Mindoro

Mindoro is an island in the southwest Philippines, part of the Mimaropa region. It is the seventh-largest island in the country and lies off the southwestern coast of Luzon. The island is divided into two provinces, Occidental Mindoro to the west and Oriental Mindoro to the east. The provincial capitals are Mamburao (Occidental Mindoro) and Calapan (Oriental Mindoro). Mindoro is largely mountainous, with Mount Halcon among its highest peaks, and it features coastal plains along several shorelines. Apo Reef National Park lies off its western coast near Sablayan and is noted for its extensive coral reefs.

Mindoro is home to the Mangyan indigenous communities, who maintain traditional crafts and languages and live in forested and agricultural landscapes. The island hosts several endemic or regionally restricted species, including the tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis), a notable mammal historically associated with Mindoro and now increasingly restricted to protected areas. Biodiversity corridors and protected areas, such as Mount Calavite Wildlife Sanctuary and Apo Reef National Park, conserve forest and marine ecosystems.

Economy and transport on Mindoro are centered on agriculture, fisheries, and growing tourism. Coconut, rice, fruit crops, and other farm products form a foundation for many communities, while fishing and forestry provide additional livelihoods. Tourism has developed around natural and cultural attractions, including beaches, reefs, and Mangyan heritage sites, with Apo Reef and mountain landscapes among the draws.

Historically, Mindoro has a long pre-colonial presence of Mangyan groups, followed by Spanish and American periods of governance. Today it is part of the Philippines’ Mimaropa region. Access to Mindoro is primarily by sea from Batangas to various Mindoro ports, with road networks linking coastal towns to inland communities.