List of national parks of the Philippines
National parks
Table:
Name	Area	Established	Location

Aurora Memorial National Park	5,676.00 ha ( 14,025.7 acres )	1937	Aurora Nueva Ecija

Balbalasang-Balbalan National Park	1,338.00 ha ( 3,306.3 acres )	1972	Kalinga

Bangan Hill National Park	13.90 ha ( 34.3 acres )	1995	Nueva Vizcaya

Bataan National Park	23,688.00 ha ( 58,534.3 acres )	1945	Bataan

Biak-na-Bato National Park	2,117.00 ha ( 5,231.2 acres )	1937	Bulacan

Bulabog Putian National Park	854.33 ha ( 2,111.1 acres )	1961	Iloilo

Caramoan National Park	347.00 ha ( 857.5 acres )	1938	Camarines Sur

Cassamata Hill National Park	57.00 ha ( 140.9 acres )	1974	Abra

Fuyot Springs National Park	819.00 ha ( 2,023.8 acres )	1938	Isabela

Guadalupe Mabugnao Mainit Hot Spring National Park	57.50 ha ( 142.1 acres )	1972	Cebu

Hundred Islands National Park	1,676.30 ha ( 4,142.2 acres )	1940	Pangasinan

Kuapnit Balinsasayao National Park	364.00 ha ( 899.5 acres )	1937	Leyte

Lake Butig National Park	68.00 ha ( 168.0 acres )	1965	Lanao del Sur

Lake Dapao National Park	1,500.00 ha ( 3,706.6 acres )	1965	Lanao del Sur

Libmanan Caves National Park	19.40 ha ( 47.9 acres )	1934	Camarines Sur

Luneta National Park	58 ha ( 140 acres )	1955	Metro Manila

MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park	6.78 ha ( 16.8 acres )	1977	Leyte

Mado Hot Spring National Park	48.00 ha ( 118.6 acres )	1939	Cotabato

Minalungao National Park	2,018.00 ha ( 4,986.6 acres )	1967	Nueva Ecija

Mount Arayat National Park	3,715.23 ha ( 9,180.5 acres )	1933	Pampanga

Taking into account the accompanying table and the relevant paragraphs listed below.

