Philippine Geographic Island Groups & Administrative Regions

Philippine Geographic Island Groups & Administrative Regions

Complete guide to the Philippines’ geographic island groups and administrative regions. Explore Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, the National Capital Region (NCR), and all 17 administrative regions that organize the country for governance, planning, and development.

Map by academia.edu

Overview of the Philippines’ Administrative Structure

The Philippines is divided into three major island groups—Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao—each containing multiple administrative regions. Alongside these, the National Capital Region (NCR) stands as a unique, standalone region that does not belong to any island group.

This page links all administrative divisions together in one authoritative hub.

Luzon Island Group (Administrative Version)

Map by by bgeec.visulexi.de

Luzon is the largest island group and contains seven administrative regions, including the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). These regions span from the Ilocos coast to the Bicol peninsula.

Luzon Administrative Regions

  • Region I – Ilocos Region — Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan
  • Region II – Cagayan Valley — Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino
  • Region III – Central Luzon — Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales
  • Region IV‑A – CALABARZON — Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon
  • Region IV‑B – MIMAROPA — Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan
  • Region V – Bicol Region — Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Sorsogon
  • CAR –Cordillera Administrative Region — Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province

Visayas Island Group (Administrative Version)

by micnon2018.org

The Visayas is the central island group of the Philippines, composed of three administrative regions known for their cultural diversity and economic activity.

Visayas Administrative Regions

  • Region VI – Western Visayas — Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental
  • Region VII – Central Visayas — Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Siquijor
  • Region VIII – Eastern Visayas — Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar

Mindanao Island Group (Administrative Version)

Map by printable-maps.blogspot.com

Mindanao Administrative Regions

  • Region IX – Zamboanga Peninsula — Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay
  • Region X – Northern Mindanao — Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental
  • Region XI – Davao Region — Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao Occidental
  • Region XII – SOCCSKSARGEN — Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat
  • Region XIII – Caraga — Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Islands
  • BARMM — Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Sulu, Tawi‑Tawi

National Capital Region (NCR) – Region XVI (Standalone Region)

Map by futureseducation.s3.amazonaws.com

National Capital Region (NCR) The National Capital Region (NCR), commonly known as Metro Manila, is a unique administrative region located within the Luzon island group. Unlike other regions, NCR is not divided into provinces and instead consists of cities and a single municipality that collectively form the political, economic, and administrative center of the Philippines. What Makes NCR Unique?

  • It is one of the Philippines’ 17 administrative regions and serves as the seat of the national government.
  • It functions as the country’s primary center for business, finance, transportation, education, and culture.
  • It contains 16 highly urbanized cities and 1 municipality (Pateros).
  • Unlike other regions, NCR has no provincial governments and operates through a metropolitan governance structure.
  • Although geographically located on Luzon, NCR is administered separately from the surrounding provinces of CALABARZON and Central Luzon.

Cities and Municipality of NCR

  • Manila
  • Quezon City
  • Makati
  • Pasig
  • Taguig
  • Mandaluyong
  • San Juan
  • Marikina
  • Pasay
  • Parañaque
  • Las Piñas
  • Muntinlupa
  • Valenzuela
  • Caloocan
  • Malabon
  • Navotas
  • Pateros (only municipality)

NCR’s Administrative Role

NCR functions as:

  • The seat of national government
  • The center of commerce and finance
  • A hub for transportation, education, and culture
  • A unique administrative region without provinces

Conclusion

Understanding how Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and NCR fit together in the Philippines’ administrative hierarchy gives travelers, researchers, and students a clearer picture of how the country is organized. If you’re exploring regional profiles, building travel plans, or studying governance, this hub is your starting point.

Use the links above to dive deeper into each region, province, city, and barangay. Continue exploring the Philippines’ administrative structure through our detailed guides and build a complete understanding of how the nation’s regions connect and operate.