MIMAROPA

MIMAROPA—Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan—combines islands with distinct characteristics into a single administrative region. Palawan's tourism potential, particularly El Nido and Coron, contrasts with Mindoro's agricultural economy and Romblon's marble quarrying, creating regional diversity that unified administration struggles to optimize.

Palawan dominates regional tourism. El Nido's limestone karst islands and crystal waters attract visitors seeking tropical paradise that mass tourism has not yet destroyed. Coron's World War II wreck diving adds historical dimension to natural attractions. The Puerto Princesa Underground River achieved UNESCO World Heritage status, adding another attraction to the island's portfolio.

Mindoro's economy differs entirely—rice, coconut, and livestock production sustaining agricultural communities without significant tourism development despite proximity to Metro Manila. The island demonstrates how tourism potential requires infrastructure investment, marketing, and service capacity that agricultural areas often lack.

Marinduque's Holy Week Moriones festival attracts cultural tourists seeking authentic religious celebration that combines Spanish Catholic and Filipino traditions. This niche tourism provides seasonal income that year-round attractions could not generate. By 2026, expect Palawan tourism to continue expanding with sustainability concerns intensifying, Mindoro agriculture persisting, and regional administration struggling to balance diverse island economies.