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Aurora Memorial National Park is a protected area of the Philippines located within the Sierra Madre mountain range between the provinces of Nueva Ecija and Aurora in Central Luzon . The park covers an area of 5,676 hectares stretching over 50 kilometers along the scenic Bongabon-Baler road . Established in 1937 by virtue of Proclamation No . 220 , the park was dedicated to then First Lady Aurora Aragon Quezon . It had an initial area of 2,356 hectares . By 1941 , its size more than doubled to its current area of 5,676 hectares . The maximum altitude of the park is reported to be 1,000 m , so the main forest type inside the park must be lowland dipterocarp , with only limited areas of montane forest . Land uses inside the park include both permanent and shifting agriculture ( kaingin ) and forestry .
Aurora ( Tagalog : Lalawigan ng Aurora ; Ilocano : Probinsia ti Aurora ) is a province in the Philippines located in the eastern part of Central Luzon region , facing the Philippine Sea . Its capital is Baler and borders , clockwise from the south , the provinces of Quezon , Bulacan , Nueva Ecija , Nueva Vizcaya , Quirino , and Isabela . Before 1979 , Aurora was part of the province of Quezon . Aurora was , in fact , named after Aurora Aragon , the wife of Pres . Manuel L. Quezon , the president of the Philippine Commonwealth , after whom the mother province was named .
Nueva Ecija ( PSGC : 034900000 ; ISO : PH-NUE ) ( Filipino : Lalawigan ng Nueva Ecija ; Ilocano : Probinsia ti Nueva Ecija ; Kapampangan : Lalawigan ning Nueva Ecija ; Pangasinan : Luyag na Nueva Ecija ) is a landlocked province in the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region . Its capital is the city of Palayan . Nueva Ecija borders , from the south clockwise , Bulacan , Pampanga , Tarlac , Pangasinan , Nueva Vizcaya and Aurora . The province is nationally known as the Rice Granary of the Philippines , producing the largest rice yield in the country .
Balbalasang-Balbalan National Park ( also known as Mount Balbalasang National Park ) is a protected area of the Philippines located in the municipality of Balbalan , Kalinga in the Cordillera Administrative Region . The park covers an area of 1,338 hectares and is centered on Mount Balbalasang in the barangay of the same name near the provincial border with Abra . Dubbed the green heart of the Cordillera , the park is representative of the rich biodiversity and landscape of this mountain region with some of the most intact pine forests and richly endemic flora and fauna . It was declared a national park in 1972 by virtue of Republic Act No . 6463 .
Kalinga is a landlocked province in the Philippines situated within the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon . Its capital is Tabuk and borders Mountain Province to the south , Abra to the west , Isabela to the east , Cagayan to the northeast , and Apayao to the north . Kalinga and Apayao are the result of the 1995 partitioning of the former province of Kalinga-Apayao which was seen to better service the respective needs of the various indigenous peoples in the area . Unbeknownst to many , President Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed Lubuagan town the seat of government for 73 days from 6 March 1900 to 18 May 1900 before finally fleeing to Palanan .
Bangan Hill National Park is a protected area of the Philippines located in the municipality of Bayombong , Nueva Vizcaya in Cagayan Valley . The park covers an area of 13.90 hectares . It was declared a national park in 1995 by virtue of Republic Act No . 7954 . The park is a historic and cultural landmark of Nueva Vizcaya , being the site of the first mass in the province in 1739 officiated by Father Pedro Freire . The event also marked the founding of the municipality of Bayombong . The park is also the site of the annual Stations of the Cross staged by the local Catholic church during the Lenten season using live actors depicting the last moments leading to Jesus Christ 's crucifixion . It is also an ideal year-round destination for hiking enthusiasts with the observation deck commanding a great view of the expanse of the surrounding valley formed by the Caraballo and Cordillera Central mountains .
Nueva Vizcaya ( Ilocano : Probinsia ti Nueva Vizcaya [ Baro nga Biscaya ] ; Gaddang : Probinsia na Nueva Vizcaya ; Tagalog : Lalawigan ng Nueva Vizcaya ) is a province of the Philippines located in the region of Cagayan Valley in Luzon . Its capital is Bayombong . It is bordered by Benguet to the west , Ifugao to the north , Isabela to the northeast , Quirino to the east , Aurora to the southeast , Nueva Ecija to the south , and Pangasinan to the southwest . Quirino province was created from Nueva Vizcaya in 1966 .
