestone, sulfide, ores, kaolin, clay, magnesium and quartz. Gold panning sites have sprouted in some of the mountain stream areas in Magdiwang, Sibuyan Island. The fertile soil nurtures varied agricultural crops—like coconut, rice, corn, bananas, rootcrops, fruit trees, vines and many others. Offshore, Romblon is a rich fishing ground. The islands lie on the migratory path of fishes from the Sulu and Visayan Seas, passing the Tablas Strait, Sibuyan Sea and Romblon Pass.
Demography
The majority of the inhabitants of the province are Visayan; some Negritos are found on the interior of Tablas and Carabao and Manguianes or May-as in Sibuyan mountains.
There are three distinct languages spoken as a native language by Romblon's inhabitants; they are Romblomanon or Tiyad Ini including many variant Sibuyanon dialects, Bantoanon or Asi, and Inunhan or Onhan. Hiligaynon, Tagalog, and English are also used depending on the situation.
The people of the province are mostly Christians- 75% belongs to the Roman Catholic and 25% to the Philippine Independent Church, Iglesia ni Cristo, Seventh-day Adventist Church, Baptists, Church of the Foursquare Gospel in the Philippines and other Christian denominations.
Most of the residents of Romblon today are descendants of Malay settlers, who are believed to have arrived in the Philippines sometime in 1200 AD. Spanish conquistadors, who set foot in the Philippines in 1582, administered the province. Some old Spanish forts and churches, built with unique coral blocks, inlaid with intricate design works, still stand.
Media
Romblon takes pride in having a number of media entities.
FM Radio Stations
- DZVG Radyo Natin 101.3 MHz in Odiongan, Romblon owned by Manila Broadcasting Company
- DWGM Radyo Natin 104.5 MHz in Romblon, Romblon owned by Manila Broadcasting Company
- Hot FM in Looc, Romblon owned by Manila Broadcasting Company
Print Media
- Romblon Sun
Government
Congressman
Hon. Eleandro Jesus F. Madrona
Lone District of Romblon
Governor
Hon. Natalio Beltran III
Province of Romblon
Vice Governor
Hon. Alice C. Fetalvero
Sangguniang Panlalawigan
1st District
Hon. Nelson R. Lim
Hon. Gil Ll. Moreno
Hon. Patrocinio D. Manalon
Hon. Jorge M. Ramos
2nd District
Hon. Geminiano Galicia
Hon. Fred R. Dorado
Hon. Benjamin Irao Jr.
Hon. Manuel Madrid
Ex-Officio Members
Hon. Felix F. Ylagan
President
Philippine Councilors League - Romblon
Hon. Gerry Tansiongco
President
Association of Barangay Captains
Hon. Mark Philip P. Tandog
President
Romblon Provincial Federation of Sangguniang Kabataan
Economy
The province of Romblon is classified as a third class province.[1]
Situated at the center of the archipelago, Romblon links the supply areas of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Tugdan Airport in Tablas Island is only 45 minutes away by light aircraft from Metro Manila's Financial districts. Direct ship routes from Manila as well as the southern Luzon ports of Batangas and Lucena intensify its linkages with industrial CALABARZON region, making the province an ideal location for supply distribution and light manufacturing ventures. The Capital town of Romblon and the port town of Odiongan are the province's trade and commercial centers.
Political divisions
Romblon is subdivided into 17 municipalities.
Municipalities
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- Romblon Provincial Federation of Sangguniang Kabataan
References
External links
- Official website of the Provincial Government of Romblon
- Sight and Sound of San Andres Romblon Philippines Part II
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