About Guimaras

Guimaras (population: 142,000) is a small island found in central Philippines. Roughly the size of Singapore, this 60,465-hectare province is known as the “Mango Capital of the Philippines” in reference to its signature crop. Certified by the US Department of Agriculture as free from mango pulp-weevil, Guimaras mango is exported to the US and Australia.

It is a new province, having been created only in 1992. Originally a member of the so-called Club 20 – a list of 20 poorest provinces in the Philippines released in 1995 – Guimaras implemented a number of initiatives that cut across all sectoral concerns which brought it out of the infamous roll. By 2005, it ranked 44th among the 79 provinces in the Philippines in terms of economic performance.

Found between the two larger islands of Panay and Negros in the Western Visayas Region, Guimaras boasts of its picturesque white-sand beaches, diving spots and rich marine biodiversity. Tourism is among its economic drivers, along with agriculture and fisheries. Tourism arrivals were recorded at 133,638 in 2004, while tourism receipts reached PhP159.1 million.

Guimaras has 24 beach resorts, seven of them found in small islets in the southern coast of the island. Its dive spots teem with colorful corals and tropical fishes, and its fishing grounds are populated with rare sea mammals like the dugong and several species of sea turtles. It is also home to the Taklong Island National Marine Reserve and the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center’s Research Station.

The island-province is surrounded by rich fishing grounds, which include the Guimaras Strait, Iloilo Strait, Panay Gulf and the Visayan Sea. Fishing is a major economic activity in 54 barangays, with at least 2,840 fishers who principally use non-motorized fishing crafts and gears consisting of hook and line and gill nets. Seaweeds are also providing additional income to coastal families. Aquaculture in the province is flourishing.