Bataan National Park is a protected area of the Philippines located in the mountainous interior of Bataan province in the Central Luzon Region . The park straddles the northern half of Bataan Peninsula near its border with Subic Bay Freeport Zone , Zambales . The park was first established in 1945 under Proclamation No . 24 with an initial area of 31,000 hectares and included portions in Subic , Zambales . The park was reduced in 1987 to its present size of 23,688 hectares ( 58,530 acres ) and is now wholly located in Bataan province . The park encompasses the Bataan towns and cities of Hermosa , Orani , Samal , Abucay , Balanga , Bagac and Morong . Mount Natib with its 6 by 7 km ( 3.7 by 4.3 mi ) wide forested acorn-shaped caldera is located in the middle of the park . Activities in the park include nature viewing , bird watching , and trekking to its several peaks and waterfalls . The park is located 101 kilometres ( 63 mi ) from Manila , its mountains can be seen across Manila Bay from the city .
Bataan ( /bɑːtɑːˈɑːn/ ; Tagalog : Lalawigan ng Bataan IPA : [ bataʔan ] ; Kapampangan : Lalauígan ning Bataan ) is a province situated in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines . Its capital is the City of Balanga . Occupying the entire Bataan Peninsula on Luzon , Bataan is bordered by the provinces of Zambales and Pampanga to the north . The peninsula faces the South China Sea to the west and Subic Bay to the north-west , and encloses Manila Bay to the east . The Battle of Bataan is famous in history as one of the last stands of American and Filipino soldiers before they were overwhelmed by the Japanese forces in World War II . The Bataan Death March was named after the province , where the infamous march started .
Biak-na-Bato National Park is a protected area of the Philippines located almost entirely within Barangay Biak-na-Bato in San Miguel , Bulacan from where it derives its name . The park also extends to the nearby municipalities of San Ildefonso and Doña Remedios Trinidad covering a total area of 2,117 hectares . It was declared a national park in 1937 by President Manuel Luis Quezon by virtue of its association with the history and site of the Biak-na-Bato Republic . The park consists of a cave network and a system of rivers and trails of both historical and ecological importance . Situated only 80 kilometers northeast from Manila , it is fast becoming a popular weekend eco-adventure destination for the city dwellers .
Bulacan ( Tagalog : Lalawigan ng Bulakan ; Kapampangan : Lalawigan ning Bulacan ) ( PSGC : 031400000 ; ISO : PH-BUL ) is a province in the Philippines , located in the Central Luzon Region ( Region III ) in the island of Luzon , 11 kilometres ( 6.8 mi ) north of Manila ( the nation 's capital ) , and part of the Metro Luzon Urban Beltway Super Region . Bulacan was established on August 15 , 1578 . It has 569 barangays from 21 municipalities and three component cities ( Malolos the provincial capital , Meycauayan , and San Jose del Monte ) . Bulacan is located immediately north of Metro Manila . Bordering Bulacan are the provinces of Pampanga to the west , Nueva Ecija to the north , Aurora and Quezon to the east , and Metro Manila and Rizal to the south . Bulacan also lies on the north-eastern shore of Manila Bay . In the 2015 census , Bulacan had a population of 3,292,071 people , the most populous in Central Luzon and the third most populous in the Philippines , after Cebu and Cavite . Bulacan 's most populated city is San Jose del Monte , the most populated municipality is Santa Maria while the least populated is Doña Remedios Trinidad . In 1899 , the historic Barasoain Church in Malolos was the birthplace of the First Constitutional Democracy in Asia . On November 7 , 2018 , the Provincial Government of Bulacan bagged its fourth Seal of Good Local Governance award . The SGLG award is a progressive assessment system that gives distinction to remarkable governance performance .
The Bulabog Putian National Park is a protected wildlife and natural park located in the towns of Dingle and San Enrique in the province of Iloilo on the island of Panay in the Western Visayas region . The park covers an area of 854.33 hectares ( 2,111.1 acres ) along a 40 kilometers ( 25 mi ) trail in this rainforest . It was established in 1961 through Proclamation No . 760 signed by President Carlos P. Garcia . The park is known for its unique geological formation and is the only limestone mountain formation in Iloilo . It is also known as the location of the Cry of Lincud which started the Philippine Revolution in Iloilo in 1898 .
Iloilo ( [ ɪlo.ɪlo ] , Hiligaynon : Kapuoran sang Iloilo ; Kinaray-a : Kapuoran kang Iloilo ) is a province located in the region of Western Visayas in the Philippines . Iloilo occupies a major southeast portion of the Visayan island of Panay and is bordered by the province of Antique to the west , Capiz to the north , the Jintotolo Channel to the northeast , the Guimaras Strait to the east , and the Iloilo Strait and Panay Gulf to the southwest . Just off Iloilo 's southeast coast is the island province of Guimaras , once part of Iloilo but now an independent province . Across the Panay Gulf and Guimaras Strait is Negros Occidental , occupying the northwestern half of the larger island of Negros . Iloilo City , its capital , is geographically located in the province but remains politically independent from the provincial government . According to the 2015 census , the population of the province ( excluding Iloilo City ) is 1,936,423 . If Iloilo City is included , the population is 2,361,042 in total .
Caramoan Peninsula is a hilly peninsula in north-east Camarines Sur , Bicol , Philippines with deep gorges and a rough , rocky terrain . It contains the Caramoan National Park and is also an Important Bird Area with habitat for the green racket-tail ( Prioniturus luconensis ) .
Camarines Sur ( Central Bicolano : Habagatan na Camarines ; Tagalog : Timog Camarines ) is a province located in the Bicol Region in Luzon of the Philippines . Its capital is Pili and the province borders Camarines Norte and Quezon to the northwest , and Albay to the south . To the east lies the island province of Catanduanes across the Maqueda Channel . Camarines Sur is the largest among the six provinces in the Bicol Region both by population and land area . Its territory includes two cities : Naga , the lone chartered city , as the province 's religious , cultural , financial , commercial , industrial and business center ; and Iriga , a component city , as the center of the Rinconada area and Riŋkonāda Language . Within the province lies Lake Buhi , where the smallest commercially harvested fish , the Sinarapan ( Mistichthys luzonensis ) , can be found . The province is also home to the critically endangered Isarog Agta language , one of the three critically endangered languages in the Philippines according to UNESCO .
Cassamata Hill National Park is a protected area of the Philippines located in the municipality of Bangued , Abra in the Cordillera Administrative Region . The park covers an area of 57 hectares ( 140 acres ) and was declared a protected area in 1974 . Its location in the southern limits of Bangued municipality by the Ilocos Sur-Abra road affords easy access to its residents . The hill itself is an easy climb via a winding road or on foot by concrete stairways . Visitors are rewarded with panoramic views of the small town below as well as the whole expanse of the Abra River valley flanked by the Cordillera Central and Ilocos mountain ranges . The 990 meter ( 3,248 feet ) tall Mount Banti Goolong ( also called Sleeping Beauty mountain by locals ) is especially impressive from Victoria Park located in the summit of the hill . In addition to the park and mountain trails , Cassamata Hill also provides recreational facilities such as swimming pool , a hotel and an amphitheater . The park is also the site of a water reservoir and a shrine to the Virgin Mary .
Abra ( Ilocano : Probinsia ti Abra ; Tagalog : Lalawigan ng Abra ) is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon . Its capital is Bangued , and is bordered by Ilocos Norte on the northwest , Apayao on the northeast , Kalinga on the mid-east , Mountain Province on the southeast , and Ilocos Sur on the southwest .
Fuyot Springs National Park is a protected area of the Philippines located in the mountain slopes of Barangay Santa Victoria in Ilagan City , Isabela , 405 kilometers northeast from Manila . The park , which also contains the Ilagan Sanctuary , is 819 hectares in area and extends to the nearby municipality of Tumauini . It was established in 1938 through Proclamation No . 327 . The park is a popular draw for hikers , mountaineers , spelunkers and birdwatchers who come to explore its mountain trails , caves , odd rock formations and aviary . Adjacent to the park lies the larger Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park which contains even more diverse wildlife . The Pinzal Falls is another major draw inside the park and provides relaxation to visitors aside from the park 's many natural mountain springs .
Isabela ( Ilocano : Probinsia ti Isabela ; Ibanag : Provinsia na Isabela ; Tagalog : Lalawigan ng Isabela ) is the largest province on the island of Luzon in land area . Its capital is the city of Ilagan . Situated within the Cagayan Valley region , it is bordered by the provinces of Cagayan to the north , Kalinga to the northwest , Mountain Province to the central-west , Ifugao and Nueva Vizcaya to the southwest , Quirino and Aurora to the south , and the Philippine Sea to the east . This primarily agricultural province is the rice and corn granary of Luzon due to its plain and rolling terrain . In 2012 , the province was declared as the country 's top producer of corn with 1,209,524 metric tons . Isabela is the 10th richest province in the Philippines as of 2011 . The province has four trade centers in the cities of Ilagan , Cauayan , Santiago and the municipality of Roxas .
Guadalupe Mabugnao Mainit Hot Spring National Park is a protected area of the Philippines located in Barangay Guadalupe in Carcar , Cebu , some 50 kilometers from the provincial capital Cebu City . The park covers an area of 57.50 hectares occupying an important watershed forest reserve in the central Mantalongon mountain range . It was declared a national park in 1972 by virtue of Republic Act No . 6429 . The park is frequented by daily visitors for its hot springs where cottages and pools have been developed . Life-size statues of saints and Christ including that of Santo Niño de Cebú have also added to its tourist attractions . A trail up a hill leads to at least three caves , the most explored being Cave Lorett and Cave Moymoy . Near Cave Lorett is another spring and four rivers . The park also contains a dam that supplies Carcar 's water .
Cebu ( /sɛˈbuː/ ; Cebuano : Sugbu ) is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas ( Region VII ) region , and consists of a main island and 167 surrounding islands and islets . Its capital is Cebu City , the Queen City of the South , the oldest city and first capital of the Philippines , which is politically independent from the provincial government . The Cebu Metropolitan Area or Metro Cebu is formed by 7 neighboring cities ( Carcar City , Cebu City , Danao City , Lapu-Lapu City , Mandaue City , Naga City , and Talisay City ) and 6 municipalities ( Compostela , Consolacion , Cordova , Liloan , Minglanilla , and San Fernando ) . Cebu is one of the most developed provinces in the Philippines with Metro Cebu being the second largest metropolitan area in the Philippines ( after Metro Manila ) and Cebu City as the main center of commerce , trade , education and industry in the Visayas . In a decade it has transformed into a global hub for business processing services , tourism , shipping , furniture-making , and heavy industry . Mactan-Cebu International Airport , located on Mactan Island , is the second busiest airport in the Philippines .
The Hundred Islands National Park is the first national park and a protected area located in Alaminos , Pangasinan in the northern Philippines . The islands , totaling 124 at low tide and 123 at high tide , are scattered in Lingayen Gulf covering an area of 16.76 square kilometres ( 6.47 sq mi ) . Only three of them have been developed for tourism : Governor Island , Quezon Island , and Children 's Island .
Pangasinan ( Pangasinan : Luyag na Panggasinan ; Tagalog : Lalawigan ng Pangasinan ) is a province in the Philippines . Its provincial capital is Lingayen . Pangasinan is on the western area of the island of Luzon along the Lingayen Gulf and West Philippine Sea . It has a total land area of 5,451.01 square kilometres ( 2,104.65 sq mi ) . According to the 2015 census , it has a population of 2,956,726 people . The official number of registered voters in Pangasinan is 1,651,814 . The western portion of the province is part of the homeland of the Sambal people , while the central and eastern portions are the homeland of the Pangasinan people . Due to ethnic migration , Ilocano people have settled in some areas of the province . Pangasinan is the name for the province , the people , and the language spoken in the province . Indigenous Pangasinan speakers are estimated to number at least 2 million . The Pangasinan language , which is official in the province , is one of the officially recognized regional languages in the Philippines . In Pangasinan , there were several ethnic groups who enriched the cultural fabric of the province .
Kuapnit Balinsasayao National Park is a protected area of the Philippines located in the municipalities of Abuyog and Baybay on Leyte island of Eastern Visayas . The park covers an area of 364 hectares deep within the mountainous forests of Leyte Island some 60 kilometres ( 37 mi ) south of Tacloban via the Maharlika Highway . It was declared a national park in 1937 by virtue of Proclamation No . 142 .
Leyte ( /ˈleɪti , ˈleɪteɪ/ LAY-tee , LAY-tay ) is an island in the Visayas group of islands in the Philippines . It is the seventh largest island in the Philippines by land area . The island was known to 16th-century Spanish explorers as Tandaya . Its population grew rapidly after 1900 , especially in the Leyte and Ormoc valleys . In World War II , U.S. forces landed on Leyte ( October 20 , 1944 ) , and , after the Battle of Leyte Gulf , the Japanese were expelled . Since the accessibility of land has been depleted , Leyte has provided countless number of migrants to Mindanao . Most inhabitants are farmers . Fishing is a supplementary activity . Rice and corn ( maize ) are the main food crops ; cash crops include coconuts , abaca , tobacco , bananas , and sugarcane . There are some manganese deposits , and sandstone and limestone are quarried in the northwest . Politically , the island is divided into two provinces : ( Northern ) Leyte and Southern Leyte . Territorially , Southern Leyte includes the island of Panaon to its south .
Lake Butig National Park is a protected area of the Philippines located in the municipality of Butig , Lanao del Sur in Mindanao Island . The park spans an area of 68 hectares comprising Lake Butig and its surrounding forest . It was declared a national park in 1965 by virtue of Republic Act No . 4190 .
Lanao del Sur ( Maranao and Iranun : Pagabagatan Ranao ) , officially the Province of Lanao del Sur , is a province in the Philippines located in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao ( BARMM ) . The capital is the city of Marawi , and it borders Lanao del Norte to the north , Bukidnon to the east , and Maguindanao and Cotabato to the south . To the southwest lies Illana Bay , an arm of the Moro Gulf . Situated in the interior of Lanao del Sur is Lanao Lake , the largest in Mindanao . The Darangen Epic Chants of the Maranao of Lanao del Sur is inscribed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2008 . The town of Tugaya is also recognized as a UNESCO Home for Culture and Heritage . The Craftsmanship of the people of Tugaya was formally requested by UNESCO to be included in the UNESCO Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2014 once proper documentation from the Philippine government has been completed . Furthermore , scholars have been pushing for the inclusion of the Torogans of Lanao in the UNESCO World Heritage List . Two torogans are currently being campaigned to be put back in Lanao del Sur as they have been moved to Bataan , 1,644.1 km away via land-sea transport , by the controversial Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar company .
Lake Dapao is a deep water lake located in the province of Lanao del Sur , southwest of Lake Lanao , in the island of Mindanao in the Philippines . It is one of the deepest lakes in the country , reaching a maximum depth of 120 metres ( 390 ft ) . It has an estimated surface area of 1,011 hectares ( 10.11 km2 ) . The lake receives water from local run-off and several small rivers . In 1965 , the lake and its vicinity was declared as a protected national park under Republic Act 4190 that covers an area of about 1,500 square kilometres ( 580 sq mi ) . Plants growing in the lake includes hydrilla ( Hydrilla spp ) and the filamentous alga ( Clodophora spp ) . The lake is also rich in fish that includes dalág ( Ophicephalus striatus ) , Mozambique tilapia ( Oreochromis mossambicus ) , common carp ( Cyprinus carpio ) , goby ( Glossogobius giurus ) and catfish ( Clarias spp ) .
Libmanan Caves National Park is a protected area of the Philippines located in Barangay Sigamot in the municipality of Libmanan , Camarines Sur in Bicol Region . It is centered on the massive 2,856 meter-long Colapnitan Cave , the tenth longest cave in the Philippines . The park itself covers a total area of 19.4 hectares across the hilly farmlands of Libmanan , known to host at least 18 more limestone caves of varying lengths , shapes and wonder . It was established in 1934 by virtue of Proclamation No . 654 . The park is famous as the habitat of thousand of bats whose guano has been gathered from the cave for decades . It is also home to swiftlets and some great long-armed spiders of the species Phrynus , known to be poisonous .
Rizal Park ( Filipino : Liwasang Rizal , Spanish : Parque Rizal ) , also known as Luneta Park or simply Luneta , is a historic urban park located in Ermita , Manila , Philippines which is considered as one of the largest urban parks in Asia , covering an area of 58 hectares ( 140 acres ) . The site on where the park is situated was originally known as Bagumbayan during the Spanish Colonial Period . It is adjacent to the historic Walled City of Intramuros and is a major tourist destination in the Philippines . Situated on the eastern shores of Manila Bay , the park plays a significant role in shaping the history of the Philippines . The execution of Filipino patriot José Rizal on December 30 , 1896 fanned the flames of the 1896 Philippine Revolution against the Kingdom of Spain . The park was officially named in his honor , and the monument enshrining his remains serves as the park 's symbolic focal point . The Declaration of Philippine Independence from the United States was held here on July 4 , 1946 as were later political rallies including those of Ferdinand Marcos and Corazon Aquino in 1986 that culminated in the EDSA Revolution .
Metropolitan Manila ( often shortened as Metro Manila ; Tagalog : Kalakhang Maynila ) , officially the National Capital Region ( NCR ) , is the seat of government and one of three defined metropolitan areas in the Philippines . It is composed of 16 cities : the city of Manila , Quezon City , Caloocan , Las Piñas , Makati , Malabon , Mandaluyong , Marikina , Muntinlupa , Navotas , Parañaque , Pasay , Pasig , San Juan , Taguig , and Valenzuela , as well as the municipality of Pateros . The region encompasses an area of 619.57 square kilometers ( 239.22 sq mi ) and a population of 12,877,253 as of 2015 . It is the second most populous and the most densely populated region of the Philippines . It is also the 9th most populous metropolitan area in Asia and the 5th most populous urban area in the world . The region is the center of culture , economy , education and government of the Philippines . Designated as a global power city , the region exerts a significant impact on commerce , finance , media , art , fashion , research , technology , education , and entertainment , both locally and internationally . It is the home to all the consulates and embassies in the Philippines , thereby making it an important center for international diplomacy in the country . Its economic power makes the region the country 's premier center for finance and commerce . The region accounts for 37.2% of the gross domestic product of the Philippines . The region was established in 1975 through Presidential Decree No . 824 in response to the needs to sustain the growing population and for the creation for the center of political power and the seat of the Government of the Philippines .
The MacArthur Leyte Landing Memorial National Park ( also known as the Leyte Landing Memorial Park and MacArthur Park ) is a protected area of the Philippines that commemorates the historic landing of General Douglas MacArthur in Leyte Gulf at the start of the campaign to recapture and liberate the Philippines from Japanese occupation on 20 October 1944 . This event led to the largest naval battle of World War II ( Also the world 's largest naval battle in terms of gross tonnage sunk ) and Japan 's eventual defeat and surrender after almost three years . The war memorial is located in the municipality of Palo on Leyte island in Eastern Visayas and is one of the region 's major tourist attractions . It was declared a national park on 12 July 1977 through Letter of Instructions No . 572 signed by President Ferdinand Marcos .
Mado Hot Spring National Park is a protected area of the Philippines located in barangay Awang in the municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat , Maguindanao in Mindanao Island . The park covers an area of 48 hectares containing the medicinal hotspring , along with a natural swimming pool and health resort near the Awang Airport . It was declared a national park in 1939 by virtue of Republic Act No . 456 .
Cotabato City , officially the City of Cotabato ( Maguindanaon : Ingud nu Kutawatu ; Iranun : Inged a Kotawato ) is an independent component city in the Philippine autonomous region of Bangsamoro . According to the 2015 census , it has a population of 299,438 . Cotabato City is formerly part and the regional center of Region XII . But due to the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law , it is now part of BARMM and served as the regional center . Being an independent component city , it 's not a subject to regulation from the Provincial Government of Maguindanao where it is geographically located . The Philippine Statistics Authority also lists Cotabato City as statistically independent . Cotabato City is distinct from and should not be confused with the province of Cotabato . The city was chartered by the virtue of Republic Act No . 2364 .
Minalungao National Park is a protected area of the Philippines located in the municipality of General Tinio , Nueva Ecija in Central Luzon . The park covers an area of 2,018 hectares centered along the scenic Peñaranda River bordered on both sides by up to 16-meter high limestone walls in the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountain range . It was established in 1967 by virtue of Republic Act No . 5100 . The park is considered as one of the few remaining natural environments in this region north of Manila . It is promoted by the local government as an ecotourism destination offering breath-taking scenery of green pristine river and unique rock formations . A system of unexplored caverns have also been identified as potential attractions . Facilities for picnics , swimming , fishing , raft riding and cliff diving have likewise been put up to draw more visitors .
Mount Arayat is an inactive basaltic volcano on Luzon Island , Philippines , rising to a height of 1,026 metres ( 3,366 ft ) . The volcano has a breached crater on its northwest side with a smaller andesitic dome in the collapse amphitheater . There are no historical records of eruption in Arayat and the only dated rocks are 530- and 650-thousand-year-old basalts predating the collapse and formation of the lava dome . The Mount Arayat National Park was established in 1933 . The mountain is located in a flat agricultural region at 15°12′N 120°45′E / 15.200°N 120.750°E / 15.200 ; 120.750 . The southern half of the mountain lies within the municipality of Arayat , Pampanga , while the north half and the mountain summit lies within Magalang , Pampanga . Ten miles ( 16 km ) to the west of Mount Arayat is Angeles , Philippines and the former Clark Air Base . The active volcano Mount Pinatubo is located 26 km ( 16 mi ) west . The volcano was officially declared as a tourist spot on 1997 . The mountain is mystical , the legendary home of Aung/Aring Sinukuan/Sinkuan/Suku or the Fairy known as diwata Maria Sinukuan depending on which version of the story the readers or listeners prefer , but in ancient Kapampangan folklore as well as the research gathered by Kapampangan students of Henry Otley Beyer , it was and is the abode of Apung/Aring Sinukuan , rival of Namalyari of Mount Pinatubo , who is in varying versions , the son of Cargon-Cargon who was mortally wounded in a fight with a giant from the Zambales Mountain Range which is said to be the home of Apu Namalyari . [ citation needed ] The mountain is currently under an immense deforestation threat . [ citation needed ] Locals have cited that there is a man in the mountain , angry due to the deforestation that was happening .
Pampanga ( Kapampangan : Lalauígan Kapampángan ; Tagalog : Lalawigan ng Pampanga ) is a province in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines . Lying on the northern shore of Manila Bay , Pampanga is bordered by Tarlac to the north , Nueva Ecija to the northeast , Bulacan to the east , the Manila Bay to the central-south , Bataan to the southwest and Zambales to the west . Its capital is the City of San Fernando . Angeles City , while geographically within Pampanga , is classified as a first-class , highly urbanized city and is governed independently of the province . The name La Pampanga was given by the Spaniards , who encountered natives living along the banks ( pampáng ) of the Pampanga River . Its creation in 1571 makes it the first Spanish province on Luzon Island ( Cebu in Visayas is older as it was founded by the Spaniards in 1565 ) . The town of Villa de Bacolor in the province briefly served as the Spanish colonial capital when Great Britain invaded Manila as part of the Seven Years ' War . At the eve of the Philippine Revolution of 1896 , Pampanga was one of eight provinces placed under martial law for rebellion against the Spanish Empire ; it is thus represented on the Philippine national flag as one of the eight rays of the sun . Pampanga is served by Clark International Airport ( formerly Diosdado Macapagal International Airport ) , which is in Clark Freeport Zone , some 16 kilometres ( 9.9 mi ) north of the provincial capital . The province is home to two Philippine Air Force airbases : Basa Air Base in Floridablanca and the former United States Clark Air Base in Angeles City . Due to its growing population and developments , the Clark Global City is now developed and is located in Clark Freeport Zone . By 2015 , the province has 2,198,110 inhabitants , while it has 1,079,532 registered voters .